First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Oct 14th, 2017Someone from Toledo, OH writes:
Quality of life is as important as life itself. If taking pain medication allows me to spend time with my grandchildren, friends and take walks with my dog then it should be a viable option. Regulation should be in place but not an obstacle. -
Oct 11th, 2017Someone from Bartlett, IL writes:
I have been going through all my pain and it is getting worse. Doctors send you to the pain clinic and pain management. I been to them all, nothing works, the doctors look at you and say, is your pain better now. When I say no, they act like they don’t believe me. I did physical therapy, and I see a therapist, I am so ****ed off at doctors. When you go for your appointment, it is in and out,, all of maybe 8 to 10 minuets. I have another appointment for pain management tomorrow I am just so tired of pain management, pain clinics,,Doctor appointmentsREPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 11th, 2017Someone from Bartlett, IL writes:
I have been going through all my pain and it is getting worse. Doctors send you to the pain clinic and pain management. I been to them all, nothing works, the doctors look at you and say, is your pain better now. When I say no, they act like they don’t believe me. I did physical therapy, and I see a therapist, I am so ****ed off at doctors. When you go for your appointment, it is in and out,, all of maybe 8 to 10 minuets. I have another appointment for pain management tomorrow I am just so tired of pain management, pain clinics,,Doctor appointmentsREPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 11th, 2017April S. from New Smyrna Beach, FL writes:
I agree it's been mainly the reason I can't work or help my mom. My dad just passed and she took is in the same situation! Thank you for helping us have the quality of the we are not having now.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 11th, 2017Gary H. from York Haven, PA writes:
I am in extreme nerve pain every waking moment. I was told to use an over the counter Lidocaine cream!!!!!! Are you kidding me? Every day I tell myself that the pain is still better than a bullet. Every day I believe that a little less.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 10th, 2017michelle t. from Camden, TN writes:
all of this I have read ( meaning the comments below are right I feel the same way, I wish I could have my own prescriptio of hydrocodone but I am not in the system or something like that.) You have it wrong its a money making machine and in these times thats how people pay their bills and have any money to spend. People who are prescribed the pills rarley take them just enought to pass a test or something to get more and Im kinda wondering if these pain clinics dont know that?????REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 9th, 2017Someone from North Judson, IN writes:
I think its a shame that I have to suffer seeing a pain doctor that can't give me the proper medication to help my pain in my condition. I have gout throughout my whole body, I have two herniated disk, disk disease, anxiety, high blood pressure and so forth. I hurt all the time, I am 55 years of age, and getting older, and my pain is getting worse. I have fallen out a few times and I refuse to walk with a cane. Now my pain Dr has me on a med called Oxycodone 20 MG. That is ok, but beside that med, I need something else longterm to help with my pain. I find myself taking more of my oxycodone to help with my pain, then I run out before its time for another refill. I think there's a problem with this? If I had a long term med with the break through med I am taking, I don't believe I would run out of my medicine. Just because the younger kids take it and OD on meds, doesn't mean I am going to do that, I am really in need of it for my pain. I believe I am being treated unfair because of this crooked system, DEA, and other government agencies. I wonder if they are not taking it themselves.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 9th, 2017William A. from Pana, IL writes:
While searching the Web this morning I came across this: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/anatomy-opioid-overdose-outbreak-how-one-georgia-doctor-sounded-alarm-n802786. I have been sounding the alarm about the unintended consequences of meddling with how doctors prescribe pain killers for legitimate chronic pain sufferers for some time now and this just proves what an unmitigated disaster such meddling will cause. After the death of Prince and the overdoses and deaths described in the above link due to counterfeit pain killers you'd think those in power would rethink the draconian measures they are enacting.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 7th, 2017Someone from Salt Lake City, UT writes:
You are so afraid that people will harm themselves with pain medications that it is ridiculous. What about people like myself with chronic pain yet I cannot afford the high cost pain clinics charge. I had a suicide attempt because I could not stand the pain anymore.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 6th, 2017Someone from Longs, SC writes:
Many of us who are suffering in pain have found after trying most every treatment available that the pain medication is our last resort and attempt at a functional life. Take the Pain Meds away and you will just increase fatalities because those that dont die right away from seeking some kind of illegal pain relief will in a matter of time and the rest of us feel we have no reason left to live and many will commit suicide. Because trying to live in Severe pain is not living. So In my opinion the government is not saving lives but instead causing more deaths by coming down on the doctors that have or have had enough compassion to try and help those in debilitating pain actually live a somewhat productive life. Shame on our government for crossing the line and dictating the Dr's professional opinions and decisions out there while trying to do there jobs as health care providers.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 5th, 2017Someone from Methuen, MA writes:
There are people who have legitimate pain and truly suffer and are good honest patients as myself and to be humiliated or treated in any way different is just not right. I'm embarrassed and won't even utter the name of my med. I've set a plan as a patient for myself as far as asking to come down to a lower amount and offered to sign a contract and urine whenever needed cause I want to be on a less dangerous amount and I feel the need to be trusted because of all of what is going on in the world and I've never lied or failed anything but I was going to a clinic for 5 years and 3 Dr's and secretary's all walked off the job and I stayed and a 2nd time it happend and a 3rd and I decided to leave cause I wanted a place that was good and I get an np and I brought up the decline in my meds cause I felt I didn't need that much and I'm in hell with this NP all this time everything is good cause I'm honest about everything and this NP tells me she's gotta be comfortable as I'm suffering. I suffer why? It was my idea and I'm sure Dr's would be shocked at the type of patient I am and would not treat me as an addict. Its a lose lose and it's not fair. I'm 46 years old and deserve the same respect I give you and I don't need to be treated like an addict. I have degenerative cervical spine disease with nerve damage that hurts more then I can explain. But I know I don't need a boat load of meds to help and don't want to be a zombie either. I can life with what I've come off of and I've come off more then half and it helps , it works so why if I do this on my own for myself and my comfort and it's also the amount my insurance will pay for which is good as well. Why am I still be treated like I'm a pos?? Its unacceptable to me and I won't allow no Dr to treat me as such when my record is good. No Dr has ever been uncomfortable with me and I get an NP and I'm going through severe depression and high blood pressure that I never had until seeing her. My anxiety is even worse but she's gotta be comfortable? Why? I'm a good patient? I do my part and then some and I feel like a mute cause I am being bullied. I just don't understand it. I don't wanna die...I just want to do it right and be able to function. This has made something I thought was positive turn into something I never thought in my life I'd ever think of. I'm a human being. What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 4th, 2017Holly B. from Kingman, AZ writes:
I am tired of this, I am 60 yrs old, have been in automobile accidents and cannot get 1 pain pill.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 4th, 2017Holly B. from Kingman, AZ writes:
I am tired of this, I am 60 yrs old, have been in automobile accidents and cannot get 1 pain pill.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 4th, 2017Tammy N. from Guyton, GA writes:
What happen to our country,This isn't America anymore,they America I once new cared what happen to our people.We don't need the DEA,they are the ones killing people it's not the pain killers it's DEA keeping us from our meds so we turning to the streets to fine relief an getting fake******that's killing us.Let our Doctors do what they took an oath to do. People in pain has a right to be pain free.You never heard of so many over doses til the DEA threatened the Dr an pharmacy,it's people who can't get there meds that go to the streets not knowing what they are getting that's what's killing people,wake the hell up an get rid of the DEA.There worthless.Let our Dr be Dr again.An our pharmacy to follow Dr orders not rewrite them.REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 3rd, 2017Lorna D. from West Hills, CA writes:
There aren't very many doctors that will write pain prescriptions. The ones who do find anyway including lying about your behavior to drop you as a patient. Even my Oncolagist can't write my prescriptions unless I'm having surgery. I've been in chronic pain for 22 year from Lupus SLE, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, injury, surgeries & fibromyalgia. I can lead a fairly normal life with pain medication. With out it, I'm bedridden. I'm only 59 years old. I look at least 15-20 years younger than I am. I have taken very good care of my health. I have kept the Lupus in remission for many years, but it doesn't stop the Arthritis. All they want to offer me is injections of cortisone that I'm allergic to & physical therapy I cannot do with pain medication! All my doctors agree I need the pain medication, they just aren't allowed to write it anymore. Now 99% of the pain management doctors in Los Angeles won't write it! What good are they?? They are managing anyone's pain!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 3rd, 2017Lorna D. from West Hills, CA writes:
There aren't very many doctors that will write pain prescriptions. The ones who do find anyway including lying about your behavior to drop you as a patient. Even my Oncolagist can't write my prescriptions unless I'm having surgery. I've been in chronic pain for 22 year from Lupus SLE, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, injury, surgeries & fibromyalgia. I can lead a fairly normal life with pain medication. With out it, I'm bedridden. I'm only 59 years old. I look at least 15-20 years younger than I am. I have taken very good care of my health. I have kept the Lupus in remission for many years, but it doesn't stop the Arthritis. All they want to offer me is injections of cortisone that I'm allergic to & physical therapy I cannot do with pain medication! All my doctors agree I need the pain medication, they just aren't allowed to write it anymore. Now 99% of the pain management doctors in Los Angeles won't write it! What good are they?? They are managing anyone's pain!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 2nd, 2017Someone from Lincoln Park, MI writes:
I am an RN who has a son that was in a bad accident and had multiple surgeries and is now in need of a knee replacement. He is 27 and has a family and a FT time. His doctor was being investigated by the DEA therefore she took him from 3 tablets a day to one. As an RN PAIN is the 5th VITAL sign..this is so wrong. Addicts are hurting my son terribly. WHY do people have to suffer d/t drug addicts. I don't see alcohol being removed from store shelves because of all the alcoholics and the lives they destroy by drinking and driving....REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 2nd, 2017Someone from Lincoln Park, MI writes:
I am an RN who has a son that was in a bad accident and had multiple surgeries and is now in need of a knee replacement. He is 27 and has a family and a FT time. His doctor was being investigated by the DEA therefore she took him from 3 tablets a day to one. As an RN PAIN is the 5th VITAL sign..this is so wrong. Addicts are hurting my son terribly. WHY do people have to suffer d/t drug addicts. I don't see alcohol being removed from store shelves because of all the alcoholics and the lives they destroy by drinking and driving....REPORT COMMENTS
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Oct 1st, 2017william w. from Tampa, FL writes:
please dont make it so diffificult to get pain medication' i am 85 years old and have many chronic acute pain issues.it is nothing short of criminal to deny pain meds to those of us who are dependent upon pain medication to have even a bare minimum of quality of life.REPORT COMMENTS
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Sep 29th, 2017Someone from Broomall, PA writes:
I have been suffering for the past 4 years now with chronic pain in my long bones. My pain gets so bad I just want to fall asleep and not wake up sometimes. The only thing keeping me here is my kids and hope that my last surgery I had 8/17/17 was a success which so far I'm still in pain but the doctors said it was a major back surgery that takes time to heal. My spinal cord was tetheted from birth and I have spina bifida occulta. I didn't know I had either but my spinal cord was stretched all the way past L5 and my pain and falling was getting worse by the day. Luckily my bladder stopped functioning which helped docs see the problem I was told was in my head.then I was told I had chronic regional pain disorder n then again changed to ms but all the while liked at as a drug seeker until they saw the tetheted cord n malformations Spina bifida. I fought three years to continue to have my pain treatedI every month I felt I had to convince the many docs I was sent to that I had actual pain taking over my life n finally The MRI that showed my cord ready to snap n i was sent into emergency surgery to release my spinal cord and reconstruct malformations in my spinal tract n sacrum. I'm still in considerable amount of pain between severe head pain and my limb pain is still there from before surgery as well as my new pain from surgery I'm suffering so much and anxiety every day and night from worrying all the time is consuming me. I had a normal life. I was a vibrant nurse n wonderful mother n wife until I woke up one day with pain that has never left. If they cut me I would pray that my life would end. I don't believe in suicide but I sure would pray God takes me in my sleep. My kids n husband have had to suffer right along with me by watching me suffer in pain so much. I've tried many alternative things to treat my pain. Natural remedys and then over the counter meds, ice m heat n injections n the list goes on and on. Please don't take my only relief away. I'm only on 10mg 4 times a day. I was on 6times a day but it's been tapered down even though I'm still recovering from major back surgery on top of that my pain prior to surgery. It's not fai. This is devastating to live like this.REPORT COMMENTS
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Sep 29th, 2017Someone from Broomall, PA signed.
Sep 28th, 2017James C. from Benton, KY signed.
Sep 27th, 2017Deandra C. from Baraboo, WI writes:
They are taking medication away from the people who are following the rules so their quality of life is awful and their families have to also see them suffer. The people who are abusing will not stop because you took out meds away. If you followed the rules you should get the medication you need.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 23rd, 2017Alicia H. from Ellenville, NY writes:
It is unfair, unethical and unscrupulous to deny people who live in chronic pain the right to a chance at making the best of their lives. No pain meds take ALL PAIN AWAY.....we still suffer. But to have to be judged and labeled as "drug seekers" just to be free of pain, is the general consensus due to stereo typing. It's sheer IGNORANCE. Doctors are AFRAID to treat their patients any more...it's shameful.And considering the oath they take, it's pitiful they have to choose between doing what's morally RIGHT-and doing whats LEGAL. SCRUTINY IS THE DESTINY OF ANY DOCTOR SEEING A PATIENT IN PAIN. so some people, GOOD HARD WORKING PEOPLE have turned to purchasing items on line,off the streets, or worse yet? Turning to illegal drugs such as HEROIN.....just to TRY TO LIVE WITH OUR PAIN. wake up AMERICA! THE GOVERNMENT HERE CAUSED YHE OPIOID CRISIS BY DENYING THE PEOPLE PROPER PAIN MANAGEMENT!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 23rd, 2017Shirley S. from Cement City, MI writes:
There is the American Disability Act as more people seek attorneys for being a disabled person who is being denied their medication turn into Civil Rights Lawsuits the DEA, States, your pharmacist, your drugstore chain all get slapped with Civil Rights lawsuits they might start to wake up. There are laws against what they are doing we just need to align ourselves with a good civil rights law firm.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 23rd, 2017Cambryn M. from Brooklyn, NY signed.
Sep 22nd, 2017Mary R. from Lancaster, MA writes:
People who have diseases that are accompanied by severe pain have the right to adequate treatment and whatever medication is needed to ease their pain.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 22nd, 2017angela k. from Merrillville, IN signed.
Sep 22nd, 2017angela k. from Merrillville, IN signed.
Sep 19th, 2017Tim R. from Pocatello, ID writes:
Instead of "do know harm", try seeing it from the patient's point of view. I wasn't given the choice of having my leg crushed in a motorcyle wreck, 25 years ago ( car ran a stop sign ), and having my leg amputated. I have other pain issues, besides phantom/residual limb pain. Was a good patient for 20 years. A year ago had my meds dropped down to the point of constant pain, resulting in ; 4 hrs a day of sleep, 143 lbs from 164 ( 5' 08" male, physically fit & healthy ). Was forced into a pain pump, with minimal results. Had a nerve stimulator put in 7 years ago, as I was looking into getting away from methadone...it was affecting my "relationship" with my wife. The stimulator, has had no effect on my pain. Do things, in 2017, have to get really bad, before a meeting of the minds takes place ? Do chronic pain sufferers have no say ? Thank you for reading my comment. All the best to you, and yours.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 19th, 2017William A. from Pana, IL writes:
While something needs to be done to curb the deaths caused by opiate overdoses restricting access to legitimate chronic pain sufferers is not the solution. Millions of us exist in this country and many if not all cannot function at any acceptable level without the pain relief only opiates can provide. I've been living in chronic pain and have been prescribed Norco to alleviate it for the past 13 years. I've never abused the Norco, given any away or sold it and I've passed every drug screen I've ever been given. Now my doctor tells me he is being forced to discontinue prescribing the Norco because of some bureaucratic guidelines being forced on him. Why? Chronic pain sufferers are not going away and will seek relief regardless of these guidelines. This will force many of us seeking relief to obtain relief from illicit sources and it's painfully obvious this will increase not decrease the number of deaths due to adulterated, counterfeit and possibly poisonous substances found on the street. Seriously what could be the motivation behind guidelines such as these? Prohibition of any kind has never and never will work, it only forces the problem underground and into the hands of unscrupulous dealers and criminals willing to make a buck off the misery of others. Adulterated and counterfeit drugs will become the norm not the exception and deaths from these drugs will most certainly rise. While I agree something needs to be done throwing legitimate chronic pain sufferers under the bus is certainly not the answer. Are all of us chronic pain sufferers to become criminals just to obtain the relief we require to maintain some semblance of a normal life? It's unconscionable, immoral and in my opinion criminal to force those of us living in chronic pain to be lumped into the same category as "drug abusers". We are not "drug abusers" we require these medications to function on a daily basis. The law of unintended consequences tells us this will be an unmitigated disaster much worse than what we are experiencing now. Suicides, deaths due to adulterated or counterfeit street drugs, criminal behavior all will most certainly increase the longer these guidelines are enforced. I implore each and all of you with the power to change these draconian guidelines to do so as quickly as possible. Failure to do so will most certainly result in much greater problems than the guidelines can ever hope to mitigate.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 19th, 2017Tony M. from Andover, NJ signed.
