I知 dependent on narcotics; that doesn稚 mean I知 an addict.

[Ghost in the Machine]

16. You are quite welcome! I try my best to teach people the differences between addiction andde

dependence. I saw where someone else in this thread did so, too. They said basically what I tell people.... *my* being dependent on pain medication, just to be able to function and have a little bit of "quality of life", is no different than people being dependent on heart medication, insulin, or any other medication that keeps them going from day to day.

I had actually quit going to pain management for almost 8 months, then I re-injured my back, wound up in the ER, hospital, back to my Neurosurgeon and was put back in pain management again. When I first started out, they had me taking a 30mg oxycodone every 4 hours... which was 6 times per day! After almost 3 years, they changed me to 40mg oxymorphone extended release 2 times per day, with 2 oxycodone 15mgs per day for "breakthrough pain". I was pretty strung out, as the oxymorphone (generic Opana) is a VERY STRONG opioid. They were supposed to last 12 hours, but I was lucky to get 7 to 8 hours relief. I finally weaned myself off of them, with minimal withdrawal symptoms. Now I am only on 15mgs of oxycodone 4 times per day.

As for catching people, it happens occasionally, usually with a surprise urine test/pill count, or if someone turns you in, like I have done a few times in the past. I don't need frauds making it harder for me to live my life as pain-free as possible. The bad part is, even if a person just got their prescription filled this morning, then got pulled over later in the day and most of their pills are gone, there is nothing the cops can do, as long as they are in the proper container. All the person has to do is say "the rest are at home, I'm only carrying what I need for the day".

The contract I signed with pain management also says that I have to keep my meds "safely stored" so they don't get stolen. Mine stay in my pocket at all times. I figure if someone wants them, they will have to physically take them from me. The thing is, I don't LOOK disabled, unless you can see the scar halfway down my neck... but my hair covers that up. I am right at 6'3", 210 pounds, long haired, bearded and tattooed all over. Not too many people bother me. Only 3 people even know that I go to pain management anyways, so I don't worry too much about strangers trying to rob me.

I wish that every person committing fraud on Medicare, or their State Medicaid system, would get busted and weeded out... for my sake, the sake of your former co-worker and everyone else who has a legitimate need, yet has to jump through hoops just to get help due to the fraudsters.

As bad as I have been financially drowning for the past 6 months, barely keeping my nose above water, I still wouldn't sell even ONE pill if I was starving. With MY luck, I'd get caught and lose everything I worked for, and broke my body down for. To make matters worse, I just wrecked my car last week, and don't have the money to fix it, either, so I am pretty much underwater now... with no lifeguard around. It sounds so easy to take a prescription that costs me less than $3.00/mo and turn it into over $2,000/mo CASH, but again, it's just not worth the risk of losing my healthcare, my income and my freedom.

I will just have to wait for a miracle, which may take a long, LONG time, but at least I will be free while waiting for it! I know from life experience that the "easy" way isn't always the BEST way.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost