2014 New Pain Medication Laws Dictating To Doctors That They Cannot Prescribe Anything Equivalent 120 Mg Of Morphine Or Higher A Day Per Patient (Page 37)
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I was told Friday by my Pain Management Doctor at my monthly appointment that the DEA was implementing a new law dictating to doctors on how much pain medication they could prescribe per patient per day. It could be equal to no more than 120 mg of Morphine per day per patient and they had to comply within 3 months for all of their patients. I am trying to find out as much information on this as possible. I don't know if my Pain Management Doctor is stating fact or if he is just running scared and if he is stating fact, I don't know if this is federal or state (Alabama) mandated. I spoke directly with the Southeastern division of the DEA in Atlanta this morning and they are not aware of any law of this nature coming into effect and I also contacted another pain clinic locally that has never heard of it either. So I have been trying to reach my Pain Management Clinic and get a copy of the law itself so I will know if it's federal or state and if it is an actual law or just a state regulation and if it's even true but so far no one has called me back so I thought I'd try my luck here and see if anyone has heard of this. This really has me bothered. It looks like either way, true or not, to get adequate pain care I am at least going to have to move out of state if not the entire country. I will ask my questions about that in a different post. But if this is in any way true, and it seems my pain doctor is going to be going by these guidelines whether it is or is not true, it is going to cut my pain meds by almost half. I am on 120 mg of Oxycodone and 8 mg of Dilaudid per day which I was told equals 212 mg of Morphine per day. And before someone decides to tell me that I don't need that much pain medication, I will go ahead and say to you, you don't know me, you don't know what conditions I have that cause me Daily Severe Chronic Pain and other Daily Severe Pain to warrant that much medication, you don't know my tolerance for pain meds, I do NOT take any pain medication to feel high, I ONLY take pain medication to relieve some of the pain as what I am on doesn't even relieve all of my pain, I do NOT drink, I do NOT do street drugs, I see my doctor every 28 days just as I am supposed to, I take my medication as prescribed and the way I am supposed to take it except when I had extreme oral surgery a month ago and I did have to break up my tablets for about a week but they were put on my tongue and NOT up my nose and they were IR tablets so I was fine doing that as I had checked with my pharmacist prior, and you don't feel what I feel or see me lying in bed 24/7 crying from the pain because it is so excruciating and unrelenting so please before anyone starts telling me that I don't need that much pain medicine just stop now before you even start. Those of you that have to live with daily pain will surely understand where I am coming from being this defensive as I'm sure you know you are treated as a drug addict by most doctors even. Thanks in advance for any help with my question.

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REPORT

For info on this government intrusion into the lives of those who are chronic pain patients go to "chronicpainguidelineshealth.state.tn". This is a 36 page edict explaining the changes in prescribing limitations of non-certified pain relief providers.

The REPUBLICANS are always complaining there is too much government intervention in our lives. If this is the case, why are they allowing this to happen? I too have been a chronic pain patient for 10+ years & have a high tolerance. I take what I need to be able to walk, do not abuse or blow medication up my nose. Have always been a compliant patient & never failed a drug panel.

Now the DEA & STATE are telling me how much pain I am in. I am in the process of attempting to find an attorney with a good track record of winning legal suits. If ever there were an issue that needed litigation this is it. If any reader of this is, or knows, an attorney willing to take this on, reply to me through this forum. I AM NOT GONNA TAKE THIS CRAP ANYMORE

Grace C.

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I live in Tennessee & also learned of this new government intervention into my life Monday. It is outrageous that legislators are dictating how much medication is needed to treat my chronic pain. I did find Tennessee's version of the law at tn.gov. It is a 36 page edict which limits non-certified pain specialist to prescribing 120 mg.morphine equivalent monthly. Having been a chronic pain patient for 10+ years my tolerance is high & I am never totally pain free on current dosage. Cutting my medications will make it almost impossible for me to walk & thus to work. As a result I will end up becoming a burden to tax payers because I will file & qualify for disability. If anyone has any suggestion as to how we can get these non certified law makers out of our lives please post. It will take lots of money and political connections to undo this unjust law overturned. Surely there are chronic pain patients who are willing to make financial contributions to fight this.

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Hi, I have heard about this DEA thing too. My dr hasn't mentioned it but I am in severe chronic pain. I was a cancer patient, during that time I was on very high doses of different meds. The only ones that actually helped my chronic pain was 100 fentanyl patch with #8 Dilaudid. The dr who gave me that is gone. The PM clinic I go to only makes recommendations to my PC then she makes her own decisions on what I get. Right now I am on 3 30mg morphine & 6 10/325 Norco which she just cut back to 51/2 per day weening me off. I have been pleading with her for the fentanyl Dilaudid combo to no avail. Morphine doesn't work for me & Norco makes me hurt worse. I moved here (MO) from CO where I had a wonderful PM dr. My question is does anyone know of a good PM dr in or around St Louis? I hear this is the worst state to be in for chronic pain sufferers. My issues are many & my tolerance high but I do know something that helps just need to find a great dr who takes Medicaid. Medicaid comes from the cancer time I haven't recovered well at all, plus now they are seeing something in my brain plus blood work is suggesting possible colon C. I will not have anymore chemo because of the poor recovery from last time plus if nothing else if I end up terminal I get hospice & I can finally get the drugs I need, how sad is that?? I'm with the person above on defending myself as I don't take these drugs to feel high, I take them for pain & believe me I wish I didn't need them. I don't like having a high tolerance nor do I enjoy the BS the drs put you through when all one is looking for is relief from 24/7 severe pain. I have a high tolerance to pain as well so I'm not joking about the need for a doc who understands & will write for what's needed & will listen when something doesn't work! The topper here too is that I've been asking for a few visits now to change & of course UA each time which have all been fine, appropriate etc as I do NOT buy or use street drugs (couldn't afford them anyway) my last result shows positive for hydromorphone. I've NOT taken any!!! Does anyone know of anything that could make the results show positive for that besides the drug? Any food or supplement as I take a bunch of supplements for joint pain etc, I'm totally bewildered & also afraid that they will cut me off for non-compliance, any help with that will be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can give me. Many Blessings! G

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Your doctor is either lying to you or doesn't understand the new regulation. In simple form it basically says if you are at or exceed the 120med then the docs are required to do what they call a reset. Basically they have to look at your case history and determine if you really need that much medication and if you do you get it. But they have to be able to say why to the DEA. About 6 months ago I had to go through it with my doctor and I was concerned I was going to be cut. But it all stayed the same. My doctor is pissed but he has to do what he has to do. Don't bother looking for a law there is done, it is something that the DEA has come up with. Ask them for a copy of the new MED schedules and requirements. Under the freedom of information act they have to give it to you.

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Yes, it is true. New regulations were put in place last year that restrict how much of any pain medication they can prescribe, with exceptions being made for those that suffer from intractable pain due to a possibly terminal condition, such as stage 4 cancer.

The 120mg limit might be an internal thing to that clinic, there is nothing regarding that specific amount that I am aware of, but they are supposed to restrict their patients.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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