Loading...
The CDC has issued new guidelines (JAMA, March 15, 2016) that strongly urge doctors to stop prescribing narcotics to patients with chronic pain. This public health organization believes its mandate will reduce deaths from opioid overdose. What the feds have not considered is the impact on people with long-standing severe pain, especially if they are disabled.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Changed the Rules:
In the last couple of years there has been a huge effort to make it harder for doctors to prescribe opioid pain relievers. In the fall of 2014 the DEA made it much harder for patients to obtain hydrocodone combination pain relievers (HCPs such as Lortab, Norco, Vicodin, etc). Previously, prescribers could call in or send in an electronic prescription to a pharmacy and could give a pain patient several refills. Now, patients can only get a 30-day supply and must visit the doctor’s office each time they need a new prescription.
Stories from Readers in Severe Pain:
The new DEA scheduling change has made it much more challenging for a patient who is disabled or in severe pain to access an opioid medication. Here are just a few stories from hundreds of readers who responded to our post on the DEA decision.
Stefany in Maryland shares:
“I have had 10 orthopedic surgeries–two on my back, plus a spinal fusion. I have also had four hip surgeries. These are only a few of the many surgeries I have had.
“I used to hate pain medication. I did all that I could to avoid taking opioids, relying on 800 mg of ibuprofen instead. Sometimes I try to avoid pain medication, but it is physically impossible. I hurt all over and become so miserable when I am off my meds. Since there is such a strict limit on them I usually run out. Trust me; I do not wish to be on them, but the alternative after 10 surgeries is basically impossible if I am to maintain two jobs and college classes.
“While I completely understand the DEA’s reasoning behind their new laws, all they are accomplishing is making people like us live in hell and for the drug seekers to turn more to heroin. You cannot control the people who are drug addicts. To punish people who do not abuse pain medicine and need them to live a more functional life than one of severe depression due to pain is really unjust.”
John in College Station, TX writes:
“I have been taking hydrocodone for over 25 years because of a severe accident. I have had a total knee replacement and neck fusion surgery. I have three bulging discs in my lower spine with nerve damage in my back.
“Last year the doctor said no more hydrocodone, per the new law, and changed it to Tylenol #4. It’s 80 percent less effective.
“Why did this new law punish me? I was barely surviving with the hydrocodone, and now this. I call it abuse to the elderly. I have a track record of 25 years of taking my hydrocodone and NEVER called in for extra or EVER abused it. Now I suffer in severe pain because others abuse it. The DEA, who got this law passed, did not think how it would effect the people who really need it to survive.
“I’m only 55 yrs old, and I’m scared to death what the rest of my life may become. I do not wish harm to anyone but if the people passing these laws ever experience the pain I have they would never have never passed such a law which amounts to ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY.”
Jake the Vet:
“I am a 28-year-old army veteran. I have a spinal cord tumor located in my nerves and am consistently in extreme pain–8 out of a possible 10 points on a 1 to 10 point scale.
“All I can get from my pain management doctor is a back brace, anti-inflammatories and acupuncture in my ears or gabapentin, which makes me feel awful. I have seen three neurosurgeons, none of whom will touch me. What am I suppose to do? Things need to change in this country. It’s an outrage!”
Carolyn in Nevada:
“I too have been taking hydrocodone for many years for chronic pain. Today I went to the pharmacy and was told I can no longer have it. My doctor prescribes it but the pharmacy says no. I’ll be spending my days in bed, I guess. May as well be dead.”
Charles in Ft. Worth:
“I was in a bad elevator collapse and have numerous spinal fractures as well as bulging, degenerated disks and bone spurs. I have lost two inches in height because of my back problems.
“I am living in pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I need pain meds and I can no longer get any refills. My pain is making my life unlivable.
“The new laws have caused more damage than you can imagine. My mobility is very limited. I can no longer get out of bed or carry on my daily duties as I was able to before the laws changed last October. I feel my life is over. I can’t live with this pain. I don’t know what to do.”
The CDC’s New Guidelines:
In essence, the new federal opioid guidelines state that narcotics should not be prescribed for chronic pain patients. Instead, doctors should recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Other suggestions include cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise therapy or antidepressants. We suspect that there are many patients, like those above, for whom such suggestions will not be met with great enthusiasm.
For acute pain, such as after surgery or an accident, the CDC recommends that doctors prescribe opioids for no more than three days. Really? Some “acute” pain lasts substantially longer than three days!
The CDC acknowledges that cancer treatment may require opioid medication during the active phase of therapy. What the CDC has not taken into account is that cancer survivors may have to deal with chronic pain. The president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said it eloquently:
“Pain does not end when an individual completes treatment. Most often, cancer patients deal with lasting effects from their disease or treatment including pain for a significant period of time or indefinitely.”
The CDC guideline does not seem to take this into account.
Walking the Tightrope:
We recognize that there is tremendous abuse of narcotics in this country, but we are not sure the new guidelines will help reduce the problem. We have not seen convincing evidence that making it harder for chronic pain patients to access drugs like hydrocodone will make a huge difference in abuse or overdose deaths.
We also believe that it is virtually impossible to generalize about the most appropriate treatment for people with severe, chronic pain. Some people will do well with cognitive behavioral therapy; others can only function on opioid medications. These drugs allow them to work and function with dignity. They do not abuse the pain medicine, do not increase the dose and do not sell their medicine to drug abusers. They are about to become vulnerable to a huge federal mandate that will impact how physicians practice medicine.
It is our belief that the CDC should not tell physicians how to practice medicine, especially when it comes to something as complex as chronic pain. Each patient needs to be evaluated individually and treated with respect. The new guidelines will likely scare many doctors away from prescribing potent pain killers for longer than a few days or weeks. That could mean some patients will live in agony with no acceptable treatment through no fault of their own.
Share your own pain experience below and your thoughts about the DEA and CDC rules and guidelines. Please vote on this article at the top of the page. Here is a link to hundreds of reader comments about the DEA’s decision to make it harder for patients to get a prescription for hydrocodone-containing pain medicines.
Meredith
I had 5 level neck fusion approximately 18 months ago. I no longer have pain, but now I’m dealing with chronic lower back pain, for which my neurosurgeon is going to schedule surgery this week.
I have been on Hydrocodone for a little over 2 years, and it is very frustrating when my pharmacy runs out of Hydrocodone and I have to do without. Switching back and forth from Hydrocodone to other OTC pain relievers is so frustrating. The OTC medication just does nothing much for the pain. It’s like having a severe wound that needs stitches, but you still have to control the bleeding and simply use a Bandaid to cover and protect it.
I am extremely limited in where I can go and what I can do when I am taking OTC pain meds. I can hardly walk when I am taking OTC meds, so I have to make sure I don’t have to walk any great distance because I just can’t make the walk. My legs literally freeze up on me. Chronic pain is debilitating and isolating. It’s typically not the people who have chronic pain who abuse the Hydrocodone because we never know when we will get more. I try to make mine last as long as I can. I will take 1/2 a pill if I know I’m not going anywhere that day and just deal with the pain by myself. If there was anyway I could be rid of my pain, I would love it, and maybe one day I will be free of it. But, in the meantime, lessening the restrictions would be greatly appreciated.
June
I also have chronic pain. I have fibromyalgia, ostio arthritis, scoliosis, sciatica, and bursitis. These people that are making us older people suffer obviously don’t suffer from chronic pain. What they don’t seem to realize is that young people are going to buy them off the streets, order from web sites, and from the trunks of cars. Why don’t they care about our pain and lack of ability to function?
All these restrictions are because of the young people that are dying from fentanyl overdoses. They aren’t dying from hydrocodone or the others. It’s fentanyl, and no matter what the CDC does the young aren’t going to stop fentanyl use. It’s a sin to judge us and to make us suffer because of our chronic pain from something we haven’t done. I’ll bet when they, the CDC or a member to of their family, are suffering like us they won’t be so ignorant and heartless when it comes to having to take narcotics.
We don’t take them to get high. We take them so we can live without such ungodly pain. They are so very wrong.
Wes
Am in my mid-60s with multiple serious injuries. I now understand why elderly are rolling the dice on dying. Non-operable conditions cause chronic pain and make me just miserable. The FDA is punishing the elderly for the behavior of drug addicts. This is a new hell for the suffering.
Wes
Update: I have found a pain management clinic headquartered in Dallas that has managed my pain with 3 doses of hydrocodone a day. They meet the government guidelines, and I have resumed my life.
Skye
I am a Veteran, and I had a wonderful PCP. She worked with me so well to get the perfect dose of Oxy to take care of my pain. My days were wonderful and mostly pain free.
THEN, the V A got rid of this sweetheart and put the nastiest person in the world in her place. My first meeting with her had me in tears. That was in November 2019. I now only take 5mg Oxy, and that’s it on 23 April. I’m a 68 year old woman with severe osteoporosis in my back and most other places. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia to boot. I can barely walk, and the arthritis in my neck gives me the worst headaches. I used to be 5′ 5″ tall, but am now 5’2.” Those discs are packed pretty tight. I’d give anything to have just 25% movement in my neck. Heck, I’d be happy with 10%.
This new provider could only see “fibromyalgia” in my chart and dwelt on that. She said that Oxy is not indicated for fibro, so that was HER reason for cutting me off. She put me on Cymbalta for pain relief. I mean, really? My records clearly show that I have these other pain producing maladies. I have also had countless surgeries. I won’t begin to get into that now, as my blood pressure is taking a good jump as I write this.
I was taking 40mg a day of Oxy and could almost function normally.
I’m now at my wits’ end. Can’t go to the ER because of COVID-19, so I stay at home and cry.
God bless all of you who live with this pain day in and day out.
Just to show how insane this is getting, my recently deceased Veteran hubby (Yes, both USAF Veterans) was spending his last week of life in a V A hospital before leukemia took him from me. He died on a Friday. Tueday, I asked the doctor for something for his pain. Know what he got for pain relief???
2.5 mg of Hydrocodone, 1 tab every 8 hours.
For leukemia? I was mortified. You get better pain relief from eating m & m’s. At least you get the endorphins from the chocolate.
It’s ridiculous. But what can we do???
DMB
I have read a great deal of chronic pain stories, and I can relate. I am mortified by the unethical treatment I, among others, have endured. I was hit from behind on my way to work in 1998. I was the first car hit. I was at a red light behind several other cars. A truck going 50mph drove me into the cars in front of me. My right leg got crushed up under the dash. The next thing I knew is I was screaming and being put on a stretcher, and my clothes were being cut up by paramedics. I thought my leg was broken for sure. Luckily my leg didn’t break. Instead I suffered massive soft tissue damage that turned my leg a variety of colors and blew it up three times the size of my left leg. I complained for a year to my Dr. who just kept prescribing Darvocet and sending me home.
I told the Dr. that I couldn’t stand the pain anymore please and to send me for lymphedema treatments to at least get my leg to a normal size and help with the pain. I told him I thought I had a blood clot. He dismissed me and said if I had a blood clot I wouldn’t be able to work. I told him I have to work no matter how much it hurts because I have a family that depends on me. He sent me for lymphedema treatments but they took one look at my leg and said they wouldn’t touch it until I got a Doppler study to rule out a DVT. So I went to a Vascular Dr. and got the study done, and they found a rather large DVT behind my right knee. I got hospitalized right away. They tried clot busters but the DVT was too hard (it had been there for about a year) so I was put on a heparin drip and stayed in the hospital for a couple weeks to slowly break up the clot. The veins in my leg were all distorted and my leg was never going to be the same. I had some special blood tests done and learned I had a protein “C” efficiency (my blood was too thick). I was put on Warfarin, and I take 10mgs every eve. and 15mgs on Wed. eve.
Ever since I have been on blood thinners many thing have happened: Herniated discs in my neck, compressed discs in my back, bone spurs in my right knee, and of course everyone gets arthritis to varying degrees. I can’t take NSAIDS or anti-inflammatories due to the blood thinners. I can’t even take Tylenol because it messes with my blood. I am allergic to Tramadol along with a bunch of other drugs. I have been on options for a long time. The same dose but I don’t abuse them or sell them. I also use a Tens unit and Lidocaine patches. I have also been losing weight to help ease stress on my joints. I know there is a Dr. who can’t wait to take me off these meds that have worked for me for so long. She told me to meditate or do Yoga. I quickly requested a different Dr.
Just prior to this happening I got diagnosed with cancer (during Covid). I was in a lot of pain but I was lucky enough to have my Dr. who kept me on the meds that help me. That was not the case at the hospital. I had to have surgery to remove the cancer. My husband couldn’t come in with me because of Covid. I had the surgery and woke up in recovery screaming in pain. I begged for pain medicine…NO ONE HELPED. I thought I had been dropped on another planet. I begged for hours, and still no one gave me a thing. I asked a Nurse for an anti-gas tablet because they had blown my stomach up for a radical robotics hysterectomy, plus removal of lymph nodes. I was told it was a relatively painless surgery. I was in so much pain I could hardly stand it. Back to the request for an anti-gas tablet, the nurse gave me one small tablet. I asked for another shortly after the nurse said the Dr. only wrote the script for one. She didn’t even offer to check.
I continued screaming in pain for 7 hours. They told me I couldn’t leave until I pee’d. I begged them to give me my regularly scheduled pain meds but no one listened. I was denied any pain meds. I thought this can’t be happening, this is cruel. I locked myself in the bathroom until I could pee so I could get out of there. They were going to keep me over night to get my pain under control but weren’t giving me anything for pain! I said I need to get out of here. On my discharge papers I was instructed to take Aspirin for pain! I am on Warfarin!!! The notes also said to take an opioid pain med that they didn’t write a script for and to resume my course of pain meds as needed. A few other crazy things happened in there as well.
That was a true nightmare that I cried about for a long time. I could never treat a human being like that! The topping on the cake for that was the hospital sent me a letter asking me who my hospital hero was, the one who I remember most for comforting me and holding my hand through my ordeal because my family couldn’t be there due to Covid? NO-ONE was there to help me, comfort me and help me with my pain. I think if someone from the CDC had surgery and been left to suffer for hours because of the Opioid crisis? SERIOUSLY! I didn’t just walk in off the street and scream “Give me drugs!”” I had a surgery that used to keep women in the hospital for two weeks! But with the “one stop chop shop” improvement in medicine I guess you just need to suck it up.
Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for the help of removing the cancer. It saved my life. But does that give them the right to treat me the way I was treated? I cannot imagine anyone would want to be treated the way I was. Now I am faced with having the meds I rely on that work with the other treatments being taken away. When antiinflammatories are made that work safely with blood thinners I will be happy to try them. Until that time is it necessary to make me suffer? I use opioids with other modalities to help me function.
What is this world coming to? Have people been on their phones and computers so long that they have turned cold, lost empathy, just going through the motions of day to day life to get a pay check? I am pretty sure that as more people get treated the way I did, and the way the veteran’s husband who died of leukemia did, they are going to think twice as they writhe in pain, and NO one will help them. When they scream for help they will be told to take Yoga! Have severe pain from cancer or a car accident and when they ask for help a bunch of educated brains will have a symposium to word things so intellectually stimulating but don’t give you any help or a real answer to your suffering. You try their way of doing things to the best of your ability but are left in the cold and hope to heaven someone will help you but they don’t. So you recover in PAIN. They tell you to get a Yoga instructor S.T.A.T. or say you just had surgery so let’s get you to the gym so you can exercise the pain away or Meditate.
Until this happens to them or someone they love and walk ten miles in my shoes or your shoes, they are going to keep coming up with these brilliant, highly intelligent-sounding insane ideas that won’t amount to a thing. It’s not going to stop heroine addicts from getting their drugs…they don’t get a prescription for that anyway.
dana g.
Cheektowaga, NY
Of course I agree with these people. I have been diagnosed with terminal chronic back pain with no hope at all of getting better. I do not know what I will do if I do not have my medicine anymore. The rules are no doubt made by people who don’t know what our pain and future is like. Let people who are in pain make the rules. How’s that for you? The whole thing is just a crying, crying shame. I wish I could email others in this boat so at least in some small way we could support each other.
Jewel
lakewood, co
I am 61 years old. I was in a head-on collision with an RTD passenger bus. I have Herniated C-3-4 C5-6 L3-4 L5-6 and S1 I also have Fibromyalgia. I have had Cancer 2 times and 7 surgeries to remove my parts that were effected. Ive been on Oxycodone for 34 years. The surgeries did not help. Epidural spinal shots did not work. Nerve root block did not work nor did physical therapy. I’ve just been cut off of from the meds. Online Pharmacies that will fill this with no RX are out there many of them but at what cost? About $300.00 for 100 pills, really?
If the FDA thinks they are solving the issue they are making it much much worse! No one knows what are in those pills that are ordered online. Might be rat poison, for all we know. I’ve never asked for my meds early or abused them but I can no longer manage the Finance Company that I have worked with for 36 years. I’m in bed after noon. So take away the meds and hand out the Disability. Does not make any sense at all!
Betty
St. Petersburg,Fla
I am a former nurse, and I understand the problems with the opioid crisis. But I never thought that at age 73, with chronic pain from arthritic spine and lower back pain with neuropathy, that I would be denied the medication that would help me lead a fairly normal life. I am not able to walk any more, just to bathroom, bed, kitchen. I sit during most of my day. My quality of life is depressing, and I am a burden to my family. I worked 40 years of my life, only to have it end this way.
Lori W
Ocala FL
Hi. Im a 50 yr old woman that at 40 was in my first car accident. The other drivers were not insured so I was left with Medicaid. This was early 2010. I was given hydrocodone for my recovery on neck disc replacement. Waited 6 months then had 2 discs replaced in lower back. Again, did PT and worked hard to get back to work. I’m a single mother of 5 with no help from father, so I always had to work 2-3 jobs to make it. Then, complete stop.
The DAY I finally recovered enough and was hired to go back to work, I was a passenger in a worse car accident than the first. Just a little history. So, I tried and tried to come back again and realized that my body is too “broken” so before time ran out I had to apply for disability (still pending). After the 2nd accident they had me on oxycodone when I came home (I call it the devil). I lived and even had a business before all of this for holistic/herbal remedy/all natural. Against pills, but what can you do with CHRONIC pain.
I have been through every change, every rule change, suffered many times because they are grouping us with everyone. No! Chronic is exactly that! Not acute, not moderate or pain that comes and goes. It is 24/7, 365 days a year. I tell many people I’d rather have a baby every year instead, because at least I’d get breaks from the pain.
I have basically everything that’s always listed for neck and back problems except scoliosis. I have awful sciatica on both sides. No more normal discs left in my neck, and my lower back-3 more hernations and 5 more bulging, moving into the sacrum S1 last check. Lost all my muscle mass. Can’t be a normal mother to my child I had right before 1st accident. I am not a normal woman in almost every area of my life.
SOOOO. I finally got to a point just 45 days ago when I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been searching for alternative treatment instead of these pills but it’s a process. I asked my pain dr about a year ago if he could have me off everything narcotic in a year. He said we will be moving towards it but it takes awhile. So far I’ve gotten off all morphine and reduced my pain med oxy by 30 mg so far. We had a plan. Anyway, I’m feeling more positive and bought a traction back brace.
Then 2 days ago I went to my pharmacy for something else, and the main woman (great lady) informed me that they will no longer be able to fill my pain med prescription. WHAT? So she advised me to go to a popular nation-wide pharmacy, which is who I changed from to my current about 5 yrs ago. That was when they took all the Pharmacy managers and moved them to different locations so you couldn’t talk to your normal person. So I got a woman who was either having a bad day or just …???? There was no reason given, but she blocked me out of ALL of their locations state-wide. WHAT? THe people in line behind me couldn’t believe she did it.
So now they are “FIGHTING THEIR EPIDEMIC” by shutting down all of our (chronic patients) pharmacies to help us live day to day. And you can’t even pre-set up anything because you have to have the prescription in hand (BTW WE ARE OUT SINCE THIS IS OUR FILL DATE). Then they have to contact dr. and then pull all history and then decide whether they will take you on as a new or returning patient. Which they say could take 2-4 days.
SO WHAT DO I DO? (I didn’t put myself on this stuff; they did but I’m supposed to suffer detox while they research and decide? It’s like we as chronic pain patients are cattle being driven constantly into new directions with new rules,etc, etc. When does the madness end, and WHO DO WE GET THROUGH TO ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO US.
I read the post about suicide rates. That was one of the first things I said to my pain dr 45 days ago: are they running a side by side study on the suicide rates and technically they are potentially sending the other half to the streets. WHAT DO I DO IN DAYS? I’M SOOOO SCARED. Sorry this is so long but I just don’t know who can help me or what to do about this. THEY REALLY HAVE US “Good People” between a rock and a hard place.
The one thing that ive seen them do right is hand out Narcan and tell you you can use it on anyone and not get in trouble. Other than that we are just being shut down, not cared about, and just sheep or cattle being herded whenever they feel like springing whatever change “WHOEVER IS BEHIND THE BIG GREEN CURTAIN- Wizard of Oz.” Like others have said here, they have NEVER been in our position. THey wouldnt make it either.
Anyway, so sorry about the “book.” Any hints or sugestions about this new rule are most welcome.
Barbara
South Carolina
Yes, I too am a chronic pain sufferer. I had two foot surgeries in my left foot. After a botched surgery I was left with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. This affects the sympathetic network of nerves that we cannot control. When this pain is not interrupted quickly the nerves only remembers the pain.
I have taken methadone 30 mg in morning and Lortab for break thru pain. Although I was never pain free these drugs helped me to maintain a half way functional life. When the doctor cut me off it did not seem to matter to them that I had been on this since 2003. It didn’t matter about my having withdrawals. I was treated like I was a street druggie although I never abused the drugs and had Lortab left every month.
If my pain was down day to day I didn’t think about my medication. And would only take my methadone to suppress the nerve ending. Now I am worse with my feet nerves because they are so tender I can hardly wear shoes or walk. A new symptom started without taking my methadone is restless leg. The electricity running in both legs is so painful.
The other drugs like lyrica and others like it make me feel scared and thinking death thoughts. All this suffering because the government people that are painless now say I’m a drug addict. All of my suffering could be cut in half with a low dose of methadone. I called a methadone clinic about getting my medicine and was told only people that had been in rehab could get this pain medication. That’s the people that get my pain meds. What are we going to do? This is crazy something has to be done and no one cares.
Tim
California
I’ve only read the last 2 posts, however fully agree with them. I don’t see CDC rushing to take insulin away from diabetics or heart meds from those with heart disease. I, for the life of me can’t understand how people with chronic pain can be grouped with illegal drug abusers. synthetic insulin is toxic. My uncle died from insulin related cancer. He lived longer with it but it’s a catch 22. I would like the same choice. pain will cause devestation to a life if inadequately treated.
Terry
14822
This stopping of opioids to those who need them will most likely lead to a lot of suicides because the quality of life is gone. Because of aging, severe pain will drive them to this point. More people will die because of this law to protect those who abuse it.
Irrelavent
California
I take care of a person living with severe nerve pain resulting after many back surgeries. A new doctor took over our pain clinic and stopped giving prescriptions for pain medication. He now only prescribes medication for withdraw symptoms. He also marked all patients as drug seekers and addicts. He told the person I take care that being in pain and suffering was good. Now, the person I take care can no longer stand the pain and wants to die. There is no recourse or solution for patients like this. Why is there no help for them? The government is aware of what they have caused and have given sadist the power and protection to harm.
Bico
Wisconsin
In the 1980’s I had a herniated disk, the doctor told me that there was a 50% chance that they could operate for the pain and after two years there was a 75% chance that the injury would return. I have been taking pain medication since, I used to take Darvocet which I thought was fairly mild and took care (somewhat) of the pain, since it was banned here a few years back I have been taking the lowest strength Vicodin, I never exceed my dosage and if it wasn’t for this I would not be able to work. Why doesn’t the government take care of bribing other members and stealing our tax dollars as usual and let us live in peace!
Ruger
Washington
I have RA and some destroyed joints, also degenerative spinal arthritis and OA from working many years in construction, giving 100% 100% of the time. In reading some of these posts I see that I am not alone in saying that I suffer. I used Vicodin for many years and like others here, used it responsibly and never ever tried to refill early, even though I would often run out.
One day, as so much like many others my doctor called me to tell me no more pain medications. I don’t understand how the dea and doctors can do this to people they see suffering, daily. I have been off any and all pain medications for a year and a half and can think of only a handful of days that I could perform any task even to the point of using my right arm to wipe my own arse. I’ve told my doctor that he might have to come and do that for me…deaf ears! I told my (former) GP that I have been made to suffer because of you, the doctors that Peez dispensed pain medication and and created this world that we now live in without relief from pain…deaf ears! I’ve never considered using a street drug until recently, heroin, fentanyl…it doesn’t matter so much anymore. There is an additional pain scale beyond the typical blabber 1 thru 10, I call it the “TALKING TO GOD” scale 1A, amputate, 2B barter my soul 3C you later…
Richard
New Jersey
Looking through the comments I urge all to forget the class action suit nonsense as all the does is make lawyers richer. If you want to use a group effort start a Washington based group that goes to congressmen to provide them with the real data and information to make an intelligent decision. I am not sure that any of then care about anything but re-election but they might listen. I have often said that there is no problem so bad that government can not make worse. This is a prime example. If they continue on this course then the disastrous results rests upon their shoulders. May GOD show mercy on those affected by these thoughtless decisions.
Bill
central Ohio
It is obvious that no one in the DEA or CDC has chronic pain. I suggest they go to Walter Reed and talk to some seriously wounded veterans. Someone said they wouldn’t wish their pain on anyone, but perhaps one or two of those bureaucratic wonks needs to truly feel the pain, for multiple years. Sorry, but they just have NO clue what a life with pain is like.
James S.
MI
I cannot believe the whole charade of this fake opioid crisis. Back in the 90s the CDC encouraged doctors to give more pain medicines, and they did. What that created was a future generation of people who have gradually become dependent on it and addicted to it. I am one of those people. I was injured while at work (at a nursing home ) 14 years ago. The elevator dropped 3 stories, and I suffered a spinal injury that included bulging discs, protruding discs, and an impinged S1 nerve root, which causes me extreme pain in my back and legs. I was awarded disability and have been on Norco to control my pain, as my doctor strongly disagreed that any surgery be performed.
In 14 years of responsible pain management, I have never once overdosed, over-medicated, mixed alcohol with my medicine or asked for more than prescribed. Yet now I am being treated as a social outcast. My PCP has taken an emergency leave, and there is no other doctor in her office, so I have been trying for over a month to find a doctor who will refill my prescriptions. My insurance company, Meridian, has given me countless names and numbers of doctors to try, but none will treat me without a current MRI, which I cannot afford and need my PCP’s referral for. I present my original MRI which states I am in bad shape, but they will not accept it.
I don’t know what to do. All my life I have sought to help others in need, yet now that I need help myself I am looked upon as a crack head or a drug abuser as soon as I mention the N word; Norco. I cannot walk unless I drag my feet, and I constantly stumble and fall if anything such as rugs or even a cat toy gets under my feet and trip me. I am praying someone hears my pleas because the only alternative is to be put in a wheelchair. I have excellent credit, no criminal history, no tickets, and 30 credit cards, but I guess being responsible doesn’t count anymore.
My pain is going untreated, but none of that matters because there is an “opioid crisis”. I am being punished for something I never did, and it is despicable. Do they stop all motorist from driving because they caught a drunk driver? Arrest the whole neighborhood because they have a thief on the loose? Make everyone leave Walmart because they caught one person stealing? No. So why am I being punished for somebody else’s crime?
Robin
OH
Okay so the government wants to stop opioid addiction but they spend millions of dollars to give Narcan to people who overdose to keep them alive but I cannot get the pain medicine I need to do everyday needs. NO, I do not sell my drugs or overuse them or go to the streets for something that will make me high. I TAKE PAIN MEDICINE OUT OF NEED TO RELIEVE MY PAIN, NOT TO GET HIGH. HERE I AM PAYING FOR MY MEDICAL AND CANNOT EVEN GET WHAT I NEED TO FUNCTION EVERY DAY.
Daisy
Brooklyn N.Y.
Hi! I have the same problem with everyone who is on pain medication for chronic pain. I have severe back pain, my legs hurt, if I stand too long I get bad cramps. I did therapy like 5x, injections like 5 times. I’ve been on Oxycodone 5mg. for many yrs. I started with 3 a day for 4 yrs. Then 4 a day for maybe 5 ,6 yrs. Now I’m on 5 a day until now. I take it as prescribed, and if in a lot of pain I take Aleve too. I’m in pain all the time.
If they take away the only medication that’s been giving me somewhat of a life I don’t know what I’m going to do. I won’t be able to walk outside. I remember I have to keep stopping and sit. it’s horrible how many times in the beginning I had to turn back home. I also suffer asthma, high blood pressure & sugar, arthritis hurting me too right after losing my partner, like all the stress caught up with me, and it started affecting me badly.
If they took away my medicine these pains that would leave me disabled. I can’t do so much or go anywhere without planning it or feeling able that day. I got tested, did everything under the sun. I did Tramadol medication for the first year, but then it got worse. My new (2nd) doctor doesn’t seem too nice anymore and wants me to try these two new medicines. He gives the antidepressant Nortriptyline 10 mgs. if I need that and Diclofenac sodium 50 mgs., a nerve medicine, of which the side effects scare me a lot. I don’t like antidepressants. They slow you down and make things worse. I had a bad experience in the past.
I’m worried and don’t know what I’m going to do in dealing with my back pain, body aches and all the pains I get everyday. I believe in God and don’t want to die either. I pray that at least they will weed out the main abusers and leave alone the people who suffer a lot of pain all the time like I do. I’m worried and I need help, please. No one wants to suffer pain around the clock.
RGB
CA
These new laws against chronic pain sufferers is nothing less than an attack against ME and my right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness….. without severe pain……After all options and attempts have been made to avoid pain medication, let our doctors decide what is appropriate, not some fool who was given millions to start a program that makes NO sense and hurts millions who have had no part in any abuse…..The report is also very questionable… Hydrocodone and doctor prescribed medication is NOT the main problem, heroin and law enforcement INABILITY to STOP illegal drugs is……WHY ARE CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS WHO FOLLOW THE RULES BEING PUNISHED?
Pamela
NC
I agree that chronic pain sufferers, like me, who have had long-standing relations with their doctors, ought to be given their medications, as prescribed. In fact, it is extremely dangerous to yank long-term users off of their meds suddenly. For me, I believe firmly that opioids are FAR safer than anti-depressants, and I was in the RN program at the time of my near-fatal accident and passed pharmacology at the top of my class.
Rhonda
Illinois
My Doctor took me off of Vicoden about 15 years ago. The damage that Tylenol does to your liver is real. I was on 10 mg and could take one every 4-6 hours. When he gave me my first script of Oxycontin 10 mg twice a day, I was skeptical because I had never heard of it. I got a headache the first couple times I took it. But other than that, I had never felt so normal, like my old self. My first and only child was about a year old and this “new” pain medicine was helping me be a better mom. I was able to hold him, put him in his crib at night, high chair. All not the things I couldn’t do on Vicoden. And the BEST part was I wasn’t constantly thinking about when is my next dose. ONE pill lasted all day 12 hours! This was a breakthrough in pain medicine unprecedented!
My son was an incredibly active child. I kept up with him rather well and as a result, I too was in great shape especially for my age. I was 38 when I had him and 45 when I was diagnosed with N.H. Lymphoma. A giant tumor developed in my esophagus and down into my chest pressing on my lung making it difficult to eat, talk, and breathe.
I kept taking my Oxycontin (now up to 40mg) throughout all of the surgery and the chemo. The tumor was gone in 6 months. Due to my age and I was in good physical condition when I entered the hospital.
Once again this medication made it easier for me to get through the cancer pain. And because of that, I was always in good spirits. They told me a big part of healing, is to stay positive which is impossible if you are in pain.
I would like to see a percentage of the people who have overdosed on oxycontin and the age. Also, where they even prescribed the medication? If so, did they have alcohol or other drugs like even Benadryl or NyQuil. Where they shooting it IV? or crushing it? So many factors that goes into a true overdose death and not always just Oxycontin but HOW they ingest it.
blairsey
nys
i will just head to local emergency room ,,, by ambulance if i need to , 28 years chronic pain from failed low back fusion ,and 5 herniated bulging discs osteoarthritis im 60 yrs old have no drug coverage ,with my medicare A&B , no insureance , no payments , i won’t pay what i don’t have , street drugs are next healthcare sucks in america and doctors are scared to prescribe , so kill the patient or kill the pain the democratic way is to kill the patient, , ,,then relief comes when your dead the american dream is a nightmare
blairsey
nys
28 years ago the min wage for sawmill worker was 3.35 an hr , that wage lasted 25 years with no raise< cheap physical labor killed me ,?
gregory cureton
Mena, Ar
I have suffered from pain for over 20 years,its a sad time in or country when we work hard like myself logging an firefighting and get hurt doing these jobs,because now we are told to just deal with it.Im sure a lot of people have,,,well we know.I have never had any problems in over 20 years with my meds,but me and others like me are having to suffer because of others that do.WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY IS THIS ANYMORE,where if someone is in pain your told an made to suffer because someone might abuse what gives life to others like myself.Get the 1s that abuse and leave the rest of us alone,these laws just makes it worse on the good people,the others just move to some other street drugs,and I don’t want to have to suffer because of them and the DEA.
Robert
California
Because our Government, (Jeff Sessions) is unable to control illegal drug use, honest law abiding citizens are being punished? ( Not even Stanford can fix my back, I have tried everything including Yoga….) No one has the right to tell me I have to live in chronic pain, NO ONE….If this is NOT fixed it will cause legal citizen to look for other ways to get relief.
Rob
Modesto Ca.
Laura
Brooklyn, NY
I am currently using Tramadol (300mg/day) for severe, rapidly progressing polyneuropathy. I also suffer from severe ME/CFS, which means that exercise therapy for my pain is largely counterproductive. At this time, my only shot at improvement is IVIg, which I receive four times a month. My pain, excruciating and impossible to describe, affects most of my body: feet and hands, limbs, joints, trunk, vagina, skin, face, eyes, mouth, and teeth. With the help of my top-notch medical team, I have tried a number of alternatives (anticonvulsants, SSRIs/SSRIs, prescription cannabis etc), so far with no luck. I am seeing a new pain specialist this week, and I am terrified of losing the Tramadol. It is far from ideal, but at this time it is the only thing that helps.
My doctors and I are working hard on finding another way to treat my pain. But what happens if we continue to be unsuccessful? Like many pain patients in my position, I am putting into place a plan to peacefully end my life. I’m 58. I tell myself it’s OK, because my life was exceptionally rich and rewarding before I fell ill. But of course it’s not OK. I’ve fought so hard to get the IVIg treatment. It’s simply not going to work if my pain becomes unmanageable.
Tamara
TEXAS
This new law won’t help anything. All it’s going to do is cause those of in severe chronic pain to commit suicide. Others may take to the street to get heroine.
Dave
Fl.
I’ve had two major surgeries on my lower back. The second rupture on my disc was so severe I had to crawl on my hands and knees because I couldn’t stand up, much less walk.The surgeon who operated on me was well known and had many such surgeries under his belt. He told me I had the worse rupture he had ever seen. I am 64 years old and still working installing flooding. I must keep working because I can’t retire. I was managing the hard work because of the meds I was getting,oxycodone and morphine. Now my meds have been cut in half, and they want to take more than that away!? I’m in constant pain now, and it’s getting worse. It’s not my fault there are drug addicts out there, so why am I being punished. Heroin has been here since Adam and Eve, and they haven’t fixed that problem yet! Addicts will always find a way, and they can’t stop that by punishing hurting, hard working people like me.
Maryann
Ohio
It’s barbaric!! Just cut people off of their medication with nothing to take its place!! Why are we moving backwards medically? Physicians know that their patients need this medication, but they are being threatened by the cdc, and dea, who will take away their license and their livelihood!!
colleen
falls pa
Now you will have people who will kill themselves rathe than be in pain.
Kathy
Georgia
I just went to my Primary Doctor a couple weeks ago, who decreased my amount of Tramadol from 3 per day, to 2 per day because all of this. A bout a year ago, maybe longer I was on hydrocodone not Tramadol. She told me that the new guidelines are making her do ween me off of this almost non pain medication. Then I went about a week ago to see my Physiatrist and found out he quit 3 weeks ago, and had to see another, that I never met in my life. She lowered my anxiety medication by one forth because of the same reason, and will be weening me off because I also take Floricet. I am 53, have 2 types of arthritis, 3 bad valves in my heart, Fibro.
I was in major car accident and had to have facial reconstruction done, a neck fracture, a back fracture, multi abuse patient with complex PTSD, major Depression, among other Medical, and Psyc problems. I am a small woman, I have lost 2 inches from my heigh. I was 4.9, now I am 4.7 inches. I am in constant pain, and anxiety. When my Primary Dr. had to change to Tramadol I accepted that, I hurt a lot more, but I understood that it wasn’t her making the problem. Now I have lost my Physiatrist whom I have had for a few years is gone, and one of my other medications is being decreased, and will be stopped at some point because of all of this.
The people who are not on these different medications by a licensed Doctor, will get what they want on the streets, and still die from those much stronger drugs just to get the high they want. While us, the people who need these different medications just to get out of bed, may die because they don’t have what is needed to just make it through each day. I Pray that the people who passed these laws gets the chance to feel what we feel soon, and find another way, so we may not suffer as much as we are now!!!
Bonnie
70124
And while most-go-by-the-law suffer, the ABUSERS who are using ILLEGAL OPIOIDS like heroin with fentanyl are being “protected” from overdoses with Narcan. Law enforcement and other first responders, along with some pharmacies are (not necessarily by choice, but being made to) “helping” the ABUSERS continue to live. Rewarding bad behavior. Several times in some instances. Yet so many law abiding citizens are in chronic or acute pain with no relief. Worse, some have not been able to taper off —- just cut off cold turkey.
Angela
Cliffwood NJ
I share most of the sentiments expressed here. I do not understand why the DEA and the CDC refuse to acknowledge that many of the opioid deaths were caused by people who took a combination of legally prescribed narcotic medication with alcohol and or additional illegal and legal narcotic medication. Why are law-abiding patients with serious medical conditions that cause excruciating chronic intractable pain, being denied effective and appropriate treatments? These patients never abused their narcotic medication, never sold their meds, never mixed in alcohol and or other drugs and rarely required higher doses.
Why would any government and or medical organization work so hard to inflict so much pain? What good can come from causing so much suffering?
Doctors are not supposed to inflict any harm, yet the CDC and the DEA are pressuring doctors to fabricate and twist facts in relation to chronic pain and how it impacts the human mind and body, to prevent anyone from receiving life saving narcotic medication. Cancer pain is not the worst pain – nerve pain has been found to be the most excruciating pain that a human can endure and it is a proven fact that untreated and or under-treated chronic pain over excites the pain receptors causing the body to experience a more severe level of pain, which in turn requires additional pain to bring the pain level under good control.
Several pain studies have proven that it requires less medication to maintain good pain control then to reduce the amount of maintenance pain medication, while lengthening the amount of time in between prescribed doses. Why aren’t the politicians who are supposed to represent the people, fighting for the people? While most everyone agrees that something needs to be done to address the opioid epidemic in this country, however how will hurting all of these chronic pain patients help reduce the epidemic?
How will increasing the suffering of so many chronic pain patients help prevent opioid deaths? Last month there was a news brief that flashed across my TV screen stating that one known drug addict was saved 3 times in one day by a police man administrating Narcan. How does saving this man’s life 3 times and each time after he was brought back from the brink of death, his only thought was where can I get more stuff to get high.
Like so many of the people commenting here, I too have a long and complicated medical history that was made even more complicated by 3 different and serious auto accidents, where I was struck in 2 of these accident by an uninsured drunk driver and my last auto accident happened in 2016, where a speeding box truck ran into the back of my pick-up truck, doing 60 mph and the driver never applied the brakes, and the force of the impact knocked me out cold and did a number on my neck and back. My first auto accident took place in the late 1980’s – Currently I am diagnosed with 7 ruptured cervical discs, 6 bulging discs in my back, spinal stenosis, bone spurs growing all along my spine, Asthma, COPD, Sleep Apnea, Lymphedema in both legs, a demyelinating disorder destroying the myelin off the nerve endings in my brain, Type 2 Diabetes, Nerve Damage in all 4 extremities, allergies ( I tested positive for 159 out of 160 allergens in NJ), migraine headaches, Irritable Bowel, Barrette’s Esophagus, Thyroid Goiter, Arthritis, I am a DES Baby – my mother was given the drug DES during the last 6 months of her pregnancy with me, which caused a host of problems with my body once I entered puberty – my entire body and all of my internal systems stopped growing when I turned 13 years of age, so all of my internal organs never matured, I also have Hydradenittis Supportiva, which is a disease of the Lymphatic System that causes clogged Lymph glands to become infected and they must be surgically excised, causing me to experience weekly surgery over a 22 week cycle, to remove all the lymph glands under both arms, under both breasts and in my groin area, followed by major surgery where the removal all of lymph glands in my left axilla from my shoulder to my elbow, and the loss of so many lymph glands caused my low immune system.
I am 63 years old and have been on social security disability for 17 years. In 2012, I was awarded a 10 year pre-authorization for all of my narcotic medication, which was sent to Silver Script and Medicare. Recently CVS purchased Silver Script, so a few months ago I received a letter informing me that all prior authorizations were now cancelled and new pre-authorizations would need to be requested before the end of the year. I was able to secure new pre-authorizations for this year and I was told that each year a new authorization would need to be established.
A few days ago I received the new 2019 Formulary and the quantity limits have been significantly reduced for all Oxycontin medication, all strengths down to a quantity of 60 tablets for a 30 days supply or 2 tablets per day. This new reduced quantity is half and for some strengths less than half of the quantity allowed this year. Pressure is being applied on all sides, by our politicians, the DEA, the CDC, the Federal Government, the Insurance companies.
Calling all attorneys – is there no attorney firm or super wealthy family willing to establish some legal law suits to help protect all the chronic pain patients that are being harmed by these knee jerk reactions, which are not going to be effective in resolving or reducing any of the opioid epidemic issues.
Focus should be on the following areas: 1. Locate and Arrest Drug Dealers bringing illegal narcotics into this country, 2. Mandate that anyone saved using Narcan must enter into a minimum 30 days drug rehabilitation program and they will pay for their own treatment. 3. Establish more medical and scientific studies of Chronic Pain and new non-addicting pain medications and alternate therapies including hemp products and or marijuana, 4. Establish a state data base that contains the name and contact information of every patient being prescribed narcotic medication, including the prescribing doctor and the dispensing pharmacy and the medication list 5. Every person taking prescribed narcotic medication must also register in their county social services agency so that when a chronic pain patient dies, their current unused narcotic medications must be returned to the dispensing pharmacy or to the resident’s local police department, 6. A new medical board will be created to be staffed by chronic pain physicians and anesthesia doctors and they will be charged with creating and or reviewing the standardization of the rules and guidelines for prescribing narcotic medications for chronic intractable pain patients including the VA patients, so that these guidelines will be uniformly embraced and used by all treating and prescribing pain physicians 7. More medical education will be taught to all medical students with an emphasis on Chronic Pain as a new topic to be studied on the same level as say studying the heart or the brain, 8. More pharmaceutical companies will be required to contribute to a federally operated think tank for the creation of non-addicting pain treatments and or medications and or treatments – each company will willingly participate in these on-going research activities. Any medication and or therapies created and or discovered will be owned by the federal government and each participating company will be able to distribute and or manufacture any approved therapies and or medications 9. Everyone will be asked to provide their thoughts and or suggestions on how to resolve the current opioid epidemic – there will be a NJ State Web Site where anyone can input their thoughts and or suggestions on any topic of interest to the residents of NJ. Reach out to your elected officials, find out what your representatives are doing to address the items that are important to you in your town and or county. 10. Together all the people living in New Jersey can find resolutions and solutions to all of our problems if we take the time to listen to each other. If this world is not here for us then for whom?
The meaning of the word IMPOSSIBLE is a task that has yet to be accomplished! Think back to a few hundred years ago when people said it was impossible for man to fly and or it was impossible to walk on the moon – Imagine what we will be doing 500 years from now that we knew was impossible. Look Beyond – use the eyes of a child before we become jaded by the things we witness day after day that beat our spirit down. Wake Up Refreshed and start each day as a new beginning. Being positive attracts more positive activity which will be attracted back at you! Please contact me with any suggestions as to how to get a class action law suit started and how to engage all of our elected officials to help protect the people and what about enlisting all of the veteran organizations to also contact all of their political representatives plus the Chamber of Commerce to speak with all of the business owners I our community. Feel free to contact me with your comments and or suggestions. Thank you for reading my long message. Respectfully, Angela M. Thomas
Debra
CT
I’m scared to death, as we are moving from Ct to Fla within the next month. I have to take and have been on pain medication for approximately 14 yrs, I take OxyContin 2 tablets a day, 1 in morning and 1 in evening and I have Hydrocordone for break thru pain up to 4 times a day, I have several conditions going on one which is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease which is killing off the myelin off of my entire peripheral nervous system, which causes great pain and has taken my ability to walk away… it’s a degenerative disease that will progressively keep getting worse, I have a extremely bad hip , the bone has died away and 3 surgeons denied me surgery saying it’s unfixable as there’s NOTHING LEFT to fix so what’s left of hip is in pelvis and is excruciating pain, the Drs are in awe that I can still walk just a bit, about 15 ft with walker, but the pain is unbearable and I break into sweats from the pain but most always use a small scooter to get around, also have advanced degenerative disc disease and spinal fusion, and a crumbling spine, so yes , my pain is real, I’m petrified that Drs in Florida won’t help with my pain meds and without them I will not be able too move , I will be a ball in a fetal position, I’ve heard rumor that Florida Drs will not help anyone with pain, the Feds are right yes there’s an epidemic, but there are most of us who really need it for any quality of life,
And please let me say… My son is a Dr in a level one ER TRAUMA CENTER in one of the TOP HOSPITALS, and he gets sooo angry about the epidemic, that the Feds and news media, 95 percent of the Overdoses that he deals with everyday are not from prescription drugs, they are from HEROIN, and Black tar heroin and crystal meth, K2 and bath salts, the feds and media are not telling the statistics properly!!!
Barbara
Georgia
This is horrible one back surgery I am in my 60s.I have spinal stenosis ,frozen Shoulder degeneration disk. No medicine so I can be comfortable I can’t stand sit or lay down with out increasing pain. This is a vicious thing to make elderly in pain suffer I can take because of ulcers the other stuff. I just need the edge taken off to function. I looked at my dr and said so either power through or surgeries. More expensive for sure.. I guess this is politically correct make older people suffer. Very inhumane they would never do this to dogs and cats make them suffer. I have lost weight height and will probably die early with all this nonsense. I am beginning to think that’s a political agenda. I never have used pain meds unless I had surgery or broke bones . Now your stuck and the dr stares at you …..sad sad I am sure others have it worse. Someone suggested raw poppy seed tea at night for pain. I may try it if I find the poppy seeds. Suffering sad no quality life now.
Doug heffner
Prescott AZ
Your totally right this lbelive was perpetrated by insurance companies lobbying or government to write the laws ,just to save them billons ,look at all the large ins co. Profits more than doubled last year United health made 24 million a day profit the 1st 3months Suffering in AZ D.heffner
Sandra
Florida
I am 68 years old and have suffered severe back , neck pain and migraines since I was in a car accident and suffered a broken neck . I was younger then and did pretty well with physical therapy and pain meds for a short time. Then I was hit by a large truck and suffered damage in places I had been fine before . Ruptured discs , worsening migraines and have recently found out that my spinal canal is narrowing and my spinal cord is softening . My pain level has reached the point that most all of my quality of life is gone . I spend most of my days in bed as putting weight on my back causes my pain to sky rocket . My husband eventually left me for awhile because he couldn’t bare loosing his quality of life along with me. He has since returned but i honestly could not blame him for leaving . I would leave me to if I could . I was taking spinal blocks along with 7.5 of Vicodin for break through pain. I was functioning again although at a low level . Then I started to gain weight very quickly and my upper stomach swelled up , it was hard as if I was pregnant. My primary care physician sent me to an Endocrinoligist who tested me and found that all of the injections I’d taken had knocked out my Adrenal glands. No more injections ! During all of this is when my pain began to escalate and the new MRI’s showed the changes in my spine as explained above but I also have bone spurs and bulging discs causing pressure on the already compromised spinal cord . I’ve seen one neurosurgeon who wouldn’t touch me because of the fusion I already have in my cervical spine . The pain medication barely takes the edge off and I’m dreading the day my pain management doctor tells me he can no longer prescribe any pain medication for me let alone anything stronger . Yet I know of people who are prescribed a patch of some kind that releases medication throughout the day . And finally , as so many others have said , the addicts have no problem getting all the drugs they want while those of us in true need are told to take extra strength Tylenol . If it wasn’t so tragic it would be laughable. I believe the government has once again put the power to control others lives into the hands of a group of people who have no real idea what their doing . While their intentions may be good , they obviously do not have the medical training needed to be informed on the subject of “Pain Control”.
Gillian
Washington
We must rise up against this abuse against aging people with very painful age-related diseases. We need attorneys to step up and defend our right for humane care. The Hippocratic oath: Do NO HARM! They are doing horrendous harm, especially to older people with legitimate, very painful chronic diseases. They are refusing to provide care, to which has been proven available and effective! They are leaving millions of people with long term chronic pain with nothing…NOTHING!!! They have left us to die before our time, stuck in our beds, unable to move, deep in depression with no quality of life! ABSOLUTELY NO PLAN to help us!
PLEASE..PLEASE We need attorneys to help us! A class action lawsuit to go up against the government’s lies and inability to handle a problem the pharmaceutical money grubbers started! I want to fight these bureaucrat’s, question how many people they know personally who’s life they have destroyed! Someone PLEASE HELP US!!! Before we die.
Mary B
Stamford CT
I said the same thing about a class action lawsuit. Sue the law makers personally and who ever else caused this. My post is not out yet. You are so right.
Marilyn M
Burleson, TX
Diagnosed with interstitial cystitis I saw two pain management doctors they never heard of it so could not give any pain medication my urologist with tears in his eyes he said they’re putting doctors in prison for writing pain medication he knew how bad the pain was but couldn’t help me I contemplate suicide many nights and days I am still here because of my faith. I had same job 27 years random drug test never failed what the future holds I pray for me
Eileen
Cody Wyoming
I agree with the comments. People with chronic pain are being punished for the abusers. The addicts will still get their fix and still die. We just have to suffer and are unable to live our lives. I have a serious case of insomnia and now they want to take my sleeping pills away. I go to the dr way more than I would if I could just get the pain under control. Maybe that is their point? Another way to make insurance companies richer? Political influence should stay out of medicine. Maybe those that are addicted should be held personally responsible for their own problems. Not be blaming the government or The drs.
Crystal
Florida
I just had 2 major surgeries, a colostomy reversal along with a bowel resection and a full hysterectomy. I was in the hospital 4 days and was sent home with only 3 days of pain meds. I was in pain for just a little over a week from the time I got home. It is just unlawful for congress to tell doctors how to prescribe medicine and how much they can give. My physician even told me to get a lot of Tylenol because I’ll still be in a lot of pain after the 3 days worth of oxycodone. Something needs to be done about this!
Trish
Columbus,oh
I too am like so many others in this forum. I have had 4 back surgeries and now have a bulging disc in my cervical spine. I have to go to pain doctors, and all they want to do is injections or pain pump!
Well, here is what I have to say to all who passed these laws and are making the innocent people suffer, and meanwhile the addicts are NOT skipping a beat with there drugs: I hope every law maker, and all involved in this horrific act of punishment on the disabled and elderly that really need the help, that each and everyone of you have an experience where you will have to have pain medication, and I pray that a Doctor will tell you ….You made the law and you get the same, Motrin and Gabapentin!!!
Wake up and HELP your people that are truly in need of help! It’s easy to track, The Patient has records, MRI’s, X RAYS, BLOOD WORK, You have the proof of who is in need! Just remember …You too one day and your family members will need help.
Dan
Austin
I was prescribed methadone by the V.A.for 14 years for chronic pain after failed back surgery, spinal fusion laminectomy, plus diabetes pain. I am a disabled vet, like a good many of us who were exposed to Agent Orange. Can’t function without pain meds. Soon more suicides will be because of DEA and CDC, not because of overdose. CAN’T Deal with this lack of life now.
Robert George B.
CA
How true…NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CAUSE ANYONE TO LIVE IN SEVERE PAIN but those who are in pain do have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That does not mean being punished without cause. What in the world is wrong with these people?. Everyone who is in pain has to stand up against this absolute mindless law. I don’t believe it’s Constitutional.
Vera K
Georgia
I am 52 and have Fibromyalgia and Causalgia which is known as CRPS 2 stage 4. And I have been in Ga. Caring for my Dad also trying to find me a doctor Nobofy wants to take me because they would have to stand up to the CDC and FDA cause we patients are being denied care for our livelihood. I was 35 when I was hit head on…So many years have passed by the pain is real.
Lorraine
Virginia
I’m a 21 yr sailor who got sick at 35. I was just promoted and attending college on a scholarship that only 1% of the military are chosen for. My son was three and we had just moved again. After college I was going to be promoted again. I was ecstatic !!
One day in my second semester I turned my head n felt an extreme sharp pain shot up my neck n into my face n down my arm. I tried to do my workout the next day but couldn’t. My first migraine was that second night. In two months I was hospitalized for the migraines-they were daily now n my L arm was getting weaker. By Dec 2000 I got my first X-ray and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease, spinal Stenosis and bone spurs in my vertebrae. The next year I got my neck fusion.
While I was healing from that first surgery my L leg quit working n my foot started dragging. In three years and five surgeries later I was medically discharged. 18 years n 10 surgeries later I was finally a bit more stable and had with education learned how to live with my pain. I’ve had it all-acupuncture, healing touch, nerve blocks, relaxation hypnosis. Ultimately it was the morphine, prednisone and medication patches that got me through. My severe nerve pain never stops, my skin burns and I’ve got constant head pain again.
I’ve been insulted, screamed at, cursed out n had my medical record thrown at me. But taking my meds away is robbing me of what little life I had pieced together. I never sold or abused my meds but now I’m being ignored outright because of other people’s abuse. I served my country a long time n I thought a long time to come. I’ve raised my son n tried to be a supportive wife.
Without my medication I can’t even clean my home or keep a doctor appointment. I used to work out n play sports. After I got sick my life stopped for awhile until I got the right medication. I don’t understand why anyone would be so shortsighted as the CDC and lawmakers. Most of us are registered voters and I always vote. Now I’m trying to understand why I’m being punished. Abusive use is now put on law abiding chronically ill people for no reason. I want my doctor to treat me, not the CDC or federal government.
Eileen
Cody Wyoming
I know exactly how you feel. But please don’t give up. The government needs to be changed. We can do it by voting out all of these POS politicians. I will keep you and them in my prayers.
lori
CO
Hi! I have the same problems with everyone who is on pain medication for chronic pain from surgeries or old injuries from sports. I had twice discolated rotator cuffs // two times of surgeries on left shoulder–old injuries and new, just recently since last April. I have been struggling with constant pain. It may be something wrong with my left shoulder. The doctor just gave me stronger pain medication, tramadol, which is not working at all for this pain. Tramadol just acts like aspirin, and I decided to stop it because I am not getting relief. It’s a waste. The doctor said that stronger pain medication that would be habit forming. BUT NOT TO ME!! silly doctors!!
So to be honest. I’m 52 years-old. The government has no authority over medicine for people who have doctors who can prescribe their meds. DOCTORS ONLY HAVE AUTHORITY!!!
Johnny
TN
So what are pain clinics doing since the a new CDC guideline was issued . I have been out of pain clinics after being forced to them in 2014. I was so insulted by the early clinics. One charged 595.00 for initial office visit. Have pain clinics stopped testing for cannabis per cdc guideline? Thanks very much.
Liz
Miss
I think one day soon the government will answer to a higher authority for all the misery they have caused.
Mark
Oceanside California
I am a Marine. When I turned 50 I started to have neck pain. This pain was excruciating. I took many Advil and many Tylenol. Well the flareups got to be too much. So I went and seen the doctor. The doctor sent me for an MRI. I had a herniated disc in my neck. I did all the shots all the physical Therapy. So my doctor put me on Norco 10 mg 325 mg Of Tylenol. Well after a while that stop helping. With her needed disc in my neck. I had to go to orthopedic surgeon. He did the surgery on my neck. Where they fused my C7 T-1. They did that using pieces of my hip. Well then over the next year.
I start having Severe back pain. So I had a laminectomy fusions. And I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. And Ostial arthritis. My doctor could no longer give me pain medicine. So he sent me to pain management. What I had to sign a contract. I had to be subject to drug test. I had to be subject to pill counts. Basically this Marine was made to feel like a drug attic. The pain management doctor put me on Narcos. And morphine extended release.Well that wasn’t working. So they swabbed my cheek and send it for Gene Study. Well when it came back. They found out I don’t metabolize a lot of the pain medicines that are out. But they did find pain medicine that would work. For me. One size fit all is not good for anybody. So after all the trial and Error They found the right combination of medicines. 30 mg of Oxymorphone Twice a day. 8 mg of Hydromorphone. Every 4 to 6 hours.
I did this for four years. I never asked for more medicine. I never ran out of medicine. I never went to the emergency room. Never failed a drug test. Never fill the pill count. But I was made to feel like a drug attic. Or United States Marine that Served his country honorably. And that’s how I was treated. But you know what that’s OK. My pain was controlled I could work full-time. And take care of my family. Well now you have an opioid crisis. The DEA can’t find a real drug dealers. And catch the real drug dealer. So they come after chronic pain patients. Very easy target for them. Yes they threw out a lot of numbers. Thousands of overdoses. None of those overdoses. Have been a chronic pain patient following all the instructions of his pain management doctor. No the overdoses are from criminals people who take too many drugs. Movie star rock stars famous people. Look what happened to Michael Jackson.
You think I could ever get a doctor to give me that much medication no. So like I said the DA and the CDC are coming down I’m good people that follow the rules. One size fits all. The Attorney General Jeff sessions take an aspirin man up. I wish she had my pain. Well now my pain management doctor is scared. My medicine was 340 mg per day. Morphine equivalent. But my actual milligrams were only 100 mg of pain medicine per day. But they want me down to 120 mg morphine equivalents per day. One size fits all again. From the test I had for years ago. I was diagnosed with the CYP450. So the morphine equivalent doesn’t work for me.
But in four years I never went up On my pain medicine. So to get to 120 mg morphine equivalent. I would have to stop taking one of my medications completely. Then I could have 3 8mg per day. And that’s it. Every time I go to my doctor my pain management doctor. He reduces my medicine. I missing work on a routine basis. I am going to lose my job. I’m going to lose my family. What am I to do? What I feel like doing is curling into a ball and die. Yes me a United States Marine. Reduced to that. What am I to do? I am in so much pain. What can I do? Please help me. I don’t even know where to get street drugs. Because if I did I would be there looking. But no I just want to die. Thank you for your time. Or United States Marine.
S
virginia
My sister had rheumatoid arthritis. She was at one time prescribed medication to help relieve the excruciating pain. The last two years of her life were a living hell. She was confined to a hospital bed, in rehabilitation centers(which in themselves seemed unbearable, she fell at least once with a severe injury) had all her teeth decay and hair matted, urinating herself, etc. the list goes on. Those last two years her general practitioner had the nerve to look at her and say “no more narcotics”! She should have her licenses revoked. It is a sin! She might have had years of a tolerable life ahead. She did well with medication.
Doug
Ohio
America has left its past Christian roots to become a socialist country. Socialists claim that they want to help the world but actually all they want to do is control your life as they see fit. And when you don’t fit into their nice little warm and comfort zone. Put a little fear into their hearts and they would rather kill anyone and everyone to go back to their happy place rather than face reality, until it becomes theirs or their loved ones turn to suffer.
Millie
Florida
I don’t think I have seen a comment like mine but what do you do when you go to get your rx refilled and it’s the same medicine vicodin, same manufacturer, same looking pills that I have been getting from my pain management doctor that I fill at a major chain drugstore, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME IT IS A BAIT AND SWITCH – they took out all the medicine and instead put fillers, binders and inhibitors in it now that make me VOMIT AND FEEL SICK WITH NO PAIN RELIEF. They think they are tricking us into thinking there is medicine in the pills but there is not. I have been taking the same exact drug with no changes until november of 2017 when I got my rx refilled took one pill and knew something is very wrong – no medicine at all in it. This can’t even be legal and to sell it as being the same is wrong. I am in constant pain and withdrawal now for weeks for what reason? I am extremely mad. I also contacted the manufacturer and they act like I am the crazy one and act like they will look into it even asking for the lot number of the bottle which I gave them and then nothing ever happens after that.
Jeff
Northwest washington
I too am in the same boat as every one else here as of yesterday ,my anger is extreme, but they hold all the power, I am think there is no real opiate crisis, the problem is with the legalisation of marijuana has left a lot of anti drug people out of work so they have created the new crisis as a form of employment as they did when prohibition ended
Jesse
Dunwoody, Ga.
I am 84 with severe scoliosis. 10mg oxycodone 2 or 3 times daily reduces the pain enough to function in a very limited sense. I am a long-term user and never an abuser. To restrict my access to pain medication would be sadistic. I don’t think that is proper for the medical profession.
Bruce
Tennessee
My husband has Spondylosis. He was taking (3) Lortab 7.5mg per day. It kept his pain manageable. In November 2017 Doctor informed him he couldn’t prescribe it anymore. He switched him to Tramadol (3) 50mg per day. It also kept his pain manageable. He was able to work, take care of our property, etc. We had a life.
Then recently, June 28, 2018, doctor said he couldn’t prescribe Tramadol anymore because of new Government and Tennessee laws. My husband is barely surviving on Aleve and Tylenol and our life is over! Can’t sit, can’t stand, can’t sleep!
This is so terrible what our government has done to responsible people in chronic pain! Please please please reconsider what has been done to responsible chronic pain sufferers!
Cheri
Austin, TX
My husband has been a chronic pain patient since surviving cancer many years ago. He has always passed his medication counts and drug test. They have cut his dose in half in the last 6 months and are still reducing every month.
His quality of life has been significantly reduced. He is basically in bed 24/7 and is considering ending all medical treatment and going into hospice.
I’m sure he can’t be the only person considering this option. I’m fighting for him because he can’t right now. What can we do???
Sharmae
Debary, FL
I have had 5 back surgeries, three being spinal fusions. As a result I have arachnoiditis, a painful and progressive iissue with the nerves surrounding my spinal cord; within the arachnoid space. It causes back and leg pain. I use gabapentin but the pain becomes intractable at times and Percocet 5mg is the only mild relief I have found.
I am followed by pain management and take that very seriously. I am now in need of a 6th surgery due to another disc herniation and prior hardware being loose. In FL, the opioid law is very restrictive and my neurosurgeon actually told me to cancel surgery because he cannot provide adequate pain control. I should not have to cancel or postpone major surgery. It is inhumane to allow such unncessary suffering.
The CDC must revisit strict laws and come up with something better to address the millions of people who need pain medicine for various reasons. Dr’s need to be allowed to treat patients or we’ll start seeing a shortage.
I have viable solutions that I have shared with local government, Florida Governor and state representatives. I am writing to every candidate running for Governor to review the opioid law in FL and take immediate action to make exceptions for major surgical cases. These overly restrictive laws are not saving lives. In fact, it is backfiring.
William
San Francisco, Ca.
It is a deplorable shame that “educated” professionals seem to think that they can make otherwise functional adults suffer in unbearable pain because of their decision to limit the amounts of pain medication prescribed. This is a legal, not medical problem. All of these meds are reproduced in other countries and bought and sold on the streets.
Are we supposed to go to the streets for pain medications? Now people are getting hurt or killed trying to obtain pain pills. Just go out there where these drugs are. It’s dangerous!! Apparently, no consideration is used for the patients with legitimate chronic pain. So, how do they stop the illegal drugs that are responsible for the overdoses, for the most part, I think. They can’t. Law enforcement has never been able to compete with criminals. Punishing legitimate patients is not the answer. What can we do to remove this action? Anyone know?
Susan
fl
In order to get my full knee replacement I have to totally go off nsaids for a week. The pain is a crying hard to talk level 7. I cannot get from my bed to bath without constant use of walker. I have not enough participation in family vacations because of this. My other knee needs a replacement also. Believe me, I wouldn’t get these surgeries if it weren’t for the pain. Now I hear patients will only get a minimal amount of pain relief?
John
Lexington NC
Hello, I have had back surgery, foot surgery and a lot of broken bones. I am in 10 times more pain since foot surgery than before surgery. I am 65 yrs old and am in constant pain from my neck to the ends of my toes!!!
I have been seeing a great Pain Dr. for the last 8 years and he understood how bad I was in pain everyday!! My Dr. left the P.M. last month and now I seen a P.A. and he all but took all my pain meds away from me.
I have never been high on drugs and always took them as I was directed to. Now I cannot even get out and keep my small yard up(My wife is doing the yard work).
For us folks that has chronic pain I think we should be able to keep getting the meds we need to continue a half way normal life. Our Dr. are need to hurt like we do and I think they would be willing to help us!!!
Michael
California
I am currently seeing a Pain Management Doctor, who appears to be caring and knowledgeable about administering opioids. I have issues in my cervical spine (1 fusion performed over 20 years ago) and my lumbar (I have had abulation surgery on my S/I joint, no improvement).
My neck and lower back are a mess and I am in constant pain, current prescriptions only dull the pain. I recently asked for an increase in my pain meds and was told that I am at the current Govt. threshold and cannot get an increase even though it has been proven over time you may have to increase you dose to achieve the same results, oh well.
My doctor also stated that he could see in the future the Govt. mandating that all opioid prescriptions will be very hard to get prescribed for any patient.
My question is; will this approach increase the heroin epidemic or suicide rate due to folks not being able to receive a quality of life that these drugs offer, if so I do not think this approach is the best answer to our current opioid epidemic.
Mike
FL
I had 5 vertibre back fusion, 15 hr surgery that has left me worse than before surgery and cannot stand up straight. On pain meds for 5 years, drug test every month and never any problems. Now they are cutting me back so much my quality of life is 0. It was bad enough before. Considering death with dignity which I think they want. Kill people and save the all mighty dollar. Totally unethical and against the hippocratic oath. God bless you all.
Thomas D
Carterville, IL
OMG. I have more than I can handle typing right now. But the pain meds right now don’t make it so I can walk. At times, I even try not to drink anything at all for fear that I might have to go to the bathroom.
If the restrictions get even tighter, I won’t be able to tolerate it. I only tolerate it now so I don’t leave me Golden alone. He’s the only reason I don’t kill myself right now.
Beth
Genesee
I have a rare neurological illness that is extremely painful. My muscles are in constant spasms and have caused my body from my neck to my hips to be twisted. I cannot hold my head up or stand very long. Even while lying down I have terrible burning pain; the worst is in my legs. The pain is so bad that it makes my eyes water and tears roll down my face. I’m so afraid after having my meds reduced. I was having pain before that. I am thankful to have something to help this nightmare of severe pain. FDA, please let my Doctors order what they have determined to be appropriate. I believe people in terrible pain do not experience any type of “high,” as I never have.
Greg
Dunnellon Florida
I am a 57 year old male, I suffer from Arachnoiditus, intractable pain syndrome,Parkinson’s,hear disease, and copd. I have been on Morphine and Percocet for the pain since 2006. I have little quality of life, constant extreme pain of 8 on the pain scale. I cannot walk or sit for any length of time, just to go to a store in my chair requires me to lay down for several hours afterwards. Now they want to reduce my meds in half. I say it is time for all of us to unite and demand this be rescinded! I to have done nothing wrong, and writing Congress does nothing!
akshayv
USA
I’m over 80 and do not order often on line unless I call, but this was not too difficult. Orthofeet shoes really have been wonderful support for my husband who has had an ankle fusion. Great shoes with good support. Easy as 1-2-3 your easy to navigate website allows quick search and find and easy ordering. Looking forward to receiving may order to and being blown away with how fast it arrives.
Richard
Puyallup WA.
I am just like the rest of you unfortunate folks. I won’t go into my story, you can read a thousand tales that could have been written by me. I am a 75 year old vet who has been on pain meds for over twenty five years. The VA has just decided I don’t need them any longer as I might overdose or worse turn to the “Good” stuff that is out there.(Drug dealers REJOICE! you will soon be able to charge what you want and folks will pay it!)
I sold my house a few years ago and moved in with my kids. That was fine until now. I expect to soon be the burden on family and friends I have always sworn I would not be. My point is “Why the hell do we put up with this CRAP?” Lets all get together and fix this. We have the numbers, we have the resources. By the way, there are thousands of us Vietnam war era Vets.
We do not want to take this. We changed world in the sixties, lets do it again. I bet a lot of doctors would even join us. Save this page, and lets get started. Forgive my spelling, I’m pissed, not smart.
Cindy
Guatay, CA
Tramadol used to be considered the ” safe ” painkiller. Now it is up there with all the rest of them. I have RA. I am 65 years old. The joint damage to my feet make it painful to walk, and the burning nerve pain keeps me bed-ridden. I have been taking Tramadol for 10 years without a problem. When I get RA flares, they give me the stronger opiates. I also suffer from major depression as a result of being in constant pain. People w/o their meds will become suicidal and/or turn to the black market. In my opinion, they just increased the opiate dilemma ten-fold !
Pamela T.
Hollywood Florida
I am a 56 year old woman who fell and fractured 5 ribs. I was in hospital 5 days and was given pain medicine during my stay. When I was discharged without pain medicine I was very angry. The house physician refused me pain medicine, and security removed me from the hospital in Hollywood, FL. My doctor has never had 5 ribs fractured. I could not believe what was happening. We don’t let animals suffer in this country but we let people suffer. They can look up how many prescriptions you fill for narcotics.
What happened to the oath to “do no harm?” Denying patients medications they need
causes great harm. I, for one, am going too sue this SO CALLED DOCTOR. I will not be treated like a junkie again. I have never abused or sold my medications. I am a law-abiding tax payer. THIS IS SO VERY WRONG. I suffered terrible pain for 4 days because this DOCTOR WAS MAYBE CAUGHT DOING EXACTLY WHAT HAS MADE IT SO HARD FOR HONEST PEOPLE IN TERRIBLE PAIN.
Jeffrey
I am 62 years old with advance stages of legg Perthis desease . I have had 7 joint replacements. I take a 7.5 norco in the morning so I can wipe my behind and put my shoes on!
I have tried numerous pain relievers and I have concluded that we are all different. I only take the prescription amount, and these young punks use this drug as recreational.
Efrain F
Las Vegas
Sad when people got chronic severe pain like artiritis and much more once they take your pain medication the pain will be worce than ever but people that have pain feel great relief but the Feds don’t think that way they say it’s all about abuse and millions need this medication as soon as possible the one’s that abuse are drug addict they prefer real heroin power not pills that’s when Mexican cartels will bring More heavy drugs not pills I understand drug users crush the pills but it not the same as real heroin powder so I say no too stop harassing doctors pharmacy and patient it’s not fair to feel scared to death from DEA.
karen
ohio
As a 63 year old woman who has NEVER abused my Norco medication I am just appalled with this law. I have severe arthritis. I do not know what to do now. Is there a certain way we can vote to stop this in the state of Ohio? Is seems like the government is only concerened with these heroin or street drug addicts.
Beth
Genesee
I am suffering terribly since this has happened. I don’t get adequate help now. I have a neurological condition which is so painful, there is no other help,but medication. I am unable to get around much. I don’t have control of my muscles. They twist and pull painfully. I can only hope things get better. This just isn’t right.
Brenda
NC
I think it’s a shame that the US government, is making people suffer and in some cases take their own life due to unbearable PAIN! !!! They don’t have a clue on how to fight drug abuse so they punish real suffers to make it look like they have a solution.
We as people that can’t manage without pain medication that help us tolerate the day and our lives have got to speak out loud and clear in massive protest. If we don’t we will surly perish!!!!
AC
Califonia
You are absolutely correct, how will we survive without proper pain management? I have been on pain pills, because of my horribly injured spine for 23 years. I always have many left over, I never take what is prescribed! The pain pills really don’t kill the pain, but they take the edge off and that’s good enough for me. The only problem is they’re trying to take me off all pain medication and I think that is evil. The only answer is to end it. How can a person think this is “life“, when horrifying pain won’t let them function in any manner at all?
Sebastien
Fort Lauderdale FL
The recent policy changes put into place by the DEA are largely misguided and inconsiderate of the thousands of Americans that are suffering from genuine severe chronic pain. Additionally, this is one of the worst actions they could have taken while trying to lower the amount of overdose deaths. Their actions may deter potential addicts from intentionally taking advantage of doctors for narcotics, however, they will not prevent current addicts from using or overdosing.
Addiction is a powerful disease that I feel is being minimized and underestimated by the DEA’s current attitude. Drug abusers will not instantly cease their drug seeking behavior because a doctor has lowered the strength and frequency of their prescription. If anything it these policies simply divert addicts away from prescription opioids and onto more dangerous substances such as illicit pills and heroin.
We have recently published an article corroborating with the sentiments expressed in this one. In addition, it elaborates on various non-opioid pain management options which can be found here: https://mhdetox.com/non-opioid-pain-relief-options/
sherry
zephyrhills fl
I’m a 55 year-old woman who has used opioids for over 25 years. I have been on the same dose for over 15 yrs. My medical condition has gotten much worse over the years but I have not asked for more meds. I figure I will have a reserve when I really need it later in life. I have done every thing they have asked of me.
I was on 60mg a day last month, down to 20 this month. I just don’t know what to do. I cannot afford to go with medical marijuana. Before they got the right combo of meds right for me I had no life at all. I’m on my way back now. I was already going through withdrawals. Is the goverment going to force me to hit the streets? Any suggesteions would be greatly appreciated.
Jenn
Massachusetts
I am a 42 yr old mother of 13 and 11 yr-old children. I suffer from osteoarthritis in both knees and have done everything possible except knee replacements, which I’m told I’m too young until I’m 50. Every step I take I cry. I use canes, handicapped bathrooms or just don’t get out of bed. I’m borderline loosing my job of 15 years. I’ve had gastric bypass surgery so I cannot take any ibuprofen or NSAID products. And Acetaminophen isn’t nearly strong enough. I have no quality of life at 42. What more is there?
Laura
Texas
May 7, 2018
I am like others who live with chronic pain. I’ve been seeing the same pain management doctor since 2006. I was critically injured in a MVA in 1984. My right knee, shoulder, ankle and pelvis were shattered then pinned, screwed, and wired back together. As time went on my shoulder and knee deformed, and mucscles and tendons atrophied. I have been on pain meds for 12 years as well as back injections 4 times. I’ve had a shoulder and knee placement. In addition, 2 thoracic Aorta surgeries and brain tumor. I have taken so many NDAIDS I now have stage 4 kidney failure.
Now with the new DEA laws my pain doctor has completely cut me off pain medication. He gave me suboxzone for 3 weeks to help with detox, I assume. What gives the DEA the right to make us not only suffer in pain but to tell our doctors to keep us down to what I call a “Not Living” level of pain meds? I’m only 53. I have a life I want to live and play with my grandkids, and I can’t seem to move about now! That’s not living!
What are the others who live with chronic pain to do? It’s not fair for the government to make us live basically non-mobile lives. I make every 28-day appointments, pass my urine tests, and don’t sell my drugs! I want answers!
Please help! Any suggestions?
Kenny
Ma
No pain meds, instead they push injections and lower doses of pain meds. Junkies are given the world and chronic pain suffers are given the door.
Jan
22968
I am the spouse of someone who lives with terrible pain and soon will be losing his pain medications. How can we as a group make our government understand? Who would we contact that could make a differance?
Carlund
Alabama
I think everyone needs to write their Senators and Representatives and let them know about our chronic pain. Someone start a petition to send to them and President Trump. I have been in chronic pain for over 25 years. I hated the thought of taking pain pills because I lived with addiction my whole life. I had 4 doctors and several friends tell me that I really needed to take the pain pills as directed to stay ahead of the pain and for once the past several years the pain has not been so bad.
But with all this talk I have been weaned down from what works to near nothing and my pain is unbearable. I feel like these new laws will be just like gun laws. The bad guys are going to get guns just like they are going to get drugs and the good people will lose! And yes the people that are trying to change the laws need to be in chronic pain for one day. They wouldn’t be changing these laws. Something better would be building more jails to keep repeat drug offenders locked up instead of putting them back on the street.
What will happen to those of us that need help with pain is that we will have to spend our hard earned money buying pills off the street or we will do without pain meds until some of us can’t stand it any more and end our lives so lets let the people in charge know how we feel.
Hurting
Cal.
Why is someone who knows computers not getting everyone together so we can fight this or sue the DEA? I have had so much trouble finding pain treatment people who make sense. I do not want to give up and die.
JAP
Illinois
I am a 68 year old man who never took a pill until 2003 when 2 Drs did 11 surgeries on my right leg because they could not handle MRSA which I contracted in the hospital. I have no right knee; my leg is fused; one leg is 3 and a half inches shorter than the other, which ruined my neck and back. I live with pain.
I believe the root cause of this problem is like most everything else: The government ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’ has been replaced slowly but surely. Who is the government to regulate the governed until they can’t function with dignity? All these stupid invasive regulations are not in our best interest. I have wonderful Drs. whose hands are being tied to help honest, hurting patients.
Someone better wake up or we will have no Bill of Rights or a Constitution to protect us. If Congress had a clue what real pain felt like they would do their jobs for the people who elected them and put the governed first. I hurt so bad I can’t think, and it’s about to get worse, I fear. I would love to meet the FDA or the whoever they are and put my pain on them for just 24 hours. Our nation has forgotten what and why we were formed, to get away from oppression. Almost 40 surgeries in 15 years, and scared to pieces of no one caring. Wow! I don’t recognize my country.
Bill
75034
Let me begin this by saying: Hey, DEA and CDC, this policy is idiotic! I just got back from my Pain Specialist Dr. who increased my medication, because the previous dosage was no longer effective in curbing the Angina PAIN. I delivered the prescription to the pharmacy and found that it may be up to 10 (TEN) days before the prescription is approved. Hey CDC, DEA, you don’t seem to care, but I currently have NO PAIN MEDICATION, and until I do I will have more that a week of being reduced to the status of an invalid.
Before you (CDC and DEA) make any more lame-brain decisions, you need to walk in the shoes of someone who lives with chronic pain. Your policy says:”Doctors should recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Other suggestions include cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise therapy or antidepressants.”
If you (CDC and DEA) are going to restrict my access to pain relief, then will you at least provide a viable alternative solution? How dare you paint me and thousands, or even millions of other law abiding people as out of control addicts! We do not abuse drugs! We are having to deal with PAIN. We take pain relief medication AS PRESCRIBED by our physicians to experience some semblance of a normal life. It allows us to WORK! It allows us to spend time with our families! It allows us to be HUMAN!
I did not choose for my heart to stop working properly while in the middle of one of my normal 5 day a week, high intensity workouts. I did not choose to have 95% blockage on the LAD in two places and did not choose to have the surgeon saw me in half to attempt to fix the issues. I did not choose to have an inoperable myocardial bridge that causes constant angina (PAIN) with the slightest exertion.
What the heck qualifies you to circumvent the diagnosis of my Drs. Mayo Clinic, could not remedy my angina pain after even EIGHT Heart Procedures. Yet you, in all your wisdom, are able to pull out this utterly asinine solution, to take an aspirin and a Xanax, then what…go to bed!? Are you truly this naive?
