Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 44)
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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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

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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.

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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.

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The big companies, and alphabet entities, those who are controlling what we can access for pain are running and ruining our lives. They like to tell us they are cracking down because of the 'over dose' epidemic.... Do you really believe that? I think they want to get rid of us, we are not putting money in their pockets, we're draining the system, sucking good air.

Anyone done a survey regarding suicides since this Big Brother, Big Pharma, Big Lie began?

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Personally I gave up with the quality of each generic being worse than the one previously available. I was taking generic Percocet 10/325 and at last appointment with doctor about 3 weeks ago I asked to be cut back to generic Percocet 5/325 so I could wean off the medication. He has dialed back scripts so tightly that he expects instant release medications to last 10 - 12 hours and if you read the dosage guidelines this is not the length of time for the medication to "last" and be effective before another dose is needed. I see the handwriting on the wall and decided to jump ship before they push me overboard. I was successful in weaning and have been without the 1/2 pill of the generic Percocet 5/325 I was taking twice a day. About a week ago I just decided to take none and I managed most days. Yesterday I whacked weeds for about 1 1/2 hours and today I feel like someone beat the living hell out of me, but I turned in all the opiates to a pill return center so I took a couple of extra strength generic Tylenol, which is just like taking nothing at all. I plan to look into medicinal marijuana as it is legal in the state where I reside - need to locate a doctor to certify me for the medical card as when I mentioned this to my doctor who prescribed the opiates he had a huge frown so I know he will not sign the certification documents. Unfortunately of the many things I have tried for pain the opiates worked the best and with the least unpleasant side effects, but I am tired of all the BS involved with this crusade against opiates because people are overdosing left and right on illegally obtained street drugs and/or illegally obtained prescription drugs. I am pretty sure that when/if I do get the medical marijuana card I will have to stay home and not drive if I take the medical marijuana for pain, so that sucks because at least with opiates I was functional, not stoned, and able to drive. But on a day like today, after the weed whacking, I sure need something stronger than Tylenol - was about ready to buy some alcohol and decided that might not be a good idea since I have taken close to the daily limit of acetaminophen in the last 24 hours and don't think my liver needs alcohol on top of that stuff.

I think my pain is more bearable now (spinal arthritis and degenerative disc disease in all three areas of the spine; bilateral carpal tunnel; arthritis in both shoulders - these have all been diagnosed, but I suspect that I probably have arthritis in both knees and possibly in both hips as well). I have lost about 100 pounds since I retired in 2010 and have been doing senior citizen core strengthening exercise classes and other senior citizen exercise classes for the last 3 years - my goal with the weight loss and exercise was to get off opiates and now that has been accomplished, but had I not done the strengthening and weight loss I would be in total agony right now.

Good luck to all of you and I hope you can get the pain control you need to be functional and not in miserable pain. And I thank those of you who take the time to give information and insight into the various medications and treatments being offered, because I have learned a lot reading on this site.

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We need to fight for our rights. We have to start fighting like yesterday. Enough is enough, how do I sign up to help others that are being taken advantage of? This is not right at all. We have to stick together or we will never get any relief ever again if we don't take a stand now. Let's do this together. I'm willing to call whoever you suggest and I'm willing to protest. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to change what is going on now. Enough is enough. Pretty soon we will have to sign for ibuprofen and Advil. We have rights, let's do this.

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Re: MacTurk (# 1)

I like your post-hit the nail right on the head.

My response is this: Yes, they want us to fade away, cease to exist, give up. I was told by a 'go between' worker "go die under a bridge" I'm still here!

I believe that 'They believe' we are just sucking good air. We're not the drone workers, contributing, being good little boys and girls. No, we are not an asset. Therefore, how do you deal with a problem population that does not contribute, that drains the system (In their eyes)? "Go find a bridge...."

No matter what fellow sufferers, we MUST stick together, fight back, make our voices heard, make them sit up, pay attention and Hear us! In the time it takes to post a complaint here, and they are all heart-breaking, valid complaints, you could have written a letter to your local government. If enough of us flood the damn offices with letters and calls, they will listen. We are divided because we are suffering. I for one prefer to do it alone. But the only way we are going to get something done, or at least force them to hear us, is to stick together and be heard.

I believe there are enough of us, from what I've read, huge numbers, to make a difference.

But only if we stick together.

Prescription required for Ibuprofen coming up, anti-diahrrea you allowed four a day, Say what? That's right, people are getting high from them, so who pays the price? And this is just the beginning. Also, what should we really be looking at, while they distract us by taking our meds away? What is the bigger picture here?

Lets face it folks, it's only going to get worse-along with our pain.

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Barbara (# 670) --

Barbara I understand your situation. Pain patients, like all patients need to be treated as individuals. Reducing medication for everyone 25-30% and eventually taking it away is not helping legitimate pain patients. I would have spent the last 10-12 years of my life in agony unable to work if a doctor didn’t try fentanyl patches. My pain management doctor has taken me off of them twice, January 2017 & again in January 2018. It was horrible. The replacement meds didn’t block withdrawal and they barely helped with pain. Eventually I was put back on my usual meds but I know it’s a matter of time until I am told “no more”. The second time the fight was much more difficult and took almost 3 months. For those that can reduce the amount of medication or even try a different medication, I am glad for them. I don’t want to be useless, lying in bed all day unable to visit family and friends. A psychiatrist told me some people’s bodies metabolize medication faster than others and doctors can determine this with a simple blood test. Why aren’t they using these new tests before changing pain management regimens that work. I wish you all the best.

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Re: Bobby C (# 639)

The current opioid war, used to be the war on drugs and was street meds mostly coming across our borders. The CDC has admitted that the prescription med dealing with opioids was and exaggerated number when they presented reports to DEA and Congress. Of the very few autopsies done on ODs, relatively speaking, in the actual reports the number of drugs, alcohol included, an average of 5 mind altering chemicals were found in the system. For the last 4+ years if opiates are 1 of the multiple it's been considered an OD from opiates. Dea, CDC, FDA and Congress have gotten far too involved in playing doctor. Bill Clinton kicked this off about 8 years ago. Back then one of the big investigative shows, 20/20 maybe, did a series after Clinton convinced Washington State or Oregon to cut pain patients off from narcotic meds. ODs started going up for pain patients. Shortly after Pain Management groups began growing. The ACA passage gave agencies, lobbiests, thus government more say in treatment suggestions. Year after year suggestions have become mandates. This is a bipartisan created problem. In our State PCPs need to get special permission to write a opioid med and it doesn't happen overnight. ERs are limited in what narcotic meds they can provide. That means you won't be sent home with a script. We've got a few more days to write a brief letter. In addition calls, snail and email need to be sent FDA, DEA, CDC, Federal and State representatives as well as the Gov, Lt Gov and President. Our contacts need to be consistent until things change for the better for chronic pain patients. The deadly stuff is still be trafficked across the border. Leave medicine between the doctors and patients.

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Re: Poodle (# 652)

You're very fortunate that you've found kratom to totally replace your opioid prescriptions. It doesn't work for everyone completely. It acts in the same receptors as opiates, but it isn't the same. It's going to depend on what is causing the pain. For mild to moderate pain many may find their relief. For high, moderate to severe, bone and nerve pain it's not going to give the relief of the opioid.

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Lana (# 669) --

I hope that weaning off the medication and thanking the doctor works for you. Perhaps for some this will work and for them the situation could be fortunate. For more legitimate chronic pain patients I believe the idea is ludicrous. What of those who have and are trying alternatives and find themselves remaining in intolerable pain?
6 years ago I detoxed, my choice from very strong pain medication. It allowed me to work at some sort of employment after an accident seemed something I wasn't in spite of effort to recover. I'd managed to detox off from other perscription meds with the help of diet, exercise and supplements. Unfortunately I learned that the pain in my body I was unable to control. I'd even turned to kratom when I became unable to drive for my accupuncture, aqua exercise, etc.. Depression set in, I required a cane and then walker again. I suffered a relitively minor stroke. My insurance coordinator helped me enroll in pain management. Back then the Pain Management group MD's actually looked at our records and spent time getting to know their patients. I was immediately put on percacet which I'd had as breakthrough meds in the past. It helped me to somewhat my blood pressure. The BP increased during my short term detox. After getting my pain regulated with a fentanyl patch and Percocet I was able to actually start regaining strength and this made a difference to my frame of mind. I'd just started some part time childcare work when the MDs started lowering the meds and my BP was often too high. Even during recovery from hip surgery, a month out of the hospital the dosages were again going down. I saved meds for the days I had PT. To make a long story short there aren't many I wager who are thanking the government and doctors for putting us back into bed and wheelchairs. I certainly don't say thank you for dinging my dignity. I'd rather earn a paycheck then scrape by on disability as my BP is again out of control now requiring a BP med that offers gastrointestinal side effects for me.

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Lana (# 669) --

I agree that everyone should get down to their lowest EFFECTIVE dose. But tell me, since you’re completely off, what are you doing for pain control? Did you have surgery? Did you get cured? The majority of us on here aren’t taking narcotics because we like it or to feel high. We have pain that can’t be cured and are barely able to get around while taking an adequate dose. We are each other’s support group because misery really does love knowing there’s company. It keeps us sane and safe from doing ourselves harm when you feel like giving up and can’t stand the agony anymore.

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C (# 667) --

I think it's a great idea for your doctor to do this because you need to get off of this stuff anyways. Go off extremely slow. Of course with your doctors help always. And then go completely off you will feel way better trust me. Life is way better without the medication. It will take a while but in the end you will thank your doctor.

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Re: Dee (# 658)

Do a search for pain patients, the FDA wants to hear from you. And it ends in a few days on June 15th. It's easy and fast to do!

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BL (# 663) --

Ohh mine are mcg not mg.. and my Dr also had to do an appeal because they wouldn't pay for 1.2 and 5.0 mcg patchs..I pick those up tomorrow and start my ride down from 7.5 mcg not sure what to expect..I'm still sore some days with the 7.5 ..:-(

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