Float, Sink, WTF.

[brightrosefox]

Well, the Soma kicked in.
*giggles*
*is dizzy*
*falls over*

Something I found interesting:
In a forum on chronic pain and cerebral palsy, I posted about my detailed happy experiences with Soma. All I wanted to do was tell people that I had found a medication that worked for me and I was happy; I didn't suggest that anyone else try it.
The very first comment I got was from a girl who said, "Well, it looks like you are on your way to prescription drug addiction."
I replied calmly, saying that I had discussed that potential with my doctor, but I was carefully monitoring myself, not taking the drug every day, taking a low dose, giving my doctor updates, and understanding that I only need that one small dose. The girl replied, obviously not buying it, "Yeah, good luck with that!" So I replied one more time that, well, that was her opinion, but she didn't know me or my experiences with CP or pain, and she certainly was not the authority on whether or not someone taking an analgesic muscle relaxant was becoming addicted. I didn't get a response to that. Eventually I hit the wrong button while editing my post, and now it's deleted. Meh. But those comments have stuck with me.
So, hypothetically, generally... you see online that a total stranger has been taking a prescribed medication and is doing really well on it, and wants to share her amazing experience. Would you immediately jump to the conclusion that the stranger is becoming addicted? Would you assume she is going to abuse the medication? Why might you assume this? Because she feels good? Because the medication makes her feel euphoric? Because she found a medication that helps her in ways that no other medication has? Did you bother to ask her about her medical history? Her pain levels? Her mental state? Her personality? Her actual chronic condition?
The internet breeds The Strange and Crazy. People will assume anything and everything. I'm learning to let it roll off me. I'm learning not to care.
I have no desire to take Soma every day, let alone more than one pill (I did that once, when the pain was extreme; all that happened was that I started talking in slow motion and couldn't stand up straight for two hours. I didn't enjoy it much).
I don't find myself needing the pill to feel better. I don't find myself desperately wanting the pill. I don't find myself lying to myself and others about taking the pill. I don't flip out if I don't have the pills. I have no cravings for the drug. I feel absolutely no recurring compulsion to taking the medication despite any potentially harmful consequences to my health, mental state or social life. In fact, if I never took Soma again, I'd be fine, I know this deep down. I take it for pain relief, nothing else. For fuck's sake.
I wonder what this commenter's definition of addiction is, anyway? If it is "feeling euphoric and ecstatic for a few hours because all the muscles are relaxed and happy and the pain is gone" then that person seriously needs to read up on the definition of addiction.
Other commenters were happy for me, though, so hey.
It doesn't matter.
However, it makes me think.
I have to wonder how much people really think they know about other people.
Not that much, apparently.
Be careful on the internet, kids.

Comments

[illusionmajik.livejournal.com]

Simply put... Fuck em :)
If it works who the fuck cares. Your doctor is working with you to be sure that you don't hit "addiction" phase. But you're almost always in pain. *sighs* You need something to make it stop hurting. So as long as you're on it because you're in pain and not because you *need* it you're fine
I'm on a pain management regime, but they can't use Tramadol because it can cause seizures.
I'm on percoset for IBS/PCOS pain management. I have a high tolerance for most pain medications (genetic) so they have to give me tougher stuff to even make a dent. I get the same shit myself.

*hugs a lot*

You'll be just fine. Just keep a log on it. That's what I do.

[amigone.livejournal.com]

I remember that post. What a git.

If you were realistically on the road to addiction, you'd be talking to doctor, after doctor for more pills, be looking for your next fix, and while I'd imagine you look forward to the next time you get to have a dose, but it doesn't preoccupy your thoughts.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's ridiculous how people love to just jump right in.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

Exactly. My doctor and I had a two hour discussion. If I had thought there was even the slightest chance I'd become addicted, I would have told her.
I look forward to my next dose only when I hurt enough to warrent a dose, which is a few times a week. If that warrents addiction in that idiot's mind, I don't want to think of what she says about the really big painkillers.

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

I think you've paid your dues in suffering, you're allowed a respite. If Johnny Anonymous doesn't like it, there are other pages on the World Wide Webs for him to pollute.

Just wondering -- did you ever try Imitrex? Because I'm giving it a try and half the time it's providing some relief and half the time it's tearing my head apart.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

No, I've never tried it. My husband has taken it for migraines and he says it's wonderful. Is it used for other kinds of pain?

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

That's why I'm taking it now. Well, was taking. It's playing havoc with my heart to the point that I can't take it anymore. And even when I was, it was not successful enough. Didn't know if you'd had similar records -- but if he likes it, maybe it's just me....

[poelaramont.livejournal.com]

Baseless assumption is one of the most abundant resources on the internet. People harvest it with pride.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

Indeed.
If baseless assumptions on the internet were gasoline, every single car in the United States could have full tanks for years and years.

Addiction comment

[madwriter.livejournal.com]

No doubt from someone who's never suffered from it.

(I'm a little sore on this right now, admittedly, after watching a conversation where someone said that in our society depression was a "luxury". I'm afraid I took the low road and asked this person who does quite a bit of drinking if he thought alcoholism was a "luxury" too.)

Re: Addiction comment

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

*attempts to not spit water all over monitor*

Luxury? Depression? Luxury? Depression?
BAHAHAHAHA.

Idiot.

Okay.
I'd like him to say that directly to my best friend, who has bipolar disorder and has gone through hell to find the right meds to help keep her brain from trying to destroy her.
*ahem*
I've heard that "argument" before, that issues like depression and such have become "social luxuries." I never quite know what to say, except "You have got to be fucking kidding me." I still can't fathom why people think that.

Need a hug?

Re: Addiction comment

[madwriter.livejournal.com]

It was the old argument that I chided myself with for the longest time, of "There are a lot of people who have it far worse than you". I'm only now getting around to the mode of understanding that this doesn't actually help anything or anybody.

And hugs are always appreciated whether needed or not. :)

Re: Addiction comment

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

I've found that people love to play the "my pain is worse than your pain game." I always have to wonder, what do they get if they win? Why bother?

[amongdevils.livejournal.com]

All opinions are like assholes - everybody has one and they all stink! Don't take some strangers bullshit personal - of all the people I know you will NEVER have to worry about addiction to drugs - perscription or illegal - you have lost a sister to that stuff and are WAY to informed and have the best since of direction to keep from falling down that hole! So you can tell that little shit to shut up and examine her own life before insulting someone elses!

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

Too right!

[poelaramont.livejournal.com]

And if it was coal, Santa Claus would be able to keep the naughty children supplied until the next century.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

And if it was water, there would never be any droughts.

[poelaramont.livejournal.com]

And if it was jellybeans, we'd need a really big jar to put them in so we could guess how many were inside.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

And if it was pennies, we'd be millionares.

[xgirasolx.livejournal.com]

I have gotten responses like that as well and at first took it personally, but then I remind myself (like you did) that it is the internet and they don't know anything other than what I type, and then I relax.

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

The comment wasn't about that person caring of you had an addiction. They just wanted to feel superior and make you feel bad. Stupid trolls.

[poelaramont.livejournal.com]

And if it was monkeys, we could re-enact the Civil War to scale.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

And if it was electricity, we could power the whole country for years.

[poelaramont.livejournal.com]

And if it was donkeys, all the coffee bean deliveries would be timely and efficient.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

And if it was animal shelters, there wouldn't be any more stray cats and dogs.