I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom CentralConsulting for Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
If you are a regular reader over here, then you already know that I have a degenerative neurological disease. It used to be called RSD, but is now referred to as CRPS which means Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. CRPS is known as the most painful disease. It ranks near the top of the McGill Pain Index. Here is a version below that shows you where my pain ranks compared to other conditions.
That should give you an idea on how most of my days go. Today is a bad day, a lot of rain. I feel crushed, literally and I feel as though I am on fire. Now you are probably wondering how I can get through the day without Opioids, well…I just DO. I have to chosen to do this my way.
Opioid prescription painkiller addiction (also known as opioid dependence) affects millions of Americans. I CHOOSE to not be one of the millions. I choose to live my life in pain, because atleast I am living and not in a drug induced stupor. I have watched first hand how Opioids can quickly rule someones life. It happens to good people all the time. They don’t do it on purpose for the most part. It is a fine line to walk!
When I was a young teen I was written a RX for a pain medication containing an opiate. I was written the RX because of endometriosis. It was pretty painful to me at that time. I have since sucked it. Anyhow, I remember that I had went through my RX faster than I should have. When you take something like this on a regular basis, eventually you need more and more because you build up a tolerance.
Now don’t get me wrong, opioids have their place. But that place is as a temporary bandage. For instance, when I have had surgery, I take the meds. I follow the instructions and once they are gone, then they are gone. Some pain just has to be accepted. You have to know that pain meds for such situations are not the answer, not the cure all. They will stop working and this is where the problems start. You will think it is ok to double up, triple up…before too long you have burned through a months worth of prescription in days.
Without airing my families business by personally naming anyone, let me just say we have watched this happen. It goes from an abuse of the prescription, then to methadone. Yes, methadone…what heroin users take to get off the needle. It happens. We have seen the long term damage that happens from this! Damage that can not be reversed. Thankfully the habit was kicked…but the damage had already been done. But the message it sent to me was loud and clear. So I choose to accept my pain, deal with it and live my life the best I can without opioids.
I want to make sure that you know about Turntohelp.com. This is an online resource that allows people to anonymously research opioid dependence, find help and treatment options. I learned that 93% of adults and 97% of doctors agree that opioid dependence can impact people from ALL walks of life. It is not a trouble makers condition, a poor persons condition, a race specific condition. It can happen to anyone!
Please click and check out this Opioid Dependence Infographic full size.
Have you dealt with Opioid addiction in your life? How did you deal with it? I would love to discuss this more!
Girl on Fire
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Wow. I never even realized that this was such a large problem. I will definitely avoid these types of pain killers. Hope that the weather clears up and you start feeling better!
We have a close relative with opioid dependence and it’s really, really sad. I don’t doubt that he needs a pain killer, but they’re just so mood altering and we wish he would get help. 🙁 I think you’re making a wise choice.
This is just another reason why we’ve chosen to use essential oils in our home. So far, I’ve been super happy with the results. I rarely took medicine before and now I don’t have to.
Thank you for being so open and sharing the resource. We’ve dealt with addiction problems (my ex), but of different sorts. Keeping you in my thoughts – stay strong!