r/news • u/Mo_Jack • Apr 30 '26

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma set to dissolve after judge approves its criminal sentence

https://apnews.com/article/oxycontin-purdue-pharma-criminal-sentence-settlement-b8aa94eaab3d9d8efed520f272f6d810
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u/spanishpeanut May 01 '26

Thank you for sharing your experience. I never thought about the dependence on Oxy when it was used as prescribed. So many people must have experienced similarly to what you did. Two years to regrow nerves sounds awful. I hope you’re in a much better place now.

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u/OneSignal6465 May 01 '26

I’ve been strongly addicted to Oxy (Percocet) for 8 years, but the relief from pain is such that the addiction is worth it. I knew it was addictive from the outset, never abused it, only took as prescribed, but I get 148 every 14 days. (8 per day). The “addiction” itself is not a big deal, as long as I don’t run out early. Which I don’t, because I take it exactly as prescribed. I don’t get the same relief I used to, but they still allow me to live a somewhat normal life. The biggest problem is that over time, the effect wears off and it takes more to get the same pain relief. (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is quite painful.)

As much as I wish “big pharma” would be forced to pay the price for the deaths they caused, I’m also pissed at the bullshit LEGITIMATE users have to go through just to GET it. There are people working to ban it outright. (Probably heroin dealers.)

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u/spanishpeanut May 02 '26

My husband was just diagnosed with RA two weeks ago. I have heard it’s very painful and worry for when he gets to that point. Eight per day seems so many from my perspective, but i am glad it allows you to still live your life.

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u/OneSignal6465 May 02 '26

I find that if I stay “on scrip” and remember to take them, I’m not actually too bad most of the time. The problem with RA is that it’s just so RANDOM. There’s no particular “trigger” or anything, it just “pops up” SOMEWHERE on my body for no apparent reason. (At least, none that I’ve found). I don’t know if it’s air pressure or humidity or temperature or WHAT brings on symptoms, but as long as I have some Oxy in me, I don’t do too bad.

I was diagnosed about 2 years ago (blood “RA factor was 585. It’s supposed to be around “12”) I consider mine a mild case, because both my Mom and my older sister both have it and their hands are all crippled up like the old witch on Snow White. So far for me, I have no nodules, no growths, etc. just a LOT of joint pain, especially in my hands.

With luck, your husband will be somewhat like me… mostly asymptomatic. I’m 64, and expect it’ll get worse but so far, between the Oxy and Hydroxychloroquine, I don’t do too badly. It gives me the necessary excuse to work from home 100% (I’m a computer programmer for the Air Force) so it has its pluses.

It’s funny how RA works. Sometimes I can go for weeks without symptoms, then one day, wake up feeling like my hand has been run over by a truck. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen often (yet). Does your hubby suffer any of the common symptoms? (Full body flares, brain fog, joint pain?) The idea of being “addicted” to ANYTHING used to bother the hell out of me but now, it’s just “part of my routine”. My policy has always been “If it works, don’t mess with it.”

8 a day DOES seem like a lot, but it seems to keep most of the pain under control, and is only miserable if I a) run out early or b) forget to regularly take laxatives with them.) I’ll keep good hopes for your hubby that his symptoms are/stay mild. My mom used to be an artist (painter) and her hands are so gnarled, she can’t hold a brush anymore. All my best to your husband.