Comment on this one, brother, and I mean that sincerely.
I have lived with severe, chronic, neck pain since 6 years old. Having worked as a timber faller and a stone mason, and just in life in general, Ive broken, sprained, torn, etc, damn near every part of my body. Not complaining, Ive enjoyed a lot of it, but fact is I just dont sleep well because of the pain..wake up 3-4 times per night. Rest is important, especially as we age. Im not a sissy...not too much of one anyway, I still do hard work and enjoy it, Planning to Rim2Rim the Grand Canon in the spring.
Ya know what helps me sleep? Narcotics. I have no problem with them. Have a prescription for Dilaudid. I take it when I need it, maybe every couple weeks or month, and leave it alone when I dont. Ive found that used properly, I can carry that lack of pain for a while, kind of relive it without needing to repeat it. Ive only been seriously addicted to two things, nicotine and this smoking hot blond...but thats another story. Trouble is I almost have to fight the fucker for them. The government could take his license if he gives me more than the absolute minimum, even though he knows I can manage them. A lot of this comes from big Pharma, pushing the Oxy's on you physicians (not picking you in particular) to push on Joe Q Public. Gotta hangnail? Oxy. Dick wont get stiff? Oxy. Worried about your taxes? Oxy. I dont remember the exact numbers but in West Virginia a few years ago they prescribed enough Oxy to give every one in the state 100-. I think it was more. Because of that I have trouble getting what really helps me. A trifecta created by pharma, physicians, and gub'mint.
As I see it, nobody knows better than I what works for ME. 100 or so years ago I could go to the pharmacy and guy a chunk of opium, or laudanum when y neck really flared up, or grow some poppies in the garden and make my own. People have used the fruit of the poppy and many other plants that are now restricted, for thousands of years. Now, because of money, big brother says no.
I understand that many cant (handle them) and should never get near narcotics. Some should never drink alcohol. But the few suffer for the sins of others.
Thank you for, as a physician, taking a stand.
Now
Think I'll pour another Pinot Noir and say, "Goodnight, Doc, rest well." There's irony in there somewhere.