Here here...it's far too easy nowadays to get docs to just dole out the pills and I'm not alone in saying this, there are those of us that are glad they do and find we need 'em, THEN we start to spiral downward...been there, done it over and over again...
I complained of back problems for over 3 years, given Lortab and told to get in to PT, do that, more pain, more drugs...the last stretch of my Lortab use lasted 4 full straight months, and I was toting 2 little kids to and from daycare while on 'em, driving myself to work, even out riding my Busa while on Lortab. I got so used to them, they barely worked anymore, but if I didn't take 'em, I was in agony and couldn't even bare to sit at my desk and work the 40 hour work week...and I'll admit, I loved the way they made me feel for that first hour or so, then I'd want to do nothing but sleep...tough to work or do much of anything when you feel like that
There are times when you honestly feel "is this how I live the rest of my life?" and you get mired down in what everyone else can do, what you seem to not be able to do...when you're busy counting out exactly how many pills you have left and how long you have 'til you need more, it's a huge problem, but the even bigger problem is the fact that you're still in pain and the docs don't seem to care. I went through 3 docs and it was a NURSE that finally looked at my chart and history of extreme back pain and ordered me to get an MRI - herniated disc, and all the specialist could say when he saw it was "wow, I guess you are in pain"...2 weeks later, I'm operated on and the road to recovery begins...
I can tell you, I did find out why it's easier to remain an addict to pain pills over going off of 'em...I see now exactly how people become addicts - it's a whole hell of a lot easier to pop that pill or two than to go through the symptoms of withdrawals - it's a new level of pain, no sleep, sick to your stomach...it took me a couple of weeks to really STOP taking the pills that I'd popped out of habit for so long...
You're wife needs to find another doctor and fast, and she needs to get help with being weened off of the meds when the pain is under control...she'll need your help and anyone around her that can offer a hand, a shoulder, the support...believe me, most don't like the way the drugs leave us feeling and we don't want to live out the rest of our lives like that...it's just getting from point A to point B that seem almost impossible to her right now, and having you taking care of her while she's in this state, well, it's tough for you to see beyond it as well...
GET ANOTHER DOCTOR and spell out just how much the pills are affecting your lives...if it's found that she'll be on some sort of pain pills for life, then she needs a pain management specialist to step in...judging from her lack of wanting to do much, not working, etc. I'd say that if this is pain management, it's failed miserably and she needs some help...
Hang in there and I do hope she finds someone that is willing to listen to what's going on and helps her out...
