Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 19)

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: Mark (# 360)

All right, Mark here we go. As for the alcohol issue you have addressed part of the issue. The government, BOTH State and Federal, collect huge taxes on it. Ever heard of the "sin taxes"? That is tax that the government can easily raise whenever they feel they want to. Why? Because the main populace is fine with it and there is no political repercussions from raising taxes on these things. Remember, the Federal Government attempted to completely BAN ALL ALCOHOL for several years and how did that work out for them? Their "ban" just created a large black market for sales of alcohol and "speakeasys" in many locations for onsite consumption. They repealed the ban because everybody was profiting from alcohol sales but the State and Federal Governments. That brings us to the so called "opioid crisis". The political climate now makes it easy to attack pain medications. This can easily be done because the politicians are making huge political hay from going after "Big Pharma". The "problem", as they see it, is that the manufacturers pushed pain medications on the Doctors as being no problem and non addictive. The obvious answer to the "problem" is to stop pushing pain medications on Doctors and desist from making unproven claims--like pain medications are not addictive or, at the least, creates dependency ON LONG TERM PAIN MEDICATION USERS. They could pay a fine and change their business model and move forward. But NO! The manufacturers are trying to change the molecular structure of opioids and have thereby created a substance that is as effective as Tylenol or Aleeve.

They get away with this because the long term chronic pain medication users are no big deal to the politicians and they are just collateral damage to them. I am not certain where this is headed but I am certain that it will lead to no good. The only hope is that, like the so called "alcohol" problem it will eventually be straightened out. This leaves us with cigarettes and other tobacco products. Tobacco products are a proven carcinogen. They cause cancer and other issues yet the government still allows the production of these products. Unlike alcohol, which can be consumed responsibly, there is no known proven "safe consumption" of tobacco products. Even light use will create negative results. There is just no excuse for the use of tobacco but the governments, farmers, and manufacturers benefit financially so it is allowed. Also the politicians benefit because if they were to go after a complete ban on tobacco products they would be vilified by users and non users alike. The users would rebel because of their addiction and MANY (not ALL) non users would rebel at the loss of a "freedom of choice" option. We have none of these protections for opioid based pain medications because it is now popular to attack ALL users both legal and illegal. This is just pure insanity on stilts because there are many chronic pain sufferers that have a medical NEED for these substances but no one cares. This is my take on where we are currently.

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Re: w john (# 361)

This was a very good explanation. Addressed to Mark, but we all benefit. Thank you. If politicians desire to create a black market for opioids, they are going about it the right way. If opioids are banned for your worthy CP patient, I guarantee customers will be lining up in dark alleyways and will buy their meds off of shady dealers. Upstanding citizens, side by side with the addicts. Prisons will have to build whole new structures to hold this new genre of "criminals".

Sound like exaggeration? Maybe, but I don't think so. Hospitals will be treating more drug poisonings, and not just addicts. Suicides will double, and depressed, sick and disabled will be our newest demographic. Self-inflicted injuries, for the chance to obtain meds for chronic conditions, will be common...this too will be made a crime. Desperate times, desperate measures. Look...banning alcohol, an unnecessary, but desirable, enjoyable accent to life for many, required detectives, squads, law enforcement personnel in great numbers, just to curtail consumption and sales.

Pain medicine is an integral ingredient for many, to ensure mental as well as physical productivity. Take it away, hurting employees will not be able to make it to work. A forty hour week may be too much for the untreated, suffering masses. Again....sound like exaggeration? Hardly. It's not just old retired people hurting, with very serious conditions. The young laborers, those that make a living doing physically demanding jobs....take their med away and see how much they get done. Oh, they will try to stay on the job, try not to risk their freedom, their reputations, their family's reputation, but out of desperation, they may end up in jail for "seeking" the med they've been deprived of. Yep, a slippery slope, an easy slide...from Joe upright citizen...to jailbird.

