My Opiate Experience

Part 2 of a series; see Part 1 here

Courtesy: michaelshouse.com

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - "A Chronic Pain Patient" speaks out about the over-prescribing of painkillers by physicians without rambling, blaming abusers, defending their use of multiple painkillers and denying addiction.

There are tens of thousands of patients living the nightmare "Deborah" lived because of the push of multiple painkillers for long-term non-cancer pain.

"Deborah" is one of the fortunate victims of this epidemic -- she lived to tell her story and expose the medical profession for their fueling the prescription drug epidemic with a huge assist from pharmaceutical companies and the FDA -- Deborah is a hero for speaking out and telling her story that so many others wish they could tell, but are fighting addiction alone or in crowded South Carolina drug rehab facilities.

“

Good Afternoon Marianne Skolek I have been referred to you and am a 36 year old female from a middle class family in a blue collar town. I have a college degree and work in the law enforcement field. I am a mother and wife. I love to read, I love my zinnia garden, and have a passion for music. I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I bet you'd never guess that I am also a recovered addict. In the course of trying to manage my RA pain, HI developed an addiction to Hydrocodone. I was prescribed the drug among other narcotic painkillers for about two years. At one point, I was taking 9 medications at once - a recipe that almost killed me. I had two near- suicide episodes (I did not actually attempt). Eventually, I stopped the drug on my own. When I reached out to my prescribing doctor, they offered close to no help in a critical situation. What saved me? My husband and my daughter. Not a doctor. One month after my "release" from the narcotics, I watched a story on TV about a young man, named Michael. The TV showed a picture of a bright, handsome young man that took his own life because of his addiction to Hydrocodone. I collapsed in my living room, and I cried and cried for I knew the pain and despair Michael must have felt. I knew the dark feeling of being addicted and feeling like there was no other way out. I made it, but Michael did not. Let me be clear about my standpoint. As a patient, I was mismanaged and over medicated. My doctors would not talk to each other. When I wasn't getting better, they threw more pills at me- a higher dose of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Dilaudid, MS Contin, all combined with antidepressants, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Clonazepam, and my RA drugs, Methotrexate and Orencia. I SHOULD BE DEAD. As a person, I was suffering from depression, fear, helplessness, and afraid of being labeled an "addict" because I could not stop the Hydrocodone. Our medical system is a mess. Our doctors are negligent in their privilege of writing prescriptions. People like Michael are dying because they can't get help even when they ask for it. I was given a second chance by the grace of God, and I need to tell my story as many times as I have to, in order to stop the cycle of opioids, addiction, and suicide. I would welcome any opportunity given to me to do what I can. Please contact me without hesitation. Yours truly, "Deborah"

”

LP - Kayaking and a picnic, does it get any better? Next it will be a platinum card and Chico's so I don't wear jeans anymore. Your patience, understanding, support and my love for you is placed in your heart every minute of every day -- as mine is to you.

Part one in this series: It's not all about 'Abuse' -- Let's tell it like it is -- It's 'Addiction' and pharma and the FDA is responsible for it

Marianne Skolek
Investigative Reporter for Salem-News.com
Activist for Victims of OxyContin and Purdue Pharma - a criminally convicted pharmaceutical company
www.salem-news.com/by_author.php?reporter=Marianne%20Skolek
judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=e655f9e2809e5476862f735da12c8394&wit_id=e655f9e2809e5476862f735da12c8394-2-1
www.vawd.uscourts.gov/PurdueFrederickCo/default.asp
www.oxydeaths.com
908-285-1232

Marianne is a nurse having graduated in 1991 as president of her graduating class. She also has a Paralegal certification. Marianne served on a Community Service Board for the Courier News, a Gannet newspaper in NJ writing articles predominantly regarding AIDS patients and their emotional issues. She was awarded a Community Service Award in 1993 by the Hunterdon County, NJ HIV/AIDS Task Force in recognition of and appreciation for the donated time, energy and love in facilitating a Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS.