Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 35)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

They are going to tell me what drug store to go to? Folks, this is targeted at Seniors.

S.1913- The Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015: SUPPORT Bipartisan legislation introduced on July 30, 2015, by Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) with co-sponsors Joe Manchin (D-WVa), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rob Portman (R-OH). This bill would authorize the use of patient review and restriction (PRR) programs in Medicare, which can help prevent prescription drug abuse among beneficiaries. The use of PRR programs will assign patients who are at-risk for opioid dependence to predesignated pharmacies and prescribers to better manage appropriate care and monitor prescriptions of opioid drugs for Medicare beneficiaries.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

"Let me introduce you to Dr. Debbie Nickels Heck from Muncie, Indiana. She was a woman who went to medical school in her 30’s, is a mother of three, a grandmother to seven and a woman with some very strong opinions about the environment in which chronic pain patients are being treated.

The alternatives for patients are truly few when opioids are PART of their treatment plan and obtaining them has become so difficult due to legislative actions made by those who have reacted to media hysteria without medical justification and doctors afraid DEA agents will be knocking on their doors taking away their licenses to practice with accusations they are “writing too many opioids in dosages that are too high” without any background on individual patient needs. HOW can medicine be practiced in such an environment? And you want to know what alternatives PATIENTS have? What alternatives do DOCTORS have when fearing prosecution for having done nothing wrong?"

Source: "Meet a Doctor Who is a Grandma and a Fighter for Chronic Pain Patients", nationalpainreport.com. Web. June 13th, 2018

REPLY

Was this helpful? 7

Re: madashell (# 679)

Here for an opioid medication, I live in Wisconsin you must stick to the same Pharmacy. You have a contract and everything is connected via computer network and also we no longer get written prescriptions they are sent it electronically by our doctors.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been prescribed Acetaminophen-codeine 30 mg for an injury to my L-4 and L-5 on March 15, 2018. Now I guess it will no longer be given to me even though I still am in pain. I have had a series of injections into my lower spine which have relieved some of the worst pain. I try not to over medicate myself and end up taking OTC Aleve to save the A-C 30 mg.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Claude (# 673) --

Don’t you agree that people that need narcotic pain medication don’t feel high because our body uses it to reduce pain. If we were not in pain then we might feel high. I am tired of people thinking that “we” get to walk around in a euphoric state because we get prescriptions from pain doctors. I can’t tell you the last time I felt euphoric but I can guarantee it was not after taking prescription or illicit drugs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

Shannon (# 678) --

When the DEA Administrator has determined that a drug or other substance should be controlled, decontrolled, or
rescheduled, a proposal to take action is published in the Federal Register.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) - This office reports to the President of the United States:
whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

dea.gov/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: Hop63 (# 685)

Yes, I definitely agree with you. I have never been euphoric from the correct dose. I also am fed up with being treated like I crawled out from under a rock every time I get my prescription filled. I’m sure we are all feeling the same.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

Re: Dee (# 683)

It is the same here in Ohio except I am still getting a computer generated prescription that I personally have to pick up and see at least a PA. Which of course generates an office charge every month that for me is out of pocket.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: madashell (# 680)

You got that right! That's exactly what all of this"opioid" nonsense is....A great BIG LIE! I am all for the"Alphabet" agencies going after the abuser's and poisonous street drugs, But to attack and intimidate DOCTORS and Pain Patients is beyond unfair and unjust!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 6

"The FDA is now taking a step to include and focus on the opinions of chronic pain patients in their “Patient Focused Drug Development for Chronic Pain”. According to the FDA:

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is announcing a public meeting and an opportunity for public comment on “Patient-Focused Drug Development for Chronic Pain.” The public meeting will provide patients (including adult and pediatric patients) with an opportunity to present to FDA their perspectives on the impacts of chronic pain, views on treatment approaches for chronic pain, and challenges or barriers to accessing treatments. FDA is particularly interested in hearing from patients who experience chronic pain that is managed with analgesic medications such as opioids, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants; other medications; and non-pharmacologic interventions or therapies.”

