Att'y Roy Black: Rush Was in Constant Pain

NewsMax ^ | 10/13/03 | Limbacher

[concerned about politics]

WARNING! The homepage of FRee Republic says this site is addictive.

Gasp! It's true! You're all still here!

[RJayneJ]

After my experience, I think that if Rush had anything close to that I sure can't fault him for trying to self medicate.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Thanks for your kind thoughts, Clancy J.

My brother has been through every imaginable treatment, but he has actually had a tremendous reduction in pain since the lower leg was removed.

He still has quite a bit of vascular pain, but it isn't constant. When it flares up, it is controlled with some type of drug. I'm not sure which one. It's all a blur after these past few years.

[Humidston]

Pain... Yes sadly, we all have to learn the hard way. And another point I think is important...

We all trust our doctors to handle pain rescue and we used to take them at their word when they wrote a script.

Now we realize that information isn't always what's best in the long run. (I'm speaking of Rush and OxyContin now.)

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

After my experience, I think that if Rush had anything close to that I sure can't fault him for trying to self medicate.

I totally agree and I have never experienced anything close to what you have.

[Richard Kimball]

Perhaps THIS will refresh your memory.

[Humidston]

Addictive? MOI??? NAAAH. I could walk away in a NY second if I had to!!

not

LOL!!

[NutCrackerBoy]

that distinction didn't seem to matter to Rush as the time he condemned Cobain

Another difference is that Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were part of a drug scene. My understanding is that they met at a B*tthole Surfers concert and compared notes on how much they both loved pharamceuticals.

It is not part of my personal schtick to condemn recreational drug use, but I still do not see that you have shown a big hypocrisy on the part of a Rush Limbaugh condemning it. Cobain, like all celebrities inescapably, was a role model for kids and he certainly did recreational drugs and everyone knows it. If technically Cobain tried heroin to combat some pain, and that is what got him hooked and on a downward spiral, it doesn't change the image he portrayed to youth.

[garandgal]

I remember him talking about back problems occasionally, and I do remember something about a surgery but don't remember exactly when it was....it all runs together anymore!

One of my customers was telling me about his back surgery today...believe it or not, he went back to work after only five days(on heavy meds, of course)! He had big-time back problems before the surgery, and says that he considers himself lucky as he has few problems now. Several of his friends have had similar surgery and have had very bad outcomes.

For those wondering about golf, I asked a Dr. friend of mine that very question (he is not a Rush fan). He said it would be perfectly possible to play golf almost pain-free as long as you were on enough medication. Who knows what damage he's done to himself, though, if he couldn't feel the pain.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Now we realize that information isn't always what's best in the long run. (I'm speaking of Rush and OxyContin now.)

Absolutely right. How many people who fill that Rx and start it for the first time ever think they may become addicted?

Of course, the down side to all this is that pain meds are a necessary thing and we don't want them to stop being prescribed. Some doctors are way too reluctant to give patients the relief they need.

There's no easy answer here. Many people take pain drugs for a brief time and that is the end of it. How can medical professionals help prevent the addiction when they have no idea who will and won't head down that path?

It hardly makes sense to not give the meds at all since some people need them and never abuse them.

[des]

or Ollie?

[truth_seeker]

"I'm not seeing the distinction here between Kurt Cobain's illegal use of heroin to self-medicate and Rush's illegal uses of oxycontin "synthetic heroin" to self-medicate. Yet Rush felt strong enough to condemn Cobain for his drug use with the comment above. Wonder if he'd make the same sort of comment now."

If Rush takes enough time off, and truly undertakes a thorough recovery program, he will learn empathy for Cobain's addiction.

If Rush just does a 30 day high dollar hospital physical detox, gives short shrift to the twelve step aspect, he may miss the empathy aspect.

The majority of folks reading this thread are neither practicing addicts/alcoholics or recovered ones.

Recovered addicts/alcoholics, and often family/friends, will understand the empathy.

Rush Limbaugh faces a difficult time in his life. A full year off might just save his life. For after the physical detox phase, an entire re-ordering of one's life is needed, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I truly hope he takes the thorough path. The spiritual experience should lead him to accept the similarities between himself, and Cobain's addictions.

[Humidston]

Agreed. I just know I have to be careful. I quit smoking 3 yrs ago and now I'm hooked on Nicorette chewing gum! Seriously, I have an addictive personality so I best step away from pain meds (as I said earlier) unless I'm terminal.

Thank goodness I never liked drinking!

