2016 Cdc Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids For Chronic Pain (Page 3) (Top voted first)

Hey all fellow patients out there, did you know the CDC has published a list of their proposed 2016 guidelines for doctors who prescribe opioids for chronic pain? That includes oxycodone, lortab, percocet, hydrocodone, opana, suboxone, morphine, and any other drug that has an opiate ingredient in it that so many of us count on to lead normal lives!

This affects all of us and the comment period ends on January 13 2016! That's about a week from now! You know the doctors are going to have to follow whatever federal rules pass so if you are worried that you might not get the care you need please go to the gov web site for the office of the Federal Register and submit your comments to them before it's too late!

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the opening of a docket to obtain public comment on the draft CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain (Guideline). The Guideline provides recommendations regarding initiation or continuation of opioids for chronic pain; opioid selection, dosage, duration, follow-up, and discontinuation; and assessment of risk and addressing harms of opioid use. The Guideline is intended to be used by primary care providers (e.g., family physicians or internists) who are treating patients with chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting longer than 3 months or past the time of normal tissue healing) in outpatient settings."

https:/­/­federalregister.gov/­a/­2015-31375

Editor's note: Please note that the above statement "You know the doctors are going to have to follow whatever federal rules pass" is technically correct but may be misleading in this case because the CDC draft says that it is "not a federal regulation" and that "adherence to the Guideline will be voluntary."

Editor's note # 2: The title for this discussion thread has been updated to reflect the topic most effectively.

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Keikei what really sucks is that doctors could be our biggest allies against the fearmongering DEA CDC and little Timmy's parents who blame doc for kid misusing his opies. all the pain doctors could band together helping our voice be loud enough to not ignored or blown off when we complain of inadequate pain relief. Thanks to all our coward doctors for continuing to 'do us harm'.

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Keikee, drs know what the laws are and aren't, they have to. Few patients take the time to actually look up state and federal laws and read things like the CDC Guidelines. It is very important for those tha suffer chronic pain to read and know for themselves exactly what laws, guidelines and recommendations say. It won't change what a dr is going to do but at least you know what might be coming up in the future.

As long as drs go by the laws and guidelines and don't over prescribe, they won't get into trouble.

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Is anyone else out there suffering over the new CDC guidelines? My doc is arbitrarily reducing my pain medication too low to help the pain. Anyone??

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Kim (#165) --

I went thru same thing after failed spinal fusion a year ago since surgery. They decided to taper me completely off of oral meds to fentanyl. People die from fentanyl so I refused after a month on it. However I was extremely skeptical of Kratom till I tried it. It truly works. I use green Malay for pain when it's a 5. The green Malay works for hours at least six and I only use 1 tsp=5 grams. You get moderate euphoric effects with great pain relief. I use red indo when my pain is an 8 but that one is sedating. The white maeng da is great for stimulation properties but not good on pain. Plus it's inexpensive, I get an oz of each for 12$ each so I pay $36 for almost 2 weeks of relief.

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Is it true that if you take pain meds you cannot take nerve pills anymore? After January you have to choose which one you want to give up.

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Steve it has become sad that us pain sufferers have to make a choice. I'm so sick of our government interfering with our personal health.

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Steve, what state do you reside? I've not read about any laws requiring Dr's limit a patient's medication to one specific class or type of drug. I have read of a state who's governor signed a bill requiring Dr's limit new pain scripts to a 7 day supply only. I think is absolutely criminal. Tell me your state and I'll check it out for you.

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they prescibed drugs guess what cant even just quit coffe with out withdrawl. Chronic pain is a killer so is CDC alot of people been on same med 20 years ur just setting up
a major genicide people are going to dye yes the body does get used to what ever u put in it stop the murdering pain

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Dawn,
According to a CBS news affiliate in NYC beginning January 3,2017 tri -state area PHYSCIANS will further be reducing narcotic pain meds in an effort to get what's considered "Excessive " prescribing habits for powerful opiate containing pain meds under control.Citing the Federal guidelines established in January 2016 were insufficient So a further reduction is needed and an emphasis placed on other methods for pain control.I was troubled to hear this and reached out to area physicians in Brooklyn and queens who verified a more holistic approach will be placed on many who practice Family, General, or internal medicine. HOW this effects pain specialists is unknown. Just wanted to share this so folks visiting there medical providers in the new year are prepared. God bless....

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Does anyone know what time zone the call later today is in? I'd like to give them a piece of my mind because they need to know what is going on with real patients like us.

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Thank you for the number update! LOL The other one was empty.....

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Lovely! I get through in a "listen only" format. I wanted to talk about how most of the overdoeses I am familiar with are suicides due to insufficient pain relief and the there shouldnt be UA's or pill counts unless a patient has lied to the pharmacy or tried to get early refills.

