[mugwort2]

Bipolar woman friend told me she was prescribed Oxycontin Background: She told me she's a nursing home because of she broke her arm. IDK what one. She was treated and then released to the nursing home. Specifically a facility for assisted living. Looked up the place on the net. Includes psychiatric staff. I am very concerned she told me she was on oxycontin . OTOH she's known for delusions so I can't tell for certain if what she told me is real. She could be telling the truth. Known her since 1990s. Never knew her to be an addict.
If it is true its really scary to me. No idea what I can do if anything. TY for reading my post.

[SorryShaped]

I'm presently on Roxi, a version of oxycodone, following surgery. It's marginally effective, and I don't even like to take it. I'm also bipolar without history of addiction, except to exercise, caffeine, and videogames.
Is your friend on oxy regularly or prn?

[neverending]

I have been on pain meds a couple of times. One was after being in a very bad auto accident. I don't remember my hospital time just the rehab hospital where they changed the pain meds to a less potent dose.

Personally I just don't like taking pain meds. I don't like the way they make me feel.

When I was in the hospital with kidney stones they had me on everything. They had to discontinue the morphine after 24 hrs of it because I started reacting very badly to it and it's now listed in my medical chart as being allergic to morphine.

After I got out of the hospital I had a prescription for oxycodone and later hydrocodone. Of the 2 I only ended up using one pill out of each bottle a couple of weeks apart.

Pain meds don't addict me but they can affect my moods bipolar wise. That is part of what happened with the morphine.

Personally I am not afraid to take pain meds but I really have to be in very intense pain to do it because I hate the side effects from them so much.

Not everyone who takes pain meds gets addicted to them if that is your fear.

[*Beth*]

I understand that you're concerned. I'm just not sure what the problem is...? Sometimes people with BP have to take pain medication. Maybe you can explain a bit more?

[mugwort2]

Sorry shaped. IDK She didn't tell me and I don't enough about oxycontin to ask.

[mugwort2]

Bethrags. I was concerned because its an extremely addicting drug. Its an Opium med. That's why I'm concerned

[SorryShaped]

I personally don't find it to be all that. I don't see the draw. But then, most pain meds don't do anything for me.
Also, if your friend is in a facility, they are being given meds over at a time, not given a bottle and unwatched access

[*Beth*]

Try not to worry. Most people who take opiate pain meds don't develop an addiction to them. And like Sorry Shaped pointed out, your friend will be given the meds by a nurse.

[downandlonely]

I was given hydrocodone after surgery. I took 2 or 3 and still have the rest of the bottle. Oxy is addictive, but not everyone gets addicted. So try not to worry about it too much. Also, they are very strict about not giving people more than prescribed nowadays.

Originally Posted by mugwort2

Bethrags. I was concerned because its an extremely addicting drug. Its an Opium med. That's why I'm concerned

Honestly, I have tried various narcotics for stuff like wisdom tooth surgery and corrective surgery on my nose, and I never once got addicted to any one of them.

OxyContin was probably my favorite narcotic because it dulled the pain like it was supposed to, and it didn't make me wanna puke like Vicoprofen did. And actually, despite it being my "favorite," I still have some of it left over and I was never motivated to take more than needed. If anything, I would expect someone with bipolar to become addicted to something like stimulants if stimulants trigger mania in them. Or prednisone.

[Treyfrancis21]

Speaking as a recovering addict and someone who knows people whose otherwise normal lives were ruined by starting opiates legally I can understand your concern. Anyone can get addicted. I was using low dose opiates for debilitating back pain and ended up overdosing on **** as strong as fentanyl a few months later. I would say if you have concerns for your friend you need to be often and honest with them about those concerns. Many people, as have mentioned in this thread, can take opiates and have no problems whatsoever.