Regulating Inefficiency Of Hydrocodone

Why is it that the government wants to control the hydrocodone epidemic? There are overdoses happening anywhere and it doesn't have to come from a doctor or a pharmacy. If you compare the number of deaths from alcohol related accidents and alcohol abuse, lung cancer from cigarettes, they will outweigh the abuse and deaths from Hydrocodone. So why is the government and politicians not going after cigarettes and alcohol and banning them? Going to be because they make money off cigarettes and alcohol. People in chronic pain who actually need hydrocodone are made to suffer because the government does not make money off of these pills, but the companies who provide spinal cord stimulators and that type of thing do make money off people needing to get out of pain. Why is there a liquor store on every corner and why can you get cigarettes anywhere but you can't get hydrocodone for chronic pain?

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Hi Jodi,

Thank you for your post and sharing truths surrounding these important misguided political decisions that affect our society at a fundamental level. If they only knew they could make as much money off our happiness as they do our misery, things would likely be different. The sad notion is that they simply couldn't care less about anyone else's well-being enough to even bother contemplating a different approach. Instead law-makers will find loopholes for themselves to side-step the system while simultaneously misinforming the masses to play along with their game. However, this is not to say that we as a society aren't making progress in the right direction. Back when my parent's were growing up, cigarettes were marketed as being healthy and cool. Nowadays, we're finally seeing irrefutable data, teachings and advertisements that frown upon its inherent dangers. The next step is marketing (bringing to light) the important stuff that matters and providing real concrete information on the risks of things (such as alcohol) that don't matter. Shifting mass consciousness will take time, but if we can prevent younger generations from eating tide pods, there's always hope!

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Great post Jodi. I live in constant pain after botched ankle surgeries, 12 in all. Now my doc is afraid to prescribe my meds any more. The politicians need to stay out of our medical needs.

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THEY ARE MESSING WITH PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED IT. I HAVE BONE RUBBING ON BONE ON MY KNEE & CANT GET NOTHING. MANY DAYS I CANT GET OUT OF BED. THEY DONT CARE. U ARE RIGHT ABOUT CIG., LIQUOR, ETC. AS LONG AS THEY CAN TAX IT IT'S ALL GOOD. THEY STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO GET IT. HIGH CLASS PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT & THEIR FAMILY BUT THEY WON'T STOP THEM.

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Number one is they make more money on cigarettes and alcohol than they do on one particular pill. It definitely needs to be off the market. I myself experienced the death of a very good friend of mine where she said oh I’ll take two and then figured if she takes four it would help better and that’s what these kids are doing and taking just one then taking like 4 or 5, but as for myself, the right way to do it is going to a hospital and have the doctors and nurses take care of you. Physically they know what to look for and we don’t but nobody has ever died coming off of drugs or alcohol. Please write me back as to how I should handle that situation and what’s been going on for four years telling me all kinds of lies. He didn’t get paid this week... I’ve heard all the excuses in the book, so I am asking you if you can help me because I don’t know what to do anymore.

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NIKII (# 2) --

We are at the mercy of the government hey last I checked this is America. Your pill runs out in 3 hours and can’t take another one for four hours and another 30 minutes till it works. I just want cbd oil from marijuana it’s the best painkiller out there and don’t kill your liver or kidneys. Hemp oil works a little but it’s not the same stuff.. legalize it and all problems go away.

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I agree with you totally on all counts. They are all pushing spinal stimulators, physical therapy, injections, etc but the minute you say that your medicine is working so you don't want to mess with what is working and they get all bent out of shape. I am in my 50's and have had 2 failed back surgeries and have done physical therapy numerous times along with injections that have done nothing. So why would I want to try things that have already failed on me? I get so worked up every time I have to see my pm doctor that my blood pressure goes sky high, so high that one time they wanted to admit me to the hospital but I wouldn't go along with it. So where do I go from here, should I go backwards like they want me to? I doubt it. I don't sell my meds or abuse them so why are they trying to punish me and others like me because of the acts of others? It's like a witch hunt and I am sick of it.