Your feeble attempt to curb the deaths by drug abuse in this county will do one thing for sure! It will increase the suicide rates of people who are not able to find relief from PAIN. People who were being productive citizens. People who own their own businesses and employ people. Good people who unfortunately have to live with Chronic PAIN!
We are not the ones overdosing on heroin, or any other drug. If someone is that stupid, then let them be stupid and die! Attacking people who play by the rules will not prevent one drug addict from getting the DRUG FIX they want! Punishing innocent people because of a drug addict’s choices is plain cruel, mean, and STUPID! Wise up, make people responsible for their own actions. Your ridiculous laws are doing great harm to good people!
Dennis K
Hopatcong no usa
NRA affects legislation involving guns. We need a strong lobby for people in chronic pain. A small percentage of patients get addicted ar overdose on prescription opioids responsibly prescribed. The rest knowingly and willingly abuse and get hooked
Sunni
Tennessee
Bluebird Tennessee April 8, 2018 11:22pm
I was diagnosed in 2003 with degenerative disc disease. The discs between my bones in my spine were almost gone. The doctor’s said I needed surgery on my lower back. I had the surgery and was in pain constantly…. It took many months to feel better. At that time,
I was prescribed Percocet and it worked for awhile. I, because of also having terrible Migraines, was put on Imatrex injections which, I gave to myself. At the time, I was only 50 years old. I was working 40 hours a week but, with all of this pain and Percocet was not working, I received disability. Have been on it for 15 years. Then, I was told by my PCP at the time to go to a Pain Clinic which, I did. They had me on Darvocet, Lortab, Fentanyl Patches which, had to be changed every 3 days, OxyContin and a few others. It’s a wonder that I didn’t die. There were many things that I don’t even remember back then. Any way, I ended up addicted to most of them and had to enter a rehab because of them! The withdrawals were awful!! I was in for just 10 days and then sent home. All of my withdrawals were at home and thank God, I have a husband who stood by me during all of this. I went to a Psychiatrist as the Psychiatrist at the hospital told me that I most likely would have to stay on an antianxiety medication for the rest of my life. Well, after I went through all of that, (it’s been 5 years) I went to a Dr. after I got out of the hospital and he became my PCP and told me that I would have to go to a pain clinic to get any pain pills. So, I went. I explained that I had MRI’s, surgery on my back and was in chronic pain. On a scale of 1-10, I was usually between an 8-9. I was given Lortab’s in the beginning and then Oxycodone 100 mg to take 4 times a day. I received my anxiety medicine from my PCP.. then one day, not too long ago. In fact, last year, I went to my pain clinic and was told that I would have to choose between my pain medication and my anxiety med. I needed both to function…. I was in pain constantly and in bed most of the time!! Then, the next time I went, I was told that they no longer took my Insurance and Medicare and I would no longer be given my Oxycodone. WHAT????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I thought “what am I going to do now?” I need my pain medicine!!! I went to my PCP and asked if he would prescribe me, along with my anxiety medicine, some strong pain medicine? By this time, I was diagnosed with Scoliosis in my spine. The pain just got worse. He told me that he couldn’t prescribe the pain medicine as he was not allowed by law to prescribe both and that the law had gotten pretty tight on pain medication lately. So, he could not help me. He said go to a pain clinic. I explained what the only pain clinic around had told me and that they no longer accepted my insurance. I told him, what am I supposed to do now? How dare the law take my pain medication away from me………. they do not know what I go through everyday! I explained that there are so many people such as myself that don’t abuse their pain medicine. That we all need it to function. It’s just the many that do abuse it, has caused us all to not have the pain medicines that we need to function on a daily basis or, to be able to live within our homes without pain…. ? I got no where and still today, I have nothing but Advil to try to deal with my chronic pain. That is a real JOKE!!!! We all need to contact our Senator’s and let them know that this law is not right, that those that do not abuse the pain medication, should have the right to have it and not have to SUFFER EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES……… THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW, OR WE MAY HAVE SOME SUCIDES BECAUSE OF THIS, AND THAT IS UNTHINKABLE. WHAT IF IT WERE YOU (SENATOR) IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS LAW. WOULDN’T BE RIGHT, WOULD IT. WE NEED THE LAW TO CHANGE NOW!!!
Sharon
New York
This is not living , its dying .
I have been through Hell and back having procedures and trials for stimulators and so on. You name it, I have tried it.THEY DON’T HELP ,so naturally , i stopped doing them. Why do you have to be put in more pain during procedures , and then end up with zero results ? I jumped through all the hoops to have my pain treated. i have been disabled for over 15 yrs.I am suffering
Always chose to lower my dose ,not increase it. I take Opioids for pain as directed. . Not to get high.My medical records prove i am not an addict . Several Drs over the yrs have noted , no drug seeking behavior. Always compliant . It saddens me that my country has turned it’s back on me and allowed me to be tortured by inflicting more physical and emotional pain that a person just can’t survive to long with. Untreated pain affects every aspect of your health. My health has gone downhill tremendously since i am in to much pain to improve it by being somewhat active to the best of my ability. I can’t contribute doing housework and cooking for my family because im in to much pain to focus. I feel drained because i can’t sleep due to pain. I am suffering . I need relief !!!What did i do to deserve any of this ??
Andrew
I’m permanently disabled, Seen the 3 top spinal surgeons in MD, they told me there is nothing can be done. I wet to acupuncture, waste of money since insurance will not cover & after 5 treatments the doctor said he is unable to help, got spinal injections only reaction was one time he jammed a needle in the wrong place in my spine which caused severe heart erythema, he had no nurse, oxygen, heart monitor, or even paddles. I found 1 place that has treated my permeant pain / chronic pain for 3 years, I’m able to some what live like a human not an invalid. Someone must explain to our government that the opium Epidemic” is 200% crap. the deaths are 98% heroin overdoses not regulated pain medications. DON’T WE HAVE THE RITE TO PAIN TREATMENT? for God Sake, death punishment injections have a large dose of pain medication so there is no pain then they get the lethal drug. We are treated worst then murderers. Problem is the heroin entering into our country, use the dam laws to stop it from common in, that is the job of the DEA, not communist control over doctors and patients seeking proper leangle treatment!
betty
Columbus, OH43221
It seems to be that we are only seeing one side of the opioid problem. Yes there are people who abuse this drug. What about the people who have chronic problems? I have a cousin in a wheel chair who broke his back and pelvis. He takes a lot of oxycodone just so he can function, eat, sleep, watch TV etc. Do I really care if he gets addicted? No. Without this drug he might as well be dead because every moment of his life will be pure hell. I have osteoporosis which affects my back; my brother has rheumatoid arthritis, and I can tell you that we will never recover from these diseases. There are no cures. We take a very minimal amount. We are being punished by these new laws for people who cannot and will not control themselves. If it were not opioids for these people it would be some other illegal drug. They have no self control. Where is the voice of the people who have chronic illnesses that cannot function any other way? I am sick of no one explaining that there is another side to this matter. Where is our voice?
tim
fla
Florida is where people retire. I’m 62 and have been in construction my whole life As of my last MRI I have 16+ bad disks in my back and neck, psoriatic arthritis in my joints back and neck with lots of bone spurs. After building America’s buildings my whole life and giving charity work many times in my life, where is the compassion? My doctor has handled my pain very well, till last week. Thanks for nothing, governor Scott, and I voted for you, too.
Tammy
FL
I am now unemployed due to not being able to handle the pain enough to work. I have fibromyalga, spinal stenosis, degenerative joint disease my hip has been replaced 3 times and on the second one I got MRSA in the joint and causing the need for the 3rd time. My good hip has arthritis in it, the doctor said is that of a 94 yr old. I am 52. 40 norco 10 last me a month and a half. I’ve been with the same doctor since 1994 and now I have to submitt a urine test to get my pain medication refilled. I need more than what I take but the doctor won’t increase them. I live with so much pain sometimes I feel like I would rather die than to continue on like this. I was always very active, I rode horses, motorcycle and would work out in the yard. Now I can’t even clean my house with out being down for days afterwards. So who are they helping with the new restrictions? No one. The ones who abuse them never got them legally to begin with. It’s just wrong. Now what do people like me do now! When the suicide rate increases in people like me who suffers from severe pain can’t get treated then what will they do? Make it illegal to obtain rope?
Kayla
Ms.
I was told that I can no longer receive the Ativan that I have taken for 32 years for Grand Mal Seizures and the Norco I have been taking for 10 years for the damage done to my left shoulder, hip, and knee before the right combination of medicine was found to control my seizures. I was put on disability because I could no longer walk the floors in the hospital where I was employed because of the pain in my hip and knee. If the people that did this think I would rather live off of $866 a month rather than $2500 just sitting here waiting to die they are wanting to get rid of people on disability so they can balance the budget . I will not be able to walk if they take my pain medicine and will have another heart attack that will be my last . Shame on all of you for not letting the Dr treat the patient as an individual with the rights given to them under the constitution . You people have no right to my medical records without my consent or to tell the Dr what I need.
i
DANIEL FOLTZ
MD
I mean really how do I live hold my head up I without being able to work. I have been through spinal fusion. With permanent nerve damage the doctor says it cannot be corrected. I do take a lot of pain medicine which is about to be ripped out from under me. When a man can’t work he is physically emotionally and mentally castrated how do I go on because of the responses of I have to suffer and lose my job. I find it for a responsible of the government to take a need your approach to a problem that has been caused bye them in the first place. Now I have to suffer. I am not a drug abuser I go to work everyday and pay my taxes. Because of the lack of pain medication I am able to get due to the Crackdown it is now 3 a.m. and I am up all night. How do I keep my job which is potentially a hundred thousand a year. When doctors are afraid to prescribe medication to help me and a pharmacist are afraid to fill it if the doctor writes it. Doctors that stick their neck out for me are and now being demonized. I guess what I’m saying is what about me
Charlotte Thomas
GA
I am an opiate user and I am in pain management. Along with other muscular problems, I recently broke my hip. I do not abuse my meds! Why do we have pain management if the government can’t trust the Dr’s to make decisions to help us lead productive lives.
Michelene
Baltimore,MD
I am a patient currently admitted in johns Hopkins Hospital. I cannot count the times before, but it has been 2 years since my last admission. My pain has usually been treated here effectively and in a timely manner. I’ve even been treated in the waiting areas with opioids. Those days are gone. I’ve been here 36 hours and have not received anything to address the pain that brought me here. As I sit looking at the blank dry-erase board that used to be the core of treatment and one of the nurses’ duties, I cannot help but notice the change. The board is all about pain. The pain we are in, what and when to take, and our goal is no longer in front of me just under the large dial-faced clock.
The dialog is different, with more security guards, more patient confrontations. Maybe that’s the idea: let the patients who visit the ER for the quick exam or whatever, then follow up with your primary care. I agree, but both patients and drs, played their parts, and reasonable expectations still existed. Sure the system had flaws, but it erred on the side of the Hippocratic Oath. Now in order to satisfy supposed public outcries, and overblown media hype, some legit patients will suffer, to look forward to the end maybe a little sooner. In the typical American urge to have our leaders in DC solve it, we get it and more. A deluge of supposed unforeseen problems will keep a lot of lawyers busy and make rich people richer and poor folks poorer.
Lonnie
Marseilles, IL
Please return our right to have pain medication that really works. I have chronic pain in almost every joint in my body and when rain is on the way I am in severe pain. Is there anyway to stop this governmental madness ? I just want to sleep good at night so I can work the next day. I am 70 years young and have to work. Let us who are in pain get the pain meds we need.
Robbie Lee
Texarakana TX
I don’t understand what they expect us to do who are in constant pain. I know of two friends who just gave up and took their own lives as apposed to fighting the doctors and insurance companies. I about to the same point myself, I don’t want to have to take the pain medication but what do you do when your bones and muscles hurt everyday of your life and all you can do is lay in the bed. Life is suppose to be living not just existing at least with pain medications I can get out of bed take a bath, clean my house, walk the dog…….I understand a few abuse their medication but that isn’t fair to punish all of us.
TIMMY
NEWYORK
kill my PAIN OR KILL THE PATIENT,,27 YRS DISABLED, FAILED FUSION LOW BACK SINCE SURGERY 1990 5 NEW HERNIATED DISCS, DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE, ARTHRITIS , WRIST FUSION ARTHRITIS , MIDDLE FINGER BASE KNUCKLE TO BE WORKED SURGERY FUSED THIS MONTH ,, NO MEDS, KILL THE PATIENT ,, WHERE’S THE BUS STOP,,LIKE TO STEP RIGHT OUT IN FRONT,,, DOCTOR ASSISTED SUCIDE PAINLESS, AND EASY WAY TO GO ,, OR AT THE HAND OF SOME ILLEAGLE LOT’S OF THEM AROUND
SANDRA L M
Arkansas
I agree society has been either working hard jobs for many years or have been in an accident we are being punished by what the president told the FDA to take our pain medicine from us because of some people wanting to abuse them. It is time we as pain medicine users to stop our horrible pain should unite as one, gather our names and our family and friends and sue the government for taking our patients’ rights to have a somewhat normal life, it is the only way we will get to live a normal life!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Josef Mengele
North Bay Ontario
I feel for you buddy…It’s really too bad these assholes with PhD’s in medicine didn’t. I love how they take an oath to help us in any way, not hurt us in any way, then they pull off this stunt.You know, this is going to blow up in their faces. And I neither care nor have any pity for them. I hope it fukin’ hurts bad for you knob gobblers. Things, if you asshole doctors experience some bad pain, would you deny yourself something that works? Don’t lie now, your conscience will get you. Oh, sorry, you’re all sociopathic narcissists, I forgot.
Brent
Norman
I’ve thought seriously about traveling to the CDC and blow my brains out in their head office. Just to show them what they are doing to patients with long term disabilities. I am disabled because I was almost killed in an auto wreck. Why I lived, God only knows. I was in the hospital one month in traction until I was able to leave on crutches. I then went through one year of rehabilitation before I was released back into the work force DISABLED. I’ve had a total of six surgeries. My pain is constant and has been for more than eight years now. I use to take 160mg pr/day of stabilizers and 180mg pr/day of straight pain medication. Now they want me to survive on only one hundred milligrams of med’s pr/day. I’ll be so glad to hear when these law makers are involved in an auto accident and they’re told they cannot have anymore pain med’s for the day because they have exceeded the daily legal amount. Then the joke will be on them. I’m not a drug seeker , I’m a broken body trying to be a real person again. I’ll never be the same, but it sure would be nice to be somewhat pain free and able to walk again. I don’t get a euphoric feeling when taking med’s just enough relief to function again. I still wake up in the night every two hours from pain, but without medicine I don’t sleep at all. When I do sleep its Only from exhaustion. Thanks CDC, FDA, ATF and Federal Government for saving my life from an overdose. I’ve never overdosed in the eight plus years that I was prescribed pain med’s. Passed every UA test and was faithful every month with my med’s. There should be an exception for the elderly and disabled like that of the cancer patients because it seems to be in the same classification to me. There should have been an alternate medication before making this judgement. Something in place of wat is being taken away. Physical therapy is not likely for me. I’ve rehabilitated as much as I can possibly be . This is as good as it gets. May God help us All !
Marilyn R
FL
I have an acute onset of severe back pain. Recent MRI showed 3 levels of severe lumbar disease with root nerve impingement. I went to a spine specialist after ER visit for acute onset of back pain and was told he does not prescribe for pain and that I would need to see my primary care doc. My primary doc tells me he cannot prescribe, as he has not taken the courses needed in the state of Florida to give anything other than Tramadol. I am not asking for pain meds for long term, only to get me through hopefully a few weeks of acute pain. Now I have to try to find a pain management doctor for acute pain. Something has to change. God help those with acute and chronic pain.
Joan K
I’ve been taking vicodin for many years. I have RA and degenerative disc disease and spine problems. My primary Dr just had me take a drug test. I am 78. I am terrified I won’t be able to get these drugs. If I do t take them I won’t be able to walk at all. As it is I use 2 canes to walk and it is a very slow walk. I lost my drivers license but that’s ok. I really didn’t think I should be driving and I couldn’t go anywhere because once I got there I couldn’t walk. I wonder why I had to take the drug test and who ordered it. My Drs name was on it but he knows me well and I hope he doesn’t think I selling drugs. I am having trouble sleeping just thinking if they stop prescribing the vicodin will I ever walk again. I am afraid I’ll wind up in a nursing home.
John
Ca
I was in construction in 1993, I fell 23 feet landing on my head. Since then, I was prescribed 50 vicodine ES (extra strength). Also went to physical therapy for 5 years. After following the pt religiously i was able to stop taking the pain meds. Due to injury I could only take a desk job. So after not working out and not continuing pt my pain returned so ofcourse my doctor started my on oxycontin which enabled me to carry on a normal life working, providing for my family etc.
Now, because of these guidelines my life has been turned upside down somthing has to be done i truly believe doctors have poor judgement prescribing narcotics to people who simply do not need it. As a matter of fact i think they are doing this to increase their financial gain also insuring patients will return and bring them more patients hence more money. Dont get me wrong im sure most doctors have enough smarts, experience to recognize this and only prescribe to patients that really need this type of pain meds. In my opinion, these money hungry doctors can be easily recognized and dealt with!! But to make people with ligitamate reasons to take pain meds is unbelievable and so far from common sense that I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. Thank you, victim of shallow minded
Gayle S.
escanaba mi 49829
We need to go to Washington to express ourselves.
Kitty
Texas
I AM A DOCTOR who has had lower back pain since I was in residency. My attending told me I needed to let him give me steroid injections in my sacroiliac joints. I lost all the power in my quadriceps and could only go up stairs on all fours, like a dog, for 8 months until the nerves recuperated from that injection. The TMB told me “We are taking all physicians licenses away and hopefully prison for those who do not do surgeries on their patients, and we don’t mean trigger point injections.” This is horrible.
Some patients have already gone through multiple mutilating surgeries in the hopes that it would relieve their pain but it only made the doctors richer, the patients poorer, and the patients more disabled. I personally ended up in that system. I had the spinal steroid injection which caused a permanent CSF leak, which caused a suction, which caused a Chiari which went from 3mm to 1.8 CM in 6 months. The doctor who did this to me told me my MRI was normal and I just needed 4 more procedures.
I was desperate to get rid of this ever-increasing and new onset of different debilitating brain freeze headaches. I had never had a headache in my life until this spinal injection. I went blind and and to have immediate Chiari decompression surgery which is even more mutilation to my body. Now I am left which chronic mastoiditis, neck pain, upper back pain, horrible mastoiditis pain, 24/7 headache, and ringing in both ears.
Because I am on pain medication they are now taking my license away and telling me I am an addict and impaired because of the surgery or because of the pain medication I take due to the forced surgery they made my doctor do on me first before giving me any pain relief or he would lose his license. There is no way to win. Now I am on pain medication I never wanted to be on but it is the only thing that works. I have tried acupuncture, massage, electronic stimulation, 10 steroid injections, 2 ablations, and of course the Chiari repair of sawing off large pieces of my skull and cervical vertebrae and even a piece of cow tissue sewed to my dura, and 4 unsuccessful blood patches.
I am broke, have been an ER doc for 13 years with no lawsuits, no sanction, no peer reviews, but now I am told I violated another rule by working not while on pain medication, but by taking them when not working and not turning in my license. So doctors can never be injured and if they are, by being forced to have mutilating surgery by the Texas Medical Board, then are not allowed to practice anymore. We doctors are not allowed to have our pain relieved after we are forced undergo unnecessary and painful surgeries per the rules of the Texas Medical Board.
They have impaired me, and now they want to prosecute me for being impaired. Even though I never took any narcotic before going to work they are accusing me of such. Even though I have pain, and I have tried all the lyrica, gabapentin (caused severe immediate swelling my hands and face) ibuprofen til my kidneys started to fail, and I had all of their required surgeries, they tell me I am an addict and I must not be on the pain medication which works. I asked them “what will you do for my pain?” They said nothing.
Over 17 years I never graduated from the 7.5 Vicoprofen which worked for me.
Until they forced me to have all of those surgeries. Now I have to be on a Fentanyl patch. I have lowered the dose on my own twice in the last year.
But still I am a sleazebag drug addict who should be prosecuted and sent to prison. If any of us gets in an auto accident or are forced to have surgery which impairs us, we are to blame, not the people who inflicted this on us.
Mitchell W
New Albany Mississippi 38652
This must be stopped and it will be! What they have in consideration is not the answer, if we share the consequences of this so must they and that will end this pretty much forced degradation the quality of life for those who suffer sincerely suffer in intolerable pain Prince suffering if it’s good for one it’s good for all that’s my view on it. Pass this on hold our politicians accountable make them suffer the same pain that we suffer and I guarantee you the policy will change! Williams New Albany Mississippi
Gayle S.
Escanaba, MI
Let’s march!
Kathy
Napa
We better hurry before we can’t walk
Mitchell W
New Albany Mississippi 38652
The problem is but all politicians and Rich folks are exempt from this policy and it probably will not change until all these politicians and Rich folks are Incorporated end of this policy and they are drug tested and receive the same treatment as us poor folks who suffer from severe chronic pain. Apparently these people are exempt from this policy and can and do get exactly what they need regardless of the policies they make.
Everyone call you Representatives revolt against this government policy and bring the truth to light! Let’s go to work if we’re still able, I know you’re willing just get it done! And stop all this BS! It’s going to take some action on our part and that is to hold these people accountable and subject to their own policies for their self and their own families what’s up with the same results as they prescribe for us. Sincerely God help us all amen.
Lee
Massachusetts
Let me know when. I’m with you all the way. It’s absolutely sinful what the government officials have done. They certainly didn’t research what it has done to those of us who don’t abuse medications. Some of the people need it just to function normal to carry on a life. It certainly is not understood by those who voted for these new laws. Plus we have a bunch of wimpy doctors who won’t stand up for their patients. It’s just a job to them and to the government officals who did this. Let them see how many of us are suffering now maybe they’ll care maybe not but, we’re a good portion of voters. That’s where we’ll see a big change soon.
William
SC
My wife has had debilitating extensive spinal stenosis, disc degeneration and cysts for years. Her condition has caused her to retire earlier than expected and she cannot sit down for any exiled periods of time without excruciating pain when she stands up. Having a serious automobile accident 3 years ago only exacerbated her pain. She gets periodic corticosteroid spinal injections that help for about 3 months, but she still needs the pain meds she has been on for years. She has finally found a neurosurgeon that she trusts to do a high risk spinal fusion in a couple of months that may or may not help her severest problem in the lumbar area. Hopefully, the surgery will help that one area, but there are no guarantees due to the severity of her spinal deterioration.
She has resisted being prescribed the stronger pain meds like OxyContin, but is in agony when she runs low on Percocet after having to take it more frequently during her worst episodes of pain due to sitting during auto/air travel of if she gets ill with the flu as she has recently. She is low on meds now and spends her days and nights in bed until the next prescription can be written. This is not living- it is just existing.
Now, the South Carolina Legislature is considering a bill to severely limit how many and how often opioids can be prescribed. They are not doctors and do not seem to consider the adverse ramifications this broad legislation will have on the legitimate chronic pain patients.
Please write the legislators in your state to write their laws with some flexibility for the chronic pain suffering patients who are not addicts, but depend on opioids to literally survive.
Gayle S.
Escanaba, MI
Let’s march!
Kathy
Napa, Calif
We better hurry while we can still walk. I’m 74 ,4 compression fractures of my lumbar spine. I have done everything to treat/ learn to deal with it. Just recently got my medical marijuana card. I am so old and broken down from the pain the pot just made me sooo sick with migraines. If my Norco is taken away I would be better off dead. I live alone and will be able to do nothing. Why would anyone want to live like that. I would rather be dead. Could that be the accidental overdose everyone is worried about.
Helen
I just had this conversation with my partner. Doctors, people with primo health insurance or people with money such as my millionaire s.i. l. , will always get what they want. 20 yrs. ago I had a young doctor who liked to talk, just as I did. He admitted that they pick and choose who will get what treatment, the truth is, older people who have money, connections or the best government insurance(working for the state or local) will always win out and those who don’t will suffer in pain till death. He told me, “people have to die.” The doctor knows where each of us stands in line.
Marie
MA
I am having the same problem in MA. I have kidney stone disease and disc problems along with chronic arthritis. I’m starting to feel that the medical society has changed the course of how doctors are caring for their patients. I also had a fracture of my thumb all the way to my wrist. Without x-ray the ER tried to tell me it was fine and bent my fingers and wrist. I screamed so loud that I startled the doctors who then sent me to x-ray, which confirmed a fractured thumb and wrist. I had a cast put on and was told to go to the hospital to orthopedics, who then told me the ER was wrong, that nothing was fractured. I told the doctor to view my x-ray. He told me it wasn’t good quality and couldn’t read it. I ended up with a shot for tendonitis in my fractured wrist. Something is terribly wrong. I’ve decided to pray on a daily basis, since there is no other relief in sight. God help all of us. I’m a 68 year-old woman also.
Mitchell W
New Albany Mississippi
If we are denied so should they be let’s make it happen!
micheal
Michigan
I am suffering…I don’t know what to do….I just want to curl up in a ball and just die!
I was born with a bone disease called Legg Calve Perthe’s Disease with Gaucher’s Syndrome. I have had over 13 hip surgeries on both left and right hips. I am also suffering with two knee failures and will need to have to knee replacements. I also have neuropathy, and early stages of sensory polyneuropathy (pins, needles, numbing) and suffer from sciatic nerve pain from having so many surgeries, along with a progressive drop foot on the right side, and i also suffer from chronic charlie horses and cramps nightly while sleeping in both my thighs. I am in constant pain everyday of my life.
I have learned to tolerate my pain all my life…the human body can only handle so much pain…15 years ago my orthopedic surgeon put me on percocet to help me deal with my chronic pain. I have never abused my medications, always passed a drug test when asked, I never asked for early refills, or come up with any types of accuses for getting medications. I WAS A LOW RISK FOR OPIOID ABUSE….I had no mental problems, no depression, no suicidal thoughts nothing….I was able to function and live my life. I was able to work…I was in shape…I was able to do more things i could normally not do. Since the laws changed last year my Orthopedic Doctor said to all his patients in a letter…didn’t speak with patients one on one…which I find very cowardice. Just send a letter, say bye, you figure this out…good luck…
So, I found a neurology clinic and pain management center rolled into one…great…right! Wrong…
I called them on the phone and said look this is my what my orthopedic surgeon said, so i need someone to manage my pain medications. great come in and we will help you. Wrong!….
First off, the doctor said your orthopedic surgeon was giving me to much medicine…he shouldn’t have given you this much medicine….I started getting frustrated…a little heated under the skin..first off, you don’t know my doctor who is very well respected in his field, and you don’t know our patient re pore…15 years…to start right off the bat at attacking my doctor was wrong…dead wrong…then she challenged my doctor on my sciatica nerve damage and my drop foot, she didn’t believe that I had such a problem after 13 hip surgeries and 2 hip dislocations. on top of my other problems…strike two….then, she proceeded to tell me this is what you are going to do, in order to get what i give you. and if i didn’t follow what she planned, then i was not going to get medications. now….
she ordered:
pee test $400.00 in office monthly x 12 months $4,800.00
EMG $3,500.00 In office x 1 equals $3,500.00
Physiological Evaluation $1,500.00 in office/ plus follow ups monthly $500.00= $7,500.00
Bio feed back $125.00 per session in office with up to two visits per week or once a week= $12,000.00
physical therapy 2 x weekly $200.00= $9,600.00
Doctors Fee: $800.00 Monthly =$9,600.00
Doctor Screw Up Script Fee: $500.00 for another doctor to rewrite a error script.
That’s $47,500.00 a year now for just pain medications…Who is now taking advantage of the system. wow! add it all up…see a pattern here…all in house making them how much….off patients….who suffer…..
BEFORE IT ONLY COST ME 1 YEARLY VISIT TO MY ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON FOR $350.00 AND IT INCLUDED MY DOCTOR VISIT, X-RAYS, AND BLOOD WORK.
NOW,
This doctor reduced me to 2 percocets per day, and 2 morphine 10mg tablets per day….it wasn’t working and i brought that up to her on my second visit….I said i hurt….its not helping me.
then, it was 2 percocets per day and 2 15mg morphine tablets per day…. again i was having break through pain….but I noticed i was becoming catatonic on the morphine…I was so tired, I was so exhausted, I didn’t want to do anything, I was crashing, I was awake then I was asleep just like that….It sucks….I went back to the doctor and I couldn’t tell her how I felt because she wanted me off everything period…I just shut my mouth….I did tell her the break through pain was not being taken care of…I just wanted to have what I had…she said no, she said I can take it all away, right now…I said I need my medications, like i have to beg her for my life….for Gods Sake. so instead of giving me more of percocet she upped my fricken morphine…I felt like this doctor really just wants to kill me….she isn’t listening to me….so now,
I’m on 2 percocets per day and now 3 15mg morphine ER per day….I hate this, I hate this morphine…I hate that this doctor wont listen to me….
4 months into her seeing me….she finally stabbed in the heart, gut, the back, hacked off my legs, and cut my throat….
She said to me…this is our last visit. I said to here frankly…what…I was stunned…she said to me, I can’t help you any longer. my job is done…I said, you are here to manage my pain, she no…I was here to diagnose your pain…and I completed the task at hand…Now you need to find a pain management specialist to take over your care….my heart dropped to the floor…I started to cry…i was in disbelief…I said I came here as I was told this was a pain management clinic….She yes we are but for those who are suffering from brain, or severe neurological disorders. I said are you kidding me…I have been here 4 months for you to sit there and say you were here to test me to see if I am telling you the truth…. she looked away….and looked her computer for a few moments…just nothing but dead silence…then what she said…just made me sick to my bones…
she said “it was my goal to take you completely off your medications”. I said why…I am in chronic pain, she said ” I want you to SUFFER to Tolerate my Pain Completely on My OWN”….I wanted to puke….I was so angry, I was so Pissed off at her….I bit my tongue…I took my last scripts…and I walked out…I went to my car and I just broke down and I just cried my heart out…..
I have never done anything wrong, I never abused my medications, I always passed my drug tests, I never had mental issues, or any problem to be treated like this.
so here, I am pondering on what to do….I’m in panic mode….crisis Mode…..I set up an appointment with another pain clinic and got treated even worse…
the doctor told me to shut up…everything my last doctor gave me…is all Void…..he told me take it or leave it..follow his plan or get nothing……I walked out of the clinic…I took nothing from him…I looked him in the face and said how dare you….I have 15 years of medical records and you don’t even care to look at my medical history, you don’t care to here what bothers me. You don’t even care enough to know what I have done, what I have been through….I said don’t you tell me to shut up, you don’t wanna hear me talk…who the hell are you to treat a patient like this. What is this world coming to?
micheal
and this is being paid by Medicare and Medicaid…….
Cassandra B
nj
I am in NJ having same problem. Thanks to our gov. I can’t even get my Ultram I have been on it for 10 years, before they even called it a narcotic. I jjust took the last one. I go to the orth dr tommyrot if he does refill the script, I am in trouble. I don’t have a new PCP. Not till next week/ this is insane. I have to stop taking my insulin cause it makes my nerophy worst. I am getting blood sugar levels of 400. which is bad, but what do I do? I ask medical proff. and they don’t know. what do have to do to prove I am not and addict. what I am gonna print out my 10 year history with the same phar. Maybe
micheal
Michigan
plus, I went from 185 pounds to 250 pounds in 5 months, I don’t work anymore, I am totally and permanently disabled, and i’m physically going down, I try and push myself as much as I can. I don’t want sympathy, I want action, I want change, I am tired of seeing people like me and people like all of you suffering. It has to change…before it gets beyond chaos, and suffering people start ending there lives over bureaucratic bull crap. The evidence shows its not patients that cause overdose death. Even the CDC states that. it has to start at the grassroots….
D1cd1c
Portland OR
It looks as though this so -called war on drugs is simply a war on statistics, heartlessly lowering the number of opioid deaths in exchange for an increase in deaths by suicide of chronic pain sufferers. Way to demonstrate small government, politicians, not doctors are in control.
Yet another attrocity perpetrated against the masses.
Michael
Texas
Just as always the govt. thinks it can run our lives, but they cannot even run the country! I have had 5 back operations, 5 on my neck, 4 on right shoulder, 2 on right knee, and I am still told by doctors I need both shoulders replaced! With out my pain meds I would be in a place I do not want to go–a rest home. Each person deserves the right to live as good a life as possible, so I beg the CDC to let us live in peace and get the medicine we need! I wish I had the ability to let them live a week in my condition, and I believe they would be a little more compassionate and understand what we go thru every day, hour and minute of a day in our lives!
Steve
ARIZONA
This is outrageous. It’s just another way for government to control. LEGALIZE FREEDOM!!!!! This has gone too far, ruining the lives of people who are doing it the right way. Why is it people haven’t been dying from this years before, but now that heroin is everywhere it’s the pills causing the problem. What a joke. I’m in so much pain. What is this going to do to the suicide rate? I truly don’t know how much more I can take.
Anthony
Raleigh, NC
Unfortunately, I’ve had to resort to buying 5mg hydrocodone off the street and through friends. I cannot believe I have to go through this humiliation. My doctor sent me to a pain clinic who charged me an exorbitant amount of money and wanted to give me shots on my spine. I said that Hydrocodone 5 mg is a source of relief for me but they said “Oh, no,” as if I was asking for Heroin (which is easier to get BTW). I have a great deal of pain from arthritis and two accidents, and in the winte I am in pain most days. What can I do at this point?
Steve
Necada
I’m a chronic pain patient and i’ve been using opiods, under a doctor’s care, for over 20 years without any problem. Opiods have made it possible for me to have a happy, productive life and with this new law I’m facing a very painful future. The positive side of the opiod story NEVER gets told.. Not even the doctors are talking about the good that opiods do. Everyone is so worried about the addicts and the doctors but what about those of us who need the opiods for pain and are being completely left out of the debate. I thought that as a country, we’d already learned the lessons of prohibition but apparently not. Finally, how ironic is it that the same politicians who told us for 50 years that marijuana was bad, are now saying marijuana is OK and it’s really the opoids that are bad.
Robert
TX
I am 54 year’s old i have survived 2 aortic graf surgerys they have left me with Chronic chest pain. Pain rasires my blood presure & puts stress on the graf till it may rupsure. Iv have been on methadone for nearly 10 yrs. Was told by my doctors a lone time ago that i would have to be on pain meds for the rest of my life because i did not want to be on pain killer.i have never ever ask tge doctor for extra i alway have more pill than i sould, because i onky take it when im Actually in pain. But now i’m being told by my insurance company that the medicine that they have been paying for now Requires a Prior Authorisation before they will pay for it. They say that the laws changed o jan 1 2018. What i want to know is why my doctor was never informed about this because i spoke to my doc about the changes when i was at my appointment. Seems to me that the CDC can find some other way to deal with the pill mills without putting the law abiding citizens that have to take these drugs for a Quality of life in Unnecessary pain & stress, they already have enough to worry about to have to worry about where am i going to get the medical treatment that they need. Pain will drive u to do thing you never thought you would do. All this denial of medicine is going to do is drive them to get it somewhere else therefore driving up the demand for illegal drug trafficking which is what i think the CDC is trying to stop, but they can’t do it on the backs of PAIN MEDICATION PATIENTS it will just push them to get them from Ilegal Sources.
Tammy
Gulf Breeze, Florida
I am 57 yrs. old. Was in a bad accident in 1996. I walked off a loft with no railing, fell 11 feet onto a slate floor. Broke my neck, back, L/femur, cracked my L/hip in 2 places & dislocated my joints. I am disabled 100%. I was (was is the key word) a bartender in New Orleans for my career as an adult. (No More) I’ve had back fusions, neck fusions, injections in spine. I own a brace, walker, wheelchair(for bad days) & walk with a cane almost always. Also can’t go in a Walmart & walk around the entire store, must use electric cart.
In 2016, doctor did a second discogram on my spine. (1st one was right before back surgery in 2001) He was wondering why NO injections were working at all. He found out in the discogram! I have No cartilage between 2 vertebrae above lumbar fusions & No cartilage in 2 vertebrae below lumbar fusions. So that means I have bone-on-bone grinding in my lumbar spine & moving further up my spine. Now of course I went to the neurosurgeon who did my previous back & neck surgeries, like my pain mgr. suggested. (needed more fusions). But now I AM A HIGH RISK Category!! Not only did my neurosurgeon refused to touch me, I also went & saw the top (head) neurosurgeon at Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. He concurred with my neurosurgeon in NW Florida: I am a high risk & patient. Not only would he not do the surgery, he would not advise this surgery to happen! So where does that leave me? I’ll tell you: in severe chronic pain.
Numerous other problems have developed since 2016, like, both hips throbbing, Sciatica, R/knee stiffens, swollen ankles, my back is in continuous pain & spasms! The ONLY thing that helps take the edge off so I can function are my narcotic pain meds!!! Please! Don’t want to be name called, aka; pill abuser (I don’t abuse my meds) addict/junkie (I don’t feel as if I’m a junkie if they are for medical only purposes only) So now you read my story ~~ where should people like me &get help? On a street corner? back ally? a dealer? Or thru the management of a doctor of Pain Management??? I choose Pain Management Doctor!
Barnabas
North Carolina
I am a Vietnam Era US Navy veteran. When I first began receiving care from the VA in 2008 was the first time I had been close to pain free for the first time in 15 years. I was first prescribed Codeine and its many forms. Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Oxycontin. After 2 years I became allergic to any form of codeine based pain meds. I was the prescribed morphine and was then fully pain free for the first time. My body began adapting to morphine and began a long term immunity to morphine at the original does. Eventually I was on 2 different morphine prescriptions. I was an immediate release and the other a time released. The immunity continued and eventually was on 150mg of morphine per day. Even at that high dosing I was beginning to be in pain again. My pain began as a botched surgery from a workmans comp injury. I didn’t receive and PT or proper recovery time. I still had to work to support my family. I continually re injured the same place so many times that I had so much scar tissue that another surgery was out of the question. NO one who hasn’t had chronic pain can fully realize how much it affects your quality of life and those around you.
As a Vietnam veteran pain meds were prescribed to returning vets and there wasn’t any type of epidemic. The Middle East war against ISIS is a horror for vets so much s0o that there personality changes. They can’t get the images out of their minds. If they were injured they were prescribed pain meds just like any other war except the war against ISIS is unlike any other warfare experience. I have friends who have come back and they are not the same people because of what they have seen and been subjected to.
Now all of the sudden there is an made up epidemic to stop veterans from getting the pain meds they need to have any type of quality of life. These vets are not treated on an individual case by case study. Instead we are all having our pain meds taken away with no recourse other than going the way of illegal drugs. If your blood work or urine show these drugs the VA doctors will not prescribe pain meds to you at all. The supposed “accidental” overdoses has been blown out of proportion and there are very many veterans and civilians suffering. Chronic pain causes very poor quality of life and affects all the people around you. If you haven’t experienced chronic debilitating pain you cannot know what it is like to live this day in day out. I propose that these accidental overdoses are not accidents but intentional because of both the pain and the horror filled memories. I propose this question; how does the medical examiner determine if the death was accidental or on purpose? The only thing the ME could find in an autopsy is the level of drugs in the dead person’s body.
Having been on pain meds for chronic pain for nearly 20 years, your body eventually develops tolerances the the drugs. I became allergic to all of the codeine meds and was prescribed morphine. Morphine worked great until I began to become tolerant so the dose was increased. Then the fake/false flag epidemic arose. I went from 150mg per day to half that. My body is addicted to morphine but is doesn’t do a thing for the pain. Missing one day is a horrible experience. My VA doctor will not prescribe any other pain meds even though there are other alternatives. The medical profession makes money by prescribing medications. They get kickbacks from the drug companies while their patients are used as guinea pigs.
I have been subject to this personally. Both by my primary doctor and my shrink. The psych drugs really messed me up. My personality changed. I ended up in the VA hospital because my sodium level dropped so low that I was near death. The VA doctors made me go through withdrawals from every medication I was on. I lost over 2 weeks of memory. That was 2015 and just in the last month have I began to feel like my old self. The pain is still there. In my knee, in my groin and in may back. The morphine I take does nothing for the pain and the VA doesn’t offer any type of alternative. The only thing that could be done would be if all the vets that have had their pain meds reduced or stopped would be to pull together and get an attorney and sue the VA for malpractice.
Cherie
SC - South Carolina
Below is a summary of a note I sent my new primary care doctor after being denied acceptance into 2 pain clinics into SC, upon my arrival home after 2 years of being away taking care of my mother. The summary should explain my situation. Dr. Pickney was very concerned and offered on December 27, 2017, to make an expedited referral into a nearby pain program. I have heard nothing yet. I came into the state from my previous pain clinic with a month supply. One pain clinic that rejected me sent me out with a 3 week supply. I am now down to 1 one week, no pain care or treatment. Facing surgery. I have put another call into my primary to find out what can I do?
This is the worst set back I have been in, in 40 years of scoliosis, and I am finding it hard to wrap my mind around what is happening with pain management. I have a clean record, no history of addiction, never abused my medications, or took them not as prescribed. I cannot get any help for pain management this in the last 2 months. The future of this is not equal to a little discomfort to me. it could equal death as I am already having chest pains from the pain I am in, and it most certainly will equal a bedridden lifestyle of no longer being able to walk or lift my neck, being packed in ice, daily from the pain. I just lived this, Sept. -Nov. when the FDA pulled the OPANA ER and offered no replacement.
Please help our governor, understand that all people that use pain medicine are not addicts. Some of us are young, chronic pain sufferers who use medicine as prescribed and need it to have some quality of life. Much like any other lifelong disease. I will never get better, only worse, and I know my days are numbered in a wheelchair soon. I watched 2 of my first cousins head there and die early deaths from complications. I always considered myself Blessed. I do not know what I am going to do next week. The future seems pretty bleak.
IN SUMMARY:
My spine is fused T1-S1, due to severe scoliosis. It runs in my family. My first fusion was at the age of 13, in 1977. I was told I was cured after 4 years of Stryker frame, body casts, and Boston braces. I had 15 good years. With a sudden onset, the rods failed in 1994, at the age of 30. This was followed by years of Thyroid Cancer, Epstein Barr, Heart Failure, Frozen shoulder, migraines, Pancreatitis, 2 more spinal fusions, and a spinal implant, etc. explained above. It has been over 23 years since the rods first failed. There is now a broken plate screw at L5/S1 (inoperable), my left foot and part of right fell asleep.
During the summer of 2017, I underwent the worst cervical set-back in 40 years of scoliosis. It presented as a severe migraine that would not go away. Dr. Kelliher, Neurology, prescribed prednisone over a 2 week period. When the migraine lifted it was clear that there was serious cervical pain. I could not hold my neck up during periods of the day, dropping things with my hands, baby finger, ring finger numbness, pressure in the back of my throat, right side, whooping cough at times. The prednisone created symptoms of chest pains, high blood pressure, tachycardia, and irregular heartbeats.
I grew up in MA. My job introduced me to the south. After developing flat back and the rods failing, I could no longer do the winter sports that I enjoyed, so as soon as I could tolerate the move, I moved towards warmer weather for my back. I have had my townhome for 15 years. My mother has been very ill for 6 years. In between my health issues, and surgeries, I go and stay with her to help her in any way I can. This last summer she went into heart, kidney failure combined with a blood infection. She was near death in August. This was going on at the same time as my neck and migraine.
Sept, 1, 2017 the FDA pulled the pain medicine that had kept me stable for 5 years, OPANA ER, permanently with no replacement. While I cared for my mother the, North Shore Pain Clinic, Lahey Cardiology, and Dr. Kelliher, neurology helped me work through several pain medication options. My mother recovered and returned home in a weakened state. I was given a warning, by her primary that each of my mother’s setbacks leaves her weaker and the doctor was not sure if she would survive another setback. After 2 difficult months of changing medications several times, my doctors told me that I had to go home, hire help for mom, and tend to my spine. Cardiology said that the chest pains will not subside until the neck is stable. The chest pains worsened and I was put in a heart monitor for a month. The readings reflected the stress of the pain.
On Nov. 28th, I left mom in the care of aids to get the help and rest I needed in SC. My first week home the left leg gave out. I missed the last two steps of my staircase and had a bad fall. About 2 days after the flight I began getting head rushes going up and down the stairs, as well as bending over. MUSC cardiology saw me last week and made some med changes.
I have an appointment with my surgeon, neurology, cardiology, but no pain management.
The one area I need the most help with.
Thank you for listening, and caring, Sincerely, and with Gods will Be done, Cherie
Cherie
K. Lynn
Peoria, Il
I was prescribed Vicodin after all the other pain meds did not help me. I was afraid of Vicodin but my Dr. assured me that if I was taking it for my pain, not to worry. I was taking 10/325 every 6 to 8 hours and it helped tremendously. I was able to work, function and finally had my life back. After all this came to light, my Dr. sent me to a pain clinic who doesn’t believe in using narcotic drugs and they are weaning me off. I also took Lorazapam for anxiety. The combination helped me and my life finally was better.
I am not doing well, my pain is horrible and my anxiety is 10 times worse. I am 65 years old, never abused them, never asked for more and now I’m being punished because of others who abused these drugs. If my quality of life is living on the couch and not wanting to do anything then what is my life worth? Nothing, I can’t help people, I can’t work, I can’t enjoy my Grandson, I can’t do any thing that I used to do so what’s the alternative? I don’t want to live if I can’t enjoy what life has to offer.
It’s really sad that Dr’s. are just taking our meds away without a thought of what we are supposed to do. They could’nt care less that they have taken away our quality of life. This is so wrong for those of us who NEVER abused or asked for more. I had a life that was worth living and soon I’ll have a life that is worthless.
Charlotte
nj
This is the most outrageous law yet, I’m very fortunate not to be in any pain but I feel so sorry for all the people suffering chronic pain, they are not drug abusers they need this medication to function not to get high, they must be feeling so depressed and worried about the future, we should all support them and picket and demonstrate the powers that be to change this despicable new law. I find it ironic that the Gov. of NJ is in fact obviously a food addict, perhaps we should limit him to five meals a week, so happy to have a new Gov.
Carrie
Northeaster NC
I don’t know what to think. I have fibromyalgia probably diagnosed 10 years ago but have had it for at least 30 years. Really bad. I have three slipped discs in my neck causing severe headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Plus many, many, many bone spurs coming down my neck and curving in around my face. Both of my SA joints in my back are bad. I have osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, CFS, CPS, endometriosis and more.
I just don’t understand why they don’t arrest all the drug dealers who are selling to everyone. No, let’s just kill out all the disabled and elderly, right? I just don’t get it. I need my pain meds to live a halfway normal life. The rest of my opioids will be cut off in a couple weeks. I will be bedridden and have no life. I have tried all the things that they have offered including physical therapy four or five times. Makes thing worse. I do my stretching and some yoga as I can and go to the Y and try to exercise in the water. How can I do this with no meds? I have tried everything except acupuncture, and I don’t think that will be covered by insurance. If it was I would try it.
My husband and I are poor. He is severely disable as well. Massage helped when we were both working but $100.00 an hour or more on one social security disability check is not happening. About the DBT deal: I am not going say it will not help with depression but don’t see how it will make my pain go away. Insurance will probably not ever pay for that. So what do we do? I have only been on pain meds for about four years. The same doctor that gave them to me is taking them away. I never take more than I am supposed to, never share or abuse, and am a very responsible person. I am about as straight as an arrow there is. I love helping people the best I can. I love just walking up to a person and saying “Hi,how are you?” Holding the door for someone in worse shape than me. Helping a hungry person not be hungry for a day. Giving special hugs to a young one who needs it so much. So much of my philosophy is to get up get out bed and help others. I can’t do that in bed.
Michael L. A.
CA
Government legislation, historically, has often become a breeding ground for the abuse of power. The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) of the 1960s that closed the doors to the severely mentally ill from access to long term in-patient treatment is one example. Strangely enough, public outcry was minimal on the matter, leaving the most vulnerable members of our society without long-term care, or, more importantly, representation. Ever wonder what happened to ALL our country’s long-term mental institutions? Well, today, if you are severely mentally ill you’ll have to commit a felony to get long-term care, because all of them are now under your state’s Dept. of Corrections!
Terry Graedon
The LPS appears to be California legislation. Here is a decades-old article from the LA times assessing the effects:
http://articles.latimes.com/1987-03-22/opinion/op-14759_1_mental-health
Bob
The Edge
I can tell you what I will do when I can’t take it anymore, which is getting close. Since the VA is the one responsible for leaving me in pain (oh, thank you for your service, now go kill yourself, that VA) I have concluded that I will remove my brain from my skull and scatter my gray matter on the walls of the VA. Yep, they can’t help me but they’ll get to clean up the mess.
Jessica L
SC
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your service. I find it truly disgusting that a dedicated and injured soldier such as yourself would even begin to be treated like this!
I DO completely understand life with chronic pain. I also know that defeated feeling that you also appear to be having. This concerns me, as one human being to another.
I feel you. I also have and sometimes DO have these exact same feelings because of a life with pain. I am reaching out because your words, because of these feelings, worry me. I don’t know you personally, Bob, but what I DO know is that I love you, nonetheless. I wish to connect with you because I absolutely know what you are going thru, and I hope to maybe offer other solutions; and that despite the misery that chronic pain causes (and it DOES!), deciding to further punish ourselves and/or our family because of this lousy treatment is unfortunately not going to hurt ANYBODY but ourselves. I DO understand. I PROMISE you that!!
I recentlly hurt nobody but myself when I made the decision to walk out of my local hospital at the beginning of December. I was SO poorly treated because of the fact that I am ALSO a chronic pain patient. I have Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, in addition to a host of OTHER fun and interesting genetic and chronic issues. I will not bore you, lol. Anyway, at the beginning of December, the hospitalist went beyond even the low level of respect that we are already getting, and openly accused me of insisting on IV meds, as opposed to oral meds, because, and I quote “I am attempting to become euphoric”. Are you kidding me?! I left against AMA not long after that. Worse, I am assuming that he put SOMETHING to that affect also in my personal file at the hospital. Despite a 9/10 in severe abdominal pain and extreme nausea and vomitting (back in the ER less than 4 hours of discharging myself!), the ONLY pain relief that I was offered was a 5/325 percocet. Historically, for the level of pain that I am in when I finally suck it up and go to the ER, it takes a MINIMUM of 4 mg of dilaudid, plus IV Phenergan, to make the pain and nausea even bearable. Plus, even IF I could hold the tablet down, with my medication history (10/325×4/day) a single 5 mg tablet does NOTHING. Additionally, how was I supposed to even hold it down. Didn’t concern the nurse at all. Her response to that question was “well, if you throw it up, you aren’t getting another”. Seriously? I just got over another 3 day episode last night. I am terrified at the thought of the next time I have to go, and know that it is only a matter of time.
I also have severe depression. Not to say that you do too. More to imply that I know all too well the thoughts and even motivation to commit suicide. I refuse to give into those feelings, more so because my only brother, also named Bob(by), and also a vet, did so in 2008. It brought home, very harshly, just HOW MUCH it hurts family when a member decides that suicide is EVER better than fighting to live. I am not angry with my brother. I just miss him terribly, and so wish that there was some indication that that was going to happen, so that I could have done anything to prevent it!!
I hope that I didn’t bring you down. My intention were just to show some humanity, love, and appreciation, so that MAYBE you know that you are not alone, screaming out into the abyss. That there really is someone out there that is paying attention! You are totally not alone! Feel free to reply, Bob. Sending you positive energy and healing vibes!
Truly,
Jessica
Lisa
Ft. Worth, TX
I am 66 yrs. old. During my late 40’s, I began having pain in different areas of my body. It felt like I had injured myself. For a few months, I couldn’t hardly turn my head because my neck hurt SO bad. I had no insurance and couldn’t afford an MRI, so I got an X-Ray. Nothing was found. I later had severe pain in my right shoulder. I got steroid injections twice. The 1st seemed to help some. After the 2nd, there was no relief. I got the money together and had an MRI. Nothing found. , Orthopedic doctor was clueless. These types of pain got worse and more frequent until I could no longer get out of bed without help from my husband.
I ended up finding a doctor who knew how to diagnose fibromyalgia. But he wouldn’t prescribe hydrocodone for more than 30 days, saying I’d be in rehab within 6 months. That was the only relief I’d ever gotten. I tried massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupressure, acupuncture. I then found an MD who believed what good is life if you can’t live it. I’ve tried EVERYTHING over the years. I’ve been on it for nearly 20 years with no issues. It gave me back my life. Now, the CDC is taking it away again. My doctor is retiring soon and I am desperately trying (with his help) to find a way to stay on it. I doubt I’ll be able to live much longer if I have to go back to the prison I was in for so long. Thank you, CDC.
Melissa
MS
I am being totally cut off from taking Morphine after taking it for 10 plus years. I have always done everything I was ask to do like drug testing never failed a test. I have never abused my medication now I am being labeled as a drug addict due to all the new laws.
What do I do now, just suffer in pain ?? Stay in bed and wait to die I guess ?? They don’t give a rats A— what your life will be like, it’s really sad that people that have been on some types of drugs for Decades and has done nothing wrong are being labeled now !! It is the worse nightmare I have ever been in.
I am scared to death now every waking minute of the day and night. I can’t sleep from all of the mess and nobody truly cares !!! I was put on these type of drugs by Doctors who I thought cared and now I’m being threw away like a piece of garbage without a 2nd thought.
I should have written why I was put on them to begin with. I have MRI’s and having soo many things to write and don’t know how to even spell most of the words. I have multiply bulging disk in my back, nerve damage like I said lots of other things I couldn’t began on how to spell nor write. Also I have a bunch of bulging in my neck the worst 1’s being on C5 &C6 which affects my back all the way down my spine. It also gives me so much pain in both my arms, hands, and shoulders.
I have been told by several different Specialty Doctors in my state and even out of state I went to for 2nd opinion yrs ago and every Doctor has told me the same thing, there’s nothing that can be done for you except treat you with medicine (always been some type of strong narcotic) And now recently after the Doctor I have been with over 8 or 9 yrs had someone in his office to call me to tell me he was not going to write me anymore prescriptions for my pain meds. I just had saw him like less than a week before and I don’t understand at all why he didn’t talk to me about it when I was there ?? Like really you have someone in your office to call and tell me ??? I even called him a friend, my Husband also has even always called him by his 1st name, has also used him for countless yrs. Besides him my children even I have close family members and friends that I have told them about what a kind and caring Dr. he was that they also have started seeing him now for many many years. My point I guess I am making is I never thought in a million Yrs. he would have done this to me.
I am just so totally upset that what do I do now ? Another thing I must say is not 1 time was I told by my Dr. that he was just going to stop writing my prescriptions so I could have at least be working on weening myself down. That is another thing I am just furious about as well. I totally understand there are people that are out there getting these types of meds that are using them for no reason but to get high or what I have heard even sell. But that is not me along with so many other people that truly have true pain and need the meds to be able to get even up out of bed and function somewhat. Totally extremely upset about all of the mess the DEA (or whoever has made all of this happen).
Bonnie
TN
My 81 year old husband fell down the basement stairs to a concrete floor and broke bones in his neck, arm and hip. He was unable to get to a phone and laid there for 6 hrs until I got home from work. He has had back problems his entire life but stayed away from the pain meds until this happened and he was left with no other alternative.
He did every treatment they suggested from steroid injections to acupuncture but nothing gave him relief. He started taking the pain meds 18 mos. ago but now the PM Doctor has stopped writing opioids so her referred us to another PM doctor and after 4 months they shut down. I can’t believe that they would leave an 81 yr old to suffer to the point of crying in agony because they are trying to stop abuse.
He never abused the drugs and in fact some days only took 1 instead of the 4 prescribed. Where do you go to protest this horrible injustice?
Kathy
Austin
I have. Been going to a pain management doctor for 8 years after being sent there for herniated disc, degenerative back issues which I have dealt with for more than 25 years, and now none Spurs in hops and neck. He prescribed hydrocodone and then after a bad fall on my back 40mg per day of oxycodone. I tried injections, I got numerous MRIs, physical therapy, went to a hip doctor who said I was too young for a hip replacement and so on. I have taken gaboentin, ibuprofen, a sticky cream, used ice, down stretches, and nothing helps me as much as the icy which wasn’t much. He was always fine prescribing this until this year. My mom and dad passed away from cancer within a year and a half of each other. I was prescribed Zoloft and an increase in lorazepam which the clinic could see. I have nothing to hide.
After a difficult divorce and becoming an emp nester on top of dealing with ongoing pain I went back to teaching after my dad died. I was his caretaker. It was very very hard on me. When I went to my normal pain management appointment I was literally told by the PA that I needed to immediately choose between getting medicine for my anxiety or for my physical pain. I told her the anxiety medicine was temporary and my psychiatrist wanted to talk to them about it. They did not want to talk to him. My next apiointment was with the doctor himself who I had used for years and freely prescribed these meds. He understood my lifestyle as a teacher was difficult to take of for various shots and to try new things that required sedation and insurance approval. This was very time consuming and I am now completely alone. However, this time he talked to me he reduced the pain meds to 30 mg a day and wanted to do all kinds of procedures and burn nerves that I just didn’t have time for with my new job. Not to mention the money. He said to me whether I reduce anti anxiety meds or not it was not if he would stop the pain meds but when. He completely changed his position and treatment only because of cdc. I wasn’t abusing them and urine tests were fine. He just said he wanted to stop prescribing them after he’s the one who recommended them in the first place for me to know they work. I agreed to the reduction but he said he would stop it completely soon with no other alternative except shots and more shots. It is my problem if it’s hard for me to take off work.
Needless to say my anxiety is now through the roof. I got another MRI and he said my back is much worse. Hmmm much worse but cutting back pain meds. It makes absolutely no sense. I’m not even taking much. I mostly take ibuprofen but the meds help me function at my job by relieving pain and relaxing my muscles without making me sleepy. I’m so upset he’s done this to me. I wish he never would have advocated this treatment to just take it away at my most vulnerable time. And no, I still can’t take off a lot of work. The P.A. actually said this was an excuse to not get shots or lay down and rest when it’s hurting bad! What is wrong with these people. I am currently more anxious and in more pain than ever before. Thank you CDC. You’ve made me feel helpless in my own treatment. I don’t know how much of this I can handle but it’s getting worse all the time.
Sandi
Birmingham Alabama
I had my bladder removed at age 35 due to a disease called interstitial cystitis. The disease destroyed my bladder. The surgery occurred only after years of treatments, procedures and experimental drugs failed. The pain that I experienced with the disease–extreme pressure, burning and an inability to function–continued after my bladder was removed. My urologist sent me to a pain clinic that was of the opinion that quality of life meant something. For over 26 years I was able to at least raise my two children as a single mother. I was put on a high amount of opioids to allow this to occur. I NEVER (and my records show this) abused, overused or misused my prescriptions.
Now I’m being told that the university affiliated pain clinic on which I depend is under so much pressure by the CDC to conform, that they are becoming a NON-NARCOTIC FACILITY. I was handed a list of pain clinics in my city and told to look into them, and to talk to my urologist about having palliative care.
The possibility of returning to the pain and suffering that I had brings unbelievable FEAR into my life. The idea that the answer to abuse is to make opioids just go away is ludicrous. I know I’m just one of millions who are feeling EXACTLY as I feel. Help us.
Don
IL
26 surgeries, an active member of AA, NA, CA, OA and Alanon. Over 32 years of Sobriety. Disabled, however I volunteer 4 days a week to feed the needy. I am very in tune to the ASAM American Society of Addictive Medications. I am very familiar with ADDICTION, abuse and the dangers of OPIOIDS. I am 63 years old and have have taken pain medication for 50 of the 63 years. After some severe spinal reconstruction I was on an obscene amount of oxy. I knew when it was time for me to come off. I educated the pain clinic on addiction and the behavioral health on pain. The two need to come together. However they will not until the insurance company pays them to. So because of my honesty and my awareness of my body I can no longer get any pain meds. I have blown out the disc above and below the fusions. I live in extreme pain and would much rather live with meds. I have 9 grandchildren that have been ignored because I can not function enough to get to see them. THANKS DEA! You are just another corrupt agency in the World of Corruption known as the USA. I have no doubt that any of your family gets all the medication they need.
Julie
Ohio
Severe arthritis, advanced degenerative disc disease, spurs on my spine, arthritis in my hands and feet and knees at the age of 53. Was on Vicadin for the bad bad days I couldn’t function or get out of bed, and was able to live a semi normal life. Now, the big Govt has taken away what little hope I had of being able to cope.
It’s not right that they can let us cry ourselves to sleep only to be awake again another hour or so because we hurt so dam bad. This is sheer cruelty. What has happened to humanity to let so much suffering go on. Time to vote these people out that have made the laws that devastate what little quality of life we had left.
Scooter
oregon
Opioids have been used for over two thousand years for pain relief. They are very safe when used responsibly and not abused. If our govt is going to take them away from those who need them, they should be mandated to supply us with an equally effective medication. There are currently no other medications that work as well or better. DEA can kiss my _______.
Lisa
AMEN!! What happened to doctor/patient confidentiality? I’m 66 yrs. old. I have severe fibromyalgia. How many of us have been examined by a CDC “physician”? I’m beginning to hate some of the departments that have been created or given more power to the country I’ve loved since I became an adult. I need pain meds to live a somewhat “normal” life. I am like so many others on here who can’t believe what is happening to us! I don’t blame any political party. I blame the citizens who have screamed loud and often enough to change the law and the regulations. If they haven’t lived it, they have NO right to demand changes. Ask the victims of chronic pain.
Robert S.
Maryland
I have had over a dozen spine surgeries. It began with degenerative disc disease and ended up with herniated discs and failed back surgery syndrome. I have been in severe pain for over 15 years and on opioid pain medications for that amount of time. I have had countless injections and even nerve ablation. The pain medication is the only way I can get out of bed and lead anything resembling a normal life.
I have been on disability for this time and don’t know what I would do if not for my wife. Before being prescribed the pain medications I was contemplating suicide on a daily basis. I have already had to reduce my pain medication and if my pain doctor takes me off of the pain meds I don’t know what I will do. I can’t live with the pain I have without my pain meds.
I have never abused or sold my medicine and I know that the other pain patients that go to my pain clinic have debilitating pain too. This is the most uncaring, heartless, and ill conceived attempt to fix a problem as I have ever seen or heard of. This so-called solution is going to do a lot more harm than good. There will be an increase in alcohol and illegal drug use while doing nothing to solve the opioid problem. The government has made the mistake of lumping heroin overdoses with pain medicine overdoses. Also, the real problem is the easy availability of cheap heroin.
Reasonable guidelines can be presented to physicians and other pain management providers without ruining the lives of patients who suffer enough without the over-reaching arm of government agencies.
Crystal J B
FL
I have been in pain for 6 months with a severe prolapsed bladder. I need surgery, but all the surgical centers here are booked for a long time. I am trying to get help, have been to 3 gynecologists and am waiting for a pain management doctor. It is so bad I have to go to the hospital a couple of times a week to get anything for pain. This is beyond ridiculous.
KAtharine
DE
I have had numerous surgeries, especially on my neck, back and shoulder.My MD has prescribed hydrocodone for over 12 years and it enabled me to have much less pain. Now, she has taken it away and my quality of life has plummeted. It is so difficult to get through a day now…I was able to do so much before. I still do certain exercises.
But without the meds I feel completely trapped. I cannot travel, go for long walks with my dog, or enjoy my granddaughter. Lying in bed is not my idea of quality of life. It does not seem fair to those of us who have never abused pain meds. I cannot smoke pot (I Don’t like it)! Often, I just wish I could go to sleep and not wake up.
Tina
You know I do believe these people who are controlling our futures because of one reason or another will feel our pain when they die, after all they chose this field of employment to control others in some way. The reason I say this is because I have died three times from heart attacks and once from a staph infection.
When I died I had to go threw a series of emotions reflecting my life’s experiences. The pain, the glory and each second lasted a lifetime of emotions… “Exaggerated to the fullest feeling a mind could ever emagine”! Mind boggling emotions that leave you feeling a raindrop on the ground. When I was going threw the feelings of how my friends might have felt when I pulled my friends pigtail (because I was a child at that time), not only did I feel her pain, I also felt her embarrassment and every emotion that “she” felt entirely.
How can a few seconds pass where we feel the pain and joy of our entire life’s history? This can only happen in an alternating universe and I know without a doubt the people In charge of our outcome will feel this universe and it may never end for them because I came back when I died, I did live threw my infection.
How can you teach these things to a 4 year old child, you can’t and I know because of this experience that it was real. This is the honest Gods truth, I fear for these people because they will have many pains from many people at their judgement. What did they do when the people were hurting?
Nea
California
The CDC needs to realize that limiting the necessary drugs for pain is what usually leads to heroin addiction. Since the CDC has applied these new rules I have seen a surge in heroin abuse in my area. Every single time I ask a heroin addict how they became addicted they tell me their doctor disco tinier their needed pain treatment.
The CDC KNOWS that some people, after long term use of opiates, are no longer capable of producing the necessary natural pain hormones without treatment. Its no different than telling diabetics or heart patients that their meds will be stopped. This is a crisis…and the lack of available pain treatment is indeed killing people because when your in enough pain you will try ANYTHING to relieve that pain!
daun
springfield mo
I was an opoid user. Seems the Veterans Administration is booting us to the curbs with no real help. Gabapentin the dangerous drug is what they now are giving out by the handsful ,to any like me who suffer chronic pain. My deadly psoriatic arthritis and 7 auto immune diseases, fibromyalgia and on and on goes my list will not ever improve to points. I do not need pain medicines.
I have been to so much therpay I could teach a class. I do a special diet due to prolapsed colon growing into my pelvic bone a second time and am living life jus t short of bags and tubes. . And I need this so called abused. Hydrocodone, if I expect to ever leave my couch n heating pad/bankets! Pure criminal is what it is to let DEA decide anything for the patients. Doctors should stand up and help us.
I have written many of my state representatives. Of course falls on deaf ears! Suicide rates will go up tremendously , even if drug abuse in any small way goes down. I know I dont hand my medicines down to any street type users. I need each and every one. I used to be prescribed.
Frances
Five years ago, I went to my doctor with back pain that I thought limust be kidney stones. It wasn’t. It is osteoarthritis in my lower back. He referred me to a pain specialist who put me on Nucynta and Tramadol. They took care of the pain but I didn’t like the side effects that stole energy and motivation from me. So when the specialist mentioned that injections might help, I was thrilled.
I saw an anaesthesiologist who, after some trial injections, managed to reduce my meds by over a third. So when this doctor said his practice was moving out of the pain center to his own location, I happily went with him. And all was well for several months until I showed up for my 3 months appointment and another doctor told me my doctor was on a sabbatical. And, oh yeah, the partner didn’t do the type of injections the my doctor had been doing to me.
I told that doctor that, had I known he was planning a sabbatical, I would never have left the pain center where I had originally been receiving the injections, and that I was quite angry at this unprofessional treatment! Which is when he told me the truth, that my doctor had been suspended for improper infection control practices and had infected nine people with staphylococcus bacteria!
And just like that, I was back on my full meds. Three years later I did find another anaesthesiologist to administer injections but he never found the sweet spot and I couldn’t get any relief with him. And here we are in 2017 and despite the fact that I have never abused my meds and have only ever followed the prescription and despite the fact that my meds are nowhere near the strength of OxyContin or codone, I have just been informed that my dosage has been reduced to one third what I was receiving and my only alternative is Medical Marijuana which is not covered by insurance.
I am sickened and shocked that a government that is not in a third world country nor is it a dictatorship, would make such a devastating law. There is also an obesity problem in North America. Are they going to reduce everybodys food? I can’t believe I’m being treated like this. How does this general law fit in with “First do no harm”???
Sharon
Indiana
I am so angry and depressed all in the same breath. The people that are making the rules have probably never been in pain. The people in this country make mistake after mistake, in my opinion. I have been on pain meds for 20 years. I’ve tried all the alternatives. I have had more shots in my spine, legs, arm, neck then I can count. The only ones that helped were in my elbow. I have been to PT 3 x, chiropractor, and nothing helped. I was told I would be on pain meds the rest of my life. I believe there will be more suicides, and the drug dealers will get rich. People will turn to herion or meth. I don’t know how long I will be able to take the pain. My meds are the only thing that gives me any quality of life at all, now that is being taken away. MEDS only for 3 days after surgery!! Who are these people making these choices for all of us? There has to be a better way. Doctors got us all into this mess, now the only ones getting punished are the patients. Should have educated people more. Maybe they want us all to die, the elderly. I agree the drugs are out of hand, but you never hear anyone talking about the heroin problem anymore. What is being done about that? You can buy booze easily, and it has killed thousands, but that is ok, I guess. Sorry so long, I will stop now. No one cares anyhow.
Jackie
Michigan
I agree with most of these comments: the CDC,DEA, and govt. have initiated a bigger mess than was already recoginized. QUALITY OF LIFE: without it, what’s the purpose? If you have children/family, and friends and go from even limited interaction to non exisistent interaction or even worse become a burden or more of a burden to them, how’s that fair to them? Govt./doctors have NOTHING IN PLACE TO HELP any of these patients to deal with the PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL ramifications of stopping opiate pain relief pretty much suddenly.
Most people are not aware that years and years of use actually changes the chemcial makeup in your brain, now not only dealing with unimaginable pain, add mental isssues as well. What realistic change do the innnocent have? Addicts will be addicts and get what they want/need. Innocent people just trying to make the most of what life has left them to deal with are suffering horribly under these new laws. I strongly feel the addiction rate and overdose rate will ultimately increase, as some will choose to become criminals or addicts just to survive. Sadly, suicide will ultimately increase also. I almost feel it’s government/society’s way of “weeding out the weak” in a cruel attemept to not have to take care of the “weaker, non essential people” in their eyes. Totally unfair.
Ann
Pa
I go to a pain management center, and with the new laws I now must think of getting a pain pump. My husband cannot even get pain relief for end stage liver disease because he will be getting a marijauna card for his seizures, and because of the seizures he cannot take tramadol. What can you do??? But SUFFER!
Christopher
Peoria, IL
I fractured my C2 in three different places in a car wreck 21 years ago. I have been in constant pain ever since. Luckily I was in my early twenties when the wreck happened and just being young and healthy helped. As I have aged though the pain has gotten progressively worse. I didn’t have health insurance for the first 13 years after the wreck either so I just had to live with it. When I finally got health insurance and started getting things checked out, the doctors tried all kinds of different treatments for my neck and head pain. All the while the pain was getting worse. I have had injections in the C2 area, physical therapy, acupuncture, massages, a number of holistic approaches, i have been prescribed Vicodin, Percocet, and other pain meds.
Nothing gave me any lasting relief, until 7 years ago I was put on Tramadol. This has been the only thing that has worked. For the first time in 20 plus years I have been pain free. I have also held a job for the first time in my life, another side benefit of not being in constant pain. The Drs just took me off Tramadol a couple weeks ago. Pain has been terrible again. They put me on Gabapentin but that made me so drowsy that I should not have been driving and quickly quit taking those. I am back to square one for pain again. I feel sorry for the people around me, being in pain and dealing with people all day are not a good combination.
Christopher
Ohio
My wife has had many surgeries and constant pain in her feet. She can’t stand due to back and knee surgery. She can’t get up without a cane or assistance. She needs two more surgeries, her back and another knee. I’ve taken her to many pain specialists. They do not help her. She has been left to suffer. Her son is a former heroin addict. I asked why her started heroin. He said couldn’t get pain pills any more. He’s got chronic pain also. The people that are stopping pain medication need to go through a few days that people with chronic pain go through, and I’ll bet they would change their minds real fast! It’s not all the doctors’ fault because they have their hands tied. All the years they go through to become a doctor, I think they know a little more than government.
daniel
texas hill country
I have been under doctor’s care since 2002 for degenerative disk cervical area and 2 knee replacements. Bone-on-bone shoulders will be next. I am an ex-automotive mechanic, manual laborer, and all round handyman. Have had 40 yrs. of this, maybe more. Am now 61 and told from Express Scripts and Medicare, who have been covering the OxyContin and hydrocodone for breakthrough, that, because we had to change our insurance provider, Express Scripts won’t offer that coverage after Jan. 31. It would cost me $1,000.00 per month supply for the 12- hr. time release. I am on Medicare Disability and, under the DEA signed agreement, have had mandatory drug screen and blood tests with no failure, to my knowledge. What are we to do after Dec. 31?
elizia
Pa
Wow…this is an EPIDEMIC!! But this isn’t an opiate epidemic, as the states,CDC,DEA,and government say in their huge mainstream media headlines. The epidemic, if at all one, is how this BS and selective reporting are fooling the people into thinking that they, the government, CDC, and DEA, are cracking the whip. In all actuality, they are cruely punishing those of us who deal with pain and can actually function with a controlled regimen of many trials and combos, to find what bests fits their chemical composition and works for their bodies.
In addition: Here in Pennsylvania many pharmacies started their own policies to allow only 10 day supplies of certain drugs. OK, that’s not a big deal. I can function, as I am sure many of the others out there do who use the medicine as prescribed and don’t sell,abuse, etc. But now for doctors to just cut one off. That’s cruel.
Here is the real epidemic: The media isn’t reporting that since November the number of overdoses here in Pennsylvania have more than tripled. Why? I assume that the pills prescribed are not available like before. Open your eyes!!
This effects us true pain patients who want to live the quality of life we once knew, but the control and the fear have taken it’s toll. I say no more.
George
hell
Cannot live with the pain they are leaving me in! Life on my back in agony is not life; it’s torture. The addicts causing this will just find something else to overdose on!
Noel
S.C.
I have been suffering from pain lower back for 20 years,tried injections and physical therapy,tens with no luck. My Doctor put me on meds and now with the new DEA rule no more pain meds.I will have to go on disability.I cannot work without pain reduction. If that happens I will loose my home I have two small children I cannot run around with.I really feel sick to my stomach thinking about this.I just don’t think I can take the pain anymore.
tony
california mountains
Had to start over, I was starting to whine. I am a bit frustrated though.
Emphysema, asthma, migraines, arthritis large and small joints, spinal spurs throughout, diabetes neuropathy, a semi healed broken back, scoliosis, just a few.
Prescribed 3 ibuprofen per week, 20 tramadol 50 mg per 30 days if they refill it.
They ask me if I am depressed or have depressing thoughts.
Chronic pain class, what a joke, I didn’t stub my toe or skin my knee.
I ask them if it is their policy to have people that are dying to be in excessive pain every day, all day?
They sent me to life sciences, a nice name for “if we think it would be best for you, then we will withhold treatment so that you will die”. No, I do not believe in suicide, or giving you permission to decide when to kill me.
I was prescribed opiates for more than fifteen years, maybe twenty, and never became addicted. Am I supposed to become a criminal or hunt down a pill doctor so I can enjoy my family in my final days? It hurts me when I see their faces, I try to not wince or jerk in pain. I am not as strong as i used to be.
I will freely give my blood a couple times a month, randomly, so it can be noted that I am not taking more, or using for purposes other than reducing my pain level.
Andrea
New Jersey
Instead of deaths caused by opiate overdoses, there will be more deaths from suicide, a point that has clearly been made in other comments.
The government has no business intruding on the doctor-patient relationship.
The concept of cruel and unusual punishment comes to mind. I wonder how many of our lawmakers know what it is like to be in chronic or acute pain, or how many of them are buying drugs illegally.
Look at the model of Portugal where no drug is under government control. Drug abuse went down. Our representatives are not medically educated and have no business telling physicians what they cannot or can do. The American Medical Association needs to step up and confront Congress on this issue.
Who benefits? The criminal underworld. Stop voting for elected officials who have no compassion. We are not a free country.
Debby
California
I have been reading these posts for hours. Today I have gotten what will probably be my last RX for the hydrocodone that had managed my pain, gotten me out of a full-time life in a recliner and helped me to lose some weight.
I had to laugh (in anger, but not anger about your comment) at the suggestion that the AMA step up and do something. It is the AMA that sent all doctors notice that they should stop prescribing opioid pain meds to all patients. I have been paying out of pocket for my own meds for months since my insurance has been allowed to discontinue paying for them. That wasn’t enough, though. Now I can’t even get the prescription. While writing this last prescription for me, seeing that I was somewhat distraught, my doctor’s fear and discomfort writing my RX was palpable. “First Do No Harm” has been totally replaced with “Do whatever the government tells you to do or else risk losing your medical license”! Suicide rates WILL, unfortunately, go up, and they won’t be accidental. What is left when what little quality of life you had is taken away?
Brandi
Marquette, MI
I recently broke my collar bone and it is excruciating. But, because of the new rules I got #20 pills and they said that that was a very bad break, not needing surgery, just let it heal for about 8-12 weeks, don’t use it and don’t lift your arm above your shoulder (dominant arm). I live alone and cant even wash my hair or wash a dish, let alone empty the garbage can without help. Take Tylenol they say, that doesn’t help, take motrin, I can’t take that I’ve had stomach surgery and it would cause a bleeding ulcer. Ok, now what? Suffer? I guess! I don’t know what to do or where to go PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Beardog
Chicago IL
Incredible short sighted. What happens with habitual drug addicts? They move on to herion or other very dangerous drugs. They will be dead within a year.
How about responsible patients who are in chronic pain and take daily pain meds to function normally. These people (including me) have a few options:
1. Do nothing and suffer medium to extreme pain daily. Dont want to get out of bed.
2. Suicide
3. Find street drugs – probably herion. Then overdose on heroin and die.
4. Try other pain reduction activities/methods:
4a) yoga
4b) meditation
4c) physical therapy
4d) OTC pain relievers
All totally ineffective for chronic pain and expensive.
Melissa
Muskogee,ok
I was in a car wreck where we roll 3 and 1/2 times I broke my C2 my C4 all of the small bones in my neck the bones to my ears crushed my forehead in my nose broke my T4 in my T5 broke ribs I have brain damage from the car wreck I agree with several other people that if they take these narcotics away from us that are honestly being true to the use we pass our test when they drug test us these people are just going to go to a different drug I know a lady here in town that runs around trying to buy narcotics from people she has OD’d several times they’ve done nothing about her Oding so yes I think they’re going to end up just going to crank heroine different kind of drugs to get their high and I do not think it’s fair to those of us that are in severe pain and muscle spasms and things like that
Jess
Grand forks nd
I ended up with nerve damage from a surgery been going to mayo clinic they want to try a Neuro stimulator and a pain management doc closer in the mean time and even tho I. Working close with mayo the doc at the pain management in fargo nd told me to find a different doc because my insurance wouldn’t pay for the stimulator so as a result I have to live in pain and have no quality of life because of the people that dont need the medications are abusing them and we are the ones that suffer the ones that need them to function to go about there daily lives
Lacy J E
UTAH
I have been on pain meds and anxity meds or 15 years and now I’m told I can’t have my anxiety meds if i want some pain meds so i guess all be going crazy with out my anxiety meds and taking my pain meds away I can’t function with out them so I might as well be dead.
Peggy
Illinois
My husband has SFN chronic pain with nerves trying to regenerate and pinging causing pain constantly. He is not a drug addict but paying the price for the abusers and politicians trying to prove a point. Without his prescription pain medicine he may think life just isn’t worth living. I hope the CDC and government know that they will have many peoples’ lives on their conscience. It will be their fault if anything happens to our loved ones. This is a travesty that any one in this day and age would have to go without medication that could help with their pain just because of heroin users. Please everyone ban together and fight for our loved ones who should not have to live the rest of their life in pain. God help us all.
mario
Fairfield Ohio
I am blind, as well as, old. The spine surgery that was supposed to relive my symptoms, made them worse. Now, I face taking pain meds for my remaining years. Why would I even care about addiction, when the alternative is so much worse.
