Pain Pills 2

Posted on March 8, 2003 in Medications

I talked to one of two siblings who I have befriended in years past today. I won’t go into details, but suffice it to say that things got out of control because one of the two was on pain pills and lost it. The other admits to having not managed the situation well, too.

I chuckle and sigh sympathetically for both on this one. The narcotic doesn’t just make you sleepy: as it wears off and as you keep fighting the pain, you get cranky and touchy. Paranoia is not unusual. I know this because I have been in this state of mind myself. And seen many others fall victim, too.

I couldn’t see the need to take a side in this one. I love them both. So I told the one to wait for the other to come off the pills before raising any serious issues.

When I see a mood-battering experience coming up — like a funeral, a family gathering, a reading, etc. — I’ve learned to warn Lynn. She prepares herself by leaving me alone, mostly, and just nodding through my complaints. It’s best for family and friends of those of us who suffer from mood disorders to do this: if left to whine (but not left alone), we’ll get through it unscratched and without scratching others.

For those with more permanent problems such as alcoholism or drug abuse, completely vacating yourself from their lives may be in order.