On Rush

Exclusive to FR ^ | 2 October 2003 | RightOnTheLeftCoast

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

I have some perspective on the allegations that Limbaugh abused prescription painkillers.

See, Rush and I share a debilitating inner-ear problem that left both of us deaf. In my case the diagnosis was bilateral Meniere's disease; in his it was autoimmune inner-ear disease (AIED). These are closely related, only recently were separated into separate diagnoses, and may well be different manifestations of similar disorders. Not enough is known about them to say for sure. They are distinguished primarily by swiftness of onset. In lucky individuals such as Rush and myself, a cochlear implant can restore hearing. We even have the same doctors.

In addition to hearing loss, inner-ear disease can produce unpredictable episodes of absolutely terrifying vertigo that leaves the victim lying on the floor, clutching the carpet to hang on for dear life. Pertinently, they can cause an exquisitely crystalline pain in the inner ear. It is thought that fluid pressure imbalance in the cochlea is at the root of all this havoc. But no one knows for sure.

I deal with this every day. I manage it with anti-inflammatories-- Relafen for a long time, Motrin, naprosyn. I've been on heavy-duty courses of prednisone many times. Evil stuff. Lately I've found that good old-fashioned aspirin is sufficient for keeping things under control most days, but there are times when nothing works. Allergies, fatigue and viral infections cause flare-ups. It's absolutely critical that I inject myself with allergy antigens on a set schedule.

Now, someone with the above profile who also happened to be a high-powered media mogul would present a perfect profile for painkiller addiction. And they would have my wholehearted sympathies. When your inner ear is on a rampage, you want to bash your own head in with a sledgehammer.

In other words, the allegations have a certain believability. There are puzzlements, of course: early reports had the maid speaking of dealing to Rush in New York, but he's been a Florida resident for some years. And what sort of deal would keep the maid from being prosecuted herself? If an eager prosecutor targeted Rush for reasons of his deliciously high political profile and celebrity quotient, that is just evil.

And this is the problem with the war on drugs: it criminalizes victimless behavior that is at worst self-destructive and, in this case, something quite easy to sympathize with. I mean, the poor man. He's lost his hearing to a mysterious and relentless progressive disorder, is quite possibly afflicted with episodes of searing pain, and yet he soldiered on to become the first deaf radio talk-show host, and a brilliant one at that.

The war on drugs is like Prohibition, but with unconstitutionality piled on top of futility. I hope this awful episode awakens the libertarian in Rush. The WOD is an abomination.

[Dog Gone]

That is exactly the reaction my wife had to that drug after her hysterectomy. I like the drug, which is bad, and she can't stand it.

Ideally, we'd both be indifferent.

[GUIDO]

You know the thing about all this is that all the allegations, all the hype, all the accusations, not once have I been reminded by anyone all day long that RUSH had some serious medical problems not long ago. The only ones that mentioned it was the FOX MORNING CREW. I was home all day because we are having to replace our central heat and air. So many drawers and closets got cleaned and I watched and listened to the radio all day. I never heard anyone mention anything about it. And that is an important point because most people who don't follow RUSH would never know.

[snooker]

"what sort of deal would keep the maid from being prosecuted herself?"

Easy answer ... they want her to give up the supplier so they can work it up the chain to the source.

Thanks for the report. It is elightening. I thought about this earlier today, that the pain level even after Rush got the implant might be high. This confirms my suspicions.

[oprahstheantichrist]

I have autoimmune Grave's Disease. Thyroid's under control, but my eyes are constantly inflamed. I have migraines also, which I believe is related, and the flare-ups are worse with allergies, etc., as you mentioned.

There are some headaches that are so bad, that if someone handed me rat poison and promised it would relieve the pain, I know I'd take it.

Three weeks ago on a lark, I tried some Wobenzym. Systeminc protease enzymes that greatly reduce inflammation. I was stunned at how completely it wiped out the pain. It's big with RA sufferers, and no side effects, although the first few times you take it, it's good to keep some Gas-X handy. Google it, you'll be amazed.

[BradyLS]

Haven't you heard? It was the houskeeper who was running a black market in pain killers/tabs and 'turned' Rush in WHEN she was caught ...

So then it's possible the pills were stolen from his prescribed stock and sold on the black market without his knowledge?