Toni
Saylorsburg, PA
In 2008 I herniated S1, L4, L5 while caring for my 2 and 4 yr old granddaughters during their mom’s, my daughter’s deployment. The pain was horrific. I had been taking 800 mg ibuprofen 4-6 times a day, and it wrecked my stomach making it unable for me to tolerate it any longer. I finally found a pain mgmt that gave me 15mg morphine 2x daily and 7.5 percoset 3x. It wasn’t helping so it was increased to 30mg morphine and 10 mg percoset, but really still not helping. I did the 3 spinal injections which failed. We moved to another state upon her return, and that doctor gave me 50mcg Fentanyl, and the percoset remained the same. I now had L2 herniate and mild spinal stenosis. I moved again back to home state, and that doctor left the Fentanyl the same but changed my breakthrough med to 15mg oxy 4x a day. I was “finally” functional, and then the insurance (state) was no longer accepted so I had to find another doctor who, you know, is going to change things. Fentanyl stayed the same but I was put back to 5mg. percoset 3x and was back in pain. He wanted me to have trigger point injections that just made matters worse. Then he had me do RFA, and my pain increased so much that he gave me my 15mg but only 3x back.
As time moved along I went from mild stenosis to severe. S1, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 all herniated along with T12 and 13. I am constantly requesting help with my pain so increase the Fentanyl to 75, not making much difference and then to 100 which actually was working for a while but I couldn’t sleep due to pain and was begging for an additional oxy. Is that addictive behavior? Now the CDC sticks their face in and it’s back to Fentanyl 75 and my oxy is cut to 2 and 1/2 pills daily. I am spending most of my time in bed. I sit up nights rocking from the pain and crying, feeling helpless. Then in Sept he wanted me to participate in a trial for a spinal stimulator, and I agreed. Worst decision of my life. It was placed in my back on a Fri, and it was the labor day weekend. The probes moved and I was stuck in horrific pain until Tues. When I went in to my doctor to have it removed he said “Oh yeah, it moved.” But NO help with my pain increase and I told him I took additional meds that cut me short for the month. I “thought” he’d help me by prescribing a lower dose to compensate for the ones I “had” to take to get through that weekend. But NO. I told him had I gone to the ER “they” would have given me at least 20 5mg percoset that I could have tripled to meet the doses I was missing, but no reply. I feel like doctors are detached from their patients and it’s all about the money. Due to this stimulator moving I developed new pain points, and 2 months later the injection sites have bumps that hurt like hell.
Doctors need to take a stand against the CDC and insurance companies and start taking care of their patients. After all WHO is the doctor? I have an appointment today, and I am actually afraid I will be dismissed for giving my point of view and DEMANDING that my pain be managed. It is so out of control I have been vomiting. I cannot live this way. I have even told them that I researched the states that feel Degenerative Disk Disease qualifies as a request for euthanasia. If I don’t get the help I need to live a functional life and get out of this bed. I may just have to relocate. I have written to the CDC and the governor of my state with NO REPLY. What are those who never abused their meds supposed to do now? I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to live like this either. I am falling into depression and then they wonder WHY. They need to leave Pain Management Centers Alone when it comes to the necessary medications for their patents!!!
QUEENIE
yes continued thoughts these drug addicts will still get there drugs while the people in severe pain have to do without these people that are taking our meds are not even drs and don’t know nothing about severe and Disabling chronic pain all they know is that they want to get the drugs off the street and to stop people from dying which is great but taking away our meds is not going to stop these people from getting there drugs they will still be getting heron and other illegal drugs to get there high while the people that need there meds have to go without they are punishing everyone for the people that are using illegal which they will continue to do so there has got to be some middle ground to go by.
QUEENIE
CINTI,OHIO
Thank you, I have had 31 abdominal surgeries in 41 years have been on pain pills for about 20 of those years in between, surgeries I had a lot of tumors removed and a lot of surgeries for adhesions, in 2004 I had carcinoid cancer, and before being diagnosed, lived with severe pain for 6 or so years plus I have chronic back problems with deteriorating disk, I cannot believe, that these people should or could be allowed to take away mine and other people’s pain medication without just cause, in my case ,and a lot of other people living in severe pain, which only opioids help, have tried other, meds and different therapies that don’t help at all, so please reconsider, and give us back our life, what we have left to live. Thank you, queenie in cinti.
Beardog
Any Punctuation would help read your post. Took me 4 attempts to understand your message. Sorry, not trying to be mean.
Kay
Texas
I think the pain is preventing proper writing. I am telling everyone if we do not get out and speak with our local representatives, State, and even Congress this is going to be catastrophic. I also want to say I see you all writing this but why are we not marching and rolling in our wheelchairs to make this fair. I adhere to all I am required to. My doctor promised he would not turn on me no matter what. He has made his money, and now he is going to Mumbai, knowing as a pain specialist how much this will affect me and everyone else.
It is ok to destroy your liver, kill people drinking, and many other very bad things that come with the abuse of alcohol every day, and they do nothing. I know if they did a survey it would not be close about what causes the most deaths and damage, yet you can go for a drink anytime anywhere. It is a shame that our doctors are so worried about the money that they will not bring this to the attention of all who are forcing us to become criminals like Prohibition did. Dr. Oz said the same words I am speaking and he said an addict will just go elsewhere to get what they want. They can and know how to do it. I know if the public saw the stats on drinking and taking prescribed medication for severe pain in a responsible manner everyone would be shocked at the number of deaths caused by legal drinking, not opioids.
I thought this was the land of the free, and we cannot even get free as possible of the pain. No one understands unless they have been through it. I have been on pain meds since 1991 because of Vascular Collagen Disease/lupus, scoliosis, stenosis, L5s1 gone, and arthritis so bad I cannot walk without pain meds. I will have to do something or I will not make it, and I did not even cry when having 2 girls in natural childbirth.
I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy except long enough for them to understand we are not playing around. I have never gotten high or misused my medication in over 25 years. This is what no one of these people is getting a record of. Get out, and make your local pain group start writing and calling and going to Washington to threaten to get these people out of office. Don’t just lie around and take it.
I will speak out. Just let me know, and we will do it. My doctor told me we are the only people that can convince all of our unnecessary ordeal and how it is controlling us, not the other way. Speak before it is just too late. Please …
stacey
Louisiana
I think this is punishing people who legitimately need these pain meds. I had bad case of bronchopneumonia right after the CDC rescheduled hydrocodone. All the docs and pharmacists went coo-coo after this happened. I coughed so bad for 2 months straight. They would not prescribe me anything for it. Was told to go over the counter which I did. I tried everything from Robitussin and Delsym to home remedies. What happened was I ended up with a torn intercostal rib cage muscle and a herniated disc at C4 in my neck as a direct result of the constant coughing plus months of physical therapy to deal with that. This absolutely sucks for the people who really need it. And telling people who have things like wisdom teeth taken out to take Ibuprofen is ridiculous. My threshold for pain is very low and I would have felt like blowing my brains out if I did not have my 2 days of pain meds after having that done. Might as well go back to the Middle Ages and torture devices.
John
Mississippi
l thank that. A drug person is only going for the next high. No stopping that. But D.E.A. Is stopping people that use it by the rules and are monitored by Dr. that has proff of why they need it. Vary sadly. These people have to suffer cause of a drug person. That’s only going for a new high. Good luck. DEA. And look out world. A drug addiction will find other ways. It’s ok to stop the over dosing. But thank of the one that needs to be able to live life with some relief of pain. This world is so thoughtless and no prayer no more are compassion. My legs hurt so bad. Maybe the Dr. can chop it off then. Are DEA. Hum.
Ann
Valpo, IN
I am an RN for 15 years. I am unable to work due to osteoporosis and wedge compression fx to Lumbar spine, L1, L2 and L3 healed wrong. I have a back brace, rolling walker and cane. My MD is so frustrated because she wants to help but due to our government (Trump) she can’t. I am on Tramadol HCL 50 mg 2 times a day. It does not work. I have to take 3 sometimes and no results and then I am short. I have severe pain walking, standing sitting and now lying down. I used to have some minimal relief lying down. Not now. As a nurse, I feel for many who are in severe pain. I think it is cruel to not provide relief. Esp cancer pts,whom I have taken care of. It is CRUEL. You are right, people will get it off the streets. It is not fair to the rest of us who have lagitamate pain. I have a Dr. appt for each time I need to refill Tramadol, really. I know my MD and the pharmacy are tired of this. Thanks for letting me vent.
Carol
Wenell
I am disabled 1-2 oxycodone a day because l broke my neck, five vertebrae and have three fusions which cause nonstop neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy in the back of my neck. My shoulder is broken and pinned and l have osteoarthritis in both hips and lower lumbar and knees. I take chlonazapam and have done for 20+ years for anxiety, panic and insomnia.
Now, I have to choose between them. I have tried several other sleep medication including belsomra with no affect. So no sleep or worsened pain, just great. No sleep means worse pain. This is because of some new law that should be evaluated case by case imo. I am sire thete are abusers but l am not one to deprive me of what l need to be able to live the small amount l can is wrong, wrong and wringer.. where on earth do you turn???
Linda
San Antonio, Texas
I have MS and have to take pain medication. Only when it is severe! I don’t abuse it. I try hard to handle the pain. But what is this going to do to the people who actually need the medication? I have to say this is very worrisome!
My husband also have severe pain. Had Stem Cell’s in his knees but doesn’t seem like it has helpe. His back, Knees, Neck is so severe. Had surgery on his knee and it’s bone on bone. We are Senior citizens and we don’t abuse our pain medication.
So I just wonder how this is going to effect us.
Linda N.
New York
I was taking Tramadol for over 12 years for arthritis and other pain issues until I had to change my doctor. My new doctor refused to renew my prescription because of this furor over opioid addictions. In an attempt to show her I was not addicted I agreed.
Four months later (and after many days of pain) I asked again for a refill and still she refused. I cannot take any aspirin based meds because I am on a blood thinner for a heart condition. She suggested an anti-seizure medication! REALLY?
Isn’t this a bit of an over-reaction? I was and am not addicted to Tramadol and it should be allowed. I am convinced that Tramadol does not promote a chemical dependency yet it is lumped in with the other addictive drugs.
Carol
OH
For Chronic pain folks, who don’t get addicted, take low doses for years and never increase how many they take, these new laws are horrific.
I read in the news articles this will NOT affect chronic pain folks, but that is who it is affecting.
They are making us SUFFER!!!!!!!
Also they are scaring the doctors, this is NUTZ!!!!!!!!
I guess they want the chronic pain depression to set in so we will all start committing suicide. Then the feds will say, oh look the usage of these drugs are down. That’s because we will all die off!!!!!
These laws are the most crazy thing. These drug abusers will find a new drug and where does it leave us? SUFFERING FOR NO REASON!!!!!
SHAME ON WHOEVER’S BRIGHT IDEA THIS WAS. YOU HAVE SET OFF A WHOLE NEW ISSUE OF PROBLEMS, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!
Renee
NJ
I said the samething have to get us off the meds. and they do lie stop looking at the PC and hear me they don’t care we are only a #### I had so many records and they came back so fast my hubby said they did not copy them came back to fast !
Stacy
Colorado
I agree! I’d die too without my pain meds. I frightened about the future of pain management. I even had recent surgery and the surgeon did not prescribe me any pain meds! He told me to just take Ibuprofen! What is going on?!?!?
Even after painful surgeries, doctors still refuse to prescribe pain meds. This needs to stop NOW! And these docs need to remember the Hypocratic Oathe they swore on and help people. Not hurt or harm people.
Renee
N.J
Need to be very careful who we vote for well we all know the U.S is not anymore!1 When someone can get you in the white house I can’t stand it anymore !
Renee
N.J
Tis the pot they want to move who can afford it ???? They want to push that on us make a lot of money I don’t trust them and with want I have as a Gov. forget it we have the mob everywhere ! Where is are freedom going??
Renee
N.J
I was told by a Doctor we have to fight back.. I don’t see many like us you need to talk to !!1
The executive Director in your state ,State Board medical Examiners and you’re Office of the Attorney General not good they don’t care about us sick of being spied on This is not the U.S.A I knew and LOVED !!! Our freedom is being taking away our rights I would love to get a big bus or to all pain people …I know how hard this will be and they do to .They can’t do a thing that’s what is being said I think.This has to stop we have to stand up for what is right we will die think that is what they want to get people off of Medicare SSi Disabled we die Better for them for they sure are tying ! Fight back I see ,many pain people doing this ! Don’t vote for the the wrong guy we need to clean out both house get new people in that are !ST a HEART ,They don’t care about us ./…………
Beth
Newburgh, NY
I’m nearly 49 years young, but my body often feels more like what I imagine an 80 year-old body must feel like. I had a debilitating motorcycle accident when I was 17. I fractured my back and my ankle and have had over 20 surgeries in the following years. I was lucky to avoid pain medications until 2001. Sadly, all other options had been exhausted. I have existed with a bearable, if not comfortable, quality of life for the last 16 years.
I’m very afraid that is about to change, drastically. My pain management physician will no longer write my prescriptions, citing the new government guidelines as the cause. Unfortunately, I’m not being offered any other options for care. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. We pay an awful lot of money for our medical insurance, and we have every right to expect an appropriate level of care. All of these kinds of situations should be handled on a case by case basis. The government is so concerned with those who are addicted and abusing prescription opiods, and those who are dying from overdosing on those same drugs.
Where is the concern for the patients who are trying to live a life worth living with a bit of dignity? I’m wondering how much concern and outrage there will be when once stable medicated chronic pain patients begin to die from illicit drug use in their efforts to control their pain. Or as those same folks begin to commit suicide because they have no other way to control their pain. I wonder if their families can sue the government, and its agencies for the wrongful death of their loved ones, or perhaps sue for malpractice for no providing adequate healthcare.
Anonymous
NJ
My Rheumatologist has been giving me 90 Oxycodones/per month for 7 years for RA pain because I’m allergic to sulfa-based drugs. I have bad Asthma and cannot be on Prednisone because my Pulmonologist gives me a Prednisone blast, at least 4 times a year because of allergies and weather changes or I will not be able to breath.
Now, my Rheumatologist retires, sees me for the last time, sets me up with 2 prescriptions. I cannot get another Dr. to give me the meds. I’ve seen 4, and they will not give them to me. Despite the fact that they are aware of my history, and records and notes were made by my Dr. explaining everything (they made copies).
So I guess it is best that my body goes into shock, plus be in excruciating pain, without that edge being taken off. Plus lower my resistance, so I can catch Pneumonia and possibly have a cardiac arrest too.
What kind of asinine people are they? Do they not consider the people who are in chronic pain and are maintaining this type of drug, under a Dr’s care?
We are not abusing the drug! The drug addicts are!
Pauline
Funkstown
I have fibro and I an an RN. I have managed on 10 MG methadone twice a day for pain. It h elps my pain, let’s me be functional. Also on neurontin 300 MG twice a day. My primary doc said I had to go to “pain management”. I did. I was put on cymbalta with my methadone. Okay. Now third visit I have been told I will be weaned off my methadone that has kept me functional 7 years. It is not for fibro… cymbalta is..I don’t know how I’ll continue. I work 12 hour shifts. The next day I can hardly walk. I have a house, and life to maintain. I have a grandchild. I am 60 years old. I have to work till I’m 65. This is a nightmare. Not a “war on drugs” this is a war on all chronic pain people. And the drug abusers will still abuse…Street Drugs.
Jeanne
PA
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 5 years ago. I took 5 mg. Vicodin as often as three times a day if I needed it. With the Vicodin, I was able to exercise more and live an almost normal life with the pain and fatigue under control. I switched doctors last year and I’ve been living in Hell ever since. I have 6 doctors who will do absolutely nothing for me. I went to one pain management clinic where nothing they would do was covered by my insurance, and the other pain management clinic wouldn’t even see me, even though I was referred by my rheumatologist.
I’ve been given five different NSAIDs, which basically destroyed my stomach. Now I take large quantities of muscle relaxers (like 3,000 mg at a time) along with 800-1600 mg of ibuprofen. Sometimes, SOMETIMES that takes the edge off. Of course, I’m at the point of overdosing at this point. I work full time plus overtime and I am a very productive person, but I can see that changing. The government and my doctors are literally ruining my life.
Tom
cleveland, ohio
When did these crazy people get their medical license. I wouldn’t want to get a surgery today without good pain medication. I had a lung surgery and they gave me a generic dillaudid and it was useless and I was in a great deal of pain and had to wait 8 hourst for another pill. I stated whatever the cost I wanted the brand name and when I received it my pain was 90-95 better within 10 minutes. They can monitor class A narcotics and flag abuses instead of outlawing them.
Shelia
Glen st mary Florida
I was in a bad car wreck in 02 & someone ran me into a phone pole hit my car twice ripped my most of my right foot off I have severe nerve damage sciatic ostrich ostrich arthritis in my back lower back my right leg and I’ve been taking methadone for years I was taken 220 and then it was cut down to one twice at 1:30 and now they want to go to 75 and I can’t find any guidelines to how many were supposed to have but that’s what the doctors telling me but I don’t understand I can’t find any guidelines to how many were really supposed to be able to have a month if anybody knows where that is please send me the link I would appreciate it but it’s a guidelines it’s not a law I don’t see where this is a law guidelines and allow her to different things am I mistaken here I don’t see how this is possible everything I keep reading it’s the discretion of the doctor.
Cookie
Does anyone working for the CDC have any sense? No one cares about the pain we feel and the fact that we need pain medication sometimes just to function on a daily basis! I have Sickle Cell Anemia, and this disease requires strong IV pain medication when we come to the ER, and we need strong pain medication daily at home as well! Every time I go to the ER for a pain crisis I am looked at as a drug addict seeking IV drugs! I am 62 years old and feel totally disrespected, judged and ignored because I was born this way! This is bad for us all the way ’round’! I hope they are put in the same postion that they have put us in and see what they do! Everyone who takes pain medication is NOT a drug addict!
John
I saw a documentary on a place called building 10. It’s a lab of sorts where people go for basically last chance therapy that try what scientists have come up with as experimental treatments. One such treatment completely cured a woman of Sickle Cell. I’d try looking into it to see if it has become available to others. I wish you the best of health.
terry
tracy ca
12 years ago my ATV flew 20ft in the air and landed on my head. Have had 4 lft shoulder surgeries /neck fusion plate /most recently a rt hip surgery, and I can’t work now. But I worked for 40 years. Pain is bad in my upper back. Am seeing so many drs and also thought of suicide. But then I think of my kids so am trying to live in bad pain. I wrecked/cracked my pro helmet where rubber was showing, in the accident. Wish I would have died. Now am going to try and draw social security. I went from 40mgs methadone to 10 mss a day. I feel your pain. Chronic pain brings on bad depression bad. Some Gabapentin helps, but how long before I get switched to Ibuprofen. Wow! These posts! I feel for everyone with chronic pain.
Renee
N.J
Need to fight back we never have much to vote for anymore !! The Doctor told me to call , phone , fax Executive Director… & Office of the Attorney General State Board Of The Medical Examiners … I Trenton, New Jersey
William V Roeder, Esq
Executive Director
P.O. Box 183
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Fax 609-826-7117
Office of the Attorney General is P.O Box Trenton N.J 080 RJ Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street, Box 080 Trenton ,N.J 08625-0080 Fax 609-292-3508
Sara
colorado
The laws focus only on the disabled, temporary or not, who have been verified to have a legitimate need because the DEA cannot stop the illegal drug trade within & without the US. They cannot win the “WAR ON DRUGS,” do any significant stopping of cartels, and whoever supplies opioids to dealers. Instead they target honest citizens with legal rx & verified pain . Limiting legal RX will do nothing to the illegal things going on and will increase the suicide rate. A life of nothing but staying in a bed in pain is not worth living, and that is the choice they are now giving many.
DEA fails at their job and targets the easy targets to make it seem as if they are winning…but it’s a WAR ON THE DISABLED NEEDING OPIOIDS. They will die in pain, live in pain, not be able to take care of themselves, or they will start to try to get Heroin to make up for the arbitrary guidelines putting them in harms way just so they can function another day. I think the policy violates Section 504 of the 1973 Rehab Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating based on disability. There is no connection between the claims of death and legally prescribed RX. An addict shooting up who dies is counted as an opioid death.
Frank
Onalaska, Tx
We must find a way to get together for there is strength in numbers. Does anyone have any ideas?
victoria
pa
STRENGTH IN NUMBER, YOU ARE RIGHT. Something needs to be done about this. It is effecting so many peoples’ lives. It will put the suicide rate up, unemployment will rise, depression rate will go sky high, and there will be more need for public welfare. We are being punished for other peoples’ stupidity. I am angry at the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies. What can I do to help??
Chrystal F.
AR
I agree with everything you said. Someone I care about is a Veteran, and the VA took him off of his meds, and he has now switched to heroin which makes me scared about what is going to happen. I also get pain meds, and I believe that the doctors are trying to cut more and more people off, thinking that they are helping the country, but if they really stop and look they are hurting us all!
Frank
Onalaska, Tx
I added my thoughts about a week and a half ago but they were not posted. I do not know why. I made no threats and used no profanity. I am 69 years old this month. I have been in control of my pain for almost 20 years with MS Contin ER and Hydrocodone alternated with Oxycodone for all of these years. Problems began with the new Opioid guidelines. My primary care doctor sent me to a pain management doctor who almost killed me (5 days in intensive care) when she put me on methadone and as a heart patient on Betapace, I had a severe interaction and went into Ventricular Fibrillation, aka the “widow maker.” Somehow I survived. Then this same doctor just cut me off about 6 mos later after giving me 1 month of MS Contin ER and Hydrocodone.
I found a new pain management doctor who agreed that my conditions are severe and warrant pain medications so he put me on the exact pain meds the old doctor prescribed–oh, I forgot to say I never took another dose of methadone again nor was it ever prescribed again. Anyway for about a year my new pain management doctor has been great. He even told me not to worry about him cutting me off as long as my labs come back they way they should. Two months ago he wanted to up my Hydrocodone to Oxycontin. Because I am on Medicare with a supplemental they would not pay for the Rx, and I did not have 800 bucks. So after trying to get pre-approval for the medicine the doctor wanted me to take my insurance company (Plan D) decided I was “drug seeking.” The pharmacy got in on the act and did something called a white paper, and the doctor got interrogated. Last month my pain management doctor seemed scared. I noticed he lost his friendly staff and had some rude woman giving urine tests and barking at everyone like we were criminals.
I have severe back and shoulder problems with surgeries, and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and lytic lesions, and right now they are working me up for Multiple Myeloma. Because I had a blood transfusion in the Navy I had Hepatitis C and took the treatment and have been SVR for about 17 years (free of live virus). With a damaged liver I cannot take NSAIDs, and I am allergic to anti-inflammatory steiroids because they make me so hyper I cannot sleep for days on end and have restless legs. No one wants off of all the medications more than I do. Once in the past 17 years I stopped cold turkey and went one entire year off of everything except my heart meds but the last 4 months of that year I was in bed and I got very obese. My doctor admonished me when I told her I was going to stop the pain meds she said: “You cannot do it.” “Your injuries are that bad and will only get worse as you age!” She was right.
So at my last pain management appointment my pain doctor said he is going to have to cut me back but first he wanted to see whether or not my labs are correct, and I have cancer (Multiple Myeloma). So here we are. Most of us are good people with bad physical problems. We know we are getting a raw deal by the “powers” that be. I don’t know what I fear worst. Withdrawal cancer: because that was one long 6 weeks or living in the hell of physical pain afterwards. Knowing how we are being crippled by the doctors who swore to:
“Do No Harm!” That oath has no meaning anymore. At least not to the patient. But being an old man I have seen how doctors have slowly taken a back seat to politics and insurance and Big Pharma. I believe Big Pharma and Industry wants to rid the market of Opioids because they work. Sure they are addictive. Abused by some. So what? The vast majority need them to function. I hope you are reading this. I know it is long but please bear with me a moment. More than 200 thousand persons in the United States of America die each year directly and indirectly from alcohol. 23 thousand addicts die from Heroin and opiates in their systems.
Heroin addicts use prescription pain killers to supplement their heroin addictions. Granny at 70 is not doing heroin in 99.9% of the deaths. Most opiate abusers die with 3 or more different drugs in their systems. A fact the CDC and DEA and HHS hides. More persons die from Prescription errors than by opiates in the USA. More than by 230 thousand times more. Another 200 thousand persons die each year from Medical Errors! That is 167 thousand times more than opiate related deaths! More persons die from the flu each year than by opiates. So why is the Government calling 23 thousand deaths a year an epidemic but did you know Processed foods cause more deaths in the USA than Opiates? Opiates kill fewer people than just about anything else in this country including Nsaids and Viagra and caffeine and yet the most helpless in our society; the aged and the infirm are in need of government intervention? Really??? Imagine! Bourbon swilling politicians getting between you and your doctor to tell the doctor to stop prescribing a medication that works for you.
So what do we do? Well. we vote, that’s what. We get together and let the so called Powers that be that we will not stand for their interference. Junkies are not getting on line or standing in line to vote. I am new on here but I hope there is a way we can get together and find one another so we can begin fighting back against this nonsense.
dan
north port florida
And yes, yet again the government organizations choose the easy way out and cause untold suffering to the millions
that require pain relief rather than actually doing their jobs.
Rather than find and close down the sources, such as medical professionals that are abusing the system, and the persons bringing these drugs in from other countries.
They again choose to limit or in some cases remove this medication from the reach of those in need.
In the case if CVS recently announcing their decision to limit opiate users to a 7 day supply I have this to say.
Many of the elderly and poor, which are often one and the same, have limited resources to travel. And to force them to find a ride,
use a taxi every 7 days is just another hardship added to their already painful lives.
These people are trying to eek out an existence and remain an active member of society to the best of their ability, and all you want to do is add to their frustrations.
It was my understanding a ” drug czar ” was appointed in this country.
I feel confident at this point if he/she still exists, they are pulling in a 6 digit salary for sitting on their plump behind if reducing aid to the needy is the best he can do.
You people making these laws should have such conditions, but even if you do, you have private doctors, money, and ways to get around these hurdles that the rest of us do not.
Michael Jackson’s Dr being a case in point.
This is as ludicrous as requiring everyone to get a ” certified ” birth certificate, because for some insane reason the government doesn’t think terrorists can forge
one that will pass muster, when we already know they have the resources and technology to do so.
So the people of this country had to hunt, search, pay fees, spending days if not weeks to get this precious birth certificate that terrorists could have made in 24 hours or less
When are the people making these laws going to wake up and start doing what they are paid to be doing rather than spending millions to find the easy way out and
leaving us, the voters, (remember us ? ) standing in the lurch.
—
Dan W
Kathleen
Mechanicsburg, PA
Amen. I am a insulin dependent diabetic for 31 years and have degenerative disc disease. I have had 5 surgeries on my neck for fusions, discectomy, a titanium cage. I also have neuropathy in both of my thighs that I have excruciating pain if I don’t take anything. I can’t take anything in the neurotin family as My feet and calves swell to twice their size and have trouble breathing.
I take Opana ER twice a day and oxycodone up to 3 times a day for breakthrough pain. It works to keep me able to function to a point but now have 2 ruptured discs in neck and in lower back. Steroids make diabetics blood sugars go sky high and don’t work on me anyway. So what am I too do? Go in to a nursing home and die? I am only 55 years old and have been in Medicare since 2009.
We need to start petitions to try to stop the madness. We that need it are not the ones using it to party and get high. They buy these drugs from d Akers on the street and then the families are trying to find someone to blame. I am sure the pain of losing their loved ones is awful but we are not the ones to blame. We are just trying to live.
Barbara
Alabama
I am a 62 year old female, I was told 2 months ago by my pain management doctor that Due to new Ga Laws my pain medications had to be cut down. I was injured in a car accident in 2000 and left with severe Lumbar Chronic Pain. I had 2 disc in my neck fused, and DDD all through my spine. Even with the dosage of a 75mg patch and 5/325 Hydrocodone.
I go to bed in severe pain and I wake up in severe pain. My quality of life has continue to go downhill over the last 17 years. When I walk it become very painful with each and every step I take. I struggle everyday to do the most simple things that most take for granted. In the past year sitting has even become difficult for me I fight depression on my own with out taking those drugs which I struggled to get off of years ago. For the past 3 or 4 years I have been drug tested like a drug abuser.
Not once have I failed the test. But yet I am told the Government has a right to tell my doctors what is in my best interest. How am I suppose to deal it the one thing that takes the edge off my pain is taken away. Why would I want to live if the pain becomes even more unbearable than it is now.. I fear these Government officials are going to see a large spike in their suicide rates. Because they have no understanding what it is like to deal with chronic pain day and night. You already do not sleep most nights through due to the pain.
Now you will not get the medications you need to help you cope. How cruel is this to snatch a much needed Pain Medication from the very people that truly need it.. To blame the medication first Off is wrong. If it was truly as addicted as they claim no patient could go with out abusing it. I have been on them 17 years not once taken more than the dosage prescribed no matter how bad my pain was. I never abused my medications and there are drug test to prove this.
victoria
Dear Barb from CA,
I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I am in the same boat you are in. I am so angry at the doctors who have been pushing for me to increase my dose for the last 7 years, which I didn’t. Now they are telling me I need to cut back to a barely livable amount. I have been given 3 months to cut my medication back by 75%. What would I be facing if I would have increased every time he pushed for me to? This will be hard on so many people. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL WITH CHRONIC PAIN.
Beth
Ellettsville, IN
I have had multiple fractures of my neck with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury and multiple surgeries to stabilize it and then later had metal from the surgery displace up against the spinal cord where it caused severe pain before it was finally diagnosed along with swelling of the cord and neurological damage. I tried to continue to walk as much as possible after months and months of therapy but trying to walk with weakened muscles resulted in my leaning backward with each step to try to get my leg up.
This in turn has caused severe arthritis and destruction of the discs in my lower back with resulting pressure on the nerves as well as the overgrowth of a muscle deep in the buttocks bilaterally which is squeezing the large nerve running though there, bilateral trochanteric bursitis, chronic and severe sacro illiac syndrome and other musculoskeletal problems from muscle imbalance.
I have done months and months of therapy returning multiple times which helped my walking but aggravated the pain, I have undergone numerous steroid injections (you can only have these 3 times a year and if they are given in more then one area the dosage has to be divided making them less effective) I have had nerve ablations done which negatively effected my walking and unfortunately and had no effect on the pain after about a week, and I have had them do the surgical trial placement of a spinal cord stimulator to help with pain.
Unfortunately, it had to be removed because of a severe allergic reaction but my limited experience was that it worsened rather then helped pain. (It works in only 50 percent of the time and requires rigorous pre-implantation work up because by medicare because it’s cost is about 150,000. I have used a Tens unit which helped slightly for about a month which I later learned is about the longest they work. (Long enough for medicare to pay for them.)
I have requested the implantation of a pain pump in my spine to help with pain but been turned down because long term use can cause scar tissue growth and could further aggravate the nerve losses from the cord injury. I have tried muscle relaxants with no benefit and currently use the maximium dose of NSAIDS, neurontin which causes a lot of sedation, anti-depresants and an opiod for pain. The NSAID and neurontin provide a very minimal amount of pain relief and the opiod provides about a 30 to 40 percent relief until just recently.
Prior to being given it I had become suicidal with a plan to slit my carotids in the bath tub because I could no longer live in that much pain. I credit the doctor who finally prescribed it after years of innefective treatment for saving my life. I also have deterioration of my brain consistent with that seen in chronic pain on my brain MRI. It is very likely that the amount of pain I suffer is related to having been inadequately treated for pain for so long.
This is the number one reason people develop chronic pain syndrome because of it’s effect on the brain and spinal cord. Even if all the problems I have would be healed it is very likely the pain would continue due to it’s effect on the brain and spinal cord. In my experience doctors are not prescribing opiates too freely but should consider them long before they do.
I have had doctors apologetically explain that the reason they do not is because they fear being prosecuted by the DEA and federal government even when such perscriptions are obviously warranted. This is a shameful situation and is likely to continue to get worse for those who legitimately need these medicines due to the well intentioned but poorly informed passage of recent legislation regarding opiates. It seems to me that addicts are continuing to find things to get high on as they have no need to obtain them legally and that they may have been better off abusing legal pills rather then the heroin laced with fentanyl they are currently obtaining on the street.
In the meantime another population has been very hurt by these laws and things are looking ever bleaker. Perhaps we will have to declare ourselves to be addicts even if we aren’t so that we can obtain methadone to treat our pain with even though this is far more likely to result in a lethal overdose.
Jen
CA
I’ve never understood how/why politicians feel they have the knowledge, experience & expertise to determine medical practices when it requires physicians years of education and training (& they can still make mistakes). Chronic pain conditions are not something that those of us suffering from would wish upon our worst enemies.
However, it would be nice if those in power could get a small glimpse of our daily lives. Prior to becoming disabled three years ago I worked 60+ hours a week, ran six miles a day (six days a week), had low blood pressure, never felt depressed, did a lot of volunteer/community service work & wore a size 7 (I’m 5’10”).
I’ve gained 80 pounds, have out of control glucose & my BP is 200/120. My life now consists of TV and doctor appointments. I am only allowed two 50mg Tramadol/day, take three different blood pressure meds, two different anti-depressants, have had steroid injections, switched to vegan/gluten & dairy free diet, take MULTIPLE nutritional supplements, and see a therapist so I can “accept” my pain.
All of this instead of simply giving me adequate medication to alleviate my pain. It makes one wonder if big pharma is pushing the narrative of the dangers of opioids to encourage more drug sales. I’m taking 25 pills a day instead of the four that would stop this hell. Running out of life-sustaining options
Deb
PA
It has been ten years without pain treatment (Vicodin 4x a day). I don’t live. I’m a miserable soul. I suffer. It affects me mentally now. I sit inside all day… every day. My husband cooks and cleans. I shower 3 to 4 times a month at most.
I do not want to be alive, but I hope for a better future. The tramadol my pain doctor gives me has an incredible antidepressant effect, so maybe that’s why I stopped with the suicidal thoughts.
You would think after 10 years I would be “over” some damn opiate. Well, the pain isn’t “over”. Back in 1995, I figured I’d see the day I’d get a titanium spine. Nope. They just took our love of life away. Is there some country I can move to where true pain treatment exists?
Val
North Carolina
Chronic Pain and taking Norco for over 20 years does not give you a high as it just eliminates most of the pain and makes life with daily task easier. Trying other pain relief such as NSAIDS works some but taking NSAIDS will damage your kidneys! Read on the Warning label of the box and container of NSAIDS. I am one that has had damage from NSAIDS. This needs to addressed to all Government agencies.
Claudia
Missouri
This really scares me, I have no idea what my husband is going to do. His medicine only numbs the pain, I can’t imagine what the pain will be like when he is cut off.
Not looking forward to the future anymore.
MARK
BOYCOTT CVS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC PAIN!
John
Phoenix
I already did a few years ago when I was told I was 8 hours early to get my pain patches filled (Not at all true) and told to come back tomorrow morning – Christmas Eve! It’s all lame and ridiculous. We wouldn’t stop at a CVS for a pack of gum.
Linda
Central mo
Agree!! Pharmacists r NOT doctors!!! Lrg RN for 45 years
Richard
Tuscaloosa
I’ve been on methadone for about 8 years now from a botched spinal fusion. I have the implanted stimulator that I didn’t want but had to get so my pain management Dr. could make a bunch of money off of me and continue treating me. I think it actually causes more pain at this point. The battery is dead and my current insurance won’t pay to even remove it much less replace it. It’s been hit and miss at Walgreens but it looks like the big med standoff I’ve been expecting is here.
They wouldn’t even hold my script today and there is no methadone in the entire county. They all say they have met their allotment for the period, whatever that is. The funny thing is there politicians who think this will make overdoses go down. They know as much about meds as they do about guns. I’m not a Trump fan but he has called out the stupidity in politics. We can only hope somebody somewhere will show one of the bastards what pain feels like and we’ll get to at least read about it.
kenn
atlanta
I pray there are doctors in America who feel for their patients in chronic pain and won’t be bullied in complying with these new guidelines to eradicate opiods. How ridiculous to punish those of us who rely on our medications to get by every day.
I guess the CDC guidelines wont get turned around until those of us in chronic severe pain, take our own lives. Then and only then will they realize that throwing out the baby with the bathwater was an irrational and futile attempt on dealing with an epidemic.
Anonymous
Texas
People who suffer from chronic pain who take opioids responsibly are now going to suffer as a consequence of irresponsible drug addicts. Makes perfect sense. I’m 100% certain that this will lead to more suicides. But those suicides will of course be chalked up to “mental health issues” by those who have no idea what it is like to live in severe pain every second of the day, 365 days a year, still having to function as if they were a human being while having absolutely no quality of life. So congrats CDC, you’ll never even notice the harm your causing.
Pamela
Ohio
I agree that there will be more suicides, because life in constant pain doesn’t hold a lot of appeal!! I am a 66 year old woman who has been pretty independent all my life. A few years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, costochondritis, and degenerative discs in lower back. I have been taking vicodin 5-325, two a day as needed, for at least five years. Went for a checkup the first of July and was informed that all opiate patients were being weaned of their medication. I know I sat there like a dummy with my mouth hanging open!
Only six months before, he had increased my dosage to three a day! So, I took two a day for July, one a day for August, and now that’s it! Iwent for checkup the other day and had bloodwork, chest exray, ekg and back exrays. Before he saw me, the nurse handed me a form to fill out about mental health!! that’s what you get now! I am pushing my body to function the same but everything hurts and I feel as if I have been beaten with a ballbat!! Yeah, this is really gonna stop us nasty drug addicts.
I despise the fact that my life is being controlled by a bunch of fools!! Tylenol and Ibuprofen??? Eat some jelly beans, it would control the pain better! I sympathize with everyone going through the same thing, and I found the mental health survey by the nurse, hysterical!
HollisCares
Illinois
I am sorry, but I think your doctor is either highly mis-informed (seriously… a doctor not getting this right?) or s/he has reason to stay off the radar screens of regulators. Everything I have read, and I admit I could not have possibly read everything from every state, indicates that the new rules are for people who have not been on opioids. The dangers of withdrawal alone could have your doctor killing you.
I have been suffering form chronic pain for over a year and have pretty much lost everything related to a career I worked extremely hard to build. I have been searching every second of the day that I can to find options to get off this stuff. I am trying everything that has hope.
My doctor is working with me on this but is well aware of the dangers of withdrawal and has made sure I am realistic; I will likely never be capable of functioning without medication for pain. He has assured me that the rules do not do as your doctor as told you. This is very frightening.
Also,with regard to another post and the pharmacy refusing to give pain meds…I do understand that pharmacies can set limits on how much you can get at a time (to keep extra opioids out of reach of those who may mis-use them) but if a pharmacy refuses to fill a pain medication the script should be taken to another pharmacy – I am confident that a pharmacy cannot just say that you can’t have your script (the insurance company you have may differ and say they will not cover it under a new policy however).
Sara
So right! And the suicides will be attributed to the count of an opioid death rather than a suicide because of chronic pain /depression/trama
Tracie S
Wisconsin
I have osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, numerous bone spurs and pinched nerves. I have had a C3- 7 laminectomy/fusion a L4-L5 fusion and had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. SO FAR I have not had a problem getting my pain meds, but they were reduced quite a bit. I am not here to talk about me, but my son. My son was in a 4 wheeler accident on 8-08-08 when he was 16, he broke his shoulder blade, collar bone and humerus in 2 places, and dislocated his shoulder. He has gone through 8 weeks of PT 6 different times.
He is now 25 and in pain 24/7, he has been unable to get help, anyone can look at his back and see his shoulder blade sticks out at about a 45 degree angle, his shoulder dislocates itself all the time and hearing him put it back in place is heartbreaking. He has tried massive doses of ibuprofen and tylenol with no relief, he has been drinking lately, but he doesn’t cars for it. He heard about Kratom and it sounded promising but is illegal in our state. He went from a fun loving 16 year old with friends, hobbies..he played drums and then guitar which he can’t do anymore, he never stayed in the house, always out having fun! In the last 8 or so years he has gone from that to a guy who rarely leaves his bedroom. He has gone to doctors for help to no avail. He says all that is left for him to do is get things illegally.
My son has never been in trouble with the law, no speeding tickets, nothing. I honestly have no answers left for him.. I have been trying for a year at least. I do not condone doing anything illegal, but honestly, is there any other help for him??
k
virginia
senior people over 55 with bad pain all the time, have no quality of life without their meds.
it is an unforgivable sin to put them in the same bucket with drug users.
if you are lucky and get old, you will understand how evil you are for goodness sake.
if you are on our side,you are blessed if not you will get double what you concocted for us.
i am at the end of my years,why should i suffer with no quality of life.
stop pretending to have good morals. when in fact you are naked of morality.
you are really trying to make your criminals rich and i am tired of it.
over and out
“the keith dennis”
ps.. hope you fall down and hurt your self really bad…GOD knows you are over due
VICTIM4LIFE
Florida
I finally received oxycodone for my 3 types of chronic pain after being almost 600lbs and confined to a wheelchair for 15 years. I couldn’t move but my brain still functioned and I wanted to work with all my college degrees. Just from receiving pain meds, I lost almost 400lbs without dieting. After losing all the excess weight, I needed surgery that I couldn’t afford here. I went to Argentina, at great risk, to have the skin of four to five additional people removed from my 120lb body. Then I went overseas for 2 years and received pain meds and muscle building therapies.
I was going to come back to USA and start a life. I then made the most horrible mistake by moving to Florida. I brought back a lot of medication from overseas and I still had other pain meds my cousin held onto that made me really sick. I still went about trying to establish with a Doctor, so my health could be monitored and so I could establish getting my prescriptions in the US again.
I began to be very afraid. I was on Medicaid and there were no Pain management clinics–no private Doctor would prescribe even an aspirin. The only way to obtain a legal prescription was to go out of State, at the time some weak drugs were still prescribed online and/or pay $800 to see the non-Medicaid Pain management.
So, I started reducing the medication I needed. My worst nightmare began as I slowly started gained weight because I couldn’t move normally. By the time I was able to obtain more medication from relatives who brought it to me from my Doctor overseas, I had already gained half my old weight back. This ruined all my surgery and caused more complications with my illness.
I was taking Tramadol to move in pain and saving what oxycodone I had to have “pain free days” where I could live somewhat normally playing with my child and doing house cleaning, (things most people take for granted). I had a bunch of Tramadol that I found I couldn’t take. I have a severe allergy to a now common ingredient they use to form a lot of pills.
It took a lot with my income and disability to buy a house for my child. We moved into a hick area of Florida. I was struggling to care for my child and myself with the constant medication issues and a relative had just brought more medication from overseas, when I noticed someone had illegally broken into my home, but nothing was missing.
It was law enforcement coming into my house with no warrant. They even took my office window out. I kept trying to rationalize but there was no lawful reason for it. Then 5 months later, right after my vehicle had broken down, some law enforcement forced their way into my house without a warrant even though they knew they would contaminate our living space because my child and I have severe airborne allergies.
They took ALL MY MEDICATIONS and when they did this, they put me in a mental institution because I said “If I have to suffer this pain and go back into a wheelchair, I will go to a State that allows legal euthanasia and get help to end this.”
They knew my degrees were in Psychology as well. Try even not being disabled and getting a job after being locked up in a mental institution. At the Mental Institution, I went through withdrawal, but that was a cake walk compared to the debilitating pain that I had to endure with no medication. I couldn’t walk anymore.
They had to bring a wheelchair in so I could go to the bathroom. I was in so much pain I stopped eating and drinking. I could feel pain from my Diabetic nerve pain, Fibromyalgia and arthritis. I could feel pain on top of this pain from irritable bowel syndrome. I had severe breathing issues and had to be given medication from being exposed in my home.
The Doctor there diagnosed me with PTSD from what I had gone through, and saw my Chronic pain. He put me on medication for PTSD, Chronic pain and Irritable bowel syndrome. It was a Psychiatric drug because that was all he could prescribe. He told me I had made a mistake moving to Florida. He then released me.
Meanwhile, law enforcement were trying to bar me from returning to my own home in a completely incapacitated position. I went home anyway and I had to get my child to hospital for allergic reaction as well. The house had to be special cleaned and aired but we had to remain on allergy medication.
As soon as the DCF worker law enforcement had reported to saw me, she said there was no way she could bar me from my home. She even said that she could not and would not tell me not to find any way to get my medication. She said she was a human too and she would not want to live like that.
After all of this, instead of giving my belongings back and admitting they had made a serious mistake, officers kept coming out to my house, which had no trespassing signs posted and again they had no warrant to be there. First they tried to get me to leave my house and then they tried to get me to do illegal things so they could get evidence to try and prosecute me.
The medication I was given made me vomit all day and I lost my vision. Everything was blurry. I was really scared and in agony. I was just able to lie on the sofa in pain all day. My husband said it made me more depressed and anxious then when I was not taking anything. It did nothing for my Chronic pain and my hearing sounded like everything was in a tunnel. When I stopped taking it my vision returned
We left Florida for the Holidays to get away from all this and obtain medication as my husband’s health was greatly affected. I was now not able to care for him or my child. My husband had a massive heart attack and we became trapped out of State. We lost our house and all the money put into it. Our belongings the police took were never returned and a lot of our belongings were stolen from the house. My husband now has 20% of his heart left.
I think the CDC and Law enforcement are abusive and people who are sick are THE MOST VULNERABLE VICTIMS. How can we fight back if these deranged people take our life medication from us? I cannot believe all the Doctors who took a sacred oath to “DO NO HARM” are doing NOTHING. Just ONE Doctor makes enough money to hire an attorney to reverse this.
Many Doctors say they are “afraid” to spotlight themselves. Law enforcement and the CDC have become a new generation of terrorists to Doctors and they are abusing sick people. In my first Psychology class, I was taught that a lot of people in the Police force were abused as children and they become Officers so they can empower themselves.
Most Officers do not even have a college education or any training in Psychology.
In 2013 there were over one Million Doctors in the USA. If they each just donated ONE DOLLAR to a legal fund, that’s enough to go to the Supreme court many times.
My husband used his own money to prevent more attacks on the US from the Middle East and we are rewarded by losing everything. We lost our lives.
I called many attorneys and pleaded for help but the only thing I was told was that without money, there was no help for us.
Pamela
Very well put! I could wish triple what we are going through!
Stephanie
Cincinnati, OH
I have been in severe chronic pain for nearly 5 years now, since I was 19!! I used to get prescribed Oxycodone, which helped tremendously. But after the CDC started putting this ridiculous law into effect I can no longer get my medication. I have lost my job, my fiancé (which was actually a good thing about the fiancé), lost my apartment, and now I’m living with my parents again and I’m living a miserable existence in my bed where i think of ways to kill myself and then talk myself out of it, over and over and over again.
It is the worst life anyone can live and I know there are thousands upon thousands of others that feel the same way. I agree that the CDC or any government agency should not be aloud to tell doctors how to treat patients. Every patient is different and we should all be given proper medical treatment that will allow us to live again!! Because this isn’t living!!!
concerned
please be okay and call a suicide hotline
Barbra W
Colorado
Call a suicide hotline! I know you may try to be helpful, maybe even prevent this person’s death. However, when this person makes it through this day, what about the next. I am so sad to see all of these comments. It makes me wonder how many employees the CDC has that have chronic pain and work only with ibuprofen. NONE is the answer. Any of the recommendations the CDC advises to manage chronic pain have serious other issues!
Sara
Absolutely! There is no life in pain. I don’t know one person dealing with severe pain/disability that hasn’t thought of ending it. When I was on steroids, one of the side effects can be suicide…very common with steroid use. And how I managed it was I made a deal with myself after deciding my method, that if I went to bed & got a full night’s sleep & still felt that way strongly the next day, I gave myself permission to do it. I never did because after a good night I felt better the next day.
Renee
NJ
I said the samething have to get us off the meds. and they do lie stop looking at the PC and hear me they don’t care we are only a #### I had so many records and they came back so fast my hubby said they did not copy them came back to fast !
victoria
MY HEART BLEEDS FOR ALL CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS. We are going to be going through hell.
Kelly A
Canada
I hesitate to add my own 2 cents, but maybe it could help someone? I am a 31 year old chronic migraine sufferer, and as of the last 8 years, been diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and an undiagnosed but very bothersome heart issue that rears it’s ugly head every few months and causes 24-48 hours of constant vomiting and dry heaving when nothing left… or visa versa, the vomiting attacks cause the heart damage. Either way, it happens, and I know what it’s like to suffer in pain. Yet my diagnoses/illnesses/disorders aren’t 1/4 as bad as MANY who’ve commented here, and considering what I have gone through (I’ll explain a little later, but am trying to keep it short) I truly applaud everyone’s strength here to keep going through it all… because even though I don’t suffer half as bad as some here, I’ve had those dark days where you wonder if death is the better alternative. Better than fighting the pain/sickness and NOW trying to fight the medical system/government on top. What I am trying to say, if it’s hard for me… I cannot image what it must be like for the millions worse than me. My god, what is happening is flat out barbaric, cruel, primitive, sick, and sad.
Because of my age, and how I choose to dress etc, I am seen as someone/something VERY different from who I actually am, and sadly have been treated based on outer appearance and first assumptions rather than being treated on who i am as a person… as an equal. I mention this because I am a person who’s fallen through the cracks… My family Dr. who knows me very well, had me on pain medications for years. Nothing major, just Tylenol 3 and then 4 years later when the 3s didn’t work as well. Working under fluorescent lighting gives me awful migraines, and I work with xray machines where I have to inspect luggage etc. Hence the tylenol. There are times however where I would get one so severe that would last for days and I would have to take a stronger medication or go in for IV treatment including opioid medications. Dilaudid, Toradol, Gravol and zophran. Plus the 3-4 bags of saline and sometimes potassium if it was low from migraine induced vomiting. This was the go to for years until this bizarre vomiting/heart issue popped it’s ugly head up.
So bam fast forward a bit… 3 seperate stays on the cardiac unit, more prescriptions for narcotics due to chest pain etc during these “attacks” as well as many other medications. But this about opioids/narcotics. Anyways long short, because they couldn’t find the reason for these attacks of non stop vomiting, heart damage, and way above normal troponin levels when this happens, they narrowed it down to stress and anxiety when all tests came back fine. Ummmm ok LOL!!
Anyways nearing the end of my story here, after repeated attacks and emerg visits, when they decided it was stress/anxiety they wanted me to see a therapist, which goes on file of course. And now I was being treated as a mental health patient?! Which soon somehow turned into me being a drug seeker?!? (I didn’t know behind the scenes all these new laws were coming into effect) so now not only was I not being helped during these heart/vomit attacks, but the treatment for my migraines and PMDD were now being called into question and my Dr. was getting flack from outside pressures. I was told as much.
We discussed at length whether or not my dr. thought i was abusing at any point, and just what the heck was going on. THAT’S when I found out about these new laws and government pressure to stop perscribing, or to look out for people drug seeking, addictive behaviors etc. Which, in their new found paranoia, and as mentioned above my age, how I dress etc, would explain how I was very quickly tossed into a category I did NOT belong. My Dr. being backed into a corner didn’t know what to do, and I was tired of suffering so I decided to do a LOT of research and take things into my own hands.
I am not proud of this, but I did what I had to do in order to get some sort of quality of life back, and be looked at as human again rather than a drug seeking MENTAL?? patient lolol. Anxiety and stress… if anything THEY gave me anxiety and stress. My Dr. actually mentioned methadone as a way to kill two birds with one stone. I immidiately got pissed off and broke down… I said that’s for junkies and asked if that’s what she now thought too? We are very close, praise god, and we both shed some tears and I knew she wasn’t toying with me and she didn’t think that way, but mentioned it because she truly thought it may help.
I’d been on Tylenol 3 then 4 for YEARS! At 200/mo. She knew that there would be some discomfort stopping the medications, and then what would I do for pain management afterwards? So I buckled down and did months of research before I decided ok, let’s do it. I learned the government was only gonna get worse and make it even harder to get pain medications, and learned from research though it has MAJOR dependency warnings, which are basically when you get on Methadone you WILL become dependent and have to withdraw when you stop, that it does REALLY help with pain and that millions are actually on it from their pain management drs as an alternative to taking so many pills. That not everyone who takes methadone is a junky.
Now here’s where I am a tad ashamed… sadly where im located, methadone is NOT widely prescribed for pain. My only option was go to go a methadone clinic as an “addict” and explain I’d been on medications for years and am now dependent, they want to stop my meds and I can’t. I was told this directly before I came in for the appointment that in order to get on methadone you HAVE to test positive that day at the clinic for opioids. So I researched and took as much tylenol 4 as I “SAFELY” could without OD so my levels would be high enough to show up on a urine test.
I went to the clinic a nervous wreck… im an airport screener, im NOT used to being around heroin addicts or pill addicts. But my job is super important and I wanted… no i NEEDED my quality of life back, so I went, told my little story of being dependent on my meds and needing “help”. Which wasn’t an untruth… i DID need help, just not as an addict. I was urine tested and put on a small dose that very day.
That small dose is all that was needed to get my life back. I’m not a drug user, so within a couple months I was able to take my prescription home and not have to go there daily as the addicts do. It REALLY does help with pain, and I only take it twice a day. Also the best thing is you DON’T feel funny from it. I noticed when I’d take my meds on empty stomach id feel a lil loopy light and funny… which im assuming is the “high” people talk about. Or that rushy feeling you get followed by loopy when you get IV medication… it doesn’t do that at all!!! It just takes away the pain before you know it and you’re on your way to doing whatever it is you do.
I agree NO ONE should have to come to this point… NO ONE should have to fight for quality of life and care. ESPECIALLY when you’ve been given relief and because of some government officials MORONIC idea, you’re now left without… that’s just… you don’t do that to a living being. Here I have something to end your suffering…. buuuut no I’m not gonna. Excuse me??? No… this shouldn’t be… but it is. And because it is sometimes we have to do drastic things.
Folks if you’re thinking of suicide PLEASE think of researching and getting on methadone… at very least until this MADNESS is over. It was created in Germany during the war when they’d run out of morphine and other opiate drugs made from the poppy plant. So it REALLY does work well for pain, and studies suggest that it’s also one of the few drugs that work well for neuropathic?? pain. Pain that comes from the brain or messed up nerves that other opiods cant touch. DO THE RESEARCH!!! It sure as hell beats thinking of suicide every moment of every day.
I’m so sorry to have rambled, but this may REALLY help a LOT of people until the government pulls their heads out of their butts.
Religious or not, I truly pray for everyone here. Their well-being, and to be PAIN FREE!!! Until people are willing to listen we need to do what we can to safely gain a quality of life. I sure as hell wasn’t going to use Heroin for pain, so I looked up my next legal option for help, and methadone was it. :)
I hope I can help at least one person, or save someone from suicide… that’s why I decided to write my story.
Sara
One thing I learned having to go every where to even get a proper diagnosis: if your doctor doesn’t have a clue what’s wrong with you they will say you are “drug seeking” or need psych help. Because of their failure to properly diagnose you have to be your own advocate to get proper treatment. In one case I went 3 years slowly dying because a catheter had been left inside my body, and they all said they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. So I had to do my own diagnosis & get to the right Dr. & fly across country to get it removed.
But as far as pain meds, your Dr. can lose his license to practice. Walgreens got huge fines because they were found to be filling too much in Florida. Pain mgmt. has to be careful, too. Mine closed in March & a new one expected me to provide surgery records that had been destroyed 30 years ago! Took 5 months to try & get in. I didn’t want that burden to be on my family dr. but I’m really disabled, the least of which is MS, and they were making me try & do all this documentation as if I had no limitations!
Sara
I’m told that methadone is harder to get off of than heroin.
TV
Colorado
Last month my Primary Care Physician informed that he was no longer prescribing pain medication. I have been, like many in this forum, on these pain medications for many (17) years. I owned several restaurants over the last 20 years. I suffered a severe accident where I destroyed my lower back and severely damaged the disks. I have been taking a lower-level pain medication for the last 15 years, named Tramadol. I can’t understand why or how anyone would wish to abuse this drug; however, evidently many people are turning to this drug who no longer receive the stronger medications. So now even this drug has been scheduled as a dangerous narcotic by whoever decides this.
I truly feel for the families of people who have died from pain medication overdoses; however a system needs to be in place for those of us who have been forced to resort to the help that these pain medications provide. And if it were not for the 200 mg of Tramadol (doesn’t diminish my thinking like the stronger pain Meds) per day that I have been taking for what seems like forever, I would not be able to function well enough to work and or live a somewhat normal life. Even with the medication I currently take, my pain is still here every waking moment. But the severity is much less than with Tylenol, Advil, Aleve etc. On a scale of 1-10 it’s an 8 with the over-the-counter medications and a 4 with my Tramadol. I wish they would have acted more with logic than emotions. This is a ridiculous situation we now find ourselves in! I have periodically stopped taking the medication for two 6 month periods & have been miserable during those times while trying alternatives. Sad.
Robert
Buffalo
I’m in the same boat. My doctor cut me off. He gave me some ibuprofen samples and said good luck. He did say you can thank the cdc. I have three herniated discs, degeneration of the spine, Sciatica, arthritis in my hands. I was prescribed 10mg hydrocodone for my chronic pain. I was able to function and work. Now my back throbs.
I can’t sleep. Im in so much pain. I hate to say. I think your gonna see alot of suicides and people turning into alcoholics and heroin. I’m actually turning back to a alcoholic. I didn’t drink for 7 years. Now I need it just to sleep. Thank you CDC.
Pamela
I totally understand! I haven’t had vicodin for five weeks, and I’m not craving it, so that’s done. However all the pain that I was taking it for has come back! otc meds do nothing and I am miserable at least 6 days out of 7! I’m 66 and I feel 106! The slightest thing I do-vacuuming, etc. has me in misery for days! I feel like my life has been ruined. I look in the mirror and I have aged 10 years in the past few weeks. I am at the end of my rope.
Wayne
What I want to know is this, “what in the hell are we in chronic pain, HORRIFIC chronic pain, supposed to do no?” Are we supposed to buy Heroin off the streets? This pain sufferer will not do that. I refuse. So, the result is my quality of life is so bad I want to eat a bullet most days. I can’t take it anymore.
Now, they won’t even write for muscle relaxers because people are abusing them along with pain meds too. The only thing that actually reduces the pain level, pain killers don’t kill pain, they just give your brain the ability to put you in denial about how miserable you’re on. so just yet another blow to people who are actually in pain. So, what the hell are we supposed to do? They’ve declared war on opiods but given us no alternative. I’ve had it.
Julie
Arizona
For the past 25 years I’ve managed my chronic pain with opioids. Just recently I had to switch pain management doctors, mine lost his license. Because it’s been years since I tried the alternatives, gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta etc they want me to do it all over. The way I felt on those drugs is aweful and I won’t go through that again. My x-rays and other tests were years ago so I had to pay for a new c-spine & l-spine MRI. In the mean time my pain meds were cut by 75% and now that has triggered something, I can hardly get out of bed!
To go from years of controlled pain to bedridden is unacceptable but who do you complain to? I can’t image another 10-20 years of this it’s no kinda life.
Pamela
I was given Cymbalta six or seven years ago. I took it for about six months and had nightmares from hell. It was awful . Then I took Lyrica for a year, giving it the old college try. Dr. just kept increasing the dosage when I said it didn’t seem to do much.
When I stopped it I nearly lost my mind. Dr. swore there would be no withdrawals from Lyrica!! It took at least nine months to feel halfway normal again and I nearly drove my family and friends crazy, because I had no idea what was wrong with me!! Now here I go again with no Vicodin.
I wish to God I had never gone to the doctor in the first place. I hadn’t been for fifteen years, and they were the healthiest of my life! Cymbalta and Lyrica are pure hell in a bottle for some people!
John
Phoenix
We have the worst governor as far as being emphatic at all. He spent over $3 mill for 4 people to investigate the made-up “Opioid Addiction Crisis.” There’s no way to determine who accidentally overdosed or intentional. Besides since when have we been able to trust govt numbers?
They said unemployment was under 5% when guess what – no one was approving UE claims and we find out 95 million are out of the work force. I digress. Everyone needs to speak up and not let these jokers that we voted for run our lives. Seems a lot like single payer huh? They have all the control and we can no doubt follow the money.
If they cheat in Wall street they can certainly cheat at making money from funneling everyone in one direction. This drug war needs to end. Personally I’m looking to file a discrimination complaint/suit.
Think about it there’s no other medical condition where you’d have to see a “specialist” every month ($$$) to get the same treatment just to improve your quality of life. We have cowards for doctors too. Time to fight back!
Renee
N.J
NoMy life is a living hell now!!!! there is no caring at all I also besides being in pain and taking my nerve meds. away to… I can’t get in shower I can’t eat can’t swallow all due to this . I live in my bedroom look at T.V very hard time sitting we need to fight back I keep saying I don’t see people with life time pain saying a word come people This has to stop !!!
Call Fax talk to your Executive Director and tell him how cruel this is we are not talking pain that a Tylenol will take away me battle has been long and it will never go away I need to stay in bed now all the time I was doing ok now I feel there is no hope but we have to fight back did vote ‘ a cruel man or women come Nov. I’m in N.J what a time I’m having! Also the office of your Attorney General this is what a DOC gave me !! Go to the White house from all over wheelchairs, WE NEED TO FIGHT BACK !!!!!!
victoria
I am in the same boat. I got cut today 75%. That is a lot to cut back. I have to work or I will be homeless and hungry. what will happen to us all? I am so grief-stricken by all your stories. This was not the right way to handle it. And the doctors should never have been pushing them to begin with. I am finding an attorney. The quality of life is going to be hell for most of us. This is affecting millions of people, and something has to give. I wish you all the very best. Try to stay strong
Marty
Michigan
I’m highly skeptical that these new laws and guidelines have adequately factored in the analyses and judgments of respected medical ethicists. As usual, they instead bear the overwhelming mark of irrational DEA hardliners and conservative politicians who are apparently incapable of careful critical thinking, let alone compassion.
I’ve never seen a careful breakdown of the number of emergency room visits and deaths by specific opioid medication and dosage, both prescribed and measured in the bloodstream, but my hunch is that such a graph would reveal that those taking ordinary prescribed dosages (say, 1-2 pills every 6 hours), would only very rarely appear at all. That is to say, I expect that ER visits and deaths are overwhelmingly associated with those taking extremely high dosages that are well above what their doctor prescribed.
If that is true (or nearly true), then those advocating against ANY opioid prescriptions for chronic pain would be so utterly wrong as to warrant mental health evaluations!
Sandy
Michigan
I totally agree that the CDC are playing God with peoples lives. Why should they be the judge of what should be given us to treat debilitating pain? They don’t know anything about us, yet they judge!
William
Colorado
You are so right!!!!!
Trina
El Dorado Hills, CA
Those of us in chronic pain should have some rights to relief. I can’t function without pain medication. Over the counter medication doesn’t work on severe pain. I have never abused medication, or done illegal drugs. I would be willing to sign a form stating that I will never sell them, or give them to other people. And will only take them as prescribed. If Doctors will keep prescribing them to me. I have MRI’s showing my physical needs for the pain relievers. Arthritis, necrosis in my knee. Spinal deterioration, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and a disc compressing a nerve. I’m in chronic pain. Every second of every day. It isn’t right that the laws are only in place to protect those who have abused drugs; but, no laws in place to give those of us who need it, the rights for quality of life, and relief from debilitating pain. We should be able to sign a form stating that we will not sell or give away our medication, & that we will only take it as prescribed.
William
Colorado
I am in the same boat as you are. I Love my country but our healthcare system is nonexistent.
Peggy
Tamaqua, Pa.
I dont even know what to say. I have suffered Chronic pain for 20 years. I am 75 years old.
I have inoperoral chronic pain due to 3 bulging discs in my neck , 3 knee surgeries each shoulder, 6 stents in arteries and heart, aortic open heart surgery, just to name a few things of what I have been through and what I deal with daily.
I have been very careful with my oxycodene 5/325 mg. 1-2 every 6 hours for years. Last month, out of the blue I was asked for a urine test, and told next appt. I could only gave 120 instead of 150.
This is considered low dose and now I am paying the price of high blood pressure due to pain hot being under control.
What is our government thinking? Always punish the honest Senior citizens that made this country great off their backs.
I am for the first time ashamed of this Country and what is going on.
You have no shame. Street drugs are killing ppl not Senior Citizens trying to survive in their painful world.
E
Ca.
I’m only 47. Ovarian cancer stage 3c. Degenerative discs. Rheumatoid arthritis. No light at the end of this tunnel. My story not unlike everyone here. I hope my daughters don’t have to fight like we do for a quality of life. Keep talking. Call your representatives. Pray. If I have to endure without relief, that’s not a life worth living.
Sara
I’ve had over 20 surgeries and cancer. I’ve had four lumbar laminectomied with fusion and instrumentation , four cervical ( also with fusion and instrumentation). I have ruptured discs in the thoracic region. I’ve had two knee replacements . I have fibromyalgia and tendonitis . I don’t know if the surgeries are wearing out or if my body is crippling to the point where I will be in a wheelchair as they warned me years ago but I am 67 years old, disabled.
I’m caring for my husband who is terminally ill. We have moved to our home state and due to this move I have gone from perfect pain management to nothing at all except for two 15 mg pain pills a day. I am the only one who can drive and I have to lift and carry things by myself and it is killing me. Now I have bad rotator cuffs in my shoulders my wrists and ankles are wearing out and I am frightened. The CDC needs to read these articles and realize that I have never used heroin I’ve never been a drug addict and never would be, but they have ruined my life and it sounds like the lives of many others. Who is going to stand up and talk to these people to help those of us who don’t want to live this way anymore? Why are we being punished?
Lisa
California
Well, I am not the one with bad pain—it’s my 90 year old Mom-in-law who takes opiates for chronic pain caused by osteoporosis where her back has degenerated severely. I fear how these new rules are going to affect her. I guess they just want her to suck it up!
donna s
Ohio
I have been on Tylenol 3 for the past t years I have chronic pain in my right knee making it hard to do a whole lot then when my regular family Dr. moved to California my new Dr wouldn’t prescribe me anymore told me to go to a bone Dr did it he wouldn’t prescribe them either it’s sad the people that really need them can’t get them but the addicts probably can.
John M
Emmett Idaho
My wife takes opiods for pain and sometimes nurses and Dr.s assume she is drug seeking. Well assumptions are the results of ignorance! Yes, nurses and doctors can be ignorant. I’ve seen it before! We are moving to a red neck small town. Now I’m really worried about the dumb ass Dr.s there. Now what? Travel 6 hours round-trip each month or try and fight the local yocal morons without a clue? People who are dying and in pain get less humane treatment than an animal! That’s crazy!
John M. CNA
sandy
All I hear is how many thousands of people taking these pain medications. we have severe medical problems the reason we take the stuff. then the DEA playing god with us and telling us we can just suffer. truly, that’s what they are doing. now as to why so many have other problems of pain.. lets look at the food we are made to eat. just about all of the foods how preservatives, etc…I have notice over the years people are getting the restless leg.
RLS. I am 65 and had this since my early twenties. now days more and more getting it every day. so why is this.. common sense says we are all getting something in common. and this would be food and drinks. why aren’t these people trying to figure this out. This may stop a lot of added pain. No, they want the easier pickings.. which is the innocent people who are truly in bad shape. Notice they do this on everything. So how do we stop it. I don’t see that doctors are much help. Those who care doesn’t worry about their job. They are to help the suffering people and want to help all they can. And the other doctors will drop you like a hot potato to save their hides. This happen to me last week. Out of the blue I get a letter from my doctor telling me I was no longer his patient. I was confused as to why.
He wasn’t even prescribing pain meds for a while. He sent me to a pain management doctor and I be darn he told me he would no longer write me prescriptions and gives me another doctor. apparently I been listed as a doctor hopper. the one who canned me was giving me my two blood pressure meds, thyroid, cholesterol, and sugar medicines. now I can find another doctor to get those. most doctors here doesn’t take my medicare plus thru ARP. this countrys going to hell in a hand basket. Do you think these people would watch their own kids, families suffer in pain without pain medicines..Dont think so.
Grace
I see a loop-hole I have not tried yet. Many of the stories here seem like they would qualify for palliative care. Many people think palliative care and end of life care are the same thing. The CDC DEFINITION OF PALATIVE CARE IS DIFFERENT FROM END OF LIFE CARE.
I am going to try to get the next doctor to read the CDC recommendations. The recommendations. If I am reading them correctly. Are for Primary Care providers and it seems like many people may qualify for Paik management under pallative care CDC definitions are not the same as WHO.
Mel
Florida
Please let me know how your request for palliative care goes. I have a disabled daughter who deals with severe rheumatoid arthritis which has spawned other afflictions. No one wants to deal with a patient like this..one who is not going to get better and still is young (37). She has a child and needs to be able to do some things for his care. I am scared to see what the future holds for her. The Doctors are now controlled by the government and real care is going by the wayside.
CassieJo
East Coast, USA
Mel, I have a lot in common with your daughter. I have 4 autoimmune diseases that have caused all sorts of damage to my body. In addition, some of the bones and joint problems are associated with abuse from my birth father when I was younger. He was an abusive alcoholic. A bone density scan found most of the unhealed fractures from the abuse, including the spine.
The doctor who has treated me for pain since the doctor I was seeing moved his practice, has literally told me to check into marijuana even though it’s not legal here. I don’t want to end up in jail for treating pain, and even if I didn’t, I don’t have enough money left over in the month to afford it, not to mention I have nowhere to find it locally. There are no marijuana dispensaries here.
I guarantee you that doctors with chronic pain patients in their families aren’t suffering. I guarantee you that McCain gets pain medication for his cancer. If them, why not us?
Dee
CA
It most likely will not help if the pain patient is with a pain specialist or not.
I have been a patient of a pain specialist within a pain clinic. For the 20 years I’ve had to take time released pain meds for a nerve root injury. Not once have I ever lost a RX, misused meds or not passed a surprise urinalysis.
I became a chronic pain patient because of a ruptured nerve root injury which happened during surgery.
The pain clinic Im a patient of have decided to follow the CDC guidelines. They are taking away all opioids from their patients. My doctor said it’s the new policy of the practice. He said though he knows I’m not a overdose risk, misuse or abuser he has no choice the doctors in the pain clinic are worried about being prosecuted. As my doctor said “it’s just not worth it”
Grace
United States
I have three chronic pain diseases. One rare. The pain has been going on for twenty five years. In the last year I have become bedridden. Since January 2017 I stared takin hydrocodone. I am still bedridden , but with the pain medicine I am not in agony. Now the dr says he is only going to do injections. I had an epidural in October and it caused a stroke.
So I can’t do that. I don’t know what I will do. I am an old woman I don’t want to break the law..I don’t need something as strong as heroin. I wouldn’t even know where to go to get that stuff. Does the medical community want seniors to start taking heroin or to kill ourselves? I have never even had a parking ticket and now. I have to not only live bedridden but in torturous pain.
We need a lobbiest and a lawyer who can start using for senior abuse and failure to provide compassioionate care. I already lived twenty five years In pain withou opiates now that I am in agony will I be able to endure twenty more years.. I don’t think I can go more than a few more days.
Lori
Florida
If I was a horse I would have been shot years ago….when a horse can no longer be a horse they are taken out with dignity. If you’re a human that can barely walk as I, I am forced to suffer on a daily basis 24/7 with NO quality of life. Only the drug dealers have access to the medication people like me are only able to barely function. And the people behind it is our own wonderful government, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies.
Tom
Home
I Identify with most of the stories on here. I am a 62-year-old male and have had the misfortune of having many surgeries over the years: I had ilateral thoracic outlet resections where they take a piece of a rib out on both sides to open up a space for arteries, nerves, and veins to go through to your arm to keep the space from closing up so you do not lose all feeling to your arm, and hands. Or potentially getting gangrene on your fingers and hands and having them amputated.
I had a spinal fusion on c-4 through c-7 (C-spine) with a cadaver bone and hardware to keep it in place; I tore out ligaments in my right ankle so badly that it had to be completely reconstructed. Have had continuous pain over time, which makes it hard to walk, from calcium deposits and arthritis.
I have severe degenerative osteoarthritis in both shoulders, with corresponding frozen shoulder, and muscle atrophy.
Now I have a history of taking opiates for some of this over the years and, in fact at one point, being addicted to them. It was a very horrible experience getting off of them, and I spent years trying to adjust to the pain with alternative ways of treating it, including cognitive behavior classes, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Not to mention severe depression which I still deal with, trying more cognitive behavior classes, group therapy etc.
All this, and pain is still constant. Now, 2 weeks ago I had severe sciatica pain from my right lower back my buttock and hip all down my leg. Since all I had been through I tried to be positive and thought I would treat it with Ibuprofen and it would go away soon. It turns out after the pain became more severe, lasting 2 weeks, then pain becoming unbearable, I checked into the ER. After an MRI I found that I have several bulging disks, osteophytes, narrowing of the spaces where the nerves go through with a complete nerve root compression on L 4 and 5. Believe me, this is causing a tremendous amount of pain. So much so I would call it insanely painful, which I have never experienced. On a level of 1 to 10 I would say it is a 12.
Herein lies my dilemma: In the ER they gave me morphine, and it barely touched the pain but just made me a bit loopy. I ended up going home with a mix of meds including Norco 10/325 600 mg, ibuprofen tabs, prednisone, and a muscle relaxer. I have seen a neurosurgeon and a pain specialist since then. The plan is to schedule an epidural with a cortisone medication to help with the pain and pinpoint within 90% efficiency where it is in case I need surgery. So again I am faced with the thought of needing opiates, knowing all the risks.
I cannot live with this kind of intense acute pain. The chronic pain was intense enough. Instead of making new laws to prevent us from getting the help we need maybe they need to enact some real changes enabling people to decide if they wish to live, or die.I know this sounds morbid but it is a very real and troubling issue. Even faced with all the complications of opioid addiction I believe if I could relieve some of this pain with a pill it would be the best choice. Thank you for letting me vent.
Lynn J
MD
I suffer from chronic pain and am appalled at the DEA restrictions placed upon medical professionals and patients regarding opioids. Why should those of us who are responsible prescription takers be punished by those who abuse drugs?
What can we do? Are there any organizations which I can join to fight this cruel and dangerous situation?
Joseph
Pa
Marijuana gateway drug for decades, Feds legalize it, tax it,put the word medical in front of it, now it’s ok. When they find a way to tax pain meds, they will relax the laws. Gaurenteed!
Piper
Greensboro
Has anyone thought about severe pain in diabetics?! I’ve been on opioids for over 25 years. I’ve never over dosed or sold pills to others! I’ve been with the same Dr. And PA’s for that long of time! I was diagnosed with Type 11 diabetes about 4 years ago. With hard work I was able to get my A1C to 6.4. But then came the new law criminalizing my need for opioids! Because of the decrease in my morphine dosage my pain has increased 10 fold! This increases sugar levels because of chemicals released that increase sugar levels in the blood.
Now, my sugar level has started to top out in the 200’s and it is only getting worse! So? I ask– which evil is greater and what should I do?! The people who changed the law did not consider diabetics and pain and heart attacks and amputations!! Drug users will get there drugs any way they can. But for a law abiding citizen- we are screwed!!!!
Paula K.
NC
Crystal
Arizona
I’ve been going to the same Rheumatologist for 17 years. Have been on Duragesic patches for the last ten years. Was told that to protect her practice, she can no longer prescribe pain medication to me for the condition I have. Said the government is encouraging losing weight, exercising, etc. I’ve taken drug tests every month and taken the medication as prescribed, but my Doctor said her hands are tied. Now going through hell going off this medication and in extreme pain. Not sure what the future holds, or if I can live in this state. Btw, I would have been fine if I had been offered a medication not as strong as what I was on. Feeling scared and hopeless.
Kathy
California
I am a 68 year old female with tendons around the rotator cuff torn so many places they can’t operate. Not that operating works. I have been cut off taking any opiods and am in such agony, that my quality of life is nothing. I am bed bound. I am suicidal, because it truly is impossible to live with this pain and my arm is becoming useless. I also have sever osteo arthritis and lower back nerve damage all of which can be taken care of by one 10mg of Percocet to take care of it. This is most definitely elder abuse and an attorney should get us all together and fight the CDC and FDA against such abuse.
D Everett
The CDC & politicians could care less, yet if THEY have any discomfort, we’ll they have the real pain unlike the serfs. I’m sick and in bed most of every day because I refuse to play games with the gov and pain man. I have been cut back to the point it don’t work anyway, so why keep the dr visits every month, I have two choices, the street drugs or death, I’ll not buy off the street because I’m not a drug abuser, I’m an old man in pain, and no one cares.
Maria
California
Yesterday I was sent to the ER because I have chronic migraines, TMJ, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. My doctor called ahead and ordered Demerol. After all the years suffering it’s the only thing that helps. After trying Dilaudid, which did not work, and after 6 hours, an ER doc gave it to me or I was going to be admitted. It’s been hell for 5 days. I feel better but 5 days in agony is living hell. I have been in chronic pain for 31 years. I’m going to try to get my doc to give me a script for the future. I feel that as a chronic pain sufferer I was being profiled as an addict. I would do anything to feel pain free. Sick of meds and docs.
Frances
Columbia, Maryland
Absolutely ridiculous what the government and a couple of zealots are trying to do to people who are in chronic pain. I would like to see what happens when some of these lawmakers are in chronic pain.
Trying to control people through legislation has worked so well for the government in the past. Look at alcohol and marijuana…
Lori
Illinois
There is a huge amount of us in this same boat of needing opiods to in order to have quality of life. We do not misuse, sell or harm anyone else but we need to have this medication in order to function through our chronic illness and pain. There has to be a group or a way to form a group to take this to the surgeon general or CDC or whoever has decided that they need to punish us in order to stop abuse. I have zero quality of life without opiods and there is nothing to offer me as alternative that helps. It is time for us to take our stand on intrusion between my doctor and my health. Let me know of a place to go and do more than write my story or let’s get one started! Who knows anything we can do?
Kristen
Michigan
I am 47 yrs old n have a kidney disease w chronic pain n a ton of stones at all times and it takes a month to pass 1 stone from scar tissue, chronic kidney n bladder infections, severe osteoporosis, hurniated n bulged discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, kyphosis, scoliosis which I have lost 3 inches in height from all of it.
A ton of adhesions from a kidney surgery that almost killed me, arthritis in my wrist from breaking it n one of the bones didnt heal in place, TMJ, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve damage from an old injury in my heal, 3 complete tears in my shoulder from repetitive stress injury which cant b fixed, tendenopathy and bone spurs in it, tear in my knee thats not healing, bakers cyct..just to name a few!!
I have had over 30 surgeries in my life! I want to move to Florida because my body cant take the cold but I am scared i wont b able to get any pain meds because i was accused by the state where i live 5 yrs ago of dr shopping because i had emergency kidney surgery which i got 10 percocet, another kidney surgery 2 weeks later by a diff dr which he knew he ruptured everything inside me n sent me home w 7 very strong opiod suppositories for organ pain and spasms (which cost $100 each so my mom only got me 2 of them) then i called an ambulance later that night n ended up in ICU at a diff hospital by my house for 2 collapsed lungs, pleural effusion, sepsis, blood clots in lungs n legs, ruptured ureter, ruptured diaphragm, hemorrhaging internally and was told i prob wouldnt live n when i went home the dr there gave me 40 Percocet so i got 3 diff narcotics from 3 diff drs all in a months time!
