First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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May 18th, 2016Someone from West Hartford, CT writes:
I have a rare neuromuscular disease, and acute unrelenting pain is one of the most immobilizing and devastating beasts of the disease, due to intractable muscular rigidity, seizing, spastic exertions and falls, as my legs give out beneath me. My new primary care doc in Connecticut refused to prescribe my regular percocet med which I have been taking responsibly and without issue since 2009, telling me "it's just a band-aid," and, when I tried to talk to her about how essential the pain med is in the treatment of this excruciating disease, she literally fled from the room. I had to seek help from a Nurse Advocate to speed up the referral that came with a two month wait to see the neurologist to treat my disabling disease, but my PCP's office will not even respond to her faxes and phone calls. The only choice I have left, along with so many other rare disease patients, is to go live in the ER rather than have a knowledgeable and compassionate doctor give me a pill, my regular med. I am not an addict or a criminal because I am severely ill. I simply need and am owed vital medical care! -
May 18th, 2016Someone from Sterrett, AL signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from East Helena, MT signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Binghamton, NY signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Hot Springs National Park, AR signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Marysville, WA signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Marysville, WA signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Middletown, OH writes:
I recently went to the ER because my pain was so intense that my BP was dangerously high! I live in Southwest Ohio and its a known fact that you will not receive any help with pain in this area. I have Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vit D Deficiency, Scoliosis, Herniated Disks and Fibromyalgia. I have suffered with the pain for years due to being treated like an addict. So, at the ER they gave me Morphine in my iv, which I do not particularly care for but was desperate at this point, and then they sent me home with Naprosyn because my BP stabilized. In my chart it clearly states that I cannot take Serotonin due to an allergic reaction that causes Serotonin Syndrome, and at 1st they were going to give me Tramadol which is an extremely dangerous medication due to be an opioid antagonist and SSRI in 1. As soon as I pointed out my chart to them and refused the medication the whole atmosphere changed along with their behavior. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, in fact, the only way I'll ever seek help again is if my life is on the line! This is ridiculous already! Physicians should be able to differentiate between an addict and a person in true need of help. And if they can't then they should be educated on it!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Lexington, KY writes:
As a chronic pain patient, advocate, researcher/writer on the topic, Columnist at painnewsnetwork.org, and Delegate to International Pain Foundation (formerly known as Power of Pain), I am acutely aware of the devestating reprocussions these laws and guidelines are already inflicting on the chronic pain community. Every day, I receive emails and phone calls from patients whose doctors have drastically reduced or completely removed their medications, leaving them with little to no quality of life. The restrictions are not helping curb addiction; less than 3% of pain patients abuse or divert their medication. The only thing that's happening is doctors fear losing their licenses and patients need for pain medication are neglected. If something isn't done quickly, I suspect the rate of street drug use will escalate, as desperate pain patients are left for dead, and suicide rates will continue to escalate.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Petersburg, VA signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Kansas City, MO writes:
i am a long time pain sufferer, 13 years to be exact. i have nerve damage, which is something that will never go away. i have damage from one back surgery, something that cannot be avoided because to get to the spinal column, one must cut through tendons and muscles. this does permanent damage. both of the conditions require me to take opiod pain meds because these are the only meds currently available that work to control my pain ... but now, doctors are becoming more and more afraid to prescribe these meds because of new regulations. the "war on drugs" is becoming a war on pain patients and that is not fair to those of us who are in such long term pain from things that have no cure. i am a patient, not an addict. i have a right to have my pain controlled. there are things that would eliminate my need for the opioids, but those things are not within reach currently because they're outlawed. Stem Cell Therapy, could potentially help the damaged nerves, muscles and tendons regenerate, but that's not legal, presently. Medicinal Cannabis could provide some relief and help reduce my need for the opioids, but that's not legal nationwide and i live in a state where it's currently also outlawed. there are studies that show the CBD oils that are working to help epilepsy patients could also help with chronic pain ... but i cannot access this if it is illegal where i live. and it's also been proven that to help control pain, cannabis does not need to be smoked. it can in fact be put in an edible form and be just as effective on pain, but it's not legal. so, what choice does that leave me and the hundreds of thousands like me? it leaves us depending on opioids, which are becoming increasingly difficult to get because a small portion of the population chooses to abuse these medicines. i assure you that there are far more legitimate pain patients than there are people who abuse the opioid medicines those pain patients depend on to make their lives bearable. we are patients, not addicts. we deserve to be treated like PATIENTS.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Tucson, AZ writes:
