Big Pharma's Lockdown On Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients (Page 45)
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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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C (# 665) --

I don’t understand how the scale works. Can anyone explain it to me?

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Hey BL. On my last visit to pain mgmg my Dr.romd me I was at 280 on the scale and 300 is the new federal guidelines.ans not with the 2 patchs it will more then likely be 250 because I'm sure his goal is 7.5 to 6.2 to 5.0
I've been on this 7.5 for 18 years and instead of every 72 hrs I change them out on 48 hrs.anything after 48 I start feeling sore and yucky ,

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Re: Hop63 (# 648)

If I understand you correctly, you are saying your insurance company has limits on the dosage they will pay for. The amount your doctor prescribes exceeds that dosage. You can get the limit with insurance paying. But, you cannot get the difference and pay cash.The reason is your doctor cannot write two prescriptions for the same medications ? Is that correct ?

I'm glad you appealed the denial and got Prior Authorization for a year. If more people appealed their insurance companies denial. More people would get their medications. A doctors support in the appeal to the insurance company is critical.

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Re: C (# 629)

The CDC Guidelines state no more than 90 MG Morphine/90 MG Morphine Equivalent Daily Dosage.

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Re: Danni (# 660)

Wasn't you I was taking about. I simply said the insurance was different and now it's way different worst!!! But I don't dare mention a certain political jerk or I'll get my head bitten off by the resident bully... seems he's the only one that can have an opinion around here... (Not). In answer to your question about states tho... This is what I found out about my state Michigan:

uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/michigans-new-opioid-rules-explained

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Re: Danni (# 660)

I have taken almost no offense at anything anyone has posted EXCEPT when one tries to turn what should be a helpful medical thread into a platform to make a political statement/opinion. I have had posters state that they didn't mean to make me mad and UNLESS there were politics thrown into the mix I was never mad or offended. Even then I was only a little upset. With that being said, I know I do not know the rules at every State level. Almost nothing surprises me anymore. I will continue to fight with my own resources for he rights of everyone to receive proper medical attention. I just finished a Court hearing this past week and I am awaiting a written ruling. This ruling, if I prevail, will have a large impact and set precedence for how insurance companies can treat their policy holders everywhere. The issue I have challenged is not one that applies to just a few States but one that will control how insurance companies can deal with their enrollee going forward. When I receive the opinion I will let people know more of the details.

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Re: Cindy (# 647)

You got that right!! I agree 100%! Thanks for backing up what I knew.

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C (# 653) --

Hi... I'm sorry you're going through this. My best friend she lives in Buffalo New York and her pain clinic has cut her way way back to where it's almost like taking nothing for her. And she's in a lot of pain. The insurance they argue with her it's just a mess. I wish you the best of health. If I was coming off as being a bully I didn't mean too. I apologize. :)

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Re: Dolly girl (# 646)

I live in Ohio but I think all the states are working toward the same goal. Which is decreasing dosages and weaning patients totally of all opioids without regard to their level of pain. The Federal Government is auditing all doctors for the number of narcotic prescriptions they write per month. They must show a downward trend in both number written and dose prescribed. What state are you in? The only explanation I have for you not being affected is that 1) you’re on a very low dose already or 2) your doctor writes very few prescriptions for pain so the auditors are leaving him alone. No we don’t use different pharmacies. We are made to sign a contract to only use one and if we go to another our doctor is notified. Most states have a narcotic data base that is referenced by doctors and pharmacies to see if, where, when and for how many mg you have filled a narcotic prescription and what doctor prescribed it. So you can’t get it from other doctors or even dentists. In my state the oral surgeons have been told to stop prescribing narcotics for wisdom teeth removal. You have been very lucky so far but believe me this will eventually affect you also. We are all living in fear of what will be taken away from us at each monthly appointment.

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Re: MacTurk (# 1)

I feel for you. I can no longer take my walks or work my job. I am 66 with so many things wrong only pain medication gives me back my life... I cannot find any pain meds or a doctor to help me. They want me to go to a spine clinic where all they do is inj. me full of crap in my back... Does nothing... We all need to band together, there is promise and hope in numbers.