Now, I have severe adhesions, a paralyzed diaphragm all of which I’ve been in myofascial and visceral therapy for 5 years! I have many days i cant get out of bed even with pain meds but without them i would nvr get out of bed! N the state wants to worry about addicts? That is their choice, this is not my choice but i have to suffer! Well they can save the addict who has rehabs to go get help, where do i have to get help for all my pain? Nowhere!!!
Save the addict and let ppl like me die because im so sick of suffering im about done n if i get cancer again i will NOT get any treatment for it..why would i when its just gonna b more pain n no relief at least hospice will make me comfortable! So all in all the state offers more help and more relief for addicts and dont care about ppl suffering or choosing to die instead of getting treatment for cancer because they will suffer because of the addicts! Our country is not a free country its so corrupt it makes me sick!
Help the addict n screw the sick! I hope the addicts break into every house of the ppl making these laws because they are not stopping them they are just making them turn to heroin but we are suffering! Maybe i need to try heroin to get out of pain!
Lanna
Island, BC
I, too, have many areas that require pain med but unfortunately(?) I am unable to tolerate most opiades the last being 1 fentanyl patch that made me hallucinate, act crazy, land up in hospital for 2 weeks. Other opiades have all caused me enormous strange things happening to me such as fearing doctors trying to kill me while in the hospital, strange characters coming out of light bulbs in the ceiling one bulb was exactly over my bed.
I escaped from the hospital in the middle of the night a very cold night without adequate clothing on, no money, no phone; therefore I landed in the ER which was right close by. These are only a few examples of what I have gone through starting at the age of 64. I am now 77 and have be trying for all these years to get my back, shoulder, leg and foot (all on the right side) fixed. I take Tylenol 3 to help with the extreme pain which never stops. I often wonder, at my age, why bother seeking help any longer.
Seniors, I believe, are of no value any longer in our society. I never thought Canada would turn on us like this. Our medical is terrible here in Canada. Believe me.
dee ann
Corinth NEW YORK
I know of doctors who prescribed Suboxone, charge up to $200.00 per monthly visit (they don’t take medicare of medicade). The saddest I’ve witnessed is people who are prescribed Suboxone can sell an 8 mg. film for $20.00. If you’re elderly it’s easy to assume we won’t get better and the quality of life is nil.
I had a primary doctor about 20 yrs. ago who told me that, in England they believe in legalization, if a person wants off and can’t because they’re addicted, they treat them with Suboxone, which was developed there.
He also told me, as we had very stimulating and honest conversations. He admitted to me that a certain number and class of people are not going to be treated as they should be as they are elderly and or severely disabled and will die soon enough, I believed him then and now.
Elizabeth
Ohio
I have had Crohn’s disease since 2008, the first few years of having it my crohN’s specialist always urged me to take prescriptions for Percocet, but I never filled them because I was determined to handle the pain and not risk getting addicted to the pain medication. I’ve never been addicted to anything but the pain from Crohn’s is so severe that I just feared I’d be in pain meds more than not. However, I made it a long time without pain meds.
After having a few babies, getting a bit older, I came to the point of deciding to stop letting myself suffer through the pain of Crohn’s. I began asking for pain medication prescriptions and one prescription lasted months as I used them sparingly only on super bad days. Earlier this year after a routine colonoscopy my specialist told me he wouldn’t prescribe me pain medications anymore, this immediately scared me to tears.
Anxiety kicked in, and all I could do was imagine the pain of Crohn’s and not getting any relief! The thought of this actually happening to me has caused me severe anxiety quite awhile before it actually happened. And now it was my reality, I ended up writing my specialist a letter explaining my point of view to him. I don’t know if this helped but I think doctors are so scared anymore to do their jobs for fear of it coming back on them that they need to see their patients in an individual light sometimes.
I’ve seen the same Crohn’s specialist since 2008 and in that time I’ve only asked for pain medications maybe 5 times, I’m not an addict, I don’t sell my prescriptions, I need this medication to be able to function at times and I pointed all this out to him. I need him to see me, not only the restrictions of the CDC and DEA. I’m all for restricting pain medications but for the people who have abused or sold them(at any point in time) not for those of us who suffer legitimate & documented pain! It’s just unfair and I say how dare they deny us our medications that we need for our treatment of pain?
How can sending us to PT or prescribing off label medications, etc. help us?? I refuse to take off label medications for Crohn’s pain when the medication has not been approved by the CDC for that condition/disease/type of pain. This is a catch all, we can’t expect People in pain to take the “alternate” medications (that surely never worked for me!) and to roll over and just take it.
I don’t even comprehend how a medical organization can across the board not allow their doctors to prescribe pain medications to begin with. This just seems completely absurd!
I have a family member who has abused prescription medications for years, abused drugs for years, tested positive at the doctors offices for drugs and high limits of rx medications and even supposedly admitted to her doctors she abused them yet she is still able to get any medication she seeks out! I’m at a loss with this situation. It infuriates me so bad!
The doctors, CDC & DEA need to address the addicts and sellers of prescriptions FIRST AND FOREMOST! And if after doing that they still see a huge problem in this country with pain medications then take it a step further, what they are doing now is completely unethical!! Stop damning the ones who aren’t doing wrong, it hurts us in more ways than one and can ultimately cause us to have more medical problems or conditions. It’s all really just common sense.
See We Cee 2
Austin
As a Texan, I would first suggest a few items that need to be more ‘specific’ when these Government Agencies start tossing out numbers concerning RX Pain Medications, Dr’s who write the RX’s and the patients (chronic pain or otherwise) that fill them at the Pharmacy. First, I consider myself a qualified commenter on this issue as a 30+ year chronic pain sufferer (2 diseases with no cure, no treatment and listed as Ultra-Rare) – I don’t have to mention very painful, as well. But, the topper is they are both Progressive. Surgery usually means the condition returns, more often worse than before. My only choice is to control the pain – period. I even tried experimental Radiation to simply lessen the pain, to no success. So, no question to having incurable and painful disease with the ADVICE to leave it alone! Do the math= I have but ONE choice and that is see a Pain Dr. and get RX written to reduce my 24/7 pain. Now, I’m also listed having Disability, but I worked over 42 years and paid the all SS tax. See Pain Dr every month and a Psych Dr. I’ll address WHY the need for a Psychiatrist. This ‘other side’ has consequences equally as bad.
When I could not find one single Dr. who had even heard of my rare issue, he evaluated me and suspected something that I didn’t know of, involving the dangers of unabating, untreated chronic pain. The Public will NOT be aware or informed of this dangerous OTHER side of this effect because it reveals an unknown medical threat that SHOULD (in fairness to the victims) be shown as a real, possible threat to compliant users if deprived of RX medications to control pain. By agreeing to treat my pain, to save my brain, my CNS, and to keep the constant pain from the negative ‘rewiring’ of my pain alert system, I’m sure he slowed the damage. 99% of the Public will never hear about what happens to a person who has non-stop pain that goes untreated. The effect on the body and brain is sinister and can sometimes alter or re-wire normal response. If allowed to continue by NOT controlling the constant (“DO SOMETHING about this pain!) signal sent to and from the brain and other body systems necessary to function normally, damage can occur and be permanent. My Psychiatrist referred to this as Neuroplasticity in a negative, adverse re-wiring of normal brain function that communicates pain signals affecting the natural bodily response to address the source causing the pain.
The numbers are clear showing the problem of RX drug abuse and the victims of those who had no medical need to have, or use, these meds that were intended for those with a real medical issue causing chronic pain and the prescribing of a pain control RX, verified by a Physician’s evaluation of a patient’s claim of pain. Of course, it is logical to assume a Physician, a Specialist in Pain Management, would be taught in Medical school the effects of pain relief on the systemic body as a whole AND, as well, the effects of pain NOT controlled and the resultant effects (possibly adverse) on these same body functions. Chronic pain is the focus here, not acute pain. A person using RX drugs for recreation purposes is more in line with acute pain and, being opiate naive, a medium strength pain medication could result in death to a person with an injury or a person using an opiate-opioid drug for recreational activity. Both have little to no tolerance and therein lies the danger. A chronic pain sufferer has been diagnosed and under the care of a medical professional, and has (or could, with lengthy treatment) become dependent and, eventually, will develop some tolerance to opiates or opioid synthetic equivalents. The evaluation demonstrating a need for pain relief being the key difference in those with chronic pain in comparison to ALL others with non-chronic pain. In addition, this comparison is similar using acute pain (pain from injury, surgery) vs. those who have neither acute or chronic pain, but use the medication illegally, for other purposes and therefore choose to ignore the warnings and instructions for use listed clearly by the Manufacterers on the packaging and on the detail insert inside (however, it is unlikely any original packaging was involved when obtained, due to the details on the RX label becoming incriminating evidence).
In the scope of Healthcare, or in the constant demonizing of all RX pain meds, the one-sided attack that stigmatizes those who need pain control for their disease or long-term prognosis of continued pain, make CPP’s the target, and as well, the cause for the “drug abuse epidemic.” In reality, where is the demand for accountability for the deaths of those who do not need, or have any affliction, that would require the use of Scheduled medications? Not found, but mentioned in tragic news stories to further the true agenda to take away all RX pain medications. These are the only ‘victims’ portrayed to the Public. Another blanket policy used to explain the lack of responsibility that is rampant today, as it helps support Agendas and garners support for irrational ideas and provides excuses, using tragedy to generate an emotional, knee-jerk reaction. For each of these stories, a story showing a living victim who cannot get pain relief should be shown as the end-result of the story, essentially, about reckless behavior and how irresponsible actions are used against those who take responsibility, yet are punished because of the actions of a few who take risks and suffer from those decisions. Taking away pain control from those who truly live with chronic pain, and/or disabled (and now dependent-tolerant) will have them suffering two or three-fold:
1. Withdraw from current pain control or a reduction that isn’t effective
2. Neuroplasticity, adverse effects on neural networks from pain returning
3. Diminished Quality of Life and with few (if any) legal alternatives for pain
Not only mental and physical pain uncontrolled, but a reduction of normal life and the activities that they could once enjoy, or at least in less pain. Add to this the daily loss of Pain Specialists that are so restricted, a regular Family Dr. could RX weak RX drugs themselves, and re-inventing by restrictions injuries that will heal, a temporary pain control for surgery or an operation as all a Pain Dr. will feel comfortable treating.
Now, I would be interested in the numbers of those with Chronic Pain, those left to fend for themselves. How many and what will they do now for their pain? It isn’t going away, is it? And, how about Pharmacy regulations? When these events occur in other Countries, what happens?
This War on RX drug abuse – how will it be won? What will numbers show and how many of those with a life sentence of chronic pain decide to end it all? 20%? 30%? 50%? I question who, in the end, will be the victims of this ‘war’ with constantly changing guidelines – guidelines now so stringent, even those who have done everything 100% by the book – they are finding it impossible to meet all the repetitious testing, the guilty until they prove their innocence action they have to do, lest they be guilty of SOME wrong – (even after a decade of proper behavior), and this because pain control is their one and only bit of ‘peace of mind’, the one thing that allows them to not dread getting out of bed (or, for some), able to even GET out of bed. Shameful in a Country that has the resources and brain-power to make LOGICAL rules of Fairness.
What happened to compassion? Apple, anyone?
“An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”
or, is it now:
“One bad Apple keeps the Doctor away – and does spoil the entire bunch.”
Sara
Texas
See We C2 (& all here): Very, very well stated; exactly how I feel every time the war on prescription drugs is brought up on TV – and hailed as a brilliant solution for those addicted. Every time I hear or see it, I’ve been immediately fearful for my husband of 37 yrs, who has been struck over the last 10 yrs+ from everything imaginable, to name a few; auto-immune disease, Pituitary Macroadenoma suppressing vital hormones (most of which can luckily be supplemented- unless future nationwide medical decision is made to take these off the market due to anyone anywhere possibly abusing), bladder cancer, fibromyalgia; but the most painful of his ailments is chronic-(every single minute for him) – hip and spinal pain from ddd/djd – his deemed inoperable from most all (trusted) neuro/ortho doctors assessments.
My husband has somehow (I wouldn’t be able to if it were my dx’s- one added upon another ea time he seems to turn around) – be able to keep my spirits up as much as he has (til now) – that’s his personality and disposition. He didn’t give up hope, til now. How dare simple-minded ‘do-gooders’ take away the only thing that keeps many chronic pain sufferers going each day?!? He continued working, full time, only being able to by taking prescribed Hydrocodone several times a day to reduce the pain just enough to allow him to keep moving, and do his job (Engineer).
Each time I see the current war on (prescription) drugs- although not one to wish pain on any one, I cannot help but think if only the people making these decisions had pain like those here, (maybe too late for us they will) – that they would not be making the decisions they’re making, that trade-in the lives of the long-suffering innocent victims – that far out-weigh whatever ‘gains’ they aspire to in this decision.
Some people in some states are taking this up with the courts; I don’t know which State- but a few men were able to force the system to allow them to be listed as ‘pallitative care’ patients – one of the few exclusions to the new drug laws. They were chronic pain sufferers, not end-of-life patients – and I don’t know if that ruling extended to other chronic pain patients in that state- or just the guys going to court. Worth checking into, worth bringing to a higher court in each State.
Barbra W
Well put Austin. I could not have said this better! There is no study that confirms those who have been on opiates for chronic pain versus acute pain are contributing to the opiate deaths in our country. This is a serious problem. The DEA does not know how to solve this (it took them 5 years to shut down the “drug” clinics in Florida) after the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act had been devised (I architect this program for the Department of Justice). This is shameful as all of us who are compliant with our opiate prescription have agreed to the PDMA before taking them.
Darlene
Virginia
I’ve been on narcotics for at least 20 years and I have NEVER abused them. I have never asked for more than I was prescribed. I do my best not to take them, but after 4 hip surgeries, 4 abdominal surgeries, shoulder surgery, 3 car accidents, severe migraines, cluster migraines, fibromyalgia, mixed connective tissue disease, trigeminal neuralgia, occiptial neuralgia, 6 bulging discs in my back, spinal cord compression, etc…I’m not sure how I am expected to NOT use pain medicine.
I was recently told by my physician that he would not prescribe pain medicine anymore due to the new regulations in Virginia. He has been my doctor since I was 8 years old and he made me feel like I was a drug addict! I’m already ashamed and embarrassed that I need the medicine. Signs up everywhere about abuse, its just so humiliating. It makes you feel bad about yourself.
He said I was going to have to go to a pain clinic. I have already been multiple times! I was given injections that caused more pain than they helped. You can only have three injections a year! WHAT A JOKE! So, how are they planning on helping this widespread pain in my body? Antidepressants? So, now we are crazy? It’s so expensive to see specialists.
You might feel better for 3 or 4 days, but that’s it. It’s not worth it. The way our health insurance is now, I can’t even afford to go. They finally gave up on helping me at the pain clinic, but refused to give narcotics. Sent me back to my primary doctor. Since then, I have gotten a prescription for 90 pills every three months. One pill a day.
This is less than I used to take, because I am scared myself of being addicted. So I suffer most of the time. I understand that they need to be careful and mindful when prescribing pills, but isn’t this what doctor’s have gone to school so many years for? To treat patients? I hope EVERY SINGLE lawmaker who has voted to stop people from having a more functional life will too learn to experience chronic pain. They deserve it.
Now, we will all have to live a less active life. What’s the point? I’d rather be addicted to pills actually and be able to live my life rather than sit on my couch, because I cannot hardly move. If they lived one day in this body and realized how much pain I am actually in every day and not treating, I doubt they could handle it. I don’t know what the answer is, but just cutting people off is going to create more addicts than if you prescribed it.
People will go to the streets for their drugs instead and will end up on stronger things like heroin. I can explain how it made me feel. I already feel powerless about a lot of things in my health. This just added to the hopeless and overwhelming despair that I feel inside that I can’t live a normal life. It already sucks, thank you so much for making it harder for me to just do normal every day housework. I am already cleaning one room at a time, because my back will not allow me to do more.
I’m on disability and it’s difficult for me to do ordinary things that people take for-granted. I never thought in America that we would have an issue with access to health care. This is taking our access away and our right to feel better. I’ve never used any drug that I did not have a prescription for either. SHAME ON YOU for making it harder on those of us who actually need medicine to make things just a little easier.
Mia
Indiana.
This is an older post, but guidlines were enforced as law. Every single pain clinic in my area is gone. DEA storm trooped and seized files repeatedly. If no inproprieties were found, the Governor would find something. I have an incureable though (unfortunately) not fatal condition that is well documented to be equal to pain of a stage 4 bladder Cancer patient. Nothing tried was sucessful. My specialist is forbidden by law to use the proper and accepted medical pritocol amount of pain medicine.
The government ruined my life. We have the worst opiod epidemic this country has ever seen. Not one iota that figures into tjis are prescription pain meds. It is heroin and poison Fentanyl pills from China stamped to look like a prescription pill, though one pill kills you. A dealer of this poison was just sentenced to 90 days. Pill mills were closed. Doctors sanctioned. We all have electronic records that every doctor, pharmacy and hospital sees. Problem over. But that never was the problem. Follow the money. It is politics and money. The money is in rehab.
Some sites are actually fronts for pricey rehab centers. Next, watch for “for profit prisons” Christie is the nail in our coffin. He wants all prescription pain meds gone because his friend died. Sure did. He took an entire bottle and washed it down with a bottle of vodka. So we get punished again. Suicides skyrocketing. This is nothing short of legal genocide.
Darline
Phoenix
I have been taking the same 2 pain medications (tylenol 3 and tramadol 100mg ER) for my fibromialgia which started after my second c-section for over 3 years now, and just recently I have been cut off because of the new laws. My body hurts, and not only that but my Cystic Fibrosis is coming back twice as hard. They also told me I could not have my Anti-Depressant (lorezapam 1mg) that I only take probably once every 3 days, and my mind is going nuts. I naturally have a lot of anger from my childhood, and I don,t know how to cope with the stress of my two toddlers. Especially because I’m in so much pain.
I will see a Pain Specialist soon in order to get my prescriptions but I will most likely be turned down because I look so young (that is the reason why I was turned down two years ago and never went back). These doctors are so cruel. I honestly feel that I can’t get proper treatment because I’m a minority, not just because I look young. The drugs I take are not something you can sell because they are such low doses. There honestly isn’t a reason not to give me the prescriptions that I need.
D Everett
Tramadol is no better than aspirin why they made it a a narco is beyond me,
Shsrron
Las Vegas, NV
My daughter was in an accident which almost tore her hand off and now has CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome) which only about 2% of people with traumatic injuries get. This disease has deformed her hand and arm and spreads to other parts of the body. On a pain scale it is equal to cancer pain. She is disabled now and has had this chronic pain for over 10 years. She has been going to a pain doctor for 8 years because she could not function. She was given Oxycontin which has been monitored every month for that same time. Now it does not work as well but she cannot get any other pain medication for break-through pain. She also takes Lyrica for the awful burning.
The pain doctor could not help her get out of pain with these new rules that punish people really in pain. So they had to put in a pain pump, which has been a terrible ordeal so far. The doctor will not give her additional pain medicine because he does not want to lose his license even, after she had a painful surgery.
I am so angry to see her suffering because of drug addicts taking advantage of the system which is now so overblown and hurting people in real excruciating pain. What can I do? We are helpless now. I cry for her as I see the suffering. Can they put in an amendment for exceptions? Surely people should not be treated like animals writing in pain because of such burdensome rules.
Sandy
Texas
I have chronic pain that I have been dealing with since 1999. Little by little, and along with numerous procedures, injections and constant need for medication to control my pain, I have had to learn that pain is just a fact of life I have to live with but what keeps me from feeling sorry for myself is the guy across the street, who has dealt with excruciating pain most of his life.
He has Spina Bifida and has had over 35 surgeries – all which by themselves were enough to leave him with a lot of pain. And now they want to cut his medication to a level where he just won’t be able to exist with any quality of life. He says he just wants to die and even though he says he won’t make it happen, he knows that by being cut to that level, it will happen anyway and he welcomes it. When his thoracic pain level gets too high, his spine in that area goes into spasms and he can’t breathe. Lack of oxygen alone will do the job. He’s desperate. This cut back on medication for chronic patients affects people – wives, kids, all the loved ones of the patient as collateral damage.
It’s not a drug problem we have in this case – it’s a burearacacy problem! People who are not suffering don’t have the capacity to understand the person who does and they go home at night to their family without having to face the consequences of their decisions. If they had to suffer for a while, they would change their tune in a hurry! This is cruelty with the idea of euthanasia at its root.
So much easier to let a person suffer and die than to try to help them have any quality of life. My pain is bad enough, but neighbor’s is so much worse that I can’t even imagine being in his shoes – except that I’ve had enough of a taste of it to know what it can do to you and therefore I would do anything I could to see that he didn’t have to suffer like this! Write your senator, your congressman and keep up the pressure on these people until they get the message – that’s what I’m doing and I’m not going to let up!
Piper
NC
I have been on opioids for 25 years. I finally found the right combination with my pain management provider. But now, with this new law, she has cut my prescriptions to 1/3 of my regular dose with no tapering off time! If you have been through withdrawal you know how awful it really is!
After just two days, I have become very sick and increasingly incapacitated! The pain once relieved is now back!!! I have never taken more than prescribed or sold my drugs to others! I know my body! I know how to take my drugs! But now my life has no meaning except pain, pain, pain and disgust and distrust for any physician!
Diane
It’s so sad when people who have no chronic pain judge you. I have enduring pain due to Fibromyalgia, CFS, and other diseases. Those who judge me should walk a mile in my shoes. One of the judges drinks and smokes after have two heart attacks. What makes what she does any different than what I do. I take all kind of supplements B12, Magnesium, Tumeric powder, anything I think maybe long lasting.
I’ve wasted money on these products trying to get relief. My house is a mess meanwell, my doctor of 20 + years found out I’m not a Trump supporter as she is. This doctor has meant so much in my life I wrote her a book of letters and quotes for Christmas. She told me I took the medicine to make me happy.
I wanted to say, you know I’ve been on anti-depression medicine for years and I’m not happy yet. I’m 62 and my mother could work circles around me but she didn’t work in this kind of stressful workplace that I did. My husband worked in the coal mines for 50+ years, fail in a bucket, broke his back…why 7 days a week, madarory sometimes 12-16 hours per week, 5 years later he had a near fatal car accident! 22 days in the hospital, 7 days in ICU, 5 operations, and a STAPH infection. Life is not so good at the Howard household.
barry
New jersey
I been through 6 failed lower back operations with damaged nerve scar tissue on nerve 5, severe deterioration in disc in upper back, multiple bone spurs sticking me in my nerves, and 2 bulging discs in my neck and another bulging disc in my lower back. The pain is soooooo bad I can hardly walk. These laws are going to cause a lot of people to go to heroin or worse.
CHRIS
I agree…I had one insurance company advise meto take 3000 mg’s of tylenol EVERY DAY!!!!!! I said to them, ”YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING?? TYLENOL IS KILLING PEOPLE EVERY DAY!!””..they said, well, that is what we recommend. I live with daily, chronic pain from many conditions and having had to since, 2007, and trying many, pain meds, going through withdrawals, changing to different meds,etc etc…. i believe that 1 vicodin, compared to 3000 mg’s of tylenol, is a lot safer!!! I am older and now experienced and it is because of the addicts , that we will no longer be able to be prescribed meds!!! Sadly, some of us, have very serious and painful conditions, and MUST have access to a stronger relief, than tylenol!!! One day, when the people in charge, do develop pain themselves, will they finally realize, that chronic, daily pain is real!!!!
Lori
League City, Texas
I am a 52 year-old mom with 2 grown sons and a husband of 27 years. The last three of those 27 years he’s been sober.
I have Sjogrens Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety and PTSD. What is happening with the restrictions of opiates/opioids is terribly unfair.
Millions of people suffer from chronic pain, myself included. I will lay odds that there are not millions of drug addicts who die from opiate drug overdoses. I don’t understand why the CDC has done this.
Drug dealers will love it, though. Now the black market for Opioids will literally triple in size. Lots of people will try to buy them online, where the meds will be from places like Pakistan or Poland or Ukraine. And they will cost hundreds of dollars for who-knows-what ingredients in them. I think Big Pharma and Big Government have colluded for this. It’s a mystery to me as to why. I believe that the Poppy plant should go the way of Marijuana. Growers and dispensers can set up shop and help those of us with chronic pain
What the CDC has not considered is there will be, tragically, a rise in suicides because death will be better than living another day without chronic pain relief.
Dorothy
Iowa
I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I am also a chronic pain sufferer who doesn’t get enough of the right medication to get rid of my pain. I wanted to tell you of a story of one of my very good friend who was so desperate for pain relief that she sought relief on an on-line pharmacy for medication that would help her pain. The site claimed you could get pain medication without a prescription and would get it with overnight delivery. My friend wired $350.00 to them in hopes of pain relief. What my friend got was nothing. A week later they called her and told her that the package had arrived, but was delayed because of “festivals”. That there was going to be a delivery man to deliver the package that evening. That for her “safety” and the delivery man driver’s “safety” that she was to go to a department store and buy an I-Tunes gift card in the amount of $199.99 to give to the delivery man in return for the package. My friend had told her husband what had happened, and when she took the phone to him and told the man to tell him exactly what to do again, the man hung up. The man called back a few times and then finally gave up. She was scammed and all because she was desperate for pain relief when doctors won’t help. It is a very sad situation for all of us now~
George
Pennsylvania
How is this not cruel and unusual punishment?
George
PENNSYLVANIA
I have chronic refractory headache, the headache never ends, and has been here for 15 years. I have been unsuccessfuly on every class of preventative and abortives with no help. I was being treated with an effective pain treatment by a neurologist, who retired. Now the response was to take me off all pain meds and claims that being in pain is healthier, and being stuck in bed for 90% of my time is the goal. I can not get into a pain clinic because the head is neuro turf, so now my I am left seeing how much pain I can endure before I give up…
Worried for future
KY
I agree with everything being said here. I have been a chronic pain patient for several years now, never abused it and never ever thought about giving it away or selling it. Why would I waste my time and money going to the doctor’s office for a long spent time waiting just to see him for 15 minutes then going to the pharmacy to not use what I need just to be able to work?
What I take doesn’t take my pain away and I have multiple health issues, degenerative disk disease, costochondritis which cannot be treated with the regular meds due to my stomach ulcers and it causes a tremendous amount of pain, hematologic issues and of course multiple sclerosis I was diagnosed with 2 years ago which makes my pain even worse.
On my last visit I was told that the board is making my physician get my # down to a lower level on some type of review document they had on his patients, they were doing this to all their patients, so I’m 50 pills less than what I have been on for 4 years and I was in tears when I left the office because of being worried on what this is going to do to me. My pain never goes away and is always there but my medication kept it to a tolerable level which is all I cared about to be able to work. I’m constantly worrying about running out of my medication before my next refill and constantly counting them each week to make sure I can stretch them out.
The board I believe didn’t consider all of my health problems and I doubt they cared. I’m currently doing the recommended behavioral therapy (have been for 3 years now), I do the exercise therapy without any luck for pain relief but keeps me active is all and of course tried another drug that can also be abused “antidepressants” which my behavioral doctor stopped since they didn’t help.
They have made it easier for people to OD on these drugs because if someone is addicted to heroin or narcotic painkillers they can carry their own personal naloxone to save them if they do OD. So we try even harder to be able to get the help we need for our actual health issues while this is being given to people that are addicted.
I know this has been an uphill battle for several years now for people dealing with chronic pain and its very tiresome. There has to be a better way to help chronic pain patients to keep us separate from the abusers.
Natalie
Tennessee
My name is Natalie, I do have a list of medicle problems that’s caused severe pain including a desease that causes my skin to fall off in patches, it’s very painful. I have taken OxyContin for four years that control some my chronic pain, and I am grateful. I cannot help people who do not understand the seriousness of this problem, they would have to experience it themselves.
I have had pharmacist not honor my prescription because they think in some crazy way they are helping the opioid crisis, I have also met pharmacist of great humanity who will go out of their way to help me if they can, the same with doctors. What they are doing by lumping us all together makes no sense, we are all individuals, each case must be reviewed that way. We have to some how speak as loud as they do, opioids are not the problem it’s how they are used. Those of us who need them to have a measure of normality of life need to speak up.
I have used my prescription for four years now in the manner the doctor perscribes, I am not an addict, I am able to function as a reasonable adult. They have it wrong.
Michael
Florida
My wife is in severe pain for years from 2 car accidents in 3 years. She is very disciplined when it comes to taking her Vicoden when she did take them. Now they cut her off. She was taking them for 5 years, and she don’t have any withdrawal which is wonderful, but her pain is break through and she is in pain all day and miserable. Her quality of life went down, and she has no interest in anything anymore, even go see our son in the USAF. I feel her pain.
She wrote her local city officials to explain to them the reasoning behind all this.
“People on heroin are doing heroin to get their next high. People in actual pain, take pain meds to get their quality of life back! There is a difference, It is a choice!”
The government needs to keep their noses out of our lives! If we say we in pain,,,, WE IN PAIN!
Jason
In
I’m a 35 year old male I’ve had over 25 surgery, cancer and I’m in stupid pain all the time. If my pain medication was taken away I would only have two choices: 1. Obtain a illegal substance that would do the same thing or 2. Take my own life. And yes it’s that bad I think of giving up on a regular basis on the pain medication. It’s a rough existence without it I couldn’t do it. I tell people if it hurts bad enough you would be willing to cut your own limbs off if you thought it would help when you’re in the pain I’m in everyday.
Autumn
Pennsylvania
I’m only 36 and have undergone 2 back surgeries and hip surgery in the past 3 years. Prior to that I had been treated for chronic back pain and have seen multiple doctors. My last surgery was only 4 months ago and the pain has not gone away. Its so frustrating!! Its a real disruption in my life. Since I’ve had every imaging test and my surgeon says there is nothing mechanically wrong, I’ve been shuffled off to another pain specialist. I’ve had physical therapy, injections, been on every NSAID, Neurontin, you name it. The only thing that gives me any relief is pain medication, Norco to be exact. Without it I can barely walk, getting up for work in the morning takes a hour just for me to get moving. I completely understand a doctors hesitation for giving pain medication, I mean I was calling to get new scripts every 2 weeks (As my surgeon would only do enough on a script for 2 weeks). I was taking 4 – 7.5mg Norco a day to manage my pain. Without it I can’t function in my life. My surgeon cut off my medication completely and wants me to see pain management again. Pain is so debilitating, unless you have dealt with chronic pain or back pain, you just don’t know. Pain management can’t see me for 3 weeks–That’s 3 weeks I have to try to get through in pain. Sometimes its just so depressing. I have a young daughter that needs me and spending all day in bed because I do not have the medication I need isn’t right. There needs to be some kind of change. Our government should not be involved in our medical care. Nor should I have to feel like I’m a terrible person/junkie asking for help with my pain.
I get so tired of all the commercials you see about the opioid epidemic. People are over dosing on heroin, not prescription drugs.
Elizabeth
I completely agree with you, it’s a shame that this whole situation has made the people who use the medications as prescribed feel bad in some way for asking for pain medication because we fear that we will be looked at as a junkie or rx abuser when that’s clearly not the case. The anxiety that all this causes is obsurd and unnecessary!! There are ways to find out if someone is using their medications correctly, there are medication registries available to the doctors and blood and urine tests are simple enough to run on patients randomly, they should all be utilized by all doctors.
Rick
NJ
I guess the pain mgmt Dr’s will soon be out of business. Who with sever pain will be going for a Dr’s visits for non helpful treatment? They first try the useless shots, and then the Tylenol med’s, all that accomplishes is a day visit to the hospital under anesthesia for a medicare cost of $4K and a week later, your right back where you started (In Pain). I’ve been through all the pain recycling methods they offer, and believe me, those methods, especially therapy, don’t work when you are in advanced age, with medical problems that require serious pain relief. The’re like a band aid, on an amputation. These new pain relief methods they are now offering are for minor ache’s, and pains, a complete waste of time. When you have something that works and they take it away, some people will go to the streets, and then, they just might be added to the overdose section of RIP cause you don’t know what you will be getting in the streets. How may people in their 60’s to 80″s are dying from overdose’s? not many! Most are young people getting high partying with pain med’s, drink, and heroin. So to stop them from their partying and non caring life styles people with real pain are punished. Something is not right with this new law, people with real pain are left untreated, but they OK the use of Marijuana for our kids to get hooked on..give me a break!
Irene b
Salem nh 03079
My pain management dr gave me a prescription I lost it this was two days ago I called her and thought I could pick up another script she said no, so I have to go five weeks with no mess what about my pain can she do this to me
Jenny
NYC
Yep, they can do that. Mind had me sign a controlled substance agreement that says I cannot ask for a refill if pills ever lost
Being Punished
U.S.
I find what they’re doing is criminal. The fact of the matter is, in my opinion, the people who DO abuse will go on to heroin and other street drugs. Patients who are legitimate and go to legitimate pain management doctors are not the problem.
I know this as a patient myself, that goes to pain management. My doctor does frequent and random drug testing and checks databases to make sure his patients are not “shopping” around, in addition to the signed pain management contract, as per his nurse. Now after being on oxycodone for over 10 years and and m.s.contin since 2011, he is slowly lowering the dosages and frequency” due to CDC regulations” he told me.
The CDC doesn’t consider or care about the long term and lasting causes of the physical damage and pain from chemotherapy, in the ones that do suffer from it. They just lump all the cancer patients together, that once the initial treatment is over, so is their pain.
In addition, I didn’t just receive one type of chemotherapy, I was given 3 kinds of chemo, besides the surgeries and radiation.
Aside from the long term problems I have from the chemo and radiation, I have Sjogrens disease, fibromyalgia, degenerative disk disease(causing bulging and herniated disks along my spine), Chiari malformation (brain stem herniation) , osteoarthritis, peripheral neuralgia and multiple other issues. I cannot take nsaids due to a history bleeding ulcers, which have required hospitalizations and blood transfusions and chronic gastritis(I’m on the maximum dosage of Protonix for it).
In addition, I have NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), which means I can’t take Tylenol or the generic for it, as per the advise of 2 different Internists and Gastroenterologist. So where does that leave me as far as over the counter medications for pain? I’ll tell you where, up the creek without a paddle.
I don’t just take the narcotics for pain. I also take Gabapentin (insurance would not cover the newer brand and the Lyrica had too many side effects, for me. I also use a T.E.N.S. unit, go for steroidal injections (as much as I’m allowed, which is 3 a year), follow a home exercise program and went to 2 different physical therapists (which I have now maxed out my benefits for the remainder of the year), use moist heat and Tiger balm(which is a topical analgesic like the Bengay and Aspercreme), take vitamin/mineral supplements and lastly yoga/meditation.
In addition, they apparently don’t consider the fact that overtime, people develop a tolerance, which simply means that over time a person requires a higher dose to achieve the same amount of relief that the previous dose no longer provides. Another fact they choose to dismiss is that over time, patients do NOT get the high, euphoria, drowsiness and etc. from their pain medications….just relief.
It is the ABUSERS that chase after the “high” and take larger than prescribed doses or a combination of narcotics by means of buying, stealing or however they acquire it. They are the ones that sadly end up dead or turn to a life of crime to get enough money so that they can illegally obtain excess amounts to get “high”. They are NOT taking it as prescribed because it no longer gets them “high”. They supplement their prescriptions to get “high” by supplementing their prescriptions with illegal substances, by whatever means.
If the government is so concerned, they simply can monitor the prescriptions as they are doing, and just require patients on pain management to bring their meds in for a count when they go to their doctor and do the drug testing to reduce/prevent the illegal sales of prescription meds on the streets. They can even do hair follicle testing which can determine how much, when and what medications patients are taking. That would weed out those who sell their prescriptions on the streets for money and those that are buying and abusing the drugs.
Alice
Manawa, WI
I am 57 years old with herniated discs in my lower back and sciatica, which is where the nerves going down my legs are being pinched, and my legs go numb, and I don’t know that I have legs and I fall down a lot. I also have very bad knees. I use a scooter to get around at times.
Because of having diabetes, heart problems, and being overweight the recovery time and healing process would not be good and I am a high risk person to have surgery on any of my ailments. I have been on opiates for many years to relieve the pain, and just found out within the last couple of months that sooner or later that there will be no prescriptions of narcotics given to anyone with chronic pain.
My pain doctor has put me on Gabapentin and lowered my dosage of opiates. Now from the Gabapentin I am sick to my stomach, throwing up, and having severe headaches. I am also on an anti-depressant because they say if you are depressed this can affect your pain levels. I believe this not giving the pain medications to the patients that need it is all because of the abuser down the street who is selling them.
I have never and will never sell my narcotics as I need them for myself and it is not worth the prison time. It is just not fair to us that really need the medications to survive! And this is all caused by the ABUSER! Thanks for listening to me rant!
Daryl
South
I agree with everything you said. Why do we suffer to “protect” the abuser?
Annie
Thunder Bay Ontario
I also am 57 and have herniated discs and sciatica. Also I have fibromyalgia and I’m waiting to have knee surgery and it’s just awful trying to get pain meds, they want to perscribe all these mind altering antidepressants gabbapenitin naproxen. This stuff is very hard on your stomach but that’s o.k. All they are doing is making people start using other kinds of drugs to try to get some pain relief! This is just disgusting who is anybody to tell doctors how and what to perscribe to there patients!
Randi
West Virginia
I have been disabled for 17 years, I am now 55, have tried all kinds of shots rehab home remedies etc. I am allergic to NSAIDs, get seritonin syndrome. Have tried a multitude of pain meds that don’t work for me at all. I am down to 4 norco 10 from 6 and can barely function, also have a wierd inflammation problem that effects my whole body not just the damaged or arthritic areas.
My pain management dr is moving to Texas and any that I can establish with are med free drs. My last hope is spinal simulation therapy. (I hope it helps). Was 10 months trying different meds none worked and I thought I was gonna go crazy with the pain, then they put me back on norco. So I am with many others who have wrote, how am I gonna place one for in front of the other.
I have never seeked out other drugs, I don’t drink, eat very healthy, doing all the things I can find that might help decrease inflammation, because the less pressure on my frayed nerves the better. Also have panic/anxiety with high mania and take xanax for that, now that combination is wrong too. I am at my weeks end. And lay but not least I had hep c was treated with harvoni am cured, but I really don’t want to load my liver up with Tylenol cause of damages I could get and the product really doesn’t work. Good luck to everyone out there and God Bless
Pete
Alabama
I will never understand how anyone can tell someone else what they can put in their own body. Why do people have to suffer from pain because the government says so. We are not free people !
Candace
Aberdeen nc
It makes me furious.. My sister is screaming with a perforated uterus and the hospital is giving her motrin..its a damn government that has enslaved the medical field..they are screwig up
Thomas
East Haven Ct.
As many stories I have just read, they all ring true. It’s quite obvious that we all suffer from some kind of chronic pain. So, because we get pain Meds people want to single us out immediately that we are drug abusers.
My story is that I have ESRD end stage renal disease. I’ve been waiting for a kidney for 7 yrs. Here’s the catch. My dr. tells me I’m next on the list for a new kidney. So, the catch here is I just had 3 major foot surgeries in the past 9 months well I’ll not get into that. My foot is still a mess and they wanna do surgeries again to my dismay which I’m refusing at this juncture so the kidney dr. tells me I am the very next candidate to get the next available kidney.
So, he tells me that he suggests that I get my rotator cuff surgery first because if I get the new kidney I won’t be able to get the cuff fixed for quite some time. I had two very bad falls of 30 feet and injured my back both shoulders shattered my left heel and I’ve been living with chronic pain for 6 yrs. now.
My everyday pain is between a 7 or 8 on a scale of 10. Painful. You better believe it. But you learn to cope. I do dialysis 7 days a week for 7 yrs. I’ve been getting my pain meds from my nephrologist because he knows and understands my condition. I’ve been through 3 pain managements and each one could not give a flying shit about conditions. They kept constantly dropping my dosage down from 120 30 mil oxycodone and 60 long acting OxyContin beeline after my first 2 weeks he immediately took the 60 OxyContin then gradually started reducing my 30!miligramsbfrom 120 to 90 to 75 to 60 to 56. Which is 2 a day.
I constantly complained to deaf ears. He was the most uncompassionate dr. I’ve ever met. I present my dilemma to my nephrologist and he also said that he was aware of his practice with nothing but complaints. So now my entering my 8th year of pain management help. Not through a pain clinic but through my private dr. Because he recognizes my situation.
Well, with this being said, the system is broke and it needs to be fixed. Certain people are always gonna be in pain for whatever reason. THE DEA IS CREATING A HERION EPIDEMIC TO GRANDIOCIOUS PREPORTIONS. THIS IS WHAT WRBHAVE COME TO. GOD PLEASE LET SOMEONE ADVOCATE FOR THE SICK AND NEEDY. WE ARE TRULY HURTING IF THERE IS AN EAR OUT THERE THAT CAN BE OUR ADVOCATE. PLEASE DO SO BEE ARE HURTING. I DINT HAVE MANY YEARS LEFT WITH KIDNEY FAILURE. MAKE WHAT DAYS I HAVE LEFT COMFORTABLE. ???
Brian
54646
I feel really bad for the older people, who are taken off there pain medicines (opiates) because, of new laws and bills signed. It is not the grandparents fault, some stole from them, o.d. and died. It very similar to the gun laws, beer, and tobacco.
Guns don’t kill people. People pull that trigger. (IT’S NOT THE GUNS’ FAULT) just like it is not the opiates’ fault! Beer is available, but does anyone force you to drink it? Maybe, but you get help with that right! The answer is no otherwise.
Just like is not the doctor fault for helping with pain medicine where it needed.
Does the government think is alright for others to wait for surgery in pain? Just because a reckless junkie killed themselves? Does the government think it is OK to take someone’s pain medicines away for chronic-pain or arthritis?
The only way that some have been comfortable for years. Something needs to be done, against the opiate oppression. Websites, books, protests, and even letters to congress! Please, everyone help that can. They are taken our doctors right from them, for ill reasons not the truth! It may be due to marijuana legalization, it may be due to opiates shortages. Lying to us, is not right. It takes away our freedoms; Doctors and Patients!
LynneD
Maryland
I have had fusion on L4-L5, need fusion on L3-L4. Also, had bunion removal on both feet, which were deformed from putting surgery off that I had to have my bones in both feet broken and cut, then realigned and screws inserted. Have had knee surgery, and now need knee replacement surgery on both. I have degenerative arthritis, and osteoporosis. I also suffer from debilitating migraines.
Due to what is going on with the new laws, I will not have anymore surgeries. There is a better way to handle this than punishing those of us who live in chronic pain. You can’t just suddenly stop taking medicine that you have been on for years, but that is what is happening when going to the pharmacy and being denied. People that abuse prescription pain medicine or street drugs will keep on doing it. They will find a way. This law won’t change any of that. It only punishes the people who really need it. I’m outraged that these lawmakers can do this.
Sher
Virginia
Having been both Fibro and primary severe panic disorder since being disabled as a government employee, and one with multiple drug and food allergies, the restrictions upon both of my major medications is a death sentence for me. When dealing with multiple morbidities the gov’t has signed my death warrant along with many others. Rather obvious they do not care, nor have any insights into complex conditions. Going from a life where my meds works to one where there is no relief day and night, why both continuing? Hope I suppose, rapidly failing.
Malia
Hawaii
Myself and my husband have undergone over 80 surgeries over the past 25 years alone. We’ve been on every opiate you can name. Currently we take oxycontin, trazadone, a pill for muscle cramps, methadone, and a few others for insomnia etc. Last week my pain mgmt doctor cut off my dilaudid, just like that! Said I don’t need short acting meds anymore. Next he’s going to reduce my oxycontin to 19mg a day?! Currently take 160MG daily. How do you go from that level down thinking it will give the same relief? It won’t. It’s not our fault we got hurt at work. It’s not our fault these docs put us on these opiates. 25 years we’ve been taking them. This is a travesty. How dare these lawmakers decide whether my pain is real or not.
Cathy
Idaho
I too, cannot understand why the CDC is interfering with the effective opioid treatment which I need!! Having a Cogenital hip birth defect-caused me to have incredible pain!! My Dr. (Pain/Anesthesiologist-has already lowered my MS. from 240mg to 105mg – and still wants to lower my meds down to 95mg. He cannot answer me regarding pain flare ups-and God help you if you need Surgery while being in a pain program! This DR. hasNO handbook for flare-ups. I take my meds responsibly!! We should be able to sign a waiver. It’s not my fault that other’s abuse the system!
Jerry
Madison Wi
I have used opiates for 11 years as prescribed. It was found to be one of two things that worked for my debilitating migraine headaches, the other was very frequent use of Imitrex . My doctor decided that it was better to use the butabitol/codeine/aspirin/caffeine combination.
This prevents the migraines where the former only works after you get the migraine. I have recently had a back pain issue escalate from being intermittently painful to constant excruciating pain where I cannot stand for more the 10 minutes or walk more then a 100 yards, lift anything over about 15 lbs. without the pain consuming me.
My doctors are unsympathetic and prescribe things that do not work such as lyrica which I believe is a placebo or no more effective then Advil. I have never abused the medications and resent the fact that I am literally being tortured. If I was an animal PETA would be all over this. I don’t care about the addicts, I do not think it will change anything with them, they will find their drug of choice or a substitute on the street.
I for one truly have a need for the medication and feel abused due the unconcerned system currently in place. We need to find the law makers that are responsible for this and get a petition going, and insist that they need to amend this law . They do not have a right to to torture people by taking away the opiates that improve the quality of life for these people. We cannot tolerate this of lack of critical thinking, the consequences of this law or directive have never been addressed.
Randi
I agree with you whole heartidly, but like most government decisions they are based only on the information they want to think about. They created this epidemic and now don’t want to clean up there mess properly. Good luck God Bless
Sandy
CA
I went to the pain doctor today and was so alarmed by her comments that the CDC may wind up saying no opiates at all. She strongly recommended that I get a medical marijuana license for a Plan B in case this happens. At the speed which the CDC is limiting doctor’s RX’ing ability, I plan to take her advice.
I have migraines, disk degeneration from L1-S3, and multiple ruptured disks. I get steroid shots, RF Ablation therapy, and I am on Oxy 20 and Norco and Celebrex.
Like the rest of you, I have no idea what I will do to manage the pain. I wish goodness for each of you experiencing pain, and I pray that answers will come that will help us all.
Jeff
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Thank you, Sandy! I could not agree more, although our circumstances are different. I have Pagets disease and have already had 5 surgeries on my hip, back, and femur, a total of six operations with more ahead. Pagets is painful forever, not just after a surgery.
We are the unheard and forgotten by a regulatory system that has left us behind.
I loved what you said about drug addicts! It is true they will find whatever they want, whenever they want because it is all they do. I have a life and a lot of responsibilities to my self and others. Without opiods I am pretty useless. My friends and family are also worried about these regulations as they know the “functional” me and the debilitated one. I hope we, as a community can raise hell, loud enough to be heard as contributing members of society. Thanks, Jeff
Karen Y
AL
Start your petition. We who t she our medications as prescribed should not be punished because of the abusers. Even w my meds I’M IN PAIN !
Mary
Berkley, MI 48072
I was on 100 patch of fentynal, 8 dilaudid & ambien. Then my doctor added lyrica 100mg. It worked so well I asked my doctor to take me down to 4mg of dilaudid.
For the first time in 20 yrs I could walk!!! I would take my sister’s dogs for 2 mile walks. I had missed all my son’s trips to the zoo because I couldn’t walk.
I also received epidural shots every 6 mos. At this point I was at a numerical value of 265.
Then the government lowered it to a value of 200. Gone were the long walks but I could do things around the house if I say often.
Now the government has lowered us to a numerical score of 50! No more dilaudid, ambien (I’m over 65) or even the teeny fentynal 12 patches.
Also no more sleep. I have gone as much as 46 hours without sleep. It’s so hard to sleep when you hurt.
I was totally along with my car when a large van pulled in front of me to get to the bank. The officer was nice. Gave her the ticket and pointed out I had laid rubber for 50′. My neck was ruined but thank God, c-1 thru c-3 are fine so far. C-4 herniated. C-5 through C-7 were filled in with bones but they now have shards & splinters. T-1 & T-2 are herniated as well. I also have two herniated discs in my tailbone.
I haven’t worked in forever. I couldn’t even drive for 4 yrs because of the pain & fear.
Florence E
San Antonio, Texas
I need to get knee replacements for both knees. I am putting it off because I am scared of the pain after the surgery. I had been on Vicodin until the new law was implemented. I wear knee compression and take a lot of Tylenol and ibuprophen for pain.
It is not fair to the folks who do NOT abuse the Vicodin or other related opioid who take the meds as needed. How about making rules for the folks that really need them. Did the government forget us??
Paul B
Bandon, OR
I have been in chronic pain after having a ingoinilia hernia repor that entrapped nerves in my groin and has me in pain at a 8-10 level that only 1-2 15mg Oxycodone helps. Now, with this fake opioid scare people that abuse drugs have the power too take away those who need the medications.
I refuse to be in pain the rest of my life because a doctor screwed up. I’ve been treated like a junky and never should have moved away from my doctor who was doing what a doctor should, help their patient try and lead a normal life. More people will die because they will be forced to street drugs.
Myself I’m going to have to drive 1500 miles round trip to get my meds filled by my old doctor. They are taking away my right to a modicum of happiness. I’m not a junky, I have untreatable chronic pain. We must fight for our rights and demand a national database that links patient to doctor, ailment and amount of pain pills being given. I’m not abusing anything, the doctor who did the surgery abused me and caused this.
KandyB
I received Hydrocodone for over 10 years because I had severe neuropathy in my legs and feet. I am right before amputation, so my legs and feet are in a tremendous amount of pain all the time. My doctor was forcefully closed by these guys. No other doctor will help me, its been 2 years laying in bed crying…. I have no hope to live a better life. I have become hopeless.
Jean
USA
Fake opioids scare is exactly right. See my response above from critter@gmail.com.
jim
new london wis.
I am a 67 year old and have been on disability for 10 years. For me my pain started with fibromyalgia, then I developed arthritis in just about every joint including four places in my lower back, which included three protruding discs. I use a scooter to get around as I can’t walk very far. I have been on an opiate pain killer called oxymorphone for eight years, and now it has been taken off the shelfs! My doctor is so worried about the government regulations that he has forgotten about me, he never has a plan to deal with my pain. I am finding it very hard to function now as my doses have been lowered and then lowered some more to where I feel like I am a burden to my family and I feel like I can’t go on like this! Please this is all so unfair to those of us who really need these medicines to be able to get through the day.
Jacqueline B.
Key Largo, FL
I am a 59 year old female with degenerative disk disease and severe arthritis diagnosed at 36 years-old. I have had 2 hip replacements, a revision, another revision due to infection, and a dislocation. I have had a cervical fusion with metal plate on C5-6 with C4 now failing. I have had a TLIF lower lumbar surgery to correct spondylolithesis and another metal plate and screws inserted. I have also had both thumb basal joints removed, a total hysterectomy and a rotator cuff repair and bone spur removal. I am in severe pain daily and if not for my extended release Opana and my oxycodone immediate release doses, I would be bed ridden. It’s the only way to manage my pain so that I can have some kind of life. Now because of drug addicts who abuse and uneducated politicians I may end up bedridden and suffering. There has to be a better way to get to the bottom of why people self medicate and get high without punishing legitimate pain patients.
Greg
Pennsylvania
Are there any other countries that actually have compassion for chronic pain sufferers?
Diane
Maryland
Last summer a friend of mine was having hip problems (she was 59 years old then). Her Dr. gave her an epidural for the pain. That did nothing. Come to find out she had Osteonecrosis of the hip. Basically, her hip bone had died, and she had bone on bone. She thinks it happened when she took a bad fall skiing. She went to two pain management clinics and her orthopedic Dr. No one would give her any pain medication. Told her to take Advil! I couldn’t believe it. I was outraged. When we talked she cried because the pain was so bad. Her husband had to lift her to take her to the toilet. During that time she slept in a lazy boy chair. The surgeon had to wait to do surgery for 3 months because of the epidural. Finally her GP Dr. took pity on her and wrote her a script for two 5mg vicadin a day. It barely touched the pain. This is what happens when you let the Government play Doctor. She finally had her hip replacement and all is well.
Welz Oliver
AL
I’m a T12 incomplete paraplegic due to a motorcycle wreck in March of 2011. I’ve dealt with chronic pain ever since. Before my wreck I never even went to the doctor. If I got sick it was a minor cold, something I could go to the pharmacy and get medication for. I was a truck driver. I didn’t have time to get sick. Even if I got a headache it had to be really bad before I would even take a Tylenol. For the first couple of years my doctor would give me the medication I needed. They put me on the Fentanyl patch 50 mg every 2 days, Percocets 6 times a day now. I eventually also had to get on Lyrica 3 times a day after they took the screws and rods, out which caused me more and different pain.
Then all of a sudden they cut me back on the Percocets from 180 to 120, overnight. Six months after my wreck when I was given plenty of medicine I built what they call a rat rod, an old 51 Ford cab on a S10 chassis 350 motor. It kept me really busy and my mind off of being a paraplegic, for the most part, which is hard in itself to swallow. There were days when I didn’t have to take all my medicine because I was just relaxing around the house, and if I didn’t hurt I didn’t take it. But if I was out working on My Hotrod or going to car shows and being real active I would have to take more. My four-year-old son would go with me, and we had a blast. I figured out a way to do all kinds of things with him even though I was stuck in this wheelchair like a prison sentence for the rest of my life.
A couple years ago when they cut back my medicine with no warning it really freaked me out. They told me I would get used to it in time. Well, my quality of life went way down. If I want to do something with my son on the weekend I have to rest for 3 or 4 days in bed to be able to do that. I am a single full-time father. Yes, I have full custody of my son, and I’ve been raising him since he was 4, and he is now almost 11. The CDC and the DEA have taken my quality of life away. I can’t be the father that I once was and definitely not what I was after I first got hurt, and I had the medication that I needed if I needed it !!. I really have to pace myself now.
I have no family in Alabama where I live. I do have a few close friends but they do work. I take care of my household, keeping my house as clean as I can and feeding my son. I even homeschool him. But there are so many times that I have to lie in bed when my son wants me to come see him do this or take him to do that, and I want to so badly but I can’t because of my pain; mainly because I’m limited to the pain medication that I can have.
I’ve never abused my medicine. I’ve never sold my medicine. I’ve never given away my medicine. Back years ago sometimes when I went to my pain doctor I would show her I had 20 pills left one month, maybe 10 the next month. Some months I took them all. It just depended on how active I was. But because of the DEA’s new laws I often run out a couple days early of some of my pain medication. It makes those days a living hell. If I run out it’s because I’ve pushed myself too hard or had to go get groceries and clean the house and take my son to ball practice. In order to do all that and get it done I might have to take an extra pain pill that day, so it causes me to run out at the end of the month. Or I have to cut mine in half and try to space them out. If there is a surgery that I can get or alternative that would take care of my pain I’d be all over it.
But he FDA has changed the laws because of the bad apples out there, and they penalize everyone. I really think it’s wrong that the government could tell us what we can put in our bodies and what we can’t for pain. If the CDC and the DEA had to live with my pain for one week I can promise you they would change the laws back and let the doctors give us what we need. I don’t live in a state with legal medical marijuana but even if I did I couldn’t smoke it all the time. I’m trying to raise a kid. I mean they need to come up with something that will take care of our pain besides opiates. I don’t take my medication cuz I want to take my medication but because I have to. If they took all my pain medication while you’re like to have some of these people and these messages that I’ve seen I don’t know that I can handle living any longer. I’ve never been a quitter but the extreme pain that I deal with and I’ve tried not taking some of my pain medication and I cannot handle it.
The DEA is not only hurting the people with chronic pain. They are hurting their families that don’t get to have their dad or their mom or their grandpa or grandma doing things with them because they hurt so much or can only do so much. It’s not fair. And they say that we live in a free country. The United States of America is become far from a free country. And I love my country. I’ve stood up for my country and what do I get in return? I get s*** on. It’s just not right the way I look at it. Karma will come back and get the ones that made these laws because they will have a family member that gets in a wreck and has to deal with chronic pain but is unable to get the help they need or the medication they need because their uncle or their dad change the laws.
I just want to say God bless you to all the other people that deal with chronic pain. All we can do is pray for ourselves and others that deal with it and hope that the power of prayer will change something. Godspeed to everyone living with chronic pain.
Daniel
PA
To all members! Please read The article posted by The Philadelphia Inquirer on June 11 2017 . The other side of the opioid crisis:Those with chronic pain.contact staff reporter Don Sapatkin 215-854-2617 !!
marie
connecticut
Its a travesty!! I have been an LPN for 33 years. Clean record never been written up or had any problems with any narcotics. I have worked in the drug and alcohol field for over 1/2 of that time. I went back to school to complete my BSN, I majored in psychiatric nursing. I was unable to complete my degree in my final semester due to Obamas’ change in Pell grants and financial aid (another topic).
However, I have stayed true to my calling of working alongside drug addicts and alcoholics. I have worked with veterans and in methadone clinics. I have single handedly raised 5 kids . I have loved deeply and buried my spouses even deeper. I have litererally worked my fingers to the bone I have had 5 surgeries pending 5 more.I cant get a pain pill if my life depended on it. I have been on disability . In spite of some pretty hard diagnosis’ No mercy.
I have currently 5 degenerative discs in my neck , thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel, 16 inches of my bowel removed due to endometriosis. It just made my bowel necrotic. It gave me IBS. It also has given me perineal pain and rectal spasms. I have had bones removed from hand in my thumb. I have severe plantars fascitis with severe pronation and chronic shin splints. I say all this because I hurt all the damn time!!!! My veteran/ seperated marine husband gets narcotics because of course he’s earned them he is a marine! He has flat feet so he gets vicodins 4 x a day. Times 7 years.
I hurt alll the time. It has made me depressed. I get relief whn my husband help;s me or when friends and family toss me a spare narcotic. i dont like weed, I dont like heavy alcohol. But 5 to 10 milligrams of hydrocodone helps allot. but that makes me an “addict” right Its obnoxious. They are making criminals out of people who have legitimate medical problems. Something needs to be done. We need a voice and not just people calling us drug addicts.
Robert
Arlington,tx
I think that the CDC does’nt have a clue what they are doing to the american people who suffer from chronic pain .I to have been taking pain meds for years due to 4 back surgeries I have had i’m disable because of all the surgeries I have had only to live with pain all day long and when it gets cold my pain is worse .CDC wants to stop pain meds than legalize medical marijuana in all 51 states and people won’t have to worry about being in pain.
I will tell you what is going to happen. People are going find other ways to get rid of there pain now that other states have legalized marijuana. CDC is just making things worse by making people have to do things that they would never do but have no choice. They want people to take acetaphetamine for pain something that will effect your liver if taken to long seams to me the only ones who are going gain from all this is going to be the cemeteries because people might take there own life other than live in agony.
I wonder if any of them have a clue what it is like to be in pain 90 percent of the day that’s why they can change things because it does not effect them and the hell with every one else.
Beverly G
Greenville SC
My daughter of 29, received word today from her doctor that she would no longer receive pain meds. For fifteen years, she has been battling Reflex Sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). They have renamed it Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Due to car accident, she has this on the whole right side of her body. The chronic pain affects the whole right arm and leg. She was barely dealing with her pain with the pain meds. The pain meds helped her carry on semi-normal life.
She wears a leg brace as the muscles and nerves are gone. Sometimes she walks and other times because of the pain she is in the wheelchair. She has been taking pain meds for 11 years now. She does not know what to do now? She just knows it isn’t fair for her suffering. This inhumane for humans! They will shoot a horse with a broken leg to keep it from suffering. People get arrest for treating animals badly. They are treating people with disabilities inhumanely.
She is afraid to live the rest of her life this way. All the while, the doctor tells her she is going to be fine without them. I asked the doctor if she ever experienced the type of pain my daughter has and she said, “no”. Evidently, people who passed this law have never had severe pain. As a mother, I watch her cry and scream with pain. If you are not acquainted with RSD, let me tell you, she feels she is burning in hell. She says, it like putting your hand on a hot burner and can’t pull away. There’s a lot of swelling and discoloration.
After, a severe flare-up she get blisters on her skin and they become infected. She is this way, day in and day out. She is grateful for good days, but they are far and few in between and without pain meds she will not have a life and any good days. Write your congressmen>>>>> please!
Kimberly
WHO DO WE ULTIMILATELY HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO BE HEARD? CHANGE.ORG? OUR GOVERNOR, SENATE? * This is what I wrote in HJDN, but i think that was advocating for Drs, however I still sent the below message.
Yes, there is an issue with opoid OD’s and suicides, more these days then ever. However, for those who NEED it, such as our Veterans, Senior Citizens and Disabled, this new law will no doubt KILL more people.
First, you cannot stop pain medications or any opoids cold turkey. This WILL KILL people! Nowhere in the new law does it give any in between options for the doctors to provide the patient. With that said, what do you think the people that NEED their pain meds will revert to? Us disabled, old or not, that are in chronic pain where there is no cure for, this “solution” is suppose to do what for us? To go to MJ? Alcoholism? Suicide? Street drugs?
Furthermore, our Veterans, Senior Citizens and the disabled that qualified for Medicaid, will be stripped of their supplemental insurance because Medicare is so expensive they can’t afford their prescriptions in the first place.
This is not the answer. There has to be another way to stop the epidemic, where the innocent are not involved with. This law is killing us….I say it’s killing us.
Signed,
Killing our Vets, disabled and Senior Citizens.
(please forward to respective federal, state or local entity where we can be heard).
Cheryl
El cajon, ca
I saw this coming when that Dr got charged with murder of 2 patients, and sure enough my Dr started saying you can’t take Benzo with opioids, I said I’ve been taking them longer than he was a physician assistant! And then he stopped the 2 lousy pills a day I was taking, I said you can’t put us all in the same box, I never increased my meds, never ran out early, in fact, I didn’t know he was giving me 3 a day until I forgot to pick the up from the pharmacy for 10 days!
I showed him the bottle & said if I was addicted I would’ve picked them right up! The last straw was when he told me instead of my epideral injection he wanted to take a more holistic approach & give me some concoction with camomile! Now I stay home in severe pain not able to do basic things!
K
I would like every single person working for and with the CDC to be drug tested. Like many of you like minded individuals have said, I believe they want us to be addicted to heroin, I also believe for obvious reasons, they want us chronic pain sufferers to commit suicide.
So, now I’m a 46 year old woman that was involved in a hit-and-run by a drunk illegal immigrant and now there’s nothing I can do about the pain. I do not know the first thing about illegal drugs, besides what they show me on TV. I feel like it’s being shoved in my face. I never even knew what heroin looked like until they keep shoving it in my face on TV. CDC, you are so heartless, cruel, just mean mean people.
Elaine
At age 17, I was diagnosed with chronic migraines. At age 39, they became intractable. I Have tried going to chiropractors, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiseizure meds. I now have tubes out of my left leg for injecting hydromorphone, anti-biotics and IV hydration.
Last year, I almost died 4 times, the worst being meningitis in brain and just for that I spent 7 weeks in hospital but over all I spent about 6 months. I am out of meds and cant find a doctor to help me. Suggestions anyone?
Ed
CO
Prescription Opioids for Chronic Pain – THE CDC’s BIG LIE!!!
Why is it that any time I see an article about prescription opioids it is always reported as the Prescription opioid and heroin crisis. If you look at the CDC’s statistics they do the same thing, then they throw a bunch of statistics around to make it look so bleak. The truth is if anybody actually tracks the statistics down the heroin and street fentenal crisis is extremely bad while the true numbers on Opioid Prescription deaths are actually less than Nsaid Deaths (over the counter pain meds like Tylenol or aspirin).
In an article from CNN Health entitled; Opioid history: From ‘wonder drug’ to abuse epidemic, dated October 14, 2016, In March, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine that there still aren’t enough data about long-term use of prescription opioids. But, he wrote, “We know of no other medication routinely used for a nonfatal condition that kills patients so frequently.”
As you read down in the article then you find the actual statistic:
“One out of every 550 patients started on opioid therapy died of opioid-related causes a median of 2.6 years after their first opioid prescription.”
If you break down what this says you find that 1 out of 1,375 patients die a year from prescription opioids. I had a cousin who died because she was taking opiods for a back problem she had and she was drinking alcohol at the same time, which is a very dangerous combination. What I like to know is how many of the 1,375 patients (or 550) were abusing their opiods with alcohol or some other substance was there to cause a death.
The answer is that they don’t really know. Also the myth that long term opioid use for chronic pain patients also has serious problems, again they don’t know this because there has never been any kind of research done on this.
I have extreme chronic back pain and have been on opiod therapy for the last 12 years. I never drink or use any kind of illicit drugs with them. My doctor recently took me off the opiods about 3 months ago since then I have been in such extreme pain that all can do is sit in a chair most of the time. I used to have a fairly active life while taking opioids which was important because I have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Dan
michigan
1300 dollars for a compliance test in Michigan compliance use and a letter from the DEA more health care abuse on the part of the government do gooders any one else run into scared cya doctors on compliancy issues
Gregg
Pennsylvania
My wife works at a nursing home . One of her patients was an 88 year old woman . She was on opioids . Because of the government her doctor cut her off . Now she can’t even get out of bed or raise her arms to feed herself. I doubt this poor soul would be out on the street selling her pain meds to drug addicts. But that’s our wonderful government refusing to let this woman have her pain meds because of a bunch of drug addicts!
barry
NJ
I been through 6 failed lower back operations damage nerve scar tissue on nerve 5 deterioration disc upper back 3 severe multiple bone spurs sticking me in my nerves and 2 bulging disc in my neck and another bulging disc in my lower back pain going down my right leg.
This damn doc want to cut me way back on my pain meds I will not even be able to walk, thinking about just giving up on LIFE I do not have a life anymore anyway and I CANNOT HANDLE THIS PAIN!!!!!!!!
Diane
Minnesota
I have been on pain medication for 17 years. During this time my doctor has always been amazed at the small amount of pain medication that I use. I have had several hip surgeries, severe scoliosis, connective tissue disease, sjogrens syndrome, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and muscle skeletal disease. For the last year I have gotten worse and after 17 years I have never needed more medication. I asked my MD for a increase in my meds yesterday and my Doctor with a panicked look on his face asked me if I wanted physical therapy, for example, swimming. I cannot do that because of the cracks on my feet that I have put up with for four years and have gotten an infection in my ankle because of this condition! I felt like I was going back to the beginning of my pain journey. I have tried all these things many times throughout the years with no success. I just felt like I had a drug addiction because of the way he was acting. I am also confused too, because I felt like I was talking to a different person. I am so sad, I feel like I have lost my Doctor and also will continue to spend less and less time with my grandchildren because of pain. Pain has made my life worth nothing.
Adam
Temecula, Ca
I’m Adam. I am 35 years old and disabled. I have 2 small kids, and a wife of 10 years. I’ve had 16 back surgeries, and have an artificial disc in my L4-5 and have been on 30 mg of Oxycodone since 2012. I take what’s on the rx, and don’t abuse the medicine. No, that’s not denial, that is truth. So now every doctor is rattled about writing any script, and that leaves me along with many others who are LEGITIMATELY hurt, S.O.L. I have chiropractic care 3x a week for the last few years that helps, but isn’t going to help the fact that in a few days the prescription is over. My belief is they want people to take their lives, and get addicted to dope. Population control. I don’t wish bad on anyone, but I do. I wish the folks that make these laws to deal with a fraction of what I and so many deal with daily. I’m disgusted with the people that scam the system making it the way it is.
Alice
De
I think this is so wrong. We suffer from pain and have been on some kind of pain meds for this pain and now all of the sudden my doctor says I can’t give you anymore pain pills. I never abused them in my life, I only take them when i can’t take the pain. This is wrong. Doctors should treat everyone according to their medical problems. We are not ALL drug addicts but treating us that way is so wrong. It should be illegal to take our meds away from us. I hope you have pain some day that you can’t handle. I wonder if this new law will ultimately make more drug addicts bc people who live in horrible pain will go out and get something else. What kind of a law is this?? You don’t care about people. I really do think their is something else going on here. Maybe you want people to go get something stronger. Maybe you have a stock that you want to sell? I don’t know but I do know it’s not right how you are treating people like we are dogs.
Barbara
Wisconsin
Funny you ask if something else is going on, a stock, for example. Have you noticed the strong push to legalize pot in states, even though pot is a useless, well known party drug, and the legal pot stores, such as those in Colorado, market their goods with cutesy names like Wowza or Vanilla Dream (those are fake names but are for my example. I don’t actually know pot names, but they are geared to potheads and young people, for sure).
Perhaps the larger markets for pot, esp. marketed for pain relief, is part of a new plan, since the super farms, like ADM would stand to make mega billions on vastly more users than the fairly low number of heavily regulated opioid users. On TV, the talk all day is the ‘opioid crisis’. Well, if someone becomes addicted to opioids and violates the prescribing rules, they should be promptly pushed toward treatment. That they aren’t HELPED, turn to heroin and overdose is the crisis, not the the use of the medicine for genuine pain conditions.
I’m not even sure the deaths should be blamed on doctors and the medicines, but on the criminals who sell these meds on the street for $80 a pill. Real pain sufferers are usually in strict pain management, and well watched and tested. That should be the norm, so catching abuse or crime would soon reduce the negatives of opioid prescribing to low numbers, or the doctors risk their licenses.
Maybe there’s an alternate plan, like pot, but I guarantee, whatever the real problem is, it boils down to some rich taxpayers wanting to pay less taxes and some slick anti-tax group identifying pain management and treatment as yet another place to push ‘the 47% are killing us 1%-ers’ back onto the average Joes.
Susan
New Jersey
I have been on pain for 12 years now, 100% documented!! I was a widow at a rather young age, and worked as a server double shifts 7 days a week to pay for my husbands funeral and to keep a roof over my head and child. I worked in pain that was off the charts, but did what I had to do. I never asked my pain management Doctor to raise the mgs.
Now 8 months ago I fell off a 4 inch step that I did not see and broke my hip and femur. I needed them to increase my meds bc the pain was so bad that I would shake. 5 months later they told me the surgery had to be redone bc it did not work, Now I also have 3 fractures in my spine and the pain is so bad that all I do is cry. I have no quality of life at all.
All I keep saying is why would they let a 60 year old women live like this? It is inhuman and barbaric. I cant walk, sit, stand or even lay down without horrific pain. Why or should I say how can the government let people like us suffer? I think this is unconstitutional. They may as well kill us instead of us living like this 24 hours a day. Why? Why/ Why is this happening I take so much Motrin during the 24 hours that I barley get any sleep bc of the pain, I will probably die of kidney failure.
Nina
CA
I have alway been a very active person. Since I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, carpal tunnel, neuropathy, and several other problems which, if it wasn’t for “pain relievers” I couldn’t get out of bed. With this limitation !@#$%, I run out at times cuz I work to provide, and I work hard . I try to just live but life has been stripped from me with all my ailments. OK, throw in a hip replacement, and I am only 46 years old living with pain I wouldn’t put on my worst enemy. As I read people’s stories, what does the government want? For us to buy heroin on the streets. YA, THATS WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS! I would like to know if any of them are on any pain killers? Hmmm what about when they need surgery? And God forbid they ever, or a loved one, gets in an accident, has cancer or chronic pain. CDC please GIVE US BACK OUR LIVES
Debbie
Rosedale,Md
I feel what has happened to us not only to be cruel but a discriminatory action on the disabled elderly. I am 60. Horrible back surgery in 1998. Also Lupus with chronic pain. I have been seeing the same pain doctor for over 18 yrs. Yesterday he had to decrease my medicine (I hadn’t asked for an increase in 7 yrs). I am going to be an overweight woman using a wheel chair before this is over.
Tracy
USA
Within the last year and a half, I’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and sarcoidosis. I’ve also had five spinal surgeries. I have had two surgeries to clean up my joints…one on the left knee and one in my right shoulder. I have had pain management. But I haven’t been treated for the sarcoidosis or osteoarthritis.
Both of these diseases cause tremendous joint pain. And my blood levels that indicate autoimmune disease and inflammation are ridiculously high. I received Norco for pain (30-day supply) from my PM doctor, but I know that will end soon, and I’m not receiving any treatment for the autoimmune diseases.
I feel like I’m pretty much going to live out the rest of my life hurting and eventually die in pain. I’m only 48. I’m a law enforcement officer. What did I do to deserve the government’s uncaring ignorance?
Edward
Tennessee
You can be rest assured if ANY member of ANY government official needed medication for pain….THEY WOULD GET IT. It’s only the “little people”…. or as they would like to be able to describe us….the “peasants” who would be unable. Because when we all die….it makes their life easier and more fruitful. Think about it……how could they NOT KNOW the consequences of what they are doing???? It’s all part of their plan. Believe it!!
Faith
U.S.
I have had multi-level spinal fusion surgeries with bone grafts and several discectomies.
I have been taking hydrocodone responsibly for 19 years and these new rules are about power and control. Let the oversight be on the abusers ( Dr.s and addicts alike ) . Leave the truly disabled alone and allow us to live with some relief and keep our dignity.
There was nothing wrong with the medication while Big Pharma made over 1 trillion dollars on the medications.
I was recently prescribed a medication called Gabapertin a seizure medication because the Physicians Assistant at the Spinal Pain Clinic I go to has become so frightened by the new restrictions they now after 19 years have determined my pain is in my nervous system.
I clearly have degenerative skeletal health issues , proven by CT Scans and X-Ryas. The Clinic I go to has no neurologists on staff yet they have determined after 19 years of pain relief from opioid medications.
Faith
US
I have posted this once already and the moderator took it down for some reason. I changed some wording that would possibly have been helpful to some people on this forum.
I hope what ever standard I went afoul of in my original post has been remedied by editing my post and the moderator will allow this post to stand , otherwise this is not truly a forum for people to truthfully and freely speak of their experiences.
I have had multi-level spinal fusion surgeries with bone grafts and several discectomies.
I have been taking hydrocodone responsibly for 19 years and these new rules are about power and control. Let the oversight be on the abusers ( Dr.s and addicts alike ) . Leave the truly disabled alone and allow us to live with some relief and keep our dignity.
There was nothing wrong with the medication while Big Pharma made over 1 trillion dollars on the medications. ( if this truth is what got my post taken down please just remove it and not the entire post )
I was recently prescribed a medication called Gabapertin a seizure medication because the Physicians Assistant at the spinal pain clinic I go to has become so frightened by the new restrictions they now after 19 years have determined my pain is in my nervous system.
I clearly have degenerative skeletal health issues , proven by CT Scans and X-Rays. The Clinic I go to has no neurologists on staff yet they have determined after 19 years of pain relief from opioid medications to give me a medication designed for treatment of seizures because they have decided after several very intense skeletal surgeries my pain is nerve related and has very dangerous side effects including destruction of my liver and kidneys.
Susan S
AL
I have battled cancer now for 7 year and 8 months hospice is coming out for home health care. My cancer is spreading, I have other pain ailments and I don’t get a damn thing for pain…Cancer patients “may” need it during the active phase of treatment like the American Cancer Society said most cancer patients hurt indefinetly but what really blows my mind is that it was never mentioned about Stage 4 terminal cancer patients like me.
I lay in bed every day crying my eyes out, hard to care for my son… people in 3rd world countries get treated better. The war on drugs is a joke and has been..The truth.pain pills don’t cause heroin abuse the dang government has!! I promise this legal or not, they keep on I will take it in my hands to get what I need to control stage 4 cancer pain because it should be a felony to make a cancer patient that it terminal suffer…may they get what I have and feel every pain to the bone!!!!!
Paula
Dallas, Texas
Totally agree. Addiction is a real problem but it’s wrong to make people in chronic pain suffer when they are capable of using opioids responsibly. I mean, cars kill people everyday but we don’t just knee jerk say, “Well, then-NO ONE can drive a car ever!” This is tantamount to that logic. Any thoughts about what we can do to fight What efforts are bein made if any, in this direction?
Shannon
South Carolina
Change hospice companies! The law provides an exception for palliative care/hospice.
Cassie
Los Angeles
I’ve had 7 brain surgeries, at the time during my brain surgeries 10 years ago I was treated with the appropriate pain releivers. When I wa disagnosed with autoimmune Pancreatitis, autoimmune hepatitis at the same time 4 years ago the docs barely gave me anything to cover the abdominal pain.
Let me tell you, my brain surgeries were a cake walk compared to this pain that lasted for over 9 months. The doctors couldn’t get it under control. I was 60mg prednisone and all these other immunosuppressants and I still had severe pain.
I had to sleep sitting up. Now, I have severe disc degeneration, scoliosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and bulging discs and the docs will not give me anything for the pain, except a muscle relaxer and Tylenol.
This whole overreaction to the abusers has really hurt all of us who are chronic pain patients. I understand trying other avenues of therapy for pain, but just can’t cut every one off at the knees.
I wish the people who made this decision, one day are in the shape some of us are in and they will have no access to pain relief, due to the laws they made. Sad that I had to be this way, but no one knew your pain until they are in your shoes. The they say oh I’m so sorry.
Kathy
TX
Severe arthritis in hands and knees. Diabetic neuropathy in feet and legs. Degenerative disk disease. Fibromyalgia.
I was taking about the lowest dose possible of hydrocodone and never abused it, although against my pain management agreement I was often remiss in getting my refill because I could not get a ride to the Dr (suffered for that). There were more and more restrictions and I could not maintain the trips to the Dr every month due to no transportation. Quit the opioids and decided to try life that way. Did not work at all; spent way too much time in bed.
Now, they have me on three non-opioid drugs, all terrible in their own way, to make up for not taking the Vicodin. Doesn’t work very well at all. Marginal relief and haven’t had any sleep for about three months.
But yeah, I guess I’m doing my part to stem the tide of heroin and fentenyl (sp?) coming from Mexico and China. (end sarcasm)
Donna
Tx
I’ve had a stroke and cancer, if they take away the pain meds I will die, the pain from my stroke is unbearable, the pain meds help me to tolerate the pain, I pray everyday that this does not happen, this would be cruel to take pain meds away from those who have had cancer, stroke, and many other types of pain, I believe there will be even more deaths if the pain meds are taken away, I’m sure that the people in the cdc have family members who may have illnesses or an injury of some sort who need pain meds, why can’t they find out from those with severe pain before they do this, taking pain meds away will be devastating.
Mary
Florida
Having had Type 1 diabetes my whole life has resulted in peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms are burning, stabbing, electrical shock pain which makes it impossible to sleep or walk for everyday activities. When first diagnosed, all alternative therapies were tried with no relief.
Now, I visit a pain doctor who prescribes narcotics, which has been the only treatment to offer any relief so I can engage in activities, and sleep! I take the smallest dose possible. If my pain meds are removed, my ability to function would end.
Barbara
Fl
I had a brain stem stroke 6 years ago about two months later I started to get lightning pain in my face I’m told by several doctors they think it’s trigenimal nerve damage from the stroke they call this the worst pain known to medicine or the suicide disease I have no pain meds can get any I was up all last night with a swollen face the pain is unbearable I’m incapacitated by this I don’t know how much more I can take We should not be punished for a small few!
I can’t even get ER doctors to acknowledge I’m in pain they tell you it won’t kill you but I beg to differ! my blood pressure shoots up to 190/120 not good when you’ve had a stroke I can’t even swallow when this TN pain is active my heart skips and races I would not wish this on anyone!
