People in Pain do NOT become addicted to opioid's.

Research Article on Opioid Addiction and Chronic Pain

Letter to my doctor:

Hi Dr. *****,

It is the Gabapentin that is causing my amnesia. I reduced the amount I took to only at night, and then to not at all. My pain level has increased 10 fold. I have decided at this time to start taking the Gabapentin if only at night. If there is something else we might be able to try, I am up for it. I don't like the amnesia effect that the Gabapentin causes me.

I found an article I thought you might be interested in reading regarding pain patients and opioid's. It is located:

Journal: Anesth Analg, 90():933-7, 2000. 25 References
Reprint: UCSD Pain Management Medical Group, 9500 Gilman Dr., #0924, La Jolla, CA 92093-0924 (MS Wallace, MD)

In summary, they have found that chronic pain patients do not suffer through addiction to opioid's like non chronic pain patients do.

I will need to send another note to write more.  My intentions here are just to keep you informed.

Thank you.

I have worked really hard at keeping my doctor's informed of what is going on with me. If you hide from them or beat around the bush they will not trust you. Do you want a doctor that doesn't trust you? I like my doctor's because I trust my doctor's and I am open and honest with my doctor's. If I increase my pain meds, I inform. If I lower my pain meds, I inform. If I get off, or start, medications, I inform. You must always inform - it's the right thing to do.

I have found focusing to be a hard problem. I was hoping starting school would encourage my mind to remain focused and alive. But alas, that is not happening. I feel like I could walk off the face of the earth, that is how NOT with it I am. I didn't even post my blog on time. I have emailed my teachers explaining; but they have other things to worry about. I don't want to drop out though, I think my mind will get worse if I do. I told my teachers that my mom was going to sit down with me and help me figure everything out, and help me stay on task. One teacher wrote back and said that was a good idea and he supported that - that made me feel good.

So expect Friday's post to be about Valentine's day. We don't have anything planned. We are just gonna hang out with each other. I am going to give him a facial. It will be nice. Nice and quiet, works for me.