Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 76)
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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.

1547 Replies (78 Pages)

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47

Re: David (# 45) Expand Referenced Message

Hey Dave. thanks for the reply. We just got to keep this thing going somehow and hope we get heard. I really gave a piece of my mind when I was looking for a doctor in my network that say all they do is shots and I had them all and are not worth a damn for what it was worth but it sure felt good to get it out. I believe in conspiracy theories too especially when I wrote the letter because it kept disappearing and someone deleted it and when I hit compose, someone said in the box "write something". I'm definitely being hacked or the email service is messing with me. That happened to me before and I found out who it was and I'll find out again. They just don't know it yet. I think I got my letter through with a lot of work. Anyway, keep on posting. I have the faith. Take care Dave.

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46

Most of you do not know it, but your doctor, or whoever is giving you the U/A is not verifying their results.

They usually use morphine or other opiates as Standards for reactions to measure the protein or other chemical measuring standards.

Ask them if they do a verification of the preliminary U/A using a gas or liquid chromatography or stereography.

If not, their diagnostic is cheap and can be totally invalid.

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45

Re: Paul (# 35) Expand Referenced Message

Hi Paul. I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for the helpful & thoughtful feedback.

RE: "'I'm not sure it's really the big pharma companies that want to do away with pain meds because it seems they would stand to lose a lot of money...just from my viewpoint."

I totally agree with your perspective on this and appreciate you pointing that out. I should've clarified in my original post that when I think of Big Pharma as a whole, my thoughts tend to include the DEA, FDA, CIA, pharmacies, doctors, various mainstream medical institutions, NIH, etc...All programming society in a collaborative effort to make Americans think/believe/behave in a certain way. Whereas if one branch of "Big Pharma" (pharmacies) gets torn off, another limb (DEA/CIA/FDA) regenerates and thrives.

I also have my own set of conspiracy theories about what may be going on behind the scenes; such as a self-inflicted regime on Americans to create the illusion of scarcity to increase demand for the CIA's street drugs when doctors fall short...But that's another story and only one presumption of many, based on the direction this country is going. And while we as patients can always point the finger at someone, I now realize that it doesn't necessarily solve the problem at hand.

So I feel that sharing important information (like you have) on those links/petitions as well as others posting various alternative therapies or treatment options that works well for them is a noteworthy step in the right direction for us as a whole.

Thanks to all of the posters here that helped transform this thread into a living, breathing organism that won't stop growing until it's satiated with adequate pain relief.

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44

Re: Craig (# 40) Expand Referenced Message

Hi Craig and all of you chronic pain sufferers. Craig, you made a statement about laying in your bed in the dark hoping the pain will go away. I am without my pain meds too and that is exactly what I think will happen to many people with chronic pain without their meds. That is certainly what I have been going through. I cannot find a doctor that is covered by my insurance and would be paying over $200 per month for a visit when I am on disability and is bankrupting me. I'm almost sure that many people that go to the clinics sell many of their meds to make it. But I don't play that game and I need all of my meds anyway.

What I want to know is how does the DEA get the authority to stop what is legal and make it illegal. Their job is to stop the ILLEGAL SALES AND DISTRIBUTION of drugs. Not stop the legally prescribed drugs. Your doctor is the only one qualified to make the decision of whether you need meds or not the last time I checked. So they say it is a problem because too many people OD on them. Most people that OD are hard core addicts and will OD no matter what they get their hands on including alcohol and not people with chronic pain. If anyone disagrees with me, I'll invite their reply and would like their point of view. The more I read these posts, it seems that many are losing their meds. Well, it's time for me to lay down again. Hope everyone in here without their meds can get what they need so they can feel better. Even people with meds, I hope you feel better too because sometimes I know I still had a lot of pain sometimes even with meds. Good luck all.

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43

Re: Willette (# 36) Expand Referenced Message

I hope your ultrasound went well. When you are going through withdrawal from meds your heart definitely takes a beating. These pain meds are not meant to be stopped in a short time period as some of the doctor's are doing, it has an effect on your whole body....not just the part you were taking the pain meds for. Let me know how it went. I'll keep you in my prayers.