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Danni (# 652) --

I'm in Michigan... My last pain mgnt appointment they are taking me from 7.5 mcg patch to .....2 patchs... One is a 5.0 and the other a 1.2 and a couple Norco for breakaway...I was talking about insurance changing ect and asked why my insurance wouldn't cover both patchs to lower my dose when a loud mouth bully jumped in. They approved the 1.2 not both and everyone knows with fentanyl you can jump from 7.5 to 1.2 I don't know why the CVS didn't put in the 5.0 but then again they handle my RX coverage for my work.and I guess they are cheaper..doing an appeal and it's going to be a crazy ride on this downturn I'll probably get crabby and turn into a bully

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Hop63 (# 651) --

No one was rude to you. As usual ny and californicate lead from behind. YOU say you cannot pay cash for a prescription. I say bulls***. Many have no insurance and have to pay cash for their prescriptions. For you to say that pharmacies will not accept cash for a prescription is a flat out lie. Don't lecture me on chronic pain patients. I am on the fore front fighting for just such patients. You seem like you are looking for a fight and if you are you have come to the right place. Maybe this time you really have a reason to be offended. How you could be offended and reply to my former post with the total nonsense you posted is a mystery to me. If you want to be offended then be offended but stop posting your nonsense.

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Re: Cindy (# 635)

I would like to know what states everyone lives in that are having so much trouble with their insurance companies and their medications. I just don't understand why you're having so much trouble.. So far so good for me keeping my fingers crossed.

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House-

I had the same thing happen with my medication. My doctor appealed insurance company decision not to pay twice. Then I had to go through an external appeal. I got an advocate to assist me in filing an appeal against the insurance company which was reviewed by an agency in another state. The process took 3 months. Eventually the ruling was in my favor but it was stressful and took a long time to settle. It is only for 1 year and the decision was back dated to the first time I was denied. That means next January 1st I can expect the process to start over again.

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Re: w john (# 650)

So sorry to offend. I thought it was relevant to your conversation with HOUSE. If you are keeping up with new guidelines and legislation you would realize all of us legitimate pain patients will be screwed soon. Maybe NY is ahead of the rest of the US as usual. But it’s coming to your town soon. Try not to be so rude next time, please.

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I posted this on the Prolia side effects for the ladies there. Now it's your turn. You don't need your opioid pain meds. There is a new herbal product in the USA that is legal in every State except 4. It's made from certain tree leaves in
Indonesia, Thailand and that part of the world. It's name is red bali. You probably have a little shop where you live that carries a lot of herbal remedies and vitamins. This is a fantastic substance because it acts on our brains as if it were a real opioid yet one cannot OD on it or have to take other drugs to come off of it. I totally switched from Oxycodone 10mg's to it and my brain is very happy. It's quite reasonably priced too for $9/bag. If you don't have red bali where you live, it can be ordered on the net. I have to assume that is where our supplier is getting it and re-selling it. It also does not cause respiratory distress when sleeping. Since you are already on pain meds, you will not have to start small at 1/4 teaspoon. You can take what you are currently using. There are charts that explain how much equals what. Much better option than chemicals. Set yourselves FREE. Be well~

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Hop63 (# 647) --

I don't understand why you would reply to my post with the information you posted. I don't know the rules in every State and I never posted anything in reply to how one may or may not pay EXCEPT if there is a copay or deductible due when you pick up a prescription the pharmacy will take any form of payment presented cash or otherwise. I guess I could understand how they would not allow you to pay for part of a prescription with insurance and part with cash but I do not understand how that works. I have never lived in ny and do not know how their rules work.

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HOUSE (# 648) --

They may cover it if it is on the formulary list. If it is not then they will fight you every step of the way. I am currently involved in such a case and it was heard a few days ago before an Administrative Law Judge. I am awaiting the decision, hopefully, soon. If it is medically necessary one might eventually win but, again, if it is not on the formulary list then they will fight you.

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Re: w john (# 645)

If a medication is deemed medically necessary then yes, insurance will cover it, but of course there are exceptions to this rule.. after all, the poor insurance companies can't afford to pay for everything that a Dr. Prescribes and says that you need... what a joke!

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Re: w john (# 645)

Sorry, not in NY. The pharmacy won’t allow me to pay cash. They also won’t allow the amount “covered” by insurance to be paid by insurance and the rest be paid for in cash. This would require two prescriptions from the doctor for the same medication which is NOT allowed. These changes will soon be National not regional.

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