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***nandm*** · 05-14-2008, 07:40 PM

Welcome everyone to this new forum. I am thankful to see it.

A little intro:
I have been in recovery, using AA, for a little over 7 years now. I had a back injury almost 2 and 1/2 years ago. This damaged some discs in my back. I have tried physical therapy, spinal injections (a series of 3), chiropractor, accupuncture, the multitude of OTC ointments and rubs, massages, OTC pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, oxycodone, muscle relaxers, and TENS. I spent the first two years basically taking it easy and trying to just let my back heal. But I finally got to a point about 6 months ago where I realized I was in pain anyway so I might as well stop letting life pass me by.

Today, I weigh what I do with the amount of pain and down time it will cause. I use oxycodone, ibuprofen, flexeril, ice/heat packs, and the TENS when the pain is severe which is a couple of times a week. Other than that I take the occassional flexeril, ibuprofen, ice/heat packs, and TENS unit for any other pain.

I at times get frustrated as there are people in AA who do not interpret the Big Book the way I do that believe that anyone on pain medication is not sober. AA is for alcoholism. As long as I am taking the medications as prescribed and not to get high or change my perception of reality, the fact that I take medications is irrelevant to my sobriety. I do have a partner that also provides me feedback when she feels I may need to try other options for pain relief and makes suggestions to keep me from going to the major pain relievers first (not that I believe I would anyway but it is nice to be accountable to someone).

Good to see everyone here so far. Looking forward to talking more with each of you.

Judith

05-14-2008, 07:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 6,580	Welcome everyone to this new forum. I am thankful to see it. A little intro: I have been in recovery, using AA, for a little over 7 years now. I had a back injury almost 2 and 1/2 years ago. This damaged some discs in my back. I have tried physical therapy, spinal injections (a series of 3), chiropractor, accupuncture, the multitude of OTC ointments and rubs, massages, OTC pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, oxycodone, muscle relaxers, and TENS. I spent the first two years basically taking it easy and trying to just let my back heal. But I finally got to a point about 6 months ago where I realized I was in pain anyway so I might as well stop letting life pass me by. Today, I weigh what I do with the amount of pain and down time it will cause. I use oxycodone, ibuprofen, flexeril, ice/heat packs, and the TENS when the pain is severe which is a couple of times a week. Other than that I take the occassional flexeril, ibuprofen, ice/heat packs, and TENS unit for any other pain. I at times get frustrated as there are people in AA who do not interpret the Big Book the way I do that believe that anyone on pain medication is not sober. AA is for alcoholism. As long as I am taking the medications as prescribed and not to get high or change my perception of reality, the fact that I take medications is irrelevant to my sobriety. I do have a partner that also provides me feedback when she feels I may need to try other options for pain relief and makes suggestions to keep me from going to the major pain relievers first (not that I believe I would anyway but it is nice to be accountable to someone). Good to see everyone here so far. Looking forward to talking more with each of you. Judith __________________ NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.