Thank heaven we are finally seeing some reasonable and balanced responses to our government's misguided and reactionary 'War On Pain Medication' and 'Witch Hunt On Chronic Pain Patients', and the few brave and compassionate doctors that continue to take their oath seriously and care for these patients! I have been dealing with severe chronic back pain for decades, and have MRIs that clearly show degenerative and herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and numerous other spinal comorbidities. My MRI reports all state the term "multiple pain generators", and yet I've been going though a hellish time lately trying to reveive proper treatment. My record in the Rx registry is 100% clean: I have been using the same pharmacy for many years (and have a personal relationship with my pharmacist); I have always obtained my prescriptions from one doctor at a time, usually for 3 to 4 year periods. But two of my doctors left their practices (to go into other specialties), and in 2014 I found myself 'orphaned'. I was repeatedly turned away and refused treatment by Primary Care physicians and Pain Clinics for more than nine months. (Three PCPs and three Pain Clinics to be precise.) I finally was accepted to a Pain Clinic, but immediately they cut the dosage of medication by 30-40% from the amount I had been previously receiving. In the year-plus that I have been going to this Pain Clinic, they have insisted that I receive multiple series of steroid injections to my spine and hips, even though I have paperwork clearly showing that in the past these injections gave me no relief, and in some cases actually exacerbated my pain. I was led to believe that if I refused these costly and dangerous spinal injections, the clinic would discharge me, and I would again be without my medications. I am 60 years old, and now feel a dismaying lack of compassion or care from my present doctors; I have virtually no control over treatment choices that should be mine to make, and am being bullied into futile and often risky treatments that I do not wish to receive any longer. On my most recent clinic visit I had one of my medications reduced yet again, even though I've informed the doctors repeatedly that my quality of life has sunk to the lowest I have ever experienced. They know I live alone and have to take care of myself, and rely on these meds to get me though the day and allow me to function through all the routine chores that healthy folks take for granted, but which for me are often impossible. My future looks very bleak, and I know many other people that are suffering with the same sort of situation as mine. So I say, LET'S HEAR FROM MORE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS, AND THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING DUE TO TO THE NEARSIGHTED AND INHUMANE PROHIBITIONIST POLICIES OUR GOVERNMENT IS FORCING UPON US. And to the Press: STOP PRINTING SCAREMONGERING ONE-SIDED ARTICLES THAT PRESENT UNILATERAL OPINIONS! Let the public hear both sides of the story; the function of the pressREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Tampa, FL signed.
May 18th, 2016Someone from Roxboro, NC writes:
I've suffered on chronic, intractable pain since I was 12 years old stemming from severe physical abuse growing up, a sexual assault and a car accident plus genetic inherited disorders that now include fibromyalgia/Cfs, migraines, degenerative disk disease in my cervical and lumbar spine, interstitial cystitis of the bladder, celiac disease, Hashimoto's disease, Bechet's disease, PCOS, TMJ, post shingles neuropathy. I'm a 37 year old mother of three. Legally disabled since 2007. Never smoked, allergic to alcohol, never did recreational drugs. I've been a model patient over the years spending almost $200,000 on every treatment available including physical therapy, biofeedback, counseling, every available antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anxiety meds, every pain medicine available, I allowed myself to be a Guinea pig to experimental infusions at Duke that cost me thousands. I've bought gun equipment for my house I could never use, memberships to gyms to use saunas, pools. Used TENS electroshock therapy. Nothing has worked for me. I'm horribly and dangerously allergic to 90% of every medicine I've taken, to the point of having the rare life threatening nerve rashes that require hospitalization. I've become suicidal from meds. Years of ineffective steroid treatment only make my pain worse, now my bones are thinned and muscles damaged. I can barely walk. I've been waiting since October 2015 to get in at a rheumatologist to receive autoimmune chemotherapy. My appt is not until August. So 10 month wait. The only med I've been able to tolerate is 3 percocets a day, that don't help with the pain. They only take the edge off so I can at least feed my children and light housework. I have no life outside of that anymore. No friends, outings, good days, no good house cleaning days, missing my children's events. I also take a sleep