Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 72)

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: Etech (# 1420)

Excellent info! Thank you! What also MUST be addressed is the drastic change in the formulation ingredients & obvious new compound fillers added &/or deletions from original active/inactive ingredients. As our doses have been slap in the face cut in half, the med we do get is suddenly giving bizarre side effects & lil or no pain relief. I’ve been a legit CP patient for 20 yrs no issues, able to lead a tolerable living existence. Prior to pain mgmt I was in a wheelchair. Sadly now looks like I’m heading back to one because of this CPP VICTIMIZATION!

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Re: Etech (# 1420)

I would like to thank the MEDCHAT group for posting this message for it seems very important for all of the users in here. We owe it to you guys.

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Re: Etech (# 1420)

They have all of these statistics... they know the answers. Quite simply, we pain patients are being forced through hoops to be able to have our pain prescriptions restored to us. Meanwhile they are throwing money to the illegal drug abusers in the form of substitutes that are now being used as recreational, illegal drug use, while we are left out and n the rain with NO SUITABLE UMBRELLA. try Lorcet for over 2 decades job just to be able to put the pain away so I can manage normally, now on Tylenol 3... ha, ha... A responsible government would have had the stop gaps in place to leave legitimate pain patients alone, along with legitimate doctors BEFORE this is WAR ON OPIOIDS began. Then gone after the pill mill doctors and their patients. Nothing is going to change... we will never have our pain medications restored to the level that made our lives bearable. Especially if powers that be continue to let pharmacist override our doctor's prescriptions. There is no fix now... they are trying to put a bandaid on a hemmorage...

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Re: Suzie (# 1409)

Suzie... I have asked my doctor for suboxene or methadone for pain. Said they can't do it because I am NOT a recovering addict! No, they cold turkied me off my Lorcet and Soma. But still have the pain I was free of for over 2 decades. Have not true a psychiatrist, so far I still have Diazpam for acute anxiety.... can't afford to lose that...

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I think it has become ridiculous. You are talking about oeople that have maintained control and jobs and a normal life with the help of pain meds. I am sorry. If you want to be a drug addict , nothing is going to stop you. In fact,this crack down will cause legitanate people that have controled their life to go elewhere. And more than likely are older patients. I was married to am alcholic. Hehad evety b.v exciae in the world to drink. Invluding even blaming it jn others. And resenting me bebause I could choos rd to have ccx a xouple of glasses od wine and stop. I had repspinsibilitues as a mother wife hpuse holdmanager and teacher . I have had mugraines since I was two. And learned all sorts methods. However ,>if i wanted to functin go to work to needs of others.i also have had drug addicts on the family. Again, any excuse. Of course i might ha e wanted ti drink mysrof in a stuper or yake my migraine neds to pass outfir the pain and nausea.did i?no.because the wi ri ld does not revolve around me.i am sorry for those thaf feel that need.as far as shmpathu no.bevause there are ao many outkets to get help.
Why should we suffer because others abuse? I am sick of it.andnow the young adults and others feel they have rights and they should not feel bad aboit expecting.
Enough.
Doctors..grow some for your patients that you have had for so long. You know them.do what you are suppse to do.woujd you deny insulin? Well?

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Re: MacTurk (# 1)

For any Doctor to just stop a pain medication is wrong. It is wrong because they are told to NOT stop pain medications cold. The pain medications should be changed to a different medication and a pain medication SLOW withdrawal is instructed. WHY any Doctor would just stop a Chronic Pain patient cold turkey is not only dangerous but wrong. If you had been taking your pain medication as prescribed AND was not taking any other substance like medical marijuana (which I have been told by Pain Doctors that if anyone is ever found to have this in their U/A or bloodwork would disqualify a person from receiving any prescribed pain medications) then you should not be stopped cold turkey. Even if "medical marijuana" is legal in your State the pain Doctors say that you cannot use it AND prescribed pain medications at the same time. At least the pain Doctors I have spoken with have said this.

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Re: Roro (# 4)
One of the keys to not getting you or your Doctor in a spot is to make sure that they have ALL of the documentation needed to support their writing of pain medications. If you had traumatic injuries have you had a Neurologist examine you AND write a letter to your prescribing Doctor stating what your injury(s) are and what your treatment options are based on his examination? Did you go through a Doctor recommended "step therapy" whereby your Doctor prescribed pain medication based on your feedback. They normally start at a non opioid medication then work their way up over several months to find something that finally works. The bottom line is that if a Doctor has all of your medical records to justify his writing of a script then there should not be a problem. It is the Doctors that prescribe strong pain medications without medical records or on your word only that find themselves in a pickle.

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Re: cliff j (# 1427)

They have all records back over 20 years ... they are too lazy to fill out the needed paperwork ... now they stopped sending bills in to secondary insurance & they are complaining about bills ... just left 2nd ins co office and never submitted the bills ... Think it's about time for new clinic.