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Jodi I'm on both sides i went to a pain clinic and had legit pain but plaid it always tried to get more it's about honesty and if your an addict or not I was hooked for 5 years then they took me off in 5 days really messed me up. In a way there should be concern s and control in another people have the right to get help for medical issues your points on comparing the alcohol a nicotine are right on the money all three can be deadly not the substance but addiction of the drug and i agree nicotine/ alcohol are not as scrutinized because of money this problem will never be solved because u will always have the disease of addiction and if an addict can't GET honest they will have life altering problems no matter what they use your points however are dead on the money and well put God bless the sick and suffering addict, and those not suffering from addiction but other diseases causing chronic pain ive been a suffering addict and a recovering addict with honesty and eyes wide open and I game no answers

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Hydrocodone costs me only $10 per month, and my insurance doesn't pay much either. You're right, the problem is that the pain medications are too inexpensive. I'm in the process of changing doctors because this situation with her is absolutely chaotic. There is a problem every month, or she calls them in too late - on and on. That's not the only problem with her, but it's causing me stress.

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You know years ago before the opioid crisis doctors prescribed these meds for chronic pain and they were effective and today they try and say that there’s no proof that they even work for chronic pain. I’d like to know where they get these studies from and I feel they they should put out a survey and every American living with chronic pain and on these meds should take the survey so we can see how many people feel that these meds work for them. I know that the meds help me and I wouldn’t even be able to walk in the morning or use my hands very well until the meds kick in. I wouldn’t be able to hold down a job either. If they take these meds away from the people that truly need them, they will have a surge of people trying to get disability since they won’t be able to work anymore and an increase in suicides and overdoses from illicit drugs. It’s inhumane and cruel for doctors to tell their patients that they can no longer prescribe these meds and they don’t even wean them off or offer alternatives. That will cause severe pain and withdrawals for people. I keep saying that the government has got to stay out of the doctors and patients business. If doctors are prescribing these meds they obviously believe it’s what’s best for their patients and they have tried other things, gone over the pros and cons and feel the benefits outweigh the risks. Do pain contracts, check the database to make sure their patients are only going to one pharmacy and one doctor, and have them do regular check ups. Don’t punish innocent people. And this thing with people that get the pain meds for acute pain and they can only get 7 days of meds, I guess the government thinks that people should only have pain for 7 days and on the 8th day you will magically be fine and pain free. How can they put a time limit on how long you should be in pain?

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Re: Dana 223 (# 4)

U are absolutely wrong. Alcohol is very deadly. 1 - u can overdose on it. 2 - it can kill through seizures when the brain is addicted to it and stopping it abruptly. I am sorry for what has happened but the problem is not the substance which ever one it is. The problem is the addiction of the substance. Someone that thinks 2, 4, 6 is better is addictive thinking. Only an addict's thought process behaves this way.

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Re: Dana 223 (# 4)

Hi Dana ,im in australia the gov here cares so much for peoples health that cigs have gone up to $60.00 a pack rollies or $55 pack of cig ready rolled they reckon there worried about peoples health ha ha .

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Re: jyburt (# 5)

Yes - I totally agree with you on this writing - I have a husband who is a 100% disabled Veteran for over 40-years. I (Know) and he knows what he has been through these years with disability and managed fairly well part of the time, but as age increases it got worse. His pain is still staggering/plus allergic to some things due to past hospitalazation from yrs. ago. He needs certain medications, and they have tried but it is an uphill trial to keep him together. Some days are totally bad for him. I just hope and pray that eventually they can give him a totally good medication that helps him more with dealing with his pain. ( I cannot list all that he has had because it has been a struggle the last few years with surgeries, etc.)

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Re: susieQ (# 12)

Hi Susie q. Thank u for your post and thank your husband for his service. I'm a 56 yr old male. I have depression / anxiety and back, neck, leg issues and have been on many medications. I suggest sometimes try doing some other more natural ways and exercise. Your husband may find some unexpected relief. I know I have. God bless u, your husband and ALL VETERANS.