Alfred B. Jamison
MS
I’m in severe pain and now I’m worse. I don’t need any old men my age telling me what I can or can’t take.. I think the United States is selling heroin, why else would they remove the opioids, other than to push addicts into buying there product. I think the dea is manipulating the public and the people in chronic pain are paying for it
Anthony
Doylestown pa
I have a broken back and I’m disabled and I’m considered crippled but yet I can’t even get moderate pain medication to help me sleep or live without extreme pain. I understand some doctors and patients abused the system but unfortunately the disabled have nothing to do with those kind of people. The DEA and government should change these rules and let people with chronic pain get help if they need it. One situation has nothing to do with another. I have been in severe pain since my accident happen due to these absurd rules..they should be changed back asap.
Dee
Washington DC
It is inhumane to just cut people off, no weaning down. First, do no harm. Cutting off pain medication to pain management patients seems to have one objective, kill the pain patients. How can people survive without their pain medications that they have been on for years?
Bea
Maryland
At age 70, with severe arthritis in both knees and lowest three vertebrae of spine. The discs are bulging and I have sciatica from it. Knees wake me up several times a night, so I never get 3 hours of continuous sleep. Cannot take NSAIDs because I needed so much that it gave me a bleeding ulcer and I have needed 3 blood transfusions six years ago. Sent to pain management. Have never asked for a bigger dose, never abused, never sold meds. Medicare won’t pay for chiropractors, acupuncture, or massage. PT is unbearable. I still cannot retire, I have to work. Now they are cutting down on the meds and don’t believe in medical marijuana. So, when I have a flare up, which is accompanied by IBS, I may as well die. No one who has never had chronic pain cares because they don’t feel it. I’m done for very soon.
Teresa
TX
I have no quality of life anymore. I am left to feel like a drug seeker. I’m even considering weed at this point; no wonder people are dying. I have a chronic disease and in chronic pain. The Norco and Butrans patch were barely even working, but I was at least able to function in society. My doctor out of nowhere just stopped. You don’t just cold turkey someone after 3 years. Wow.
Andrew
North Carolina
Is there anyway to get a class action lawsuit started against the CDC, DEA and the representatives that got the laws passed without proper input from people in chronic pain patients and their family members. Appointment was last week and had asked about the law and was told by my pain doctor that their was nothing to worry about, that these laws had more to do with primary physicians not Pain specialists. Well low and behold 30 days later, I am told that my prescription has to be cut in half beginning now, because of the new guidelines of no more than 120 mg of morphine equivalent. Now told I was one of the lucky patients because they had to terminate the need to even be on the opiates. After being on 120 mg, will be weened 2 to 10 percent in coming months. Supposedly the pain doctor will be able to refer to specialty hospital like Duke for the patients that continue to have pain, and yes their being told refer to mental health, massage, and antidepressants. The things that were basically tried before I was ever placed on opiates. I feel like we are rolling in reverse, yet alcohol which our Senators and Representatives drink plenty of, is totally legal and available but causes way more deaths then the opioid/heroin allegedly epidemics. It is not opiates alone causing deaths, its the addict that decides to mix, or use this one last time. I work full time, opiates allowed me to do that, I really am just frightened about what if I just physically can’t work full time this month, or next. I am scared, I know how hard it is sometimes to put one foot in front of the other. Even more crazy is 4 appointments back I turned down an increase in opiate meds, now I wish I had said yes and stock piled those but No, not me. Now I wonder if I will be forced to turn to street to get relief, I would hope not, but maybe in today’s society we should never say never. I do feel it might be time to move to Mexico or at least a border state. Please anyone having class action suit please post it. From NC
Deborah A Sullivan
MA
It is our doctors job to do the best they possibly can to make sure each & every1 of us can live a productive life! If we have injuries that are so painful that we need pain medication; to perform basic daily activities; it is their job & duty to prescribe these meds. I find it absolutely abusive to be denied medication because of the actions of other people. Whats funny is those people will just go hunting for drugs (herion) on the streets; while honest people will suffer in agony due to the CDC! They should be ashamed of themselves.
Deborah A Sullivan
I understand exactly! I have several friends, including myself (ages range from mid 50’s- 60). We are totally limited in activity. Some of us cannot even take a short walk! Many can’t walk up stairs, bend over, pick up our infant grand-babies! We can’t sit too long or stand too long. it is unfair, cruel, and abusive if you ask me! Even if you didn’t want my opinion, it’s very abusive! Doctors are supposed to HELP their patients!
Randy
Etowah. TN
I don’t understand how the pill heads can say “oh, my tooth” and get a script for pain pills of any type but us people that goes through many tests and scans and all the hoops can’t get help and need the pain meds to make a day better? Then our government says I’m sorry to us and ok to a toothache! Hey Government stay out of our life’s. We don’t mess in your back yard.
Charles
Madisonville la
From my point of view these regulations have accomplished very little except forcing good caring doctors to retire and the very ones who they have been trying to shut down are still at it . The patients are either selling are abuseing their medication and these doctors are writing away and all because they take a whole day off from their work week that they can easily afford to as some say do the DEA.
Meanwhile, planning my 23rd surgery on my yes broken back I do not have pain pill one but my neighbor has plenty infact last night he devoured so many he was sick. Yes, I know some would say I am a liar so if you want proof I will provide it for patients doing without medicine and you decide what to do with it
Charles
Maisonville
I have been suffering from pain for a long time. I started on anti inflammatory medicines back when you needed a prescription for all but aspirin . I have severe stomach problems because of anti inflammatory and cannot take them anylonger. I have since been on opioids medicine about 20 years and 22 surgeries.
I am now planning my 23rd for my broken back of which I have nothing for pain. I am well versed in these regulations this being my second chapter in my first I suffered dearly from deep depression, knee replacement on opioid blockers, rapid detox and lastly near death. All so OxyContin could be reformulated.
Bill
Nothern California
I am in Remission from level 4 Larynx Cancer, Treated with heavy radiation, I have CPOD and it causes serious pain. The Ibuprofen 800 ‘s developed a bleeding Ulcer in the small intestine, and it had to be cauterized and now I can not take NSAIDs. They can cause bleeding and without transfusion I can die. Using Steroid injections also. I received two injections, and it turned on a dormant gene for Psoriasis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. Norco 5mg/325mg Tylenol has at least kept me at a level 6-7 pain and I deal with the pain. Taking away the Norco gives me no pain killer. at all. The CDC and the Congress did not take into account Atypical person like my self. I can not even take the Morphine they recommend and 48mg three times a day because I am allergic to it. The new intern recommended Tramadol – Ultram which can work but often does not. Marijuana for the pain does not work I found that out in 1971. Congress needs to put low level opioids like Norco to the doctor. CDC needs to leave treatment to those who know the patient History.
Susan
Fl
Just saw my pain doc yesterday and he is decreasing my Oxycodone by 1 a day. Says it’s the new laws etc. I left the office in tears. I have fibro, MPS, RA, regular arthritis, autoimmune liver problem, cervical stenosis, herniated discs, sciatica, scoliosis and chronic fatigue. Can’t take tylenol too much due to liver functions, already had an endoscopy from taking too much ibuprofen. Finally found medication that works for me and now they are taking it away. Not sure how I’m gonna keep working. Guess I’ll have to go on disability. Such crap that doctor can’t give me what I need to lead a normal life. And it’s not like I’m taking a ton of medicine 15 mg of oxycodone ever 4 to 6 hours. Anyone have any suggestions ?
Kathy N.
NH
Pain care doctors in NH now only will give 28-day prescriptions–with the mandatory Dr. appt. again on the day it runs out. No leeway whatsoever, even when I was hospitalized with a heart attack, or laid out with back spasms.
This, even though I’ve been on the lowest dose of the lowest-impact Schedule 2 for decades now (and have always initiated reducing doses/meds). I’ve been stable for well over a decade, and when I tried to get off pain meds, I was laid up in bed for close to 4 months. THIS IS INSANE, and as I get older, it will only get worse.
Marcia Lester
California
I have been taking opioids for several years, and I had reduced my use, substantially. In fact, I had almost stopped taking them. I have multiple chronic medical conditions including Sjogren’s Syndrome, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and inflammatory arthritis. I have have, also been using anti-inflammatories, lidoderm patches(expensive), heat and cold compresses and use stretching exercises. Recently, I developed neck and thoracic spine pain with shoulder and arm pain. X-rays showed shoulder tendinitis, elbow bone spur and osteoarthritis and scoliosis in my thoracic spine. The doctors ordered physical therapy and continued use of anti-inflammatories. However, the pain doctor REDUCED my opioid dose in half, saying opioids wouldn’t help. I was stunned, since, I was having new acute pain. The CDC needs to walk in our shoes!
Robert
California
I can’t find an answer anywhere on the web. I have been taking 30mg oxycodone, three times a day for years now and still in pain. I go back to pain management last week and they tell me that the feds have mandated that no one can have over 45mg per day!
So, they have cut my doeage in half, I don’t know how I’m going to make it. This morning I told my pharmacy about this and they didn’t know anything about it! They said that normally that they are first to know these things so they can let their customers know about it.
She told me to ask the Dr. for proof of this. This is the pharmacy telling me this!! This is strange!! Does anyone out there know if this is true ?? Let me know!
Jakie M
Lordsburg nm
I am a chronic pain suffer since 1999 the meds are how I am able to function in daily living this new law only hurts us honest people they are fools to think that its going to stop drug abuse from drug addicts. I can think Hermon will come back very strong and suicides from chronic pain patents may rise as nothing else will help they are fooling themselves they don’t know what its like to be in this kind of pain.
Teresa
I feel suicidal. I’m so much pain and no one cares.
Jenny
NYC
I hope you are feeling better today. How are you doing?
John D.
AR
I was a police officer for many years. One day while responding to a rape in progress the brace on my patrol car fail period I had just gotten it out of the shop that morning or supposedly they did a brand new brake job on it. The brakes failed at approximately 90 miles an hour and I had no choice but to hit a large tree.
That accident resulted in many fractures on my back and neck and of course many surgeries are needed. I resent people the DEA making it extremely hard for the Physicians to prescribe desperately needed pain medication for those who need it. Bad accident of course and in my career the pain medication is the only thing that gives me any quality of life. Speaking from experience I have found that the DEA always finds it easier to go after headline seeking material or events.
It does not take a genius to know then many people are going to be forced into buying heroin now which is so much more addictive but very easy to obtain from what I understand it is my hope that the doctors will make enough noise about this and care about their patients , enough to try re- verse this cruel and unnecessary regulation
Terri
Ardmore, Ok
I have sufferrdan L2 fracture with a fusiofusionand titanium rods,pins and plates, plus my sternum was split in half. I endured a 7 1/2 hour surgery. Three years later, i broke my left kneecap in half and endured 2 surgeries from that. The broken kneecap threw my gait off. I am in severe and constant pain and cannot get ANY doctor to prescribe any pain meds that are effective in any way. My life went from manageable and tolerant pain levels to pure misery. I rarely want to leave my house. My quality of life is nonexistent. I believe these new laws concerning narcotics being taken away from chronic pain sufferers will result in a rise of suicides. The new laws sbould be reexamined before an epidemic of suicides get out out of hand.
Daniel
Philadelphia
I have been in chronic pain for over twenty years. I have had two back surgeries and every type of alternative treatment. I was getting multiple types of spinal injections for over ten years, until they became ineffective. I have major stomach problems from the many years that I took NSAIDs. My doctor started prescribing opioids over ten years ago that made the pain level bearable. I also suffer from severe muscle spasms. My doctor recently told me that I need to change my muscle relaxant to a different type.The problem is that I went through trial and error with every type of medication for spasms over the years and was doing well with the one that I have been taking for ten years. Now the doctor reduced the amount that I was taking and I am suffering needlessly. I feel very strongly that doctors should not be influenced by the DEA, who is forcing people to get there medication illegally. I live in Philadelphia and know that it is easier to get medication off the streets than from a MD. It makes me wonder if the government is profiting from the sale of opiates that they get from Afghanistan.
Daniel
PA
Moderator, please edit my last sentence. I do not want to end up like J.F.K. R.K. John Lennon ect. I do not trust most three letter government agencies! I do think that President Donald Trump is a very unique person, and will improve our country dramatically! I’m going to send him a letter or tweet regarding the D.E.A. and it’s unreasonable new law’s regarding people suffering with chronic pain diseases!
Gee
USA
I’d rather just die already than feel like this daily. Thanks Gov. Christie for screwing over all the responsible chronic pain patients because some assholes decided to abuse prescription medications. Not my fault. Your laws haven’t fixed anything, good law abiding citizens will not become criminals and go underground for meds and you’ve just raised the suicide rate. Good Job.
Betts
California
I’ve never been prone to take Opiates, until I found out I had Degenerative Disc Disease in my spine.Trust me, I’ve tried everything they threw at me the last twenty years, PT, injections, you name any procedure they could find. Four spine fusions later and with the new DEA/CDC Guidelines for prescribing Opiates, my Doctor gave me the talk yesterday.
I was to say the least, and if my husband wasn’t there to hear it, I would have thought I was hearing things. It’s not only those of us who have not been abusing our pain meds, but how they are rolling it out, treating us as though we are abusing them, for the majority of us it does help us get through the days so we can function. I’m afraid what’s going to happen down the path. We need a voice, not just you’re cut off– period?!!
Carol
MD
I have been in chronic pain management for 15 years. I have spinal stenosis, spondylitis, scoliosis, herniated discs from top to bottom, fibromyalgia and cervicogenic headaches daily, as well as bone spurs in my spine…after trying every medication n, trigger point injection, fluoroscopic injections, tens therapy, physical therapy, braces, splints ,homeopathic remedies..etc, my doctors finally had me on a steady relatively low dose if methadone and oxycodone for breakthrough pain.
I have been on the same dosage for 10 years…I am a highly functioning mother with a small business I run from home…these meds got me out of a wheelchair and able to function with daily life…now,thanks to the powers that be that want to put an end to my ability to function, In afraid my children will lose their mother!
Leslie
The comments I have read on here are heartbreaking!!! I have a friend with metal rods in her back that are bending. She can NOT even lift her head since they took AWAY her meds!!!! This is the WORST thing I have ever heard of!!! Why punish people who need them??
This will cause the people who desperately NEED them to do the obvious…buy them off the streets!!! More deaths because whoever makes them will not do it properly. You can’t even make me remotely believe the streets won’t have them. Now we have people who are hurting tremendously buying from the streets…HOW DOES THIS HELP???
Besides making people who need them desperately broke, possibly homeless. or severe alcoholics and most likely suicidal. People NEED to stand up and fight for those who NEED these medications before its too late!!!! Why should the desperately hurting be punished???? How do WE THE PEOPLE fix this????
How many times will the FDA be sued for people in pain who can function and live now on their meds and then commit suicide because they can NOT take the cruelty of the pain???
GILLIAN P.
TN
You nailed it in your comment! Yes, we need to fight back somehow before it’s too late. You stated the obvious in your comment, and if they had any common sense they’d be able to see its going to turn good law abiding citizens into criminals because desperate pain riddled people will do anything for relief, even possibly turn to the streets.
mary
Texas
Over the memorial day weekend while fishing I tripped on rocks and fell on my wrist. Went to Er xrays and a splint later I was told I would need surgery and to contact a surgen on tuesday. They told me they could not prescribe anything stronger than tylenol 3 for pain due to new laws. So I have to suffer for several days with a fractured wrist. This is so wrong.
dennis
CA
I have been on sevearl pain meds for over 20 years slowly increasing strengths over the years until “PAIN MANAGEMENT GOT INVOLVED ! I was told that the percocete I was taking had to much tylenol and can damage the liver so he wanted e to make a choice of three pain meds. Are you resdy? 100 mg time release oxycontin 2 x a day , or Methadone, Or 75 to 100 mg of Duragesic pathches ! I about fell off the chair. I explained I have been taking minimum of pain meds and have my liver checked every 3 months and as a nurse I give my self vitamin B complex with iron injecions 3 x a month. I had no desire to take stronger meds like morphine. Well now that PAIN MANAGEMENT has become the ALMIGHTY ALL KNOWING GODS of medication to help people in chronic long lasting and worsening pain,all of a suden our bodys have morphed into a painless happy go lucky beings. “WHAT IN SAM HILL IS THE CDC THINKING? In their all knowing wisdom they decided to many people are overdosing on opiets so lets change all the rules. cut their pain meds by 75 % and get them mental help.. (wich I have been with the same Psyc and Therapist for 8 years. “) All the CDC and others on the same Campaign have done is in crease the amount of people turning to street drugs that have no prescribing instuctions and are like playing russian rulette. People I know over 70 years old have tried heroin or meth. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SO CALLED OATH OF “FIRST DO NO HARM!”???? In the years to come I tell you ,you will see more deaths (over dose or suicide) than ever before. At the end you have only caused people who take their medicene as told by Doctor,live a life with 75 % less quality of life. Some one please explain how I am supossed to pretend my pain is much better since they changed the PAIN MED RULES LET. THEM SPEND A DAY IN MY BODY! GOD HELP US. thanks.
Brian
NYS
To the person wo got long acting opiates instead of Percocet, fell luck my friend, the option is toe taken off of them, the OxyContin is the same medication as Percocet without the Tylenol, take some Tylenol if you want. There are also lower doses of OxyContin.
You really should fell like one of the very few very lucky ones of us with chronic pain that are being taken off of them. Here is the OxyContin deal. 2 x 100 mg OxyContin are the same as getting 20 x 10 mg or 40 5 mg Percocet per day. Percocet can come in 10 mg oxycodone with 325 mg. of Tylenol, you can take 6 grams of Tylenol a day so that makes 18 x 10/325 Percocet.
There is also Percodan which has aspirin instead of Tylenol. OxyContin is not a great drug because it doesn’t release the active ingredient evenly. It releases 1/2 when you take it and 1/2 6 hours later. Oxycodone usually only lasts about 4 hours so it is up and down…up and down. The Duragesic is even stronger at the doses you mentioned. Methadone can be great if it doesn’t effect your QT wave of your ekg. I ended up on it for over 12 years and am being tapered off of it.
I am completely miserable. I have had a hip replacement am having a knee replacement and have a herniated lower back disc and facet joint arthritis on my whole spine, upper c-4 c-5 disc problems, rotator cuff tear, carpel tunnel, and severe arteritis in both feet. Feel very, very lucky my friend.
Teresa
Texas
Get ready…I was on butrans patch along with Norco…MEDICARE says no they will not cover that patch until I try FENTANYL first…like WTH. They want me to go from a relatively safe patch to FENTANYL???
Alyssa
Northern California
My spine was crushed at age 19 by an abuser. I now have daily chronic pain in my back,PTSD and anxiety disorder which has been wayyyyy ramped up due to the new DEA laws. Also note that the Doctors don’t talk to us about it or offer support because they don’t know how to.
We are not the reason for the epidemic, drug abusers are and they will continue to OD and die while those of us trying SO HARD to be good by taking our meds as prescribed, be mothers (I am of 4), employees (I am a manager full time) and be good wives to our husbands but yet we suffer often in silence because people who do not experience chronic pain do NOT understand how trapped we feel in our bodies. Please DEA/ CDC, Mr. President help us.
Ruth A
Caifrnia
This isn’t helping anyone, come on really reading others pain! That’s weird, we need to be sending all the letter, phones call, march the streets whatever it takes! Writing to each their about your pain story does what?
Lisa
OK
The reason I searched for a site on this subject is because like everyone else I have chronic pain, have had it for 22 years now. Last month some young PA tells me I’m cut off of my pain reliever that has always worked for me. Now I have a little medical background so when I tried to have a conversation about it she just shut it down and said that I was addicted to it…and quite rudely. I agree about the CDC not thinking about all of us who require pain relievers for quality of life. And addicted people will find a way to get the drugs.
Since that last appt, my quality of life has been nothing. I can’t believe my life is basically over because the CDC can’t come up with a better way to help people with chronic pain and also figure a way to keep drugs out of the hands of those who want to abuse it. Now if something happens to me, someone will claim it’s another prescription overdose…when really it will have been a prescription underdose. So sad.
Carol
MD
I couldn’t have said it better…I feel the EXACT same way!
Teresa
Texas
Mark it down…if anything happens to me it’s because of my doctor cutting me off cold turkey and pain management doctors lollygagging about paperwork instead of being concerned about my pain…I didn’t abuse anything..I WAS DEPENDENT…so I could walk…now I spend most of my time in bed crying..probably gonna be the end of me.
Daniel
PA
I feel so bad for you. I was forced to change doctors due to a unethical Workers Comp.Dr. and a Judge that had no medical education. The new doctor first reduced the amount of diazepam I was taking for over ten years.Then he stopped them completely.
I suffered extremely bad dizziness. Ringing in my ears loss of taste and lost 20lbs. and never felt tired. Very difficult to sleep. I had multiple test to explain why I was having these symptoms MRI of my head CT scan of stomach and multiple blood test. I had no idea of what was wrong until my doctor prescribed the diazepam back to me again, I felt better almost immediately.
It was the worst two months of my life. Now, the same doctor reduced them again! I am thinking of fileing a malpractice lawsuit. Best of luck to you in finding a compassionate doctor!
Bobbette
Ohio
For those of us who do not abuse narcotics, have been through years of pain, and whom have a legit allergy to NSAIDS (before you say no one can have an allergy to NSAIDS, look up Steven Johnson Syndrome or Roux-EN-Y because I have had both) these laws affect our very quailty of life. I was active, happy, and loved every moment before my injury. I worked long hard hours, traveled, camped, hiked, danced but that has all been taken away by someone elses issue.
True chronic pain suffers are unable to get proper treatment. I am currently having nightmares about severing my own spinal cord to stop the pain and yes, I have seen a therapist. Honestly, it would stop the never ending electric shocks I have been dealing with.
It maybe time to take back our rights to life. I wish all of you the best of luck with every endeavor.
Bill
My mother at 92 reminded me about the poppies Grandma use to grow. I am looking for the seeds now. I have the breakdown she used for pain medication. If I can I will take care of my own or grow it in one of the little sheds in the back yard. I guess CDC. i wish you the best of luck.
Teresa Ray
Texas
Please tell me how.
Jenny
Those poppies will land you in the slammer
Marie
I suffer from fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, 4 herniated discs, and neropathy
My muscles and bones hurt everyday
I donot sleep from the pain
It’s beyond chronic!!
I was a very active hard working person
I can barely walk some days
How are these healthy politicians deciding who gets pain medication?
Why are they making decisions for the chronic sufferers ?
the junkies out here abusing thier prescriptions or dying from abuse of drugs is thier fault sadly! But the sufferers are being punished!!
this is absurd to take it out on the sickly chronic sufferers !
If these politicians had half the pain I’m in , they would not make these awful unprofessional decisions
It’s not only going to make sufferers suffer more and not be productive citizens
It may make some commit suicide or revert to street drugs
Doctors are so paranoid now
They are not going to be able to do thier job and that is taking care of patients pain!!
Tylenol doesn’t work on severe pain!
Anyone who is a chronic pain sufferer knows you cannot work productively or live a life if you are in severe pain daily
The ones making these stupid decisions are healthy and judgemental and haven’t a clue!!!!
It’s disgusting and inhumane!!!
To always take it out on the victims
These are victims !!!!
Please put into position a politician who knows what it’s like to have fibromyalgia or back pain
This should be illegal to do to patients!!!
I feel it’s a mass victimation on the sick as always!
And you will cause mass addiction of street drugs and abuse and maybe suicides since some will get no relief from thier pain and maybe feel life is just a bal of misery as anyone with fibromyalgia knows like myself!
This is a serious mistake and a total misjudgment and making the most vulnerable allowed to suffer gravely
Why are these healthy politicians making decisions for us?? For chronic suffers????
I think everyone needs to get together and vote them out
Eva
California
I was first described Vicodin in 1996 because I had an opportunity to go to Paris, but knew from several recent Disney vacations that I would have to go back to my room and rest after every 1-2 hours standing. The pain from ruptured, extruded discs was severe enough to keep me from enjoying most of what life offers to people without pain.
My dr. had the mercy to prescribe enough Vicodin for my vacation. This was how ‘normal’ people got to live? They got to go through museums without taking 20 min breaks for each 10 min. of strolling? They were able to walk the streets without having to go lie down every little while? Why couldn’t I take this all the time then? Well, it turns out I could; and I have been on this ever since. I work from home, take care of my grandson, cook a meal every evening, take walks to keep myself in shape. This is all thanks to a sympathetic dr., and the medications he prescribes.
Recently, my insurance changed. The dr. refused to prescribe my medication. I protested that I had only 5 pills left, and he shrugged as though it wasn’t his problem. I asked him what the pathway was for me to go off, and he sent me to a pain clinic that couldn’t rotate me in until 1-2 weeks later…but, I had FIVE pills left! How was I to go off those with no new options? Seriously?
The CDC didn’t think this one through. I went back to my old primary care dr., who gave me a prescription. I had to pay out of pocket. More people will be disabled with this law. Its really a bad idea.
Randall Smith
Arkansas
I’m a Vietnam combat veteran. I suffered a bullet wound to the lumbar-sacral portion of my spine. I was prescribed Darvocet N-100 by the V.A. for 33 years. After the DEA’s first edict, that was changed to Norco 7.5/325 – much less effective and way too much acetaminophen for me. I teach neuroscience at a medical school. One of my concerns is the large amounts of acetaminophen that is combined with opioids to achieve pain relief.
Very few people in chronic, unremitting pain rely solely on acetaminophen, at least until now. The associated liver damage is well documented. A couple of years ago, the DEA increased its crackdown. Like many of you, my V.A. doc simply stopped refilling prescriptions. All of the talk from V.A. Central Office about V.A. physicians tapering vets prescriptions, counseling them, seeking effective alternatives is, in my estimation, PR BS. My guess is that very few veterans have any contact with their physicians when this radical change in regimen is made.
The V.A. is well aware of the dangers related to abrupt termination. At best, they give it lip service. What is the DEA, a law enforcement agency, doing meddling in the physician-patient relationship? Naturally, with more injured veterans returning home seeking V.A. care, why do they seem surprised that there is an increase in the legitimate, medically verifiable need for effective analgesia? In the meantime, veterans are not known for sitting on their hands and doing nothing.
I can’t help but wonder (1) what effect these new “rules” are going to have on the demand for black market (and potentially dangerous) replacements for prescription analgesics, and (2) how many veterans and other patients are going to succumb to diseases or disorders directly related to tainted, even poisonous black-market “substitutes” in their legitimate efforts to receive pain relief. I, for one, believe that there are more than enough veterans and other American pain sufferers to turn this around if we enlist effective support.
DEA agents and administrators are, in reality, public servants. They work for us, and not the other way around. If, as in the military, they do not honor their oaths (which I’m sure they have taken (either as new DEA agents or former G.I.s), according to our Constitution, that constitutes treason. The entire question of whether the American people work for the United States Government, or government employees work for United States citizens has, over many years, been gradually reversed.
American citizens are now labeled as “domestic terrorists”, U.S. Army manuals, now available on the internet, have been released teaching soldiers (domestic and foreign) to to “handle” crowds of citizens, control and discipline them while in “relocation” or “resettlement” camps. The copyright dates of these manuals are in the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s. Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy warned us to beware of the “military-industrial complex”. We have not been, and you can see the position that America is in – not internationally, but domestically.
If we fail to hold on to the reins of power, there are thousands of government “employees” who are more than willing to gather them up and assume control. This, to me, huge and major problem involving the types of medications American patients can and cannot receive, based on the dictates of the DEA is but one of many examples. I’m doing my part. What are you willing to do about it?
Dr. Randall Smith, Ph.D., Sc.D.
Johnny
Lynchburg, Va.
I’m in the same situation, God bless.
Brian
Dr. Smith, working in the medical field you should know that the Darvocet you are taking has 650 mg Tylenol and the darovet is toxic itself and is being taken of formularies at hospitals and will soon probably be unavailable.
The drug they gave you is stronger it is either oxy or hydro condone and Tylenol and you can take 2 at once and up to 18 per day. I wouldn’t want you to teach any of my doctors if you didn’t realize this.
Daniel
Philadelphia
Dr. Smith,
I hope you read my post. I also was prescribed Dervocet many years ago. It worked well for pain relief. Unfortunately, it was taken off the market. It was the first non-NSAID medication that I was prescribed. Unfortunately, by that time the NSAIDS had already damaged my stomach. I would like to know why it was taken off the market. It was effective and not a so-called street drug. I have been taking opioid medication for over twenty years now without ever taking more than prescribed. My pain level and severe muscle spasms have gotten worse with time. I’ve had two laminectomies. After the first one I had a bad staph infection that ate part of my back away. The second surgery took over eight hours, and my lung collapsed. As you can imagine, I do not want to have another surgery. I am so angry that the DEA is making people suffer needlessly and making it difficult for doctors to treat their paitets according to their oath of being an MD. If any lawyers are reading these posts please help us to get a petition started. Dr.Smith, thanks for your post.
GILLIAN P.
TN
Please let us know how we can fight back. You’re comment is spot on!
Rebekah
Oregon
I have several health issues. I have had nine surgeries in my life. I also have FMS and several other health issues. I use to be in a wheelchair dreading every day. Than one day I found a good pain doctor. I also tried several other treatments but nothing worked. I was afraid to take pain pills because all I ever heard about them was bad. When I found my doctor he educated me about how to take the medication. Within six months I was finally able to take care of myself and was able to have a better life. I started enjoying it with my grand kids. I never once abused, lost or got high on my medications. I took them the way they were prescribed to me.
Now I am in so much pain. The pain won’t stop. And basically no one cares. I have not slept for three days. It seems like the only thing I do now is cry and pray. I now have a shoulder that has calcified. I can’t even move my right arm. Yes, I am right handed. There is help for me, but now it was taken away. What am I supposed to do now when nothing works? These new laws are now killing and taking away a normal or half-way normal life from the elderly and disabled. I am also on Medicare and have not been able to find a doctor for six months. No one accepts Medicare or they are not accepting new patients. I cannot even get basic care now.
mary
pa
I think the government has no right to do what they are doing to the elderly patient’s and others who suffer to take away their medications has open the door to buy off the streets is that what they really want.this is why people are killing themselves DEA stinks.
James L B.
south east US
This is a last ditch try to fix obumali care, “hay insurance co’s you can charge less to the gov for fees if these drugs are not covered”, get it ?
I too have been on ms xx mg two times a day, for over 15 yrs w no problems taking it, today my Dr tells me obumali, has made it to were i “may be able to get 1/2 that a day now”, my case is mild compared to some on these post i have seen, and God bless you all, and it sucks that the one’s that write these laws never needed a aspirin or, with their much better Gov. ins. have anything they might need handed to them, all, off the back of We that suffer, the US tax payer !
john
ma
I have had two back surgery’s went to the doctors years ago and he said you need pain killers to help with the pain and has. A few months ago I went back to the Doctors and ha said I need to take most of your pain Medication away I got a letter in the mail from DEA/Feds saying we need to cut back.
What has it come to when someone sitting behind a desk tells my dr. how to medicate me. Something needs to be done I suffer daily because my Dr. got a letter in the mail.
Brian
This has NOTHING to do with Obama Care or The affordable Health Care Act. Your Dr. is using that as an excuse. It is the CDC.
Titanium
Indiana
Wow……this CDC regulation must have become law since my last Doctors appt. I have an appt today and am now terrified!
Are they just cutting off hundreds of pain management Pts without warning?
How will these Pts be cared for now? We are talking about people in so much pain, they will be moaning and unable to even crawl because of their suffering!
I guess it’s time for me to forget about ever walking normally again, because…reduced and removal of certain meds, will mean that I will need a special hospital bed, and be using my power chair to get around 100 percent of the time. Plus, being someone who would NEVER use illegal drugs, I will have to begin self medicating.
Smoking Pot, Drinking….etc.
What’s to become of our Country when good citizens cannot get proper medical treatment!
Patti
San Diego
Yeah, I had back surgery in December and will soon have to give up my Fentanyl patch and Vicodin. There will be no warning, no choice.
I am in kidney failure due to Excedrin and Alieve. Doctor took my off my migraine medicine, Fioricet, with no warning. I took the over the counter meds and now my kidneys are failing.
My doctors don’t care!!! I have 2 liver surgeries and was in 10++ pain for 3 months. I lost all my weight, I had no breasts. Weighed the same as when I was a kid. They just let me suffer. And my doctors are at University of California, San Diego, a renowned medical center.
No hope. I guess we just give up and die or live everyday in bed….
Jenny
NYC
Maybe you can find a good doctor in TJ
Patti
San Diego
Yeah, I had back surgery in December and will soon have to give up my Fentanyl patch and Vicodin. There will be no warning, no choice.
I am in kidney failure due to Excedrin and Alleve. Doctor took me off my migraine medicine, Floricet, with no warning. I took the over-the-counter meds and now my kidneys are failing.
MY DOCTORS DONT GIVE A DARN!! I had 2 liver surgeries and was in 10++ pain for 3 months. I lost a lot of weight; I had no breasts. Weighed the same as when I was a kid. They just let me suffer. And my doctors are at University of California, San Diego, a renowned medical center.
No hope. I guess we just give up and die or live everyday in bed….
Linda
97017
Gee CDC 100 pills over the course of one year is a problem for you?
Gary
Baytown, TX
After 2 back surgeries, 2 different pain management therapy groups, and 2 spinal injections, I am still in horrible back pain. My doctor said that he could no longer prescribe hydrocodone to me due to government regulations. I feel that they have classified me as a drug addict. My doctor required that we do everything possible to eliminate my pain before prescribing hydrocodone. We did that. No other pain medication has helped me. I feel doomed due to pain. My doctor regulated my medication to insure that I did not become immune or addicted to pain meds. He is not a pill pusher. What do I do now? The government regulators who have not experienced horrible pain must not understand what it is like. I am at wit’s end. The government could have done a lot of other things to insure that doctors don’t prescribe too much. But no, they just punish everyone. This is not right.
Guido
Washington
We, as Americans with chronic pain, are being held hostage
by bureaucratic agencies. They are practicing medicine without a license and should be treated as felons.
You can bet that if one of their relatives has a chronic pain problem they will have an ample supply of medicine.
Join our association – Just Care For Chronic Pain Individuals
(JCCPI) – Thanks, GuidoK
Sarah R
Vermont
If things don’t get better soon, I will be forced to choose between the black market and suicide. Why should I be forced into these choices? I have a great deal of pain from M.S. and I am afraid that it will only get worse as I get older. What is anyone supposed to do?
Guido
Imagine, you live in a country that is supposed to have the greatest health care in the world and so many people are suffering from needless pain.
We have listened to the people suffering and ask “Where are the medical professionals that are supposed to treating them”?
Why are people being forced to go outside the system to procure these meds – people with pain just want to lead a functional life and carry on with ADL’s.
It is really time for professionals to stand up to the bureaucrats that are threatening their professionals and
practicing medicine without a licese.
And YES, I am a retired physician – shame on you doctors!!
Sandra
TN
After 8 yrs and 6 doctors I’m now without any pain or primary care. Due to false negatives (which are to be expected if you take Extended Release/Long Acting Opiates-most Pain docs are clueless on that one; and false positives from Effexor (an anti-depressant which eliminates menapausal hot flashes-again; Pain docs are clueless). I also spent the first four years complaining to my Pain docs, pharmacists, primary care about the intra-dose withdrawal I was in while on 30mg Oxycodone. I was told simply “only every six hours, don’t overtake” I was in full blown withdrawal so I took one every hour at 600mgs a day. You do the math 120/month meant buying off the street the rest. I never got high, caught a buzz or anything but my apt was spotless, I could take long drives to visit family, was a full time student, walk my dog and of course all other normal day to day activities. I had one nutsey NP who shrieked and threatened continually over my shortage while also refusing to write for the Phenytoin I had been on for nerve damage in my hands. One day she said “ok I’ll look into it” and I thought perhaps I should do the same. I found that generic Dilantin (Phenytoin)) when taken with Oxycodone caused hyper-metabolism and precipitated withdrawal of Oxycodone. Why didn’t any of my Pain docs know this? Ok so I stopped the Phenytoin and my usage decreased dramatically until I got down to 5 1/2 a day! I thought that was a good thing until Nutsey NP fired me for being 1 pill short instead of 20 short WTF? I then went to the well known CPS who took me for 2 years until they stopped taking my Medicaid. They also prescribed me Fentanyl patch which almost killed me. Menapausal women with one remaining ovary who are unable to do Hormone Replacement Therapy should NEVER be given ER/LA Opiates! It WILL cause Adrenal Insufficiency/ Hypothyroidism! Straight Oxycodone by the way increases T levels accounting for energy and mood enhancement. It’s the safest man made Opiate there is. Too bad doctors study addictions and not the meds they should be prescribing. So now I’ve had 6 doctors in 6 months that I’ve fired because they will only prescribe 10mgs Oxy. I had one even write just 2 a day and tell me “You should be used to the pain by now”! I had given up on a doctor at all so yes, I’m a statistic on the streets. I still don’t get high on heroin, that is not my goal and highly impossible by now. I take it the way the Coolies did their Opium when building our railroads. One small dose to run errands and one later in the day before bed. A full dose or pack lasts about 3 days and is way cheaper and safer than any FDA approved med. My tolerance has not increased because it is for pain not recreation. 105 yrs ago when Opiates were legal, 1 in 10 were addicted with no ills to themselves or society whatsoever! Govt has simply been replacing each pain med with more expensive meds so now here we are. $60 a month for Oxy or a couple grand for procedures that make things worse! So now my primary care after 6 years decides to test my urine and fires me for violating our Narcotics Contract and they’ve never handled my pain care at all. I guess the streets are the place I should stay.
Linda griffin
Windsor Mo
I have been a nurse for 40 years, hurting my back repeatedly lifting on patients more than double my weight, but I kept working. Finally at age 60 i was n so much pain i could not sit up. Thanks to obamacare i was able to get back surgery. But i still have horrible pain. I have a great doctor but feel like a drug addict when i see my doctor every 2 months for & have to take a drug test etc.. I took great care of my patients. Now that i am old & n pain it is degrading to be treated like this! As a nurse for so long my opinion is that to deny ADEQUATE pain relief to a patient when it IS available is abuse.
Wayne
Richmond, VA
The Veterans Administration put me on Tramadol for what 3 VA doctors diagnosed as Fybromialgia (sp) about 5 years ago. I have been taking Tramadol 2x per day, 150mg each time. I am 76 years old, have never misused Tramadol and never expected to since what I was taking worked. No pain. But now my PCP will not write any prescription since she says she is not allowed to do so in the State of Virginia.
I find this to not be true. What do I do? I have been totally off Tramadol for almost 3 weeks and am in much misery and pain. Taking Tylenol but it does not work.
Jan
Plano, Il
I had a crush injury to both legs and feet 18 years ago. They were crushed for 17 hrs, with no blood circulation, leaving all of my nerves dead and dying below the knee. The crushed nerves leave me in screaming, burning, agonizing pain (like Joan of Arc being burned at the stake)!!! The pain is off the charts and I can’t lift my head off the bed without vomiting!! I have been on everything, nerve blocks, Vicodin, Oxycontin, etc. I have now been on 100 MCG of Fentanyl for 17 years, no increase in dosage, and still have pain but I can live my life. I also was left with rhabdomyolysis, so I wear braces and have no balance.
My Dr. only prescribes for me because he was a resident under the original prescribing Dr., but no one else will. If I can’t get my Fentanyl, I will have to commit suicide or amputate my legs!!
These guidelines will do nothing to stop oipiod OD’s, because the drugs still come in from China, Mexico, Columbia, and drug cartels. The only way to stop it is to educate every grade level and when age appropriate, show them the life of a drug addict! GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF HEALTHCARE OTHERWISE YOU WILL RUE THE DAY WHEN YOU ARE IN PAIN WHICH CAN ONLY BE MANAGED BY OIPIOIDS!!! It is hard to find a way to kill yourself and if you can’t, THE GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO LIVE EVERY DAY IN TORTURE!! HAVE WE BECOME SO GODLESS AND COMPASSIONLESS? Most people have cancer or know someone who does. The oncologists can’t get enough OIPIOIDS to make you comfortable when you need it most, and these people die in agony! Google it. Where are the Pain Advocacy groups, and why can’t they appear before Congress to tell the other side of the story??
Dennis Brayshaw
Tampa
My twin brother and I have severe spinal stenosis. We require REAL medicine, not this shit they call pain relievers. I am having to go to Dilaudid now. Can’t anyone smart enough to see that we are people too.
We’ve paid our dues through this life and deserve proper care. WANT THE ANSWER? JUST DO IT.
RichardB
Romulus, MI
I have over 17 stints in my body from plugged arteries, including my legs, making almost impossible to walk for short distances. Several years ago I developed severe back pain with a MRI showing the disc at L5-S1 shot.
Been to several pain doctors but all say they can’t help because they can only do injections or surgery (on blood thinners and if I stop long enough to do it will die because of clots or bleed into my spinal column paralyzing or killing me).
The last doctor finally said he would help but because of the CDC, FDA, and DEA his hands are tied. He suggested physical therapy, right now I can’t walk because of restricted blood flow, so I do this how?
Now I understand why people commit suicide over pain. Thank you blood sucking government agencies for raising the suicide rate of chronic pain patients to make yourselves look better.
Patricia
Being a patient with chronic pain I’ve heard many stories over the years. What the CDC doesn’t understand is that patients with chronic pain unable to receive pain medication from their Doctors is why people switched to street heroine for pain relief. Sure, some are addicts, but lots of them were just looking for pain relief for legitimate reasons. I believe now the heroine use will skyrocket even more.
Chris
North Mississippi
First of all……I can’t imagine anyone taking Lortabs for a period of longer than 1 month for ANYTHING, much less anything stronger than Lortabs. I have three herniated disk in the back, one in the neck, and a gall stone the size of a quarter. What do I take? I take (4) 200mg Ibuprofen over-the-counter per day. Now that I am about to have surgery this Friday, May 5, 2017, I have not even taken the Ibuprofen in more than a week because I want my blood to be at its best through surgery. Pain medications do not fix any problems, they only cover them up.
If you have a medical condition requiring pain medications for more than a month, then you must not be seeing the right doctors, and I don’t care how old you are, what truck you fell off of, or how many fractures you have had. I speak on the medications of Lortabs because this pain medication was the mostl widely abused of them all. Five years ago, I had an aunt who her roommate found dead on the couch. My aunt was only 59 years-old, but a prolonged user of pain medications, especially Lortabs! My aunt had over-dosed two times before (on pain medications), but this last time, the third time did her in.
Pain medications, even over-the counter acetaminophen is VERY bad for the stomach, kidneys, and liver. The last time I went to the dentist and they pulled a back tooth, and filled two other teeth. They prescribed Lortab in which I never had filled. I thought my step-mother was going to have a fit because she too is a pain pill addict!!! At the tender age of 64. So, I say this…….don’t be a pill popper or drug junkie, and your age has nothing to do with addiction. Anyone can can be an abuser.
Oh and I don’t know pain? I have sewn myself back together before with a piece of fishing line and a needle without anything but rubbing alcohol. I have also glued my thumb back together with super glue…..pretty much the same thing you can buy with liquid stitch, and what the doctors would have done.
Daniel
Philadelphia
First of all I would like to know the name of your doctor, it sound like he performs miracles! I would also like to know if your aunt took more medication than was prescribed or mixed it with alcohol.You obviously have a high tolerance for pain, or are the type of person who likes pain. I believe you need mental help, but if pain medication abuse runs in your family it is a good idea not to take any. Best of luck to you in being pain free or enjoying pain.
Kent
Texas
I could write about my chronic pain and how after years of being prescribed hydrocodone by the VA I was off, but I won’t. This is about my wife and her current problem.
Yesterday she had surgery on one of her fingers. The doctor gave her a shot of morphine before she left but said he couldn’t prescribe any pain meds after the shot wore off. He said that his hands were tied and expressed being sorry about it.
Luckily, my doctor gave me a small amount of the little Vicodin last week and I gave some to my wife. Last week my wife had oral surgery and the dentist couldn’t give her anything either. I remember when they prescribed hydrocodone following a filling.
We are in our mid-seventies. This government war on drugs has gotten out of control. I’m just glad that I’m not young or middle-aged. I’ve had surgery 12 times in my life and I hope I’ll have no more. I’ve read that doctors are limited to prescribing only a tree day supply of pain medicines following surgery.
I hope I never get shot, have a car wreck or any other painful experience. This is too much. What can we do?
The last time the country had a “drug problem” was after the Civil War.
Chris
West Virginia
Good for you. I’m glad you do have the same pain I have. I’m glad you don’t have to go thru what I have to. You don’t get to tell me what I need and what I don’t. I don’t know your family, you don’t know mine. You mind your body, I’ll mind mine. See how that works… Our needs our different.. I too have sewn myself up.. My chin, my wrist.
Stitches don’t hurt anything like vertebrae on vertebrae banging together. I’ve walked on a broken leg.. Lifted a motorcycle with a broken collar bone.. Yes it hurt, but nothing like a constant pain in the core of your body. So once again… Leave my body, my pain, my needs out of your business! It’s not the governments.. 100 tears ago, when we had true freedom, I could go buy pain meds from the pharmacy.. As much as I wanted.
Whatever worked best for me.. But now, I can’t find a doctor to help with constant debilitating pain. All because some people died. People die all the time for all types of reasons.. You can’t legislate wellbeing.. Mind your own business!
LIna
Pittsburgh
Who are you to dictate who needs more medicine than others Kent? Are you an advocate for the CDC and the DEA? I would quit whilst i was ahead with that comment ! Do you know the meaning of Chronic Pain ? It’s not you suffering , trying to get out of bed every morning so stiff you think your bones will break in two!
Sheila
Absolutely agree with your thoughts on more alcoholism and street drugs. Besides the loss of maintainable life we are going to be forced to be invalids.
Roy S.
Rockford, IL
We can’t do anything.
LIna
No, we can’t and they know it ,plus now people like me and my family who are ill have to just plain suffer. There are no pain advocates who really cares around. All I hear are words/politics and more words and empty promises . Even the First Do No Harm petitions that are (supposed) to go straight to Trump and his cabinet members are falling on deaf ears. I’m sure they have the best access to pain care than we do. All they care about is themselves. Animals get better end of it than we do. That’s it and that’s the inhumane world we now live in.
110kickass
Hell
Why the hell would anyone want to see a pain management doctor for things we can buy at the store? I have suffered through MS, Fibromyalgia, herniated discs, spondylosis, & degenerative disc disease for almost 20 years getting by with OTC meds. I finally ask a “pain management doctor” for “PAIN MEDS” BECAUSE I CAN’T LIVE WITH THE PAIN ANYMORE! I practicality begged for help! Drug screen was CLEAN! I was told to go to therapy and physical therapy! AND he DISMISSED ME! Take the CARE out of HEALTHCARE!!!
Misty
colorado springs co
I am a 43 year old suffering with chronic jaw pain since I was 18. It is diagnosed as TMJ, for lack of an actual diagnosis.
I was encouraged in my 30’s to have several experimental surgeries which I couldn’t afford and thankfully I didn’t do it as many of the specialists I still pay out of pocket for tell me they are primarily doing surgeries to pull out all of the materials and devices that were installed during those surgeries a couple of decades ago.
Insurance sometimes pays of me to see a doctor but if the doctor is a specialist with jaw pain then it doesn’t technically exist. There is no recognized specialty for my ‘condition’ even. I am dependent on what I consider a low dose of hydrocodone to be able to carry out my duties as a mom/wife and business owner and to take care of my body by remaining fit and active.
Without access to prescription pain medication I wouldn’t be able to address a room full of business men in a confident manner as I would likely have to turn to marijuana to even deal with it at all (I have tried it as an alternative and it does’t work as well and yes, it makes me high)…my hydrocodone does not. It does not affect me any more than taking a tylenol does. I do not understand our government attempting to practice medicine and it is just another way to oppress a specific group of people.
paul
california
I have a number of bad disks in my back, and other painful problems. What laws such as these do is prove that as a society we are not worthy to continue on and I pray every day for total nuclear destruction of this and every other country on this planet. There is nothing worse than life that exists only to cause the suffering and harm to others for a brief enjoyment of conquest. I look forward to the fact that this world is crumbling and those that think that people have no right to control their own bodies will suffer as they have caused others to suffer.
chris
19111
I think that everyday when you guys are in pain you should go to an ER for a Morphine Injection. When it wears off go back to the ER. Go back as many times as needed. Rack up millions of dollars going to the ER for pain medication when you are in pain. Then take the bill and throw it in the trash. New laws will not count Medical bills on credit report now:> Hope this helps! If you can’t get to the ER then call an ambulance and then throw their bill in the trash too. We work, we pay taxes, we pay for health insurance and lately the question is for what?
Sarah R
ER’s are now likely to refuse to medicate for pain. The problem is getting worse and worse. But the Heroin dealers are doing great business, and I sometimes wonder if this is what the government actually wants.
James L B
so true, as they supply it, thats why they love the “do what you want to ” cities
James L B
the E/Rs will not give you anything ! they are all afraid of DEA
LIna
Ers will not allow any access to pain shots or medications in my state. They will literally show you the door. Urgent Care is the same way… nothing. There is no one anymore to turn to. We have been all forced off our meds and they know there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. We are left to die in the most cruelest most imaginable way possible. All i know is this..the tables one day soon will turn and they…. will suffer the same fate they put on us. Mark my words , it will happen!
Louisa
Portland
I have a superior dislocated mandible of 30 years from a chiropractor who pushed my jaw backwards while Wide open – all bones on head in compression, muscles in contraction, have been to over 500 doctors, but last time anyone even heard of this type of injury was when 1920s boxers sometimes got punched in face. This was before they started wearing bite guards. I suffer “protracted” pain, where every moment feels like jaw is continually getting dislocated.
Have a TBI, lost sleep because brain stays in beta/awake state 24/7 reacting to ongoing blunt force trauma. I have to take unregulated drugs to get loss of consciousness, as I have no rest at all otherwise. Then when I regain consciousness, wide awake and depressed, another day of severe pain to get through.
The only pain relief I ever had was Oxycodone, small amounts, so no one will prescribe, every MD so effing fearful, though not a one ever taken to court for writing pain RXs.
Have an elderly cat and the day she dies I am also opting out for good. It is cruel to make any chronic pain patient suffer, we are not addicts, we are dependent on that relief.
It is horrible to brush us off like we are useless, but the disabled are the “undeserving poor” now. The republicans want us dead, as we are useless to society.
Nancy Greene
Portsmouth,Va
What you are saying is right on the money! I drove over 3 hours to Reston, Va today due to extreme pain from degenerative disc disease. The physician is not even in my network, but he seemed to be a surgeon I could trust to work on my spine. I would not even care about me having to pay for 20%.What damn good is money to enjoy your retirement if you are in constant pain. I tried to explain the excruciating pain in my neck and the pain and wasting away of the muscles in both shoulders and arms.I figured he would write a script for an MRI,which he did, Id go have it done tomorrow, and would take it back to his office, see how screwed up my neck really is, and agree to the first open surgery appointment. BUT>>FIRST I have to go to seven weeks of Physical therapy and and scheduled in 5 weeks for an EMG/ Nerve Conduction Study. I went thinking he would at least help me deal with the neck/arm pain until I have to return. Yeah, I get prescription Aleve and a muscle relaxer.
At 60 years old I sure wouldnt abuse a drug that lets me live again. I have NEVER even had anything stronger, but I do cry alot. Chronic pain needs to visit Washington. Bet the laws would change fast.
Joyce
Maryland
My husband has been suffering with constant excruciating pain many years.With 30+ yrs serving in our military his many health complications forced us to specialists long ago. Now his fentynl has been denied after being on 200 mcg! Yes correct two hundred micrograms, With hydrocodone +Benzos plus psychiatric meds over years,now is reduced to No pain
Medication.
Left With a partial digestive system, nsaids are not tolerated. He is deteriorating daily, specialists had suggested cognitie therapy and Tylenol! I am totally Devastated and disgusted with the medical/ legal issues preventing seriously ill patients from getting the medication thy need to survive.
Also several periods of withdrawals have us living in a constant hell. His quality of life has gone from about 14% to none at all. We only leave our house for Dr. Appointments. Won’t someone take pity on us suffering and help us?????¿? He is only 62
Chris
West Virginia
Let’s go… If things don’t change, I won’t be able to work much longer.. Let’s go and demand dignity. Pick a day they will be there.
tom
New York
The medd guidelines state it is not a rule or a law,also states.not to use with new pts with no history. but to continue care with pts that have history. also not to drop pts or reduce dosages,google it read for yourself. a.guideline is not considered binding or mandatory,and guidelines are never enforced,this is by definition. It is a suggestion.
Look up definitition of guideline. College educated drs and etc and have misconstrued and misentrepeted the simple english. and I have chronic pain neck vertebrate shoulders, 10 yrs,bone on bone s5 l1 hip hardware tearing femur head ball apart knee pain sporiatic arthritis.
Ben
Missrouri
Well, this is nice. I got thrown from a bed of a truck when I was 20, shattered my clavicle and my shoulder was half way down my rib cage. There has always been pain, but it keeps getting worse as I get older. I had many consultations and surgery is not an option.
I’m starting to consider pain relief because it keeps getting worse as I get older, but it looks like a pointless pursuit. I’ve always felt ashamed for considering pain meds. Now I feel worse and probably won’t get any anyway.
Land of the free and home of the brave?
More like land of oppression…
Michael K
UT
If the VA takes my hydrocodone away after years of being responsible, and getting me out of bed and walking or going to the store. My life with the pain will lead me to the bed and possibly suicide..thanks a lot you idiot’s for not thinking this through!!!!!!
Julu
Northern CA
I’m with you Michael. How many of us are they going to lose to suicide because some uninformed twerps, has passed this sentence upon us.
I started out with painful chronic pancreatitis, they are still lowering my dose to way less than 1/2 of my original dose. Now I have neuropathy from the diabetes I got from my rotten pancreas and a new tx on the block, cirrhosis. Oops, forgot gastroparesis. What can we do to change it. I’ts time they started counting all of us who took a way out from pain as the .antidote to all those who might get hooked.
LIna
Yes, and i thought we were in America not Natzi Germany. I was wrong. Make America great again? Oh yeah right! They mean for rich people and doctors and insurance companies that line their pockets $$$$!
Elizabeth
San Antonio, Texas
Is there anything we can do as a group to make law makers understand what it is like to live in constant pain? How many will commit suicide from living with pain long before we over-dose
Louisa
Portland
55,000 a year, those are only the known numbers, undocumented is probably twice that. I myself will be a statistic soon enough. Physical pain is hell, is being permanently free worse?
If death is sleep or non-existence, that is welcome! Note to elderly us: remember learning in school normal life spans use to be around 30-40 yrs? I have been living a moment to moement nightmare of pure torture for 30 yrs and I am “only” 64!
LIna
They turned a deaf ear to us all. They refuse to hear us and i’m sure they watch some of these boards and also the petitions that go out. They know but this is what will happen , no mercy will be to shown to those who have shown no mercy. As far as your question, it would take ages wrapped in bureaucratic red tape. We just do not have that kind of time. At least most of us do not. It would take someone or many to accomplish this IF..and that’s a big If , they are not blocked.
Dash R
Michigan
Not to worry, the drug cartels will be happy to fill the void with unregulated and sometimes dangerous alternatives.
Mary
CA.
So long as the government get their cut of $$$ on the way. What the hell are these people trying to do to us, kill us! I pray none of anyone from the government or a family member has to deal with what we have to deal with 24-7-365 days.
Jwls
WI
Absolutely….and that is what is going to happen or a bunch of suicides because people would rather die than not have any relief from severe pain!
Donna
'
Donna,56, in Virginia
I live with chronic pain. I have fibromyalgia, 2 bulging discs, avascular necrosis and have taken opiates for about 8 years. I do not abuse them. I go every month to a pain doctor, with bloodwork done every 3 months. It is very expensive, but it helps me to function. Some days are still so bad I do not get off the couch. The government needs to butt out and let the doctors do what they are trained for. What do I do now? Seek out a drug dealer for heroin? Good job Washington!!!
kathy
OR
Hi, I’m 61. I have had RA since 1986. My doctor won’t prescribe pain meds at all, and they won’t prescribe Zanax either. AND the doc refused to sign my medical marijuana card. ??????????
My doc says, “Why dont you try the edibles, so you don’t have to smoke it.” I say,”because you won’t sign my paperwork!!!! I can’t buy it if you won’t sign it!!!!” What the hell is going on? I didn’t have this problem when I lived on the coast. What is the deal??
I can’t get in to see my rheumatologist because I haven’t been there for three yrs, so I am considered a new patient even tho they still have my file and all that. And they are deciding based on the “referral” from the primary, and my file. I ask if the referral is with the file on the doctors desk, and the nurse says, “well, no.” I’ve been waiting for 6 weeks for this rheumatologist to decide. Man alive!
Sheila
Texas
I am with you on your thoughts! I have three deterated disks and cannot function like a 63-year-old person should be able to. I am not a drug addict, I don’t know what I’m going to do now since I will not be able to carry-on my daily duties. I will not be able to continue working without my medication.I decided20 years ago against surgery because I see more people in more pain after surgery.
Julie
Ohio
As far as actual OD’s and deaths the CDC and DEA information is
VERY HIGHLY skewed. First of all they state, for example, in 2014 there were 47,000 drug related deaths. Because they’re reporting on “the opioid epidemic” (which is about as accurate as “weapons of mass destruction”) people are led to believe ALL of these deaths involved opioids. NOT SO. Only 27,000 involved opioids. HOWEVER, they don’t report how many are from:
legally obtained Rx’s,
illegal drugs,
Illegally obtained Rx drugs (& yes indeed they have this information),
opioids combined with another substance,
and combination opioid-acetaminophen medications (which are FAR more dangerous and yet far more prescribed). It takes a mere 4g of acetaminophen to cause irreversible liver damage – which means it’s fatal because you can’t live without a liver.
I’m seriously considering moving to Portugal where ALL drugs are unregulated. And get this… there’s been NO increase in drug use
and drug related crimes have gone down since drugs became unregulated. Or, moving to Mexico would be closer and you can get your medicine without a Rx.
Cindy
McMinnville, OR
My husband of 35 years had an OTJ accident that required a cervical fusion. That was after he was misdiagnosed and did physical therapy for several months with a shattered cervical disc. This caused nerve damage and he has now been suffering severe pain since 1990. Since he has had nerve blocks, facet injections and many other treatments that did not help at all. Some caused worse pain. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in 1995 and has since had the original cervical fusion redone and had 2 levels of his lumbar spine operated on.
Then on October 31st this year, had 4 cervical discs fused. He has been using vicodin since the original accident as prescribed, never abusing this or seeking medications from another doctor. Most days he is in such severe pain with the pain meds that he can barely move. Now his doctor says she can no longer give him vicodin!!!!!! She is willing to help him taper but wants him off by June. He is so depressed and sick about it. I am afraid he will commit suicide because of the pain.
When I read through these notes I am in tears because this is outrageous! Good innocent people are suffering because of the drug addicts. Why not go after the drug dealers and the people abusing the system instead of punishing good people that are in pain for no fault their own? How can they decide what is the correct course of treatment for a patient? What a tragic turn this country has taken when the government can tell a doctor how to treat a patient.
Until someone comes up with another form of pain management leave the poor sufferers alone for the love of God. I don’t want to watch my husband suffer any more than he already does. I do not want to be a widow at 55! I can guarantee that there will be increased alcohol abuse and street drug abuse as well as suicide with this stupid change in the law. I am so sorry for all of you pain sufferers. My heart aches.
Julu
Excellent! You are so right..
AWW
Wisconsin
This is a sick joke!!! From our Politicians that want to play god??? News Flash they are not Drs!!! I’m very angry as are all of the families out there that are either in pain or have to stand by and watch a family member or close friends suffer in pain!!!! Get a clue!!!
My 18yr old had back surgery last year and now suffers from a bulging disk right above his hardware from the surgery!!! Our whole family suffers from degenerative disc. Some worse than others. Where is the Hippocratic oath in all of this???
The lawmakers and politicians are the hypocrites! They don’t know a thing unless they’ve been through it! Pain relief is what keeps people functioning and contributing to our society but now they’re going to label everybody!? My son is trying to become a physical therapist to help other people after surgery. But he may never make it that far due to his pain and lack of help with his pain as he suffers through this additional obstacle of a bulging disc after a major surgery !!! We will be heard believe me! Nobody is going to do this to my family and get away with it! Do these lawmakers need a building to fall on them to scream in pain and yell out and nobody is there to help them???
Anytime somebody wants to debate this I’m right here. Why is it just the US? Worldwide no problems. Because the medical industry didn’t keep track of peoples MRIs and treat them accordingly.
Instead other people took someone else’s MRI and used it to get medication and nobody followed up on our reference number! It’s not our fault they’re so stupid and can’t keep track! Hey newsflash maybe if they took our last four of our Social security number and reference the MRI with number attached we wouldn’t have this epidemic in this country!? This is plain stupidity to people that are suffering in pain !!! And plain stupidity by the medical professionals that do paperwork! Now hundreds of thousands of people are going to suffer? This is not a dictatorship it’s a democracy! Wake up morons of power. See if you get elected again! Won’t happen !!!!
Tommy G
Hell
Politicians are supposed to play God!!!!!! Let the doctors do their job for pain relief as they have in the past. Maybe some politicians need to be put in pain and see how they feel? You really don’t know what I want to say. My 18-year-old son is in hell because of this from my back surgery!!!!
Sandy B
Louisiana
I am 63 years old woman in a nursing home since 2012. I have chronic pain all over my body. I have both knees are meniscus tears, but can’t have surgery because I also have severe lymphedema on left lower abdominal side for over 2 years. I had MRSA infection on my left leg and foot, in hospital 35 days. My leg is still very red and seriously painful. I had spinal surgery, I am so miserable with pain. I’m in a controlled environment, I can’t abuse these drugs.
Jill
NJ
I was in a near fatal car accident in 2008. I have had 3 cervical fusions, a lumbar fusion, I have just had a spinal stimulator inserted in my back because I have severe neuropathy in my buttocks ,legs and feet. My doctor has been taking my medicine away and now I can’t find a doctor. I’m contemplating an end because I can’t imagine living like this. What am I supposed to do now??
Julie
Ohio
Please don’t end your life Jill. I completely understand how you feel, but consider moving out of the country first.
You might also try Kratom – which is legal. The DEA tried recently to make it a schedule 1 but there’s was (rightly so) a massive outcry. People addicted to opiates and heroin have gotten off of it using Kratom. I’ve been using it for about six months without any negative side effects.
Wanda
My doctor wrote gabapentin for my pain. It made me so sleepy that I wasn’t able to work.
Johnny
Delaware
I have a rare “Length Dependant Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy. Ever wonder what it feels like having the nerves responsible for transmitting/carrying the pain signal actually start dying ?
From the tips of my fingers and the tips of my toes up the forearms and up the calves to the knees, Johns Hopkins confirmed it with biopsies. I have a toxin or unknown virus “eating it’s way up the length of the sensory nervous system” in my body die. Just die. Dying. Lyrica does nothing. Oh yeah I have 4 qualifying disabilities also. Jesus wept…
And it G.D. well hurts. Only physically burning your flesh with a blowtorch equals the pain. Not kidding. I hit 9 outta 10 some days. If I average 5 then, what will I average now ?
Having Medicare a, b and a drug plan, it would cost me minimum $75.00 out of pocket office visit plus whatever Medicare B does not cover for the drug screening every visit !
And get this, A 30 day supply of Ultram only cost me $1.50
So I will pay how much every 30 days ? On SSDi ? It’s a joke, with no punchline.
Marvin B.
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
What do I think?!!
I think the way these poor people are being treated like common drug addicts is wrong!! I think that the people who care for them are completely desensitized and are completely ruthless and are putting these people through unnecessary pain.” It is just cruel.
They are being treated worse than animals. As a matter of fact I don’t know anything normal human being who would put a animal through this sort of agonizing pain. They wouldn’t be able to watch their animal going through that kind of pain. They would ask someone to put the animal down because they couldn’t stand to watch them in that kind of pain!!! But yeah, they don’t mind cutting people off of pain killers that are giving people some kind of normalcy to their lives.
And I’ve seen people walk in to pick up their prescriptions that were some type of opiate or restricted drug. And right away, you see the people at the pharmacy start to treat them differently. They get a different look on their faces. The smiles are gone. I’d hate to be the people that have to pick up their prescriptions.
The behind-the-counter look like they’re trying to embarrass the person picking up the prescription. My God, I couldn’t believe the way it all looked. You couldn’t miss it. Anyway I’m healthy, thank goodness. That’s all I have to say.
Tommy G
His back surgery? Yes. That’s what I meant.
Tommy G
And !!!!! Meant????? Politicians have no idea!!!!!!! Pain is pain!!!! Wake up Walker!!!!!!!
Maudestine
Texas
Thanks for supporting us…myself didn’t realize that same thing until it happened to me here lately with my pharmacist at Krogers it drove me into a depression state where i slept four days straight only waking up to go to the bathroom ?,literally but i’m better now that i’m just yesterday finding out i’m not alone & my plans is too reach out to my state representative that i keep in contact with someone has to reach the DEA AND be our voice…
T.R.
Dayton, OH
As a chronic pain sufferer who relies on monthly nerve blocks and a prescription of 10 mg of Hydrocodone 4 x daily, I am deeply concerned about the future of pain management. I have nerve damage due to a spinal injury, with constant pain. The treatment I am now receiving does not rid my body of pain. It reduces it, so that I may work and care for myself while still feeling a significant amount of pain. If things change so that my doctor is no longer permitted to prescribe the powerful pain medication that makes it possible for me to go about my day, I cannot imagine the quality of life I will be facing. My fear is that I will be in constant, agonizing pain, with no relief in sight, and no alternative but to go on disability. Restricting the medication of chronic pain sufferers will do absolutely nothing to reduce the number of people who use drugs for recreation. My treatment is a personal matter between my doctor and me – it is not the business of legislators who know nothing of my health and circumstances.
Nor
Ca.
These new laws will cause a panic,increase in suicide,people going to other country’s,like I would,if I had the money,25 years plus on pain meds.some people taken off to quick ,can have strokes,or seek out street drugs,its a new day Dr.s are being told how to treat thier patients,or our we pawns,who getting rich from this,sure won’t be the drug company’s,this will cause a panic,I not looking forward to the withdrawal after a long time taking pain meds,Dr.s have tried everything ,else and they found my best chance of a normal life is pain meds and they work well,I feel ,American veterans,are about to get left behind,and their,Dr.s have no say in the matter,their license,is being threaten,were is the ACLU,or any lawyer,in all this.help someone,
Roxanne K
FL
I’m a human being that is on hydrocodone for the past15 years. I’m 55 now.I have fibromyalgia, 4 herniated disc in my neck.I have arthritis in my neck,I have osteoarthritis in all of my back and in my feet. I have tendinitis in both thumbs going down to my wrist.I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back.I have neuropathy in my right thigh,arthritis inboth hand.Etc. If you just take away my pain meds. I will probably be crippled in bed forever.Please reconsider.Thank you.
Nor
Can.
The v.a hospital is going to be cutting me off soon,twenty five years on pain meds,it the only thing that made my life bearable ,now I guess I set home in so much pain.dr . says she doesn’t have a choice,I guess us pain patients,are screwed,what about us veterans Dr says she worried about her drug license,I guess ,our lives don’t matter,the people that make the laws ,aren’t having the pain.
Jeff
CA.
I,m in my 60s and I worked in a blue collar job my whole life, when I was young and raced motocross for years with many surguries, my knees are out, I blow two disc out of my back plus surgery, I hate the fact that once again the lowest common denominator in our society makes the laws, I’m not a couch potato! But without meds, this will now be my life, thanks again to the low life’s in our country!
butch
pittsbugh , pa
There always is something that replace the problem. it sad that people whom need the drugs suffer due to some that abuse the items. All my life it has been on drug after another iex morning glory seed and nutmeg was popular, then came lsd, diet pills, soma, valium,soma and on and on. the dea needs to keep out of the doctors office and look to the countries that supply the fake drugs , and drugs that come into this country , now heroine is for sale at 4 dollars. you will not stop addiction , people who have this problem will just find something else. while the people that need the pill will suffer truly the American way what a farse and waste of money .
Debbie
Wisconsin
I am now being kicked by my doctor after taking medications since 2006. I have a pain contract and have never raised the amount of prescriptions or abused anything, The CDC rules have made her decide no more. She is not offering me any help getting off the medication whatsoever just no longer giving it. I went through the cortisol injections, physical thearapy, acupuncture and swim thearpy. The tens unit makes my pain worse. I feel I no longer have any optionns left and now I can go through the dangerous withdrawal without any help. In 2006 I had my home paid for in 2017 after all of the procedures and attempts to get a better life I owe $130000.00 to be told the CDC changed the rules so now start over and just suffer take an asprin and accept no longer having any quality of life.
Tae eng
Colorado
I’m only 50 yr old female with Ms,and fiber and etc and yes I’m on opioids but I didn’t ask they put me on this med for chronic pain I didn’t ask for my disease either yet we are being punished for being in pain and sick why can’t we get an alternative instead of closing clinics and denying meds to people that need them God help us all you leave people no choice but to self medicate you think you have a problem now DEA just watch what this has created
Brad
Boston
I do not know of a single person on pain meds for chronic pain, but I am sure there are many who need these drugs to function. What I do know of are many people who supplement their income by selling their pain meds. It is quite the nice racket. The taxpayers often foot the bill to boot.
Stephen
Virginia
The new “guidelines” will make it hard or impossible for people with legitimate severe-pain problems to obtain effective pain medication and have little impact on abusers, who will simply migrate to other drugs like heroin, which are always available. Also they will force people who have true medical problems to replace opiate therapy given under a doctor’s supervision with heroin and other painkillers obtained off the street. This is wisdom?
T.W.
Daytona Beach, Florida
I live in Florida, am 52 years old and have been taking a small dose of methadone for chronic back pain since my back operation in 2001 from a car accident in 2000. I’ve had the same doctor for over 15 years, have taken the same prescription for the same amount of time as well as have held a job throughout this period.
My doctor retired from private practice in Dec. 2016. Since then, I cannot find a doctor who will prescribe my medication in this county (Volusia County, FL). I cannot go out of county to another doctor as they will not take you since you do not live in that county.
What am I supposed to do now? I’ve called over 28 doctors, with not result. There are two places in town who will prescribe methadone or ANY type of pain medication. A drug test is required first, then I have to pay $620 initial appointment and $320 every month since I don’t have insurance. I am single, support myself, have no insurance, no savings.
I will not be able to work unless I find a doctor to prescribe the meds I need. I have already been treated with injections, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture. This small dose of medication is the only thing I’ve found to help me live normally. To work. Without a job, I loose my apartment. Without medicine, I have no life —do I get on social security disability? Do I go to an emergency room when I’m out of my mind in pain? I cannot believe the DEA and legislators have not taken us into account. They sure do not live in my world. I’m at a loss and very frightened as to what will come next if I do not locate a Dr. to prescribe only 10mg. of methadone a day.
I hope this does not fall on deaf ears…. does anyone care anymore?
Maudestine
Michelle….reach out to the company (maker of the medicine) the bottom of your meds container have their name, they all have programs that will give u a card ? too get the medicine free if your doctor fill out the form they’ll send you,until your insurance kicks in,they did it for me while waiting, also ask doctors & pharmacist to reduce fee’s discounts are ways for outta pocket cost too drop tremendously,and stick to the same pharmacist that helps for them to know you well….
Michele
Washington
What I see is many elderly on high doses just for being old. I see the same people seeking and abusing that have great insurance. I see RA, MS, and other awful debilitating diseases suffering or people with plenty of med documentation of fusion surgeries etc suffering. Why not a case by case basis that provide proof of real medical issues that opiates help them live a better life then without. The seekers will always find a way and they are winning. How tragic and unfair.
Tae eng
I so agree
Becki
Pennsylvania
I definitely consider suicide to end living with the pain I am in. Im 33 and I work full time. Recently diagnosed with fibro- (i think I’m misdiagnosed) Regardelss, this haa been the worst year of my life.
I have tried everything the doctor has reccommended. Nothing helps. LYRICA made me gain weight, no help with pain.I eat Tylenol, Ibprofen, alieve like it’s candy. Tramadol makes me sleep so It’s no help at work. I am losing a job over my medical issues…. my friend gave me 3 of her Percocet a few weeks ago when I was pretty much bed ridden – that’s the most relief I have had in a year.
I can’t live this way. If i lose my other job because of this I fear for the worst. I’d rather be dead than feel this way every day. In and out of the doctors weekly – treated like a liar. It’s heartbreaking. I used to be such a happy person.
They have made it impossible to get the help that I need. I know several people that have turned to heroin for relief after being cut back. I could never do that. The government doesn’t care about our well being, just satastics and money.
Barbara
Fairless Hills Pa.
My daughter has RSD. Stands for Reflex Symathtic Dystrophy. She fell and broke her ankle and this is her life now. Constant pain and worry. Not getting around well and using walkers and wheel chairs. She needs pain Meds to help her survive in a bit of comfort. It sickens me to see her worrying about going to see a pain doctor for Meds (not to mention the inconvenience) hard time getting in a car and getting around. She exhausted alone from the stress of that attitude the pain consultants cause.
It’s a bad thing for all these people with chronic pain conditions. What’s this country coming to? It’s like begging for something you need. So we watch out for the druggies and the hell with our folks who need if to carry on. We need to go back to allowing our primary doctors to prescribe Meds for these people, they know their regulars better than a doctor every thirty days.
I always loved this country, but as of this past year my opinion has wavered. People who have drug problems should seek help in others places and the folks who have pain from accidents or diseases that cause terrible pain should not have to fight to get relief. This situation could cause these people to want to give up. Wake up América …. this is not agood thing; it’s pathetic…. p,z help these suffering people with chronic pain!!!
Accidents or diseases that cause terrible pain should get their Meds.
Ver
Michigan
My doctor took me off tramadol because started having seizure even with tramadol i was still in pain been to emergency room several for chronic pain. Still nothing i will probably have to guit my job also
Don
California
I used to go to the doctor every 3 months, to get a refill for my pain meds. While there he would go through a check up and check on other health matters.
Since the war on pain patients started, my pain meds ceased and I take large doses daily of NSAID drugs, which I read are bad for my heart at 65 years of age.
I have no need to go to the doctor anymore, so I haven’t seen him in a year, so the net effect of the government running medicine is I no longer visit the doctor, and I am taking doses of NSAID drugs which will probably give me my second heart attack some day. I am willing to bet if that causes a second bypass, they won’t be giving me any pain meds for it.
Randall
USA
1. I have had three friends in my chronic pain support group commit suicide due to being completely deprived of their pain management medications. Suddenly forced to withdrawal after years of effective pain management and responsible usage, and now they are gone.
2. The Mexican drug cartels are dancing jigs and jumping for joy due to these new regulations because they will experience a massive influx of new customers who have no other choice than to attempt to purchase their medications on the “street.”
3. I pray daily … and pray HARD … that each and every member of the DEA, the CDC, Congress, and all who helped enact these regulations are immediately stricken with debilitating chronic pain for the rest of the lives and are forced to live in the purgatory many of us are now suffering. Am I angry? You bet!
LIna
Pennsylvania
RANDALL: I agree 100% on your comment. Trust me , it will happen, they will wake up one day ( because no one’s exempt from becoming ill) and find they cannot cope with the agony and no one will be there to help them.
Terri
Owensboro, Ky
I am a 70 years old woman. I have had severe and increasing pain from arthritis from bottom of feet, through hips and back, and on up to upper neck … for past 10 years. I have been prescribed and allotted 1 low dose hydrocodone per day for nearly all of that time. These were prescribed by my regular family doctor.
That small dose only helps until 2 or 3 in afternoon, after which I must lie down for rest of day. If I have an event any given evening, I need a second pill to be able to tolerate event. I would also need a second in order to “play with and actually enjoy young grandchildren”. If I need a second dose, I must overload on other over the counter meds the next day and still suffer.
I never feel “high” from hydrocodone, only blessed pain relief. Honestly, if I am forced to do without and lose what small quality of life these provide, I have very seriously considered suicide. I think about how I might do it every day when I am lying on my bed in pain.
Next week, I have neurosurgeon appointment. Maybe will be referred to pain management and I hope they will not be reluctant to prescribe.
Wanda
I’m sorry about your friends, I do hope that their deaths are not in vain.
Holly
Fairbury, Il
Bravo!! I have been in severe Sciatic pain since Dec. I had the injections and etc…. today I could barley sit. Nope can’t do it. The doctor said it’s the DEA and my license.
What I’m not hearing is, “I’m so sorry your in so much pain. Let’s try to figure something out. Let’s save the doctors ass before keeping the patient out of pain.” I have been seeing her for 18 yrs. Pathetic!!
Steve
Goggle
HMMM!!! As I read through the posts here, the common thread is, as expected, each person’s experience with chronic pain. How difficult it is to treat and the fear of not being able to get the proper medication.
I am no different, according to my father I have lived “a violent lifestyle”! Very competitive as a young man, participated in any adrenaline sport. Decided after college that I couldn’t drive a desk and continued a life that was physically challenging.
You know what, I loved it, couldn’t get enough, pretty much have tried and mastered all of the high risk activities possible. From competitive skiing both snow and water, sky diving and gliding, mountain climbing and ice climbing. That all wasn’t enough so I had to master the air, flying fixed and rotorcraft, private licsensed in both.
And of course I had to also make a living, naturally it was with my hands, I loved building things so I apprenticed for the building trades and have spent 40 years leaving my mark in many places, learned trades from the old masters, woodworking, stone masonry (one of my favorites, talk about building something that will last) and all the interrelated trades for FORTY years.
Well you can guess what’s next, living that “violent lifestyle ;)” has left its toll on my body. I literallly carry some of the more important medical documents when I travel, airport screenings are a hoot, I light them up. I would love to be the tech who sweeps my ashes out of the incinerator. One of my favorite orthopedic surgeons started a gold necklace with the implant anchors I have torn out of the various bones over the years, 4 completely torn rotator cuffs (all the tendons, I don’t do half assed) unfortunately he told me no more shoulder injuries, there’s nothing left to graft :(. And that’s just my shoulders, I would fill a book with the crushed vertebrae and ruptured discs, more broken bones than I thought a body has, and all of the ruptured or bruised organs I have managed to hurt, they either healed or were removed.
You know somewhere along the way, I experienced pain, sometimes I just pushed through it until I forgot it. Other times I literallly passed out, didn’t understand the dynamics of shock to the human body. For many years I preferred to “know my pain and deal with it” mostly because any medical help could be many hours or days away.
When an injury would require surgical intervention I would stop pain meds sometimes within hours of post surgery just so I could feel how I was healing. It gave me great insight into how my body worked. I knew what to expect and when to expect it.
Well, here is were I get down to it, I am 62 now. Time and quite frankly my violent lifestyle is beginning to make me accountable for all my indiscretions. I don’t walk as fluently as I once did, I no longer can gracefully kneel down to tie a shoelace. Just trying to run a brush through my thinning hair has equal chances of causing me to abruptly yelp out and wince in pain. In fact many of the things I used to do with some semblance of skill or adeptness have become difficult and challenging. In fact now I have to pay a penalty for a moments indiscretion, one that may haunt me for days.
I can honestly say that after all the years of putting it all out there and living my life at the limit of my ability, I have found one constant companion, Pain. Pain from every torn tendon, broken bone, arthritic joint and missing part. It’s become my old friend. Who needs pictures when I can feel that lump of bone from when I snapped my leg in two falling 1000 yards down a mountainside. Or how many concussions finding out how god damn hard water is when you fall in the middle of a slalom course at the apex of your cut doing 60 mph.
