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.

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Source: Premiere Radio

[pgyanke]

There's still some grey areas that Rush needs to clear up on this story.

Since when are "grey areas" considered "obvious"?

[Sabertooth]

The big question is whether Rush's audience will give him one, and what lessons both he and his audience will take from it.

Some will, some won't. I haven't been part of his audience for years. He's no longer a cutting-edge news source. Maybe he'll come back sharper.

Lessons? Hard to say.

Opiates are always addictive. People kid themselves.

That said, I'd legalize pharmaceutical heroin for terminal patients in extreme pain. Supposed to be a better painkiller than the derivatives, from what I understand.

[dead]

Instead of beating the snot out of him with useless and inflammatory speculation, why don't we just see what happens, shall we?

I’m not “beating the snot out of him,” Captain Hyperbole.

I’m pointing out that it is very very likely that a person who is addicted to prescription drugs for 5-6 years, and is entering his third rehab visit, purchased many of those drugs outside the bounds of our nation’s intrusive drug laws.

I suppose it’s technically possible that this is not the case, just as it is technically possible that Al Sharpton will be our next president.

[ThePythonicCow]

A kind and gentle post - thanks.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

What an idiot = how stupid of him

[RedBloodedAmerican]

It isn't a crime to abuse prescription drugs... it is a crime to acquire them illegally

(Not being a doc or pharmacist) I would disagree.

Using legally acquired prescription drugs for reasons other than prescribed I *think* makes it illegal.

[halfdome]

I thought the press in general pretty much laid of the Rush and drugs story. I heard more about it on talk radio than in the newspaper here (LA Times) or on television. The cable news shows didn't do their usual thing, bringing out the panels and discussing speculation ad nauseum for hours.

[mass55th]

Not sure what you mean by guarding? But if you mean not using those muscles, I assure you that I haven't stopped doing any of the stuff I usually do. I find that I have more problems/spasms when the weather changes drastically, ie., hot to cold. Just last weekend, I visited my son and slept on his sofa with the front window open. I've slept on that sofa on numerous other occasions and never had a problem. I woke up the next morning with a terrible kink in my lower back, that eventually went into a full blown spasm. In other words, my back went out on me. I couldn't stand up straight and to try to walk was sheer agony. We already had planned on shopping that day, so I ooohed and ahhhed my way down the stairs and into my car. I felt good while I was driving, but once I tried to get out of the car, the back spasmed up again. I finally had to buy one of those back braces. It helped alot. It's been over a week, and I'm still having twinges, but it's nothing like it was. I feel fortunate though as it had been over 3 years since I'd last had an episode like that.

[pgyanke]

Care to post the relevant citation for the class? I have to run home now... I'll review it later. Thanks in advance.

[kimoajax]

This explains a lot.

My brother went though back surgury twice and my mother once. In neither case did it completely solve the problem and in both cases the doctors perscribed pain pills that ended up addicting them. My brother eventually (after two years and a wife that threatened to leave him) desided to kick the addiction and simply live with the pain. That was about one year ago and today when he gets up in the morning he has to stand hunched over to the right and ever so slowing it takes him about two hours as his back loosens up each morning to stand completely errect....and my mother is still hooked.

I wish Rush God speed.

[yikes]

Your #40 is eloquently put. Dittoes to what you said.

The libs will chortle over this as if none of their own has had a similar problem.

As Lucianne put it the other day, Rush has been there for us--the least we can do is be there for him.

[pgyanke]

What an idiot = how stupid of him

My bad.

You're an idiot = how stupid of you

[tpaine]

Have you always been willing, in all instances, to give second chances to others?

Have you ever asked for, and received, a second chance yourself?

347 posted on 10/10/2003 1:50 PM PDT by Sabertooth

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Chancellor Palpatine wrote:
I'm willing to give them to other people, and have received them myself.

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#1 Belied by the Askel 5 incident.

[k2blader]

Rush was very clear in his 1995 quote.

I’m simply curious if his position has remained consistent over the past 8 years. I can’t remember the last thing he’s said about drugs, barring the Medicare prescription drugs program.

[Auntbee]

That's a tough situation. I truly feel for them. I know how hard it is to get off of them.

[pgyanke]

And I'm just asking folks to wait until someone, ANYONE of credibility presents some real evidence of illegality.

[StoneColdTaxHater]

I hope the best for Rush. I have had a family member addicted to pain meds. The cold turkey is horrifying. I hope he can break free and find ways to deal with his pain. Jerry Lewis was addicted for years. He just had an electronic device installed in his spine and is pain free. I just hope against hope that there is no liberal gloating. Fat Chance.

[wardaddy]

How did you know I was wearing my fuzzy underwear?

Your wife called.

[mass55th]

"The doctor won't be going to jail for prescribing drugs for the pain."

Maybe not, but why would a doctor keep prescribing addictive pain killers to someone who is obviously addicted to them? He shouldn't be a doctor if he's done this. Nor should he be a doctor if he couldn't recognize the addiction.

[gdani]

Care to post the relevant citation for the class? I have to run home now... I'll review it later. Thanks in advance

Sorry, chum. I've done enough homework for you today.

Take your head out of the sand & do your own work for a change. I've provided the cite to the laws in question.

You can keep claiming that abusing prescription drugs isn't a crime but I prefer to deal with facts, not hopes.