[_Jim]

That's not what I meant and I presume a shrinking stock would have been a cinch to prove ...

[Hildy]

Oy, this is like playing telephone. It wasn't hydrocortisone..it was hydrocordone. VICODIN.

[jocon307]

"If an eager prosecutor targeted Rush for reasons of his deliciously high political profile and celebrity quotient, that is just evil."

On Fox News tonight Britt Hume said that Florida LEOs have said that Rush was not the focus of their probe. (I am paraphrasing).

"The cops have no use for such tainted testimony now. I'm guessing she never told the cops about Rush at all because the story is either mostly or entirely false. Her lawyer is a high powered, expensive Democratic operative. Why? How did she get such a lawyer for what amounts to a local drug case? Something really stinks with the maid's story."

What you said! And is it normal for people involved in a police investigation of ANY kind to go to the National Enquirer with their stories, for money? Oh wait, now I'm thinking OJ, so maybe it is normal? I bet the cops can't stand it, no matter what.

DEMOCRAT DESPERATION, it's an ugly, ugly, business.

[ladyinred]

Thanks for your post. I too suffer from chronic pain, though not of the same kind, so I do understand how difficult it is to live a normal life and keep your spirits up. I feel very deeply for Rush if indeed this is true, and perhaps only those of us who deal with unrelenting pain day after day after day can truly understand the desperation of such an act. (If it is indeed, true)
Best wishes to you.

[tiffanyfree2003]

terrific photo

[Sam Cree]

Thanks.

[LeftiesBinWhinin]

If it is Vicodin, I can sure understand how you can get addicted to that stuff. I took it when I had an extremely painful back injury a few years ago, and if I hadn't elected to have surgery, I know I would have fallen victim to its clutches. Take one of those and you don't care anymore.

BTW, wasn't Brett Favre, quarterback of the G.B. Packers, once addicted to Vicodin?

[greasepaint]

It all depends on the evidence, of course,
but, if Rush solicited his employee to be a
drug dealer, that act of solicitation should be a crime.
.
Also, concerning the drugs in question, if Rush would
have, say, gone to two different docs to get Rxs
for these drugs, would that have been noticed?

[Alia]

When your doctor prescribes "Vicodan" -- your HMO usually gives you Hydrocodone.

[88keys]

And this is the problem with the war on drugs: it criminalizes victimless behavior that is at worst self-destructive and, in this case, something quite easy to sympathize with.

I'm sorry, I do have the most profound sympathy for those who are trying to cope with chronic and severe pain...I also realize that too many doctors are so concerned with "addiction" that they under-prescribe effective medication for pain management, in much the same way (though much less serious) that it takes a year to finally have a "second course" of antibiotics prescribed to knock out a sinus infection, in the meantime having all sorts of nasal sprays and other medications inflicted, none of which are very effective except in producing adverse "side effects" in an otherwise healthy person.

Still, I don't see what this has to do with the "war on drugs"? IMHO, there are more than enough prescription drugs legitimately available and accessible if one has a good doctor, despite the above caveat, and I see no possible benefit to providing "black market" pharmaceuticals to "free market" consumers. (?)

(I also don't think Rush could be guilty of any serious wrong-doing...it remains to be seen, but consider the evidence, despite the purported sinister "meaning" of his "half my brain tied behind my back" remark!)

[Gary Seven]

"If the drugs don't ruin your life, the government will."

[Porterville]

I've already forgave Rush, in fact, I am happy to hear he is even more a typical human being than before. Besides, if there is an ounce of truth to the story, it is a very small ounce.

[Porterville]

I've already forgave Rush, in fact, I am happy to hear he is even more a typical human being than before. Besides, if there is an ounce of truth to the story, it is a very small ounce.

[jocon307]

"BTW, wasn't Brett Favre, quarterback of the G.B. Packers, once addicted to Vicodin?"

I don't remember hearing that, but it could certainly be true. It seems to me I've heard of a few sports guys who have had trouble with this kind of drug, they get so banged up. I remember hearing the Chevy Chase, the comedian, got into trouble with painkillers, as one of his trade marks was prat-falls. But it always looked to me like he wasn't really properly trained to do them, so no wonder he hurt himself!