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Re: Maria (# 9)

Your post is RIGHT ON THE MONEY!! Unfortunately, the backlash from the overblown, one-sided media coverage about the "opioid epidemic" has caused Pain Management practices to either close their doors, or fall in line with the "injections, stimulator, pump" mentality..... The CDC and DEA are now in full control of our healthcare! They have imposed a 100 mg. Morphine equivalent CAP on EVERYONE regardless of the health condition of the patient. I've read the CDC guidelines. In the conclusion of those guidelines, it states that the new regulations are supposed to be ONLY GUIDELINES NOT LAWS!!! And that doctors should take each individual patient's condition into account. However, Doctors are so afraid of the DEA, and/or other health care providers and pharmacists turning them into the DEA, that the Guidelines HAVE effectively become the Law. If we Chronic Pain Patients don't unite and demand that our rights be respected....its only going to get worse.

Thousands of patients in Arkansas are being "fired" from pain management practices for no other reason than the practice has to dramatically drop the number of opioids they prescribe!!! Doesn't matter how many patients they treat. I was treated at Duke University for 20 years till i moved to Arkansas. At Duke, i tried EVERY alternative treatment available trying to keep from taking meds. I have been with one PM practice here in Arkansas for 6 years with no problems. Last month, 1/24/18, I was fired from PM because the Dr. said "the doctors are talking about me because of you." I went to the ER for respiratory arrest due to COPD and BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA!!!! Absolutely nothing to do with abuse of my meds. So...i was immediately taken off three meds I have taken for over 20 years....NO TAPERING, WITHDRAWAL AT HOME WITH NO HELP!!! Now...that scenario SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!!! I am going to start a petition on behalf of all Chronic Pain Patients.....a so called "Bill of Rights" for US. We have a basic human right to relief....and to NOT HAVE TO SUFFER IN AGONY BECAUSE OF A SELECT FEW!!! And the right for our treatment decisions to be between us and our doctor! The DEA needs to get their nose out of our health care.

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Maria, that's so true they dont care if you're in pain or not. They want us to just suffer. Something has to be done about this. I know pain. Ever since I've been off I cant do nothing and barely get out of bed.

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Re: Sissy (# 14)

HI sissy, I feel for you. Your being treated really bad. If they have the medications there to stop pain and improve your life a bit they should have to use them. How dare they play god. Here in Australia it's very hard to get a simple muscle relaxant. Drs seem to push things that don't work and are known for causing stomach problems. I wonder what all these do-gooders do if they have severe pain? Mmm... exercise, meditate? I don't think so. Good luck.

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Re: Sissy (# 14)

My doctor told me that the CDC guidelines are just a recommendation but if they don’t follow them and something happens then the CDC will blame it on the doctors and say they should of followed the guidelines. It’s just so sad cuz the doctors want to help but they also don’t want to lose their licenses and job and possibly face jail time. I also work in a pharmacy and one pharmacist is so dead set against these meds and I hear them complain about them and people that take them and I just want to scream that I’m one of these people they keep talking about but I can’t cuz I don’t want to lose my job so I have to keep my mouth shut but if I ever quit I’m going to be like would it surprise you that I’m on these meds and have been for 17 years and yet I’m still able to do my job and function and you never even knew I was taking these!

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I live with chronic severe pain. I have a deep brain stimulator (which cut my pain meds in half) and have had a craniotomy to resect (cut) some nerves in my head. It is just brain scrambling that the abusers and doctors who don't prescribe ethically make it difficult for all of the rest of us who need this medication. Anyone with any experience in these types of medications know you can't just stop them. There is a tapering down process. One thing I would like to mention is marijuana. It is the only thing that has taken all of my pain away. But I can't use that because I am in a state where it is illegal. You don't have to believe me on this. But google "marijuana and pain relief" and do your own research. CBD oil helps some people, and doesn't have the THC which gets you "high". The bottom line is those in legitimate need are being punished by those that are either misusing or illegally using opiates. We need doctors to correctly diagnose and treat people with chronic pain. A doctor near where I live is being investigated by the FBI because he prescribes more Oxycontin than ANYONE in the United States; yet lives in a town with a population of 40,000.