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42

I'll be 61 yrs old in Oct. I had been on the same medication for YEARS...Lortab 7.5 and Xanax 5mg. For YEARS I took 2 tabs a day, then 3, then 4...then had back surgery. Came out of the hospital taking the same dose I went in on. I have NUMEROUS back ailments along with Fibromyalgia :( I need surgery on at least 3 discs in my neck (Stenosis). I have arthritis all through my spine and body. In Dec '16 my doctor retired...NOT by choice!! He would not be a part of the Monopoly EMMH was becoming. He finally, around mid-April, opened his own little office. BUT, he can't help me. He has been my doctor for OVER 40yrs, he knows me! During the few months without my meds, I seriously thought I might die a couple of times! Went to several doctors, but they really screwed me up. Most all of them were giving me something that totally messed with my brain!!! Then, when my doc returned, he put me on Tramadol...it's useless. What I know for sure, I need at least 2 Lortabs a day and I can deal with life right now. I've needed surgery on my neck for almost 5yrs now. But after having 3 discs repaired in my lower back last year, I'm living with it.

The doctor that did that surgery does not want to do surgery on my neck! So, I live in extreme pain EVERYDAY of my life. Some days are worse than others. Now, he can no longer give me the Tramadol and not sure about my Xanax. I have NEVER taken it like prescribed (and the "Casper" report will plainly show that!!) I take 1 and 1/2 every night for a good night sleeps. Oh, and I have smoked marijuana since a head on car accident in 1992. BUT, I live in KY and can't get the appropriate marijuana I need (for the pain/sleep - there are numerous types for it all!!). Our State Reps and Senators are *****s! KY should have been 1st on the list for legalization...but I have to assume they were afraid it would hurt the bourbon...yet we ALL KNOW that alcohol will KILL you! I've written them on SEVERAL occasions, and as much as I begged them to let me come before the Legislature and explain MY knowledge and living proof of how it can help people (including seizures my son has!!). But, ya vote 'em in, but you can't get them to do anything!! My doc of 40yrs told me a few weeks ago that I'm going to have to go to a "Pain Clinic"...nice way of saying..."DRUG clinic"!! Sad times when an old woman has to suffer so much for other's bad choices...but I sure am!

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41

Re: MacTurk (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

I'm in the same situation. I've been disabled for years due to a fall at work and now bedridden because my primary can't prescribe anymore and the pain management dr he referred everyone out to is a condescending piece of s***! He cut my meds in half on the first appt. and gave me a 2 week supply and now cut me off completely because I didn't have a 200$ copay for an epidural, which I've had tons of throughout the years with no relief. I asked if I could make payment arrangements as I am on disability and they flat out said NO! And I have a child to take care of! I want to jump off a bridge I'm in so much pain and always took my meds as prescribed for 13 yrs. with no problems! Can anyone refer me to a pain management dr in south jersey or Philadelphia areas? I would greatly appreciate it.

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40

We don't have a problem with oxycontin in the UK. But we have a chronic problem with pregabalin which is for nerve pain, epilepsy and anxiety. I have to take the max dose of 600ml, Dihydrocodeine, and 80ml of methadone from a different clinic and believe me methadone is strong especially with my pregabalin but I am still not always free of my Fibromyalgia pain. I've mainly got it in my back but ppl with Fibromyalgia know that you can get it anywhere and I also have sore skin all over my body and if I itch myself it's pain time. I wish I or we in the UK, in general, would be prescribed oxycontin or oxycodone instead of how much I have to take. I can't wait to see my pain doctor and see if I can get an alternative to what I'm on. If you want to see how bad pregabalin is, go on youtube and see what it's doing to the UK, especially Northern Ireland. The withdrawal is like nothing I've ever known and I've known what it's like getting off opiates and benzodiazepines. Basically I'm in a world of s*** and what's going through my head isn't all roses. There might be an ocean between us but we have the same similar problems and bad endings. I wonder why they get paid so much for WHAT and how could you see someone in pain and say it's not up to me? I can just get you addicted. One day I'm going to snap and someone's going to pay. That's how I feel. When I'm in pain I can't lie down or sit up as I'm profusely perspiring. I can't think, I can't even talk sometimes. Anyway, I hope things improve for you guys out there. I live in my bedroom in the dark hoping my pain isn't as bad. Sorry for boring you folks, only you ppl understand.