This public forum was announced by the FDA on May 15, 2018. The FDA will hold a public meeting on July 9, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FDA is accepting electronic and/or written comments up until September 10, 2018."

Source: patientsrising.org/fda-chronic-pain

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

madashell (# 677) --

Very frightening to see this happening in America.Like Pogo said "We have seen the enemy and it is Us!"I guess these younger people don't believe they to shall be us one day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Re: Claude (# 688)

I live in Ohio as well and I have to do pretty much what you do. Now my husband on the other hand he is seeing his primary care physician every 3 months and his primary physician gives him three paper prescriptions of course he dates all of them for 29 days. I was so mad because I have to go to pain management and leave U/A's and my husband he just goes in, they don't make him do a U/A. And he gets his three prescriptions. Just unbelievable. I mean I'm glad my husband has a primary care doctor that still does extremely care. But I want one too. Lol

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Re: madashell (# 686)

Also June 15th is the last day to tell the FDA what your personal experience has been with meds and pain MGMT. I urge everyone to check for that quick 2 min response to them... It's posted on here already but you can Google "the FDA wants to hear from you" and get the link...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Re: Hop63 (# 685)


Mad does not cover it. I had to find a dr and he took away the medication that worked. I was reduced to 4 5 mg tabs of Percocet I have so many issues and it's better than nothing but not much. I need my Oxymorphone live in Va and near Shenandoah county If you know one help me please.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: Hop63 (# 685)

THANK YOU! I thought I was immune to getting high :-) My "high" was being able to do morning stretches, feed and water outdoor animals, and the ever-present yard work. I won't even start with everything else my day includes. I'm a retiree on a limited to none income and what needs to be done falls on me. I have a list if spine (C-S) and hip conditions for which I was receiving meds

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

Re: MacTurk (# 1)

Just suddenly cutting you off from pain meds was dangerous also. You should have been taken off slowly.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 7

I worked for 26 years in the medical field. In 2002, I left the medical field to work full time with our construction company, as I was just too busy to do both jobs. In 2016, I was searching for our Lead license information to satisfy our Oregon Contractors License. When I went into the Oregon Health site, the big news on the front page of that site was that 'Oregon adopts the new federal guideline for opiates.' Being inquisitive, I skipped through and read parts of the federal guidelines (i didn't have time to read the entire thing as it was over 100 pages long!) I was absolutely appalled and terrified with what I was reading!! Being in my 60's and knowing many people of my age, who suffered from chronic pain, I warned them all to just see what was going to happen. And I warned them all to NEVER tell their doctor they fell down!! Yes Opiates are highly addictive to most people, but suffering from migraines all my life. I never abused the opiates I was prescribed. I know many people who do not abuse their opiates, however with chronic conditions, they certainly need them sometimes. So, for the past 2 years, I have tried Kratom, Marijuana, and other Non Narcotic OTC drugs. Thank God for Excedrin for migraines-- it works better than any of the newfangled prescription drugs they have invented..Imetrix just about killed me in 1996 when I tried it -- my blood pressure skyrocketed to 250/150, same with Maxalt.) In 2016, I was supposedly diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and prescribed Lyrica, It made my legs and feet swell up so I could hardly walk! I have made up mind, I will not take a prescription drug that has not been on the market for at least 20 years without out terrible side effects.

Doctors don't like to hear me say that, but I swear they are either prohibited from telling us side effects, or don't listen to the news! But the truth is, we don't really find out the side effects of many of these drugs for 20 to 30 years! (Lipitor or statin drugs --which 1/4 of the US population is taking- has been linked to causing diabetes in women and to an increased risk for muscle and joint diseases!) Anyway back to the chronic pain problem: I have read about people that have had opiates prescribed by their Doctor for 10 + years and all of the sudden, the doctor has taken them off with no appropriate withdrawal plan -- just stopped!! The Doctors are scared to death of getting their licenses revoked!! (I know some as personal friends.) The federal government has gone way too far when considering the opiate issue, yes there is an epidemic of overdoses, but most of those are due to "no more opiates" which have a consistent dosage, and young people turning to heroin, where they have no idea what the strength is. (We lost my brother in law to that very issue in 1997--- 39 years old.) As for myself, I have turned to daily Tumeric (with pepper), Cinnamon, and selenium, and another supplement with several other natural anti-inflammatory herbs. When I am in really bad shape, I have to lay on my heating pad, which does seem to help a lot. But who wants to live their life in bed laying on a heating pad! Myself and many others that I know, have resorted to (when the pain is really bad) a shot or 2 of alcohol helps. (Other than a glass of wine on the holidays, I have never drank for my entire life!) I was out shopping and running errands the other day, had a whole list to take care of but at stop #1, my sciatic nerve started hurting so bad, I could hardly walk out of the store! I drove home, without getting my groceries, etc. and could not wait to take a couple of aspirin, a shot of Tequila, and lay on my heating pad!. So, instead opiate dependent adults; CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FEDS; they are creating a new epidemic of elderly alcoholics!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 9

