germanshelley

My friend needs high doses of pain meds (up to 13 hydrocodone a day, plus a patch--then methodone, now dilaudid)--overall she's been on constant meds at high doses for several years, due to severely deteriorated discs. But I've read that each of these meds is addicting, even after only a few days, so what would years do?

It's not just that she's taking so much, but she has several red flags for abusing the meds-- taking too many and running out early-- ending up in the ER for a shot or IV, etc.....driving when she shouldn't, slurring her words, falling asleep while cooking, and etc. But she is so adamant about all of that being "normal" behavior, that it's nearly impossible to talk to her about it. Her response is " So you want me to be in pain?" And of course I don't. One time at the ER, when they asked her what she'd taken, she didn't tell them about the two hydrocodone she'd just taken before we got there--instead just told them her regular meds. The gave her a shot of Dilaudid 4mg, I think, which gave her a total of that plus the 2 hydrocodone, plus the patch and the methadone. After all that, she walks out under her own steam, and even thinks she can drive home.

Am I wrong in thinking there's a problem? is it none of my business? I'm just worried about her and I would so appreciate any comments/advice anyone has.

thanks,