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39

Re: Pamela (# 28) Expand Referenced Message

I agree with you, Pamela. You sound like a very intelligent and compassionate person. It should be the doctors decision as to whether a patient does or does not need pain medication. I don't know what the real reason behind this pain medication control is but I agree that the powers that be has an agenda and it isn't beneficial to those with chronic pain. You are so right about prayer and I, for one am going to do just that. We should all have faith in the LORD. He knows who is really hurting. God bless you and all who suffer.

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38

Re: Tobin (# 33) Expand Referenced Message

He does not deserve to be a doctor. Please at least file a complaint against him with the state. Quote his statement. Then get online locally and post your complaint

Maybe if enough people don't allow him to diagnose them, he will get the hint.

He is likely what we guardians call a God Doctor.

The only difference between him and God is that he is here on earth.

It was my privilege to fire a couple of these arrogant fakes.

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37

Re: Poodle (# 31) Expand Referenced Message

Government intervention. Just a reminder. These are the very same congressmen, ATF agents, DEA Agents and other "government" entities that condone, protect, and prosper from RJR, Phillip Morris, Koch Brothers and others. Tobacco, a legal product that they won't dare classify as a drug that killed over 480,000 Americans last year.

Of course, they conveniently classify cigarettes as a Freedom of Choice. A product, when used as directed, kills its users.

Compare the 480,000 with the 16,000 drunk driving deaths, the 14,000 prescription deaths and another approx. 20,000 illegal drug deaths and you should quickly come to the conclusion that all these agencies I just named cannot count; and their souls have been purchased by RJR, etc.

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36

Re: Peanutsmom07 (# 30) Expand Referenced Message

Than You so much for your well wishes. As a matter of fact my heart have been acting a little crazy. I am having a Ultra Sound tomorrow. My Heart Dr said he wants to see how much blockage is in my rt Artery, same side the cancer was on.
I have never been one for the ER,they look at you like you are just looking for drugs. I just want this pain to go away. I want too get up & live life!!! I don't think 25-30 days is long enough time too wein someone off something they have been on for over 10 years. Sorry so long winded. Be Blessed!

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35

Hi David, I think you put up a great post and very truthful. Though I'm not sure it's really the big pharma companies that want to do away with pain meds because it seems they would stand to lose a lot of money...just from my viewpoint. If you know more about it please let me know. But I have a link here from the American Pain Foundation and the leader from what I remember is a congress woman who has to lay down because of her pain during sessions. I can't find that link but this link has some of her background working with the governor of Massachusetts. Her name is Cindy Steinberg and I think there is a petition you can sign somewhere in there if you desire.

harvard.edu/expert-participants/cindy-steinberg

This next link is The American Chronic Pain Association and there are plenty of supportive things on their site that may interest you (arlingtonacpa.org). I think you are right. We all have to stick together.

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34

Re: Tobin (# 33) Expand Referenced Message

Well, I am a 2 time Cancer Survivor by the grace of God! Throat cancer & lung cancer. Was told by my Dr at MDA I would probably be on pain meds the rest of my life due to all the damage the radiation had did. Still ended up having my voice box removed because after 6 weeks of radiation I still felt pain the same as before I started radiation but the Dr told me it was the radiation but my gut told me it was the cancer so I stop going for the treatments & went back to the Dr that sent me in the first place. I had to beg & cry for him to do another biopsy, well they did one & said the cancer had jumped down a fraction.... In reality, I feel they missed it from the start!!! So I had had so much radiation they had to remove my voice box. Now I have a hole in my neck where I breathe to survive. The surgeon told me they had to remove so much burned tissue & the right side of my thyroid. My neck hurt every day all day. I really think I messed up when I left MDA too move closer to home. The first day I meet the new Dr something deep inside me told me to "Leave Now", but I didn't listen too that inner voice. Now the last couple of months I have been in so much pain. Don't like going to the ER or looking for new Dr's. I am lost, in so much pain can't think rt & stay pretty much in the bed all day. I have a family & grandkids I can't give a mother or granny attention they deserve. I pray all day!!!! This Dr just hit me out of no where, he wouldn't even look at me. Had given me orders to have an MRI of my neck & upper chest, the radiologist needed to call him for something he wasn't sure about & he did not even honor that. Went to my Heart Dr last week, he said I have some blockage so I am having an Ultra sound 9-5-17 to see how much. Scard too death!!!