I am now seeing a possible scenario that scares the begeebers out of me. Heck, it's in the works now. Well, no kidding many on pain med are abusers, no kidding meds are falling into the wrong hands, heck yeah we have addicts looking for their fix. That is nothing new. Always have been, always will be. What will be the new criminals? Moms, dads, grandpa, grandma, coaches, caregivers, librarians, etc. Your friends and neighbors. Gee, where will we put them all? Just think of the revenue raised by first offenders who are fined. No, I see no good end here. Follow through with this war on pain medications and the repercussions will be impossible to estimate. There has to be a better way than this. It's sheer madness, for the sake of curbing abuse. Yes, abuse should be addressed. Better regulations could be made. That does not mean stricter, just a more functional common sense approach. WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE DEPRIVING CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS!

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Re: Mark (# 360)

I totally agree & it's proven that a real Pain patient doesn't get truly addicted. I learned that in college. There's so many that have stigmatized medications without walking in your shoes. A person gets dependent as one who needs caffeine to get up or there's psychological addiction which is why the placebo group is used. I never had any pain patients overdose but I had plenty of Tylenol and alcohol poisoning I'd draw blood from. It will be fixed in time but you need someone now so hopefully someone can direct you because whenever your in pain it's hard to focus on the political stuff. Look on the national pain coalition. Their fighting for EVERYONE pain patient or not ones life can change in seconds! But as I was saying that website has several numbers and links for help & advice. It wouldn't hurt to tell them what's happening & see if they have any answers. You might have to go to the ER, I'm no longer in nursing but my family & friends are & some people have had to be admitted because their in so much pain & some drs are compassionate enough to try the route to give you some relief. The people in office aren't addressing this issue correctly & don't care it's extremely dangerous to pull real pain patients off their medication. It's like taking a diabetics insulin. Yes the alcohol flows as it kills an entire family in seconds by making poor choices. Post back & let us know how you're doing and what help you received!!

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Re: w john (# 361)

Awesome post w john!! You cut the whole problem down from EVERY ANGLE!!

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Sissy (# 363) --

Thank you for your response. I tried to consider this from every angle.

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Re: w john (# 361)

Here's a real kicker. I try to avoid political issues in general. The $$$$$$. On the news tonight. Not mentioning his name, it begins with B though. Total 180 degree switch from his previous stance on the marijuana. He's pro cannabis now. Anyone want to take a risk as to why he's done this? It is now a sound investment, because of the $$$$ involved, don't get me wrong about our great country. Capitalism is part and parcel of this land of ours. You work hard enough to make something more of yourself & create a better life for you & yours. I'm trying not to keep repeating what I've posted previously on this site. It is good to be able share, commiserate? We need to be able vent, or go insane. I'm just over 90 days out from my most recent surgery. Won't try to get into the get into particulars. 2nd time around for my shoulder, initial installation 10 years ago. Right down to the week. For the first time, in regard to my off the chart pain, had to have 18 year old son take me to the ER for some relief. My bike wreck was old news by the time he was born so he's lived with my condition all his life. He really helped me through those hours. 4 out the 5 hours we were there. Right around the 5th hour was when I finally got some meds. Found out today from my primary care doc they actually CALLED him at home to see if I was for real, I've been lucky enough to have been with him for over 20 years now. We were both former service members, even though he was an officer, I never held that against him. We, my wife and I consider him a friend, no backyard barbecues though. Still have to maintain proper decorum in our doctor patient relationship. My orthopedic surgeon was almost as disappointed with the results as I, new doc to me, not the one from 10 years ago. My previous pain management doc made a statement that POPS into my head every so often
"You've been very compliant". In other words thanks for letting me & my cohorts give our permission to your newest doc to prescribe meds for your pain. Thank goodness I was compliant!!! Battery running low. Plenty more to go on about, but my battery has just saved you all from it. Whew. All my best to all of you. Good Luck!

