Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 13)

Is narcotic pain medicine becoming a thing of the past?

Why are doctors across America phasing out the practice of prescribing effective pain medication?

Will big pharmaceutical companies ever truly understand what it's like to face the other side of the coin?

Lately there's been a musty scent in the air surrounding the use of prescribed narcotic pain medication. Many doctors appear to be running scared as the DEA scours through fields of medical records, inspecting prescribing pads like a mouse scavenges for food in a dimly lit cellar.

Should the day come when doctors recommend Ibuprofen to a feeble man who's been involved in a terrible car accident (breaking several bones / requiring extensive surgery), is this doctor at risk of malpractice when there are more effective options available that they choose not to pick, out of fear? Fear of what? Doing the right thing? No, I don't think this is the reason... Somewhere along the line, in the not too distant past, doctors were loosely prescribing narcotic pain medication as if it would never go out of style. Nowadays, the harsh penalty of potentially losing their license for writing any unknown number of opiate prescriptions over so many calendar days or some other form of strict criteria, has been enough to prevent many physicians from taking even subtle "risks" with patients who are expressing obvious signs of pain and discomfort.

The unfortunately unique problem with pain is that it's not a physical object and in order for others to detect it, they'd have to rely solely on the backbone of our body language using their intuition - something that's gone missing in western practice. If more doctors took the time and really got to know their patients front to back, then they will be their own best judge of deciding what the right thing to do is, regardless of what the DEA thinks about their decision or what their drug representative wants out of the deal. Sadly, until patients are put before profits, the foundation of America's healthcare system remains in jeopardy like an iceberg affected by global warming.

While I believe that the vast majority of human beings in their right mind would choose to do the right thing, we must all work together to become the change we wish to see within every aspect of our lives; and knowing that by doing so, it will shine light on those crossing our path that need it most.

In the meantime, some patients may have to find another way to manage their pain without putting their life or health at risk. Others are turning to natural alternatives such as kratom, cannabis, turmeric and/or implementing various lifestyle changes into their daily regime... But the key is to never give up hope.

What will you do?

Warm regards to all who face life's challenges head on.

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Re: Barbara (# 238)

I sure will ! And anything else that's might help !

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Re: slc (# 237)

It is critical chronic pain patients keep up to date on state and federal laws and guidelines. They also need to keep up to date on their insurance company and drug store policies regarding opiates.

A number of years ago my doctor told me I could not get a refill on a Schedule III medication due to new state laws. I told him I was politically active and that I had closely followed the recent state legislative session. I knew no such law had been passed. I also told him I had no problem coming in every month if that was what he wanted me to do. He told me I was the only patient he had that was aware there was no such law. He gave me refills.

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Re: BL (# 242)

What kind of refill if you don't mind me asking, I am in Arizona and I had to change pain doctor after 11 years of seeing him, I got so tired of him lying to us lol

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Re: Ktb (# 235)

I live in FL where my pain mgmt group thinks it's fine to abandon a law-abiding patient of 13 yrs, with true pain, because they're being manipulated by state and/or Fed laws. After using Fentanyl patches and Oxy since 1993, my pain mgmt group decided not to see me anymore. I had traveled up north for a few months, as I've for yrs. This time however, medical circumstances "out of my control" kept me in NY for 6 months. I had to cancel 2 monthly "scheduled appt's". When I came back to Fl, I was told by the off.mgr that, after 13 yrs, the group was dropping me.When, I asked to speak with an MD, or my Phy Asst, I was denied. After many attempts, I was told that several drug panels showed something in my urine and that "I had been warned many times"!! I had NEVER been warned nor had I EVER taken ANYTHING that wasn't prescribed to me. After thinking about it I remembered my Phy Asst. telling me once that something showed up in my U/A. But, we knew why. I take a small dose of RX Effexor 1 x day and that can manipulate U/A's if the lab isn't paying attention to your med list. I was relieved to be able to point out the error. However, no future appt. They were willing to see me 2 months before but not now?? And after all these yrs, and my bills promptly paid, I was suddenly forced to find a new Dr that would see me before the Opioid meds ran out. Then I learned that if a M.D. drops you for taking something not prescribed (which I hadn't done), "NO" Other M.D. in the area will take you on as a pt!! I even requested another drug panel to be done by a different lab to prove my innocence!! Now I have a huge problem and don't know what to do. My pain is caused by a 16 yr old running a red light. I fractured the 1st 2 vertebrae at the base of my brain stem (The same injury as Cristopher Rieves, but thankfully wasn't paralyzed). I also had a bad head injury. The "jaws of life" had to be used to free me from my car. I had 3 surgeries that all failed to fuse my C-1 & C-2. I had a stroke in the recovery room after the 2nd surgery. After the 3 surgery I ended up with MERSA on my brain stem and had to have a Pic Line IV for 4 months. They can't operate again. I have legitimate pain, my Opioid meds are almost gone, and thanks to my former pain mgmt group, I have no doctor!! If anyone has a suggestion for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Re: Kathryn (# 244)

