Christine's Story

The following is a testimonial provided to us without solicitation. We feel that it may help to illustrate our disposition towards our patients. It has been provided to you unedited.

To Everyone Just Like Me

The first time I met Dr. Bond, I asked one question, "Will you promise to never give up on me?"

My name is Christine and I am 48 years young. I have had back trouble for approximately 5-6 years and always thought I would have to live with the pain every day for the rest of my life. Through my journey of pain, I have had 5 back surgeries and I am now fused C3 through C6 and L4 to S1. I have been from one pain management doctor to another, all of which have given up on me. Their way of fixing me was to mask the pain with different pain medications. Norco's, Soma, Dilaudid, Morphone, Fentanyl patches and that's just to name a few. You name it and I have taken it. In the beginning, I was taking the prescribed doses, however, it never relieved the pain. I got to the point where I could not take it anymore so I would take another pill and then another. I gradually increased the dose of pain medication to 10-15 pills a day just to take the edge off and there were days that even 15 wasn't enough. In search of a new pain management doctor, I met Dr. Bond. He worked with me for a good 6 months to get the pain under control and then he dropped reality right in my lap...

During my routine visit, Dr. Bond went on to explain that he needed to detox me. I FREAKED OUT! Full of emotion, I told him, "You don't believe in me anymore! You think it's all in my head and I really don't hurt!" I just knew he had given up on me. Then he looked at me and said, "Christine, you made me make a promise to you that I would never give up on you, now you must make the same promise to me and never give up on us."

In my head, detox was for losers, alcoholics and drug addicts. NOT FOR ME! I was NOT a drug addict. All the pain pills were prescribed! How could I be an addict? All the pain pills were prescribed! How could I be an addict? I am. I was...

July 18, 2009 I was admitted to a rehabilitation center in Houston. It was probably one of the hardest days of my life. I felt like I took "the Walk of Shame." With my head held low, I walked through the doors of rehad. I didn't know it at the time but the nurses had bets I would not stay through the night. I was hysterical, still not believing that rehad was the place for me. I couldn't have been more wrong! I needed this more than anything else. I was there for 7 days and in those 7 days, I learned more about life and myself than I had in 47 years.

Today is July 18, 2010 and I have not taken 1 pill in 1 year! I feel better than I have in the past 5-6 years and I am now relatively PAIN FREE. Although, I'm not saying that there are some days that I don't still hurt, but, nothing compared prior to detox. During my time in rehad, I kept a journal of how I felt each day to remind me in the future of what I went through. I feel it is only best for me to share my journal with you because we are all so different but in some ways, you're "just like me".

Day 1 - Was rough, I cannot lie. You go upstairs and the nurses greet you already knowing how you feel and what you need. They slapped a patch on the back of my shoulder and told me this will help with the withdrawal symptoms. They gave me a sleeping pill and I went to my room and cried myself to sleep.

Day 2 - Was rough. Confused, not sure what I'm supposed to do. Go to the nurse's station and the first thing they did was take my blood pressure and my temperature. They gave me print outs of all the meetings I needed to attend and then I was assigned a counselor. I saw the doctor every day. Mid day, I'm feeling really antsy, weak and sick to my stomach. I stayed in bed most of the day.

Day 3 - Feeling a little better. I'm having a really hard time sleeping so the doctor prescribed me Trazodone to help me catch some Zzz's. I met with my counselor first then I was introduced to my group which was 5-7 people. In here we talked about our most truthful and deepest feelings. I found more honesty and friendship in that room than I will ever find anywhere else because they are "just like me". Everything you say in that meeting stays in that room. I found great comfort in the support I got from people who are going through the same exact feelings that I am feeling. The nurses, counselors and people here are absolutely amazing.

Day 4 - Feeling much better but still having some withdrawals but not too bad. Slept much better but having some pretty bad muscle spasms. I actually put on a little make up today. Again, met with the doctor and went to group and attended meetings. Group meeting is my favorite time because it's such a small group and everyone is on the same page. I have realized that I'm not alone. I have met some really awesome people.

Day 5 - Seeing life very clearly and actually feeling fewer withdrawal symptoms. Met with the doctor, group and attended meetings. Wednesday's you can have your family come in for dinner and attend a meeting with you. I finally told my daughter where I was. She drove from College Station to Houston to have dinner with me and her dad. My husband has been my rock through all of this. I realized the hell I had put my family through, but their support has been unbelievable. All I have to do is ACCEPT it.

Day 6 - Feeling great. I'm not feeling sick to my stomach anymore. Met with the doctor, group and attended meetings. I know I'm supposed to go home tomorrow and I'm feeling a little uneasy about it. Believe it or not, I want to stay in rehab.

Day 7 - Feeling awesome! I'm ready to take on the world. Still feeling muscle spasms but all the rest of the withdrawal symptoms have passed. AMAZING! Talked with the doctor about the spasms and he said that I would probably have them for a few months. He was right. Your body still needs the drugs; I needed to remember I have been taking the pain pills faithfully every day for the past 6 years. I have come to realize that detox is not for losers - it's for people "just like me". This whole experience is not at all that I expected.

Day 365, July 18th, 2010 - Relatively PAIN FREE although I have some mild pain from time to time. I have had 2 sets of injections from Dr. Bond since then to help with the spasms. I sometimes wonder did I really need all of those surgeries? I don't look back as I can only go forward from here. I have apologoized to my family and they have kindly accepted. First and foremost, I thank God and then Dr. Bond for giving me my life back.

Remember this saying - Narcotics Anonymous = Never Alone, Never Again. Keep your Faith and know God is always with you.

- Christine

If you relate to Christine's story, you know you're not alone. Contact us today to schedule an appintment with on of our pain experts.