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**DesertEyes** · 01-31-2009, 11:36 AM

Hello there karabear, and pleased to "meet" you.

I hear you about docs who think we're on too many meds. I get the same reactions as Sara. Some docs say I'm on too many, other docs say "Is that all?".

How to know when it's a problem? There's several ways, here's how I do it.

I keep my meds as _low_ as possible. I don't _stop_ 'em altogether. I tell my doc first, and then I slowly reduce the med little by little so I know what is the _minimum_ I need. When I get to that minimum I start reducing another med, until I have the lowest amounts that still allow me to get along in the day.

I keep a written log of the meds I take, what time, how much, and what for. It helps me see if I'm starting to increase the meds without knowing, and I show it to the doc so they know how I'm doing. This log also keeps me honest. I know I'm taking the med because I hurt _physically_, and not because I'm feeling _emotional_ pain.

Every year I have me docs "rotate" me to a different pain med. This year I got off Lortab and instead I am on Tramadol. That keeps my body from getting too used to any one med, and from developing too much tolerance.

Taking the meds for emotional reasons is where addiction starts. So I take special efforts to take care of my emotional needs. I do yoga, which helps me maintain serenity. I have a hobby and I make sure I do a little bit of it every day. I get out with my friends even when I'm lazy and would rather stay home. I get interesting books at the used book store or the library and when I'm too sick to go out I make a litle time for _me_ and read something fun.

I step outside the back door to my place where they have a few trees and some grass in the alley between the buildings. Early in the morning when the birds are chirping or at sunset, and I say a prayer of thanx that I'm alive and able to enjoy birds and sunsets.

I have a few very good friends that know me well and I tell them when I'm feeling emotionally down. They know how to cheer me up quick, and how to spot when I'm just on the "pity pot".

There's a few ideas, see if any of those work for you.

Mike

01-31-2009, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
DesertEyes Starting over Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Skin city Posts: 2,485	Hello there karabear, and pleased to "meet" you. I hear you about docs who think we're on too many meds. I get the same reactions as Sara. Some docs say I'm on too many, other docs say "Is that all?". How to know when it's a problem? There's several ways, here's how I do it. I keep my meds as _low_ as possible. I don't _stop_ 'em altogether. I tell my doc first, and then I slowly reduce the med little by little so I know what is the _minimum_ I need. When I get to that minimum I start reducing another med, until I have the lowest amounts that still allow me to get along in the day. I keep a written log of the meds I take, what time, how much, and what for. It helps me see if I'm starting to increase the meds without knowing, and I show it to the doc so they know how I'm doing. This log also keeps me honest. I know I'm taking the med because I hurt _physically_, and not because I'm feeling _emotional_ pain. Every year I have me docs "rotate" me to a different pain med. This year I got off Lortab and instead I am on Tramadol. That keeps my body from getting too used to any one med, and from developing too much tolerance. Taking the meds for emotional reasons is where addiction starts. So I take special efforts to take care of my emotional needs. I do yoga, which helps me maintain serenity. I have a hobby and I make sure I do a little bit of it every day. I get out with my friends even when I'm lazy and would rather stay home. I get interesting books at the used book store or the library and when I'm too sick to go out I make a litle time for _me_ and read something fun. I step outside the back door to my place where they have a few trees and some grass in the alley between the buildings. Early in the morning when the birds are chirping or at sunset, and I say a prayer of thanx that I'm alive and able to enjoy birds and sunsets. I have a few very good friends that know me well and I tell them when I'm feeling emotionally down. They know how to cheer me up quick, and how to spot when I'm just on the "pity pot". There's a few ideas, see if any of those work for you. Mike __________________ Sunsets are not endings. If I have enough faith, they are beginnings.