[tri-wings] Re: Totally off topic toothache

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Helleson"
> I've been on tylenol 3 for short periods of time - and even for longer
> periods of time.  They say that you cannot drive, and I didn't last summer
> or after my surgeries, but there are men in our small town that have had 
> the
> same knee replacement as I've had and are driving within 2 weeks.  And I
> know they are still on Tylenol 3.

Not sure if its the same in the US as here in Australia. But the warning is 
actually "do not drive or operate machinery IF effected". Not everyone is 
effected in the same way and if you take this codeine and lots of other 
drugs over a period of time you don't get the same effects. In fact if you 
suffer from chronic pain and are taking the right amount of pain killer for 
the pain you dont get addicted either.

Its one of the great debates here as in some states they are now doing spot 
tests for illicit drugs in drivers. Amazingly to some narcotics are not in 
the list, and thats because its not actually illegal to drive with them in 
your system, its only illegal if you are adversely effected. Many, many 
chronic pain sufferers still drive even though they take large amounts of 
heavy duty pain killers, cancer patients still drive even though they take 
morphine regularly for their pain. It was something that amazed me when I 
first learnt of it when I started work, but its true and to be honest I have 
never had a patient taking pain killers on a regular basis have an accident 
that could be attributed to their medication. You on the other hand possibly 
are effected because you dont take them on a regular basis.

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.
-- Victor Hugo

Keep Looking For Rainbows!!
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