medication. But that's it. I'm suffering every day 24/7. I may sleep a total of 2-3 hrs a day. I pray that I don't wake up every day. I think about suicide but I lobe my children. I need more pain medicine but I'm scared to ask because my provider of 13 years, for the first time ever, is acting worried about what's to come. I'm so scared. How can people like me be punished for the few? What about the dangers of alcohol, the alcohol deaths, and the fact that it's legal without prescription and can be bought at any store. No one has to drink, but we the sufferers need our meds to survive! I have never been high in my life. This needs to stop! We should be treated with dignity and respect, understanding. Not suffering. How many will die because of the DEA changes to come? How many suicides, children left parent less, how many people will turn to the streets? Please help those in need.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Bessemer, AL writes:
I'm sick of this. Just because some celebrities and idiots can't read their bottle of meds and take it the way they want to does not mean that ALL people with legit chronic pain DO THIS ! We don't "get high". We don't "overuse". I've been on pain meds for fibromyalgia, lupus, epilepsy, neuropathy, and arthritis for 12 years! I'm alive. I know thousands of people just like me! Without pain relief, we could not get out of bed. We hurt. We hurt every day. Every minute. So get off your asses and do something productive!!! Stop demonizing everyone who has to have pain relief to survive. Would you rather us die? I've seen people commit suicide over the horrible pain they are facing. If opioids are so bad and addictive then legalize medical marijuana across the US. You can't overdose and it's not addictive. Then don't make it so hard for doctors to prescribe it. DO SOMETHING. DAMN. We are in extreme pain everyday and most of us get no help because doctors are scared to prescribe medication to help us. Oh and there is this: http://jezebel.com/nixons-policy-advisor-admits-he-invented-war-on-drugs-t-1766359595REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Chicago, IL writes:
I have been seeing the same doctor for 2 years because of my multiple back issues. My PCP I've been seeing for 5-7 years, neurologist, as well as pain management clinic for 2 years and they all refuse to treat my pain. I'm to the point where I have not showered in a week because I fear the pain that activity causes. I do not work. I do not have any friends. I do not participate in any outside activities. I can no longer stand to cook meals for my family. Lastly my sleep is deprived due to pain. I need help. Please.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2016Someone from Titusville, PA signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from San Diego, CA writes:
I was on pain meds , doing just fine for 14 years on the same dose without any changes. One day at my PM appt my Doctor cut my dosage in half . Saying it's the new law , I protested to no avail.She was in fear of being targeted by the DEA and lose of license. I have been Miserable ever since and dealing with Pain everyday! Not Fair !REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Lamar, CO signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from San Jose, CA writes:
I have been in pain for 18 years, every day and it wakes me up at night. This pain is caused by a spinal fusion with 2 rods, 14 screws and 2 cages, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, ankylospondolthesis, DDD. The only medication that works to help me manage my pain are opiates. I can take extra strength Tylenol till I'm blue in the face and it doesn't touch it. I never abused my meds but now, after 18 years, I can't get them! What do you think, someone like me, is going to do?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Nashville, NC writes:
People in pain are suffering while and our pain medication is being denied. Meanwhile people who never needed pain meds in the first place are shooting up heroin not because of pain medication but because heroin floods our streets. Taking pain medication away from people who need them and have been on them for years without problems will not stop people from dying of heroin. However turning your time and effort towards the streets where the heroin flows so you can clean it up might. When the supply of heroin on the streets starts going down so will the deaths from heroin. This will not be accomplished at the rate you are going. Why are heroin deaths being computed with opiate pain medication. Why is the media and government afraid to talk about heroin without smoke screening it behind pain pills. The cdc knows deaths from pain pills dropped after Florida tightened the laws of that state regarding pain pills. So why is this about pain pills when heroin is what is on the rise and has been for the past few years?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from New Carlisle, OH writes:
Mr. DEA Director, Your welcome to stay at my house for a week and see how a real pain sufferer lives. Work related back injury with an implanted pain pump.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Gilbert, AZ signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Rockford, TN writes:
The DEA has no right to make chronic pain victims to decrees or even stop pain medication. In fact it isn't even a Law. If we don't stand up for ourselves the will continue to take our rights away.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Fontana, CA writes:
Please let us tell our side of the story! From our own personal chronic pain hell!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Holly, CO writes:
