But they kept asking me to rate my pain. It seemed like 10 out of 10. I got 20 oxys in the ER. I came back a few times and they kept giving me another 20. Soon enough, I was getting about 15 oxys a week from various ERs. Then I convinced my family doctor that my pain was unbearable. This arrangement was much more convenient. I got 90 per month for the $10 Co-Pay. Now that’s a deal.

I could get by on two a day, so my friend turned me on to a guy that would buy my extras.

Really, it was no big deal. No big deal until I started trading them for heroin. First, I was just getting high, and pretty soon I was hooked. I used every day just to keep the shakes away. Like I said, I really didn’t mean to do this. My guy got a new supplier. Who knew the stuff would be so potent? I shot up in the bathroom and that was it. By the time they broke down the door, I was gone.

I blame myself, mostly. Early on, I could have stopped. And later, I should have asked for help. But I

didn’t. Nobody pushed me off this cliff. I do think I had plenty of help finding my way to the edge. They’ve stopped now. No short guy is singing but I have my answer. A young nurse with a tear in her eye is trying to clean me up for my family. I’ll be on my way now. This part I can’t watch.

Dr. Baehren lives in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. He practices emergency medicine at Wood County Hospital. Your feedback is welcome at DBaehren@premierdocs.com.