I’m dependent on narcotics; that doesn’t mean I’m an addict.

[UglyGreed]

As a person who relies on pain medication to get by, I'm forced to feel shame every time I step inside a pharmacy.

started taking opioid painkillers not long after my third and last child was born. Despite having had nearly four dozen broken bones in childhood due to a genetic bone disorder (osteogenesis imperfecta or OI), I struggled little with pain or functional limitations in my young adulthood. I limped and tired easily, but every day I climbed up and down stairs, cleaned and cooked, walked with a baby or two in a stroller to do errands, and cared for my young children without any more severe consequence than sore muscles and joints at bedtime.

But around the time my son was born, things started, literally, to fall apart. Eight months pregnant, I sustained a meniscal tear in my left knee that would ultimately be surgically repaired twice but never really fixed. Today, at 47 years old, I have no cartilage left in either knee; sometimes when I change position, the joints emit an audible crunch. A stress fracture in my femur has bothered me on and off for a year. My orthopedist reports that the balls of my hip joints are embedding themselves in the too-soft bone of my pelvic sockets. My right wrist aches and throbs at night, particularly if I did a lot of writing or housecleaning that day.

To continue to climb up and down stairs, clean and cook, do my work, and care for my family, I rely on long-acting opioids, combined with high doses of Vitamin D, ibuprofen, hot baths, low-impact exercise (especially swimming), a produce-heavy anti-inflammatory diet, and rest.


http://www.salon.com/2016/01/18/im_dependent_on_narcotics_that_doesnt_mean_im_an_addict/

[SheilaT]

1. Here's what I don't get about the whole

prescription pain meds issue: Why is it that so many people with chronic pain cannot get adequate pain medication, and yet somehow all those addicted seem to be able to get what they want?

[hunter]

3. It's because the people with chronic pain issues are scared to death of being labeled as addicts.

Then they go from the usual hassles of getting their prescriptions filled to having monthly urine checks and crap.

The system is totally fucked.

[SheilaT]

11. I don't think it's really the people with the chronic pain issues.

Most of them are pretty desperate to get relief. It's the doctors who often don't prescribe adequately for them. Plus, those who actually are addicts (and deserve treatment) are the reason the doctors won't prescribe enough for the chronic sufferers.

Granted, my personal knowledge of all of this is practically nil. I've never had chronic pain, and when I've had acute pain (as in a broken leg once or a broken arm more recently) I was prescribed more than enough for the acute pain. But I have known those with chronic pain, and I know I haven't a clue what it's like to live with that.

[UglyGreed]

21. The pressure from the

doctors I dealt with caused me to stop taking pain killers over a year ago and I have paid the price, physically and mentally......

[hunter]

22. Perfectly fine doctors are afraid they'll be labeled as enablers of addicts...

... and fear the drug enforcement agencies.

The "war on drugs" has got to stop so we can deal with the problem in a rational way.

Opiates are pretty easy on the body compared to most alternative pain relievers (NSAIDS blow chunks, I can tell you why...) and addictions are simply another medical problem any society has to deal with, preferably without guns and prisons.

The drug warriors end up being, in effect, the price support teams for the most violent and the most politically well connected drug gangsters.

[UglyGreed]

23. I just wanted to make

it clear it was not the doctor/Nurse practitioner that prescribed the pain medication. It was other doctors that I had to tell I was taking such medications. The pain management Nurse Practitioner treated me with respect and kindness and knew I was more than responsible with my medication.

[one_voice]

46. +1

and doctors don't want to act like doctors.

edited to add: I finally just said eff it..I'll deal with the pain. I have small amount of pain medication that my doc gives me and I have to be literally crawling before I take it. The system works against anyone that needs it.

[Ghost in the Machine]

13. As someone who is in pain management, and dependent on opioids to make it through the day,

let me try to give you a little insight.

The law here used to be that your family doctor could prescribe you meds forever. All of a sudden "pain clinics", which were actually pill mills, started popping up everywhere. You go in with a radiologist's report from a recent MRI or Xrays with a diagnosis of "chronic pain", pay $250 - $300 CASH, and a doctor (usually getting kickbacks from a pharmaceutical company) prescribes you onycodone, anywhere from 10mg to 30mg. I have seen, with my own eyes, people LIMP into the clinic with a cane... and once out the door RUNNING to their car with their cellphone to their ear and prescription in hand. A 30mg oxycodone pill has a street value around here from $35 - $40 EACH! Normal monthly prescription? 120 to 180 pills. MANY PEOPLE get them just to sell them. They are defrauding the system and making it harder for legitimate pain patients to get the care they need.

