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

[Fraulein]

Gloomy and gray!

[sakic]

I guess all of the posters in this thread who said it was a bogus story are not meaningful posters to you

Plenty here said it was a totally made up story.

[Hildy]

12 steppers don't try to "convince" anything to anybody. But it's nice that they're there when you need them.

[Hildy]

Not a good analogy. But good try.

[Beck_isright]

Uh, it's not the same. I have a neck problem which will only deteriorate.

[mass55th]

It's obvious there are some grey areas in this story that Rush has yet to clear up. How's that? Happy now?

[olorin]

"It is unlawful for any person . . . to acquire or obtain, or attempt to obtain, possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge." Fla. Stat. § 893.13, subd. 7(a)(9).

Oxycodone (oxycontin) is a "controlled substance" under Florida law. see Fla. Stat. § 893.03, subd. 2(a)(1)(j).

[Jonathon Spectre]

I believe you can be against something and still do it anyway.

Very Clintonesque.

[kittycroft]

have you ever tried acupuncture to try and alleviate your pain? It is a great alternative to medication if you find a good one.

[JOE6PAK]

My wife had a disc REMOVED in 1992. The L-5 I think.

A TOTAL SUCCESS!

She was in constant pain for 2 years before the surgery and could not stand on her feet more then 5 min at a time. Vicoden was prescribed but made her so sick that surgery was the only option. I saw the pain up close.

RUSH has my total support and understanding. Prayers on the way RUSTY!

MEGGA "GET WELL" DITTOS!

[longtermmemmory]

If criminal conduct is true he should be treated the same.

In this case the prosecutor's office generally does not prosecute ANY of the end users.

or

if they actually catch someone in the act red handed buying drugs without a prescription, first time offenders are simply sent to drug court where upon completion of treatment the case is dismissed.

That is what is done for everyone else.

Hardly a hypocrit, BTW, until you have seen what people in accidents and ruptured disks have to endure in terms of paid you have no clue. Nerves which are pinched can cause unbelievable, incapacitating pain. Some of these pain drugs truly are a miracle to people.

In law school there was one woman who was on a morphine pump. By the some definitions she was in fact adicted. She was going to be on that pump attached to her body for the rest of her life due to the out of control pain that consumed her body. She like rush was not taking these pills/drugs for fun. There was a real cause and a real pain.

This has nothing to compare to those potheads or cokheads who are just getting stoned for amusement.

[nopardons]

BTT

[wardaddy]

seems like the trees have started changing overnight....unless it gets crisp and dry, I doubt this will be a banner year.

[yhwhsman]

Her anger about oxycontin is that because of those who are addicted to oxycontin--and with the rash of pharmacy burglaries--it's very difficult, if not impossible, for her to get oxycontin from a regular pharmacy.

I'm really disgusted about this too. Oxycontin is a medical miracle, and has helped bring pain relief to thousands of people. There was even talk for a time, because of the criminal element, of discontinuing oxycontin which in my opinion would be a real tragedy.

[sheikdetailfeather]

You are right. There is nothing noble about living life in pain. I would hope the doctors can find a safer alternative to help him with with pain. My understanding about these particular pain killers is that in time it requires more and more to get the same effect for as long.

[Arpege92]

It's not a double standard by any means. Most freeper's are big enough people to seperate the bad deeds from the person. I've seen many freepers offering support to those who think differently from them. Freeper's would rather debate the issues and not judge the person, unlike what the democrats are doing.

This whole mess Rush is in right now has got to be very embarassing and very shameful for him. IMHO...that's probably worse than the addiction itself and to clean himself up in front of the whole world is going to take alot of courage. So please quit calling Rush supporters hypocrites....Rush is now recieving his punishment and their's no need to kick this man while he is down.

[Dajjal]

Prayers for Rush

[Rightly Biased]

I may not be the first but I say Pray for Limbaugh and don't stop praying.......... I am

[Recovering_Democrat]

Not a good analogy. But good try.

I think there's a parallel. One gets dragged through the wringer, the other gets a pass.

[Ichneumon]

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

It will be a sad day for us Real Americans when you leftists figure out that your smug, hateful attitude is eroding support for whatever principles you still hold.

News bulletin for you: A very significant number of conservatives think the War On Some Drugs in its present form is as bad an idea as Prohibition was, and for the same reasons. And a very significant number of leftists cheer for the drug war, it fits their statist outlook about how the state needs to be protect people from their choices.