Things You Shouldn't Say to Someone on Prescription Pain Medication

Those who regularly have to take prescription pain medications don't necessarily want to take them, and unfortunately, people who abuse prescription pain medication cast a stigma on those who rely on prescription pain medication to get by day to day. Some people automatically think of drug abusers when they hear of those who take prescription pain medication on a daily basis, but this couldn't be further from the truth. They say things they shouldn't say because they really don't understand. Yes, some people abuse prescription pain medication, and some never really needed it in the first place, but others must have it to improve the quality of their life. I'm one of those people.

I have cervical spinal stenosis. It's a degenerative disease that doesn't happen through injury. I was born with it. It's the gradual narrowing of the openings for the spinal nerves, and it causes disability, weakness, loss of feeling, muscle spasms, and extreme pain in the arms, neck, and upper back. I've found alternate ways to do certain tasks, and although I have a disability and can't do some things others can do, I don't consider myself disabled.

I've had one surgery to correct cervical spinal stenosis, but my body, nerves, and muscles have been permanently compromised. The prescription pain medication I take enables me to make it through each day. My entire spine is affected, and I don't know if or when severe problems will strike again. I'm still in pain on a daily basis, but not nearly as much as if I weren't taking my prescription pain medication, and people I care about have said things to me that they really shouldn't say.

I'm not complaining about the pain I suffer. On the contrary, I realize each and every day that I'm lucky to still have use of my arms and hands. Besides the pain, I have numbness and tingling that will never completely go away, but others have greater problems than I do, and I don't let it get me down - at least not all the time. Like anyone with a disability, I have good days and bad days, but I'm thankful for the days I have. I'm doing as much as I can while I can, because I don't know what the future holds. I've learned to be more sensitive to those who are in pain, and I never judge anyone who has to take prescription pain medication because I know firsthand what it's like to live with chronic pain.

I don't keep it a secret that I'm on prescription pain medication and muscle relaxers. I have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. I'm not taking the prescription medication to get high, but some people, mainly family members, have made hurtful comments regarding my prescription pain medication and my condition. They don't know what it's like to live in my body, but they still say things they shouldn't say.

The following statements are some of the things you shouldn't say to someone on prescription pain medication. Until you walk in the shoes of a person with a disability or someone who suffers in pain, you shouldn't say potentially hurtful things. Words can hurt more than physical pain, and if I didn't have to take prescription pain medication, I certainly wouldn't. I didn't choose to have my problem, and I have no choice but to live with it.

You Shouldn't Say, Are You Going to Take it Forever?

I've had people say hurtful things they really shouldn't say regarding my prescription medication, and some have asked if I'm going to ever stop taking it. My problem is never going to get better, and I've been told by a doctor that I will have to take muscle relaxers and pain pills for the rest of my life. People shouldn't question my decision to take my prescribed medication. They don't feel what I feel, and I pray they never find out what it's like to live in a body that has been compromised, weakened, and damaged.

You Shouldn't Say, You're Addicted to Drugs

I rely on my pain medication to help me feel good enough to function to the best of my ability, and well meaning friends and family members shouldn't say I'm addicted to drugs. This sometimes makes me feel like a junky, but I'm far from it. I don't believe in taking unnecessary drugs, and if I had a choice, I wouldn't. My pharmacist isn't my drug dealer. She's my link to medications that will take away some of the pain and muscle spasms I have every waking hour of the day.

You Shouldn't Say, Get Off the Drugs - Even When Joking

I'm not ashamed to admit that the medications I take sometimes cloud my thoughts. My short-term memory isn't as good as it should be at times, and sometimes I'm slow to answer questions. It takes a little more time to formulate my thoughts and answers. One relative in particular makes fun of my lack of memory and slow responses, and although I'm sure they're not purposely trying to hurt my feelings, I don't find their comments funny. This is something they shouldn't say, and they think they're being humorous when they say, get off the drugs, but they don't know how I feel, and for their sake, hopefully they never will.