DEAR ABBY: I am 71. One year ago I was healthy and leading a productive life. Then my car was rear-ended by a careless driver.
I would never have believed a person could suffer so much pain from what seemed like such a small accident. I have been in and out of the hospital several times, in such pain I could not cope with it. The doctor kept me so heavily sedated I remember very little (and sometimes nothing) about several weeks of my life.
To make a long story short: I now realize that I had become totally dependent on all the prescription drugs the doctor ordered. I decided to get off them, but it has been really hard.
I realize the doctor was trying to help me, but I was not aware of how dependent I had become. If I can't get off them, I will be a drug addict. Abby, that's not the way I want to live.
Sometimes the pain gets so bad it's hard not to go back on the pills, but with the help of the Lord and my nonprescription medicine, I'm doing pretty well -- which is better than the other way. -- TRYING TO GET UNHOOKED
DEAR TRYING: Although I respect the healing power of prayer, nonprescription drugs can also be harmful if they are taken in larger or more frequent doses than the directions indicate.
Please ask your doctor for a referral to a physician who specializes in pain management. There are other methods, such as biofeedback, which have been helpful in alleviating chronic pain. You could benefit greatly by checking this out. I wish you the best of luck.