Re: Elle (# 697)

You've done an excellent job in explaining some of what's going on in what many view as a war against chronic pain patients. I certainly hope that you will forward your well written letter with multiple sources. The Governor, Lt Governor and Legislators in your State should receive a copy or email. The DEA, CDC, FDA, every member of Congress, the President and Vice President too need to read what you've written. I encourage each and everyone of us to start a letter and telephone campaign doing what we are able. Letters to editor's and calls to talk radio have been effective in other Grassroot's campaigns. Thank you for sharing your story and information with us.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: One day (# 692)

I'm in Texas. It'd be a heck of trip to drive to Ohio. I guess 5 of us in our group of chronic pain patients could make a trip to Ohio every 90 days if we could get in to see your husband's MD. It'd take us forever for all the stops we'd need to make. LOL. In Austin Texas chronic pain patients seem to be dispensable. The time may have passed to make written comments, but we have to continue to share our stories to everyone who can make a difference.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Shannon (# 678) --

The problem is the government didn’t go through many years of medical training as a doctor did. Who are they to take away a perscription that helps a patient? With the way the insurance company works, they do not know the shape a patient is in. I wouldn’t go to a farmer to to ask about my missing discs, spondylitis or stenosis & expect results. No, I would go to a doctor. I wouldn’t go to the government & ask why I can’t stand for more than 3 minutes & expect them to know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been through MRIs, injections, physical therapy (which made the pain worse). But having to go through the insurance companies to get an approval for disc replacement is a joke. Their words are DENY, DENY, DENY. The last resort is to keep me comfortable which means meds that help. I spend 98% of my life on a couch cause doing one load of laundry puts my back in spasms. Is the government going to help me or make me run in circles. I’ve been on the same meds over 25 years. I don’t drive, walk very much & cant do my chores around the house. My husband has to cook all the meals. I no longer go to family functions. YEAH, it sounds like I’m having a party! LOL. People need to get real & see that there are people that need these meds just to make it through another crummy day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

People with chronic, intractable pain are being discriminated against and it is imperative that we join forces to fight ...

557 REPLIES

Thanks to all you drug abusers there has been an ongoing war on us legit chronic pain patients. Thanks to all who abuse ...

118 REPLIES

Many people that are being turned away from opioids (and maybe other drugs) are refused based on the requirement that th...

1 REPLY

Is there a rep. for the ppl. who were controlled on 3 OxyContin OC a day, who now suffer and have proved the new OPs DON...

68 REPLIES

I had signed an old petition "Stop the DEA from interfering with chronic pain patients and their medical professiona...

29 REPLIES

Has anyone else been prescribed Belbuca? I'm unable to have any other opiates prescribed to me and now I'm on th...

4 REPLIES

My husband is disabled. has had 3 hip replacement surgeries, moved to southwest michigan last month. husband's dr th...

3 REPLIES

My dr said they were limiting prescribing oxys to just cancer patients, took me off oxy 30s and now im on 4mg hydromorph...

48 REPLIES

All local pharmacies claim to be full concerning pain medication patients. I've been everywhere within a 200 mile ra...

3 REPLIES

Hi sir iam a having hbv from last 5 years but dont have much symptoms but from last few days iam having pain in liver ar...

5 REPLIES