Sep 17th, 2017Wendy O. from Valley Village, CA signed.
Sep 17th, 2017Concerned C. from Nanty Glo, PA writes:
While overprescribing pain medication is medical malpractice, there is a strong argument that under-prescribing also constitutes medical malpractice. Along with "patient-abandonment" (i.e., kicking a patient to the curb after treatment has already commenced). Those of you who have suffered discernible negative consequences of not getting adequate pain treatment, such as inability to work, inability to continue school, short consider filing a class action lawsuit against the AMA and in turn the DEA.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 16th, 2017Someone from Lynnwood, WA writes:
Something has to be done about this. The DEA has gone too far and too many good people are suffering because of their careless guidelines. Lumping together heroin junkies and people who are in REAL pain and who do not abuse their medication is RECKLESS and very dangerous. It just feels so hopeless fighting against the government who ALWAYS get their way. I pray for ALL of you out there who suffer like me on a daily basis. And I wonder how these "Dr's" sleep at night knowing that their obtuse and spineless behavior has cost many lives and ruined many lives!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 15th, 2017Jennifer H. from Chicago, IL signed.
Sep 14th, 2017Someone from Byron, GA writes:
I agree 100%.I have been on methadone 3 times a day for the last 17 years and now they send me to a psychiatrist and is just weening me off and is not and doesn't care about the pain that will now be excruistiating when before I could live with the pain that the methadone didn't take care of.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 14th, 2017Someone from Lexington, NC writes:
I'm 51 years old and have been suffering from chronic back neck and shouder pain fot more than 10 years. I also suffer from anxiety disorders. I only get 3 10 mg Norco a day and 3 half mg Xanax a day. I manage to get by on those while working a full time job and helping take care of 3 of 7 grandchildren. I pay for my insurance and copays for my prescriptions. I also take lisynopryl for high blood pressure. I don't know how I could keep working or take care of my grandchildren without my medicine. I don't take illegal drugs and I never will. But I don't know what will happen to me if I can't get the medication I need to be a productive person. My husband is disabled and on medication also. His conditions are worse than mine. These "people" that want to controlpain medication really do need to know what it's like to suffer on an unending daily basis, then maybe they wouldn't be so quick to judgeREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 12th, 2017Someone from Merced, CA writes:
DEA, needs to be told to stand down. When patients diagnosed with Shingles only gets 2 pills a day something is wrong. Now my local pharmacy I have been going to for 8 years can no longer fill my pain meds for my spondylitis and I am waiting to be approved to go on disability something is wrong with the system. My local pharmacist is saying his wholesaler is cutting back on his opiates because he ordering to many. This local pharmacist was the only place in town left to fill Odin meds, CVS and Walgreens refused.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 12th, 2017Cassie Q. from Hope Mills, NC writes:
I think its not fair I have to suffer in pain an in able to get disability when I really need it badly well both heck I can't even get Medicaid...REPORT COMMENTS
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