Wow, I am so sorry, I don't know about Florida but here in Arizona the pain management Drs are mostly anesthesia Drs. Here they would just make you owe and then periodically test you hmmmm

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Hi David, here in Louisiana all they want to do is give you injections for pain if you want insurance to cover it. I have problems from head to foot. My neck, Cervical Spondylosis which my neurologist says is so messed up. My back I have Lumbar Spondylitis. I have a prosthetic knee and arthritis in both of them too. I need more surgeries and they will not touch my back and neck for fear it will be worse after surgery,. So if I go to a pain specialist are they going to give me shots from head to foot? that is ridiculous. Right now I have nothing for pain and basically lay in bed all day having to get up and move once in a while so things don't stiffen up on me. These people who are passing this law are totally ignorant. Also marijuana is about legalized (even for non medical purposes in some states, just to party) but opiates are a no no. Crazy world we live in. $225 a visit for pain meds is a rip off doctor. There is no reason they should charge that much and most insurance will not cover the pain clinic that will prescribe them.

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Re: Ktb (# 235)

Please let me know when this march is and where. I am post polio with severe scoliosis. I was living a good quality of life until this happened.

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Re: BJ (# 6)

I cannot encourage anyone enough to use charcoal when doctors are decreasing or cuttin you off completely. It’s a great way to get toxins out of your body and for me when they switched me from 240mg to 15mg/day the charcoal and juice spared me any type of withdrawal. Also depending on your type of pain please look into a good essential oil. I have advocated for myself since 2009 because doctors are just not taught about the disabling pain from abdominal adhesions and only 5 states in the US have deemed it a true disability. (Unfortunately I don't live in 1 of the 5). I PRAY for all of us that are in pain and responsible patients. I hope this helps!!

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Re: Kathryn (# 244)

Oh gosh that's so unfair! I'm not sure how or why they are doing this legally. Those U/A's show false readings all the time! Many things can throw them off. I think I'd write the medical board and find a lawyer . Get all your records. It's time everyone that's been on long term opiate therapy to fight for quality of life . They don't know how to taper either! There's got to be a dr somewhere that has compassion. If you have to go to the ER and I've even heard of some people going to rehab just for pain relief. It's backwards & very careless. No dr should have ever led anyone to believe we could take long term meds for years then take it away. It's proven it causes more health problems taking everyone off. The inj's. kill bone and muscle but opioids don't. It's all lies. Their so called opioid epidemic is a lie. There's more of us than a bunch of dumb politicians who probably are addicted to whatever that's playing God. Don't give up and search forums until you find someone in your state to help find a dr. Go to patients like me. They have people in our shoes and possibly can give you the name of a dr. Up here it's bad too. Remember to get all records and notes proving you complied! It sounds like they were looking for a reason to dismiss you! A good attorney also should look into this and everyone who's been tricked to stay years on opiates then have their lives ruined. It's doing harm. Let us know how you are doing!

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Re: Barbara (# 238)

Here's a few that are doing it, also tapering has to be done correctly. This should have NEVER happened! A dr should have warned their patients that in time they will be taken off. Leaving them on it for years and then dropping them is wrong! Also the CDC numbers are wrong. Pain patients that's got lupus, ending, Crps, no cures! Is it right to shatter lives? It's incomprehensible how any Dr could do this to patients. There's something very wrong by withholding pain meds! Thank God I'm not one who was on it for several years. To be be in their shoes is the only way to understand. I just know it's wrong and if they must taper then they need to do it correctly, some take a year or more some it doesn't.

