I am tired of being called a pill addict

    Bible:   As the Former ( Thank GOD its no longer true!) King of stone pain here on RC, you are way past the point that you should be on STRONG pain killers. Unfortunately, you & your husband probably don't have the information or training for this level of pain. I strongly urge the both of you to get a referal to a Pain Control Clinic. They can be found in any major city. Even if it means traveling a bit. Please research this option. I truly believe that you have suffered long enough! Remember also, most GI's have little training on this, nor understanding. A sad truth many CDers have learned the Hard Way! Especially those here..

      You have a RIGHT to not spend every moment hurting. BTW, I have a deep understanding of this issue, personally. Aside from the stones & my own Crohn's pain ( which is intense & frighting in a Flare, ask anyone here who knows me!) I also suffer from arthritis from the CD & Osteoarthritis as well. I CHOOSE ***NOT*** to lay back & hurt. Even though I was raised in the stoic tradition for males.

      Panyo: My words are not opinion, they are backed up by research. I'd be happy to discuss this with you on a SEPERATE thread.

     Sincerely, 

      Matthew

       

Okay. First post ever. Diagnosed in 03 with Crohn's Disease, hospitalized several times. Was on remicade.> Great for 2 years, but built up antibodies, went on Humira next.. nothing.. Have been on prednisone for 8 months and now I am trying a new infusion therapy.. I take prednisone, arava, and effexor everyday. I recently broke my foot from the long term prednison use. 

My roommates have just recently tried to have an "intervention" with me because they claim I am an "addict".  I hardly take pain pills and when I do, it is half or a quarter of one.  The symptoms they described of me were tired all the time, eyes droopy, i don't eat or drink, erratic behaviour (sleeping, or working), depressed, and I drive under the influence of these drugs... I honestly was shocked stupid.  I had nothing to say. Needless to say I am moving out, they are not worth educating. But honestly, I am worried they are going to tell people that I am an addict, so I totally hear where you are coming from. I don't know what to do either.

I asked my husband to keep a hold of my pain pills a few months ago because I wanted to take less of them and I thought that if I had to ask him for one I would take less. He never judges me and would never give me a hard time about them though. (He's great). I found that I had to take a higher dose after about a year of being out of the hospital and diagnosed.

I lost my job last week and stopped taking any because I figure I will have to take a drug test for any new job. Even thought I have a valid RX for these I figure it would be better not to have to discuss with an employer. I don't want to scare them off. (Plenty of time for that later, right?) I haven't had any problem not taking my once every other day or so pain pill.... except a whole lot of achey joints and pain. I can live with the pain but it makes it very difficult for me to sleep. I am pleased that I don't appear to have an addiction problem.

Bible, glad you are doing ok and you had a talk with your husband. Not to bust on the forum members here of the male persuasion but.... guys can be real idiots sometimes and we need to set them straight.