Quality of Life..... - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

Risky Business · 03-14-2003, 05:25 PM

Dear Members: I have been offline a few days but I honestly think about what most all of you post and sincerely hope everyone is doing ok....

That's a tough thing it seems because if we were all ok we may not need to even be on a support/message board/forum.

My latest is that I have serious liver problems and along with about 20 others, and I am just finding out that seems no docs wish to rx pain meds to liver/kidney patients.

I suppose they are afraid of the liability or being sued. I have written letters to my doc and I would never sue someone who is helping me live a better quality of life while I am here.

I have a biopsy coming up but the catscan report said highly suspicious of cirohsis. Probably from tylenol intake based on what I have been told. I did not know tylenol was that toxic for the organs.

Well, then again sometimes I ask myself would have made a difference. If I am in bed and feel sick because I am in severe or intractable pain I suppose I may take meds regardless. For me its all about quailty of life.

I am sure there are some that have different opinions. I respect that. I sure hope all of you have a quality of life or living. Thanks for all your support,

Risky Business

GinaLee · 03-14-2003, 07:10 PM

Hi Risky,

I'm glad to see you back with us. Tylenol mixed with alcohol can be highly toxic. I suppose it's the luck of the draw. I've taken tylenol and other otc's to stave off a hangover more times than I can count. My liver seems to be a happy little camper in spite of myself.

I don't know why you can't be given pain meds...that's really sad and I'm sorry you are suffering like this.

Have you tried looking into the new radical treatments out there? I personally don't know of such but that doesn't mean it isn't available. Get into the Internet and dig up whatever you can. I could very well be leading you down the wrong path but if you're dying; what do you have to lose?

Please don't just settle for this; press your doctor's for answers or pain management or something!

I do know I am addressing a subject I know nothing about and I'm not too comfortable giving any sort of advice... I guess I just want you to feel better and to give you the knowledge that I'm here.

I hope others will join in and offer their words support too.

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Gina

Citykittie · 03-15-2003, 12:47 AM

Dear Risky, please forgive me if I ask any questions that might be obviously wrong. I am so new to this.

Is it possible for you to go into another doctor and pretend something else is wrong and get pain pills. I know you are not supposed to but could it work in your situation?

I want to thank you for your info, I had no idea Tylenol was so bad. I am trying to kick habits now but hitting small little bumps in the road. About 4 days ago I began to get sharp pains in my abdomen and after the trip to a doc today for basic tests the pain has moved an inch and now i can feel a knot.

What caused it - What is it? Who knows. Your story just REINFORCES to me I have got to stop pumping stuff in. I have always just figured if its not hurting me RIGHT then, then its ok. If I am not puking its ok. I didn't realize how these things effect my heart and organs.

I hope your post will help others also.

Good luck, Love Cristyn

[This message has been edited by Citykittie (edited 03-15-2003).]

Risky Business · 03-15-2003, 09:11 AM

Thank You Both: You always lift my spirits. By saying I am dying it is a combination of instincts and more importantly what docs have told me the last few years.

We all are dying....in a sense. Yes, Gina I have researched, and seen other docs. I probably could lie and obtain meds...but with my situation, I may just be hurting myself.

I try not to speak to much about my illnesses, because I figure everyone has their own problems. I will say I faced the truth about 2 months ago when I was admitted thru the ER and they gave me a transfusion, and after a week I was better...and released.

Then my doc said the catscan showed an enlarged spleen and liver. Very suspect of cirrohsis. Also, that I was released too soon from the hospital. now I am waiting for the liver speciaalist.

My doc seems to think it's going to be a rough go with my intractable pain when I have liver problems because he says no doc wants to prescribe narcotics with liver problems.

If anyone knows of a silmilar sitation, please let me know. I have talked to my doc about morphine capsules, or dilaudid....at least it has no tylenol.

Thanks for all your generous posts,

Risky Business

GinaLee · 03-15-2003, 02:21 PM

Risky,

Even the healthiest people in the world are dying...we are all born to ultimately die. It's what we do with our lives between birth and death that accelerate the process of dying.

Yes we all have our problems; even the healthy folks. But this board is for you to talk to us and explain whatever you feel comfortable explaining. You are not under any obligation to talk about your problems but I also think that you might really want to. Please don’t feel inhibited or unworthy of your feelings. There isn’t one person on this board that can call themselves above any of us. God and Jesus are the only perfect ones among us.

I am glad that you aren’t willing to lie about your health problems to your doctors. That certainly won’t get to the root of what is causing you your pain.

I’m sure you know that you can’t take all responses to you to heart. Some people will give you advice that is completely wrong for you, no matter how well intentioned.

You are obviously looking for your answers via your doctor’s assistance. In reality, they (your doctors) might be all you have and this board will only serve as an opportunity to learn and to give of yourself to others. I fear Cirrhosis; I certainly have cause to. My grandfather died of Cirrhosis just after I was born. I am trying to get the silly thoughts of “it will never happen to me” out of my thinking; I do know I am such a prime candidate for such a dehumanizing death. That’s that damned “denial” thing running amok within me.

It’s always easier to hide your head in the sand than to face yourself in the mirror.

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Gina