I don’t sleep well at all anymore, I sometimes can’t or don’t even try to get out of bed the first time in the morning. I could never figure out what my true pain levels are, sometimes something hurts so much all I can do is rock myself in a stoic way and try to outlast it, other times I can push through and resume my activity. It sometimes is frightening, something that should hurt severely won’t and something that should hurt will, severely.
This brings me to the dilemma at hand, how to treat this constant or chronic pain. It seems the good folks at the various government alphabetical agencies have determined that they have to save the citizens of this country from themselves, again.
The brilliant minds at big Pharma have created some of the most amazing tools to help people live with some dignity and purpose by allowing them to function at a somewhat normal level. On the other hand these tools have found to have a very dark and dangerous side. This dark side typically won’t exist for those that are properly instructed and supervised and themselves diligent and responsible in their use.
But alas, this is America, we like our independence and like to have our cake and eat it too. To coin a phrase there are a thousand ways to kill yourself and one of the most prevelant is to abuse an opiate and basically quietly slip away while you slowly stop breathing from a depressed neuro system.
And this sadly is happening at a frightening rate all over our country. Worst of all is that it is taking our young people at the fastest rate. Those that haven’t had a chance yet to live a life of meaning and fulfillment. Those whom our future depends on. You know we all grew up under the threat of some life ending event but I dare say that that threat was never as deadly as that what our young people face now.
So here’s the way I see it, we need a moment to step back and look at the big picture, as much as I hate big brother messing with my rights we need to re evaluate the guidelines for the distribution and use of these powerful drugs. We need to make the medical establishment responsible for the administration and use of these drugs. We need to make treatment and care for those that require these drugs available and effective.
Just restricting them and establishing ridiculous guidelines to control them is neither right nor intelligent, we are simply handing over our youth and money to an even more dangerous evil, the heroin/fentanyl traders. Create a vacuum and it will be replaced by something worse, that’s the nature of this monster.
We need better education, better medical care and monitoring. We need to love our children and put our protective arms around them, in the words of a old rocker “parents teach your children well”. For they are the most valuable resource we have.
So as far as me, HELLO OLD FRIEND, where have you been? I actually slept a few hours, but something seemed amiss, I awoke startled and confused. That is until I tried to sit up and you deftly made your presence known, it was that time I turned left thinking it was an easier way off the mountain, silly me, the cliffs were to the left.
Patricia
VA
I have scoliosis, my spine is the shape of the letter “S”, also ddd, spondylitis. 3 back surgery & there is nothing more to make my life to be of any quality than pain management. Now the government has made it that my doctor can not care for me. Everyone is different. I’m aware of the people whom should not be prescribed pain medication, however now I for one whom need it for a small amount of normal life, such as getting a shower, doing dishes, can not. Dear government stay out of my medical treatment! !!! Your law now hurts way more than it’ll help!!
Cliff
Eastbay Ca
BEWARE OF NEW LAW
i have stage 4B cancer, they have cut different parts of my body off to stop it from spreading. the last was a lung. I have been taking Opioids for two years to come to methadone since none of the other Opioids helped my pain, i have a high tolerance to pain medication. i have been drug tested for the two years. they never told me why or explained to me about the laws and being ignorant i suppose i didnt ask. i had thought it was to make sure i was taking them i cant remember since the chemo has messed up my head i forget alot, and cant remember.
in jan 2017 i had to make a call to doctor to fight with them about prescription for that month. he informs me i had illegal drugs in system which was a surprise to me since i never used street drugs before not even weed. he tells me they are cutting me my methadone back a half because of test. i had just gotten out of hospital from having lung out and i couldn’t believe what i was hearing . plus i was out of methadone so i had to suffer, so much pain.
i had to wait several days i cant remember why to get pain meds. i grinned and bared it because i didnt know what else to do. i had appointment 2 weeks later to see him talk about my health and take drug test. several days later he calls me to tell me i had drugs in system and we have to cut you off completely. i could not understand how or why he could do this i had been taking pain medication for my cancer for two years. he didnt explain nothing else to me. at this point i was scared, hurt, confused and lost total trust in people in general because i was already suffering from depression. couple days later i was out of pain medication still had cancer, severe pain and withdraws. i then turned to outside help. the new laws is going to cost me my life because i have no trust in doctors or people in general no more and its really its not completely not his fault its the new laws. i had stopped going to any appointments or treatment. this is my story if anyone has advice plz explain.
cheryl
sweet home, Or.
I am 51 was born with Scoliosis, and now I have 2 disc that is completely gone, stenosis , bulging disk, I can’t drive a car, I can’t cook dinner, I can’t go to Walmart and buy a new pair of jeans. I live in pain so severe I can’t stand, but my Doctors won’t prescribe me pain meds. 2 pills a day makes a world of difference in my life. I wish for 1 day these people who are making these rules could live in pain, while on vacation. This day you need someone to help you to the bathroom, and someone else cleaning you, dressing you…now enjoy your vacation. For those of us in pain, usually don’t have much money, why because working is almost impossible, so we have horrible medical insurance, what are we to do , Please explain my options..
Veronica
Spring city,pa
I have lived with RSD ,ra,ostio,srojerens,5 herniated discs,2 torn biceps and rotor cuffs ,spazams in my whole body and other health issues. No one wants to help you with pain meds. Thes e doctors are pushing you out to get other treatments when there are no other treatments I have seen physclogist,neurologist,family doctors,pain doctors,aquc and regular the rays,bio feed back,acupuncture injections in back knees. You name it I’ve done it have been on anti seizure,antidepressants. So many side effects. I almost got rid of myself in Feb because the pain is so bad and none cares.
Susan
Yellow Springs OH
A year ago my PCP left her practice and I have been unable to find another who will prescribe hydrocodone. I had used it for 8 years to enable me to sleep due to 3 disc bulges, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. I am in a state of complete exhaustion and seriously worried about my health after a year of pain and sleepless nights. I have tried absolutely everything available. Some methods worked at first to enable 1-2 hours of sleep, but no more. I worry about falling because I go around half dead. I never abused the drug, never took the full amount prescribed, never sold it. I am completely out of options, feel great despair, and don’t have any hope of living a normal life again. I miss my life! Thank you for providing a place to share my feelings.
Gigi
pa
My husband has been on pain meds for nearly 20 years due to body wide traumatic arthritis-back, leg, hip, pelvis, elbow & wrist which also has avascular necrosis. Because was cannot afford the 210/month for a drug test & the 40/month co pay for pain mgnt, he will now be self medicating. I am not looking forward to seeing him suffer after the meds are gone at the end of the month, so I am not going to stop his self medication (it’s more affordable anyway).
Suffering Sue
Maine
I am appalled that our government is treating elderly disabled people like this. This is just another way for them to exert their control over our lives and personal choices. I am an older woman who is severely crippled. I live with a level 9-10 pain. I can barely transfer from my wheelchair to the car, yet I am forced to come in for drug tests, contracts, goals,etc. Why this sounds more like going to a probation officer rather than a doctors appointment. And they make you feel like you are drug seeking. They even yell or talk rude when you call for pain meds. Sometimes they don’t even answer the phone. It will ring 5-10 min. That never happened in the past. They make you come in and sit among contagious people..They even lied to me the first time they called me in. They said I needed to sign something when in fact they were planning to give me a drug test which I was not told about. My condition will eventually leave me bedridden, but since I don’t have cancer or hospice, I will be required to come in like that. My blood pressure has been going up every time the drugstore denies me. My doc took 1 1/2 hours to fill out one drug paper with me. I am on medicaid which means the taxpayers are paying for this. All my appointments are devoted to my pain meds. My doctor no longer looks at my other health issues. I have other pressing needs but I hate going into a car so I don’t bother to make other medical appointments. So now my overall health is taking a back seat to this opiate scam. I am going to insist my doctor give me hospice status so I don’t have this hassle. You don’t have to be dying to get the status, but my doctor does not want to give it. Also, if I should run out I told my husband that he is to drive me to the ER and leave me there alone with my wheelchair and not to come back. I’m sure the hospital doesn’t want a cripple screaming lady with level 10 pain sitting in their waiting room. I think if everyone in pain converged on the ER’s they would change the laws. Any person who is legally disabled, should be exempt from these ridiculous laws. If I let a dog suffer this kind of pain I would get arrested for abuse or neglect. These draconian laws do not help the disabled and will only serve to fuel the heroin crisis.
Della
MI - Michigan
I am 58 and I am not happy. My opioids have been cut in half. Why? DEA has decided that my pain is not worth dealing with. I am not an abuser, I don’t ask for extras, I take my meds as prescribed, I follow all the rules…
I fell at work at 36, and at that time thought my life was over. I had 3 surgeries, and lots of therapy to learn to walk, to deal with pain, and to try to piece my life together as best as I could.
Michigan workers comp and Chrysler Corp decided many years ago that I must not be worth more therapy or other available treatments to regain my function. They chose to pay for drugs, and so I have lived this way…Now after 2 decades of drugs, I am now not worth the cost of RX’s…Shame on all of you!
SummitVet
Colorado
The CDC “believes its mandate will reduce deaths from opioid overdose.” But has it considered how high the suicide rate among chronic pain patients will climb? We’re already a high-risk group. Suicide is a result of hopelessness – NO HOPE to end the suffering (physical, emotional, or both) other than death. CDC and DEA are creating that NO HOPE world for all of us.
John
Virginia Beach
Hopefully this article and comments will get read by the DEA powers that be. I have 2 total hip replacements and scoliosis from hip dysplasia. I am on Suboxone now but they want me off of it. As I titrate my intake my pain level goes up. I wished I could take one of the DEA agents and have him be in my shoes for only a day. He would no doubt think differently on what they are doing to us that have real pain issues that are only relieved my opiates.
Wanda
I will be glad to take a drug test if that’s what they want. I need some relief from this pain. With out all the bad side effects of the gabapentin and muscle relaxers.
Luc
Canada
Im a 53 year old male with severe back pain cause by year off hard work now my doc want me off pain med been on opiod for over 10 year and the pain is taking over to much I dont want to suffer like this annymore please help, they should come and live with me and see what is like in my shoes
Willow
GA
I am a senior, senior, citizen – – old! If I am awake, I am in extreme pain. I suffer from so many “ailments.” Among them, fibromyalgia, & arthritis in every joint in my bod. I am unable to straighten some fingers on my hands because the pain is so great. My knees are so painful I can barely walk. The absolute worst is pain from an unknown etiology. It began suddenly in 2007. I stood up, then went to my knees in acute pain. I underwent over two years of every test one could imagine in an effort to determine what was wrong. Some of the tests were quite painful. I saw an orthopedist, a chiropractor, a neurologist, & a pain specialist. None could determine what happened or why I was nearly unable to walk. The pain is unrelenting. Every second that passes during the day worsens the pain. I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I am unable to stand straight, am close to being unable to walk, and am struggling to get through each day.
For me, it’s a quality of life issue. I can either go to bed and wait to die while writhing in agony, or take the pain medication that allows me to have just a semblance of a normal life, meaning being able to do just a few activities of daily living. To me, it is an absolute outrage that governments (state and federal level) believe they need to push legislation that limit the quantity / frequency of pain medication can be prescribed to people who are truly in need to help them have a life of sorts. Just thinking out loud – – making no accusations – – the same noble people in government who are pushing these restrictions probably do not have severe medical issues (nor anyone in their immediate family), or, because of their connections and “station in life,” would have no problem at all getting their medication. Again, not making accusations. All I can say is God help us.
william
I have been dealing with severe agonizing pain since I was in 8th grade. I have was diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, the list goes on but I will try to keep this short. As anyone who develops pain worse than just soreness knows we try tylenol and nsaids first to try to relieve the pain but when we cant takeit anymore we go to the doctor to see if they can help us with medicine that might actually work to just reduce the severity even just by a fraction so we may continue with our lives. The government does not have the rightbto play doctor because idiots decide they want to get high off of the only medications that actually work for severe pain. If they cared that much tobacco and alcohol would be in the spotlight to. Doctors dont go to medical school to become cops so then why must cops intrude and play doctor? Opioids do not make us any less able to labor for the economy unless we are already too disabled to work. People need to learn the constitution of the united states and understand we have rights as human beings to do what we want and to recieve what we need as long as we are not harming others.
steve raby
Georgia
I was electrocuted back in 82 went back to work for 30 years now suffer from chronic nerve damage in the back lost my leg a couple thing yours you think this will stop over days this will cause suicidal people shooting their self the cause of the pain medicine they don’t have to treat their pains with tell her the surprise list all
Wanda
Amen, that is to the point. I realize that they are trying to stop the selling of certain drugs on the street. I blame the doctors who misjudge the patients who are in severe pain. Anyone in true chronic pain is not going to sell their medicine. Too many doctors have freely wrote these prescriptions for years. And this is the result.
Angela
CT
I have considered suicide at times due to the pain. My son will be graduating college this year. I am only 53. I see how 53 looks on movie stars and models and people who can afford decent food and medical care. Due to disability, I am poor, and my only insurance is Medicare. What will I do if they take away the very small amount of pain killers I am allowed by my doctor? I don’t know. It’s so hard as it is, I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I could keep going. I love life. But this is not life.
kelli
29572
We need to all call the cdc everyday until a change happens…EVERYDAY!!!
Leaving comments is not working….we need to be louder and protest…
Deb
Texas
I too have severe chronic pain due to RA, OA, Fibromyalgia and Sjogren’s Syndrome. I have been on Opiod’s for years, never asked for more, never had a problem. They just helped me keep my pain at a somewhat manageable level. They allowed me some quality of life. If they take them away, I will truly not be able to live in my own body.
Why are they not even talking about the people with Chronic Pain? We don’t count I guess.
God bless us all because pain can kill you! We are being totally looked over as if we are non existent.
I’m scared, I have been so careful to follow the rules and it worked pretty well for me. I will not have any quality of life if they take them away! Help Us! Someone needs to help the people in chronic pain, why have the ability to keep someone from constant severe pain and not use it?
America will look back on this as a grave mistake, but we are the ones to really suffer from their mistake!
Good Luck, and I wish you all well! We need a miracle!
Marlene
Oregon
To all of you in horrid pain, I’m right there with you! For 16 years from a bad back surgery. Long story short, one day pcp says we have to start going down on med’s and also a medicine that helps migraines. Taken down too much, every 28 days. Then one day my doctor was gone having foot surgery, and a young smart ass dr. Said no more, your going on buphrenorphine.
The withdrawals just about killed me and I wanted to kill someone from the rage I felt from being cut off of 250mg morphine,both long and short acting. It’s been 6 months and I am still going through withdrawels! And that stuff is garbage!! No pain help and horrid side effects, and dr. Will not do anything. I even wrote to the CDC. They responded with we haven’t made any laws, just making recommendations,,but we need to hear from people. So my question to all is do all of these posts get forwarded to or can they be to the CDC??
This whole deal is sooooooo unbelievable the way we are being treated and need to voice our rage. We the responsible ones are getting crucified. The addicts are not, but have caused this darn mess. And like the one post, alcohol is a legal drug, which it shouldn’t be and pot does nothing for pain, just makes you stupid feeling or sleepy. Never known anyone on responsible pain med’s killing people from a head on crash……….
Sharon
Indianapolis
I started going to a Pain Management Dr. fifteen years ago and I was taking morphine due to chronic pain in my back and right leg. I was also given baclofen for muscle spasms, lyrics for nerve pain and Palmer to help me sleep. I also get injections in my spine and I had my nerves burned to help reduce the pain. It takes all of this to control my pain.If you take my pain medicine away then you might as well go ahead and shoot me.This is not the way to control our opiate epidemic. I really would like to explain what it is like living a life in pain.
Debby
Wisconsin
I too have used opioids since 2004 for chronic back pain…..never lost, had stolen, called early a script. I got 2 degrees worked 2 jobs….still working. Opioids are the reason I have a life….period. I am on contract, take urine tests….never a problem.
I am scared too….what about us? I’m not getting high Im living!!! Without them I’d be another one on SSI …….I have been through physical therapy, tens units, injections, all the hoops, what helped me was opioids ……. I’m sick of hearing about it’s the prescription drugs…get rid of them…..really what the hell happens to us? Seriously what happens to us?
Kari
Ethel, wa
Have been on medicitself. off and for pain since 16 when my body decided to attack itself. Have had 11 surgeries all before the age of 30. Because of new laws and regulations no Dr. will help. Been treated like a druggy even though never abused my scripts. Reverted to helping pain with alcohol only to have kidneys start to fail after on 2 shots a day for 2 months. I am so tired of fighting the pain I cannot handle much more. I understand fully why the suicide rate has skyrocketed.
How do people who have had a simple headache and or stubbed toe mandate the people with life long pain mandate what is acceptable?
Darlene
Kansas
I have nerve damage in my upper spine and neck …I tried everything years ago and pain meds gave me back my quality of life….My doc was very worried when i told him i would take over 6 tylenol a day to try and lessen the pain and it did not work….my doc said tylenol is very dangerous to your liver in daily doses…..He said it was better to take a few pain meds a day and safer for my liver then tons of tylenol….also soe people cannot take nsaids due to a conflict with there other meds like warferin
Renee
Greer, SC
My son, who once had his own home and managerial position, now lives at home with me. THAT was hard enough to bear, but after a trimaellaor ankle fracture 10 years ago, the wheelchair is coming and 40 mg. A DAY of oxycodone isnt doing the job and fear of losing it creates anxiety.
Tell the family at every conceived outing, you can’t make it. Etc. Etc. As a mom watching my sons face as a 6 foot 265 lb man I FEEL PAIN. I am so sorry to read or these paragraphs. You have my empathy. Abuse IS rampant, how these doctors KNOW who really is in pain or who’s fabricating is their job to document. From what I’m reading just like my son, an open fracture from a DMV accident and the 30 nuts and bolts and plates holding ankle, hip and shoulder together SHOULD speak for itself.
This issue must be addressed. Suicide is not just a threat, my brother took his life from failed back surgeries. We need to get back to having Almighty God heal his children-children need to learn to ask Father God. People perish for lack of knowledge and not knocking equals no answers.
Mel
Indiana
I am in so much pain. I have a torn bicep and rotator cuff. What does Dr prescribe take Tylenol and Alieve. Like duh did I not try that first. Because of such restrictions they don’t give paid meds unless you have surgery. I asked how do I get thru work. Dr said he could write me a note. Yes that will pay my bills. This is ridiculous I have never done a drug in my life yet I suffer in pain because of someone else’s addiction. Laws need to be changed!!!!!!
Mike
Boston.
I had a in diagnosed broken and dislocated right shoulder. The reason for the misdiagnoses is hard to believe. I was in a cast prior to breaking and dislocating the shoulder. I tripped on my kids toy at the top of the stair and because I was in the cast that wet up past my bicep it hit the railing. I went to the hospital they say that pain was from atrophy and it will get better when the cast from the wrist surgery
So that was 9/26/2015! No X-ray no real time spent diagnosing. So November don’t remember the date I got my other cast off and it obviously wasn’t going be any better. So now I’m recovering from two wrist surgeries within 7 day complete with pins and plate that feel like the used some left over parts that were a little too big and it just never felt right again. And don’t forget the undiagnosed broken and dislocated shoulder!
I got 3 days worth of oxycodone 5mg three times a day. Dose was too low and didn’t cover the day so you either skip on in the day or you skip the night then you can’t sleep
So they finally agree to give me an X-ray and actually examine my shoulder. Mind you I already told the doctors I was unable to use the arm at all. They must have thought I was being overly whiny ? originally because the other cast was on for so long and wasn’t necessary to go up my bicep. I was being punished for not obeying the doctors order and using my hand helping my wife in the garden.
So after 3 days is up I am referred to the “Interventional Pain Clinic”
You already know there are no opioidshave me a little transfix which gives me extreme headaches and then insisted my only option was Lyrica who to me has no acute pain value. Maybe it works slower and on more nerve damage but it didn’t matter because I am allergic to it. It makes me feel like everything bad about getting drunk. I had spins, nausea, and difficulty walking up and down stairs. I asked about injections other options non opiod. I knew I was most likely end up on an opiod but I had to do it their way. I didn’t whine or ally or even exaggerate. Honestly everything they suggested didn’t work and I found myself asking them about treatment ideas I read about online. He made it clear to me how he felt about people that get medical advice from google! But I was researching things I heard in person from people o know that had similar procedures. They didn’t offer and injections or block. They didn’t even suggest acupuncture. This process took almost two months of me trying their meds. I crawled back to my PCP who is a very smart man. He said the medical I dusty hasn’t made any advancement in pain meds other that just adjusting meds and meds that counteract the good drugs. But in my opinion the replacement drugs are worse that probably taken and monitored opiods.
I am on 20mg oxycodone 4 times a day. I go from a pain of 8 which is translated into a 9-9.5 on the scale. I always ask the nurse or doctor this may be the worst pain I have had to endure but when i get bit by a shark or get trapped in a house fire and get third degree burns is that really only 1 or 2 steps above a botched should surgery. What about cancer pain.
And if you don’t give them at least a 9 you aren’t getting meds
Bottom line it’s been over a year of painful hell and a arm that I can’t use for much can’t lift anything heavier than a coffee mug. I can’t open heavy doors and I’m not allowed to put the dishes away anymore. My last and most well known shoulder master from mgh dr Warner. Said shoulder reversal is not an option due to ththe extensive damage done to the deltoid muscle from not being correct when i originally report my symptoms to the hospital and was shirked off. They are responsible for failure to treat me appropriately. They also lied. The well known Dr Warner said there was no way a reversal was ever an option and the original surgeon that just kept telling me to come back in 6 weeks and see where we stand. Anybody can tell just from looking at the shoulder things aren’t in the right place
Can I sue the hospital or the surgeon for not diagnosing me and for not telling me the truth about my outcome. He was very honest on the front end telling my odds were not on my side due to extent of the surgery. So why tell me he can do a reversal in 6-9 months if the damage isn’t going to allow it. I also believe they damage the nerves that go from right below my right ear and drown my whole right arm. My pinky, ring and middle finger are numb and lack dexterity. I can even do light delicate work because I also have carpal tunnel which thu knew about. After the first wrist surgery but they wouldn’t fix it at the same time. I won’t be rushing in for another surgery. The find numbness doesn’t come from carpal tunnel and it was there until after shoulder
Just want the to tell me he either made a mistake or that he wasn’t going to be able to alter the surgery. My only option is to disable my whole right arm. I don’t know how exactly they do it but I would be pain free. I have three young kids can be losing my arm completely. I’ll keep my15% usability over nonne eve y
Berta
Alabama
I am 51 years old if the doctor don’t want yo give me pain meds then he can pay my damn bills
Melissa G
Wisconsin
I have a severe case of RA …a severe form of artheritis.The pain is so severe its unbearable often and I long to die as I cannot deal with it.The. DEA agents are heartless indeed…and i pray God gives Severe RA pain to THEM to show them what we re going through!
shawn
Canada
I am in so much pain same as all below 7 years worth of percocet and all the others. Now I take 10 different meds and none of them get cut last 5 years I have been on 150mgs morphine and now they take it all away in 4 weeks I am a single dad with two girls and my equally of life is gone I can hardly clean my house let alone go out to get groceries if it wasn’t for having 2 teens still at home I probably would said screw it not worth the pain every day.
And Marijuana dose nothing but make me loopy tryed before when the shoppers was closed and I did not make the pick up time on the weekend I never moved from my bed the hole weekend felt like a complet failure as a parent and starting to again. So hoping that I can change the board of my doctors kingston community health center but been told by many not going to happen.
Sad part is you put all your trust into and yes tryed everything there is out there for conic pain even the 6 big a** needles on either side of my spine well he sends electric pluses down to my nerves if anyone was ever just pretending to have pain to get meds and sell them have that done see how fast they run out of the physiotherapy office.
Ulyssa
California
I also live with severe chronic pain. I fell ill 26 years ago, at 34, with CFIDS, an auto-immune disease that also affects the nervous system, so I can register even a pat on the back as pain. The pain is brutal and constant and is often more than I can bear. I did nothing wrong, why am I being tortured?
I also have chemical sensitivities so very limited on what meds I can take. From 1990 until 2014. I was able to get adequate pain management via opioids. I was still sick and in pain much of the time, but the opioids allowed me to get out of bed and do the things I love. Now I am crippled by my pain and do almost nothing. My family is suffering with me. Life has lost all meaning. How is this healthy? How is my suffering beneficial to anyone?
I was astounded when, in 2014, my doctor said he was taking all his patients off them. I never dreamed that would happen, I had taken opioids on schedule and never had issues, never had any problems, just a lot less pain.
I was weened off opioids slowly, did what the doctor wanted and really hoped for the best, but the pain is unbearable without opioids. I now go to a pain clinic which prescribes very little, and will be taken down on the dosage again until I reach 20 mgs a day. Two ten mg Norcos. This is not nearly enough and only gives me a couple of hours of dulling the pain when I take it.
I recently learned that un-managed chronic pain causes brain damage and damage to the nervous system. This is why pain management patients who are denied adequate pain management suffer not only the awful, constant pain but also can’t sleep, can’t focus on things well and lose their tempers, we are being damaged, we should matter as much as those who abuse drugs. The grey matter in our brains is being destroyed by the brain’s reaction to the pain. This is cruel.
What is worth our brains being damaged?
I have tried all sorts of alternatives to opioids, chiropractor, PT, TENS unit, yoga, diets, anything I can find. I am still in terrible pain. I have been sickened by the new “wonder pain management” meds they prescribe, in the past six months I have tried three and vomited for days after trying these new meds because my system can’t tolerate them. I can’t take NASAIDS because I have terrible stomach troubles including ulcers and many GI bleeds over the years. I nearly died from a GI bleed in 2009, yet now doctors are urging me to try more NASAIDS, along with steroids, which damaged my kidneys and acetaminophen, even after I was found to have toxic amounts of it in my blood and it damages the liver.
It seems that doctors and the CDC don’t care at all if I die from those other meds, as long as I don’t die from opioids.
I don’t think they care if I kill myself as long as I don’t use opioids to do it. I know my medical “care” is no longer about my best interests or my health. It has become all about the CDC and the DEA and doctors too afraid to stand up for their patients. I often feel suicidal and pray to die. This is not living, it’s torture. Why?
Wanda
I have heard about this treatment. Horrible stories like yours. Why are they pushing this so hard?
Carl
Eastern, kentucky
What I really think they want all of us on suboxone cause insurance doesn’t pay that way they can make a lot of cash. GOD have mercy on us all.
tim
New York (NY)
In the 18th century, the French philosopher Voltaire said, “Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of which they know nothing….” He also opined that “…it is dangerous to be right on matters on which established authorities are wrong.”
If he were alive today, writing a tome on pain medicine, it would be easy to imagine Voltaire describing physicians as people who withhold medications of which they know a great deal, to manage painful conditions of which they have learned even more, in human beings who perceive them as knowing nothing, amidst a regulatory climate that scares the hell out of them.
Janet
Wisconsin
I, too, suffer from chronic pain in neck, back, and knees. The thought of not having any relief has given me more stress and anxiety which makes my pain intensify. They must think of a better solution because taking the meds away is just not right. How are they to make this call? I don’t understand. I’m 53yrs old, and I want to live to see my grandchildren grow. I wont be able to do this with the pain I’m in with out medication. I have done injection rehab. I have complied with all the different ways to help, and I only get relief from the meds. Why do they make them then???? Cigarettes and booze are legal. Please explain this because I don’t get it???
Kip
Charlotte
I think it’s a damn shame that people that are in real pain have to suffer because of some that abuse Norco. isn’t it easy for a doctor to look at a patience’s medical history to tell if that patient is in real need for the pain medication?
It’s like withholding pain meds to an 80 year old because their afraid he will become an addict.
Jen
Mi
Yes, I am going through this. I have back pain lower back and OA and Lupus and the VB dr took me off one of my pain medicine and lower the one I am taking so we post to live in pain. I sit up at night an cry I am so much pain we post to start smoking weed now and the drug stores are losing out on money and they are going say something about that but because who’s fault are the ones that are hurting us, keeping us in pain when u go and do test show the MRI to the dr so they know what is wrong with us they know we are in pain. This is sad. Please do something to fix this.
Maria
Maryland
I have fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, which has caused chronic myofacial pain syndrome. I have depression from chronic pain. I have anxiety disorders from being an abuse child. My doctor is telling me no more alprazolam, and that I can never take any sleep aids.
I only get 2 hydrocodone per day. I took the urine test, it came up clean. The government should not be able to regulate what a physician can prescribe to their patients. I don’t think drug abusers get them from their doctors.
Chel B
Wi
I too have experienced the cut more than half dosage after 12 yrs of actually holding the same job, attending family functions and just ” living” life w quality- all while still pain & miserable!! But it beat losing job after job due to attendance problems & missing all family functions & having no life!!! I’m over 50, live alone and NEVER abused my meds!!!! This is barbarric!!!!!
ana
Boston Mass
Exactly its really hard for people who need it I have never once abused my meds ever and this is how I get repaid
Kathy R
Lancaster PA
Oh please, I’m sitting here right now in so much pain, I’m writing this through tears,I have been laying in bed for the past couple days, not able to get up. I missed 2 doctors appts. this week because I couldn’t get up to take a shower to do these small activities.
I’ve applied for a scooter ride so I can get around. Then they tell me I won’t want to walk no more. Hell, I don’t walk now because of the pain. They want us to live on our own and not go to assisted living or nursing homes. What will they do when a bunch of us gets bed sores, infections and sepsis. I am in so much pain.
They took my oxycodone away from me a year ago. I have been suffering not from withdrawal but from excruciating pain in my spine, my joints, my hands, I have neuropathy in my feet so bad I cry all the time. I don’t sleep well. Maybe 2-3 hours a night. I can’t live like this. I want to die. I had been taking oxycodone for 2 years and it was only 10 MG’s. I never ask for more.
I took one in the AM and if needed 1 in the PM. That was all I took. I took 1-10 mg. at PM. of xanax to help me relax at night. I never took oxycodone and xanax together. And rest assured I know what I was doing, I was getting along so go9d then. Now can do nothing. I will go get cocaine if I don’t soon get something. They say heroin is like oxy, but cocaine is more like oxy. It takes away pan. Trust me on this.
Carmen
Yonkers, NY
I find it redundant that we have to suffer due to the that others use the medication to get high and/or sell them. I am a 51 year old woman who suffers from scoliosis, arthritis in both knees and my neck, fibromyalgia, three pinched nerves and much more.
I suffer as it is now cause my doctor does not give me enough to last throughout the month but at least I have so when the pain is intense. I have tried physical therapy, steroid injections, epidural injections everything there is and nothing helps. I might as well just lie down and die without my pain medication. that is the only thing that keeps me sane, my oxycodone otherwise I’d be in severe pain all day seven days a week. I will become so depressed i’ll be seeing my psychiatrist again. no need to punish us in pain for those who abuse them. This is just atrocious to do this to us.
Kathy
Alberta
I am the founder of The Chronic Pain Train. I suffer from chronic pain everyday. We believe in all forms of pain management. We do believe that trying to go through this alone is a difficult journey to take. Especially for anyone suffering through this opioid crisis.
I am offering a group for you to join and be part of a family from all over the world that suffers just like you. It’s amazing to see all the hope and inspiration that members offer. This is not an advertisement. It is simply an information on various pain types and support to go along with it. We hope to see you on The Chronic Pain Train.
DEBRA
Nixa MO
After reading many posts of people that live in severe pain, and the Dr just says, I not prescribing you any more of your meds you have been taking for years, then automatically stop, can kill some people. So does any one want to bring up that part of stopping pain sufferers ??
Does anyone realize that they could possibly die, being denied pain medicine?
I have many illnesses, i have been disabled since 06/2006 and now after all these years i have my pain in a controlled condition. And i only take 1ER tablet in a 12hr period. and BTP medication 4 times daily.
I have always taken my meds exactly the way its written on the label, no more, no less. What makes me mad is finally years of trying this and trying that, I have had livable pain control, and now get it wiped away in a minute. Does anyone worry about withdrawals or what the alternative will be?? NO, nothing is written or said about this nightmare a person will go thru and most likely will not live through.
I had two sisters younger then me, both with disabling back problems, back surgeries x 3 with one sister and 1 with the other which put both in even more severe pain then what they had in the beginning. Well, both couldn’t deal with the pain, Dr’s wouldn’t help them, so they killed themselves. Yes, they both committed suicide.
Now with all the severe chronic back pain, leg & Knee pain, Fibro, so bad i can even participate in sex with my husband. I am dead serious. RCPD came from a failed surgery on my left knee, couldn’t find anything wrong, so labeled me with RSD, later found out it was not in my head, now its called RCPD/RCPS. I cant have back surgery as i will have the RCPS in the back even worse then the pain i have to this date. I live every single day in such pain, child birth was nothing compared to the pain i have day to day. And i had natural child birth with all 3.
RA in both hands, and RCPS in the left leg and foot. After being seen by 9 ortho surgeons in San Diego, all agreed
that was the reason my knee was in such horrible pain. After numerous letters to the Surgeon General, we were able to see a non bias Ortho surgeons (2) at Naval Hospital, San Diego, After 2 months of treatments and therapy, MRI, Cat Scans, They said I had RCPD. Again, asking what that was, same as the other 9 Doctors. So, at that time, I was referred to a pain management specialist.
After many appointments, he prescribed me Oxycodone and Percocet. Which made me nauseated all the time. But first, i forgot to say, i had the pills for almost 2 weeks, trying to talk myself out of taking the first one. I really had a hard time asking myself, do you need these? Then after the pain got so severely bad I finally broke down and took one Percocet. It helped a bit, not all the way, good but helped. I limited my self for months and after 13 hours in a ER room, sticking huge needles through my knee, seeing if i had any infection. It came back clear.
So, they said just keep taking my medication and 2 weeks bed rest, I should be fine. WRONG!!! It got even worse.
I had just received a promotion with the government in VA, and I had to come back home as i couldn’t do the job. I could barely walk. It was so bad, I asked the Dr if he would just cut off my leg above the knee. His reply, no you will just get the RCPS there and it would be even worse then it was now. I wanted to just die. I hurt so bad i wanted to die.
But my daughter said, Mom if you do anything, taking my life, she would not come to my funeral. For some reason that really hurt my heart.
My children are grown thank god, as if i were still raising them i wouldn’t be able too. After 6 months i was put in a disability status, i fought that one, but had 3 Dr’s and a Supervisors saying I was a liability to the company.
My life was over, no one wanted me, and i can even get out of bed. The pain was debilitating and couldn’t understand why no one would help me. They said there was nothing else they could do for me. Then being told i would live the rest of my life on pain medications, so i could have some QUALITY OF LIFE.
After all the years of trail of this and that, spinal stimulation twice, put me in more pain. PT till they threw their hands up and said NO MORE, Epidurals was my best friend then insurance wouldn’t cover, unbelievable. Then finally on only two medications and i can enjoy my life to the fullest.
AND NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE IT ALL AWAY. What in world am i going to do??? Just because of criminals selling and abusing the medication, we all have to suffer. Tell me WHY, With the techniques this country has, and you cant pick them out??? I ask you, why pick on the people that take them the way the Dr says to take them. Why are we being punished. Its so unfair it makes me ill. At one time there were no problems with this medication.
If you do what your doing to innocent pain sufferers, your going to have a higher number of deaths, then the ones who abuse and sell their medications. God, help you if you become a pain patient and have to live everyday and night in pain, you would have cut your own throats.
This is so unfair, its unbelievable. You have much larger problems then this epidemic. I want some one to explain to me, why it has to be done this way. What rights do the severe pain sufferers have?? Please answer the questions? I bet you cant.
Gina
California
To Debra:
Hello, I’m so sorry to read these posts. Could someone tell me how to join “the chronic pain train” mentioned in one of these posts.
I an atheist but I will pray for all of us.
MARGARET GILBERT
MA
I will bet my last dollar if its a member of their family suffering from chronic pain they will find them a way to get narcotic pain medication quick, fast, and in a hurry. Please don’t forget we did not ask for this pain we’re only asking for something to help us cope and live with it.
jo
OH
I have been on pain meds for 20 or more yrs. I have had 3 back surgeries, hip replacement, permanent nerve damage in back because of them being compressed for so long as the doc wanted to wait till they blew. I have RA, Fibromyalgia, I can’t at times even use my hands especially with out my meds. This is so wrong. I went through pain management years ago, they gave me oxycontin. I took it one time and it made me deathly ill so I called pain management doc and told him I could not take this med. He had me take it in and dispose of it. which I did. I have never ever took meds without a doc giving it to me. Never smoked pot which I was totally against. I hear people say it helps them with pain and etc so I have decided to self medicate myself and smoke it. Haven’t yet but backing my self off pain meds and preparing for the pot. This is embarrassing to say me at 71yrs old is going to be a pot head. Listen up you people who haven’t lived our painful lives and put a stop to this. I don’t hardly leave my house and now have to figure out how im suppose to get to these unhelpful pain clients. This is a scam for more money from us I guess and being old they don’t care.
jo
I failed to say, I had epidurals like about 8 with contrast and it didn’t work, I had to much scar tissue and they couldn’t get through it to put the medicine on the nerves that they said needed it. I have tytania cages in my back and hip.
Paul D. P
Louisiana
It is eugenics at its best!
Carmen
Yonkers, NY
oh of course no doubt. I thought the same thing. I bet none of their family members will be denied any narcotic fo.r pain
Shari
N.C.
I’m a 53 year old mother and grandmother. I contracted the awful disease of Adhesive Arachnoiditis class III in 2001 due to a botched myelogram procedure and epidural steroid injections using depo medrol. I’ve been in pain management for 16 years with no adverse effects from my medication. Now my pain dr. Is taking me down to HALF the dose I was on for years with which I was still in pain but able to function. I can no longer look forward to being able to plan for anything due the indescribable pain I’m in now. Not even spending time with grandchildren and church related activities that I found so much joy in. I’m trying as many holistic alternatives as I can find but still in terrible pain. I was always very careful and responsible with my medication. Never abusive or took any more than prescribed. Now my pain dr, is trying to tell me he thinks it was never really helping me anyway as he is explaining the intention to cut my dose in half. This has been a very thoughtless decision process for those that have chosen to come out with these “new guidelines “. People with chronic pain are not drug abusers that overdose. We only desire a quality of life. If there were effective alternatives, we would have already been accessing them. We need hope. This is shameful and heartless!
Mickie
OH
I’m a 62 yr. old woman with R.A., gout, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia. All of these diseases are excruciatingly painful. When I ask even my rheumatologist “what are we going to do about controlling my pain?” he, along with every other doctor I see, IGNORES my plea, gives me no reply, acts like I just made some sort of faux pax, leaves the room. I just spent 6 wks. completely bedridden because due to acute gout attack; time spent in tears & confusion. This is abuse. My medical history will show that I have no history of abusing pain meds. It’s hard to find a way to live under these conditions. Severe chronic pain ravages the mind and general health. They know this. Pain can KILL you. I feel this is beyond incompetence, it’s malicious.
ron
Maine
this cdc attack on the suffering is nothing compared to what the governor of Maine has done. he passed a law that limits all patients to a max of one morphine pill equivalence for all patients by june, 2017 no matter what is wrong with you ,one pill . i have needed 9 methadone for severe hand enteropathy and pancreatitis, and back injuries . .after almost 15 years without one problem,i will get less than one.
i’m halfway there and now just sit or lay in bed wishing i could die. i see many for many health issues, and no matter what doctor i see now, they only see one thing on my chart.METHADONE. now every one of them treats me like i’m a drug addict . they do ignorant things like ,ask me why i have drugs for pain, and when i tell them what they ask, they get snotty and say, we don’t give pain medication here ,i just thought i needed to tell you that .
i never asked for anything and was not even there for the pain they ask about. i was at the hospital for abdominal pain over and over for a month and they just treated me like i was looking for drugs . they would poke at me hard and tell me i am constipated from me back pain med at that time and they took them away. well i almost died. gallstones had gone into my pancreas and it got so infected i went into shock .three weeks in ICU without food or water before they could even operate. now i an diabetic because it killed my pancreas. the poison from the infection damaged my nerves. i’m in pain constantly after that .now these same doctors say they will make everyone suffer. i am living in hell.
candy
WISCONSIN
I have chronic pain and must go to a pain clinic.
I am definitely disappointed in treatment by pain clinics.
The focus on giving injections is disheartening. They do not normally work,
especially epidurals which can be very dangerous as well.
Primary care physicians, internists, and other specialists who act as the primary
doc have turned their back on patients. They do not want to take ceu’s to give
narcotics. The health care systems that employ primary physicians have also turned their back on chronic pain patients and they put pressure on the physicians to stop treating their patients for chronic pain. The health care providers must be noticing their
decrease in income which is now going to pain clinics. Many patients are going to pain clinics every one to two months though it is not really medically necessary. Chronic pain patients are leading lives with less quality as their pain is not controlled. This cannot continue.
Mike
I just want to chime in how powerful it is to read everyone’s stories here. It’s powerful to know we’re not alone in our struggle. And, it’s sickening that this largely preventable atrocity is happening everywhere, to almost all of us. My wife has been repeatedly turned away from assistance with her pain, after being turned away without warning due to having to reschedule a few appointments with a pain doctor a couple years ago. It’s so disgusting.
I’ve witnessed her becoming more and more weakened and debilitated. Her pain is worse, my job as a caregiver is much harder now, and I am disgusted. I know the fault is not really with these pain doctors, who are having to be the bearers of bad news. On the surface, they appear to be complete jerks; I know they’re having to cover their hides due to legal issues, government crackdowns, etc. Feeling very disempowered by this entire experience.
Mary
USA
My wonderful husband is 6’3″. Most days he more closely resembles my height of 5’6″. I can’t tell you the last time either of us had a good nights rest because his tossing and turning keeps us both up. His GP refuses to write anything for pain other Tramadol which keeps him drunk, dizzy, nauseous and never really stops the pain. Eating doesn’t appeal to him and he has gone from 240lb. To 176.
He has NO quality of life!!!! Already suffering from clinical depression, it leaves me wondering everyday if today is day I come home to find he’s ended it. Who wants to live in constant pain??! He can’t work anymore, can’t enjoy his hobbies or even enjoy a damn nap! Its completely emasculating for him. Think about that…. I imagine he’s not the only one feeling the same way, so is suicide better for your conscious than overdose? The Dr recently wanted an MRI done. However, due to more regulations, he had to have a CT scan completed first.
It’s now been over 2 months and we are still a week or so away from getting the test he originally wanted done in the first place. The Doctors have trained for years, let them do the jobs they were trained for! And I really don’t care how many people kill themselves by not following directions. There should be pharmacy programs in place to warn the dispensary of multiple duplicate prescriptions and possible drug interactions.
But beyond that, abusers will abuse anything as evidenced by the amount of alcohol and tobacco deaths. Care to limit the population to 1 beer a day? 1 Scotch? And how about we get rid of paint too? And let’s not forget how many gun deaths we have. Yeah, lets go ahead and ban those too. No?….. No, and you can’t baby proof the world.
I realize that we should be careful in the products given out for public consumption but it’s absolutely cruel to refuse to relieve someone’s pain when you have the means to alleviate it. Why would you ever consciously choose to NOT help a fellow human being? I can assure you, if you or a loved one is ever in situation that creates constant pain day after day you will move heaven and earth to get your hands on whatever you possibly can to obtain just a moments peace. It is my hope that the laws are revisited on this issue and human decency prevails before we loose half the population to suicide from lack of understanding and compassion.
Yesterday, he was hurting so badly that his blood pressure was dangerously high and his chest hurt. When he called the doctor he was told that he wouldn’t prescribe anything stronger for him and if he sought help at the ER and was given an opioid he would be dropped. ? There is no Dr/patient relationship anymore. It’s take what you get and don’t question me about it.
Friendless In
Seattle
I am a chronic pain patient and over the last year, I have lost 3 of my friends (all of them chronic pain patients) to suicide. We were friends because we held private “pain support meetings” so we could discuss our issues with each other and it helped to know that we weren’t alone in our pain.
Because of these meetings, I got a window into their lives and I feel that I probably knew more about their personal struggle with pain than their own pain doctor. So let me tell you, they were miserable. Every person at the meetings (including me) reported a drastic cut in their medication (no fault of our own), and serious trouble coping. Dosage was changed to fit regulations, not the patient’s pain.
To make a long story short, they couldn’t cope and within just months of each other, they took their own lives. These were previously happy people, with families, and now they are dead. But do you know how they killed themselves? One with a gun, but 2 used their medication. The only time during the month they would have had enough to pull it off was right after they filled their prescription, unless they saved up medication.
My point is this: The CDC keeps talking about “deaths from overdose” and uses these figures as an excuse to take away people’s medication. But how many of those “opiate overdose” deaths were intentional suicides? Do they even realize how many hydrocodone you have to take to die of an opiate overdose? It is pretty hard to do on accident.
So the gov. passes new regulations, most doctors care more about their licenses than helping people, so they cut medication for no other reason than to cover their butts. Patients can’t cope and then they kill themselves or try heroin, then the CDC goes, “Oh, look at all these overdoses and heroin addicts, we need stricter regulations”. Rinse and repeat.
I told my pain doctor last year that I was severely depressed because my pain is quite literally ruining my life. Do you think he helped me? Nope, as a matter of fact, he took away my hydrocodone completely because, in his words, “People who have a history of depression are at a higher risk for opiate addiction”. Even though I had been taking pain medication for 9 years with absolutely no issue. So much for “first, do no harm”.
It sure seems like doctors and lawmakers want chronic pain patients to just kill themselves, so they don’t have to worry about them anymore. Just so long as they don’t provide the final prescription they use to do it, I honestly think they look at it as, “problem solved”.
john
New Jersey
Primary Care Doctor retiring at end of month. Have one more script for oxy. Basically been on it for 6 years for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. Have no clue where to go for pain management ? Already tried couple places and it’s a chore to just get an appointment! Any help would mean the world to me.
john
in USA
The hell with the government. You’re just doing medical marijuana or marijuana only told that the true healer.
Barb
Indiana
John, in USA, you asked for advice where to get help since your dr. is retiring. If you would show your location, someone in your area may be able to suggest where to go.
Mike
Indianapolis
Barb, where can I go in indiana? My neuropathy has made me house bound. Thank you.
Lala
usa
But, where do we start? I too have been on pain for a long time, I am only 48 years old. Diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis, my entire neck is full of bone spurs and bulging disks [due to a car accident, passenger, when a teenager] I have bone on bone arthritis in BOTH knees, and after the drs. told me to try to get to age 50 for knee replacements, they now say I am not a candidate because of the pulmonary fibrosis.
My dr. fights for me, but I imagine, eventually he wont be able too. Problem is, there are new cutting edge treatments that are paid for. Ones that basketball players use, with NO down time, no invasion and HEAL you. Regenerates cartilage and all kinds of stuff. I have read much and more about it. I would do this!!!
But the cost is at least 10k and its not FDA approved, and even if it was, I am sure medicaid wouldnt cover it. Which is assinine. From my research this new adipose stem cell procedure has a 90% fix rate of almost no pain, with no side effects, no down . One knee replacement cost 45,000 dollars, has a 70% of working, is only good 5-10 years and takes months and months to heal AND you have all the high risks involved of nerve damage, things not working, and death. I dont want to live like this.
I can’t walk to my mail box, or bend, omg :( the pain is so bad all the time :( My son and people around me want me to live to 100. No way! Not like this. I have been in pain like this for 15 years? And as time goes on , it gets worse. I have never EVER called and asked for extra, I’ve never TAKEN extra.
Hell, when I first started taking it, I SOOOOO didn’t want too. I fought it , till my Drs. nurse actually yelled at me to take. I did and it helps enough that I can take a bath and maybe load the the dishwasher . I was always extremley active prior to all this crap ……….that I did NOT ask for.
I bet any of these people that have never had to deal with pain, couldn’t handle an hour in my body. It’s torture, I would be happy to give up medicines if there was something we could do to get rid of the pain. I did the physical therapy, I exersised on bikes and elipticals till I just can’t do any more . I would LOVE to be able to go back to school and get degree to help people and productive person.
Just cutting long term chronic pain medications isn’t the answer. We are not the problem or cure for the “heroin” epidemic. Insurance company, FDA….they don’t want us “fixed” can’t make money off fixed :( .
This is really upsetting me . I have enough problems and I think so many of you are right , that people living in a great deal of constant, chronic pain will just check out . It gets old . Ive been a trooper……but , I’m getting tired .
Julie H
California
Sine the D.E.A. and the CDC conspired to take away the opioid and anti-anxiety medication I need to have any kind of quality of life and be able to function, I have tried to commit suicide twice, once in June & October of 2016. I was so miserable, crying for hours everyday, unable to function due to wide spread pain and out of control anxiety caused by my disease. I have been forced to live without the medication I need to function, due to overdoses by a few Hollywood types that have been too widely publicized. These agencies are making good, decent people suffer needlessly. They should be held accountable. We pay their salaries & the cruel, uncaring people who are ruining countless lives need to change their uninformed regulations immediately.
L.E.R.
New Orleans, LA
I’ve read the many stories in which people living in pain have described their experiences, and I can certainly identify with them. Each day I live in constant pain resulting from sciatica, as well as numerous bulging discs in my back. And I’m very concerned as to to why the CDC would interfere with a doctor’s judgement, and thus appear to, once again, tell Americans just how to live their lives. I would hate to think that there’s some conspiracy going on to encourage Americans to begin using Street drugs for some relief, but these days how can we be so sure that this action isn’t intentional?
jay
ny
YES EXACTLY……if the .gov cared one little bit about “WE the People” & thier phony “war on drugs” the drugs would be intercepted BEFORE they ever got
anywhere near the Borders of this country,
Come on, look at Afghanistan, you see pics in all the “news” maga zines & others of U.S. troops in the field walking right past vast poppy fields ,as they “pursue the Taliban” or whatever boogeyman of the week they’re after.
And they say “OH, we can’t interfere with thier “livelihood”.
When they KNOW the dope those “farmers” grow,manufacture & ship to the U.S. funds the “Islamic terror ” they have ANOTHER “WAR ON”.
Same goes for the South American drug cartels; they know who all those people are, where they grow it, how they ship it TO THIS COUNTRY, It’s ALL about MONEY
Cynthia
NY
Is anybody anywhere actually doing anything about this? Where? If nobody is by this point it’s pathetic.
Meanwhile, I wrote the White House. :) I kept it very, very short and simple in like 8 bullet points knowing our President’s, um, preferences. I doubt any of them read it but I couldn’t do nothing at all. Sad!
Anybody know a NYC doctor NOT afraid to write for opiates? If so please let me know.
Cheers!
Patricia
Totally agree, yet the powers to be are scratching their heads woundering how did the illegal drug use get so out of hand. Obviously these new rules will increase the use of street drugs and leave those of us in chronic pain without answers. Remember the saying don’t throw out the baby with the bath water, well it fits here good luck to all and keep fighting
Nate
Illinois
Hmmm…should be interesting to see how productivity in our nation declines in the next 2-5 years do to this new “legislation”. You take away peoples only option to not be in pain and actually contribute to the workforce of this country??? What were you thinking??? Now you will have so many people just not reporting their jobs anymore because of pain or going on disability at early ages…how is this helping? It’s not, I know this and I am not even a doctor or in politics…why can’t you see this???
Andy
Ohio
Are there any groups out there fighting these pain med laws and pain management clinic rules?
Michael
Vermilion,Ohio
I’m not a drug addict. I don’t even drink alcohol. I live in Vermilion, Ohio. I’m 41 year old male…Been looking for help since 2010 MRI shows annular tear ruptured disc my 5 threw 1 disc severe stinging chronic pain in my lower back I’ve been to 4 pain management Dr. all have treated me like a drug addict for some reason maybe because I look like a scum bag cause I can’t even stand in the shower im skinny from not having a apatite (probably cause of taking large amounts of Ibuprofen for the last 6 years)
All they will do for me is give me drugs to help me sleep cause I cant like Antidepressants,Gababutin,Arthritis Meds I tell them thy don’t work so thy just quit giving them to me and offer nothing else ive never been prescribed any pain relievers except flexral and Ibuprofen and plenty of Physical Therapy I’ve also had several shots in my back nerve blocks cortisone etc.don’t no what else to do
if i could i would buy some pills off the street id even resort to herion which i rather not cause i now people that have dyed from the shit but dont have a choice I’m going to one more Dr.if thy won’t do anything for me guess im gona have to look to the streets some how….Im not gona suffer another summer not being able to do anything while everybody else is out having a good time….I was wondering about pain pumps do Dr.consider that a addictive thing or can I ask them about it without looking like a junkie im suffering and can’t work without having seizers from the Pain and Anxiety
need a job I love to work but can barley get out of bed now…I use to work 10hr 6 days a week
Llc
I’m in healthcare….I hate to say it but do yourself a favor & NEVER include Fibro in your list of ailments to anyone who manages your meds. Seriously. From that moment on, you will be dismissed & they will believe nothing you say. They’ll never admit it but trust me…
Llc
Let me also add: allergies. The minute you say you’re allergic to more than one non-opiate its over.
Sorry just the truth.
Wendy
Ew
I am at my wits end emotionally and most definitely physically. I have been taking chronic pain medication since they had to work on pain after a series of severe car accident and multiple falls from riding hunter jumper horses
I am 51 year old lady who walks with a cane and a walker I have not run in over 10 years I haven’t been on the back of a horse in 15 and I have no life and anything that I enjoyed is gone except for my small dog and cat but I live alone in financial and physical squalor due to the inability to even keep a clean house
I have an appointment in mid May 2017 it is now February 24, 2017 that is three months away before I have any hope of pain relief I had an interim Family and pain doctor
During the first week of February I was told I needed to return to the office for a routine your analysis and pill count I was told to be there by Friday of that week I was told this on a Tuesday so when Thursday came around that week we had a full-blown blizzard everything in Massachusetts was shut down on Thursday and Friday I immediately called the office the following Saturday morning as soon as they opened and told him I would be in on Monday morning at opening time 9 AM for the urinalysis and pill count and if they preferred I would also go to the nearest emergency room that Saturday once the blizzard and cleared and have them draw a urinalysis for the 26 panel and have it ready for them so they could know that the results would be accurate
I told this guy that I am not from New England I did not listen to the news so I did not come in on Wednesday when he told me specifically that I could come in by Friday so yes I did see him Tuesday in my own irregularity in inconsistency I should have gone on Wednesday but I did not he stated I was not consistent and he discharged me promptly on the spot and would not allow me a second chance I am sorry I was willing to work with him his own words said Friday I came here from Hawaii I did not take in the consideration the snow and how dangerous it could have been for me to have even tried to drive in the blizzard
Now there’s a doctor has discharged me the month of February is almost passed I have no pain medication left and I am contemplating suicide and I would rather be dead in in hell didn’t live with this pain because it’s not just the fact that my right knee was replaced my left hip is awaiting surgery I am to meet a BMI of 30 I have reached 33 so that they may do an osteotomy in real line my bone so that I can have a successful knee replacement I completed my physical therapy with stellar results it’s just that the former fracture caused significant damage and I have a 29° external rotation contracture due to the multiple fracture that was caused and the many files from the horses the osteotomy performed by the doctor in Boston is under strict guidelines due to the fact that fat tissue retains infection and therefore I have to have an optimal BMI in order for him to do the osteotomy bone graft and no weight-bearing for nine months postoperatively I must be in the most best physical condition I can be in because I live alone and have no one to take care of me my only assistance is things like life alert in case it falls
This doctor has taken this DEA regulations which has ruined so many patients Lowe’s and I hope that whoever designed it and the DA does not have a knee replacement or a hip replacement and believes that three days worth of pain medication is going to be adequate enough because let me tell you I had a quality of life I was able to work out now that I am incapacitated due to the pain I feel as if I am useless do you know what it’s like not to be able to run to get out-of-the-way have a car if you’re trying to cross the street and I can’t play with my dog I can’t enjoy the things I enjoy I am ready to kill myself in my suicide note will say good job
Thank DEA for your stupid week and you have taken someone who is been compliant with your pain medication never increase the dose never asked for extras and I don’t even know how to go on the street and ask for drugs because I wouldn’t even begin to do that I will kill myself first and I am contemplating that it is now almost 4 PM on the 24th
If I cannot get some sort of pain relief and anti-anxiety because I also suffer from severe PTSD due to multiple attacks while I was in the military and I am asking that if something isn’t done soon I can and I will finish what I started I overdosed once and I will do it again I am already in hell in pain and all I have to say is everyone else’s suffering it is this DEA in their stupid regulations and I hope one of them or all of them suddenly have to end up with a total knee replacements have the chest cracked and have multiple orthopedic surgeries in realize that pain is exactly what the patient says it
Thank you for allowing my rant I wish those of you who are suffering that you’re suffering does not go on heated that the DEA will open up their ears in other words take the cotton out of their ears and put it in their mouth and listen to the patients because they don’t have a clue as to what pain is if I was abusing my medication would I be riding horses walking running with my dogs and also I breed we did Bree world champion Arabians that is a long time ago I can no longer handle a stallion or work or breeding shed so DEA thank you for messing up not just my life but millions and millions of others if we are to suffer for the acts of the few the many are suffering for the acts of the few in that is completely wrong because I’m gonna tell you right now every drug attic knows what cornered a cop on I handle things and I go to the physician like I’m supposed to do I wouldn’t even begin to know where to go to get medication nor what I want to I firmly believe that that is why we have physicians in compassionate ones at that and this doctor to discharge me from my inconsistency in unreliability screw him I am willing to sign any contract needed to prove and to prevent my consistencies in unreliability from Bahrain me from appropriate treatment it’s not just him it’s the DEA that caused this whole entire situation so once again I leave it in the hands of the DEA you screwed up too many lives
I went from being an active woman riding, training and showing horses to one who can barely get out of bed during the day and contemplating whether today is the day whether I should end it or not but I wish everyone not to face this for years but to fight them do not be a coward like me
Stand up to the DEA and every congressman you can find and help you changed do not take the cowardly ways out that I am contemplating fight because your life so worth it I’m 51 and I have lived a long and beautiful life with my purses into lose that I don’t see A future ahead of me I can’t work as a nurse I can’t work with my animals I can’t even go to the local why into therapy with my dog do not give up like I have faith and keep fighting some more I’m the one who’s giving up not anyone else fight the DEA
Me everyone’s fight succeed in May you have some solace from your pain emotionally and physically my prayers and for those of you who don’t pray every positive thought of goodwill and energy is surrender to you may you all have the strength to fight take care and thank you for listening
Kate
Kentucky
I am Kate, I am 62 years old and I have been on pain medications for decades. I could sit here and tell an hours tale about all the things wrong with me but I will make that part very short. Nine spinal surgeries, such as fusions metal plates, screws, staples, and rods and obliterated hips. Plus with my heart surgery 9 years ago, I have a pacemaker-defibrillator. I get tossed around by doctors like a hot potato. Then the started sticking me in the so called pain clinics.
Before this, my family doctor prescribed two 100 mg. Kadien and two 60 mg. Kadien. Also there was Clonopin and Zoloft for my horiffic panic attacks . Now I am precribed two MS Contin 60mg. and 90 percocet 15 mg. And don’t forget the Neurontin which makes you feel so so so bad. And of course nothing for my nerves (panic attacks), or a sleep aid. My whole point is there are exceptions to the rule. IT IS SOMEONE’S JOB TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND OUT WHO IS REALLY NOT IN AGONY LIKE MYSELF AND SO MANY OTHERS AND WHO IS!!! Medical tests are for diagnosing.
It is just too easy to study a patients records and distinguish whether this person really needs help or not and how much help! Read the black and white and kick them out.They are selling them and getting high. My heart doctor told me all of the unnecessary pain is taking a toll on my health. You can’t just forget about us, I could be your mom, or sister, or friend…
Tom
Gulfport, MS
We are being slaughtered systematically to appease the chest-thumping politics of the drug war. There’s no nice way to say nor an undramatic way to say it–we fight back or we perish.
I have just had my own already meager pain meds scaled back to uselessness. “New policy. New policy. New policy.” I keep hearing. I’m a veteran, and I’ve never seen things this bad.
This is politics, with both parties sharing maximal blame for campaigning on our corpses. Suicides are increasing, I suspect many of us might be forced down that route. This government does not give two sh*ts about us.
Friends, we *must* organize. Now. We have to be the spear tip in the War on the War on Drugs. It has brought nothing but misery and suffering not just to Americans, but all over the world. And all of it simply so politicians can be seen as “doing something” about a problem that has deeper causes than just drugs.
Help me, friends. Help me fight back.
Karen
Florida (FL)
Was it thought about how long it takes to get referrals and appointments to find solutions? My husband has a chronic SI Joint issue. He was great after an injection. Then suddenly he again can’t get up out of a chair. But his Doctor takes 2 weeks for a referral, that will just be to say “yes” you can’t move without extreme pain, then another 2 weeks to get the procedure. He has no pain pills and hasn’t had them since before the injection. What is he supposed to do until a month from now? Stop living? It is agreed that they can be evil things in terms of side effects and mood issues, but as an interim pain management until the end solution it is a must. That kind of pain can’t be addressed with regular Tylenol.
L.E.R.
New Orleans, LA
I’m in total agreement with you. I think it’s time for all of us to organize, and fight back!! This is ridiculous!! Once again, it appears that our government is involving itself in people’s lives in a way that’s substantially affecting many Americans in a very negative way.
Marc
Hell/maine
I had a car accident when i was 17….I broke lower back in 4 places. I shattered 2 of the 4 vertebrae and had the spikes that come off the sides snapped off and embedded in the muscle tissue ripping everything to the point where they still are today. I also dislocated my left shoulder breaking 3 bones in my shoulder as well.
I was on pain medication after the accident for about 3 months when it was stopped. I did my best to live with the pain that i felt every single day….but after about a year and a half i couldnt take it any longer. After going to the doctor many times i was given medication to help with the pain.
18 years have gone by since i crashed my car on my way to school that snowy day….and anyone who has had to take narcotics for a time period anywhere even half as long as this knows that over time narcotics start to not work as well. So my doctor increased the amount over the years. Knowing that i cant just keep getting more and more every time it started hurting more I would wait as long as i could before i would complain to my doctor. I mean i would wait till i couldnt stand basically screaming within my own skull every moment of the day before i asked if my medication could be readjusted.
I tried a bunch of different kinds of medication that my doctor suggested I have been to numerous specialists and had every test or scan that there is. I have even been sent to therapy where i was told that i have to occupy my mind and ignore the pain. I tried it….even though i kinda learned that on my own having been in this condition for so long. I do all i can to try and keep my mind off of the pain but its not something that can be just ignored. Every test over the years showed that things were changing in my lower back….arthritis….thickening of vertebrae….bulging of the discs.
Anyway….about 2 years ago i was at the point where i needed my medication readjusted but my doctor said he couldnt. So i have been trying to get by each day….I’ve suffered every day. I have lost the ability to take proper care of myself….and sleep is a near impossibility. Most of the time i if i do manage to sleep i will be shocked out of sleep by what feels like a hot knife being slipped into my spine or my jaw locking closed so tight that my teeth hurt…sometimes ill wake up biting my own tongue with a mouth full of blood and horrible bite marks on my tongue that hurt a lot and cause me to talk funny all day.
Just the other day i went to my doctor basically begging for help….and he told me that they are going to be taking the medication that i get away soon. I was told that a law was passed that is going to make it impossible for me to get the very little relief that i get and my only option is rehab. They want to put me in rehab and have me live my life or lack there of….in pain every day without any relief at all.
When i asked my doctor why….he told me that there is nothing wrong with my back that isnt normal. When i asked him if its normal for a man at the age of 24 to have bulging discs, arthritis and thickening vertebrae he told me that it is. ???? Being 35 now my back could be in even worse condition….i know it feels like it is.
When i asked him why then did every specialist he sent me to tell me that it wasnt normal and that they couldnt help me and that i would have to take medication and be in pain for the rest of my life….he then told me that i should listen to him and that its normal. Now i like my doctor but he is a family doctor and he is telling me to not listen to the chronic pain specialists and spinal surgeons….who by the way said that they couldnt operate without most likely making the pain much worse.
What am i going to do?
I feel like people who are in the same boat as i am in are being overlooked and treated like we are nothing but drug addicts….yes narcotics are addictive and if you take them for long periods of time you become addicted to them but there is a difference between a drug addict and a chronic pain sufferer. Are we to be left to suffer out the remaining days of our lives unable to function till our bodies completely fail us? As it is i cant exercise or sleep….and i have high blood pressure that spikes very high when i am in more pain than usual. I honestly think that these things are going to be what kills me….not the medication i have been taking that hasnt caused any side effects it says it could cause.
Something needs to be done about this….my chronic pain problem is not only effecting me….its effecting my whole family. I feel like my future has little hope to be held onto….and i know that i cant deal with anymore pain than i am in already.
I dont know why they are doing this….but if they are having problems with people overdosing and narcotics making their way into the hands of people that they are not prescribed to there has to be a better way than basically torturing people who are in very real and very very horrible pain. Are they even trying another option though? It doesnt look like they are because from what i am told….all i am being given is an expiration date.
Call me negative….but i have looked into every possible option that could help make my pain easier to deal with and even considered dangerous surgery and the only option that i am given is medication. But soon….I wont even have that. I need help….
Christine
maine
I am in excruciating pain from being severely crippled. I take only two oxycodones a day along with herbs. My condition is inoperable. I am in a wheelchair and am being forced to come in for pee, tests etc. If they take my pain meds away I will just go to the ER for a pain shot. I have Mainecare and I’m sure our Governor will be thrilled when he gets the bill for all the people showing up at the hospital. I have even advised my husband to leave me there alone, so they will have to deal with me. You can have all you want in a hospital or rehab/nursing setting. So watch how the homes fill up!
Vanessa
NJ
Does anyone think it’s not ever about money? Once our gov. got everything in place to collect revenue on Marijuana, and could do so without appearing as scandalous as they really are, this innocuous plant lost its “demon” status. The pharm companies ( AKA demons) have probably put the cap on how much kick back our esteemed leaders are receiving. But, they are greedy, they need more boats, vacation castles, and parties with hookers-so they’ve upped the ante; “we will control how much you can sell until you make it more profitable for us….” Grossly simplified but true.
Your move Pharma Mama. Perhaps someone is developing a pill for our greatest medical threat; “integritypenia.”
Joseph
Indiana
Oh, my God. Please help. None of what this government and its organizations is doing makes any sense at all. My life as I know it and love will soon be taken from me.
My story is not an exaggeration, just like the many stories I’ve read here are not exaggerations. I would like to think that ONLY IF the “powers that be” truly understood what a life of chronic pain is like, along with THE DIFFERENCE that pain medication makes – that they would never consider doing the things that they are doing.
*I would like to think that… But, one thing I have learned throughout these years is that chronic pain is one thing that cannot be understood unless you’ve lived it yourself. It’s far too easy for someone who has not lived this life to make their comparisons about pain. …and that’s just it. There are no comparisons that can be made.
Chronic pain isn’t just a condition or a medical problem. It certainly isn’t an acute case of pain; which are what the many comparisons are comprised of. Chronic pain becomes your entire being. It controls every aspect of who you are, what you do, how you think… Of the many comparisons people who have not experienced chronic pain like to make, they all share one defining factor in common. Their story of pain ends, just like their pain did. Chronic pain never ends. Never. Taking away the only thing that helps is condemning a person, life-long.
My life was going quite well. In fact, the best it has been in several years despite the fact that all of my conditions are the worst they’ve been since my life of chronic pain began. Yesterday, however, I received the worst news I possibly could. My doctor is retiring. Along with that, my meds will soon be taken from me. I have been able to live as productive life as is possible and have looked forward to plans and dreams. Despite being disabled at age 40, life has been going well. This all began for me at age 28, and diagnosis have only accumulated since that time. My current doctor has been the best I’ve seen so far; and I’ve seen so very many.
I’ve been through all of the alternative procedures to alleviate pain and they’ve only made my medical conditions worse. I’m allergic to NSAIDS. So, those aren’t even an option. I’m also allergic to several other medications that could provide *some help. Opiate pain medications are the only things that do help. They make the difference between a life worth living or dying slowly in bed; painfully slow. I will soon lose my medications and along with them, my life.
I cannot understand how it’s legal to be so blatantly discriminated against and treated like human garbage.
I went through a similar event a few years ago when I had to stop working. the COBRA insurance I had been paying for ended and I had to wait for Medicaid. The doctor I had been seeing retired at this same time and I was forced to go 5 months with no medication; waiting until I had insurance and could locate a new pain doctor.
Those 5 months were the most miserable time of my life. There’s no way I could endure that again. Since that time, I’ve had more diagnosis of painful conditions, and the already present conditions have worsened.
I remember what that time in life was like, and it was not worth living. If given the choice between experiencing that again, only now with more problems and worsened problems or death, I’d choose the latter. What a miserable thought, and its someone else who gets to decide if I deserve to have a productive life instead. You would think that in this country, in this day and age, that I shouldn’t even have to think of such things. But these thoughts will soon become my new life, or lack thereof.
Rosie
NJ
I was damaged by a pharmaceutical, which left me in unbearable pain. Post-surgery, due to the guidelines, I was given 10 norco, after my flesh was cut open! I rolled around in the bed thinking of suicide. I was going to hang myself from the shower. The only reason I didn’t do it, was because I didn’t want my daughter coming home and finding me that way. Now I have severe pain issues, and am scared to death of having my medication taken. Please help – anyone who can – please help.
Virginia
Hawai'i
I want my quality of life back!! It’s going on three months of extreme pain – spreading down from my neck. After three surgeries {only to find I had a non operative rare bone disease Alkaptonuria-Ochronosis) .I was diagnosed after three painful surgeries that caused more pain each time they operated, by third surgery They then found I have a non operative disease, with no known cure.
After 23 years of taking pain medication -prescribed by the same doctor – knowing I never once abused them, never ran out too soon, never gave them away, I have “reliable” written on every file from every hospital stay .The pain from this disease has spread from my neck to my upper spine and my right hip -where they took plugs, to use in my neck -that has never healed.
I am a spiritual person, I work with crystals in a healing art form, but, now since they have made my life un-bearable to live – I have not been able to work, These people now want to put me on harmful cancer-causing nerve damage medicine, that has three pages worth of side -effects! WHAT KIND of sick ignorant people can take the quality of life from so many disabled people !! after 23 years on the same medicine, never having taken more than one pain medicine at a time, I have developed a tolerance, which I am now -being persecuted for, How can these so-called Pain Management doctors not understand how a person can become tolerant!
I only gone to one doctor for thirty years , he monitored my in-take and right before they passed these inhumane laws I was tapering off my medicine -Then over night I had no medicine – I then after two month of pain – having to go from emergency room to emergency room I did want only to die – Now, they want to say I am mentally emotionally sick NO! I was fine before all this happen! I pray that all the people responsible for my being in this extreme pain, will all be made accountable – ten-fold! That their bias, ignorant self righteous acts will be exposed — – And, they will never be able to exert their power in such negative ways again!!
WHERE is common decency – the right to live with dignity- What kind of sick world criminalizes people for being disabled ? I never wanted to be physically dependent on drugs! I went through three painful surgeries, because they promised to fix my neck , which only left me permanently disabled! If I wanted any kind of quality of life, I was given pain medicine , which I have taken responsibly for 23 years. This is barbaric to treat people in such ways – is this the American medical system – having no humanity at all? Shame on you!!
Lucinda
Concord, MA
I have been living with chronic pain which is often severe. I also have times when my chronic pain becomes acute. If I do too much in a day, move wrong, etc., just like anyone else who does not have chronic pain.
I have an “Interventional Pain Management Specialist”, who has been giving me lumbar epidural steroid injections for several years. I have severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis at L4/L5. The disc is pushed back into my spinal canal, pressing on the nerve roots, causing severe pain in my lower back and pain radiating down the back of my legs. The injections provided relief for a few months generally, but the most recent injection did not help. Now it hurts to stand up, walk, bend etc. All he will prescribe is gabapentin, which does not help.
My previous PCP, who I had for 21 years, would prescribe me 30 oxycodone and it would last 3-4 months. Knowing that when I could not tolerate my pain, I had the option to take an opioid not only gave me reduced pain for several hours, but also reduced my stress because I had something that helped. Now none of my doctors will prescribe anything that helps my pain.
I always took the opioids responsibly, and now as my medical problems get worse and worse, I am not allowed to have any medication that will help. Doctors don’t treat me as an individual, they simply don’t prescribe opioids. I feel I am being punished because other people abuse drugs. But I don’t, and I live with severe pain every day and I don’t remember how it feels to get a good night’s sleep. It is so wrong to punish people like me, who truly need these medications.
Now I find myself turning to alcohol, hoping it will ease some pain, and I know that is a slippery slope, as my Mom was an alcoholic. I think there are going to be many more alcoholics since these new rules went into effect. Isn’t that creating a serious problem?
I am 55 and feel like 95. I can not do things I want and need to do because of pain. Opioids allowed me to function. Now, I am becoming more depressed each day. I exist, but I don’t live. There is no joy in my life. People don’t understand why I am not the same person I was 5 years ago, when I had oxycodone, and they disappear from my life. I am divorced and live alone and have very few family members. This situation I live in now is the worst in my life. Please give us back the medications that allowed us to live! Please let me find doctors who will treat me as an individual, and with the respect we all deserve. This is not going to have a happy ending.
Cynthia
This.
Trac
Indiana
I can’t understand why the CDC is in alliance with the DEA in this unholy war on prescription medication. I believe this is the only country in the world that would have the audacity to think the government should interfere with doctor’s treatment of patients. Our rights and liberties are fading fast.
Rhonda
St Louis
I understand your situation totally I live in St Louis Missouri my husband has end-stage liver disease but worst of all he has chronic severe diabetic neuropathy but nobody will help him with and give him any pain medication accept Lyrica there’s no Lyrica to take his pain away they made his legs worse by heaven and wear compression socks and no diapers don’t even think it made his legs worse don’t give him anything for Pain lyrics we found a patches called Butrans A friend of mine has it on her back and it has helped her pain so much it’s not prescribed by anybody they tell us to go to pain management he can’t take Tylenol he can’t take ibuprofen because of his liver it just sucks and doctors are so ignorant. Our quality of life has gone and I hope all these doctors suffer in hell.
Sharon O.
ME
The problem comes in when it doesn’t apply to drug addicts or ex-drug addicts and pregnant woman who still can get a form of opioid, and that is the reason we are in this mess to begin with. They are only punishing the ones who really need it. It will cause more people to go on disability or find another way for pain management like medical marijuana, plants that have a form of something in it for pain. Some people will go too much into depression and might just give up life. It’s the people themselves who need to take responsibility for their own actions. The government gets too much involved. I don’t get addicted. It’s a medical known fact that some people just don’t get addicted. I can’t take anti-depressants because that will make me suicidal. Cognitive behavior therapy doesn’t help with the pain with certain diseases. I can see age restriction with monitoring or even drug testing or not giving it to people who were arrested for drugs or to drug addicts.
The CDC is dumb to allow drug addicts to continue to get it, and pregnant women, while the ones who don’t abuse it can’t. Not fair.
Garry
Florida
I don’t like to complain. I try to stay positive. However, here is my two cents. 8 year usaf vet. I was in ammo…. Humped a lotta bombs, 20 mm etc. Also was an advisor in Saudi Arabia for 2 years doing the same thing. I am grateful to have served our country, just as my father (Korean war) US Marine and our Son US Coast Guard.
Regarding my pain, I am 61 years old, and have a few things going on with back and knees. It is painful. Very much. For 14 years I was taking a benzo and Methadon. The VA took me off the benzo in ONE day and waited 5 months then stopped the 60 mg. of Methadon. One month. (Methadone was my choice to take.)
Oxycontin did not agree with me. Now, it has been 17 months of hell, not only for myself but my wife and son. All I hear is…..”We thank you for your service.” No one has to thank me. Buy the way, 99 percent of the people at VA do a great job, however they have their marching orders. Thanks for letting me vent.
Karen
CO
Two years ago, my son experimented With Hallucenigenics and ran out into the street and was hit by a Tahoe. Wiped out the side of the Tahoe but had no broken bones.
Six months later he was having pain. At the hospital, they did no tests for concussion, no MRI, jus a bunch of blood tests (because of the drugs) and an X-Ray of his elbow. I have been trying fo a year and a hallf to get him pain medication. The only thing that has any positive effect is Opiates but doctors will not prescribe. He also suffers ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. Combined with the pain, this sends him into manic attacks and fits of rage.
This is tearing up our family. The damage is immense. He is in so much pain but there is no compassion at all from ANYONE in the medical community that can prescirbe for him. He is not the same person he was before. His Psychiatrist will not prscribe pain medication because it is “Innappropriate,” even though it has affected his mental heath greatly.
There is a healed fracture in his spine and compression on the disc below, but they say it is not severe enough to presribe anything effective. He needs Hydrocodone or Oxycodone with the level of pain he is in. He was prescribed Tramadol which is a synthetic Opiate which includes an SNRI (psychotropic). This makes him maniacal and a danger to our family and our life. However, they will not prescribe anything that is an synththetic Opiate like the others I have mentioned WITHOUT the SNRI that is making him crazy.
Are there any doctors out there that will treat the patient with any wisdom or is the government now in control? I think I know the answer. This is destroying us. We (the parents) are now on the edge of a separation after 30 years of marriage. It is ruining our life and our family.
Rhonda
Pardon some of my sentences my talk to text doesn’t always work I can tell his doctors ignorance
Cynthia
NY
I am so sorry. That there is no absolute dichotomy between body and mind is not yet taught in medical schools?
I really wish I could help you. Having a bipolar child is tough enough as it is. Being bipolar is tough enough as it is.
Hey, what is the drug policy in Mexico or Canada?
Barbara
Vermont
The druggies are ruining the drug world for those of us who need these drugs. We are the ones suffering in and with pain. I have osteo arthritis in my body plus a bad back. I can’t get strong drugs for pain. Tylenol doesn’t do anything. I agree with others who have voiced opinions.
Garey
Necedah, WI
I have had lower back surgery twice,and both times I was put on hydrocodone. The surgery ended up in a S-1 L-5 L-4 fusion.I have done everything the doctors have said.The exersises that I am supposed to do,some are out of touch.The chronic pains that I have do not get better with exercise. The pain is constant for 24 hours. Pain meds are supposed to help you get though life, not just through the day. People respond differently when it comes down to chronic pain, but the doctors should not be the ones dictating how their patients feel. They think people are having problems with overdoses,but wait till the guns come out, and the chronic pain sufferers start taking their own lives. Will the CDC figure that one out? I have never abused my pain meds. They are there to help me through every day pain. I feel sort of bad for the doctors because they cannot really help their own patients. What will we do?
Kristen
Just reading these comments and the CDC’s recommendation for Chronic pain sufferers. I laughed. I have had seven orthropedic surgeries (3 cspine, 2 shoulder, and two hand), fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s, Radiculopathy from permanent nerve damage, occipital neuralgia, tinnitus, DeQuervin’s tendonitis, OA, DJD, and have never been given opioid pain meds.
I am at the point (after 14 years of chronic pain and other things) where I would give anything to sleep and be out of pain. I fear that I will not be able to continue my part time job since I can’t think, sit, stand, type, check my phone, staple, carry heavy loads, etc. for any length of time (half hour at the max)-all things required at any job. Now my hip, knee, and foot are going.
This started in my 30’s and I am now just 50. I swear I could swallow the entire of bottle of at least three of my prescriptions and never get a single decent night’s sleep. Was finally given Valium which helped but then was told to get along without it since it is only “for emergencies.” Well everyday is an “emergency” now.
What am I going to do for the rest of my life when I’m at the end of my rope now? Thanks to Obamacare, our work insurance no longer covers anything I need, either. Way to go US government! Telling people what they need for Chronic pain is just plain arrogant and intrusive. A bunch of crippled people demonstrating for better care/meds would be ignored.
Vivian
South Carolina
I am not a chronic pain patient. However, within the past year, I have had two hip replacement surgeries and further surgery for a fractured tibia, all in the same leg.
I was appalled that I was ‘treated’ for post surgical pain with 2mg Dilaudid every 6 hrs while in the hospital after my first hip surgery. I was sent home with a script for 25 5mg hydros. Period.
Second hip replacement commanded the same. Tibia surgery sent me home with a 5 day supply for pain medicine (script). That’s it.
I am mystified that post surgical pain patients are so grossly under medicaded. I’ve never felt such agony. You guys with chronic pain should go to another country. I almost did.
sharon oliveira
They refused to operate on my knee because I was too young for a knee replacement (age 47 at the time). In the area I live there are very few doctors who specialize in things so we have to drive 50 to 100 miles away, not to mention the waiting list for them. It took me 10 years to find a doctor who wasn’t leaving. Every time I got a doctor it took 2 years to get tested, and they worked on one thing at a time. Then that doctor left. After a total of 5 doctors leaving then I had to start from square one.
I have degenerative disc disease, arthritis in feet, knees, elbows, hands, chrons, svt and more. I only take Tramadol with Gabepentin, which is fine but, I take less than the amount that is the equivlent to morphine as suggested, and my doctor cut me down to 2 a day and expects me to go to physical therapy lol. I am allowed 6 pills a day. I am allergic to morphine and deluded, which are the only two meds they give in my hospital, so I can’t even go to the ER when I can’t even move.
Deborah D
west virginia
Well guys and girls, if we wait for our doctors to do anything for us, don’t hold your breath. Had polio as a child and managed to live through it but it seems now there is a thing called post polio syndrome. Starts affecting you after fifty and only gets worse with time it makes nerves misfire all over your body among other things.
My spine is twisting, I have bulging ribs feels like I have a hot poker rammed up my spine. I have arthritis all over my body. Had a bone infection in my foot in my early 30’s due to a doctors mistake. Had part of the bone chipped away which changed my gait which causes me to bend over which aggravates the back pain. Had 2 bad falls in the 80’s while I as working at Epcot center.
My only child lives a thousand miles away and I don’t see him very often because he has to work and I can’t sit that long to drive it. When I’m lying in bed at night in tears from pain and both legs are twitching and I roll and toss and turn but never find a comfortable spot I keep asking my self “why keep doing this.
There is no pleasure in life anymore Just go ahead and bite the bullet. This is existing not living.” But I guess I’m just too darn bull-headed to accept it with out a fight.
People who are in true pain usually don’t get addicted. There used to be times when I would have a good day and when I had those kind of days I didn’t take the darn pills. I didn’t crave them or have any other symptoms of withdrawal I just said thank you God for a good day.
We all sit here wringing our hands wondering what we can do. Well I’m not a computer whiz but I ask you, can we not all get together someway and start a online petition. Does anyone out there know how to do that?
If we don’t fight for ourselves, no one else is going to. If our doctors cared, they would be doing it for their patients. When you see the same doctors 10-20 or more years, they should know enough about their patients to figure out which one need the meds and which ones are fakes.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being treated like crap on the bottom of a shoe. If anyone in the drug industry cared they would develop something other than a narcotic to stop the agony of people with chronic pain. Lets get together people, we’re not dead yet and we have the right to live a pain free life. If we make enough noise someone is bound to hear us!
I do have a tidbit that might help some of you. A few months ago i heard about a gadget called Quell. You wear it just below the knee and it sends out electrical impulses that travel up your leg to your brain. It doesn’t do anything for nerve pain but it sure helped me with the osteo arthritis I really had my doubts but when you live with what we all do, you will do most anything for some relief.
The price is a little high $ 249.00 for the device and the electrodes are $20.00 a pack of two. But there is a money back guarantee . It takes about a month to take full effect. Its just a thought and no I don’t sell them and I’m not affiliated in any way. I wish you all well hang in there and I say lets raise some stink about this injustice. These are suppose to be my golden years but all I’ve seen is rust. Bless you all and remember, you’re not alone.
Chronic pain sufferer
US
It seems we are all in the same boat. Does anyone know if there is any plan in place or any organization that is willing to go to battle for us? It seems with all the posts I’ve read all over the net, someone should be doing something. This is the US isn’t it? WTF happened to this country and to us? Something is terribly wrong with this. An entire country of people in severe pain with no end in site. I agree with the writer that stated the pain is so severe sometimes it seems suicide is the only answer. What have they done to us?
Carla
Ohio
I am 54 years old i was in a car accident that cause me to have surgery & my pain medicine really help me to get through the day & not have to depend on any assistant now i cant hardly move i cry all the time from the arthritis that i have in my back is unbearable. I never thought something that work for you would be taken awayi am lost & in pain help
John
Hawaii
Gentlemen
Have been taken oxycodone oxycotin for the last 20 yrs never had a problem withit for chronic pain.having a civirical fusion c45678 2 6″rods 6 31/2″ screws puddy in l4 all in lower back s234 tailbone effe8 ting tail bone on the pudental nerve. Osteoarthritis arthritis. In constant pain this is my only relieve.y should i be on a 28 day lease and scrutinized punished because other people abuse it,some die now i have to suffer.something wrong with this picture .
Sandra
Pennsylvania
I was a very healthy, active woman who worked as a phlebotomist and was perusing an RN degree. I only had a few semesters left when I became sick and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 10 years ago. I could not finish obtaining my degree due to the pain and extreme brain fog..I totally forgot everything I had learned. I even forgot how to do a research paper, and the upsetting thing was that I had a 4.0 GPA and was on the Dean’s list every semester. I was inducted into the honor society and was taking honors courses. All of that when I turned fifty-one in 2008. Since then I have been diagnosed, along with the Fibro/CFS- Lupus, RA, Degenerative nerve disease, idiopathic neuropathy, essential tremors, DDD, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Scoliosis, 4 slipped and bulging discs causing nerve damage,, Chronic Migraines, TMJ, chronic kidney stones and I’m sure I forgot something. Those are only my pain issues. I have tried every approach out there..holistic, herbs, diet, Tai Chi, massage therapy, SI injections, all the medications prescribed for Fibro pain, etc. The ONLY meds that work are opiods. Now, because of the government putting it’s nose into business it doesn’t belong in, doctors and specialists are being forced not to prescribe the pain meds. I am in agony 24/7, and am practically bedridden. I no longer have any kind of life..my quality of life is non-existent. I have 3 adult children, and my youngest, my son, has Autism and is dependent on me for a lot of his needs. We chronic pain sufferers don’t need anymore diets, exercises, herbs..or whatever. We desperately need an advocate who has some influence on the government to stop pressuring and harrassing the doctors so they can prescribe pain meds again.
joanne
my dr office called me yesterday to say they are no longer writing rx’s for pain meds and referring all his pt’s to pain management. This is fine, excpet for the 3-45 day wait to be seen.
I have been taking percocet for over 15 years; 4 a day prescribed by him. I do not abuse it; but it allows me to work and live a normal life, pain free.
Now, I was due for my monthly appt on Thursday and he called giving me 2 days and no answers. I asked if he would write one more rx until i could ge tin to the pain management and he said No.
I am considering a lawsuit for abandonment on this so called doctor – and making complaint ti the state board of physicians. he should not be allowed to do this to pt’s as the result of sudden withdrawl after 15 years cna be dangerous an deadly
Vivian
Face it, Feds. There is absolutely nothing you can do regarding opiate addicts obtaining their drug. These people WILL get their pills and, now listen, Big Gov must accept this and get their control freak noses out from where they do not belong.
Further back in this forum, one gentleman compared opiate control to the same control, but applied to insulin. By gosh, abusing insulin is trending, people are ODing, so take the stuff off the market and let diabetics find a cheap imitation that does not work.
I’ve had it with drug addicts dictating what and how much painkiller I receive after major surgery. Whatever is popular, the criminals are always first in line – light years before John Q. Public even has a clue.
Charlie
Massachusetts
This is exactly what drug addicts say to get the drugs they need. Are you stupid? Do you think they say, “I need my morphine because I am a drug addict”? No, they talk about the pain they are in, and, actually, it is somewhat true, most opiate addicts take opiates because of some kind of bad pain, either physical or mental. Pain meds work for physical as well as emotional pain. When you “physical” pain sufferers talk about “addicts” as “scum” who are making life harder for you, the “legitimate” opiate users, I think, “oh, well”.
One other thing: a lot of these od’s on opiates are really just quiet suicides. People can’t stand the emotional pain and they just quietly od.
Janice
Hutchinson, Kansas
My back, actually my neck down my whole back hurts too much to live life happy or normal. I have no disk my spine is curved and my spinal cord has pressure on it. After reading your material you make me afraid of medication but I can’t live like this. I stop taking Percocet 6 months ago. I’m getting back on them. Why do you want to add fear plus have me live in pain 24/7. People have taken pain meds for 50+ years. I don’t understand what you would do for yourselves. I would worry about drug addicts on Heroin plus whatever else they take.
Johnny S
South coast of Mass.
60Yrs. old now.
In 1984, I was first hit head on at 65 Miles per hour while stopped at a red light. The light turned green and the on coming car that was behind the car that was stopped across the intersection from me, tried to weave between us both and unfortunately he did not make It.
Someone in his car passed and I was left with quite a few injuries. The injuries that I suffered from landed me on a regiment on pain meds. That I stopped taking for years and learned to deal with the pain the best that I could. 2005 rolled around and I was on a highway that had an accident take place on and was being controlled by on site State Police officers.
One of them motioned to me to stop at a certain spot and I remember saying to myself ah where else can I go because that was the only place that I could go. A second or two went by and I remember looking up in my rear view mirror and saw this truck heading at me way too fast, I later learned that they estimated his speed at 75 Mph. or better.
I remember waking up in the hospital and realizing that I was blind. They air lifted me to Boston and They found the Blindness was caused by pressure that had built up against the optic nerve due to a brain bleed.
I also suffered other injuries that only operations may fix. I do not want to have anymore operations and I have been on pain meds ever since then and it has aloud me to hold a job, support my family, keep a roof over our heads and not be a burden to society. I never abused the meds and after all this time now I am being treated like a drug addict and the latest thing is that if there is 31 days in the month they make you wait 31 days until you can refill the next 30 day prescription.
For instance, last month I picked up my meds on the 3rd of January and this month I can’t refill it until the 3rd again. So I asked the Doctors’ secretary what they were doing, she said that they start counting from the day you pick up your meds at the Pharmacy which was the 3rd, so the 4th becomes day 1.
Correct me if I am wrong, but with 31 days in the month that would make the 2nd of February the 30th day. I tried to explain that to her and her response was that the Doctor has to call some office with the DEA and together they count 30 days and that is what they come up with.
I don’t get it, it is bad enough dealing with pain I have now I am suppose to go a day with out meds or stretch them. People like myself and I know I am not alone. We have not done anything wrong but more and more it feels as if we are being treated like criminals and drug addicts and it just is not right.
Virginia
Michigan
I am just another chronic pain sufferer, cancer survivor, lupus, fibromyalgia and arthritis making my life miserable. I’m being weaned by the PA in my doctor’s office who states their hands are tied. I am not an addict, take my meds responsibly, but am “dependant”. I am also 67 years of age and still have to work. Can’t survive on my measly Social Security check. I’ve been considering going on Medical Marijuana but I’d perhaps lose my job. I’ve never been a drug user (illegal) and used to be totally against pot and all illegal drugs, but, I’m beginning to waver now. Just on pot. To change this formerly against pain pills (hesitated to even take an aspirin) to where I am now, diseases came along that almost stole my life. The hydrocodone allowed me to manage to work, walk and just get out of bed in the morning. Now what????
J
FL
I am in the same situation as the others who have written to this site. I have herniated discs in my lower back and have been been plagued with this condition for over twelve years. I also went through surgery in my neck because of a drunk who rear ended me when I was a teen. He ended up getting away with his stupidity and I ended up with a bone fusion in my neck. I have also had to deal with chronic pain from this condition for decades now. I thought we were allowed to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness but those ideals are far out of reach when each day is nothing but another day in hell. I have tried to find a neurosurgeon to help me but none will operate due to a heart condition I have. Now I found out that my breakthrough meds have been severely cut back. I know what to expect next and am not sure that I can bear the pain. If there is anyone on this site that can help me find a neurosurgeon with enough guts to operate on me, please let me know.
Keefer
Winter Haven, FL
Well, now because of Big Brother and being “saved from myself,” ;I have lost my pain management doctor because he can’t practice how he sees fit. At 37, and with no true addiction, only degenerative disc disease, no pain doctor will treat with opioods here. So I wake at six to drive an hour six days week to take 90mg methadone which I can’t live without. Just so damn done with the nanny state of government and people so ignorant. Peace out.
Lisa
Philly
It doesn’t make me happy to see that I’m not alone. I have a bunch of aches and pains. REAL conditions that have ruined my life.
Doctors are not in this for the right reasons. My quality of life Is gone. It affects our families & our friends. It changes us to be constantly suffering in agonizing pain while some dummy thinks it’s in our heads. I’ve had doctors treat me like the scum off their shoes.
I have a rare disease, neurological dysfunction that has no cure. It is rated at the most painful medical condition in the entire world. And yet I STILL have my doctor trying to continuously cut me back. When what he gives me isn’t even enough to begin with!!! My disease is progressing and he won’t increase or change my meds.
I stopped working which is taking a financial toll on my family. It’s an assortment of things you know? But this… this is a death sentence. Might as well be dead if can’t at least be comfortable. I’ve dedicated my life to nursing caring for others with all my love & dignity. And mine is being taken away by people who take their health for granted, and have no idea what our lives are like. Who we are, and who we were before we each got stricken by these awful things.
I don’t remember when was the last time I woke up “feeling good”. My husband and my 3 amazing kids bare suffering with me. Everyone I love suffers. At 35 years old with no cure to this disease, to take away my pain medicine away… I DON’T WANT TO LIVE THIS WAY. NONE OF US DESERVE IT! We are human beings we want to LIVE as MUCH AS WE CAN while we can!
Kent
Olathe, Kansas
I am so saddened to read these stories. And my own story saddens me too. I currently have spinal stenosis on my L4-L5. This has been going on for about 5 years. Eventually “we” got my pain under control, then I decided I wanted off of them which was a major error, they did take me back but refuse to raise my dosages to where they were. I’ve always been honest, and they have tons of medical information to back my issue.
I can’t describe how much the pain interferes with my ability to take care of myself. No empathy, no anything. It’s very hard to get to the doctors. Currently have many appts for neurosurgeons. Have to have tests done……..
And when you’re crying in pain all alone, it’s a hard thing to deal with……mentally.
Frank
It’s sad to hear that people who aren’t in any pain abuse these substances. And it’s very sad to hear about people with a medical condition having a hard time getting their medication just because our government is passing laws. If only they knew what it feels like being in pain every day. It also affects their jobs, and their loved ones who have to see and hear them in pain. Or they have to take a day off just to take them to the doctor. People who are in pain also don’t get much sleep and are financially hurt. I believe the people who have a medical condition should be left alone and that the law should only apply to drug addicts.
Lonny
Arkansas
The CDC OR DEA has hurt all of us,i have been taking Methadone for 17 yrs,now i cant get out of bed any advice would be helpful. Thank you
Ryan
Ky
What about addicts with true chronic pain conditions?
Stefanie
Mo
I have a torn disk in my L4 & L. I was told that surgery is not an option for me, and a few years ago I tried the 3 injections with a very long needle & had a side effect that had my pain management practitioner freaked out. I was told I would be on my pain meds for the rest of my life due to lack of other options. But now with new laws I feel like my life is over & I’m only 35.
Steve
Bakersfield, Calif.
I’m now 46yrs old. I got in a car accident almost 16.5yrs ago. I’ve done every therapy, injection, etc. etc. Pain med therapy was the only thing that help a little; did not stop the pain, it helped my brain cope with it ( if that make sense?)
Anyways, after all the yrs of pain therapy, my treatment has rapidly went backwards.
I have arthritis in both wrist, up my back and neck, in both shoulders and in my right elbow; have already had part of it removed to gain mobility. Also, severe arthritis in right hip with almost zero mobility. Arthiritis in my pelvic area / SI joints , coccyx, and low back. Plus migraines caused from my neck pain shooting into my head.
It’s sad, I used to be able to work some, then I could no longer have a job. Meds would help me get out of bed to walk my dog, garden, go to the store, walk pretty decent. Now I get less meds than I was on 15 yrs ago.
Now, all I do is stay in bed and watch movies. If the pain is driving crazy, I take tons of sleeping pills and sleep as much as possible. The only time I get to leave the house is to go to doctor appointments.
I guess the CDC & DEA rather us to die from O.T.C. Meds from liver and kidney failure!!!? Or ppl that have the money jus switching to illegal drugs; I would if I could afford it.
I WONDER HOW MANY PPL THAT SWITCHED TO ILLEGAL DRUGS HAVE O.D. ON THEM?!!! Nice going Obama. Smh!!!
Mindy
overseas
I have an extremely rare disease that is rated as the 2nd most painful. I live overseas with my husband who has terminal cancer. I would like to move home to the US after he passes to be with my family but this law is making it impossible.
I am disabled and it will only get worse. I won’t be able to fly home much longer, which will mean I will never be able to see my kids and grandkids again.
Why do we have to be punished for what drug addicts do? Can’t they investigate the doctors that have handed it out so freely to everyone? I am having a really hard time thinking of losing the love of my life.
Then to be told if I move home I will live the rest of my life in bed in agony. I’m already pretty much homebound. Just out for doctor’s appointments. It all truly makes me wish I could just die in my sleep.
Janice
Hutchinson, Ks
I am also very mad at our Government. What’s their true reasoning for this? It’s not because they care. Hopefully our doctors are smart enough to know our conditions are very painful. Our Government is messed up. Not President Obama.
Mark
San Antonio
Just moved to Texas what a joke with the Doctors here. I have surgeries knees, shoulders, hand with hard copies. Plenty of MRI, arthritis all over. Just finished treatment and surgery Sarcoma.
New PCP doesn’t write scripts for pain. Referral to pain management clinic. We don’t write scripts only injections or accupuncture. I mean I’m lucky only need a few scrips a year to get by. WTF Really.
Well, DEA Hope you’re proud of your decisions. Another useless GOVT agency making patients addicts and Doctor’s dealers. Bravo Pat yourself on the back.
Virginia
New York
I am a 38-year-old terminal cancer brain and bone cancer patient. They took my pain meds after 18 surgeries and treatments. I passed out in the middle of traffic in October of this year showing the cancer is now metastasized, my head bounced 3 times, plus breaking my shoulder and clavicle. My cancer started in 2001 and came back in my blood and bone marrow. I found a pain management Doctor in 2009 who “promised he would never let me suffer”. HOWEVER, HE IS! They took off an very aggressive tumor on the back of my left leg. He was in such a hurry he cut my hamstring and tendons now using a walker with a seat at 38 years old. With now I have a massive hole in my leg. I fall down more than 4 plus times a day!!!!!!!!!!!! My Neurologist said there is nothing more that he can do! He said try to find a Neurosurgeon in Rochester,NY. My pain management, who was wearing an EAR WIG!, promised that I would not suffer from any off this. “LIAR”.
I had a massive heart attack due to the pain is to much for me to bare any more. My heart is now failing. The left and right common iliac arteries are now both calcified and I need a double bypass surgery. Also the Tricuspid valve is not functioning properly and the atrial side is enlarged. I live on $800.00 and a month. No one here is “qualified” I am in so much pain everyday. They promised and now I lay in my bed dying in agony. I want to thank the Governor for making me and other cancer patients suffer! I just lost a dear friend who was like me suffering from cancer and in agony. A woman with a family and children, HUNG HERSELF, because they are punishing the people that really need to pain medication so their families don’t have to watch them suffer in AGONY! I wish all you government politicians never have to suffer. Due to you we will know that you made a HUGE PROBLEM!!!!!!
Llc
Dear God. This is just disgusting. I am so sorry. This has got to stop!
LEE
NC
Along with the withdrawals from being cut off my pain meds, the lack of mobility will now speed the the progress of my problems. I’m 59 and was approved for SS disability benefits on the first try. My spouse became disabled last year with congestive heart failure. Now I am her care giver also. If it were not for her, suicide was in my thinking. I have never even seen any heroin, much less start using it like the mass media proclaims. I have no idea what to do and hope that this pain and suffering doesn’t last many years.
Virginia
Michigan
I am so very sorry. No one should have to endure what you are enduring.
Debi
MO
I read your story and I am so horrified. I myself have many pain issues, that I will have my entire life. I was diagnosed with RCPS, which I went to 9 ortho surgeons in the San Diego area all said I had RSD, from a surgery that made all this happen.
Then, I fell and messed up my lower back badly, to where I just wanted to die, or cut my leg off, only to be told, I would get the horrifying pain at the cut that would be even worse then I am having now. I have been told after PT for months, didn’t get a bit of relief and made it even worse.
Then my husband of 38 yrs, couldn’t leave me alone due to me being so disabled and falling because of my leg and back decide not to work correctly and down I went. Many times.
My pain management Dr in San Diego, had me on 1 ER medication and. 1 break thru medication, and after 12 yrs of getting me to a pain level to where I was actually having some quality of life, we were so pleased. 12 yrs of seeing a anesthesia MD.
We decided to move to Springfield MO so my husband could retire to take care of me.
Well, what a mistake that was, went to the welcome clinic, they knowing what all was wrong with me, acting like I wouldn’t have any problems with continued care.
I went to referred by my PCP to the pain clinic, the Dr sat down, and said quickly your taking to much pain medication, remember only 2 pills, 1 times 2 a day, the other every 4 hrs.
Not a question asked, he didn’t even know what was my illness. All he’s wants to do is to implant a wire in my body. Remember that I have RCPD, no surgical treatment or procedures.
As I wouldn’t ever heal from the surgical site. I have no idea what will happen when I take my last pain pill. God bless all you pain sufferers and if I die or commit suicide from the terrible pain I will be looking down on you and making these idiots who decide medical treatment without a day in the medical field, and now pharmacists especially Express Scripts have more authority then a MD that did years and years of becoming a DR, and the oath they made mean absolutely nothing and such a waste of the time and money.
The people who decided to do this torched heartless act, may all become riddled with the worst pain in their lives. I have had 3 children, labored naturally, my pain is worse then that.
If I have to live the rest of my life in horrible pain, I rather be dead.
Because I would be that way anyway. Maybe that’s why their doing this, so we all die. I think that is what it’s all about. God bless you all. Your going to need it.
JC
PA
We (all the chronically ill, yes I said chronically ill just like cancer patients) need your help! We have to live as they say it on Death Certificates, “Thriving to Survive!” Can’t we have something to make a living person comfortable that has to live? They give it to the dying. Does this picture make any sense to you? THE REAL EPIDEMIC IS THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY PROCEDURES DONE THAT ARE MAKING PEOPLE LIKE THIS. What I have IS NOT RECORDED IN STATISTICS BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED RARE. (ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS) HOW CAN YOU PROVE IT IS RARE IF THERE ARE NO STATISTICS? THE DOMINO EFFECT RESULTS IN TOO MANY PEOPLE ON OPIOIDS. THEY DO IT TO US! GET US IN A MESS THEN WE HAVE NO CHOICE TO GO ON PAIN KILLERS. THEY THEN GIVE US THEM AND THEN THEY RUN LIKE MICE. So basically: Doctors cover the actual diagnosis with the diagnosis: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and or Chronic Pain Syndrome. So there are people out there that don’t even know what they have and are continually getting worse because of repeated procedures. (Epidural etc.)
Karen
CA
I have not been to my pain management doctor this month, so I don’t know how this is going to affect me. I’m scared. I have severe neck, back and knee pain…bulging disks, nerve damage, zero cartilage in my knees. I take care of my elderly parent and my grandson. How am I to do this if I’m lying in bed, writhing in pain? Because of some drug addicts that are now just going to move on to the next drug? The DEA and the CDC do not know how to be realistic. Addicts are going to be addicts…and the rest of us suffer.
susan
dallas
All they have accomplished is keeping it from the people who need it. All the dope fiends and pushers will have it.
Mary
sac
I too suffer from chronic Pain. When a Doctor starts prescribing medications to patients according to how THEY feel, we have a big problem. Fuck how the doctors feel. I do not ask myself when I’m in pain, “how do the DEA feel? I do not ask myself when I’m in pain “how does my doctor feel?”. This rationale makes absolutely no sense at all. A person in true pain respects their medications. It makes you wonder how smart these Doctors really are. I don’t want an anti depressant if I’m in pain.
Jerry G.
AZ
To all of the people on here that are suffering from pain, I feel for you. I too have a pain condition that has robbed me of a life, but I know you can’t beat the government. So I got on a Methadone program, and Methadone is a great pain medicine. They are not supposed to give it to you for pain but for addiction, so suck it up and say you’re addicted. You will get the pain relief you need.
I know it is expensive, but if you can’t pay for it the good thing is the county you live in will pay because it is for poor addicts. So join them. As far as the DEA or CDC are concerned you are an addict. Believe me, you have to jump through a few hoops but it is better than nothing at all.
I pay 260.00 a month for mine but if you can’t afford it the state will pay. Check into it. It is better than any foxy, and it is legal. Good luck.
Lisa
Jersey
I was received SS disability also on first try . In over 17 yrs my meds were raised 2x then a few days ago cut from ms contin 100q 12 to 600 q 12… I was hurt at work . Nurse. Then I had cancer 10 yrs later, then my husband got it and died , from that I had stroke and other problems.
When I start getting illegal stuff till liver or money runs out May government be proud for I have no tecord
Lor
Sacramento, CA
I hear what you’re saying for all of us are desperate for our medications. I have been on Methadon for almost 25 years from being in horrible chronic pain from a disease called CRPS. What I’m wondering about is what you’re saying about pretending that you’re an addict.
Don’t you think these type of organizations will be alerted to the fact that many people will be trying to do this out of desperation? Are you saying to say that you’re a heroin addict to get the methadone? Because when they don’t see any marks on your arms (veins) they’ll know you’re lying. Or are you saying that if you just say you’re hooked on Methadon that they have to give it to you? Just curious as to what you’re saying.
Todd
California
I’m a veteran of the US Navy who enlisted and served honorably. I spent 3 years in pain getting diagnosed with disc annular tears, facet joint arthritis, and severe right shoulder injuries. I have had two right shoulder surgeries, multiple back injections, RF nerve ablations, therapy, accupuncture, and about all other alternative treatments available.
Alternate treatments are ok and provide some relief but were not worth all the time I had spent away from my family & life. I now have to spend 80% of my waking hours using alternate therapys & still sometimes fantasize about suicide because of severe pain. The VA doctors labeled me an addict & cut off my narcotic prescription, leaving me in withdrawals. Finally I got in their BHOST program & was given bupinorephine to wean off safely?..
I can’t believe they did that to me and still see myself as under-diagnosed pain patient, “pseudo addict.” The doctors are afraid of a patient who reads & asks for certain drugs, hoping for better relief.
The DEA and CDC rules are causing doctors to abandon us to search for relief on our own and possibly even turn to illegal street drugs or commit suicide to escape constant pain.
Shelby
California
During the middle of my college education I began experiencing moderate low back pain that made it difficult to take a full load of classes let alone sit through some 3 hour long classes. I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon who noted I had a couple herniated discs in my lower back. After trying different low dose pain meds like Vicodin and Norco and several epidural injections (which only numbed the area for about 24 hours, so basically they were useless to me) all he could recommend was a spinal fusion, but he only fused the lowest of the two discs and has left me in considerably more pain than when I began.
Oral medications like Vicodin and Norco are not enough and don’t even touch the pain and so I’ve been on the Fentanyl patches for almost 10 years now with great success at pain relief and only oral pain meds for breakthrough pain when needed. I was supposed to be able to fill my monthly prescription over two weeks ago, but the pharmacy I switched my prescriptions to denied filling them. They first said they didn’t feel comfortable filling the patches because I was on the Norco and there other problem was that I had filled my monthly prescriptions at a few different pharmacies because most pharmacies don’t stock the Fentanyl patches, especially the dose that I am on, 75mcg, which forced me to have to drive around to find a pharmacy that had them in stock since you can’t get them refilled until the absolute end (30 days) of the month.
I’ve now had to go to the ER several times when I’ve been unable to get my prescriptions on time because the pain is so severe. I’ve even been rear-ended a few times since my surgery, which has only served to increase my pain, not to mention I have the all too mysterious chronic pain syndrome named Fibromyalgia. I NEED these patches in order to have SOME quality of life!!! It angers me to no end that pharmacists can overrule a valid prescription written by a REAL pain management doctor just because they’re “uncomfortable” with what a doctor is prescribing.
I wouldn’t normally wish pain or ill will to someone, but when it comes to a pharmacist denying me my much needed pain medication I wish they COULD feel the amount of pain I’m in 24/7 so that maybe then they’d finally understand! I’m not trying to say acupuncture or CBT don’t help some people, but it’s not something that works for me. To me, those methods are just as good as wishing the pain away or praying to “God” to miraculously cure me………..it doesn’t work. I’ve seriously considered turning to injectable heroin for pain relief when I have been denied my medications or they don’t have them stocked on time and I’ve NEVER done a hard street drug in my life! I’m almost 32 and this is absolutely no way to be living!
Nicole
Dallas Texas
I cannot believe the new laws! I was hit by a drunk driver head on over 30 years ago, ejected from the car, lucky to be alive. I was ok @ the time, yet now my back it a mess , I have had surgery, on my neck and back… Have herniated disks, arthritis, on and on…. I am scared to death. About the new laws, I am in constant pain, I go to a pain management dr. the same one for two years, I follow the rules…..I am not an addict. I have injections , you name it , then small amounts of Norco. So does this mean they will take away the only medication I have ever tried that will allow me to get out of bed, work, take care of my grandson? If people are addicts I would think they can weed those people out , my mri shows I am not faking! I am so angry this should be between a dr. and his patient!
Mark H
oregon
I have been taking pain med for 23 years 3 lower back surgeries 3 shoulder surgeries 3 hand surgeries I have a deformed spine and psoriasis arthritis and severe psoriasis. I’ve been through every medical attempt to help the pain I am in with no results except for the life giving opiates for me its the only option.
But some brain dead idiots decided I was better off without my meds, because some drugged out idiot overdosed! Thanks DEA CDC FDA! You put so much pressure on my pain clinic Doc he got rid of me. I can’t find any other Doc because of the new opiate regulations, I’ve been married 36 happy years 3 boys all successful, 6 grandchildren 2 German shepherds, and I don’t want to live in this pain anymore!!!!!!!!! PS Is this North Korea or communist Russia?
Rich P.
Typical, I’m also NOT at all new to Severe Chronic Pain. 37 years! So this is nothing new to me. Severe Chronic Pain people, the Blacklisted people in Medicine and Government!
Ally
IL
This is a response to RT. I had asked my doctor and RN what was going on. Why the DEA decided to cut the amount of pain meds the doctors give to patients by half this year. I was told that it was related to the increase of overdoses. I did my research and found out that without the interference of the DEA in the past years pain meds were being prescribed less and less. Now they deided they want to cut it by half this year. Before I was injured and having to take pain meds I was a counselor. I saw the progression from patients who were on opiates and then they were forced to stop. Yet they needed the pain to go away. Those people turned to heroine because it is cheaper and easier to get.
I believe that what ever the doctors were doing before the DEA got involved should continue without the DEA trying to control everything around them. I am a chronic pain sufferer and I went through 4 yrs of painful procedures, surgeries, and tests with out pain meds except tramadol and that did nothing for me. I was than diagnosed with CRPS type two and it is spreading. Started in my right hand, moved to elbow, shoulder, right leg, and now moving to my left arm. CRPS is considered more painful than childbirth and amputation. This is a mess.
Miss QOL
VA
Brace yourself because it’s going to get much worse before it gets any better. Unfortunately the ligitimate and guideline abiding patients are merely collateral damage in the ongoing corporate and government wars.
The CDC issued “voluntary guidelines” for PCP’s,Gp’s & other prescribers who are not pain management specialists. However insurance companies like Anthem Health Keepers have decided to generalize and exploit the (well intended) CDC guidelines by implementing mandatory restrictions and denials on ALL opiod prescriptions. If you thought you were jumping through hoops before to get your medications. You haven’t seen anything yet. I hope you all have doctors who are willing to invest a tremendous amount of time going to the mat with the insurance companies to get your prior authorizations processed & approved.
Now let’s be honest about the addicts for a second. They have already moved on to the simpler, cheaper alternatives to prescription drugs. Lastly I pray God will bless all of the innocent patients who are being left behind to suffer in vain.
Rt
California
People, this has NOTHING to do with the DEA, the Government, or even overdoses. This is the Health Insurance companies. All the ugly opioid propaganda is generated to reduce a $78 billion dollar expense to health insurance companies due to the Baby Boomer generation.
I have permanent nerve damage in my back that travels to my left foot. I wake each morning feeling as though I have been run over by a truck or someone cutting me in half. The pain medication I take, I take responsibly and never take more than prescribed, or allow anyone access to my medicine cabinet. It is the only way I can get out of bed and do anything.
Yet this week my pain doctor started pushing Topamax and CBT, I suspect a move away from what is working today, only as a result of some of these unfounded claims that opioids do not work for chronic pain. That is just silly science. It does work. It just cost money and if you follow the money, a powerful group of companies are wanting to keep more of it, regardless of what happens to the chronic pain community. A better idea would be to negotiate a much better deal with the Pharma clan. I am sure they would prefer some revenue on their patiented meds over zero. Sad that the DEA and Politicians fell right into their hands.
And to my fellow pain sufferers, I feel ya and I am so very sorry for what you go through every day. I have to be candid here, I admit before I had chronic pain myself, I too thought there were a lot of ‘fakers” out there. Well life has a way of humbling those that stand in judgement I guess.
Danny
Needles
Let me start by just saying
“I hope ? they live a painfully long life and try to live on there point scale”
I don’t even know what to think about this I was in an auto accident in 83 and on and off meds most of the time. Doing ok then one day I take a fall and injured my back in 2008 and was payback on pain meds started out at about 60 ml oxy but being a paraplegic I have nerve damage as well as muscle lose and a real problem with balance so falling seems to happen more than I like any back to the pain issues.
I stayed at this level for sometime and ask for a just 1 more pill a day. He saw no problem with it, so as my spine keeps getting worse, I was up to 3 30ml and 4 15 ml oxy went in on jan29 2016 and in told in only getting 60 30ml and that I’m being cut off oxy.
But they did give me something for withdrawal. All it will take is 1 more fall and I’ll break something else like last year a fall cracked a couple ribs and nothing to do but rap it in an ace bandage and no method to the way those who need more than what the or DEA or FBI or CIA or CDC whoever tells them they can’t give us what works. I hope they live a long painful life.
I’ve been in pain for 33 years and made myself work through it for most of that time if I lived off the government tit for all that time maybe I say ho well it there money but no I worked while be a broke up half a man and now there telling me I take to much dope. Words the AARP when you need them.
Rich P.
Maine
Maine isn’t vacation land for me, it’s where they selectively target one Medical disease/illness as a crime and severely punish us people with the Medical sickness- like me (us the Blacklisted people with Severe Chronic Pain)!
Yes, by taking away my Morphine Medicine, that is the only Medicine that has ever eased my Pain (Morphine), and that I had to go through more than a decade of daily constant Pain and suffering without the one and only thing to date that has worked was a literal torturous Hell- Morphine (and yes I know there are thousands of other people like myself- Blacklisted!).
Evil is what they are doing to me, for they are not only insinuating that there is nothing wrong with my health and how I feel each day, but they are also taking away the only Medicine that has ever eased my Pain- and thankfully that it did work to ease my Pain as it did- saved my life! Yet just as you would picture happens in a communist or third world country with a dictator, they take away the Medicine that saved my life, the Medicine that has worked so well to ease my Pain that I view it as a Miracle Medicine, which I believe Morphine is therefor literally a G-d Send! Yet- I am as good as in a communist country and my Medicine is taken away from me.
Before I was ever allowed to use Morphine, I first had to suffer daily constant Pain for over ten years, while jumping through hoop after hoop trying all the other useless things that did nothing for easing my C1-C2 neck fusion Pain. I also did have a severe head injury and multiple severe head, face, spine, and upper body injuries that have also played a part in all of this and my Pain. Yet they now take it all away from me for nothing I have done wrong or deserve!!!
Thanks to Morphine I was finally allowed to have somewhat of a life, even though a lot was already taken from me and lost.
Yes, thanks to the fact that Morphine has eased my Severe Chronic Pain that NO other thing in this world has done like Morphine, has NOT come even close to Morphine, and is NOT even worth talking about in comparison to Morphine.
To me- Morphine is a literal- G-d Send, a Miracle Medicine, a Life Saver (these words I just typed in reference to Morphine, “a G-d Send, Miracle Medicine, and Life Saver,” I have NOT at all just put here for the Hell of it, as these words are about what Morphine has truly been for me. Though the State of Maine as I can now see, could care less about my life and this honest truth about what Morphine is for people like myself with Severe Chronic Pain.
Yes the State of Maine now just starts taking Morphine Medicine away from me, as if I have no Pain, as if all I’ve gone through never happened.
I have responsibly used Morphine now for more than 25 years with NOT ONE PROBLEM- once I was using the correct dosage, and found one of the best working Morphine’s for my Pain, that was the only extent towards a problem, but as it shows- there really was no problem as I was responsible with using Morphine.
Yes I have had NOT one problem with the Medicine Morphine, because I use it RESPONSIBLY! “Responsibly,” as if I was speaking some lost unknown word with the way it is so greatly ignored in relation to this whole as good as a communist act that is being done in relation to Morphine Medicine.
The whole problem is this simple in relation to strong Narcotics, which is a factor for anyone in relation to using strong narcotics and this whole subject (even though us Blacklisted Severe Chronic Pain people have such a low percentage for those who are irresponsibly using it and yet supposedly have Severe Chronic Pain. Though I question greatly if they really do have Severe Chronic Pain, as I couldn’t picture their sacrificing it if they were truly suffering as I know Severe Chronic Pain causes. But if I am wrong, they still are a very low percentage, so yeah go figure!
The important point is that us people with Severe Chronic Pain are NOT drug addicts or using it wrongly. So why do I get punished for other people and THEIR wrongs!
What the Maine State Government is doing to me, is cruel and inhumane!
I have wondered a lot over the years, about what is my purpose for being here, as it has been such a long hard road that has not added up to much, has not accounted for much due to the injuries I received and the extent it has been with my health ruined from Pain and other things also. How things like this present slap in my face again makes me wonder greatly? If there’s one thing that could be for importance and value, I think it is how I know the truth about Morphine and Severe Chronic Pain. It is a truth that is still NOT told, prevented from being told, purposely hushed, and instead here we are again with the same old LIES being brought forth about Morphine in relation to Severe Chronic Pain, and also how us people with Severe Chronic Pain are Blacklisted and treated as less than a person (as it is an unseen disability, even though it has ruined my life totally!
I want to bring the truth out, to save those people down the road after me who will be forced to suffer, even though Morphine is already here and works as a Miracle Medicine for Severe Chronic Pain. It would be like throwing out of the picture Insulin, for those people who have Diabetes. “Sorry we know Insulin is right there, but there is a guy in Idaho who abuses Insulin, so we just think it’s best that you don’t use it- for you could hurt yourself with it and we don’t want that to happen now do we!” GET THE PICTURE?
The State of Maine and any other wrong doing State, they need to separate Severe Chronic Pain people, from drug addicts and those who criminally use Narcotic drugs. As WE ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE, WE DO NOT USE MORPHINE FOR THE SAME REASON!
There are those in Medicine who don’t know the truth, some who know the truth- but are threatened probably at Gun point to shut up or lose their Medical license- or even their life, and those in the Medical world who have been taken out for trying to do right! The Medical world can’t even properly treat us people with Severe Chronic Pain anymore! Ludicrous!
Think about it- right here in the “good ole U.S.A. they take Medicine away from us Blacklisted people with Severe Chronic Pain, and for NO logical sane reason or for which we do NOT deserve to be pretty much DISCRIMINATED FROM USING THE CORRECT BEST MEDICINE TO DATE!
I have responsibly used Morphine for more than 25 years, but now they are forcing me back to Pain and torturous daily constant Pain suffering.
I would NOT at all have my life and be here if it had not been for Morphine Medicine. But it is NOT a cure. There is NO cure! But if you keep taking the correct dose of Morphine it keeps working! So makes sense to just keep using responsibly the Morphine Medicine, and NOT have to suffer on with great daily Pain!
Do you see them taking away Insulin from Diabetics, or taking away Heart Medicine from people with Heart problems, or lowering their doses of Insulin and Heart Medicine to useless levels that do NOT work? NO- NOT at all, I didn’t think you could picture that!
But for us Blacklisted Severe Chronic Pain people, yeah they just take it from us.
Heck they wouldn’t dare do that to any other health problems, but to us less than a person people with Severe Chronic Pain- Hell yeah they just ruin our lives with a pissed off angry look, sometimes you get a sorry, and back to useless drugs for Pain, side effects galore, and suffering on as if it was a party.
Yes us less than a person Severe Chronic Pain people, we’re just punished as criminals (literally); and I didn’t even do this to myself, it was an illegally plastered drunk person driving an 18 wheeler truck- who caused a head on collision with a vehicle I was in when 18 years old (two friends killed 19 & 20 years old).
Wow- 37 years down the road and I’m still being punished for some other person’s drunken driving, and now I’m being punished for other people’s actions with Narcotic drugs, the drug addicts, etc., etc..
Myself using Morphine Medicine that a Pain Clinic and Pain Doctor- Thankfully saw the daily Hell I was existing in- started treating me with Morphine. Yes Morphine that saved my life! For just prior to this I was starting to lose my mind from Pain, which was caused by Severe Chronic Pain and that I had NO control over- it just was happening thanks to long torturous suffering and my mind had just had enough. But thankfully just then, is when they finally started to allow people with Severe Chronic Pain to be treated with Morphine, which saved my life!
But now in these present days, they are all going back to the old ways, I’m hearing them talk the same way as they use to talk. Being treated the same way- as less than a person and NO MORE Morphine. Back to great Pain we go!
Yes all the professional people are bowing down to the LIES being again told about Morphine. The media preaching abut drug addicts 24/7, and what better way to program the public, to accept how us people with Severe Chronic Pain will be treated- as if we are drug addicts. Heck we must be- I saw it on the news in relation to- I think it wad Sever Chronic Pain. Yeah it must be Severe Chronic Pain- I saw it on the news I think?
And now the 100mg of Morphine is just going to magically work for everyone and their Pain problem (like telling everyone with an engine- Hey all you need is one quart of oil and all will be good and fine for your engine!
Yet with my injuries and what my Severe Chronic Pain is, and my using Morphine on a continual basis as needs to be done for myself to have any kind of life- 100mg does NOT work! It doesn’t even faze my neck, face, head, upper body, arms, and hands Pain. If it did, don’t you think I would be using such a ludicrous idea dosage in the first place?
Even lowering my present dosage, all I got from it was great Pain from it, and my using Morphine and all I know in relation to my body and Pain- that it is a proven fact that the 100mg level is nothing more than a bogus LIE to just let the public think they’re doing something for us and will all be okay like that one quart of oil in your eight cylinder 440 engine!
They lie about it, so those in Government can just easily solve their problem at our expense- us people with Severe Chronic Pain. You know- just screw us Blacklisted people with Severe Chronic Pain, along with the drug addicts- just throw us all in that same big basket labeled “Bad People who are all drug addicts.” It works- so they won’t have to do the work, to where us people with Severe Chronic Pain can continue to use the correct dosage of Morphine that we need to use and have used responsibly for like sometimes as much as 25 years. To have any kind of a life thanks to the Pain being properly eased, and then able to live and have somewhat of a life.
But like they are doing instead, which is to Just throw all of us- both us with Severe Chronic Pain and those who are drug addicts and/or those who deal with illegal drugs- we’re all just thrown in that same big basket. Then they take strong Narcotic Medicines away from us Blacklisted Severe Chronic Pain people (100mg dose same as taking Morphine away from us, as like I said- 100mg of Morphine DOES NOT WORK for my C1-C2 neck fusion Pain).
And there you go- the Government easily solves their problem at our expense, us the Blacklisted Severe Chronic Pain people!
They ruin my life once again, and act like they’ve done nothing wrong. And their lives go on, but NOT my life.
David
Selma Orogan
Been suffering with heart spasms for 30 years.
And taking Lorazepam off and on with no problem of addiction to help sleep.
Moved from Washington to Oregon and can no longer get my meds.
Some nights I get no sleep and feel horrible the next day, impossible to hold a job down.
Taking medication away from someone who needs it is the same thing as murder.
And should be sentenced.
Deb
Mn
I’m in constant pain all the time even when I do take my pain killers. They help some as long as I sit down and don’t move to help my back. If I didn’t have them I would kill myself to be honest. I wouldn’t live like this as I’m barely hanging on now even with the pain killers. They help to cope with it but don’t take it away. I couldn’t even imagine trying to get thru without it I’d be in constant pain!
Tab
TN
This decision the DEA made to change the ‘rules’ – guidelines for the pain patients to follow- across this land of ours- has negatively impacted each and every single one of us. Despite any and all recommendations and strong suggestions from experts in the pain management field – the DEA, CDC, and the large majority of politicians and , of course, the media , do not and will not listen to the FACTS that we do have rights that are basically being completely ignored.
I wonder aloud when these folks got together and decided to start cutting people meds down or off – I wonder – if they even for one moment- thought- even considered- what would happen in this aftermath. Well for example- heroin reemerging as epidemic. From every corner of this country- big cities to small rural communities.This -epidemic- I believe- is a direct result of the DEA, CDC , and the talking heads. All in the twisted belief they are trying to save us from ourselves.
Another sickening result of this action is out there- tonight- somewhere- someone cannot take the pain of chronic undertreated- dropped treatment- or simply no help whatsoever- pain one more day/ night and has made that life ending decision, rather than to face another moment of the hopelessness and desperation.
Thank you -DEA,CDC and you other important overachievers- thank you for thinking so much about us!
Nancy
California
I am a 70 year old cancer patient. I am so afraid my hydrocodone will not be filled with my new part D provider aarp/uhc.
I really keep to the prescribed dosage. I have a wonderful Doctor, but am afraid I won’t be able to get them any longer. Does anyone have experience with the part D providers?
Suffering2much
Oregon
I believe a lot of us suffering and no longer able to have a little relief will find the ultimate relief for their pain=death…I’ve thought of this numerous times…
I wonder how many of us suffering pain 24/7 will end up taking their own lives because the DEA is trying to control how much and who can get pain meds.
This is so wrong on every level.
Phyllis
Muskegon, Mi.
People on the streets will find their own means possible to get their fix. Whether they buy norcos from people or not. I never sold them. I need them. I still need them. But I won’t get them anymore.
Take an aspirin? Yeah ok! Guess I will start doing street drugs.. J/k ….but yea This crap they are pulling to “save” people on the streets or overdosing is hurting more of the good people who actually really need it !!! Peace and good luck to all…
Debra
Texas
Well, I’m confused and scared. I don’t know what these promoters of this bill and the ones that passed it expect people in chronic pain to do. If you have chronic pain, you can’t move, e.g., go to the bathroom, get out of bed, cook, go to the store, take a shower or bath without the life giving opiates that help so very much. These are not lofty goals, these are the necessities of life. If I don’t have these pain med’s, I can’t even rest or sit down. What are we going to do? They don’t realize that we need them to be able to live.
I don’t get a high off of these drug’s, I just can barely control my pain enough to have quality of life. I’m 61, have Rheumatoid Arthritis, OsteoArthritis, Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s Syndrome, a knee that needs surgery and back problem’s. Why are they putting the lives of addicts over the lives of people with real chronic pain needs?
My Dr. knows what is best for me, and I signed a contract to take them only as prescribed, nothing illegal, only see one Dr., and to take a urine test every time I go see him so they know what I’m taking. I would not be able to live without that relief from pain.
We need to all stand together and let them know that we have a right not to suffer. I am worried for all of us, I hope they realize we are not going to be able to live and function without thes lifegiving chronic pain meds. These opiates have a very vital use and are a necessity for some. The people that abuse the opiates and heaven forbid heroin should not keep the people that are being responsible from having access to the medicine that helps us so much. Nobody should be taking heroin, Dr’s should be able to prescribe the opiates to people that need to have relief from horrible pain, and are willing and able to be responsible enough to take them as directed. It would be like keeping an epicenter from someone with an extreme allergy! Please be logical and caring to people with chronic pain. It could happen to anyone, an accident, a diagnosis of a painful disease could happen to anyone any day. You could need access to this pain killing medicine at anytime.
We need to start talking to Congress and our Dr’s. to see what we can do to help people understand that we shouldn’t suffer because a group of people chose to make a bad decision and take drugs they didn’t need.
I worked two and three jobs all my life, and still would be if I had not gotten these diseases. I’m afraid some people in chronic pain will be in so much pain they might want to end it all!
Please help the Chronic Pain sufferers! We need access to this painkilling medicine.
ramona
ca,united states
How about we just beat them with a broom stick on their spine or where we are hurt, every day, every hour and see how long they can last on just Tylenol or Motrin, stupid people, if you do not have it do not make it harder than it already is.
I have a lot of spine surgery coming up and no help after that either let alone the nerve pain from cervical stenosis and deteriorating spinal discs, and other things, I swear someday I feel like risking going to jail for telling off a dr. cause they do not believe you, those of you who are blessed to not have to live in horrible to just barable with the meds, stop makeing it harder for us that do.
Sue
Alabama
IMHO this is not about overdosing or anything else the DEA has said. The government wants all of under there control. If you can’t work, are poor have no insurance are old. You are of no value, what better way for them to get rid of us, people in pain.
How many will turn to the streets to find relief, how many will commit suicide?
If this were truly what they said it was about, they would go after alcohol.
The figures of od’s from opiods how many include heroin, not just prescription pain meds like they say. I smell a rat.
Hope this make scene.
Janet
TEXAS
I think this is really sad people who need pain medications who are in severe pain then u got these dope heads that get pain medication and sell it. I’m beyond sick I can’t even have a life or get out of bed my back is so bad off I have 4 herniated discs I have nerve damage in my right leg I have severe migraine head aches. I’m scared to death might as well be dead if I don’t have my pain medications to do this to the ones in pain and need their medication u people should be ashamed of y’all’s self’s…
Casey
FL
I think those of us with chronic pain are definitely the ones who suffer from the actions of the DEA and FDC. I have suffered with excruciating pain for many years. I have had 5 lumbar spine surgeries, and in the last one my spine was fused. My neck had to be fused as well. Last summer I was in a car accident when a woman ran a red light and t-boned my car. Luckily I didn’t suffer a BAD injury but getting hit definitely made me worse. I go to pain management every 3 months for injections in my back but honestly, it hasn’t helped any, and for the past few months the pain has gotten horrible.
I do get a small amount of pain medication, but I still have a very hard time doing anything. Other doctors are so rude and judgmental when I tell them what meds I take, and I am presently looking for a better doctor. I have lost faith in the medical field.
I had a relative who also suffered and had lost her insurance so she turned to alcohol. She got sober again but bought the only thing that she thought would help and that was goody powders. She took a lot. Well,she got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital and had multiple holes in her stomach and intestines. She put up a good fight but she passed away after being in the hospital for almost 10 months.
if the DEA wants to crack down, they should do it in other ways that should never make us suffer. This all has made me more depressed and have a lot of anxiety.
Debi
Detroit
I worked hard for 25 years untill a severe back injury at work caused the end to my career. I now have several spinal fusions and stenois, arthritis and 2 more buldging discs. The pain in my legs and arms some days is unbareable and I cry all day. I do pt as much as I can but for me to continue to excerise i need the added help.
My insurance is a joke, they tell me what I can take and cant and what does work isnt covered so those of us on disability cannot win. As winter months are setting in i can barely move and I wonder if any of the CDC will be by to help with the snow or run to the store for groceries as I lay in bed in pain? Im so very disscusted with our goverment……not to mention that they have removed so many of the older pain killers that you are very limited to you may be able to get. I give up!
Charles M
Virginia
It was done to me and now I am living a hell I never thought I would ever go through. Suicide goes through my mind daily now.
Amy
NM
What will happen with this new president Mr. Trump. Is there any hope that we with chronic pain will be able to get treatment again or is it a lost hope? Please what are peoples response to what I have written. I’m afraid that I will be refused all treatment.
Todd
Maine
My journey with chronic pain has lasted over 20 years from a childhood lower back injury and now psoriatic arthritis.
About five years ago I was fortunate enough to get accepted by the lead doctor at my local healthcare facility after my physicians assistant retired and I had no other doctor to care for me. This man worked very hard to find just the right amount of pain medications that work for me so that instead of spending most of my days in bed or on the couch I was able to build my own recording studio in the basement of my house. It took five years and a whole lot of blood sweat and tears to get it done but I was able to do it because I had the proper pain management tools to get me through 8 to 10 hour days of labor doing something I always dreamed of doing. I just completed the studio a few months ago right around the time I was told that I would likely be losing most of the medication that I rely on every single day to get out of bed and be productive. Almost 3 months later after working so hard to build this recording studio and all the effort time and money I put into it, it’s just going to sit there and do nothing because that’s all I can do now.
I also reunited with my ex-wife a year and a half ago, we have been having a great time going places and doing things together and everything has it felt like it’s going to actually work again but now instead of taking her places and doing things with her I am starting to become a burden to her. Not only do I not feel well enough to go anywhere or do anything anymore but I catch myself complaining constantly about the pain I’m in now without even realizing just how annoying this can be for somebody who’s heard it over and over again.
She’s been very good about helping me along during this tough time but I have not been able to keep the house clean and do all the projects that need doing and she works full-time. Now I am almost certain that I’m going to lose her again because what she wanted was the person I was a year and a half ago when we were active and I was doing my part day in and day out.
Now not only am I about to lose this small business that I’ve wanted to have all my life but I’m also going to lose the woman that I’ve wanted to have all my life as well because of a high that I don’t understand and government that is now in the business of torturing honest law-abiding chronic pain patients simply for being in debilitating pain during the latest abuse epidemic.
Opiates have been something mankind has used for thousands of years because it’s extremely effective and safe if used responsibly, to see the CDC spewing out misinformation and lies to the American public to justify whatever their agenda is these days is inexcusable. I could go on and on about how many ways this whole thing is just terribly wrong but this is my new reality and I’m terrified that at the age of 45 my life is essentially over because I don’t want to live every day in this prison that is my own body.
Lora
Florida
Drug addicts, will always find a way to get drugs on the streets as they always have. I have m.s. and Im in a lot of pain. I first was given oxycodone, it didn’t help and only made me tired. Then on hydrocodone for the past 5yrs. It helps my pain. The reason drug addicts take it is because they have reaction of euphoria, and feel buzzed. That’s a neg side effects. Why don’t Dr.s give everyone a drug test. And not give them to people with no papers to show they don’t have m.s. or cancer, or another medical conditions that proves they need them, instead of making me suffer so bad. I’m 63yrs old, also have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, 2 bulged dics and a herniated disc in my neck. I’m now on ibuprofen, I’m having pains in my side in the liver area. Also stomach pain, my nerves are shot because, it’s impossible to get help. But now Florida has past the law that people can get medical marijuana. Why, when before it became legal it has been known to cause addiction. I’m not saying i wouldn’t use it. But there is no way I can get a card for it from my dr. or any other dr. I was told to go to pain management. They wont take NY medicare or medicaid. I’m on disability. I read some anti-inflammatory drugs are dangerous because they can cause heart attack and strokes. I already had a stroke. So why don’t they just give everyone a drug test at the dr. Office??? It’s all about drug addicts, and no help for people who really need it. It’s like I’m being punished. It’s not right!!
Dave
Florida
I have been on high doses of opioids, 2 times a day, for 25 years and concomitantly on klonopin and baclofen. I have had 23 major operations. I was still having pain but was able to work and have some quality of life with family. I have been shot with a 12ga in the neck and back of the head, broke my back with multiple herniation’s and bone spurs, shattered pelvis, and have titanium plates and screws in my pelvis and a rod and screws in my tibia.
I was surviving. Now I had to be reduced to a level that my doctors call a joke. One’s actual quote was, “That is piss in the wind”. I never sold, gave away, or abused any meds. So, I have to suffer in a hell with no quality of life after some government bureaucrats decide this is the answer to drug addicts and people living off selling their medication?
Seriously, I think just ending my life would be much better that laying around unable to work, unable to pay my bills, and no quality of life period. My family also has to suffer the consequences of these guidelines which will end up making me homeless. This is the whole reason that the medication was made easier to acquire in the first place. I see former pain patients with no alternatives turning to the street for drugs like heroin with unknown ingredients like fentanyl added that is killing people. I hate to say it, but the next problem will be the import of pain medications which will be sold on the street. The government assured the demand is there for people suffering. Instead of being treated professionally with known clean pharmaceuticals, they force people into criminal activity or death. I would love to let them find out how absolutely mean and sorry they are when they need pain management and are given a 3 day supply. Complete idiots!
Gaylene
Denver, Co
I’ve lupus pain from fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis migraines and my pain management doctor took me totally off my ex husband started shooting me up with Heroin so I wouldn’t pain now I’m detoxing off of that on top of everything else somebody help give me a doctor here in Colorado that helps.
Cheryl
Oregon
My name is Cheryl I am a chronic pain suffer, I have been on pain meds for 15 + yrs. My husband passed due to brain cancer in 2010, I did all his care including hospice. I would not have been able to do it with out the pain meds that I was prescribed by my dr after jumping through many hoops and being deemed disabled, and disabled I am, however the pain medication gave me a huge part of my life back and gave me the ability to do the simple things like laundry, and some cooking.
I was so very thankful! But last summer with the DEAs new guidelines my dr. Informed me that he had to take away most of what I was receiving for pain. Now if that was not bad enough He pushed me over the cliff with no consideration of the withdrawals one goes through in having to be forced into DEAs new guidelines. I had been on the same dosage for 10 yrs with no increase and had always complied with my pain management contract. My life is now going downhill as I can’t deal with the pain and the depression that I now have because I now deal with thoughts of ending my own life and what options there are to deal with the pain?
I live in Oregon and I’m willing to bet that they would help me end my own life but our laws are such that me and others suffering like me can’t get the help we need to LIVE…. There’s something really wrong when there are people that have that much power over our life’s but I’m willing to bet that they can get whatever they want for their pain, after all what high up person that said and I quote “there’s nothing wrong with a person doing a little blow” meaning cocaine. Really go look it up to see who said it.
What a messed up country we have become that like my dr. Told me because people have abused pain medication WE ALL HAVE TO SUFFER! And suffering we are. Blessings to all you that are suffering under DEAs decision to make us all pay the consiquences …Cheryl
Dan G.
Monroe C. Mich,
I’m a Viet Nam veteran disabled 100% S.C. loss of use both lower extremities from agent Orange. The pain is in my hands, back and more. As a 28 year long term on opiates down to 30 mg now I’m bed ridden, clothes don’t fit from being immobile. This isn’t life. I want out but I can’t for my family. Unbelievable pain but my heart hurts so, it’s broken
jose
I too have being suffering from severe spinal stenosis pain and was able to have a semi-normal quality of life while taking hydrocodone 10 six times a day as long as I did not exceed more than that and also 1 thirty mil. of morphine twice a day for the last ten years. I was able to continue to keep up with daily activities like yard work, 4 mile walks and help out in housework. I have no idea what an over doze is like because I never abused my meds. I also dont drink or smoke. Two monthes ago I was told by my dr. the law has changed that he was required to cut down my dosage gradually within next 3 monthes from 6 pills per day to 4 then 2 and eventually to 0! Well now I’m down to 2 hydros a day and already feeling the severe pain again. Not only that, I am now depressed and have no social life and feel helpless. Thanks to some group I have never met before and never will. My dr is just a puppet now.
Patty
Florida
Have been contemplating leaving this country…. not because Donald Trump has become our president elect but because I have lived in chronic pain now for almost 15 years. I have Interstitial cystitis, a failed spinal surgery which left me with broken screws in my neck. I have multiple problems with my spine but because I have osteopenia I have been unable to get a surgeon to even consider trying to fix my bone structure! What does that mean for me… It means lots of pain! I once had a career as a flight attendant where I took urine test on demand! I am anything but a drug addict but believe me I am in pain! More days than not I don’t even get out of bed as they have cut back my medications to this point!!!!
I have looked at countries where drugs are legal… This is not what I want! I want to find a country that believes in treating a patient with the medication that they need… Keeping in mind that there patient is a good patient; not using alcohol tobacco or any other drugs except those that were prescribed for them! I don’t know where this place is but in this big wide world it must be here! In the many years that I have been on narcotics I have never overdose I have never lost my medications and I have never asked for a refill early! Why is it then but I am getting only 1/4 of the Breakthrough pain medication that I once was able to take! Dear God I don’t wonder why I’m in bed all this time… I just wonder why they have done this to me/us!
Debbie
Houston
I have been receiving SSD for 10 years for chronic pain. I worked for 15 plus years dealing with this pain before not being able to handle my impossible circumstance any longer. It was the result of an automobile accident. I have a titanium brace and 8 screws in my cervical spine. I have also had lumbar surgery. I despise pity. But last summer I slipped on a wet floor and fell. I am so used to pain I didn’t realize I had fractured my hip. I continued to walk on it for 3 more days. Then my hip shattered from merely stepping over a 5 inch threshold.
During the four month wait between the first (failed) surgery and second I was required to visit pain management. Since I was already seeing a pain management physician, neither surgeon prescribed medication except while in hospital. I was in a wheelchair and just callously handed a cup to urinate in. Being a 59 year old female with a shattered hip this was pretty much impossible. Three uncompassionate, uneducated staff members stared blankly at me. Before they snapped to issue a mouth swab. Total cruel humiliation.
The irony is the closest I have come to relief from neck pain, was when the physician added extra medication for the shattered hip. When the hip mended as much it ever will. The medication was no longer prescribed.
This WAR on US Citizens is an abomination. How many of these overdoses are actually suicides by people who are ostracized for simply being in pain and can’t take it anymore.
Tammy
Indiana
I’m also a cronic pain suffer! I have a hip with no cushion left and have fibomylgia as well!! Why do we have to suffer due to drug abuse! I take my medications as prescient and have never asked for more! If they are so concerned, then have us to do a urine test every month! All this is going to accomplish is more methlabs and cocaine!!
I would not wish cronic pain on anyone!! My life is so altered now! I do not enjoy life or doing anything any more!! You can bet if someone in our Government needed pain medication, they would sure get it!! There are so many good people out there that need help!! So we need to take a stand together and get this changed!
Patrick
New Jersey
I have had chronic pain for years, due to spinal stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica, diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I have been on Percocet for well over a year. I don’t even take it every day, but when I need it, I need it.
I am not a candidate for surgery and therefore rely on my pain medication to help me get thru the day when my pain is at its worst. It helps me to function and get things done, otherwise I have to lay in bed in a fetal position to help diminish the pain. I do not abuse my pain medication, but I still continue to need it. Now I hear that doctors are discouraged from prescribing it. What is someone like me supposed to do? Suffer? I guess so. And you don’t get a lot of sympathy from the doctors either.
Bree
Michigan
I know what is pain, I have been on Methadone HCl 10 mg 6 pills a day for going on 10 years, plate in neck, lower back 3 disk out and have had 7 other surgeries because of the work I did and I’m on SSI now, I can’t stand, sit, lay down or walk, all of this is in small amounts.
My now husband has gotten me a bench that I hang upside down on. Use it daily. I have done everything with my (Meds) that I was to do and any test doctors ask me to do, today doc tells me that he is going to cut me back on Meds from 180 a month to 150 today and next month even MORE.
As of Jan 1, 2017 to only 200 mg a month from 1800 mg , this is not far to people that are in REAL BAD pain.
Nov 17, 2016. Things can’t go this way. People in really bad pain my take their life because of the pain and nothing for it or maybe something else. How can we let them do this to use? We need to help change the law for all of the people!! Amen ?
Karen B
Massachusetts (MA)
This law is out of gear….pain meds are monitored by computers from drs to pharmacy’s so there is no double dipping…common sense….I have lived in pain with motorcycle accident, broken back, fibromyalgia, arthritis, shingles, knee surgery, and more…I may take opioids, but I am not an addict…I take when needed, never sell that is jail time.
I lived with an addict so aware of signs…not jinxing like drug addicts….I could go on and on, but the quality of life is not in our lives. If anything, I forsee suicides. The problem is heroin. Do something about that than to take our dignity away cuz someone opts to put needle in their arm. That’s an addict.
Computerized has come a long ways and drs can check on patients filling scripts so what is the problem? Let us die in pain??? People worry about overdoses and I can understand that, but why am I punished for their actions?
I think this whole matter needs some more monitoring than to shut chronic pain patients off and cancer patients you allow to die in pain. America, get a grip.
Cheryl
Puyallup
I am speechless at reading these posts. I am very sad for these people, I have had chronic pain 8 years now, but recently has worsened horribly the last time I was on a pain medication regiment was years ago and I received the help I needed. I have lost about 20 lbs in the past year due to my pain i cant continue to loose more weight im down to nothing. I have yet to receive any medication even going through pain management and therapy. I feel no one understands and just looks at me like ive lost my mind or i have 2 heads. I have no help, no hope and no energy to go on, but I have to. I understand now so much more than i ever have what Chronic Pain is. This needs to be understood people need to be educated, doctors especially and it needs to be handled, its inhumane, evil and UNECEPTABLE! !! I cant say anymore.. :(((( sigh
Nameless to the government
Missouri
Like the comment by Lorrayna from Indiana I have suffered with pain from a spinal injury, after over 7 years of pain management my Dr found cannabis in my system. I was trying it to gain some weight back I’ve lost over 50 pounds in the last 7 years and I was already skinny when they started. now he sent a letter stating he will not treat me anymore and I know what I will suffer when my current prescription Runs Out and I intend to in my life I will not live this way. So for everyone out there suffering there is always a way out. I wish the rest of you the best of luck
Alex
Rochester MN
Lost 8 fingers in explosion in 2007, I have never asked for painkillers until recently and I can’t get anything. I’m 27 I don’t want to live the rest of my life in pain, I’m not a science project you just piece together and forget about.
Lorrayna
Indiana
I am a 69 year old woman with chronic back pain from stress fracture and stenosis in my spine. Hydrocodone means the difference in me being able to function and do things with my grandchildren or just sitting. I never abuse the drug or try to fill it early nor would I ever think of selling it. It’s not fair for some abusers to ruin it for legitimate people like me. The government does not understand the difference between having a life and just sitting. Please change this law. The abusers are still going to get their drugs illegally and we honest people are going to suffer!
Cynthia
Royalton Minnesota
I was diagnosed with AIDS and have really bad neuropathy and on top of it I have had 2 knees replaced and a back surgery. I wonder how they can tell us that we no longer need pain medications. I think it is unconstitutional.
Dennis
Michigan
While I only have 1 failed surgery, my surgeon’s advice was to deal with the pain as long as possible. As the surgery he is advising is complicated, painful and long recovery time. Meanwhile, my pain management Dr put me on 300 mgs of oxycodone,and 45 mgs of percocet/ breakthrough pain for last ten years. Never abused, ran out, or sold my meds.
I was just able to do limited day to day activities. Today I was told I will only be allowed 60mgs of percocet a day. I can only hope the motors that are behind this bullying of drs. Some day soon go through half the pain I went through,while I was on my meds. I’m honestly not sure how long I’ll last before the inevitable takes place ?????. If you know what I mean. Everything was fine I was getting by at least, now who knows.
shannon
north phx
I lived my life in total horror when I was misdiagnosed. The doctors told me I was constipated, and I needed to go home and do sit-ups to work out more. The whole time I had a blood tumor (plasmacytoma) and blood cancer for over a year. Finally my back gave in because the tumor had eaten up my thoracic spine. I was paralyzed.
Christmas of 2014 I was carried to the car for 10th trip to the E.R. This time I couldn’t walk. The doctor pinched my toes and asked if I could feel anything. I looked at him and said, “No!!!” From that night to Christmas morning I underwent emergency surgery. When the doctor cut me from between my shoulder blades to the small of my back he finally discovered my blood tumor with blood cancer. When I awoke I was told of the tumor the and the biopsy came back positive for cancer.
I had to learn how to walk all over again, and I couldn’t even hold my bowels. I am a very strong woman. I did my therapy everyday and still do. I am able to walk today. The surgery seemed fine until 6 months went by, and my hardware had came apart. A MRSA infection had come back. I was never sent home with antibiotics. The doctor poked at the hardware popping out at the shoulder blade and said to me, “It doesn’t look infected to me” and sent me on my way.
I was in that awful pain I had felt before i went to Banner Hospital, and they admitted me 3 days later. They told me they had to take part of my rib bone and graft it to my thoracic spine because the infection ate my spine away. Two doctors performed a 3-part surgery in 12 hours–hardware removal, spinal graft, and bigger, better hardware to put in. I now have 10 bolts, a spinal graft, and a spinal fusion. Plus a piece of my rib was taken to make bone for my spine.
Now can someone please tell me why, at age 35 and in pain everyday with a rare incident like this, this new law should apply to me? I hear these stories on this site, and it makes me sad. I want to cry. I know what this feels like: not much to look forward to because you can’t enjoy a thing when you live in this kind of pain. We did not choose to have our lives end up this way but they did. Now I pray to God to just take this pain away, please, but it never goes away.
This world is going to be full of some very pissed off, angry, and hurt people that hate life because they live in so much pain. Thanks a lot, D.E.A. I bet you think you’re doing good. Believe me it’s going to blow up right in your face.
Matt
Boston
I am a 90% disabled veteran that lives in chronic pain due to my service- connected injuries. After I got out I saw a private doctor (non VA) and was described 100 pills at a time to last me 3-4 months. Since then I have had to switch to the VA, and my life has become a nightmare. They refused to honor my private doctor’s request and refused me any pain medicine that is stronger than Ibuprofen.
Well today I had surgery (again), and I assumed with something so painful that they would at least give me a few days’ supply of pain medicine. Instead they “gave me permission to take Tylenol.” Seriously? You cut me open and then tell me I can take an over-the-counter medicine that I don’t need a prescription for.
When I originally switched over to the VA I had to get my cannabis card because there was no other way for me to deal with the chronic pain, and it has helped a lot to be honest. But after surgery there is a new type of pain that marijuana or tylenol wont even touch. I have been in so much pain today that I feel like my head is on fire, and I can’t even sit still and just want to yell at everything for no reason as the pain has made me into an insane person at this point.
I called the VA and they basically told me to go wait in a VA Emergency room that is not only hours away but is also only accessible by car, and even then they have never given me a single thing other than Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Today I thought about trying heroin for the first time out of desperation. Luckily, I don’t know anyone who does that stuff, as I really only use marijuana for pain and thats it. I know that trying heroin would probably make me an addict but I don’t know where else to turn, as this has become completely ridiculous.
The government wonders why we have such a heroin epidemic. Well it’s because they force people like us to turn to such measures out of desperation. Now I am a graduate student and ex-law enforcement/military and should know better. But if I have another day like today I don’t know what I will do. We have a heroin epidemic because our government stopped giving out pain medicine. It doesn’t matter if you are an addict, or if you are a 90% disabled vet after just having surgery, as they now treat everyone as drug addicts.
This is a disgrace, and I am honestly thinking of turning to the law for help. Especially when medical marijuana is expensive and is still illegal federally so the VA won’t assist me with those costs at all. What the government doesn’t realize is those who are going to do heroin will still do heroin. Those who can’t have access to pain pills to control their addiction will also turn to heroin. And then there are guys like me, who wrote a blank check to the government worth up to the amount of my life over some war over nothing.
It is not rocket science as to why the heroin epidemic is at an all time high as this crazy epidemic has never been worse and started around the same time the government started cracking down on giving out pain pills. With many more surgeries to come, I guess my life is about suffering from here on out. That or turning to heroin or alcoholism because that seems to be the only outlet for people who are in serious pain. I haven’t had a drink in years and never tried heroin, but I guess those are what the government has provided me for options. No wonder why we have an epidemic.
This is disgusting on every level, and I am now deeply ashamed for serving my country. I served (as a combat vet btw) during a time of war because I felt it was my sacred duty. Now I wonder where is the sacred duty to take care of our veterans that were lucky enough to come home. Has anyone seen it? Because I sure have not. This is causing more problems than fixing them, and I have had enough of living my life in chronic pain from service-connected wounds.
It is already completely unacceptable the way they treat us as veterans, but now we can’t even get the adequate pain medicine we need after a legitimate surgery because a couple of dopes abuse their medication. This is not right. Especially when I only needed like 10 Vicodin to get me through the worst couple of days. I am tired of always fighting through the pain, especially when there are options out there that were working just fine. I guess now I am also being punished like everyone else on here. Incompetence at its finest.
David
Florida
I was on opioids for several years due to cervical stenosis, hip injury, lumbar/sciatica nerve pain, and fibromyalgia. This nightmare first began with an all-over body pain that was so debilitating that I could barely get to the bathroom in the morning, followed by a kind of guinea-pig relationship through the major historical changes gradually evolving from the pharmaceutical industry. From Loratab to 500s, and then to whatever one could find that might ease the agony, was the journey. The yellow hydrocodones that came out a couple of years ago with a “v” on one side and the number 3601 caused me terrible bladder incontinence, and all those that have followed since have increased the tinnitus I acquired (due to artillery fire) to rise to unbearable heights. I now don’t know what to turn to.
What is next? Some folks have taken to Kratom, but I don’t think it is effective at all, unless the quality is different from seller to seller. But then, what else is out there? Ant-depressants cause an increase in tinnitus and terrible digestive troubles due to having IBS.
So what are we who suffer so greatly supposed to do? I am thinking this state’s election results will approve cannabis, which, as I see it, will be everyone’s next move, since there isn’t anything else to help. Maybe, just maybe, it will allow for some real relief.
Rock
Texas
My treatment for Stage 3 colon cancer left me with severe neuropathy in both feet and legs. Gabapentin does a fair job however at night 1O mgs of hydrocodone often means the difference between rest and no rest. Lyrica isn’t any better. Now to get 30/10mgs I have to see the Dr. every month and if my regular pharmacy is out, I can’t get a partial and am literally treated like a criminal if I go to one of the big boys like Walgreens or Walmart. The new law will do nothing but make outlaws out of ordinarily law abiding citizens. Fodder for the prison/ industrial complex opening a new chapter in the war on drugs.
Mark
Wisconsin
I sure hope these stories of struggle do not fall on deaf ears, as there is a common message which is very important. That message lies beneath the frustration and anger, that is people who use this medication regardless of length cannot comprehend the use other than medical! The person who is dependent upon this drug for there medical reason takes to reduce the pain so they may resemble a quality of life acceptable to them, and to say they are taking otherwise is impossible to comprehend!
I pray that someone with influence receives these messages and swallow some pride before karma comes and bites you in the ars! If not, I hope you can sleep well knowing the suffering are either looking elsewhere or worse yet continue to take their own lives! This is a fact as this has become your war on drugs as you are cowards and a failure to our society!
Ronald Crafton
North Carolina
I think that these idiots that are making the decisions on pain meds should have to suffer from chronic pain the way I do and then they would know what cronic pain feels like. I don’t abuse or take more than I am supposed to and never have. They have no right taking the quality of life away from people with chronic pain.
Mark
Wisconsin
Hey DEA, why don’t you do something about all the drug dealers who line the streets and infiltrate our society causing more harm not just to the addict but also his/hers entire family! These dealers sell to known addicts as well as ones who are under the influence when buying! Yes, I am talking about liquor stores, bars, sporting events, etc,. I know many families including mine who’s life has been negatively impacted by this drug! And when did you stop using the mandatory wording “Alcohol & Other Drugs” as I was taught when I earned my health degree!
What you are doing is exactly the battle we have in our schools, and that is “Bullying”! The facts prove alcohol abuse is a major problem with no prejudice and what do you do, you make it more convenient to conceal by approving it in a powder form! You are nothing but bullies who failed miserably on the real war on drugs so now you wage war on a already legal drug! Oh, by the way if use of pain medication is up an educated person may contribute that to the age of our baby boomers!
Crystal
Sewell, NJ
It truly breaks my heart to read these horror stories. The DEA is out of control. Their ability to have such control not only over the treatment that a physician provides, but also over the pharmacies is unjust. The DEA agency has went from being a concerned entity that used their resources to close down for profit “pill mills” & doctors abusing their position, to now being bullies! They have completely overstepped their bounds in an effort to end opioid abuse & misuse.
As for the legitimate pain patient that relies on prescription narcotics to live & function on a daily basis, or the cancer patient that’s suffering through torturous chemo & surgical treatment, well… they have been forgotten & placed in the same category as the addicted abuser basically being told “you don’t need it, Motrin & Physical Therapy or maybe some acupuncture that will treat your pain.
The physicians are scared to treat their patients, the pharmacists are scared to fill the prescriptions, & the patient suffers, while the addict simply turns to heroin. The DEA & the FDA have it all wrong, & they’re continuing to restrict physicians & pharmacies in an effort to stomp out an epidemic, what they don’t realize is they’ve done so much more harm than good. Lord help us because nobody else will.
SSS
Clovis, NM
I have been taking hydrocodones10/325 and Oxycodone15 for 9 years due to anal cancer, and other maladies. My doctor has left the state and I am bedridden and unable to seek another doctor. In my feeble condition I fear I am facing a brutal death due to the horrible withdrawals I am facing, How can I be helped?
DSN
Michigan
I have required 24-hr opioid pain medication for several years now. After multiple surgeries on my spine and elsewhere—plus a debilitating Degenerative Joint Disease—pain medication is what keeps me living my life as normal as possible.
Without the help of pain medications, I would not be able to work part-time (I am disabled), I would not be able to function. In fact, I would much rather not be alive at all if I were forced to live with the pain. I still have the steroid/cortisone injections in my joints regularly, and that does help. But I still require the pain medicine to function.
My pain management doctor has been drastically reducing me saying there is a kidney malfunction epidemic because of opioid use. He is scared to death of losing his license. Now he doesn’t do what he is paid to do—he actually makes the problem worse.
Why the hell is my pain management doctor trying to tell me I don’t need pain medicine after my shoulder surgery just because his father had the same surgery and didn’t need anything at all for pain?!? My mother died a few years ago at 82 years old. She was paraplegic and had required pain medications for decades. DECADES! And she never had any kidney problems or other problems that the CDC is scaring up.
Why are some of these doctors forcing drastic medication cuts for those of us who legitimately need the pain medication? This is cruel and inhumane!! If there is a drug problem, then go after the people who abuse it—leave those of us with legitimate needs alone.
V
Albuq nm
I’m currently on pain management for a recalled abdominal mesh implant. Over 7 surgeries,slipped disks and stenosis. Oh, on tip of all that my blood pressure is going through the roof because my Dr is afraid to change my meds around. I am furious. Save the heart and treat the pain.
Craig
Lansing
I think the whole system is messed up. I have had severe degenerative disc disease for years now also rumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, spina bifida and have been on Narco for 5 years. I have also tried everything else, and nothing works.
