Oxycontin

Melissa, I see that you have gotten several differing opinions on Oxycontin and on pain meds in general. I think that addiction is always important to consider with our meds -- but I also believe those of us who DO consider it are the ones LEAST likely to actually become addicted -- instead we become hyper-viligent against addiction! It is an individual choice whether or not to take a particular medication -- all we can offer here is (1) our experiences with taking the meds, and (2) our opinions. For me, hearing what has happened for different people is much more important than the opinions! We all are looking for the best quality-of-life we can have. If I had 24/7 pain that kept me from living, you bet I'd consider & use the 'big guns'! If I had pain I could work around, I'd do that. For something in-between, I'd find something else that worked. Since it was a pain dr that suggested the Oxycontin to you -- here's what I'd do in your shoes: I'd take it as directed for a couple of weeks -- long enough to feel like myself again and be able to think clearly and make good decisions -- then I'd go back and have a discussion about the relative merits of various treatment options -- maybe physical therapy or a less threatening med would fit the bill, maybe not. It's important to remember that it is totally your choice, and that no one else is walking in your shoes (or sitting in your brain measuring pain levels)... so the only opinion that counts is yours! Cheers,

Lynnwood,

Thank you for your input. You're correct, ultimately it is my choice and essentially what I was looking for was input from individuals who had tried the med. I wanted to hear their experiences good or bad, because I know there are both out there and then I am going to do just what you suggest follow with my pain doc and discuss how the med made me feel the pro's and con's for me and then the info I have gathered. From there we (my doc and I) will make an educated decision where I will go from here.

I have to say I have not felt this good and been able to function to this degree for so long in years. Yesterday I was able to go get my Goddaughter, we spent the day together, she is 6 yrs old, the kids here are on spring break. We went to a movie (first one I've seen in the movie house in years) then came home and played with all the toys she has at my house. Her mom called about 6 and wanted to come get her, I told her "no, I'm having such a good time, let her spend the night!" It has been over a year since she has been able to spend the night and it breaks my heart because she always asks me "Mimi, when am I going to be able to spend the night again?" See, Mimi (that's me..lol) spoils the heck out of her, and she's so worth it! When I picked her up she had a shirt on that said "Spoiled Rotten by my Mimi" it was adorable! Anyway, my point, I feel fine today and without this med, this would not be possible!

Kookla,

I realize the oxycontin is an addictive drug, I took Norco prior to this and it too is addictive, but the thing is when we live in a world of pain, we have to make choices like this, it's not easy. I'm sorry to hear the med ruined your life and your marriage, and I do appreciate you sharing that. I really think if I work close enough with my pain doc and only take what he tells me to take, nothing more, ever, I will be okay. Also, he told me never to stop the med cold turkey, that's when you get the "addictive" feeling, he said this is a med a person must be tappered off of.

I have never had any kind of addicting habits in my life, not with street drugs (never wanted them, don't ever care to start), not with alcohol or cigerettes, so I am hoping this will be to my advantage and allow me to have a normal relationship with this med. Now, that said, I am not naive enough to know that it can't happen, and if it does I have a great support system in place around me and really feel we can make it through it.

Thank you both for your input.

Melissa