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I suffer fibromyalga, oseto and rheumatoid arthritis, plantar flashitis, migraines, sciatica. I'm in pain 24/7 and the pain meds help me move around and do things, like make myself something to eat, to actually survive, otherwise I would be bed ridden. I was bed ridden when I was not taking any kind of pain meds when I started getting this illness back in 2005, I've tried other resources first, like antidepressants, which did not help at all and made me a zombie. I don't over use my pain medications, cause I don't need too. I know how to take them, cause it depends on my condition. I don't understand why we and the doctors should be punished for helping us with our pain and trying to live a quality life instead of crying in bed with pain, it's horrible. I wish these counselors could feel what I go thru without these pain meds to help me move around! I don't think it's a right decision to punish us or the doctors that are trying to help us live a more quality life. The people that do abuse the pain medication should not be able to take them. Doctors monitor what, when and how we take our medication. Please don't take our pain meds away from us or punish us for what other people do when they abuse the medication. My life we'll be spent in bed, suffering a lot of physical pain.

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Helene

I hear ya. I had polio as an infant but it wasn't diagnosed until I was drafted in 1970. I was accepted and thought I was off to Vietnam so I went out on a mini bucket list trip. When I got back they called me back down to see another doctor. He examined me and said the Army would never take me and said "you have polio" From the look on my face he jumped in and said "not now but when you were a child." My parents confirmed all this when I got home. They let it go because I would have been sorta black listed they said. I asked how I got around and the said by scooting around on my rear end using my right leg to pull myself around. I still do that to this day if I'm on the floor and need to reach a tool if I'm working on something. I led a normal life but was weak and limped along as best I could. Doctors would tell me to "use it or lose it" so I did just that working in an auto factory for the big3. About 35yrs after having had polio muscle atrophy set in big time and I ended up in braces. Had to retire 6mo. before my 30yrs were in and a 45k dollar buy out. It's been downhill little by little every year pain wise. Now doctors tell me to "preserve what I have left" and not to do anything to hurt myself. All these doctors, pharmacists, CDC people want me to suffer to the max because of this generation of drug abusers need to be saved. As a taxpayer I've been helping these folks along for 38yrs. If they can take control of the pain they want me to have they should at least offer me the choice of being put down painlessly like an injured family pet.

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I belong to a Cronic pain group and I know that this is being done all across our country. My DR told me in September 8 2016 that I no longer had a doctor she said she would not lose her Lisence for me or anyother patient I never asked that of my DR I suffer failed back syndrome 4 back 2 neck and more shots in my back that never helped me at all. The pain my old Dr knew I live in does not matter to our wonderful DEA I didn't know they were DRs

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SandyM, Jan 13, is the last day that the Federal Registery will take public comments. No one is saying that they won't prescribe opiates for chronic pain any more. They are just saying that those that have chronic pain and need opiates also need to try non medication and non opaites drug first. They are also saying that a dr shouldn't go above 90 mg Morphine/90 mg Morphine Equivalent Daily. There are also other things in the proposed guidelines, you can read all of this info at the link Roy provided in his initial post to this thread.

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My DR had no problem telling me to NOT come back on September 8th 15 and I have Reyes, several mussel relaxers. they made me very aggressive. I do not want that as I'm a alpha male and I try hard to control my temper. it can be rough when my candle is lit. My old Dr knew this. she had a male with her till I told him he should leave. I don't want to be a training aid SOO just my DR and me for a visit. I still think the World of the DR I had in Rustburg VA. she was very kind and understanding till the DEA GOT ON HER. SOME people lack the fight to do the Right thing But a DR works awfully hard to become a Doctor so I Understand from her stand point but I still am in a lot of pain. I'm not trying to be messed up on my medication. if I were that type of person I would be in a very bad way I have some medication put back. I saw the righting on the wall. We Should Not Have to be Stressed out worrying about our meds. We All should be upset with the DEA. in this country the government is our servant not our Master. I have but one Master and it's No Person. I'm 60. I saw the hippie movement when I was a kid. I don't want a Buzz. I want to be able to walk a little and if it's a nice day I would love to ride one of my Harley Davidson motorcycles just a little. Not much just a little, they are what I want. some quality of life. I think some of the old meds work just fine. my crummy insurance will pay for my valiums and the Opana works. so did the oxycontin. I think we have a Right to meds we need to do the things We Enjoy. I'd as soon be Dead as I have no life so I'm going to do some things to stay on my feet.

