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

[mountainfolk]

Ditto. Wonder what the reaction will be when the next Republican is hauled forth for public scrutiny? I also wonder what kind of a life those posters have who are so undone by Rush's admission of using prescription pain killers. The phrase, "get a life", comes to mind. I have supported Rush unconditionally and still do. I see a good man, better than most in my opinion, who could have taken his millions and gone on his merry way years ago. Instead, he found a way to continue to serve this country and the millions of listeners who would not otherwise have heard an alternative voice to the liberal media. His procrastination in seeking a better solution to his problem has cost him much peronally. I will continue to pray for him and will welcome him back when he is ready to return.

[mass55th]

"BACK SURGERY IS THE BIGGEST SCAM FOISTED ON THE PUBLIC SINCE ONE-HOUR MARTINIZING."

Speaking about Rush's back surgery, I'm wondering if this surgery was for that cyst he had at the base of his spine years ago, that made him 1-F for the draft. Does anyone else have any information on further back surgery that Rush had? He conveniently didn't mention the date of the surgery in his statement.

I agree with you about this country being over-medicated. My doctor's discussed back surgery with me, but when they couldn't guarantee that I'd be any better, I told them to forget about it. I take an anti-inflammatory (Bextra) for my joint pain. I tried to stop taking it recently because of the damage it can do to your stomach, but I was so stiff and sore in my neck, I could hardly move my head. I felt like someone had punched me in the middle of my back. I still have joint pain, but it's nothing like it would be without the Bextra.

[k2blader]

Addiction to prescription drugs is not a crime.

You are correct in saying that we do not know yet whether or not Rush did anything illegal. However, *if* it turns out he did, I think even Rush would agree he should receive the proper punishment under the law.

[BJungNan]

I won't pretend to know what it is like to go through back pain. From freinds I know that go through it, I do know it is tough.

I hope this will not sounds stupid, but I grew up sleeping on a very hard bed. So hard that if you plop down backwards and hit your head you don't go to sleep, it knocks you out.

Then when I came to the U.S. I found the beds to be very soft - even the most firm bed I could find. I started to have neck pain from an old injury and I was getting terrible headaches.

I don't know what made me think of it but I thought it might be the soft bed. I went to the lumber yard and got two sheets of plywood and set them on top of the mattress with a very light blanket pad.

About a week had passed and I was going about my normal routine when I stopped and took notice that I had not had a headache in three days and my neck felt very much better.

Eventually we got rid of the mattress altogether.

If you are having back or neck pain, you might give this a try.

[mass55th]

"I've thought about it. But I don't know what can be done legally."

The problem is that it's hard to find a doctor who will testify against another doctor's incompetency.

[Belial]

So, all it takes is an allegation by a third-rate rag and he has to forgo rules of litigation?

No. But use some common sense. When some frivolous claim came up last week that Ben Affleck stalked a random woman, he denied it. The case was dismissed a few days later, he had never met her.

Rush has confirmed that he is under investigation. No mystery there. You have to really *want* to believe that he nevery bought drugs illegally in the face of all the known facts.

[Fraulein]

my wife just called me from Hill's grocery in Green Hills where she heard it

Howdy neighbor! I was listening to Rush this afternoon before going to Blackstone's on West End to meet a friend for lunch at 1:00. I missed everything!

I just came home and discovered the news.

[rattrap]

that wasn't what i was responding to, the poster i responded to stated there was a difference between doing "illegal" drugs and prescription drugs.

[Auntbee]

The problem is that it's hard to find a doctor who will testify against another doctor's incompetency.


That's probably true. My husband had to find a new doctor because his old one retired. The first day he saw this new doctor she started writing prescriptions like candy. I always said something about how much medication she was prescribing but my husband thought he had it under control. I don't understand it.

[BJungNan]

You think Rush obtained prescription drugs illegally... BACK IT UP.

I'd say one strong sign is that Rush has yet to deny that he obtained drugs illegally.

And don't give me the BS about his lawyers not wanting to issue any denials...that was last week's excuse.

One thing is for sure, if he was getting them from his maid over the course of several years as some reports have it, she was not his maid, she was his drug dealer.

[dead]

You think Rush obtained prescription drugs illegally... BACK IT UP.

He said he’s been addicted to drugs for 5-6 years, and he’s entering his third stint in rehab.

There is no responsible doctor that would proscribe him those drugs through that period.

That is not definitive proof in a court of law, but neither is any of the evidence you cited to BACK UP my other assertions.

They are all reasonable speculation based on the available evidence.

[wardaddy]

LOL...she dialed the right number then.

[wardaddy]

gloomy day here in Nashville isn't it?

[sakic]

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

When the story first broke the majority of the posters said it was totally made up and that Rush would be vindicated.

[dr_who_2]

Other stories have suggested that he lost his hearing from the pain killers, yes. This is the best response to the charges that he could have given. Give 'em hell, Rush, and come back soon before the left wing maggots take advantage of your absence.

[fightinJAG]

((prayers for Rush))

[Hildy]

While we're all here, judging the life of Rush Limbaugh, let's just remember that we would probably not be here, together, right now, if it weren't for him.

[yhwhsman]

actually, i think of what (most) bands sound like after they clean up. aerosmith for example...

ROFLLOL

Well, I sure hope not. I was basing my reply on my own experience, after I lost my right foot the docs had me on all kinds of drugs, including oxycontin. Once I quit taking all the drugs, my mind became much clearer.

[dr_who_2]

She supposedly once poisoned herself after drinking rubbing alcohol.

[longtermmemmory]

Don't sweat the issue of prosecution. FL has a drug court for people with rush's problem. First time offenders are sent there AFTER they have been arested in order to use the fear of prosecution as a wedge to force treatment. Upon completion of 12 months of treatment, the case is dismissed.

Rush's only risk all along has been to have a dismissed case. The program does not do any discovery for the case, the fact that rush is now in treatment undercuts the reason for pursuing the case.