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Re: w john (# 361)

RE: pain meds being take away

WELL WRITTEN AND SPOT-ON

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Re: Mark (# 360)

To Mark and all other chronic pain patients being denied their meds I want to share what I went through. After 10 years on the same dosage of pain meds my insurance wanted to cut back significantly on the amount of medication that would be paid for and there was no option for me to pay out of pocket for the additional medication. I found an advocate, free of charge that guided me through the process of having an external appeal (out of state) where a 3rd party looked over evidence provided by my doctor, the insurance company, and her knowledge of health laws. It took 2 months but I was lucky. The doctors and pharmacist that reviewed my appeal agreed with my advocate ( lawyer) and overturned the decision in my favor. Yes it was two months of hell but it worked. Check the internet or your insurance company policy (including Medicaid/Medicare) to see if there is a similar process available to you. I live in NY and know rules are different in every state. Here the optiod crisis is being fought by taking prescribed pain medication away from patients after long term usage under the supervision of a pain management doctor. Mark, I hope you found a solution other than alcohol to help you deal with your situation. Although legal, we all know the dangers of alcohol abuse ( I like my wine) so I am not condemning social drinking but it cannot provide long term pain relief. Check into an appeals process if you have not already. There are not for profit agencies that do good work. They just need to prove medical necessity. The fact that you had a better quality of life for several years with the medication is part of what they do. There is no cost either.

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Re: Hop63 (# 368)

It’s not just the government and doctors making it hard for pain patients it’s insurance companies as well. I work in a pharmacy and every day I see a rejection from insurance saying they will only pay for 7 days of meds and if they need more then they will need to get a prior authorization in order for the insurance to pay for more. It’s not just for acute pain either it’s happening to people who take them for chronic pain. I had one insurance even say they will only pay for a 7 day supply in 60 days so even with a PA they won’t pay for more pills until 60 days. I’ve been taking pain meds for 16 years and lost my insurance last year so I have to pay cash for my meds and thankfully haven’t had to deal with insurance issues. My pharmacy also won’t let people pay for the pills that the insurance won’t cover, if they want all the pills they will have to pay cash for them all, they won’t insurance pay for some and cash for the rest cuz they consider that a refill and there’s no refills on C2’s. I think it’s a stupid rule!

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Re: Really agitated right shoulder Oxycontin guy (# 366)

You raised the issue that I have mentioned previously. It seems that one cannot have a RATIONAL discussion with anyone in the medical field without them having to call your PCP for verification. Your medical records can be accessed by Doctors, especially in an Emergency Room setting, to verify your information. These Doctors do not need to call your Doctor at home. This is just another great example of how volatile Doctors have become towards long term chronic pain patients. This is one area where you are honestly guilty until proven innocent. Could they not independently investigate your medical records by checking the medical files that are readily available to them? Sure they could! Can you imagine the mess an Emergency Room would be in if they had to call every patient's PCP to verify what they can already see as part of your medical history. Plus you tell them. Oh, I forgot. Long term chronic pain patients are all just trying to "work the system" to their benefit.

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Re: Maria (# 369)

So "they" consider it a refill? Is that just their in house ruling or is this actually an accurate interpretation of a law? I am fighting my insurance company now. All of their arguments are just for financial reasons guised under "medical reasoning". Can anyone harmed under this Pharmacy's ruling file a complaint with the State Pharmacy Board? There "rule" seems at the least arbitrary and capricious if not outright illegal.

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I was with a Pain Management and Spine Center in Farmington, CT for several years on and off for pain management regarding different health circumstances. So, the Doctor and staff knew me. Then I started to see the doctor again for Pain Prescriptions for my arthritis that was severe around my spine discs and I was not ready for surgery. Finally, had the critical surgery by a neurosurgeon, who gave me a 20 mg of another opiate to be taken 3 times a day. I called my Pain Doctor for permission to take the medication, he said yes and it was supposedly documented. Adhering to the contract that you must sign at the Pain Center I anticipated no problems. But my U/A began returning with Methadone. Nonsense, I do not use any other narcotics but what is prescribed here.

My husband asked for all the names of the screeners, lab ID numbers and where they were located. I also ran the same day to get blood work for strictly Methadone and of course it came back negative. Delivered results that same day and he threw it on the floor. I said in your contract I can appeal your results which is what I am doing and I want all my dirty U/A's in my file to be classified as False Positives with proof. This way should the auditors pick my name and see False Positives they will allow the Doctor to resume ordering my pain prescriptions. Because I went to another Pain Management Center at a hospital that I did not know that he was asked to leave he kicked me out of the program. I wrote to his lab and they emailed with the first sentence reading "We are not 100% accurate" - Then they sent me over six pages of over the counter products that will give False Positives, even other prescriptions, and other bacteria that is in your body. I was shocked. This was also thrown on the floor.