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Re: Roro (# 1428)
Doctors are too lazy to do the complete job. They would say they have too many patients to do everything required on every patient.

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I have chronic pain from a broken pelvic, plates and screws through my whole neck, 1oz. pouch for a stomach,2ft. of intestines, degenerative joint diease, spinal stenosis, seizures, anxiety, brain aneurysm in my left frontal lobe that causes me to have a constant migrane... OMG I have suffered for so long and so severe and I have to almost beg for a norco... But I bet when they need it they don't have to suffer and have zero quality of life without being able to get some kind of help from someone... I need some serious helpPLEASE if anyone knows of a Dr that still has compation on the suffering I face daily .. I live in Kingwood,Texas nobody around here gives a DAMN!!!

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Re: KIMMAB (# 1430)

I am in the same boat as you. I have Spondylolisthesis, very serious cond./painful, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, arthritis, a fracture, and a cracked tailbone and all I get is 3 to 4 Norco per day. Been on same med and dose for 5 yrs. Well, I hope you're not getting that crap manufactured by Mallinckrodt but I bet you are, it's all that seems to exist today in the form of hydrocodone. My dr. even wrote for NORCO only and you know what Walgreens told me? They said they'd have to order it and it would take 7 to 8 mos. and that is IF they could get it. There is something going on with these pain meds, especially this hydrocodone made my Mallickrodt, it's pure trash! I believe they are only putting in about 1% of the actual pain medication in these vs. the full 10 mgs. Everyone used to get the yellow ones by Watson and they worked great. These Mallickrodts are like taking chalk, awful, they make you sick and give you a headache. I've taken up to 4 at one time and nothing, still couldn't move and in terrible pain. I used to go to a doctor in Dallas that was wonderful but he no longer would accept my ins. I don't know how far you are from Dallas, but it would be worth your drive. {edited for privacy}.

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Re: KIMMAB (# 1430)

I am in the same boat, have Spondylolthesis, spinal stenosis, arthritis, a fracture, scoliosis, and a cracked tailbone. I stay in pain. I once had a wonderful doctor in Dallas but he stopped taking my ins. and wouldn't accept my money, strange, right? I think he was just getting rid of a bunch of patients because he was scared of the DEA all because of the creeps who abused opioids and created this absurd opioid epidemic. Creeps who lied to get pain meds, creeps who had no tests proving they were in pain, creeps who took their family's meds, creeps who bought off the street - all of these people who abused to get a high and got addicted is what put everyone with legitimate pain in pure hell! And there were ppl with very serious conditions, worse than me, that WERE cut off cold turkey by their docs because they were scared of the freaking DEA and so many went home and killed themselves. I'm talking about people with very debilitating diseases, I hope the hell the government/DEA gets their asses sued to high heaven or the doctor for cutting them off. The creeps who abused and lied to get pain meds, these ppl turned to illicit drugs when they couldn't withstand the withdrawals and some died of course but most ppl who O.D.'d and died had at least 3 different meds in their systems, high doses, mixed with benzos and methadone, etc...it was NEVER just one pain med. It was never from ppl with real pain issues who take as prescribed. This is all some kind of conspiracy for whatever reason, maybe the government or the corrupt higher ups have a lot of money invested in Narcan or own a Kratom co., who knows but something is definitely driving this B.S.

This has been going on now for 15 effing years, 15 years they've said we're in an opioid epidemic, it's FAKE NEWS! I am sure if you're prescribed Norco you're getting that junk made by Mallickrodt, it's pure trash! If you're prescribed 10 mgs. you're probably only getting about 1 or 2 mgs. per pill. I put up w/ this crap for the last 2 years or so. Everyone used to get the yellow Watsons and they worked but they sold to some other co. Now the whole market is flooded w/ nothing but this trash brand. My dr even specified Norco brand only and I was told they'd have to order and it'd take 7 to 8 mos. IF they could get it!!! HOW can a pharmacy NOT be able to get the freaking BRAND NAME drug????? We're all stuck with this generic Mallinckrodt crap, something is UP with this B.S!!! I have complained to this co. directly as well as the FDA. Someone is exchanging blank pills for the real ones in the mfg. process or in the distribution process, this is my theory. 5 yrs. I've been on the same drug, same dose so of course I am immune to this dose and mgs. I have taken up to 4 at one time and still no pain relief, still not able to hardly move, how can this be???