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Re: Sissy (# 14)

Let me know when you start your petition, we have to do something. This whole thing is BS. I saw a news story about over 3500 people were killed when they were hit by cars crossing the street. Are we going to take their phones away.

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rammsteinfan (# 18) --

Thank you for your support. As soon as I get the page up, I will hopefully be able to post a link here. I'm sick and tired of the government overreaching their authority by regulations that take over the Dr. Patient relationship!!

In this country, if our pets are in pain and their quality of life suffers, they are euthanized so they don't suffer needlessly. Don't take me wrong.... I LOVE MY FURBABIES!! But if we don't allow our pets to suffer needlessly, how and why would ANYONE allow chronic pain patients to SUFFER NEEDLESSLY??? Let me clarify that I'm talking about patients who are under a doctor's care....not shopping the streets for a high. Also, keep in mind that the statistics regarding the "opioid epidemic" overdoses lump both prescription pill overdoses AND HEROIN.....YES HEROIN OVERDOSES!!! These are two TOTALLY different demographics! The only thing these new LAWS are going to do is dramatically increase suicides and MORE HEROIN USERS. DOCTORS WAKE UP!! If someone is in agony...they will find relief one way or another. Now...if pain management refuses to treat them, where are they going to turn? Think about it....it's NOT rocket science.

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Re: rammsteinfan (# 25)

That's the bottom line... Because of the epidemic people with real pain such as myself have to suffer, because there is no one advocating on our behalf... SMH... unjustified treatment in America...WOW

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Re: Maria (# 9)

Great post Maria,I am in a panic because my meds are going to be cut off because my doctor is afraid of legal ramifications if he continues to prescribe the meds I need for chronic pain. Where do I go from here?

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Re: Peanutsmom07 (# 6)


To add to my post the reason the politicians are involved is because medtronic's and the companies making these devices and the pain management companies are throwing money at the politicians to back their cause.

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Re: Peanutsmom07 (# 6)

They get bent out of shape because the only reason pain clinics open and are run by anesthesiologist is because they want to make the type of money doctors do without putting in the time. In order for them to make money they have to do more than just write pain Scripts. In order for pain clinic to be successful and generate income they have to push procedures. Their mission statement may say that they are there to help but they are the ones pouring money into the politicians pockets to back the reduction of opioids along with the companies that manufacture spinal cord stimulators and other medical equipment. That is why they get so bent out of shape when you do not want to have a procedure. This is not just my opinion. I've done the research. It wasn't hard you just have to follow the money trail. Who stands to make money off the reduction of opioids? It is going to take millions of people flooding these emails for them to even take a little bit of notice. Unfortunately I'm at the end and I'm hoping to get this done before I have to shuffle off this Mortal coil. Wish me luck. Everybody needs to take up this cause.

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Re: Robert a maina (# 7)

I have spinal stenosis, I have disc degeneration, arthritis up and down my spine, bulging discs, bone spurs all up and down my spine, I am inoperable. I also have severe femoral arterial stenosis in my left leg. I also have severe carpal and cubital tunnel in both my arms. I have tried twice to get a cardiac clearance to even attempt to have any surgeries on what I can't have surgeries on and they have not been able to do the cardiac clearance due to my health. I just received my urn. It is inscribed with suicide due to chronic pain 2018. This is where I am at. Do not ever call me a junkie again.

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Re: Maria (# 17)

Maria, you hit the nail on the head!!! You just CONFIRMED my entire post! Thank you! Most people wrongly assume that chronic pain patients feel high on their meds....which is WRONG!!! If you are in extreme pain EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE it affects your ability to function on any meaningful level.....the opioids (and I emphasize taken properly with a doctor's oversight) simply allow us to get out of bed and function like everyone else!!

I am so sorry you have to work with those pharmacists (believe me it's not pleasant on the other side of the counter either as I'm sure you are aware).

Since my pain management group dropped me cold turkey in January, I am now almost bedridden... I have lost ALL FUNCTIONING. I am headed into a wheelchair at 50. I did NOTHING WRONG to deserve this. I want to be able to play with my grandchildren who are my whole life!!! As it stands now....i can't. I'm in so much pain I'm about to lose my mind. I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth.

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