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.

[Peach]

Thanks for telling us your story. I'd read that the particular forms of inner-ear problems you mentioned are incredibly painful. Good luck to you.

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[redbaiter]

bump

[_Jim]

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 ...

[JennysCool]

MAJOR bump! Well said!

[Dog Gone]

As someone who gets an amazingly awful back spasm ever two years or so, I know that hydrocordisone is the only painkiller that will let me get back on my feet within a day or so.

However, if the bout is nearly over, and I'm only just sore with four or five more pills left, I'll probably finish the bottle because it eliminates the pain, and actually makes me feel good.

If I had an unlimited supply, I'm quite sure I'd become addicted. The stuff scares me, yet it's been essential at times.

[Mulder]

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

Very well said. Maybe more people will wake up with regards to the 'war on drugs',

[TopQuark]

The WOD is an abomination.

Rather, it's the state of our society that is an abomination.

[teresat]

I think you and Rush are very brave. I thought in the beginning when Rush was loosing his hearing that his career surely was over, it was not. He fought then. I thought this morning his career was over, then he came out and gave the keynote speech. He's fighting on. I have never been faced with the possibility of deafness as you or Rush have but all I can say is fight on.

[Dialup Llama]

>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 ...

From what I can gather its worse than that (for her). Its not like she wore a wire for the cops to get get a plea. She taped the conversation all on her own. She went straight to the Enquirer and cashed in.

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.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Whoa-- hydrocortisone is NOT a painkiller. It is an anti-inflammatory steroid. Take it the wrong way (such as taking a bunch at once to "finish the bottle" or fail to taper and sequence long-term doses properly), adrenal hemorrhage can kill you. Steroid drugs are some you do NOT want to take without a doctor's close supervision. Please take what I'm telling you VERY seriously.

[virgil]

I have been told that plain old aspirin is one of the best things out there for inflamation. If you get rid of some of the inflamation, you get rid of some of the pain

[jra]

Poster probably meant to say hydrocodone...isn't that a cousin of morphine?

[Aggie Mama]

I had the exact opposite reaction to hydrocodone. I just recently had a c-section and my doctor gave me the hydrocodone to have for the pain once I got out of the hospital.

I thought I was just experiencing post-partum hormones, but it turned out the hydrocodone made me loopy. My skin itched, it gave me anxiety attacks and I had terrible insomnia. My dr. prescribed something else, but I opted to take a larger dose of Motrin for the pain. It didn't really help for the surgical pain, but it was better than being crazy from the medicine.

[BlessedAmerican]

Thanks for your post and God bless you as you deal with this.

I can understand the Rush and addiction to painkiller part. What I don't believe is the illegal portion of this with the prime mover and shaker being the housekeeper. Rush could get all the perscription drugs he needs without resorting to a clandestine caper with the lady who dusts his furniture. I am inclined to wait for further breaking news on this one....

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Hydrocodone would make a lot more sense. Good catch. And, strong stuff.

[Dog Gone]

I was talking about hydrocodone. I definitely will no longer be typing a response while on the phone to my wife who is at work at the hospital this evening. She must have said something while I was trying not to listen, LOL.

[AVNative]

Thanks so very much for posting your information and perspective. There's nothing like someone walking in the same moccasins to know what their neighbor is going through.

I don't know you, and I don't think you know me, but you know what. . . I believe what you say here. In time the whole story will be told, but in these situations I've learned to hear out both sides of the story, and be willing to withhold judgment (give grace) in situations like these.

A little calm and time will hopefully gain one a greater perspective and increases the probability of getting at the truth of the matter involved. It's our choice to believe and be influenced by those chattering about every which thing - or not. Character matters. What do you know of Rush's character BEFORE all this happened? I'd be inclined to not rush to judgment (no pun intended), and go with what I already know about a person's character until facts prove otherwise.

Proverbs 18:17 says "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes and questions him." Apt words. . .

[oprahstheantichrist]

"hydrocodone...isn't that a cousin of morphine?"

Codeine.