Now, your doctor can prescribe for 3 months, then has to refer you to pain management. Besides opioids, the LEGITIMATE pain management offices also prescribe physical therapy, Epidural Steroid Injections and other forms of pain relief.

I have had 2 major neck surgeries, have a syrinx in my spinal cord in the Cervical region... a condition called Syringomyelia, major nerve damage from the 2 surgeries and 8 or 9 bulging, herniated or dried out discs in my T-Spine and L-Spine, along with nerve impingement, degenerative disc disease and a few synovial tears in some discs, which is worse than a ruptured (or "slipped" disc).

I only go to State Approved pain clinics that take insurance now. I didn't like going to the first one that I went to, as I figured out by the 2nd visit that they were a pill mill. They were shut down, and the operators arrested, a month after I quit going there.

People still get pain medication fraudulently, and they sell it on the streets. "Addicts" will sell or trade everything they have just to get a fix, then will resort to robbing/stealing if they have to. People who are "dependent" take their medications as prescribed, don't sell their pills, and do not engage in drug-seeking activities.

You sign a contract with pain management that you will not try to obtain pain medications from any other doctor, you submit to a urine screen and pill count on each visit, and you are subject to be called in at any time for a random drug test/pill count. I, personally, have no problem with that, and have even turned in one of my own family members who was going just to get the pills to sell.

I would NEVER sell my pills, period. The main reason being A: I *need* them to be able to function without pain. B: It's not worth it anyways because if you get caught, it is a FELONY count for EACH PILL, C: I am on Disability and Medicare, so I could be charged with Medicare Fraud, and lose everything I have because while on Disability, you can lose your income just for being CHARGED with a crime that has a sentence of 1 year or more! That's right... you don't even have to be CONVICTED yet to lose your income!

I think that I am starting to ramble, sorry, but I hope that you understood what I was trying to relay. Just like anything else in the world, in the world of pain relief there are some bad apples who ruin it for all of us.

Peace,

Ghost

[SheilaT]

15. Thank you very much for that explanation.

Do they never catch up with the people getting the pain meds fraudulently?

In my last job I had a co-worker who was on some serious pain meds. I know she has rheumatoid arthritis, possibly other issues. She complained bitterly about how hard it was to get what she needed, not to mention we worked at the local hospital, and she periodically freaked out thinking they'd call her in for a random urine test and then she'd be totally fucked. I kept on pointing out to her that she was only taking prescribed meds, her doctor could back up her need from them, but she was often nervous about her situation. Such a shame, because again, she needed stuff for chronic pain and she deserved to have it. Oh, yes, and she functioned quite well all the time.

[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

[TM99]

53. Well stated, thank you.

I also suffer from chronic pain. I have chosen not to go the pain med route personally. And yes, there is a world of difference between a dependence and an addiction. I know this professionally as a psychologist and personally suffering as I do.

Now, I am dependent upon hormone replacements. I must take every 10 days an injection of testosterone Cypionate. It is a controlled substance as well. It is a steroid. I am not an addict because I need this medication in order to function am I? No, of course not, and opiates for chronic pain sufferers are the same.

Can some dependent people flip into an addiction. Yes, it can and does occur, however, the low number that do so does not justify the attacks on opiate use for those who must have it to function. A better system that weeded out those types, got them the treatment they need, and then offered them other solutions is important. We agree.

Good luck to you.

[UglyGreed]

20. Thank for this reply

[Ghost in the Machine]

27. You're welcome. I hope that it can shed a little light to a lot of people...

Peace,

Ghost

[potone]

2. Very good article

The whole thing is well worth reading. This is why medical marijuana is so needed.

[Warpy]

4. Dependency and addiction are completely different phenomena

In dependency, the person is most functional on the drug, will become ill if the drug is discontinued suddenly, but will have no cravings for the drug, even if the withdrawal is fatal.

People are dependent on insulin, glucocorticoids (non anabolic steroids), antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, and, yes, opiates.

Addicts, on the other hand, experience frequent, intense cravings for their drug of choice. The cravings and even the symptoms of withdrawal will lessen markedly when a deprived addict gets a supply of his drug of choice, long before he actually ingests that drug.

When a drug dependent person is determined not to need the drug any longer and is tapered off, the person goes on without it, having no cravings that would cause him to try to get a supply re established. When an addict is tapered off a drug, he'll go out and find a new supply as soon as possible if the underlying cravings aren't being treated. That's why drug rehab so often fails.

True addicts are actually fairly rare. Most people would prefer to have their brains work correctly, given a choice, which sets the human race down firmly on the side of sobriety. People who become dependent on pain medication long after the source of the pain has gone are generally taking the drug out of fear the pain might return.