[1] Opioid Epidemic Lawyers

[2] tsrinjurylaw.com/chronic-pain-syndrome-lawyer

Look into these. Everyone is a different case and I don't have a clue how difficult their lives are except by hearing their stories. Also look up NSAIDs. Long term effects are worse than an opioid. Also, the senate was up to legalize hydrocodone 5mg otc! I worked on the senate seat in my district and they through it out. Money! And technically not very many drs know what or how to help the ones on meds for years. They were sure brave enough to hand out the prescriptions so they need to be brave enough to stand up for what's right! Everyone suffers! It's about rights as well. It's truly sad.

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Re: Ktb (# 241)

I posted some links and here's another site that a lot of you might want to get involved with: NFMCPA. They are fighting as well to stand up for legitimate pain patients. I have no answers as to truly know what to do except offer what I'm doing as others share with me. I hope everyone can share any useful information that's beneficial!

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Re: Claude (# 9)

Where can I find this on change.org? What category is it under?

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Re: Weenaboy79 (# 252)

It’s under healthcare then search chronic pain. Thank you for caring!

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Re: Tommy (# 80)

Please keep us informed...can't wait to find out what's in it. Thanks.

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I have stage 4 TERMINAL cancer. It has spread to my bones. I live in constant pain. I moved to Las Vegas where I needed to see a "pain management" doctor. What a joke! His idea of pain management was to reduce my medication. It is bad enough to be dying, but now I can die while in pain. And the sad thing is he doesn't care. It is so bad in Nevada, I opted to move back to Minnesota. Once back here, I met with my doctor I saw before moving and she was shocked when I told her about the medical care in Nevada. I am not receiving oxycodone and morphine for pain relief and getting ready for surgery to have a pain pump implanted. If ANYONE is thinking about moving to Nevada and needs pain medication, consider moving to another state. Oh ya, I also wanted to mentioned that this doctor would lie all the time about the DEA monitoring medication amounts, or requiring MONTHLY visits to get a refill. If anyone reading this lives in Nevada, my heart feels for you

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Osculation101 (# 254) --

That's terrible ! He needs his license revoked and I'm sure if he keeps it up someone will make sure he doesn't practice . You shouldn't have to worry about pain ! It seriously irritates me how the gov and others lie as if we all are stupid ! We all know pain meds is beneficial and opiates is safe if taken properly just like alcohol or anything else .l heard some say pain patients could carry a card so that incompetent Drs can distinguish between addicts and legitimate patients in need of opioid therapy . I often wonder how many of those drs are hooked ! I know I seen a few when I worked in medical and nurses . . You stay strong and Thank you for sharing your story !

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Re: nomas (# 236)

Hello nomas, would you have a link for that article?

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My hope is that people be in pain and not be able to get relief that are trying to stop people who need help. It is just cruel. I have been told by two doctors that I cannot take any NSAIDs because it raises my heart rate, Not even aspirin. I have three bulging discs and bone spurs that causes severe pain. I have been through physical therapy, back braces, steroids and antidepressants that the doctor said would help with the pain. Two hours after taking that, my stomach went into my esophagus and I almost died. Went to a nureosurgeon who told me that I was really bad but he couldn’t help. I am now taking 2 norco pills a day and it manages my pain somewhat, enough that I can do a little housework and maybe work in my flower beds. Now they want to take that away from me. Someone has to listen to us. We shouldn’t be punished for drug addicts who abuse.

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Here's a .gov link to tell your story of how you are suffering due to the new laws on opioids that's supposed to be for heroin and real addicts, not chronic pain!!

crisisnextdoor.gov

Go to that page and share all you can about how this has affected you or your loved one.

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Re: Claude (# 9)

Please share the link so people can sign there are many noww that want you to sign ..A Lot od people are going through this suffering but this petition sounds like good idea and yes I am a fellow sufferer also.

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