I Don't think we should be held accountable for other folks Not Raising there kids Not to Steal or use Drugs. Not There's that is a failing of the parents. my Daughter is 41 yrs old and she was taught these things by me and her Mother but it seems young people are Not getting this. they seem very spoiled and entitled to me. well when the dust settles the Chronic Pain Patient is Going to Hurt And the young people who have stolen, bought or how ever they get the meds they don't have A Right to have are going to meet the Dealers in on the South of Atlanta and on Old National Highway. They Are Plentiful. I watch the local News. never been there don't want to ever go Either. I think we need to Expand Medical MARIJUANA. IT WILL HELP IF YOU GET THE RIGHT STRAIN. I HAVE THE BEGINNING OF EMPASENA. I know my spelling stinks sorry, but if you read you understand what I mean. I'm Not Going to be pushed anymore than I have been. I'm sorry our Governent got in the DR business. that's what makes me mad and if the Great State of Georgia will include Chronic pain to be able to have MEDICAL MARIJUANA I WOULD NOT NEED THERE OPIATES OR DR'S. I KNOW WHEN I NEED A SPINAL PROCEDURE IN DEC I WENT TO TAMPA FLA TO A PLACE CALLED LASER Spine Center. I had a lower back and a neck operation. I sold my coin collection to pay for it and I lived in a 8 or 9 pain all the time. I'm in a 2 all the time now but any exertion and I pay Dearly. But I Am A Man and I can't let my wife of 42yrs lift things too heavy for her. she has RA and is a tough little Woman. like I said its QUALITY OF LIFE. I DO NOT WANT TO EXIST. IM GOING TO THRIVE. STAY POSITIVE. DO NOT LET THE SITUATION YOU FIND YOURSELF IN GET YOU DOWN AND PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR LIFE TO EASE YOUR PAIN. I BURIED MY LITTLE BROTHER IN 92, the DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY. YOU WILL BREAK THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU AND I HOPE WE ALL CAN SAY WE HAVE LOVED ONES SO IT REALLY ISNT JUST US. ITS ALL OF THIS AND MORE. IF YOU THINK NO ONE CARES I CARE FOR ALL WHO ARE THE LAST OF THERE FAMILY. IM THE LAST OF MY LITTLE FAMILY WHEN I NURSED MY MOTHER THRU CANCER. I HAVE BEEN ALONE EXCEPT FOR MY WIFE WHO'S MY BEST FRIEND AND CONFIDENT I HAVE TOLD HER THINGS ABOUT ME THAT SCARE ME. She ALWAYS understands and is supportive. I hope some of what i have shared can help You. IF YOU ARE ALONE I CARE FOR YOU AND YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. I HAVE SEEN SOME THINGS IN LIFE THAT HAVE HURT IN AN EMOTIONAL WAY AND I CAN TELL YOU EVERY THING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. WE JUST DONT SEE IT YET. HAVE FAITH IN GOD and tomorrow and keep on Keeping On.

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CDC main page will be listed opiod guidelines basically they want to cut meds to 120mg combined long and fast actor total amount. And in make medicaid only give kadian or Embeda... if not it your state yet it will be they trick to pass a.bill then they stop coverage of everything else. Now they are going after V.A. and it will be same thing only covers 1 type medicine... next is medicare since they want you to believe it's a benefit not what you paid for all your working life. Then private insurance will follow along to save money.. needs stopped now =/

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I agree with you Jenny I have gave up on my last Floricet w CODINE my crummy private insurance One Who Helped Craft OBAMA CARE UNITED HEALTHCARE THEY HAVE THERE OWN PHARMACY SO now they will not fill my Last Pain Script I got let go by my DR 9-8-15 I still think we are being discriminated against WHY DO WE GET SQUEEZED AND NO ONE CARES AT THE LEAST. I GUESS IF YOU ARE NOT WEALTHY ENOUGH WHERE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT WE ARE NO ONE. THIS COUNTRY GIVES US BUT OUR VOTE AND IM SORRY TO SAY OUR OFFICIALS QUIT CARING ABOUT CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS I KNOW THE POLITICIANS ALL LIE BUT LETS ALL ASK ABOUT OUR MEDICINES WE NEED FOR A LIFE WORTH LIVING THAT IS A RIGHT I THINK ASK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA. THE FIORICET THAT THE GREAT FOLKS AT UNITED HEALTHCARE THAT MY INSURANCE WITH THEM WILL NOT PAY THE REP TRIED TO TALK ME INTO A SMALLER AMOUNT OF MEDICATION I SAID NO THEN I WAS TOLD I CAN BUY IT FOR $3,357.82. It's ALL ABOUT THE MONEY and why would a drug that comes from a flower COST SO MUCH? All the $$ and the BUY IT NOW PRICE I LIKE EBAY BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

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To All,

Most know my story I am an ultra rapid opioid metabolizer and there is a lab test done to support this. I have been with the now most famous pain specialist in California.

In 4 days I will die. Even tapered down to 300 mg morphine equivalent which kept me housebound I am now bedbound. I won in Court against the WC people who were attempting to reduce costs and I require brand Duragesic for long acting have multiple allergies and pills do not work for this DNA we metabolize them before they get to the gut. Liquid Oxy solution 500 mg/5 ml is my short acting.

I won in Court and they chased my famous physician away. Now within days of having nothing I must commit suicide and die with dignity or hope that my famous physician takes me back. Due to cost of Duragesic I have asked to be hospitalized if he gets me in time and put from Duragesic to Methadone which a homeless person could afford.

This is for GP's not specialists. This is all due to the current leadership in Washington and I advise you if you have a PM stay with them; do not change and ride this storm.

Scientific evidence shows that opioids are the safest and best way to handle intractable pain.

God bless

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