My elderly mother is addicted to opioids. It used to be alcohol for the first half of my life and then she moved on to just pills. She is severely depressed and says the pain pills help her. She’s played every classic trick you could think of to get the medicine...from doctors, dentists, online, taking our meds and so on. Problem is...they make her sleep all day...she falls...she has horrific hygiene and is a hoarder and so much more.
She lives with my sibling who actually picked up her medicine today (pretending to be helpful) and discovered the doctor prescribed Norco. We have tried to tell kaiser so many times that she has a problem, but she tricked another doctor into giving it to her. Unbelievable. My sibling kept the meds and hid them. My mom is screaming bloody murder and has threatened to hurt herself. She’s calm now, but constantly talks about it being the end of her life.
When she goes into a fit, there is no reasoning. We’ve been to the doc with her where I outright said there was an addiction problem...problem is, I’m guessing the doc didn’t write it down. My mom finds new docs and praises those who gives her meds. No wonder she likes the new one.
Really just venting. I don’t know what to do. I was tempted today to just let her have the meds. I hate that her last years are like this. She used to be able to hide it better, but now that she’s less able to care for herself, the meds don’t metabolize the same and really affect her personality.
Sad.
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It does sound like she has multiple issues.
Best of luck.
Hope this helps?
‘Prayers for you and your Mom.
2 years ago we wouldn't even be DISCUSSING this. Until the government stepped in and said "Hey, here's a 'problem' we can screw up even more, let's make it night unto impossible for people to get opiates! Wow! We'll solve America's drug problem in one swoop of a pen! (Do you think your Congressman can't get a scrip for whatever the heck he wants/needs whenever?? C'mon, there's one law for them and one for us.)
2 of my kids are Drs. We've discussed this ad nauseum. They have stated over and over that this was the poorest thought out and implemented law ever (re: medical intervention). They say they CANNOT give their patients the quality of life they'd want to. They're routinely screened.
It has NOT helped teenage drug abuse. It has made "legit" pain sufferers miserable b/c they are literally counting their pills and cutting them in half or quarters to make them last the whole month. AND often times, in agonizing pain while doing this...all b/c our great gov't felt like this was something that would "work".
I've lost 2 friends to suicide b/c they could not get meds for their intractable chronic pain and just gave up. How is THAT helpful???
When I was going through pre-back surgery issues, I could barely walk...then I had to have a root canal that took 3 visits to "make right"....and so I was on 4 Norco...for a year or more. ONCE I got an "extra" scrip from the endodontist and next thing I know, I am getting a call from somebody at a gov't agency telling me I'm on a "watch list". WTH?????? For getting scrips from "multiple sources". (2)
Scared me to death. I cried and cried and believe you me, ending my life seemed preferable to the PAIN.
At your mom's age---criminy--are you going to put on her headstone "Clean & sober for 102 days!" No you are not.
She needs compassion. Maybe she has a problem, not my call. Just I cannot figure out how she can get enough to "abuse". Drs check your profile. Pharmacies are interchangeable with info---I doubt she has the capability to search the internet for the one or two Indian "pharmacies" that might or might not send you drugs.
Ok, off the soapbox.
And yes, I do know quite a few people who must take opioids to function each day. It's something NOBODY talks about. The shame is incredible.
Also wonderful for pain relief
Distilled water only for food and cooking
Read "The Choice is Clear" br Allen E Banik (Amazon) re water
Herbs to get & keep the bowel regular. Dr Christophers Lower Bowel Formula
2 caps 2 or 3 times daily with meals
6 days a week...rest one day...repeat.
The Bowel is "the first thing to get sick..and last thing to get well"
Next....kaiser doesn’t seem to have a problem giving out Norco, but I’m very sorry this whole opioid “issue” is affecting those who truly need it. It’s like the few thieves who steal from stores, so now everything is bolted to the box or walls and someone has to check our receipt when we leave. We all suffer for the smaller minority who are abusing. They have been told she has a problem, but this doc gave it to her anyway. The only thing we can see that she had was a bladder infection. Do they give opioids for that?
Someone was selling Norco for $5 a pill in the location grocery store parking lot in our nicer middle income area. Clearly, they know someone’s wanting it.
My my mom has said very clearly that the meds make her feel better emotionally. Knowing what she’s been through (and still goes through), I understand why she wants to numb herself. However, it makes her very sick, exhausted, constipated and so on.
She knows exactly how to get it from the doctors and has even gotten meds without giving a urine test. She’s also “accidentally” spilled her medicine and lost it, so she can get more.
Part of me thought about jut letting her take whatever she wants, but that’s not a quality life. If she hurts herself by falling, etc. that would be terrible.
We tried the one visit to the psych. Didn’t go well and she thinks no one understands what she’s been through. Very few people could, but we all understand pain and heartache, fear, humiliation and rejection, etc.
ive heard quite a bit about cbd oil. I will look into it. I will see if we can get her in to talk with someone, but this is one streetwise, smart and hurting lady. ❤️
Not making light of a serious situation, but pointing out the ridiculousness of the laws. I don't know where "Dr feelgood" gets his meds. He has tons of whatever you'd want. I'm judiciously being given 4 Tylenol 4 per day and THAT'S IT!! Never a single one more and the chart at my dentist's office has written on it in HUGE red letters; "NO NORCO!!!! PER FDA REQ". I mean, it's HUGE lettering and embarrassing to death. Same dentist for 40 years, his kid takes over and is suddenly being a narc. I haven't gotten pain meds from my dentist for 5-6 years!!!
She must be pretty streetwise--for someone who doesn't leave the house...I'm a bit befuddled by this all.
I absolutely agree with you 100%. By taking away her pain medication, whether she needs it for a chronic condition or not, they are doing more harm then good. They will just create more problems and agitation. They need to seek professional help and not just take away the pain medication.
A doctor can put her in the hospital and can then wean her off.
Unless and until she loses her craving, she will be very difficult to deal with.
Opiod cause a myriad of health issues and when a patient on opioids goes through withdrawal it is extremely painful. That is why they want more.
( Kathryseton wrote: The risks of overdose and falling and breaking a hip or sustaining a life threatening head injury are very real for an elderly person, esp bc they don't metabolize the meds the way younger adults do.)
Good points Kathryn.
I do not know why doctors prescribe these drugs like candy rather than seeking alternative methods first. Opioids should be a last resort, not the first.