[nashville_brook]

6. it's a great explanation of the difference, with one caveat...

i think a lot of chronic pain people are tapered off and seek supply elsewhere *without* being addicts. I think they're simply being pushed out of pain management too soon, or for the wrong reasons, or their conditions are not universally recognized.

it's happened to me so many times i've just decided to deal as best i can on tramadol, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and whatever else i can stitch together...b-12, turmeric, TENs, heat -- it's exhausting. i'm still in pain most of the time, but it's better than being marginalized. so frustrating b/c i'm operating at about 50% power as i would if i were in a legit, doctor-driven pain management program — but i'll be damned if they exist anymore.

[Warpy]

7. I'm able to function tolerably well with a TENS and Ultram

I'm allergic to NSAIDS and I can't take Tylenol because of the kidney failure. I have been on a stable dose for many years because I prefer to spend part of my day in pain but thinking clearly.

I do agree that people are tossed off pain drugs because of DEA pressure on doctors, something that is utterly unacceptable. Untreated pain is fatal because it leads to social isolation, depression, and suicide.

[nashville_brook]

10. the author of the essay puts it so well in her last paragraph...

this is why i'd rather have 6-7 scale pain days than be in the system anymore:

The shame that overtakes my body when I walk into the pharmacy isn’t guilt about mistakes I’ve made in trying to live well with a deteriorating skeleton, things I’ve done that I shouldn’t or haven’t done that I should, although there are plenty of those. The shame is about who I’ve become—in the eyes of a culture suspicious of traditional medicine and reeling from painkiller and heroin abuse, in the eyes of medical professionals stymied by chronic pain, wary of potential drug seekers, and anxious to avoid suspicion about their prescribing practices, and in my own eyes. To be a chronic pain patient on opioids is to be seen as a problem, instead of as a person who, with the help of these potent medications and other tools, lives an active, satisfying life despite joints that crunch and bones that ache.

[Mariana]

9. True addicts really aren't all that rare.

There are a lot of real live alcoholics out there, who experience cravings, tolerance, withdrawal (which can be fatal), etc. just like people who are addicted to other drugs. They should be counted as true addicts.

[Warpy]

12. Consider this, then

A long term study of patients who had received strong narcotics in Boston area hospitals concluded in the 80s. Out of 10,800+ patients they followed, they found guess how many new addictions.





C'mon. Guess.








Four. Yes, four out of nearly eleven thousand people. My guess is that you're another person conflating addiction and dependence.

Stop it.

[Mariana]

14. You guess wrong.

I think there are few true addicts of prescription painkillers. I believe most people that use them illegally are using them to control real pain. The only reason they're breaking the law is that they've become so difficult and expensive to get legally. By the way, I took narcotic painkillers daily for a few years, and I did not become addicted. If I had not been able to get those drugs legally, I would have tried other ways, because I was in real pain, and I would probably have wrongly been labeled an addict.

There really are lots of alcoholics, though. They are true addicts, and they aren't rare.

[reflection]

18. This. You can be dependent on a crutch to walk

but it's certainly not an addiction.

[Warpy]

38. Drugs are often called a crutch by the people who don't need them

but if you've ever had to be on crutches, you know that's the only way you can get around.

[reflection]

43. Yep, and they're hard on the armpits too.

[Warpy]

45. Not if you use them properly

They showed me just how bad my wrists had gotten when I was on them last spring. Ouch! I was off them in record time because putting weight on a broken leg was less painful.

[nashville_brook]

5. k and r

[Matrosov]

8. Even if you were an addict..

I've had a few addicts in my family. Yes, they can be frustrating, infuriating, and downright destructive.

However, despite all the pain and misery I've seen, I have a problem with labeling them as 'weak' or 'immoral.'

Why is it that we have no problem accepting the fact that sometimes certain physical parts of our bodies don't work, yet when we're talking about the mental parts, suddenly it's a question of character?

[Warren DeMontague]

17. Personally, I'm more worried about people who can't get adequate pain management

than afraid someone might be catching an unauthorized buzz with the stuff.

And that's the thing; every "crackdown" on prescription meds has two direct points of fallout; one, the addicts (and probably at least a few legitimate pain patients) are driven to street drugs like heroin. This isn't speculation, this is part of what is driving the uptick on the East coast; tougher prescribing rules and crackdowns on people who take "too many pills"

The other effect is that those same pain patients also suffer and have more difficulty getting their pain managed, because of the people addicted and subsequent crackdown.

