I am so with you on this. Of COURSE I’d rather not have to take medication. But what people don’t realize often (when they start engaging me on these natural remedies) is that I tried them for four whole years before I finally acquiesced and agreed to try medication.

Acupuncture, natural supplements, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, guafenisin, massage therapy, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, chiropractic – I tried everything I could find. Some treatments had minor effects; most had none at all (and one, ironically the one with the most study support behind it – acupuncture – actually made me worse – talk about a let-down!).

I didn’t decide on tramadol lightly, and it really offends me when some folks on Twitter (NB: I do NOT mean Deb! She was incredibly respectful and engaged – passionate yet thoughtful and informed – unlike some others I’m going to write about next post) intimate that I’m doing something foolish, wrong-headed, stupid, dangerous, etc.

Of course medication isn’t to be taken lightly (literally or metaphorically); of course you need to explore all options. But this is my thing, and it’s a point I’m going to hammer here (hell, it’s the name of my blog and upcoming book!):

There ain’t nothing wrong with taking prescription pain medication when you need it for chronic pain. NOTHING.

Whew. Long-winded reply! Sorry for that. But again, thanks for commenting, Dee – the more we talk about this stuff, the better off both sides are, I think.

What an interesting conversation. This is an internal argument I’ve been having with myself for a while.

Before my accident, I was Queen Natural, everyone knew me as the go to person for anything home made. I used natural soaps, made my moisturiser, lotions etc. I would go to Thailand every year to fast and detox and I didn’t have medication in the house… In fact I’d have aspirin, but only to use as a facial.

After my accident, I tried osteo, chinese herbal, acupuncture etc, and nothing worked. Eventually I started meds, and while I don’t think I’ve found the right cocktail yet, it’s a hell of a lot better than anything else I’ve tried.

I get very irritated when people tell me to try some natural remedy, and I think it’s because I really wish it would work, and it doesn’t.