Pain Medication Abuse

"Purdue Pharma recently announced it is conducting clinical trials on OxyContin in children. Immediately some have criticized, suggesting that the exposure to opioids at an early age will inevitably lead to addiction later in life. The larger issue that was missed is that there are times opioids are necessary for children. Children in intensive care units, emergency rooms, post operatively or in rehab often require strong analgesics. These are children with cancer, with severe burns, with sickle cell anemia or other conditions. It would be cruel and inhumane to leave children untreated who experience extraordinary amounts of pain. Of course opioids should not be the first line of therapy if an alternative is available, but they may be the only way to provide relief. So the question is not whether opioids should be used in children but rather how to use them safely when they are necessary. The only way we can know how to safely use medications in children is if they are studied in children. Science should inform patient safety."

Referenced from: yourlifesource.org/blog/2012/07/pediatrics-and-oxycontin/

About Dr. Webster:

Lynn Webster M.D., FACPM, FASAM is Medical Director of CRI-Lifetree and serves as President-Elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). He is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and also is certified in addiction medicine. He has published over 100 peer reviewed articles. His research interests include studying abuse potential of pharmaceuticals and opioid-induced sleep-disordered breathing. He lectures extensively on opioid abuse prevention and criminal diversion in chronic pain patients. He co-founded LifeSource in 2006 as a non-profit organization to educate physicians, patients and communities on science-, social-, and pain-related issues that affect health as well as to fund and conduct research on new solutions for solving the prescription drug problem in America. He was co-editor of the recent Supplement to Pain Medicine titled "Deaths Related to Opioids Prescribed for Chronic Pain: Causes and Solutions". Dr. Webster has authored numerous scientific abstracts, journal articles, textbook chapters, and a book entitled Avoiding Opioid Abuse While Managing Pain: A Guide for Practitioners; co-edits Pain Medicine’s section on Opioids, Substance Abuse & Addiction ; and serves as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals.

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I am going throught the first in a long standing ritual of Dr's being put unnder a microscope if they order Opioids for any extended period of time. Differant date same topic. Know that I'm the recipient and not the Nurse following orders I recent anyone but me saying this works and that doesn't or shouldn't be perscribed to you. I have used a combination meds since I was diag with HLA-B27 back in 2008, One drugs damaged my Liver and is the only one I no longer use. I felt fairly well with better energy level until I went in for severe back and hip pain and they found a hernised grade 8 at c-6/7 . Now 3 surgerys later my Demerol is an issue. He even told my sister I am "a drug addict" a stipulation I resent more than I can tell you. I worked in corrections and would never put myself in that possition. Anyway I "cheerfully" gave up Demeral for Morphine,becauses THEY know best( in everything they can feel) WOW it made me screwy , resoning went out the window. I knew I was saying off the wall things and couldn't stop. Now I take percocet which gives inadequate pain control. between my neck , wrist thumbs, hips, lower back, ankles and toes I'm a person who had trouble sitting till the job was done now I have trouble starting the job. I go back on the 6th. I would recommend that you that all control drugs with you to each visit ti prove it's YOU who are taking those prescribed meds. The tides of this will change as surely as the wind. Lack of pain control can jump start depression . Talk to your Doctor for help . If you can't find a good caring Dr. ask a Nurse . Most are more than happy to give reccomdations.

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