Most of our politicians are lawyers. The DEA is a law enforcement agency. Neither are trained in medicine. Please leave the practice of medicine to Doctors.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from North Waterboro, ME signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Manchester, NH writes:
Then give them Marijuana which is not addicting but will help the painREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Millbrook, NY signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Johnson City, TN writes:
so glad i found this website. the media is only reporting the war on pain meds, i'd like to see a story on how many millions of people can't function or have some quality of life because the DEA cut off the physicians balls.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Erie, PA signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Mishawaka, IN writes:
Pain patients will have no semblance of life. Your first mistake with these 18 bills is that they are going to affect those who truly need medications the most! There is a civil lawsuit being put together as this letter is being sent. Every American has the right to proper pain management. What has happened to our constitutional rights? What has happened to this Country, and exactly how many people die from alcohol related accidents per year, yet nothing is done about that!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Mishawaka, IN writes:
It's time to file a civil rights lawsuit! As a chronic pain patient, I will be left with no alternatives! How many suicides will be on your hands?!? Stop lumping those of us who need pain medications with those who use and abuse! Let good doctors do their jobs and treat their patients accordingly!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Falconer, NY writes:
Thanks to the drug addicts, DEA and NYS I am now with out a pain management doctor! I have RA, Lupus, Polymyomiosits, etc. And I'm in alot of painost of the time. My pain management doctor is under indictment for treating his patients with narcotics. He has been nothing but helpfull! Perscribes just enough to keep me comfortable and uses injections. He is so kind and caring. Now I can not find a doctor to take me. I hate all those involved in causing this mess here in NY and all overy this county.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Friday Harbor, WA writes:
I have Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2. I take a myriad of medications including anti-convulsants, anti-depressants and opiod pain medication. Fortunately, I am in a remission period and have chosen, on my own, to no longer take opiods. The other medications I take require regular monitoring of my liver and kidneys, memory loss and a never-ending tired- I won't ever be able to stop taking those medications as they are now my only defense against a relapse of pain. Opiods sometimes equated to the difference between just living and really living and participating in my life. I have lived in fear of being labelled an "addict." I signed a contract, take random drug tests, have been treated poorly by nurses, doctors and in-laws. I have had my integrity questioned all because of a medication I take to have a sembelance of quality in my life. I'm thankful I won't have to suffer all of this anymore but I am terrified of the day when my pain comes back and I am left without ALL of the treatment options available to me. Please consider the heartfelt words of the thousands of people who will suffer at the hands of those who have chosen to abuse a medication and have sentenced those who truly need it to a life of continued suffering and relentless pain. As I write this, I fear that all of us will be labelled as "addicts" for simply expressing our wish to have some sort of "quality of life."REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Salt Lake City, UT signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Satellite Beach, FL writes:
I live in chronic pain to severe TMJ and multiple surgeries. The only way I function is with the help of medication through my local pain physician. I believe treating a patient is between the physician and the patient. Once the government gets involved it's called socialized medicine. Many articles I have read show that chronic pain patients are not the problem. So, please don't punish patients who hurt because there are people who abuse. In cities where guns are taken away, the criminals still find a way to get weapons. The same will happen with medications. Those who abuse will find a way. They will most likely go to drugs like heroine that are very dangerous. There myst be a better way to help the population that is abusing these meds.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Pardeeville, WI writes:
I have CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth Disease) Arthritis in my back and bulging discs in my neck.. I don't know what I would do without my pain meds... They are barely enough to manage my pain.. If they took them away I don't know how I would be able to cope..REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 17th, 2016Someone from Clarkston, MI signed.
May 17th, 2016Someone from Pardeeville, WI writes:
I have CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth Disease) Arthritis in my back and bulging discs in my neck.. I don't know what I would do without my pain meds... They are barely enough to manage my pain.. If they took them away I don't know how I would be able to cope..REPORT COMMENTS
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