Heather,
I realize this topic is a bit old but.... I know for a fact this type of thing Just doesn't just go away nor is anyone fully "cured" . Myself have been down this road. It started simply as a Percocet (5mg) once a day. It eased my Back pain and tbh it pep'd me up. I started this vicious cycle in my late 20's. I work in the construction trades. I imagine your husband my also. Pain killers are abundantly misused in the trades. The reason I say that is is that Men & Women of the trades are expected to do things that could seriously injure one's self. Lift extremely Heavy objects or hold things in position for long periods without letting them move. Repeat this 20x's a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a Year.... over a lifetime.......... BAM !!!!!! Pain !!!!.... Unavoidable Pain. So would say well just don't do it or avoid it... NO ! Men/Women of the Trades do NOT have that option. Time is Money and never forget there are 10+ guys ready to replace him/me if you can't/won't preform said, Task. Every working man/woman know this for a Fact. If we do NOT excel in the jobs assigned ? We are the first to Go when the jobs slow down. Myself having a Wife and two children I can assure you, we will do whatever is necessary to insure the bills are paid and a roof is over the Families heads. Come hell or High water the family will be safe.
Eventually, The Strong fit youthful bodies we once had become worn and tired, pain soon is a daily battle. Yes, Tylenol & stretching & tai-chi and other "Natural Remedies" can help. Trades people really can't find the time nor the will to get up a hour earlier than we already do 4:30 5:00 am is early enough (in my mind). Also the benefits are limited. Sooner or later someone suggests... "Hey, I got a Pill, that'll fix u up" or In your loved one's case, a Doctor prescribes "Pain Killers" for one reason or another. Once that happens it is only a matter of time before this hard working person falls into this trap. It is extremely easy for this to happen. Myself, Not that i'm proud of it but in my youth, there were few drugs that I would NOT do/use, RX pills being one of them. If i was ever offered them (Before my Addiction), I "snubbed" the person offering them saying "I'm NO Pill Popper" /shoo .... How the Mighty have Fallen, around 15 - 18 years ago I was offered a "percocet 5mg" from a person very close to me and I trusted very much. I though .... "what harm could 1 perc do and man my Back is Killing me". 30 minutes later
WOW
It felt like I was 18 again, Strong as an OX and nothing seemed like a "Hard Task"....
Idk how but soon I was taking about $100 - $150 dollars a day of these pills. The more pills I took the more money I would make. How ? How could this be bad? I was making money hand over fist. My bills were Paid, Rent was Paid, I actually had started saving money in the bank. I couldn't understand why they didn't just give this stuff to everyone?
Well... I found out soon enough. My supply went south, they were arrested. Then slowly, the rest of my connections either got locked up or stopped selling to prevent being locked up. Then......!!! SICK !!! set in.. The WORST felling I had ever felt. I wouldn't even wish it on my worst enemy. I then knew what a huge mistake i had made. I couldn't work, I couldn't eat, I couldn't Sleep. The only thing i really could do Is "crap my brains out"....(sorry for the mental imagery)
Depression set in fast. Lost that "Great Job", lost electricity, lost My Truck, Lost our (rental) Home... Everything seemed lost.
Luckily, a good friend call me and told me his boss needed a guy. I picked up my hurting body and forced myself out the door, down to the bus stop, all the way to meet this Man/Boss. The man hired me on the spot. Slowly I forced my hurting body back from the brink of destruction. Many have told me "B#llSh*t, you had to have had some kind of help" . The only help I had was my family, my wife who cared for me and my kids doing what they could to raise my sprites. Outside of that it was shear will.
Don't get me wrong..
I could easily fall right back........
If, If i were to take the tiniest piece of a pain killer/narcotic/opioid.
I did slowly comeback from this , everyday is a struggle. My problem was compounded about 2 years ago. An Auto accident herniated 4 discs in my lower back. My Pain has tripled. It takes me about a hour to get out of bed in the morning. I walk with a limp most of the time. The more i walk around/work the less I limp. By the time i get to work I'm walking fine for the most part. I have about 6 good hours of working before my pain is too intense & the limp returns. I work straight through no break, no lunch. If i stop I fear i wont get back up. I fight to finish the final two hours, the best i'm able. I do indulge in 2 Advil around noon and nibble on pretzels throughout the day.
I refuse to succumb to the Legal drug pushers telling me it's ok to take these pills (Vicoden, strongest Mg legally sold in the US) Why wont they just send me to a specialist that can fix me?
Tbh... there isn't any money in it for them to "Fix" me. Once im fixed. I wouldn't need them to "rehabilitate" or w/e you want to call it "forced exercise" and bill my insurance. It's bad enough i won't fall for their trick of "Hooking me on Pills".
I'm 44 now, haven't taken any pain killer/narcotic/opioid (willingly) in about 5 years (+/- a few months)
Yes, I hurt. Yes, I complain. yet I'm not slave to any one or thing.
Be Strong. Mind over matter & the love of your people will keep you going.
Teena's Old Man