So what's the answer? It seems a tradeoff. If people are that committed to "stopping" addiction by stricter controls on pain meds, it seems that less effective pain management for those who need it inevitably accompanies it.

But, then, the addicts are still out there, they're just turning to street drugs.

I personally think we ought to worry less about control, and more about making treatment options available to people who do become addicted when they're ready to get help. The goose has to get itself out of the bottle.
I believe our priority with prescription pain medication should be to properly manage pain, first and foremost.

[UglyGreed]

19. A single payer option

would open the door to many therapies to people who suffer from chronic pain. I myself would love to go to an acupuncturist, bio feedback, psychologist/psychiatrist for depression related to chronic pain or even massage therapy. But I would need to go at least three times a week for any benefit. Even if insurance would cover this on a regular basis my specialist co pay would be 40 bucks for each visit. How can someone in my position afford such out of pocket costs?

[Warren DeMontague]

31. Couldn't agree more.

[sorefeet]

24. It's been very humiliating for me

Been on hydrocodone for about 10 years now and I am not addicted at all. I take five a day faithfully. Before them I was so depressed and suicidal from the pain I was just about there. I finally got some illegally in Ky. just before I was about to quit my job AGAIN. It blew my mind to be pain free once again. I couldn't believe that educated doctors let me suffer to the point that I was going to kill myself. After enough battles with the chicken shit spineless doctors I finally got one at the VA, but she hates me. I had to get legal to get treatment, but they still don't really give a fuck. Never sold a pill, not a druggie, just serious pain but

Like this month for example. I ordered my prescription last Wednesday and they still haven't came yet and now it's a Holiday. By their law I should have been out of the pills last Thursday, so by today Monday (today) I would be getting pretty sick with withdrawals by now. BUT, any opiate user that has been thru the VA will have an emergency stash just for this reason. The incompetence of the VA is overwhelming. Because I use medical marijuana, this doctor (lol), told me why don't you people just go away. They make damned sure I get my two drug test a year, ON TIME.

I always heard how opiates would screw your life up. I call bullshit, they saved my life. If you are truly in chronic pain they are NOT addicting.

[UglyGreed]

25. People don't care until

it affects them or a loved one. Plus chronic pain is not recognized and in fact some consider it a weakness. Imagine the outrage if people suffering from diabetes or cancer were denied medications???

[KamaAina]

26. Several of my favorite human beings have OI!

I have been shot down by more OI women than most people will ever meet.

[NaturalHigh]

28. I've had three back surgeries.

Narcotics are a part of my regimen. I don't use them to get high; I need them to function.

[UglyGreed]

29. I have had three back and

neck surgeries and shunt surgery and still was pressured by some of my doctors to the point I have stopped taking Opioids for pain. Now I barely leave the home and if I do something it takes almost two weeks to get back to a 7 pain level which some might call 9 or 10 since I have gotten used to being in pain 24/7.

[NaturalHigh]

30. I'm lucky to have an understanding doctor.

As long as he doesn't see any signs that I'm abusing my meds, he has no problem prescribing for me.

[UglyGreed]

32. It was other doctors

a neurologist and neurosurgeon who treated my Hydrocephalus. Like I wrote earlier my pain management doctors never ever pressured me to take more or less medication.

[Prism]

33. I'm high as a kite on norco at the moment

For a dental related thing.

It's funny, because they never want to give you the pain medications until after you need them. I screwed up a molar early last week. By Tuesday, I was sucking down ibuprofen and acetaminophen to a perilous degree (1,000mg per dose) and it was doing absolutely nothing for it. I called the dentist and begged, "Just get me vicodin." And my dentist knows I'm not fiending for pain meds for the hell of it. I turned them down last time. But, newp. They want to see me first, then make an appointment three days out. Fortunately, I figured out rinsing with orajel mouthwash with menthol actually dulled it to make the situation vaguely sufferable.

But still. Went in, got the root canal, and then he prescribes norco. Well, I don't need it at that point. The problem's resolved. But man did those intervening days suck. I took some today for post-surgical soreness and sensitivity. Wish they'd just given me vicodin. I know norco is pretty much the same thing, but for some reason I am completely loopy as hell today. Like having a brain on a five second tape delay.

[CTyankee]

34. I know this is a bad time. I am having the same issues with shingles paint relief.

I have a renewal of my Percoset which I had to personally have my doc hand over to me today at his office. He of course knows what I am going thru...he is a neurologist. He said as he wrote and handed over my scrip "I want to get you off of these." I asked about ibuprofen and he said it wouldn't work on my level of pain and didn't offer an alternative.

Looks like I won't get another scrip for Percoset from him. He is "hoping" my shingles will go away soon. Thanks a lot, doc...whaddya think I hope for every minute of every day with this effing thing!