{edited for privacy}. I know what it's like to suffer terribly and it's so freaking wrong. I cannot believe in this day and age this is happening. I am disabled from my conditions and I am an older lady, almost 60, we should not have to suffer like this after working all our lives, it IS inhumane! I am disgusted with our government sticking their noses in people's pain issues! I do know that some people are getting over-prescribed and are abusing them, there are people like this because I know some. These people have nowhere near the painful conditions that I have and are getting mega, I mean mega doses of morphine and also getting mega doses of methadone. I don't know who the dr., is but they are abusing it because they've fallen asleep and burned their finger right down to the bone and never even felt it. They are like monsters, void of any emotional feelings and cause trouble behind their families backs. So, I have to add these types to the creeps. One of them even told me one time, when I still talked to them, don't anymore, that they take 8 morphine at one time and 8 methadone at one time. The morphine is 30 mgs. ea and the methadone 10 ea. so that's 240 mgs. methadone a day on top of almost 1000 mgs. of morphine per day. They are NOT taking this for pain they are chasing a freaking high, no way in hell someone needs that much, they'd be dead if their body was in that much pain, such B.S! OH, and they've been on them for 35 years, had all kinds of unnecessary surgeries just to keep the supply going. They had a back surgery and when they came home they didn't stay down to heal. Got right up and did housework and negated anything the surgery did. These are abusers who are legitimately getting man-made opiates and staying in a mega stupor 24/7. Another one, been on high doses for years for knee pain, then gets a new knee, low and behold STILL getting pain meds!!! WHO TF is this doctor???

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Re: Roro (# 1428)
One more thought on your post. I KNOW many Doctors feel they have been overwhelmed by all of the regulations and paperwork they are required to do. This is just ONE of the reasons that many Doctors will just stop writing Pain medication prescriptions. If there is any way that you can DIPLOMATICALLY ask your Doctor to have all of your relevant information in your file then try it. Some Doctors will just use this request as an excuse to get rid of you. They may think "this person is too much work" plus I already have enough patients that I do not have to micromanage. Doctors could not care less about the plethora of problems that have got you to where you are now. They only know that people that require much micromanaging are a pain in the ass and they may feel that you are more trouble than you are worth.

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I come to this site to see what is being said about pain medicine. The posts are all very outdated, 2017. Why is that? I have a wonderful orthopedic physician who treats my 2 knees with cortisone injections plus an rx for Tylenol 3 (which I keep for use if I'm in between injections). Do not overuse. It sure helps with pain but I hate the side effects for me: (ie) constipation. EE Gads! The good the bad and ugly of rx medicines, IMHO.

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Re: Claude (# 9)

It's been 2 years since this thread started. What's is everyone's status? I found a Dr. who will work with me and my pain but he has cut my patch back from 7.5 mcg fentanyl to 6.2. The pain is bearable and on rainy cool nights intolerant those nights/days. Has this petition helped?

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Re: cliff j (# 1426)

I was with the same Dr. for 18 years. I made a comment to something he said. My comment was... gee maybe I should find another Dr. He got pissed and said ok I'll write you a 30 day letter of separation.. it was a nightmare trying to find a new one, but I did., I didn't give up. I went to 5 places. Did a U/A and paid copays and office visits at each... The first place said they were getting out of the business and gave me the number to a drug addict clinic..the second said injection time... I was past that with my failed surgery. The list went on and on ..I didn't give up and told each one im looking for a Dr. that fits. I wasn't there for medication as I had just mailed out my 90 day RX. I'd like to know where everyone is at? I went back to my Dr. that referred me to my surgery Dr. (He's gone btw and nowhere to be found) but he steered me in the right direction.. this new dr.did offer Suboxone and I said..let me have some dignity. I feel pain before I feel the addiction crap. He agreed.

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C (# 1434) --

May I ask a question? I thought that fentanyl duragesic patches came only in certain strengths: 100 mcg, 75, 50, 25, and 12 mcg. How are you using 6.2 to 7.5? Are you cutting the 12 mcg duragesic patch? Your answer would be appreciated as I am not sure what the plan is when I get to 12 mcg. I know the hope is to get off completely but not sure that will work. Also the drop from 12 mcg to 0 would be difficult and bring on withdrawal symptoms. Best of luck to you.

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C (# 1434) --

Hello, I'm wondering the same thing??

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Re: Ty Dollar Sign (# 1432)

Ty! Thank you for your input as I now know I’m not losing my mind! Like you, I’m a long term legit Chronic Pain Patient; for years after exhausting every surgery/procedure there is, my only alternative to live at least a tolerable existance in pain has been a well managed percocet regime w/no side effects & pain relief; its as if that changed overnight!
The generic Mallinkrodt brand is the only avail at pharmacy & yes...its like taking a sugar pill! NO PAIN RELIEF...nothing!

Have you or any fellow “Chronic Pain Warrior” reading this found a generic percocet 10/325 that actually works?!? So many pharmacies are very uncooperative!

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Re: Hop (# 1437)

The 75 ( 7.5 mcg) patch is what I was on. They now give me a 50 (5.0) and a 12 (1.2 ) and that equals 6.2 (62) mcg
Now I'm taking my 12's and cutting them in half.. I your patchs are the flat like brands and have no bubbles it's totally said.. been doing it for a month so I'm useing a 50 and half of a 12 or .06 mcg ... My goal is to go back to pain MGMT and tell him I'm going down to 5.0 or 50 ..he does give me Norco for breakaway amd rainy days. Hope this helps.

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