Rush Limbaugh Statement on Prescription Pain Medication Stories

PRNewswire (Yahoo) ^ | Friday October 10, 2:55 pm ET | Rush Limbaugh

[ThePythonicCow]

Press Release

Source: Premiere Radio

Rush Limbaugh Statement on Prescription Pain Medication Stories
Friday October 10, 2:55 pm ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Rush Limbaugh today issued the following statement on his radio program:

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life. So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication.

"I first started taking prescription painkillers some years ago when my doctor prescribed them to treat post surgical pain following spinal surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful and I continued to have severe pain in my lower back and also in my neck due to herniated discs. I am still experiencing that pain. Rather than opt for additional surgery for these conditions, I chose to treat the pain with prescribed medication. This medication turned out to be highly addictive.

"Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.

"Immediately following this broadcast, I am checking myself into a treatment center for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold this highly addictive medication has on me. The show will continue during this time, of course, with an array of guest hosts you have come to know and respect.

"I am not making any excuses. You know, over the years athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great role models and examples for others. Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am no victim and do not portray myself as such. I take full responsibility for my problem.

"At the present time, the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete. So I will only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them.

"I deeply appreciate all your support over this last tumultuous week. It has sustained me. I ask now for your prayers. I look forward to resuming our excursion into broadcast excellence together."

For audio/video clip(s) of Rush Limbaugh's on-air statement, please go to

www.rushlimbaugh.com and/or www.premieretalk.com.

---

Source: Premiere Radio

[ThePythonicCow]

Rush's press release.

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[krb]

Jeez...does this mean that his medications caused him to lose his hearing?

[mvpel]

If he's still experiencing the pain, what's the point of getting off of the pain medication? There's nothing noble about living your life in constant pain.

[rintense]

Liberal Spin: 'Conservative Icon Succumbs to Pain Killers: National Enquirer Vindicated'

[HELLRAISER II]

Sounds like it.

[wizzler]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

I wonder who will be the first poster here to say, "OK, I was wrong last week when I said the media was lying -- so he IS addicted to painkillers."

I wonder who will be the first poster here to wonder how this affects Republican politics, etc.

[ThePythonicCow]

It wouldn't surprise me if the pain medications were related to the hearing loss.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Excellent way of stating things, Rush. We're rootin' for ya.

[theDentist]

Depends on the painkiller.... Vicadin will do that (I'm told).

[JoJo Gunn]

The first time a Leftist sewer diver begins to gloat, remind them of JFK.

All of us are fallible, every single one, no matter how mighty or lowly.....

[ThePythonicCow]

If he's still experiencing the pain, what's the point of getting off of the pain medication?

He said he had agreed with his doctor on the next step:

I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.

Perhaps there are more steps than just getting off the drugs. Perhaps he is addressing the back pain with surgery or some other means.

[Bikers4Bush]

Most likely.

[JohnnyZ]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

I would suggest it, but not in quotes.

[My Favorite Headache]

Anyone ever take an oxy on this board? or a number of them? After my recent illness I could tell I was looking forward to the next one...and I am no fan of drugs at all. Never have done an illegal one in my life or even smoked a joint. But the oxy's were like being in heaven.

[Catspaw]

I withheld judgment until more was known.

I hope he gets the help he needs.

[zook]

1. Pray for Rush
2. I challenge you to find a significant poster or a significant number of posters who claimed the story was all a lie; quite to the contrary.
3. It will have only positive effects on Republican politics because Dem attacks will only trigger sympathy backlash.

[LPM1888]

Bookmark

[misterrob]

Not without vilifying most of Hollywood....

[gdani]

I wonder who will be the first person who supports the War on Drugs to explain why Rush shouldn't be convicted & possibly imprisoned.

Rush himself has said as much about drug users.

[ThePythonicCow]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

I may not be first, but: Let us pray for Rush

[JohnGalt]

That is a good queation.

Rush was a perfectly functioning addict who built a large and successful business. He has nothing to be ashamed of.

I hope (though doubt) that his entrance into a detox facility is motivated because he wants to get off these pills not because the 12 Steppers have convinced him this is what he is suppose to do, or to avoid some investigation.

[LPM1888]

There were a lot of posters who claimed the story was a lie.

[Protagoras]

Liberal Spin: 'Conservative Icon Succumbs to Pain Killers: National Enquirer Vindicated'

Conservative spin for the last week: "National Enquirer is trash and the story is BS and Rush will sue them and he didn't do it".

I had hoped he was innocent but even speculating that his audience would wane if it were true brought flames by the millions.

[jammer]

Good questions. #2 may never be said.

[Old Sarge]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

Might we assume, from the tone of your post, that he's not in yours?

[b4its2late]

At least we don't have to wonder anymore what poster would have the dumbest post on this thread.....

[Right Wing Professor]

I'm no Rush fan, but this is in many respects an admirable statement. He's acknowleded his problem, taken responsibility for it, and is doing something about it. It's laudably free of self-pity.