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33

As for me, (Retired Anesthesiologist) , I'm just sitting back waiting for the best 'patient torture event'' opportunity to drag a mal-practioner into court ...

My revulsion at this state of affairs began when I sustained a " Five (5!) contiguous rib fractures - a med emergency" and refused ICU care , feeling that an infection there would be very risky. My 'rarely-attending Attending ?Physician announced to me that he "only gave narcotics to a patient dying of cancer "......
Yeah, that was a quote ...
I contained my vomit-reflex .. perhaps I should not have ....

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32

I'm a long term chronic pain patient as well and experienced the 'taper' and massive reductions and resulting agony and lessening of life. The news station 'lasvegasnow' is starting an investigation and asking for chronic pain patients stories and input.

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31

The problem seems to rest only on the people that want these medications so they can get a 'high'. I have no idea how much that would be. The word 'pain' in itself a loaded word and using it only causes more. We should be talking about discomfort and extreme discomfort and it will help our brains. Those are not the only drugs being targeted because many psychiatric drugs for Clinical Depression and Anxiety are also becoming more and more difficult to buy because addicts have found a way to use them too go feel 'high' or come off of methamphetamine or coke, die....if you will, Michael Jackson. If our collective governments could find those people that abuse any drug, then we should all be free. On TV news I saw recently some 'stuff' coming in from China and the workers had to wear hazmat suits to inspect and destroy it. It was supposedly some type of opiate that is not real, just chemicals and just a touch on the skin would cause death. It's not Big Pharma's fault nor our governments' fault. It is the fault of the abusers who eventually die one way or another. Alcohol is generally slower as it ruins the liver and then one dies, that is, if one is not drinking and driving and then all can be dead in an instant. Hopefully, our Docs will stick with us through the thick and the thin. Apparently, the government in the US believes that marijuana is a gateway drug for more powerful drugs. I definitely am not seeing that happen in the States where it is legal for medical use. They have changed it so much that it does not have the strange side effects it once had and only relieves the 'discomfort' people are having. Hopefully, someday it will be available for all. Be well~

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30

Re: Willette (# 27) Expand Referenced Message

I am terribly sorry that this big "Opioid Epidemic" mess has affected you. As a pain sufferer of over 20 years, I can only imagine what you are going through. As my bf recently said, if they take people's meds that they have been taking for years, people will go to the streets to find something to ease their pain and that is the worst thing that could happen. Please take it easy on yourself and watch out for any effects on your heart. If you feel your heart acting differently please go to the ER to get checked out. We can't just sit in silence going through withdrawal and by going to the ER there will at the very least be documentation that you are/were suffering greatly and that the withdrawal method they are using is not by any means safe. I hope you feel better real soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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29

Re: Dee (# 20) Expand Referenced Message

Real drug dealers on the street shoot back. Its easier and safer for them to go after law abiding citizens to make it look like they are doing something when in actuality they just make it worse for everyone pushing real patients into the black market receiving unsafe drugs, causing even more od's and the horse drugs used in black market are not equal to fda opioids, but like I said those drug dealers shoot back.

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28

I am truly sorry that we live in a world where there is in truth an opiod addiction, however not all patients are looking for a high, they need the meds daily to control their pain in order to have "quality of life". The situation is this: those people who truly do not need the meds are ruining it for those who do and now because of this epidemic the DEA and other government agencies are closing ranks to get this problem under control. My opinion is that they are going about it ass backwards. They are starting with the patients when they should start with the physicians who prescribed the drugs to begin with. If you listen to the news and other media outlets "we" the patients are abusing our medications and while tragic "we" have to be stopped. The truth and realization is this some people are addicted but those of us with chronic pain, nerve damage, cancer, brain tumors, etc are the ones being targeted. What will end up happening is pain clinics across America will take patients who have been on stablize drug therapy and reduce their meds to quickly which can cause a host of other medical reactions like a domino effect., i.e, heart attacks, strokes, organ failures and damage. The power to be's really don't care just as long as they meet their quota. We must pray diligently that doctors will be willing to stand up and stand alone in that "they" have the medical degree and "they" know which of their patients is and is not in need of drug therapy. The power of pray as a community can go far in healing.

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