I went to my State of CT, Consumer Protection, Department of Health, complaints and called to inquire legally what my rights were? The Federal laws for Opiates are used by the State, and the Clinic copied and pasted their regulations. By not adhering to his own contract for the appeal process to be recognized (violation) using States Regulations he then also violated the Federal Requirements. The State immediately were familiar with this doctor and sent me a package to fill out and return for further action if after their investigation of my claim they will notify me. They took my complaint, and are assigning me an auditor for my case. I have severe pain and was told to go to my nearest ER which I did and after an exam and I brought my medical file they gave me a shot of morphine and admitted me for five days and gave me pain meds that were stronger than what I was subscribed by the clinic. That is the only recourse I know of in CT.

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Re: Grangerl (# 372)

Wow, what a bunch of b.s. I am so sorry for what you have had to go thru

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Re: w john (# 371)

This is only at the pharmacy I work at. Other pharmacies may have the same policy but the pharmacy I go to to get my meds are more lenient as far as letting patients pay for the pills that are not covered. The pharmacists I work with are pretty against pain meds which upsets me but I need to keep my job so I keep my mouth shut!

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What can you do? Its the DEA and they are dirty just as our whole government. Can't fight them. All this "addiction" is surely making money for the methadone clinics right? And, I've done a lot of research on this. Its about power and control over the people. Drs 1st concern should be to their patients and if there is evidence of pain then give them something for pain...its that simple. Drs care for the bottom line money...these days. One Dr charged $5,000.00 for Suboxone maintenace. One methadone clinic charges $16.00 a day for 1 dose(methadone) and suboxone(strips) $27.00. Cash only. Now it seems to me if you're are blessed enough to get a caring Doc, hang on to him. And blessed enough to good insurance and a great shrink then that will help. find a pain management clinic and follow your Drs instructions. God bless out there and may you find a caring Dr.

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Re: Roro (# 4)

You've NAILED it. I, with someone I know has experienced one or all of these things. And I like that you added the fact that there is a 20% difference in some of the brands. Plus they use different fillers that can make some people sick. We need to get big money out of ferma. I'm off of single payer.

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Re: MacTurk (# 1)

I'm in the same boat, age 59, went from productively working to waiting on disability to come to fruition...Sad, I was happy, working, eating healthy....Now I eat fast food (the only food I can afford without working)....ya know, your sixties were supposed to be the years you relax, not suffer. I have no control over today's youth abusing everything. I have to suffer because of junkies...what next....food...I feel funny when I don't have it. Sometimes sick...I must be addicted....oh well....Proper use of pain medicine helps people live a productive life. Stop punishing the wrong people...

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Re: Roxxx (# 377)

Long term chronic pain patients are easy targets. The pain med abusers always want to blame other people and there are legions of people that jump on their band wagon. Since the long term pain patients are not much of a voting block they are easily attacked by everyone and no one cares about them. It's like raising taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. It can be done at anytime because no one cares. After all, it is only smokers and drinkers. Today, who gives a damn. It is only the pain pill "addicts". It is enough to make me sick. What is being done is like arresting a person who is not guilty because there are people out there who are committing crimes.

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Re: w john (# 371)

I had a similar issue with my refill being denied by Workers Comp. My original script was approved. It had two refills. I went to refill my last one & Workers Comp denied it. I’ve been taking the same meds for 15 years. I’m at the point where I may opt for a very expensive surgery instead. They will have to pay much more for the surgery instead of the one prescription they denied. At least for the me, I have another insurance I can use to refill my script. And the crazy things it’s for sleep medicine not pain pills. These insurance companies have no right to supersede what my doctor prescribes. I’ve been going to the same doctor who gives me the same medicine for 15 years. Plus I already went to court because Workers Comp tried the same thing years ago & I won. I can’t wait to take them to court again if this is not corrected.

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Re: Hop63 (# 368)

Hop63 .... could you please post some info. On what agency provided you with the Advocate? What non-profit agencies are you talking about that provide help (in ANY WAY) for chronic pain patients?

That information would help A LOT of people posting on this forum, including me.

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