Better he did something about it before getting caught, but at least now he's handling it with dignity and responsibility.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

As I predicted.

[Protagoras]

There were a lot of posters who claimed the story was a lie.

More than could be counted. And woe be it to anyone who even expressed frustration at his silence.

[rintense]

Yeah, I bet Matthew Perry has found some common ground with Rush. But of course, it’s different when it is a conservative.

[Beck_isright]

It's hard both ways. I quit the pain pills 9 months after my cervical surgery (herniated disc in my neck) and then surgery on my shoulder, both damaged in a car accident. I live with the pain in my shoulder and hand every day.

At some point, and it's up to each individual, you have to say to yourself that there is another way. Rush is human, and I do not blame him at all. Every person is different. I have found ways to deal with my pain, but I figured out after several months just how addictive those pain killers are. I quit cold turkey, and sucked it up. I still take Advil or other over the counter stuff every now and then, but do not want to go back to the prescription stuff. It's a tough choice to decide to deal with pain in your life. And I do not envy anyone trying to deal with it.

I wish Rush the best. He will learn to deal with this as all of us who have had unsuccessful surgeries have had to at some point or another. He has my prayers for him and his family.

[LPM1888]

I wonder who will be the first person who supports the War on Drugs to explain why Rush shouldn't be convicted & possibly imprisoned.

Rush himself has said as much about drug users.

Now the question becomes did he say that about drug users after he became an addict.

[ICFN(ICan'tFixNothing)]

Get a life.

At least Rush admitted he has a problem.

He'll be in my prayers.

When he comes back.. . . Stand by for heavy rolls. You have 30 days to bash, pile on or what ever you want to do. Rush will be loaded for bear.

JP

[Recovering_Democrat]

Rush takes responsibility, asserts he is not a victim, and asks for prayers.

PRAYERS FOR RUSH GOING UP!
from Recovering_Democrat

[swheats]

This definately explains why it seemed Rush wasn't consistent in his commentaries.

Godspeed Rush, there's light at the end of that tunnel.

[walden]

Typical Rush-- TRUE CLASS. My prayers are with him.

[2timothy3.16]

Rush has been on our churches prayer list for a long time, we have been praying for his salvation, now we will add this to our prayers as well.

Rush is a fine and honest man and it is our prayer that his enemies will realize that many of us not only love what he has to say, in most cases, but love him unconditionally as well.

May the Lord our God, Messaih Yeshua, help you and your family through this Rush.

[TheOtherOne]

I wonder who will be the first person who supports the War on Drugs to explain why Rush shouldn't be convicted & possibly imprisoned.

Rush himself has said as much about drug users.

Enquiring minds want to know.

[goldstategop]

We still love Rush. His statement is a reminder we live in a fallen world and even our heroes fall short at times. They're only human. Every one who's had pain in their lives can relate to the addiction he's had and now he has to deal with it. If liberals thought his telling the truth would make us abandon him, they're flat out dead wrong. Rush and his lovely wife Marta are in our thoughts and prayers and we wish him the best on a speedy recovery. All of us look forward to seeing him back behind the EIB microphone at some point in the future. GO RUSH!!!

[Pyro7480]

As predicted, the DUmmies are going to new lows with this. They're calling dittoheads hypocrites. They are the real hypocrites.

[js1138]

The first time a Leftist sewer diver begins to gloat, remind them of JFK.

What of the consequenses of an off day at the microphone, compared to being hopped up on speed during the Cuban missile crisis, and being Commannder-In-Chief?

[Fester Chugabrew]

"All of us are fallible, every single one, no matter how mighty or lowly . . ."

Very true. In the end charity and mercy are very much needed. If any one of us were to be stripped bare for all the world to see how "moral" we are it would not be pretty.

[goldstategop]

Liberals are the ones who think we should just lie about it and pretend it doesn't exist. They're their ones who always seek to sugarcoat reality.

[Protagoras]

It wouldn't surprise me if the pain medications were related to the hearing loss.

Perhaps weight loss too.

[Callahan]

I'm sure that the Enquirer's version is exaggerated to some degree.

[Beck_isright]

wizzler wrote:

"I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

I wonder who will be the first poster here to say, "OK, I was wrong last week when I said the media was lying -- so he IS addicted to painkillers."

I wonder who will be the first poster here to wonder how this affects Republican politics, etc."

I wonder who the first poster will be to do the best imitation of a hateful, mean spirited liberal who hates one of the historically great conservatives who helped save a floundering movement and kept it alive during the dark years of the Clinton adminstrtation.

[LanPB01]

I read some of Rush's quotes about drug users. Not very nice.

[Catspaw]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised.

He does have a tough row to hoe in rehab. Addiction is a great equalizer.

[Recovering_Democrat]

WASN'T KITTY DUKAKIS ADDICTED TO PRESCRIPTION PILLS? AND SHE WASN'T RIPPED BY THE PRESS!