I don't understand why you can get an opioid for root canal but not for shingles...

[Prism]

35. That makes zero sense

You would think shingles would be the one thing where a doctor would offer up, "Whatever you want until it's gone." I get that doctors are somewhat wary of oxycodone, but something like morphine sulfate just isn't as effective.

Ugh. I hope you start feeling better soon. Shingles truly is just the worst, and it seems like you've been going through it for a few weeks now ;/

I don't really understand post-surgical opioids for root canal. It's before the surgery that they're needed. Afterwards, usually ibuprofen will suffice in something like a 600mg motrin. My dentist friends says they do it because patients tend to "bother" them less afterwards.

[CTyankee]

39. thank you, prism. Yes, I have had constant pain since Nov. 5, the day I first detected a

blister on my neck.

This thing is supposed to last for 3 months and if it goes longer it becomes postherpetic neuralgia. I am dreading the end of the 3 month period and facing that new problem. The doc will prolly ignore my call for help.

It feels pretty isolated to be in pain and unable to contact a doc who is supposed to be helping me, not avoiding me. I hope that won't be the case...

[UglyGreed]

36. This may have something

to do with Neurologists avoiding or advocating against pain medications.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PainManagement/PainManagement/47871

The risks of opioids far outweigh their benefits in chronic pain conditions such as headache, fibromyalgia, and lower back pain, according to a new policy statement from the American Academy of Neurology.
The statement lists several best practices -- including checking a prescription data monitoring program (PDMP) before prescribing opioids -- and calls for primary care doctors to refer chronic pain patients to specialists if they are taking daily doses of 80 to 120 mg morphine-equivalent per day.

[CTyankee]

37. I agree, I don't want opiods forever. But what is their alternative?

Do they just say "tough luck, goodbye'? How is that called "treatment"?

[UglyGreed]

40. I don't have shingles

but do suffer from neuropathic pain and have tried many many medications over twenty four years now. many types of muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, antidepressants, Lidocaine patches neurontin/gabapentin, lyrica to name a few. The only ones that gave me some relief and not many side effects was opioids. Right now I am back to good luck and good bye.

Out of all those I would ask about neurontin/gabapentin or lyrica for shingles. I think your general practitioner could prescribe it. They do have side effects of being out of it and what I describe as a delayed thought process and I had a good amount of weight gain and a rash from lyrica. I wish you the best of luck.

[CTyankee]

41. yep, exactly what I have which is Gapopentin and Percoset. You are right, this is exactly

what my gp prescribed initially but passed me on to a neurologist. I do have that delayed thought process but I don't have much of an appetite so if anything I have lost weight. All this is a difficult process. No rash. The lidocaine patches made my skin burn and I had to rip them off. not a good thing at all.

The best thing is a glass of wine with dinner but I don't take the Percoset when I take that. I don't think it is wise. But the red wine is pretty good at helping with the pain, to tell you the truth, as long as you don't pound it down...

[Jim Beard]

47. Save them for a rainey day. I learned that when I started having dental problems and it lasted 20

years until the the teeth were mostly gone. It worked the way it shouls.

[sorefeet]

42. When my brother Pinkie was dying

from liver cancer the MD offered him lyrica for the pain. Scammin little quack scared to give him opiates.

[UglyGreed]

48. Sad

that his last days were spent in agony. So sorry for his suffering and your loss.

[REP]

44. I guess I'm lucky

I have severe kidney disease; I cannot take NSAIDs without risking my life. I also have severe arthritis; severe enough I've gone through two of the most painful orthopedic surgeries with the longest recoveries to achieve a 20% reduction in pain. I've also had PRP and a lifetime's worth of cortisone injections. I have degenerative disc disease where the spine attaches to the pelvis as well as spinal stenosis. I feel absolutely no shame or anxiety about taking the only class of painkiller that makes functioning less painful, and wish that taking an NSAID wasn't suicidal.

[UglyGreed]

49. I gave the doctors

who advised me to get off of the pain killers the benefit of the doubt and of course it has not helped my Hydrocephalus symptoms at all. Now I don't know what to do as I fear if I do go back on opioids I might be forced in the future to get off of them once again. That's if I would be allowed to go back on them once again.

[UglyGreed]

50. Kick to go along with

NYS being very restrictive with Medical Marijuana.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027546939

[cali]

51. Me too. I have type 2 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

[UglyGreed]

52. I remember

Cali BTW much respect to your work in the GD-P

[Sunlei]

54. wonder why some Doctors don't do knee replacements? Outcomes usually good after knee replacement