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I have a minor addictive personality too. I know my weaknesses and I have to talk to myself a lot to resist overdoing some things.

[Mick2000]

Another difference is that Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were part of a drug scene. My understanding is that they met at a B*tthole Surfers concert and compared notes on how much they both loved pharamceuticals.

It is not part of my personal schtick to condemn recreational drug use, but I still do not see that you have shown a big hypocrisy on the part of a Rush Limbaugh condemning it. Cobain, like all celebrities inescapably, was a role model for kids and he certainly did recreational drugs and everyone knows it. If technically Cobain tried heroin to combat some pain, and that is what got him hooked and on a downward spiral, it doesn't change the image he portrayed to youth.

I agree with the role model part and that they did do recreational drugs, but it was the heroin that became the drug that addicted him and led to his suicide and I would at least pause a little before condemning him as severely as Rush did knowing that the heroin use did stem from his effort to treat a pretty intolerable health condition.

As for seeing a doctor about his stomach ailments, I wholeheartedly agree that he should have done this, by the same token I see no reason that Rush should have been taking Oxycontin illegally for his back pain, he should have been working with a doctor.

My final point, is that I see more similarities than I do differences in Rush and Kurt Cobain's situations and I don't think one deserves utter condemnation whereas the other gets understanding.

[NutCrackerBoy]

If Rush takes enough time off, and truly undertakes a thorough recovery program, he will learn empathy for Cobain's addiction.

It may be too much to ask him to take a year off. No question his recovery will have to be the number one priority: meetings, meetings, meetings. I expect he will continue to do his radio job. I just hope he keeps that in perspective.

[Humidston]

My problem is believing Kurt Cobain's excuse that he had some stomach problem in the first place when he and his pals reveled in the drug culture. If he was ill, he could have sought medical care.

I see a vast difference between someone who is upstanding and takes a doctor's script versus someone who plays in the counter-culture bowels of society, enjoying sex, drugs and rock and roll...

[NutCrackerBoy]

I see a vast difference between someone who is upstanding and takes a doctor's script versus someone who plays in the counter-culture bowels of society, enjoying sex, drugs and rock and roll..

Is it fair to condemn someone who glorifies drug use? Certainly. Is it fair to condemn someone because they are addicted? No, it is an illness.

Yes, people are responsible for their actions. The sad fact is, no matter how upstanding a person was when they took the doctor's script, once addicted, his or her morality becomes eclipsed by the addiction. And a person in recovery has to know that they cannot afford to slip back.

[Mick2000]

My problem is believing Kurt Cobain's excuse that he had some stomach problem in the first place when he and his pals reveled in the drug culture. If he was ill, he could have sought medical care.

Cobain's comments on his condition:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2001/0902/cover.html

"When I got back from our second European Tour with Sonic Youth, I decided to use heroine (sic) on a daily basis because of an ongoing stomach ailment that I had been suffering from for the past five years (and that) had literally taken me to the point of wanting to kill myself. For five years, every single day of my life, every time I swallowed a piece of food, I would experience an excruciating, burning, nauseous pain in the upper part of my stomach lining. The pain became even more severe on tour, due to lack of a proper and regimented eating schedule and diet. Since the beginning of this disorder, I've had 10 upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures, which found an enflamed irritation in the same place. I consulted 15 different doctors, and tried about 50 different types of ulcer medication. The only thing I found that worked were heavy opiates. There were many times that I found myself literally incapacitated, in bed for weeks, vomiting and starving. So I decided, if I feel like a junkie as it is, I may as well be one."

The guy has my sympathy.

As for the drugs.. from what I've read he started doing drugs, recreational, addictive drugs when he was in eighth grade. Do you have more or less sympathy for a kid who starts down that road to using addictive drugs at such a young age and doesn't really know what he's getting into or an adult who should know better than to use Oxycontin illegally?

Me, I don't know the answer to this because I think we start making excuses for behavior, which is why I think both of these situations need to be treated with sympathy and understanding on the whole, and criticisms of the aspects of these situations that truly should be criticized.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Not to poke my nose in your mom's/brother's pain issues, but my husband has gotten relief from a supplement called MSM. Don't know what the letters stand for, but he was much improved after 3 days. Thought I'd mention it. You can get it at a health food store, and different companies make it. The supplement my husband's been using has a couple of other things in it, but it's OTC. Seems to work really well for arthritis/joint issues. Freepmail me if you want more information. (no, I don't sell it :-)

Constant pain is exhausting. I have no fingers to point a Rush.