malpractice???

[gia1234]

Well, I have my last script and can't afford to get any more and REALLY want and know I need to stop taking this sh*t. I've heard some bad things about the long term effects of vicodin, wondering if they're all true. My doctor had me on a number of things...tramadol, somas, xanax, vicodin es, mezcline.... I'm wondering since he has never run ANY tests to check my liver/kidney function, if I have any damage. I don't have ins so can't just run to a dr at any time. Plus I'm broke as hell. Wondering if I should just go to the free clinic right before I quit and tell them about the problems I've been having. Then maybe they can run tests. And since I didn't know about long term damage, or even that I could get addicted, I'm wondering if I should try to sue my doctor. I feel like this is his fault. Instead of fixing the sources of the problems I have or referring me somewhere else, he just kept giving me pills. Anyone know anything about this?

[wait2long]

I went through the same anger process as you at first...i think its fine to a point, i think its the beginning of realization for some people, it was for me, as long as you know and admit you have a problem NOW. and also realize you do have to take responsibility for your own actions and recovery, it was a hard stage for me to get through also. i knew i had a severe problem, and i suspect my doctor knew also...when i had finally had enough of living the addicts lifestyle, i decided to make an appointment with him and come clean with him about my addiction (mind you, he had been my docotr for over 4 years!) and ask for some help or what was available...he basically threw me out of his office and then i got a letter in the mail within days telling me he would no longer treat me for ANYTHING. so he kind of left me out in the cold with no help and not a clue of what to do next, thats when i knew i was f*&%ed...but i got on the internet and started doing research and reading and learning about anything on addiction i could find, which in turn led me to methadone (BIG MISTAKE) for 10 months, then to suboxone maintenance, i had to find my own way, no one was there to help, and in my state doctors are not legally bound to help you with addiction, they can drop you flat on your face if they want anytime they want, even if they suspect any form of abuse, they will send you a letter stating they will no longer treat you, time to find a new doctor, which is hard to do once you have already been dropped by one, because they all KNOW why you were dropped (i live in a VERY small town)
it was up to me to "fix myself" and no one else, but it sure was hard to accept that, to accept that i had done this to myself knowingly and willingly... its still hard for me to come to terms FULLY with this part, i get so upset that i did this to myself...Good luck and i wish you all the best...

[GoingToMakeIt]

Welcome to the forum. All of us get touchy sometimes. Please forgive us. Some Drs really do say that you can't get addicted if you take as prescribed. I have seen this before. There is a very fine line between dependence (Our bodies needing the meds) to addiction where we will bend the rules to get the meds. This is oversimplified but true. If you are new here I ask you to put the bad things and any hurts aside. Give us a chance. You will see past this and realize we are all here to try our best to help and encourage each other. Remember as addicts, we look thru addicts' glasses. We don't mean to jump to conclusions, but we do. It is human nature.  I am sorry you were mislead by a Dr.
   The point now is to get off them, if that is what you want. There is a ton of experienced people that can give you tips and helps to get you out of this predicament. Again, Thanks for joining us.
   I don't know about the 'EYE' though. I feel like your looking inside me. :-)

[kimmiek]

Im still taking them.  Some mornings I cant move too well with out one.  I hate where Im at cuz I have a lot of pain, and when I take an extra one it makes me extremely tired. But Im getting to a point that  I have really bad sciatic nerve pain and neck pain even through the meds.  So, I feel like Im totally scr@w@d because if I get a higher dose, Im eventually going to have a harder withdrawal.  Like I said earlier its a crummy place to be!!  Dont know what to do except make the best of everyday and be the best I can be!  

[dyblue]

   I didn't think 3 or 4 codiene sulphates a day wasn't bad compared to 6 vikes It's all relative .  There is always someone worse off then ourselves that would be classified as addictive thinking in my book. I have strong opions on the subject as you can see and those legs thats withdrawl my dear.  It does magnify your pain many on this forum know it all too well.  Your body begin to justify use then your mind follows it's a real slippery slope so don't fall why wait till you get to 25 people have spend alot of money  and it can happen to anyone no one is better then anyone else but the first step is be honest and accountable .before you lose your life.  or your mind.   and all your cash.

[gia1234]

Thanks. Sometimes I just think maybe people answer the forum too quickly without asking enough questions about the person, ya know? So, are you off them or still taking them?

[kimmiek]

Hi - sorry if i was too harsh with you earlier.  I do remember at the very beginning of taking pain meds I would say to my doctor at almost every single visit "I dont want to get addicted to these" that was over 3 years ago.  She would always reply with "Im not going to give you enough to be addicted.  Addicts will do ANYTHING to get these and your not doing that" "Im only gonna give you what you need to control the pain" Which I do have and I cannot function with out some relief.  I started out with that doctor at a dose of 4~7.5/700 per day, built a tolerance to 4 ~10/325's a day and lots and lots of physical therapy, and chiropractor visits.  They also gave me muscle relaxors (which I hate) and tramadol.  I was able to get 90 tramadol and 120 vic 10s per month.  Then they sent me to a pm doctor and I now get 3 per day 30mg time released hydros with only 200 tylenol.  Its called a compound cuz they have to special make it at the pharmacy.  I sometimes take it too fast and have to taper at the end of my script.  I KNOW Im physically dependant, but I always struggle with wondering if Im an addict.  I have bad pain, but I like feeling better, so Im not sure.  I just never felt angry at the doctor about it~I thought that they were just trying to help me? This is sure a SH*tt* predicument were in, isnt it???  But at least its good to know that your not the only one in it.  Were all in it together on some level.  I guess thats comforting and it should also help us to leave any judgementalness aside.  Again, sorry if I came off that way.