There is lots of information out there about Norco, and there is nothing that says it will ruin your liver if you take it as prescribed. I am prescribed 2 every 4 to 6 hrs! My doctor went to another state to practice because he got fed up with the state I live in. They just completely cut me off from 8 per day to 0. Do they even understand how chronic pain works! You can’t get out of bed!
The people who regulate it don’t understand the first thing about this pain! My doctor talked to me for an entire hour about the way opiates work and even said they’re completely safe if you take them as prescribed! The insurance companies and the government have intruded so deeply into our lives that they are now dictating what the doctors can prescribe. Your doctor can’t even do his job anymore! These people think they know more about your body’s pain than your doctor advice about what works for you! I don’t know where to go or what to do.
I’m also on other meds that my doctor told me if I ever went off of all at once, I could have a seizure and die! Well my script runs out tomorrow, and I will now be faced with withdrawals and possibilities of dying. This is inhuman. I wouldn’t do this to my dog! I went to an outpatient ready care, and they turned me down! I guess I have to go to the hospital, which I can’t afford, and see what happens!
Jeffery D.
Alabama (AL)
I m 50 yrs old, I have had 5 back surgeries which include two fusions and I still have hardware now and have new problems at 3-4. I have been to two pain clinics in 7 yrs. I started on lortab and fexaril up to 300 mg of morphine to now fentanyl patch 50mcd and 45mg of morphine . now their bringing me down to 37.5 and probably lower next mo. I was in a decent period of being able to go do stuff and not hurt to bad. the past month has been kinda up and down I’ve had hot flashes, yawning, sneezing and sick stomach from just a little drop.
My back pain has kept me inside more and mad a lot easier. How can an agency that works for us be able to treat us like we’re criminals, and get away with it? There has to be a group of pain sufferers that can go speak out against this torture, because that’s what we go through every day. they might stop a few over doses but the suicide rate will start to climb in the next couple yrs.
I hate to think I could get to that level of pain and depression that death is easier than living, but that’s gonna be the next epidemic in America I think.
Gary P.
My name is Gary,I have Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis in my back. I just had a major neck surgery where I had a steel plate and 8 screws inserted. I need 2 more major surgeries. One in the lumbar area where I need 2 steel rods and 6 screws plus another bone graph from my hip to replace 4 discs with. My sciatic nerve is completely crushed where it splits at the top of the buttocks.
I have shooting pains down my right leg and stabbing pains in my left thigh area. My left leg goes completely numb and is in horrible pain if I stand too much or walk very far. I also have a broken back at T 2 from the constant shift in my back. The surgeon wants to go in their and fasten 2 screws in to fasten it back together. I also have severe degenerative disc disease that runs the entire length of my back. Needless to say, I am in horrendous pain 24 hrs a day, seven days a week 365 days per year.
The only thing that enhances my already-miserable pain filled life is 3 15mg oxycodone tablets per day. Not an unreasonable amt for someone who is in as much pain as I am in. I wish the DEA or whomever is representing them in all these crazy laws could step into my shoes for 1 HOUR then they would KNOW what it feels like to experience this level of pain. I believe that each patient is an individual and should be treated accordingly rather than lumped into one basket of being referred to as an addict.
Kim M.
Medford OR
While I believe there does need to be a reduction in the amount of opiates prescribed, I also believe the medical community is behaving irresponsibly. People with a documented reason to need pain medication should be treated at a therapeutic level.
What happened to, “First do no harm?” Patients who are in desperate pain are committing suicide, using street drugs including heroin.
The CDC guidelines are just that: guidelines. The guidelines also ask doctors to educate their patients on the pitfalls and danger of opioids. I have neither experienced this nor heard of any patient receiving any education. What I see is the medical providers, after making billions over prescribing opiates, are now protecting themselves from liability at the expense of disabled people living every day in pain for years.
As one of those patients, I can tell you that at least for me, my not making natural endorphins is caused by inactivity and the pain meds when taken correctly relieve my pain to 80 to 90%.
First do no harm. While I am actually a patient who is happy to take less pain medication, I do not want to be reduced to the point of making me crazy with pain or being basically forced to implant a dangerous machine in my body. For those of us in pain remember this will not last forever, try to survive it. The other option is to organize and use the power of numbers to stand up for our rights. Good luck!
William
Goldsboro, NC
I live with chronic pain in my hip and knee. I am 52 yrs. old and am forced to do physical work since I was laid off in 2008. I live in a small town where it is very difficult to get hydrocodone. All I am asking for are 5mg tabs. These hillbilly doctors are scared to death by the overbearing DEA. There is a pain clinic that will prescribe hydrcodone but without insurance an office visit costs 350.00! Absured!
Timmy
Wv
Doctors and the government are now hated, they are known now as evil inhuman creatures that are killing and torturing the elderly and people who are hurt, by making them suffer in pain. I pray they get there legs and arms broke like I have, that way they can suffer. I pray they suffer 2 fold from all the lives they have ruined with there evil inhuman treatment of patients. I pray night and day they are banished to hel_. They are creatures. They are for ever hated. They ruined our country and it is now a third world torture hel_ hole all because of these inhuman pieces of trash creatures.
Lynlee
Indiana
This is a horrible outrage. I have been suffering for years with degenerative disc disease. which left me most of the time in my bed. I’ve also been cut off from my pain meds that I was getting for years. I read a lot of stories. My heart hurts so bad for all of us. I have lost most of my years in my forties. Now I’m going to be 56 October 29. Because I’m on Medicaid it’s almost impossible to get help. I also got shots in my lower back twice. It didn’t work. Something has to be done about this. There will be more suicides and black market drugs more than ever because of this. I’m at my wit’s end and also thought of ending my life a few times. I am a prisoner in my own body.
Please someone out there help us who truly are in chronic pain get the help and dignity we deserve. I’m sorry. I can’t help it that some rich kids took their parents’ or friends’ painkillers. So now we have to suffer. I say a class action law suit is needed to let the DEA know that every case is different. This is illegal human suffering! !! God bless you all.
Dana
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
I have had 4 surgeries in 3 years. I have been living with chronic back pain for 35 years now, and finally got a cervical fusion in 2014 and lumbar fusion in 2015, plus 2 shoulder surgeries. I have degenerative disks, bone spurs, and arthritis.
I take 3 oxycodone a day to keep my pain at bay, plus 2 to 4 Advil a day. It keeps me functioning but does not completely alleviate all pain, but I manage.
I have worked full time for 40 years (in pain!) and have had to cut back to part time for the past year due to pain.
I have only been taking pain meds for 3 years, but I thought I had finally gotten some much needed relief, and 3 a day is by no means abusing my meds!! Now I hear about the new law and I’m already panicking. I don’t know what I’m going to do, I thought I had finally found some help!!
Can someone please chime in and tell us chronic pain patients what we are to do??
Yes, I walk and stretch, and go to physical therapy also, but that will not be enough as soon as they cut me off completely!!
Anyone???
Alberto
california
Protest against our surgeon general Dr. Vivak Murthy he is only 37 years of age! Never Hurt! Let’s get him fired!,,,
Ariela
MD
Right now my anxiety level, lack of appetite (depression) is so high (and my blood pressure), that these are doing me more harm than my pain medication would. Cannot sleep, eat, enjoy anything in life, knowing I’m facing a certain decline in quality of life. I have fought this year, having 2 major joint replacements in less than three months to improve my quality of life – and now this – for what? My right shoulder will be shot in a years time, as well as my right knee and my left hip. Will just sit here until I wither away. Are ALL pain doctors afraid to stand up to the CDC ?
Tiffany
AMEN to Debbie from Maryland – we are going back to the prehistoric times (not even!!), where people are found guilty until proven innocent! For Roberto from MI, you can arm yourself with all of the guidelines your state has but if the doctors don’t want to lose their license by not complying with the guidelines, all the information in the world will not do you any good. And yes, I am one of those who is found to be guilty, simply because I’m a chronic pain patient – not because I abuse my medications. I am automatically guilty because I’m a pain patient !!
Tiffany
MI
I was born with congenital spondylolisthesis. It was fused when I was in my late 20s, and I did fairly well till I turned 50. I was diagnosed when I was 17 years old. My neurosurgeon cautioned me that I would have a great deal of problems when I got older. I now have advanced spondylolisthesis (above and below the fusion). I have had 2 laminectomies and a spinal fusion, have degenerative disc disease, SYSTEMIC osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, arachnoiditis, coccydynia ( my tailbone is at a 90° angle when I’m sitting down) & I could go on and on.
I have been in pain management for 13 YEARS because of all these problems, and I am permanently disabled. I was doing as well as possible (had a small quality of life) when my dose of opiates was recently cut back. I WILL NOW HAVE NO QUALITY OF LIFE. I live alone and have no friends or family – literally. I get by on Social Security disability, and my pension from the job I left. I know there are patients worse off than I am but I simply don’t know what I’m going to do.
At this moment, my orthopedic surgeon told me that my shoulder needs to be replaced, as well as my left hip and my right knee. I already had (besides the back surgeries), rotator cuff surgery, right hip replacement, right knee replacement, carpal tunnel surgery, cubital tunnel surgery. I also have ulcerative colitis and Raynaud’s syndrome. I’VE BEEN WELL MANAGED UNTIL NOW AND HAVE NEVER OVERDOSED OR GIVEN MY PAIN DOCTOR ANY REASON TO BE BE CONCERNED ABOUT ME MISUSING MY PAIN MEDS. The doctor feels he needs to comply with the CDC guidelines and cutting back on my dose isn’t anything he WANTS to do. (I was examined by a pallative care dr. and considered to be a pallative care patient, due to the rapid degeneration of my joints. However, he took a position out of state. So I am stuck where I am.) He realizes what a predicament I am in.
I believe these CDC guidelines will backfire, causing two problems: Even more people will get drugs on the black market, and those who can’t or won’t will commit suicide.
Ed
Reno
The CDC and DEA have no right getting involved with how doctors prescribe to legitimate chronic pain patients. My mother has been on the same meds for 15 years, and now they are trying to cut her meds in half out of fear of their licenses being taken away by the DEA. She will then have no quality of life and be bed-ridden. She doesn’t smoke, drink, or have any negative effects from her meds, yet they keep quoting the same ignorant “study” of women her age taking the same meds and then dying. They don’t share any information about these so- called studies. Did these women drink alcohol or smoke cigarette. How long were they on the meds for? Were they taking too much? What other health issues did they have? And who were these so-called studies done on?
They sure didn’t involve my poor mother at 67. She is just fine, keeps her meds in a safe, takes them as prescribed, never dozes off during the day and even still has a hard time sleeping at night due to pain. So what will she do now? This is a horrendous injustice to actual chronic pain sufferers and needs to be dealt with accordingly. Where are the support groups, drug companies, doctors and lawyers to help these patients in need? There’s nobody to advocate for them, and it’s a crime that the DEA and CDC even think for a moment that their idiotic ideas trump a doctor’s sworn oath to their patients.
Bethany Williams
Omaha
This is hurtful to those who have known allergies to aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. I didn’t choose to be allergic, I went into anaphylactic shock, and almost died. I had previously had no issues. It was sudden and one after the other I had to stop taking them. Tylenol does very little for me, but give 2.5-5 mg of hydrocodone to me and I can make it stretch an entire day, sometimes two. These laws are hurting people with legitimate pain. My pain stems from a car accident that wasn’t even my fault. It has been 10.5 months and I still have severe muscle and nerve pain in my shoulders, back, and neck and sometimes I have pain in my spine in different places where there is now early degeneration caused by the addicent.
Jim
USA
How many people has the
DEA ,CDC killed by takeing
away any hope of living a
life without constant pain?
It just gets worse for us every
year. What a sick agenda.
Gretel
Washington
I’ve been through years of no pain meds. I had hurt so bad, I stayed in the bathtub 8 hours a day. I was terrified. Opiate meds gave me my life back. We are all afraid.
Rusty G.
What I forgot to say was I was on the same paint pain meds for 15 years and now they took mine and cut them to where I can’t hardly functional and that daily and that is just so sad. I cannot believe this is what we call America.
Rusty G.
Ohio
I was born with spina bifida. I have a tumor on my spine I have a tethered spinal cord. I have degenerative degenerative disc disease degenerative muscle disease, which means I’m losing my leg muscles and I can’t get my pain meds.
This is an outrage. I’m suicidal. If I didn’t believe in God, I would be dead now.
Bryan
AL
In the last 3 months, my doctor has decreased my pain meds from 6/day to 3/day! I’m unable to work and I’m still waiting on a judge to approve my disability. I have followed my doctors orders exactly for 4 years, but now he says the CDC has tied his hands!!!
This is going to sound bad, so here goes! Give us our meds so we can live! For those who are just wanting to get high, give them the drugs and let nature take its course!! The smart will survive and the dumb will die. My apologies to you whom I’ve offended.
Debbie
Maryland
My sister has been on pain meds from chronic back pain including disks and severe spine problems for over 20 years. She was on a bonafide pain management where her meds were controlled. Two years ago she was totally cut off completely making her pain now unbearable. She is not a surgical candidate, cannot get out of bed, she cannot function, has no inkling of a normal life anymore and is now talking about not living anymore. What’s it going to take to reverse
This insane law and get a grip on helping people with chronic pain have their lives back?!!! We should all be out in the streets Protesting!! Not to mention the fact that all they care about, as usual, is the bottom dollar for the drug companies. Why do the rich get help while the rest of us suffer? Welcome to life in America. Country in pain now thanks to the DEA. How did this decision get made in the first place?!!
Jennnifer
GA
I have had 2 back surgeries within one year. Immediately following the first, I was told I would likely need the second. It took insurance 11 months to approve the second. I’ve never been a fan of narcotics, as I grew up watching my father battle depression and abusing medications. Anyhow, 8 months after the first surgery, I completely lost it. Trying to keep up with a normal life in agony, sleep deprivation, etc. end up with me hospitalized for feeling suicidal.
This is what it took for insurance to eventually approve my second surgery. Two months post op, I’m still in daily pain, but I’m hopeful that it will fade as my spine gets stronger. The doctor just took away my Percocet and gave me Norco. Everyone (including physical therapy) but the surgeon acknowledges it’s normal to still be in pain.
I just started feeling stronger and started to do more than live in my bedroom. I am the last person who would become an addict and I’m looking forward to getting off pain meds for good, but taking away the Percocet and replacing it with something that I have to take more of and it still doesn’t work just feels cruel at this point. It just leaves me feeling tired and depressed.
Feelletdown
LOUISIANA
I’ve been on pain pills for 15 years now. I have RA, lupus, and have also had a neck surgery. On good days the pain meds help, on bad days I can’t get out of bed. I don’t understand how the government thinks it’s ok to cut people off of these meds cold turkey. I was referred back to my family doctor for RA and he told me I would need to look in the yellow pages to find a doctor to write my pain meds. So what are the people who don’t abuse meds suppose to do? It’s easier to say “we are cracking down on the war on drugs” when you stop sick people from getting their meds. Hopefully, someone will hear and help.
Biogalpal
CA
The 2nd PROHIBITION: History DOES repeat itself. IF it weren’t so tragic for legitimate pain patients, it would almost be funny…….as yesterday the CDC told us marijuana was the abuse culprit & a horrific “schedule 1, gateway drug”, yet today their recommendations tell physicians that when urine testing their opioid pain patients “don’t include marijuana in the testing”! Huh? I guess that’s a good thing?
All I know is that I have done exactly what my Dr. has recommended. We have lowered the “devil dose of opiate meds”, the ONE & ONLY medication which I have EVER taken in the 15 years since my car accident. Yet now included in my daily pill pack are; the antidepressant du jour, an anti-seizure medication (which no one even knows how or why or IF it works), OTC meds; nsaids, laxatives & stool softeners (to combat the horrific constipation brought about by the OTHER meds I am now on), a TENS UNIT, OTC smelly pain patches, TUMS & Pepcid AC (never had stomach problems before, I do now), physical therapy 3x’s a week (& I am paying handsomely for it $$$$). This self-employed gals life is now spent, either SITTING AROUND GETTING NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED as a TENS UNIT hangs from my hip & femur, popping OTC pills &/or trying to figure out what to eat that day so perhaps I can properly eliminate the following day OR traveling to PT!! GREAT NEW LIFE!
Unfortunately, the new CDC guidelines will do nothing to combat the chronic drug abusers, who will continue to find their drug/s & continue to OD &/or die. The ONLY winners once again, are BIG PHARMA, the insurance companies & the illicit drug dealer!
Maybe I will get my Marijuana Card. I made it 60 years without ever smoking the stuff, heck, it can’t be any worse than ALL the OTHER MEDS I am currently on!
Brenda
AL
It’s not right to take away our pain pills. I can see not giving pain pills to those who just want to get high, but for the ones like me who are disabled and disabled veterans in chronic pain its never a good day. Pain pills don’t make me feel high, it just rids of most of the pain. Without pain pill I wouldn’t be able to get out of the bed and that’s not living!! THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE! PLEASE DON’T JUDGE.
Anita
I fear this will be a long, hard road, for people who are in no shape to really make the journey. I was a nurse for 15 years, and we were taught to give pain medication, even when the person asking was suspected of being a user of illicit drugs, because pain is personal, and subjective, and sometimes even people who do abuse drugs, experience pain.
The rationale was that it is cruel and inhumane to force suffering onto people when there is something that can be done to help. That being said, most people do not use illicit drugs, or abuse the pain medication they obtain from their doctors, but simply need it to function on a level expected by society, or even to improve the quality of their own lives.
I broke my back and am no longer able to practice nursing, but with these new guidelines, I’m not sure I would be able to practice it correctly anyway, so I’m out. I don’t want anything to do with “health care?” in this country.
Randy
MO
I just love when politicians tell our professional medical people what to do. I have lived with chronic pain for 20 + years now, the meds help control 90% of pain. Keep track of suicide rates. The pain can become all consuming. Great job, gotta a save us from ourselves.
Terry L.
AZ
I have been in chronic pain for well over half of my life. I had osteoarthritis since I was a teen. My legs were misaligned from my hips to my feet.
In my early 30’s, I was told I needed knee replacement on both knees but I was too young for the surgery at that time.
I have had 7 orthopedic surgeries, and still need 2 more. I have multiple neck, back & shoulders injuries. I had a hip & knee replacement, both required revisions were due to product failure in under a year of the original surgery.
I have needed replacement of my other knee for over ten years, but with the previous joint replacements, I fear the same result, so I deal with the chronic pain both in the knees. I had a foot surgery that did not heal and is worse than before the surgery.
I have tried a multitude of treatments, and different medications to be able to have function.
I am in my mid 50’s and have chronic pain every day, I have several bulging disks, spinal stenosis, FMS along with OA.
I am on disability and my insurance does not cover my orthopedic surgeon, so I have to deal with the pain as best as I can.
I see a pain specialist. I am required to visit my pain specialist every month to receive my prescriptions and have a pain med contract. So I can only receive pain medication from them. Which can make things like surgery difficult, especially if another doctor recommends a treatment the pain management doctor doesn’t agree with.
Over the years I have had to fight for my treatment. Anyone being cut off due to the CDC “guidelines”, make sure you are armed with information, go check out what the CDC guidelines really say. There are doctors that don’t want to be bothered with the “Obama” rules, if so. Find a good pain specialist that will help you, look into a pain med contract. We live in a computerized world, there is a record every time you fill out your prescriptions, it’s easy enough for your doctor to see when you filled your prescription.
Get your records from all your doctors that you have received treatment from. For those of us that have had medical issues for years, it will be a lot. Bring copies of the treatments & medications and what therapies you have tried. What works, what doesn’t,
Arm yourself with information.
Research the “CDC Guidelines”, and the laws in your state on the CDC Guidelines for prescribing Opioids for Chronic pain.
If you haven’t visited the CDC site for research here are a few links:
http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/resources.html
http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/guidelines_factsheet-a.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/resources.html
Good Luck to everyone that has to live with chronic pain.
Roberto
Mi
I want to know exactly what will all of these blogs, Stories, News Clips etc. Do to change the Ignorance of The CDC, DEA & Obama Administration in realizing what they have done is to lead ppl down a lonely road of isolation, major depression, anger management issues, Suicide etc…? If what CDC, DEA & Obama Administration are saying that These are Just Guidelines & NOT A LAW Then Why Were Many DO MD “Pain Specialist”/Doctors Threatened with The Loss of Their Medical Licenses if They Did NOT COMPLY? They were Actually Threatened with Their Livelihood Just for Practicing Medicine, Something they were Trainer 2 Do! The ppl & Doctors @ the CDC have absolutely no clue about Any Patient, instead Chronic pain Patients have Been Profiled By The United States Government & we have been Punished for absolutely NO Reason whatsoever! “Those actions Alone equate to Defamation of Character, Incarceration without Due Process, Basically Charged, Convicted, Sentenced & Incarcerated for Life………..Our Quality of Life has become extinct”!
Michael
Pennsylvania
Its become a travesty. Why is the DEA allowed to look at my medical records? Why is the DEA forcing my doctors to either close up their office, or limit chronic pain sufferers to only receive 3 months of meds, then be cut off? I have a shattered heel, and a torn Achilles which severely limit my ability to walk. The injury has caused my back to become twisted to the point i can walk or stand for 5 minutes, then I have to sit, or I will lock up and fall down. I also have 7 herniated/bulging disks, 3 in my neck. I have shoulder surgery, which they botched, which turned into another surgery that made it worse. I have nerve damage from my fingers to my neck on my left hand/arm/shoulder. I have spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk issues, and a bunch of the spinal problems. My S1 joints are so severely out of whack from my shattered heel that i am in a 18 month therapy plan to try to get my back from being this twisted. The pain is excruciating.
Now I have been cut back, 2 times so far. I am told I am no longer going to get meds as my doctor is scared of losing his license. He says the DEA will only allow himn to treat someone for 3 months. So he is cutting my meds back 25% per visit. I am now sick, and in so much pain i can barely function. I am going to lose my small business.. i cannot work a 40 hour week, my body wont hold up.. i tried 3 times and all 3 times had to quit. i have never been fired in my life, and i have worked for almost 38 years now. I had to close up my first business when i got injured. I lost my house, and everything I own. I was able to retrain in I.T. and have this small business which helps with our bills. Now i am going to lose that also.. It took me 10 years to build this small business up..
I don’t know what to do. The government is killing us. They are literally going to make it so I cannot walk.
Does the DEA think by punishing people with real pain problems that it will stop help with their war on drugs? I am at a loss, I do not know what to do anymore.
Mike
Va
People who abuse drugs are still going to abuse drugs legally or illegally. Honest people will suffer in pain but so long. The drug dealers of America thank the CDC. Does the CDC remember prohibition?
mal
Goldsboro, NC
I can see suicide rates increasing because of this new crack down. As a chronic pain sufferer, I have proved to my physicians over and over again that I do not have an addictive personality towards any stimulant. I do not drink because I do not stick with it. I do not take my pain meds in order to get high. I have found that if I do (accidentally) that I throw them up.
But suicide is still on the table because I fear that will become my only recourse. People I have spoken with that suffer from chronic pain are also considering it because they do not want to live without some sort of pain relief. I often go on a “pain holiday” where I will go off my meds for a week or more. This requires me to change my schedule, routine and relaxation. I rest more, do no strenuous work, eat simply and easy meals. I stretch and exercise as much as I can but do nothing that will bring on pain.
I go through an extensive pain contract. My estranged husband broke into my home with a key and assaulted me. This caused my doctor to stop treating me for pain becasue I did not shoot him or fight back. I was turned over to a chronic pain specialalist where I am closely monitored for taking ONLY my prescribed meds and nothing else. I see a counselor but it does little for the pain. I don’t want to go to the hospital for any kind of problem because they will FORCE me to suffer in pain. I have been admitted 3 times so far this year and the last time I smuggled my pain meds in. I would rather stay home and die. (sic)
Dana
Texas
My doctor and I had finally gotten a combination of pain meds that relieved my pain enough to finally be able to sleep 2-3 hours at a time.
I have severe degenerative disc disease, a partially amputated foot from a childhood accident that has resulted in severe osteoarthritis, & bone on bone knees from osteoarthritis plus I have fibromyalgia, lymphedema & Crohn’s disease. I would like to know who to write about this law change — I would testify in front of Congress if it would get the law changed back! What action can those of us take who are being so negatively affected by this change? I don’t sleep because I hurt too bad. Do we have any options to get this changed? Iam suffering along with millions of others.
Holly
Washington
My husband has crps which is the worst pain possible, it makes me laugh that they are willing to give cancer patients relief which scored a 28 out of 50 on pain index scale but cut off my husband with crps a whopping 42 out of 50.
These new laws aren’t gonna stop drug addicts because addicts will just move on to the next available high without even blinking an eye. This is only hurting the people who actually need relief from pain. All your pt and exercise, yoga, it’s all in your mind crap is exactly that, crap. The cdc is violating the oath that a doctor must follow and that is to relieve their patient of debilitating pain.
He has never been at risk for addiction, never tried to get prescription early, and passed all his ua’s, just like every person with chronic pain that actually needs it. It is against the law to let an animal suffer shouldn’t there be a law against letting humans suffer? I dare you to stab yourself in the leg with a knife, leave it in and then light it on fire for the rest of your life, could YOU live a normal life without pain medication?
tracy
Missouri
Amen
Diane
Alabama
Prescribing anti-depressants is not the answer. Coming off anti-depressants is the worst withdrawal you can imagine and the side effects outweigh the narcotics being prescribed. Also smoking cigarettes kills more humans than narcotics. The DEA will not take cigarettes off market because they provide millions in taxes.
Kay from Indiana
Indiana
I’m 61 yrs. ,with spinal stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, severe arthritis throughout, fibromyalgia, previous back surgery, I’ve visited a neurosurgeon, who refused to touch for fear it would worsen my spine. My doctor states when he no longer prescribes percocet, the new meds will cost $2,000.00 per mo. You’ve got to be kidding! I can’t afford it! This has to be a scam, the pharmaceutical co. fast tracked this drug out to replace percocet without testing. I’ve heard people have been dying from it. But hey stock brokers are going to love it! Me, I’m giving up. I have to fight to get my percocet filled, can’t afford the other, so I’ll go into withdrawal, at that point I’ll likely die, & I don’t care anymore. Taking Percocet allowed me to walk, it never took all my pain away but it was tolorable. I’m tired, taking Percocet has not killed me, not taking it will kill me. Indiana
Tyler
Walnut Creek, CA
In the year 2006, I sustained a very bad back injury when an 800 pound roll-up door curtain was dropped on my spine. Since then I have gone from Vicodin to oxycodone ir, (120mg per day), and MS-contin, (120mg per day). This after being on as much as 150 micrograms of fentanyl and almost every drug in between. My Dr. began tapering me in January of 2015, when I took 360mg of MS-contin and 120 of IR oxycodone daily.
The tapering process has been extremely hard on me and every single milligram that I remove from my daily dose is felt in a very big way. I have terrible withdrawals while tapering.
Now, my Dr. says that I have to taper yet again to no more than the equivalent of 120mg of morphine daily. I am currently taking the “equivalent” of 300 mg. I am a candidate for 3 disc replacements in my low back, but am still pre-surgical. I should also mention that I am on Workman’s Compensation with “lifetime” medical but they stopped paying for any medication or testing that my Dr. ordered for me in June of 2015. I still am prescribed every medicine that I was taking when the workman’s compensation denied my meds and testing.
I am terribly concerned that this taper to 120mg will render me practically useless. When I was taking the equivalent of 560 mg of morphine daily, I could ride my bicycle with only a day of minor rest between rides. Now, I am in severe pain for two or more days if I ride my bicycle more than 2 miles. I used to ride 20 or more miles. This state mandated taper is probably the single worst thing that has EVER happened to me and, if you knew me, you would know exactly how bad that is!
What can we, the innocent injured people who actually use all of the medications that they are prescribed, do about the government getting involved in our treatment? I understand completely that these drugs are sold on the streets, however, I have never even considered doing such a thing!
Hurting at 2AM in Walnut Creek, CA
Tyler
Can somebody PLEASE let me know who to write and what to do to preserve my right to have my pain controlled? I stopped getting “high” from the medication years ago but it certainly provides pain killing effects that I desperately need.
Grace
Suffolk County, new york
I, too, am a chronic pain sufferer. I’ve been prescribed Percocet for eight years without any problems until now. I have been cut off completely. I have to read the Internet to learn how to wean myself off my latest prescription, with no help from my doctor. I was told “sorry”. I have no fight left in me. What do I have to add to this column? THIS COUNTRY SUCKS!
Anastra
Saint Augustine, Florida
I have suffered from profound scoliosis, severe stenosis and facet arthritis since I was 12 years old. I lost out on so many opportunities because I was not allowed to participate.
The pain increased gradually throughout my life until, in my late 30’s I was taking 8 Advil every four hours, and it wasn’t relieving the pain by any noticable degree.
Finally in1997 I went to an orthopedic surgeon in Jacksonville, FL. He told me I must quit working and should have stopped 10 years earlier. From that point on, after visiting a pain management doctor, I have been on opiates. They have changed over the years because of government mandates and pressure. Have you ever been forced to go through opiate withdrawal cold turkey? I have. I have been on the same dosage, now, for 8 years because the doctors are afraid to increase it, and now they tell me that it will be reduced by 1/3. I can’t wait to experience my next type of torture. I know it will include a lot of crying and screaming in pain. All thanks to our government.
Kay from Indiana
I agree with you. We are loosing our freedoms. I thought there was a privacy act in place but the DEA has access to our medical files. I give up, I don’t have any fight in me. I’ve suffered 25 yrs.with pain, I’m done.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
It’s ridiculous how doctors treat people with legitimate pain like street walkers but I see pee all the time who absolutely do not need meds and get them????
Rick
Portland, OR
How about Tramadol? I have prescriptions for it as well as Hydrocodone. My doctor says to alternate the two, which I do, and it works well for my chronic back and hip pain from a car accident years ago.
I use (2) 50mg. tablets of Tramadol alternating with one 5/325mg. Hydrocodone a couple times a day. I also use acetaminophen and Methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant which does not cause any side effects.
And yes, I also do back stretching and strengthening exercises daily which I learned from a VA physical therapist.
Sassy
Oregon
I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back. My doctor is reducing my medication again. I have pain in my back, up my spine and into my head. I have actually had a headache for 7 months. Day after day, week after week, month after month. Also I have pain radiating down my right leg and into my foot so bad thatI can barely walk.
All my doctor is giving me are pills that are not pain medication. First it was my high blood pressure and she gave about about 3 or so pills for the BP (in addition to 2 other BP meds I was taking.) and told me to wait and see what happens. Then after an MRI she diagnosed a sinus infection and put me on antibiotics and nasal spray. I took those antibiotics for 3 weeks (I was told it would take three full weeks to see any improvement. Wait and see what happens. No change. So now they are taking me off Gabapentin and reducing my pain pills.
The doctor had me come into do a urinalysis, and the test came back NEG for my morphine. I believe this happened because of the sinus infection. I was told to drink lots of water, so perhaps the urine was diluted. Is that possible? And back in November I had a urinalysis done in the ER and that was NEG also. That was because my previous doctor lowered my morphine and did not tell me that, so I took it as usual, and then I ran out. I forgot to tell the nurse this reason.
But anyway, my previous doctor also put lies in my chart to make it appear that I admitted I was addicted to the morphine and I was “coming around to the notion that I am addicted to the morphine.” Now after my last urinalysis found that the nurse put more lies in my chart. So that it appears that I am drug- seeking.
So I believe that my doctor doesn’t believe I have this headache. The nurse put lies in my chart, anything for a reason to take me off pain meds. I don’t know what I can do at this point. I can’t go on living like this. This whole situation just plain SUCKS!!!! My heart goes out to all the people in pain who can get no relief.
Diane
Michigan
This is really going to be hard on people with chronic pain. I suffer from severe back pain caused by herniated discs, scoliosis sciatia and arthritis. I also have had 11 surgeries on my left ankle which I had a compound fracture in 2008. The pain is horrible and I have been to PT, pain clinic and was on motrin, tylenol and fetenal none of which worked so my doctor put me on a low dose of norco 5/325 which makes the pain tolerable. Now I don’t know what I am going to do, I have been on these meds for 2 years I take only one every 6 hours and according to the cdc I am an addict. They put us all in the category of pill billies, and don’t they think that the the use of heroin with sky rocket like it already has because of the new rules they put in place last march. BTW do opiate deaths include heroin?
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Tramadol is like baby aspirin. It also interacted with another medication I was on I had a seizure, never had one in my life, pharmacy doctor everybody missed. I goggled it, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT MIX TRAMADOL AND ADDERALL CAUSES SEIZURES?????
JoJordan
Vote these law (rule) makers out of office. The chronic pain community is millions strong and can have an enormous impact on the outcome of an election. Start making elected officials aware of that.
Jim
Michigan
My wife suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or otherwise known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She has had this since she had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands 25 years ago. She didn’t heal normally and began to experience intense pain, first in her hands and since then up her arms into her back and legs. The condition is neurological whereby she receives constant and often severe crushing or burning pain which can be aggravated even by the slightest touch. There are a multitude of other symptoms. Although this problem has been documented in patients after some sort of trauma since the Civil War, there is only a poor understanding of the reasons for it. And there is no known cure. Treatment is the same as with other chronic severe pain problems, usually opioids.
Due to acclimation to the drug (not addiction), she has less and less relief from the dosage she takes. Due to the severe restrictions on those drugs, she can’t get her doctor to prescribe a higher dosage. So, she is often bedridden and can only do a fraction of what used to be her normal routine. As her husband, I try to assist where I can, but fail miserably in helping get pain relief. The current increased restrictions on prescription narcotics fail to offer alternatives to severe pain conditions that are effective. Until some reasonable treatments exist for these patients, I condemn such efforts to limit availability of the few methods to treat severe chronic pain. We need more effort to understand chronic pain rather than write off sufferers with such pain under the guise of stopping illicit trafficking of drugs. Addicts need treatment too, but not at the expense of one of the few means to help those who need an effective treatment.
rick
The major reason there is so much chronic pain is due to the amount of painkillers being prescribed to limit the pain.Pain caused from inflammation is the first stage in the healing process yet modern medicine is inhibiting due process
Kay from Indiana
Right now the elderly people are the baby boomer population. It’s never been this high, once it we die out, the elderly population will never be this high again. This would account for so many chronic pain patients.
Jeanne
So now the CDC is in the business of torture.
I am willing to take the chances of a shorter life with more quality on opioids rather than a long life in hell on earth without. We have yet again a short-sighted group of people who demand to run the lives of others to “save them from themselves”. Now they will have sufferers desperate for relief of non-stop pain, forcing them to seek other than legal ways-and much more dangerous- to help their pain-or the suicide rate will soar. All in the name of ‘saving’ us.
GILLIAN P.
TN
You can say that again!
Donna S.
Washington State
I find that most doctors (at least My doctors) are very hesitant to prescribe any type of pain medication and I believe that people who have chronic pain or temporary severe pain are paying the price for doctors and patients who have abused pain meds. Addiction counseling/treatment needs to be as much of a priority as making it so difficult for people who really need pain medication to continue using it. They are also victims.
cereza
USA
as a Registered Nurse practicing in intensive care, post anesthesia and Quality for 40 years I have seen the pendulum swing, now in the wrong direction. remember the development of the Pain Scale and the NIH recommendations that no patient should be in pain?
making it difficult to impossible for those in true pain to obtain the medications they legitimately need is morally unethical and will do nothing to stem the tide of illegal drug use or overdose.
for shame CDC.
Elizabeth
Atlanta
This is such unbelievably misguided, clueless policy. To solve a “problem”, they have cruelly created a much bigger problem for intense pain sufferers. Are they trying to have us all lose the last shreds of faith in medicine, that they are so divorced from the reality of patients. In 2013 I had a nerve injury that caused relentless, debilitating, excruciating pain. The only thing that gave me some relief was Vicodin, which I had to take for nine months. I had bad reactions to other medications, so this was it. While it didn’t handle the pain fully, it made it possible to live through those none terrible months. When the pain eased, I reduced the dose and went safely off in a week. I couldn’t have survived without it. If it had been unavailable, believe me I’d have crossed a border to buy it. The CDC is completely out of touch, buried as they are in their fortress in Atlanta. They have created a bigger problem. I never was sick or took a drug in the 10 years prior to my injury. Am I likely to be a problem?
Darla
Charlotte NC
This new law is ridiculous. My 76 year old mother has been through her intestines rupturing (7hr surgery), 2 months later her gall bladder ruptured. A year after the first surgery they went back in to remove adhesions that had formed around her intestines.
Then came a heart attack, several times stents were placed in the arteries in her heart. Next was breast cancer, a mastectomy and chemo. Next a quad bypass of the heart. And recently a cardiac aortic dissection ( her blood pressure blew out the main artery in her heart, it was split in two). When the medics arrived she died. I stood there watching them use the paddles on her to bring her back. She coded again in the ambulance and twice during surgery. But God was with her and after a year of recovery the surgery was a success.
On top of all these life saving surgeries she is eaten up with severe osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. She also has COPD and is now on full time oxygen. The Drs say she needs a hip replacement and a knee replacement. That is not an option, she’s been through way too much. She’s been on Norco 10/325 x4 per day for 12 years. Without her meds she is bedridden unable to walk even with her roller walker. If the Drs take away her pain meds I will be forced to place her in a nursing home as I’m unable to get her up, bath her, etc without her meds. The last thing I want is to place my mother in the care of strangers in a strange place. She deserves to pass away at home surrounded by the things and people she loves.
These laws and restrictions aren’t going to change the deaths and criminal aspects. Alcoholics buy alcohol. Smokers buy cigarettes even while on oxygen. Marijuana for medical use can easily turn into an addiction and approving it now for recreational use very easily could escalate into the curiosity of other illegal drugs. Science has proven that some people are predisposed to addictive behavior and others are not. Those who are will always find a way to get high, such as cheaper street drugs like heroine, which has risen since these new restrictions took effect. And those without the addiction “gene” will suffer, losing mobility, suffering deep depression from the pain and the extreme limitations it places on them. Many will end up in nursing homes and some will just choose to stop all life saving meds and quietly die.
Why do we let the bad apples determine the enactment of these laws instead of the good people who deserve pain management and dignity?
Joe
People who need narcotic or other addictive pain meds should be able to access them without crazy rules that administered by robots. Likewise people that want to avoid pain narcotic or other addictive pain meds should be able to receive other treatments like homeopathy and acupuncture. Acupuncture is prohibited at most hospitals before, during and after surgery. At Mayo Clinic I had to walk from the surgery floor to the acupuncture clinic for post surgery pain control. It worked but the cost was not covered by Medicare. Whereas the pain meds would have been. Likewise homeopathy pain meds are not permitted in most hospitals for post surgery pain control. That means patients have to self-administer when the staff is not looking. Sad!
Jen
Pennsylvania
I have a spinal cord injury that has left me in severe pain. If I can’t get my medication anymore I guess I have 2 options. 1 is illegal drugs which is what the cdc is trying to prevent or 2 a exit stategy. (NO im not killing myself now). I believe I am not the only one that feels this way. I will not live with horrible pain like that because they told me I have too. I hope my family tells them of my passing when the time comes so they know what they did to me.
Nancy
Ky
I spoke with my husband about this, who is in pain management. He gets epidurals and oxycodone and morphine for the pain. He has stenosis, arthritis and some other problem in his back that I can’t think of at this moment. When I read him this article he told me he would have to kill himself because he couldn’t live with this kind of pain. When I first read this article I thought to myself “how many people are going to take their own lives because they can’t live with the pain?” and then my husband told me exactly that. Again, we are punishing the innocent who need the medication to make their lives better to help protect the drug addicts. Drug addicts will always find a way to get their drugs. What do innocent people do to get the drugs that they need?
Edward
Charleston, SC
I have had enough and I am angry! I am angry at those of you have not taken a stand on this incredibly important issue and instead sit quietly on the sidelines. I am sick and tired of the control the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries have over our government. Every single day there are millions of Americans being tortured for the sake of these industry’s profits. The evidence is overwhelming that medical marijuana is as effective, if not more so, than many prescription drugs for a multitude of medical conditions but with far fewer side effects. The debate is over!
Sixty three percent of peer reviewed studies indicate positive results from using medical marijuana. How much more evidence does this government need to prove the benefits of medical marijuana and get it off the schedule of controlled substances so that Americans can start benefiting from using it to ease their suffering?
The United States Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Yet these very rights are being denied to millions of Americans every day.
What kind of life does someone who suffers from intractable chronic pain have? What kind of life do those who end up overdosing on narcotic painkillers in an attempt to stop the pain have? What kind of life do those who see no way to escape the pain but through suicide have? Life is more than just a biological function. Life means living and functioning freely in a compassionate, civilized society.
What kind of liberty does someone who suffers from disease have? What kind of liberty do those who are confined to thier beds have? What kind of liberty do those who are unable to leave thier house because they are always too sick have? Liberty does not just consist of social and political freedoms but also the freedom to remove the constraints that prevent us from enjoying those freedoms.
What kind of happiness does someone who cries themselves to sleep every night have? What kind of happiness does someone who has no hope of a better future have? What kind of happiness does someone who watches a loved one slowly wither away, knowing a cure is out there but the government, supposedly of, by, and for the people, refuses to make available have?
We, the suffering millions of people in these United States of America, demand our unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. We demand that our government throw off the shackles of the robber baron corporations who prevent a natural, safe, effective medication from being available because they fear what they cannot control and profit from. We demand that our representative government do what is right and remove medical marijuana from the schedule of controlled substances immediately.
It is unconscionable to delay rescheduling of medical marijuana any longer. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to be compassionate and stand with those whose voices go unheard or will you stay quiet, unmoved, uncaring…at least that is until it is you who needs medical marijuana?
STEP 1: Sign the petition to Legalize Medical Marijuana Nationwide.
https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/legalize-medical-marijuana-nationwide
STEP 2: Sign the petition to Senator Grassley urging him to hold a vote on the CARERS Act in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/demand-vote-medical-marijuana
Sal
CA California
Upon reading about the CDC’s latest “recommendations” regarding opioids for pain management, my first reaction was to say to my wife that we and our doctors are being dictated to by lunatics. My second reaction was to question my ability to continue on without my pain medication.
I have had many, many surgeries and stopped counting when the number exceeded 30 some years ago. I am a disabled veteran who was wounded back in the late 1960’s when I was 20 years old and have spent the next 50 years living an amazing life but always living with pain. Before the revelation regarding NSAID’s and heart concerns, I was using ibuprofen by the handful as my life line but my cardiologist has strongly advised against even occasional use. Norco once or twice a day allows me to function at a reasonable level but what now? I am so very angry and very much concerned with my quality of life.
Carol
NC
Tylenol destroys the liver! I fear many chronic pain patients will turn to suicide. I’ve talked so many down from this already. Non-stop pain is a horrible way to live.
I’ve been in pain since a tractor trailer hit my car in 1989 and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 4 years later after spending those years praying for death every day. I have spinal stenosis, arthritis of the spine, hips, arms, hands, knees, facetitis of the spine facets, and an arm that is crippled and constantly in pain from my wreck. I will not take codiene or codone because of the horrible debilitating headaches they cause.
I won’t take Tylenol because it previously caused liver function problems. I have severe reflux issues so nsaids must be used with caution. I take Tramadol only when I need it. I mostly just go to bed and lie very still.
I used to be a type A personality built like a body builder. I have always been hyperactive. Pain ended that. I will endure. I’m nearing 70 and I feel the pain will help take me out of my suffering sooner than later. When you hurt all the time so severely your quality of life disappears.
My heart aches for those in their 20′ s to 60’s who face many years of suffering. It was my mother’s and my favorite saying, “NO PAIN___NO BRAIN” but for some people they can’t tolerate pain. I encourage someone to find an attorney that will bring suit against these people who lump genuine pain patients with criminals. They are causing wonderful citizens to be looked upon with suspicion, possibly ruining reputations. They are harming doctors who are just trying to alleviate suffering. Put the pushers to death and lock up real druggies for many many years in institution for mental illness . Dry them out and make them work for their room and board in secure locations. I have always said that I would not wish Fibromyalgia or any painful condition on my worst enemy but I pray with all my heart that the people at the DEA and FDA who are making these decisions will fall victim to these diseases in the worst way.
Cyril
SA
We who have chronic pain are being treated like junkies so here’s a suggestion – we just get our pain treatment from drug vendors in the streets never mind whether we are seventy five or eight years of age and this would be disgraceful – it’s now the only way forward – be treated like a junkie act like one!!
Kathy
Co
The responses above say it all. The people who wrote the recommendations didn’t have 5 cyststs in their sacrum that damaged their sacral nerves and are in chronic pain. Taking OTC Meds is like eating candy they do nothing. My friend almost died from taking too much Tylenol. Would they take away some Meds like steroids that are very bad for your body and are very difficult to get off of for people who have lupus. This is so poorly thought through. I have a massage every week, therapy, Accupuncture, exercise as much as possible, essential oil therapy, energy work, daily meditation, and Neurofeedback but I still really only get relief, although I am still in pain) from hydromorphone. With 1 month supply I can’t travel when I want to and am made to feel like an addict. I have never gotten high from hydromorphone my pain eats it up. Will we all have to go to the streets to get Meds or just kill ourselves? Maybe that would save money for the government for those of us on social security. That might be part of their motivation.
It is all so stupid and poorly thought through by some not well informed and empathetic people.
JimP
Several years ago, the DEA was arresting Drs. that they thought were being too liberal with Rx’s for opiods. Some Drs. were guilty for being little more than drug dealers, but some claimed they were trying to aggressively manage their patient’s pain. The CDC may call them “guidelines”, but since these involve Schedule II narcotics, a Dr. could possibly get arrested for exceeding the “guidelines”. So I doubt that many Drs. will risk going beyond the basics, regardless of the CDC’s intent.
Physical therapy can be expensive. I have reviewed several Medicare Advantage plans and they require a $50 copay for physical therapy. At 3 times/week, that comes to over $600/month.
Lynn,Texas
I think it’s a bunch of BS!I am 56 years old and I clean houses!I have been in severe pain for 5 yrs. now!I have severe arthritus in my upper back and my physician is a PA he had me on hydros for 3 yrs. and at least I was able to work without hurting real bad.Then when they passed the first new law where Pa’s could no longer prescribe them his superior and the rest of the team chose not to.My life is an agonizing hell !!! I wake up in tears and go to bed in tears.Arthritus meds. Don’t even help it.Ive tried eating Advil all day just to keep working but they’re tearing my stomach up because of my acid reflux!So before long I guess I’ll just have to live off of federal government because I cannot work much longer like this!Hell I don’t even wanna continue living like this!!!
Tina
Ohio
I want to be dead most days because of the pain. I am scared to know that I am going to be suffering because the over abusers and people who use the medications in the wrong way are causing this to happen. I cannot believe that they think this is the answer. God help us all. I have dynamic spondylolithesis L 4-5 with a large herniated disc at L 3-4 and severe central stenosis L 4-5.
Roy
VA
These new guidelines are inhumane. The people who pushed for and went along with them obviously have no idea what it’s like to suffer with chronic, severe pain, and any “sympathy” they express toward chronic-pain patients is nothing more than lip service. The DEA sees the world through its own reactionary lens; the CDC is going along for the ride; and the medical community is shamefully demonstrating that it has no backbone. The problems that chronic-pain patients will now be facing outweigh the social, medical, and psychological problems caused by opioid abuse.
Robin in Vermont
Perhaps the push is on to put more people on medical marijuana — which works by the way — but only while you’re high. Try doing anything at all beside watching movies and taking a nap, however, and you will quickly realize, as I did, that using MM for some types of pain during certain periods in the day, works great — but you can’t live a life worth living when you’re in an altered state all the time. Still, I was able to cut my opiate use by 2/3’s using MM, which is a great thing, indeed.
That said, I do realize how lucky I am, that after years of using these drugs, I have never developed a dependency on them. If you have severe chronic pain, as I do, opiates do not make you high, and I find that taking a Vicodin or Percocet, does nothing for me but help with the pain I’m in. Taking them makes me feel the way normal people feel when they take an aspirin.
Annette
Florida
Not fair that people have to suffer from pain. The Feds don’t live in the real world. This very scary to me. Very unfair to Vets.
Cathie
This is what I think is happening. I doubt the CDC care that some of us take our lives. Less people to deal with. And, what we’ve been taking for pain, doesn’t cost much. Big Pharma would love it if we couldn’t get the cheap pain pills any more. What the doctors will prescribe now, will undoubtedly be the new pain med’s that cost much more. How else can Big Pharma make money for their share holders? I feel very sorry for those who are addicted to their pain med’s and can’t get them any more.
DR
Edmonton Al
I agree with all these people. Drug addicts will get drugs no matter what controls they have. I too am in chronic pain. And I take narcotics to help me live with it. I was ready for suicide when they finally first gave them to me. And they WERE NOT easy to get. I exercise daily, do all I can just to MAINTAIN what I have. That is my goal as there is no getting better. But I still need the drugs to subsidize and have a life. What they are doing is abuse of people that aren’t drug abusers. And it won’t work. And a lot of people will suffer why they figure that out.
Helen
Boston
Thank you for letting patients share their pain share their stories. I met with a doctor who said the only time it is appropriate to use a painkiller is if you’ve been shot. Oh really? Articles are ALWAYS about saving drug addicts from themselves. No one seems to give a darn what happens to law-abiding, suffering people. One woman tried extra hard NOT to use pain pills every day – so the doctor said she didn’t need them and stopped prescribing them. You can have a well-documented painful disorder, a perfect history of taking pain medicine correctly, urine tests, and a signed agreement – and you’ll STILL be treated like an addict.
Gussie
Denver
Opiate overdoses are high and positively correlated to 20 to 40 year old Iraq/Afgan vets.
Most vets did not & do not receive adequate mental & physical health services. They suffer terribly. Now they will likely suffer more.
Heroin & meth are available, inexpensive, and more addictive than opiates. Take away legal opiates & you drive people to illegal pain relief.
Who benefits from these new guidelines? Physicians bill for 12 appointments a year rather than 4. The black market for all types of pain relievers grows in volume and in price. The VA can
deflect the fact that most opiate overdoses among vets are in fact “suicides” and that most opiate suicides occur among the vet population, not in the population at large.
Life Insurance companies will not pay death benefits for suicide in the first years after policy issue. They will pay for a seemingly accidental opiate overdose. Vets know this.
Pain management groups are a growth industry for docs, p.a.s, lab techs, etc. Contracts from these “services” mandate blood and urine surprise testing. They also, being federal — mandate those receiving narcotics promise not to use marijuana (even if legal in their state”) or be expelled from the program.
I see many winners who will profit from these guidelines, and many more losers — people with intractable pain — many disabled, impoverished by lack of work, and the uneducated & elderly who are afraid of taking the medications of most benefit to them because they confuse illegal with immoral.
Debbie
Ohio
I personally don’t know how I would survive without my pain meds. I have severe spinal stenosis all through my spine & neck. Both of my hips have been replaced which has helped somewhat. My doctors want to fuse my back & my neck but they said even if I get that done the pain may be worse!!! Between the CDC & the DEA I don’t know which is worse!! I resisted using pain pills for years until I was basically forced into it. I smoked cannabis for 45 years & I’ve found that it helped my pain better than what I’m on now. And believe me I’m on some heavy narcotics! But unfortunately medicinal marijuana is still illegal in my state! Maybe some day!!
Lisa
How amusing! (If only it weren’t so tragic.) Following a major surgery some years ago, the surgeon prescribed Darvocet. He made it quite clear to me that I needed to take the medication, since it was much easier to prevent pain than to eliminate it once it existed. I took the Darvocet for three weeks (not 3-5 days) around the clock, then discontinued it (even though there was some left) since I thought I no longer needed it. I had no problem stopping it, and did not wind up some sort of drug addict as some sources today seem to see as inevitable.
Also, an elderly relative of mine has been on an opioid for some years now due to a serious back/leg injury. It enables her to function in her daily life. She is not addicted to it; in fact she takes less per day than is prescribed. Without it, I shudder to imagine what her life would be like.
Making up these ridiculous guidelines only hurts people using narcotics legitimately for both acute and chronic pain. The drug addicts will just switch their drug of choice. In fact, they already have; their new drug of choice is called heroin.
sandra
New Jersey
After suffering major back and knee injuries from two falls, I was in severe pain, For two years I was prescribed narcotic pain medications which did reduce the pain somewhat but left me in a state of mental confusion and inability to take care of myself. Thankfully, I found great relief in cannabis. If I had not found adequate relief I would have considered suicide.
HelenM
Modesto
Many people are going to find more difficulty in filling their prescriptions and wind up going”cold turkey” off meds for as long as it takes to get a refill – or some other kind of replacement. Raiding my medicine cabinet is not going to reduce the drugs that come into this country illegally. And those who can afford it will find their way to these drugs. However, what about the elderly with heart conditions, and little money, who will be forced to just “suck it up”? And, as mentioned below, those who commit suicide because they cannot live with their pain. I have felt all along that the statistics are skewed because they do not separate those who have hoarded their pain meds and used that stash to end it all. There is a hidden agenda behind this action, other than that we cogs are expendable: it definitely comes from people who do not care about human suffering.
As to the personal: I am 78 years old, have survived four cancers, have fibro and arthritis is widespread. I do not use much pain medicine; however, what I use enables me to get out of bed, sit here at the computer, shop for food, prepare healthy meals (which means cooking and spending time in the kitchen), do my laundry, have a tiny social life, most of which is seeing health care workers. I would like to live my last days with dignity and some semblence of productivity. Making my pain meds difficult, if not impossible to obtain, will take all of that from me. I won’t be able to do it. Do they have all the power, are we left with nothing but suffering?; perhaps some of our young activists can take this on.
OTOH, they could legalize medicinal marijuana at the federal level, give us something that no one wants to steal, because it is widely available, yet leave us with pain relief and a semi-livable life!!!!!
Sandra
Caswell county, Nc
I only wish that Nsaids would relieve my pain. I have Severe GERD so unless I want a GI bleed , none for me. Exercise, it hurts to walk. One day of activity can cause me to need to rest for a couple of days. I would love to try acupuncture and determine if I would help. My insurance will not pay for it. How many treatments would I need? I cannot afford that. Don’t people/doctors know that we don’t like taking pain medication? Most of us are very vigilant in following the doctors orders. We do not get “high”. We just get some relief to be able to have some quality of life. PUNISH the phony doctors who just write prescriptions. I also would suggest that an internist, general practitioners, etc. Not write narcotics to those who have chronic pain. I suggest that only doctors that specialize in pain write prescriptions for long term narcotic use. Those doctors usually have specific guidelines for the medications. The can recognize a “pill seeker” . You do not go to an ophthalmologist for a broken leg. You see an orthopedist. LET my Pain Clinic Doctor decide what is best for me. I do not want someone setting in an office making decisions. They have never even seen me as a patient. Leave it up to MY doctor. Signed. Brenda
Eloise
I believe that many chronic pain sufferers will turn to heroin if they can’t ease their pain any other way. That is why I wish the federal government would legalize medical marijuana use. Here in California, people can get it legally prescribed for pain and it helps many of them. No, you shouldn’t drive (it’s illegal) or operate heavy machinery, etc. while you’re on it, but it certainly does offer a safer alternative to many pain meds or heroin.
Trudy
Dallas, TX
So after years and years of telling everyone that they shouldn’t take too much acetaminophen or NSAIDS, now they are recommending it? It’s a contradiction in advice. Basically, it makes it okay to live in pain AND die from liver failure. And what will be the impact of the increase in disability claims on the social security system due to people who can no longer manage to physically work if they cannot take strong enough pain relievers? I know I will be going back to taking about 2000 mg of acetaminophen about twice a day before I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis several years ago after suffering from uncontrolled pain. And by the way, I am 50 years old and have two children to raise. What about the impact on my kids if their mom can’t function daily? I just don’t believe that any of these people who make these decisions have ever experienced anything traumatic or painful in their lives. They must be perfect.
Holly
my husbands doctor said that if he keeps taking the amount of Tylenol and Aleve he has been taking due to tapering off methadone that he is gonna kill himself, LOL
Can’t take opioid cause it can kill you, can’t take Tylenol cause it can kill you
What’s the freaking difference CDC/DEA
Marilyn
Laurinburg, NC
My husband, now 83, has constant back pain due to a combination of arthritis and stenosis. He is not a candidate for surgery and epidural shots do not help. Since he has Alzheimer’s disease any change is very disturbing. His low dose of Norcon is administered by me, so there is little chance of overdose. Since he is in pain at different levels every 24 hours I shudder to think what havoc taking away relief would cause.
Mr. Pain
SC
Can’t take nsaids because of CHF. Topicals do not touch the pain.
3 neurosugons have told me I”m in operable.
What do I have left, but no quality of life.
I’m 63 yrs old with 3 beautiful grand kids.
Chiropractors, DMSO, accupuncture, Facet nerve ablation. Laminectomy.
Even Hydrocodone doesn’t help.
The only relief I get is from 10-20mg Oxycodone, and now the govt. wants to take that
from me because some are abusing it?
Same story about guns…a few misuse and the law abiding sportsmen will suffer.
Joan
I am 76 and have Rheumatoid Arthritis, degenerative disc desease and 3 bulging discs in my back and I am in pain every day. The Tylinol does not touch this pain and I cannot take anything like ibuprofen because of a heart problem and because it makes me have an upset stomach. I’ve been precribed an opioid with Tylinol and have been taking this for several years. Even taking that I can only stand for a short time I don’t understand how people get high from this as all it really does is stop the pain somewhat. I think the CDC should rethink what they are trying to do. The people who run the CDC have obviously not really looked into the situation. I always say….walk a mile in my shoes before you judge me. At my age I am just looking for a quality of life. Without the opioid I cannot walk and the Drs tell me to exercise. Are all of us seniors destined to be a burden on our children? I for one need to lead a semi independent life. I do not drive anymore because I do not feel I am safe on the road. I have to depend on my son to take me to the Dr to get my precriptions and as I can only get a small amount every month I have to conserve what I get for the days when I must do my laundry or some small chores around the house. This is no way to live.
Angela
Iowa
Who or where should we send letters (to CDC) with regard to these new guidelines? I think the CDC needs to hear directly from those of us who live with constant chronic pain.
If the CDC thinks the deaths from overdose are a problem, just wait until those of us who live with chronic pain that can only be managed with narcotics begin to commit suicide if we have to attempt to live without the assistance of narcotic medications.
I’ve had one spinal surgery, which helped, however, we’ve learned since then that I have an absolute mess of a spine (my Social Security disability application was approved the first time – took only 6 weeks if that’s an indicator) and even with narcotic medications, I still have pain – and that pain is caused by observable spinal bone degenerations, spurs and herniations from C3 to L5.
Mayo assessed my spinal MRIs and concluded that surgical interventions are not feasible. Living without narcotic medications is impossible (I know because I’ve come off two times to make sure I really needed them), and the very idea of not having access to pain medications pushes me into a panic attack.
I have no expectations of living completely pain free, but I’d like to at least have enough relief to be able to cook a meal for my family or go for a short walk. I’ve planned an “exit strategy” should the future mean no more medications because my life would not be worth living with the kind of pain I experience without medications (and I have a high pain tolerance). I would hate to do that to my family, but they all understand what I live with…….
Judi
Seattle
For 25 years I had chronic headaches that were diagnosed as migraines. To prevent analgesic rebound I was allowed 20 Tylenol 2 per month. Drugs like Imitrex had no impact on the pain. I also tried all the preventatives including beta blockers, gabapentin etc. Because of my employers insurance I had to go to HMO doctors. It was hell. I almost bled out from taking high doses of ineffective NSAIDS.
When I retired I could change doctors and the first one I saw in the new practice said “Look at your neck!” After actually getting MRIs, X-rays it became clear that the headaches were cerviogenic. I was referred to pain specialists and for a time steroid injections eliminated the neck pain but not the headache. I was switched to Tylenol 4.
Finally, two weeks ago I had cervical spine surgery that also removed all the bone spurs grew while we were treating for migraines. So, far I am very optimistic.
When I read this CDC recommendation it took me back to the 25 years doctors told me what not to do but had nothing to offer me. I believe honorable people will do what they need to do to get relief from their pain. I’ve read of increased deaths since the reclassification of medications in October, both suicides and others who turned to heroin, which is now easier to get than meds managed by properly trained doctors.
When deciding to do my surgery my final thought was that I couldn’t face my whole retirement laying curled in a ball.
Jim
land o lakes, fl
I have been taking vicoprofen, Hydrocodone-Ibuprofen for several years due to debilitating back pain. I have had back surgery that only made the pain worse. My only respite from the pain is the Vicoprofen. My pain doctor ran DNA tests a few years ago and determined that this medication was the right one for me. Before that we tried drugs supplemented with Tylenol which was absolutely worthless.
We all need to speak up to our congressmen and women about this. Our quality of life is about to take a serious turn for the worse!
Norma
Quilcene WA
My daughter-in-law has suffered for many years with an incurable bladder disease. She gets her pain melds from a pain clinic, and even with these potent painkillers, battles depression every day because of pain. What will happen to her when she has to bear the full brunt of the pain? I fear she will end her life.
Phil
Florida
The recommendations in the guideline are voluntary, rather than prescriptive standards. The recommendations are also meant to apply to primary care physicians, and although they may apply to other specialists such as emergency care doctors, etc., that is not the main focus here. Opioids have serious risks. Chronic pain patients needing long term opioid treatment should be treating with a pain management specialist anyways, and not relying only on their primary care doctor for treatment of pain. These guidelines don’t tell doctors that they can’t prescribe opiods, they merely suggest that doctors weigh the risks vs benefits and monitor the use and effectiveness of the opioids more closely.
LINDA D
CT
What has happened to common sense?
If OTC pain killers were able to do the job of pain relief – opioids would never have been perfected.
There will be untold backlash from this law.
Sad.
Keith
Dallas, Texas
I have a “former” freind who has been addicted to hydrocodone for years. Unable to get a prescription any longer she now gets it from others who either sell their own tablets – very common, or steal from a close family member’s bottle. She recently wound up in ICU on the taxpayer’s dollar due to her addiction. I think the need and amount of tablets prescribed needs to be more judicious – not eliminated.
Lori
Indiana
Please read the CDC guidelines completely and understand they are NOT stating that Chronic pain can not be treated with narcotics, they are saying they must be monitored and investigated for effectiveness related to the pain symptoms.
Basically, if you take narcs for chronic pain they are finding that it isn’t working, or that dosages have had to be increased in order to keep the pain tolerable. They are also showing that several different pain narcotics have been prescribed in an effort to control pain. Finally the conclusion is that narcotic pain medication is ineffective after 3-5 days of use, and causing addictive behaviors as the medication needs to be ramped up or changed to a different kind because it no longer is working.
Also know that physical therapy, acupuncture, essential oils, massage and counseling can be used. The primary care doctors that have been prescribing these narcotics for years without truly investigating there effectiveness to the patients, they are now being forced to investigate the real causes of pain and send referrals to Pain Management specialists.
Primary care doctors are required to send a patient complaining of back pain to a Spine specialist, or Orthopedic. Or Rheumatology, Hematology….etc. This is about YOUR health!
Why wouldn’t people want to take charge and question why they have been on narcotic pain medicine for so long and not be willing to see a specialist. I understand sometimes it is a hassle to find transportation, or take off work, or whatever. However, the bottom line is stop be so willing to pop pills to numb your way through your day, placing your family, friends and loved ones at risk while you are out driving or working dangerous jobs.
Believe me when I say there are A LOT of people taking narcotics out there…..NO ONE is exempt. That doctor you see may be, the ambulance driver perhaps, the cashier, the police officer, the babysitter, and even the anesthesiologist who puts you to sleep for surgery!! Wake up people!!
HelenM
Modesto
Lori, have you read the comments here and at the link to other comments? It is an actuality that pain medicine has become harder to get, both in getting a script from a pcp and the medicine itself from a pharmacy. We are awake, no need to tell us we are not. We are also running around to find a doctor who is willing to work with us to relieve our pain and then a pharmacy who is willing to fill a script for pain meds. Since when should pharmacists be the final word on what we take or don’t take? Ditto for the government. If they are so concerned about our deaths, then let them fund more research for cures that will keep us living in reasonable, pain free, health!
My pcp won’t cover pain treatment. He’s afraid of losing his license because of overzealous DEA agents, not to mention other doctors who don’t have a clue about pain. It is a good thing I asked for a referral to a pain management specialist several years ago or I would have no life.
When you have lived in my shoes, or my husband’s, or any of the people who have commented on this site, then perhaps what you say will have validity. You do not describe yourself as someone with chronic pain, therefore, IMO, you have no credentials that make your post worth considering.
I have tried to keep this post civil, per the rules here; however, as a chronic pain sufferer, I feel very strongly about this unwarranted treatment as the hands of the government, an entity that is supposed to be the servant of the people; not the punishing parent. Except, of course, when there is criminal activity/people. Then I say, go after those that run the drugs into this country, not after we the innocent.
Peggy
Angels Camp, CA.
Well Lori, I can only say I hope no one you love or care about is ever in need of long term pain medication.
Terry
Michigan
Are opioids sometimes given put too easily and quickly? Yes, I was surprised when my son was given them just because he had his wisdom tooth pulled. But if you have found that massage (and I love a good massage), essential oils, or even acupuncture will cure the kind of chronic pain the posters are describing, you have been lucky. As someone who suffered from soul-sucking chronic pain caused by TN2 before finding a drug that did work, my heart goes out to people who find themselves in a situation where the one drug that worked for them is being taken away or being made difficult to get. People with chronic pain shouldn’t be treated like criminals on top of it all.
Amy
People become tolerant to meds and need the doses increased. This isn’t just with narcotics.
Insurances don’t usually cover alternative treatments for pain so that is all outbox pocket for the patients. Many of these treatments don’t work for everyone.
Most insurance companies make you jump through every hoop possible before they will even consider surgery, epidurals, nerve blocks or nerve cauterization. By that point many people are dependent on the narcotics.
I’ve been on pain meds for 3 weeks due to rotator cuff surgery and I’m not addicted and BTW, they are still effective when I take them.
These guidelines are ridiculous because it’s not going to stop the drug seekers or addicts. People who don’t have addiction problems don’t take narcotics when they aren’t in pain……ADDICTS DO!
These guidelines will force the true people in pain to seek illegal drugs or even commit suicide.
Edward
Lori, have ever you had to live with chronic pain that is so bad when it is untreated that all you can do is curl up in bed and cry, sometimes even sobbing? Have you ever had chronic pain that surges forth in waves of agonizing fire if you miss a dose and that can take days to get back under control? Have you already been to dozens of other doctors, specialist, and pain management people, had dozens of tests done, had multiple medical conditions diagnosed with each contributing to your pain in its own way? Would you rather die than to have to live another day in severe chronic pain? Have you ever had something, anything, that made you feel so bad? I find your comment that we should “stop be (sic) so willing to pop pills to numb your way through your day” to be highly offensive, unwarranted, and demanding of an apology to all of us chronic pain sufferers.
Kassandra
Arizona
Lori, Clearly you have never suffered from CHRONIC pain. I have had sciatica for 11 years. If I am not on gabapentin and I try to walk to my mailbox, I often have to sit on the ground half way there because walking is so painful. I have tried physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, reiki, homeopathics, yoga, hypnosis, 7 epidural injections, chiropractic, and every OTC pain killer there is. NOTHING WORKS completely, but the gabapentin does help some and at least gets me to where the pain is tolerable enough for me to make a meal and get some things done. Without it, the pain never stops, I can’t sleep well, and I can’t even stand up long enough to pour milk into a glass so I grab the gallon, sit down and drink it out of the gallon container.
Have you ever experienced something like this that DID NOT STOP FOR ONE HOUR IN ELEVEN YEARS? Obviously not. My dogs are my children as I have no other family. I have even started looking for homes for them because the pain makes my life too agonizing to bear and I just can’t take this forever. My doctor has started me on Cymbalta which is supposed to work as both a nerve pain killer and an anti-depressant. It was helping a little so she increased the dose—-but I was told my insurance will no longer cover it (after just 2 months) and without insurance it is over $300 a month—-I cannot afford that. Please, Lori, before you get so judgmental and look down on people who have a problem that you have never experienced, please try to imagine what their situation is like and conjure up a little empathy.
Terry Graedon
We understand that you are between a rock and a hard place. Nonetheless, we are worried about the combination of Cymbalta and gabapentin. It can be hazardous:
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/03/25/doctors-overlooked-scary-drug-interaction/
Rich
Houghton MI
I agree with all the comments below. People will also turn to marijuana but only those who can afford it. The CDC should recommend rescheduling cannabis products and it being covered by insurers.
S
Roanoke, VA
Is someone at the CDC on the payroll of the makers of Tylenol, etal?
Charles
SC.
As usual, these people are fools. Get ready to see the effects of this with
“street” pharmacies on every dark corner.
As was said back in the 60’s, “what a field day for the heat”.
Edwin
Dallas, TX
When I herniated a disc Dec 2014, there was minimal relief from the constant pain for 2 weeks until I got the 1st injection, which resolved it. My dad had migraines – at one time he took 8 hydrocodes a day; it ruined his hearing – he passed migraines along to me. Dad told me 30 years ago, “When I have one of these headaches I understand why people commit suicide.” Good news is he didn’t. Passed at 84 with heart issues. Heaven help us all…
Susan
Boston
I have suffered with chronic pain in my neck and lower back due to degenerative disc disease for six years. I am 51 years old. I have had two surgeries for herniated discs in my cervical spine. The pain returned after each surgery. Consequently, I have been taking pain killers for five years. During that time, I tried physical therapy, accupuncture, TENS, heat, ice, steroid injections, chiropractors, ultrasound and cold laser. (Forget about over the counter medicines like Tylenol and ibuprofen!) Some treatments helped but none got pain to place where I could function well without pain killers. My lower back in particular drives me crazy because of the buzzing nerve sensation! My prescription is for 2 morphine sulfate extended release tablets daily plus lower dose immediate release tablets as needed. I manage them so that on most days I take one of each, and I have never abused them. I would love not to take any but my life would be miserable without them. Until you experience chronic pain, you have no idea how it affects one’s ability to function. In recent months, I have been treated like a criminal. I have had random urine tests (which I must pay for), have been required to sign an agreement outlining rules about obtaining and using pain killers and I must go to my doctor’s office to obtain the physical prescription every 30 days. My doctor is apologetic and does not appreciate having to play police. She insists that this is not an attempt to take away pain killers from those who need them. The government is trying to find the source of drugs being sold illegally. Meanwhile my anxiety level is going through the roof as I worry about what comes next!
Patricia
Port St John, FL
I am 77 years young and have chronic pain from Arthritis. I only take half the Norco dose I’m prescribed. I read where the CDC wants to limit opioids to legitimate users. I also see where the money is behind legitimate use of marijuana. Could this be a backward push to change people’s minds? Maybe the correct way would be to put marijuana out there in prescription form and let pain sufferers try it to see if it works. I’m NOT pushing this drug but if you take away something that works then give something in return as an alternative.
Janet O.
San Joaquin Valley, California
I’m facing my second full knee replacement surgery in a few months. I recall my orthopedic doctor asking me what I take to alleviate my horrific knee pain now, and I replied, “My primary care doctor prescribed Tylenol which, by the way, does nothing for my knee pain, much less help with a mild headache.”
The pain after knee surgery is horrendous, and physical therapy is a must to ensure range of motion and mobility, so I’m frightened as to what I’m facing! I was prescribed OxyContin for pain for nearly three months. Mind you, the dosage decreased with time, but now they’re saying three days post surgery pain medication is appropriate! Who are these people and what are the thinking? It’s not reality and absolutely ridiculous to punish the innocent law abiding citizen, so they, (the DEA), can feel they’ve made a difference with the drug war!
I’m thinking of putting off my surgery but I can barely stand the pain now. I know the exact intensity of pain I’m facing, since I’ve already been through it once. The fact that I’ve lived with chronic pain for over 30 years is the reason for my obesity. I’m unable to stand, sit, or lie for any period of time much less walk a short distance without experiencing severe pain, & cramping from all-over arthritis, just to remain flexible.
I’m constantly trying my best to lose weight! I’m not obese via poor diet. On the contrary! I do everything in my power to stay healthy but if hurts to walk, then just try to imagine what it’s like for chronic pain sufferers like myself, and others, along with those facing surgery!
JW
I am dreading the day, I may need pain meds, and be denied. I am allergic to opioids and the alternatives I can take are even more restricted. I may have to move to Colorado or other state with legal marijuana.
Beth
My daughter uses opiod medications off and on because of chronic conditions such as endometriosis and Interstitial cystitis. She tries not to take it if other things are helping at the time but there are bad days where she has to have relief of the severe pain. This has been going on for years. In the past when she was a teenager they would prescribe 10 percocet and it was almost worse than having none. I would ask as she is rolling around moaning in bed “how bad is the pain because we only have 3 pills left”. If we go back to those days, I don’t think my daughter will survive it .
I am sick and tired of innocent people being hurt and denied pain relief because some abuse the system. Why do the “bad guys” always win. Deal with those who abuse the drugs and if it is the doctors abusing the prescribing of the medication, then deal harshly with them, but let those who really need the medication have it. They put the decongestants behind the pharmacy counter, has that helped the meth problem. No. Bad guys win again.
Jennifer
Massachusetts
So true Beth! These idiot bad guys ruin it for others, innocent people suffer! I have 2 bulging discs in my back with a lot of pain and they gave me nothing! Bad guys win again!
LL
North Carolina
I truly believe that no one in the cdc has ever had chronic pain or they wouldn’t have even considered that statement. I have had three surgeries in my 54 year old life and taken no more than six pain pills in all. This year I experienced chronic unrelenting pain and am taking pain meds on a regular as needed basis. I am not abusing them, am taking less than prescribed, and have no side effects other than helping me maintain a productive life. I so hope I don’t have to go pharmacy hopping today get my prescription filled, that would be absurb.
Lola
16120
Last year the warning came out that over the counter pain meds were damaging the heart.
Yesterday on the news was a story on how a study of Tylenol for arthritis pain showed it was NOT effective, at all!
Are the people who run our lives crazy? What they are really saying is that ordinary people can not get narcotic pain meds, but we are not stupid, there will always be pain meds, by hook or by crook, available to the select few.
They tell us how much water we can use to shower, how much water we can use to flush our toilets,, how much and what kind of ingredients restaurants can put in the food they prepare for us, and now they have decided we have to suffer with chronic pain until – when?
What happens to those people who cannot take it anymore and end their lives. What is really going on here, and who really cares?
Mary
Yes, take Tylenol and destroy your liver rather than controlling your pain?
If we must now go to a pain specialist and they are refusing new patients, what is left?
Vivian
Lori Ind:
Do you have chronic pain of any kind? Do you have someone near to you that has chronic pain? I mean the kind of pain that never goes away .. it’s always there, some times we get a break & pain is not has sharp, but most have it 24/7 with no let up .. what the pain meds do, is help those to try to live a normal life as long as they can ..
Pain meds are very effective & NO, the are not effective ONLY for 3 to 5 days .. They keep on working & the increase doze, it’s usually years down the road .. Most would love it if they never had to ” pop” another pill , but our health problems are not that simple .. yes, all those things help .. for some .. others, not so much
I’ve been a chronic pain patient for almost 20 years now .. Spinal Stenosis( spinal column is narrowing) so all the nerves in my back .. all the way up .. are being squeezed .. when it rains, nothing can stop my back burning all the way .. it’s agony those days .. then it sets off a migraines that I keep for at least 4 days ..
As far as Specialist, I’ve seen around 6 of them now, they have no sympathy just as you do not seem to have .. I feel for you, Lori .. hope you & your love ones never have to endure the pain we suffer & then someone tells you, you can’t have your pain meds anymore.. or if we do LET you have them, we’re going to make you jump threw hoops to get ’em & make ya feel bad because you are using them .. take care
Jean
You need to “wake up.” Did you not read the posts from people with chronic pain? Their pain has been “investigated” and the causes are known. It sounds like you have never experienced the pain these folks are talking about as evidenced by your moronic conclusions.
OrioleK
Va
I just went thru the ordeal of recovering from a triple ankle fracture. There wasn’t a day for two months that I didn’t have pain. I had opioid medication and tapered down from 6 pills a day to none – after 3 months. These new guidelines say they are to prevent deaths from opioid abuse. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t an increase in suicide among people who have inadequately treated severe pain. Not only can pain seem intolerable, but it also induces depression and despair. I doubt that cognitive behavioral therapy would be adequate !!
Gracie
MA
Your quote from Cancer Soc rep. leaves out the word “not” in the first sentence. Please correct.
Bill
It’s unfortunate that our former form of government ” For the people by the people ” is anything but that! I am not on any of these restricted medications but am in health care. I hope these ignorant lawmakers need spinal fusions or similar procedures and are told that we can’t help you for your pain. You will have to go to CVS and get Thylenol or Advil ( which won’t be effective any way) and eventually burn up your Kidneys or Liver.
Gail
Virginia
“Pain does end when an individual completes treatment. Most often, cancer patients deal with lasting effects from their disease or treatment including pain for a significant period of time or indefinitely.”
“Pain does end…”? Is the word “not” missing from this quote, or is this quote actually in support of the CDC action?
djg
NC
These new guidelines are inhumane and cruel! As a retired oncology nurse I can tell you that pain management is the MOST important quality of life issue for cancer patients or any patient with chronic pain and we had finally gotten it right…..giving enough pain medication to control pain! How can we protest these new guidelines?
Kathryn Thomas
Stuart, Florida
Under the care of a dedicated and experienced acupuncturist chronic pain can be greatly diminished and in many cases eradicated. In order to receive these benefits, one must put themselves in a long term committed relationship, but I have seen miracles. Don’t give up, there are solutions.
HC
NC
Acupuncture helped my friend a lot but did nothing for my sister or I! Doesn’t work for everyone.
Michael
The president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said it eloquently:
“Pain does end when an individual completes treatment.
Did you leave out a “not” in there”?
K.C. RN
How many suicides will it take before the CDC sees the error of it’s ways? Perhaps when more people die at their own hand than from drug overdose? We heard my father’s threats of suicide, took his guns and have done everything possible to make his pain bearable. Another man I know, in severe, chronic pain for years, has said he will kill himself if it gets any worse. These people are not alone. People can not bear pain, mental or physical, without trying to end their agony. The CDC is acting beyond it’s scope of practice. Physicians are trained and give individualized care to their patients. The doctor, patient relationship is sacrosanct.
Laurel
NY
What will happen is the people who are taking pain medications for chronic pain, and follow the direction of their medical provider, will end up hitting the streets for illegal drugs to help with their pain. This is risky and could result in horrible consequences. But, when you are in so much pain, and cannot get the medications you need, even if you follow ‘the rules’, you will do what you have to to feel somewhat ‘human’.
This is going to be a mess, and the Government will end up getting sued by family members of the people who were forced off their medications, turned to illegal methods to help alleviate the pain, and end up dying prematurely because of this new policy. It’s a major slippery slope.
Penny
Dallas, Texas
I had to use Norco for 4 weeks after hip replacement to get through twice a day therapy but now pain free on my hip. However, my arthroscopic knee surgery left me with swelling in the knee and pain and now I have been diagnosed with RA in both of my wrists. I try to take over the counter pain meds but use Tramadol about once or twice a week. I have left over Norco which I use only occasionally because I just want a day without pain. You get weary of all of it and I would love nothing better than to not have RA. I am not ready to accept the diagnosis since my numbers were negative (but they have a name for that…sero negative RA) as I think it is an overuse injury and hard to heal since you use your wrist everyday. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed and I know there are people so much worse off and I feel for them.