How do you know?????????

[Sunshine8jr]

How do you know when you reach the point of "needing" or "wanting" the pain to stop?
I know there is a difference.
I'm just not sure if I would be able to tell.
I don't like the pain. I just want to know.
I don't want to cross that line. I don't take pain pills everyday. So am I ok?

tracy frown.gif

[ICNDonna]

It's so unfortunate when people who are in pain are afraid to take medications to help ease the pain. If you are taking pain medications to ease pain, there is little danger of addiction. I have taken pain meds when I need them for over 27 years now --- and when I don't have pain, there is no desire for the medications.

Sending encouraging hugs,
Donna

[Teri]

As a recovering alcohlic I ask myself that question ALOT. I don't use my meds as 'mind altering devices'. I use my meds to stop pain. When I was using I was using to get a buzz, a high, and I would do what ever it took to get that. It took years and a wonderful AA sponsor to make me comfortable with taking pain medication. After many different medications AND dr's I have found a dr who is willing to properly treat my pain and I am so very very grateful that he's got me on something that does help the pain but it doesn't alter my mind so I have no desire what so ever to abuse it. If I do have a day where my pain decides to take a day off (which doesn't happen too often) I don't even think of using my pain meds. If the pain feels like the heating pad will handle it, I just use the heating pad.

SO many of us struggle with this issue. And, I think that there are alot of us suffering emotionally with this issue and are afraid to post about it. IF anyone wants to post and stay anonymous, just register with a different name and use that name for this board.

There are soooooooooooo many of us here on the boards and if someone needs help with this issue, please don't be afraid to ask.

hugs to all~

[Katherine]

I second Terri statement.
Katherine