First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Jan 2nd, 2016Someone from Oquawka, IL writes:
There are some practical reasons why whites are likely to be more efficient than blacks at killing themselves. For one thing, they are more likely to be gun-owners, and white men favor gunshots as a means of suicide. For another, doctors, undoubtedly acting in part on stereotypes of non-whites as drug addicts, are more likely to prescribe powerful opiate painkillers to whites than to people of color. (I?ve been offered enough oxycodone prescriptions over the years to stock a small illegal business.) http://www.thenation.com/article/what-happened-to-the-white-working-class/ -
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Mobile, AL writes:
My VA doctors and VA assigned (FEE BASE) Doctors refused to treat my injuries sustained as a First Responder at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 after reporting havng to wait over 2 years for the removal of a recall defective metal device that had been Voluntarily recalled by its manufacture. . My pain management doctors harrassed me for them to Implant a defected Pain Pump inside my stomach. I reported this mental and medical abuse to the Alabama Medical Board of Examiners to date have not look into these doctors after 2 pain doctos assigned to treat me have been arrested for Drug charges and Medicaid fraud. My body still hurts tremendously. I need HELP to care for myself and family.REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Kirkland, WA writes:
My doctor makes me take a drug test to continue to treat chronic pain. It is demeaning. I ofter suffer through pain ondteaf of going to urgent care where I risk being treated like drug abuser. Narcotic pain meds allow me to manage pain that would prevent me from keeping a kob and having quality time with my friends and family.REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Taunton, MA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Tucson, AZ writes:
I am 62 year old, single female that has dealt with chronic pain for 15 years. I have lost my long-term marriage, my job, insurance, friends, most of my ability to walk, breathe and have some dignity. Much of this is due to being a victim of someone else's (6 different guys hit me at different times) poor driving --accident choices. I am not able to sleep but from sheer exhaustion. I get maybe 2-3 hours in a 24hr period. I have arthritis, depression, asthma, acid reflex disease, hearing 27%, fibromyalgia, cracked neck, back, degenerative disc disease (every other disc and neck needs surgery yesterday), severe carpel tunnel both wrists. In 2008 I had a full hip replacement (Lt hip) Now surgeons in 2015 stated I am missing the plate between the metal and bone. This means the metal is shaving the bone, so if I wait too long I will be unable to have Lt hip fixed (there will be no bone left to connect metal to). Of course the hip surgery hospital lost my medical records of my surgery! So no chance getting in on a recall. My rt hip is broken (bone on bone mass arthritis). From 2001 to 2008 I shook at night from pain until they discovered by accident my back L5S1 had a 5 inch long crack (had multiple x-rays, MRI's but all Dr.'s stated they thought it was a shadow-- it was too big! While awaiting surgery for my neck the night before I threatened I'd jump out the window (6 floors) if they didn't do the surgery on my back first--and they did. The pain reduced to half --probably half of what a natural childbirth feels like at the very end --yes I've had 2! So never got the neck done. So I can tell you what it feels like to have pain -- with and without pain medication. I can also tell you that when a person has my kind of pain, you can only wish for a high -- but it doesn't come. The medication allowed me to work my last several years prior to Aug. 2015, so I could collect my social security $739.00 Try living on that! And thanks to AZ new law that you have to see a Dr. every month to even get meds--no meds (but don't worry this means no addiction! I'll bet you'd like to trade places--yeah!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Shallotte, NC signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Lithia Springs, GA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Somerville, MA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Milo, IA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Amory, MS signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Fresno, CA writes:
Pain must be treated! Or find a cure for it!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Superior, WI writes:
In my area it's next to impossible to receive opiods for pain relief, chronic and acute. Just in my circle of loved ones, I have seen the following: A 45 year old woman who cannot get pain medication after major abdominal surgery because her primary care physician wasn't the prescriber. It was the surgeon who prescribed it, so insurance won't cover it, and the pharmacy refuses to let her pay in cash. A 74 year old accused of being a drug seeker when she was brought to the ER with back pain. Turned out she had kidney stones and a UTI. A 44 year old veteran denied pain meds for a severe, permanent knee injury that forced him into early retirement from the military. A 21 year old male accused of faking groin and back pain to access narcotics, even though he turned down hydromorphone and asked for Toradol. He ended up needing surgery to remove several 10 mm size kidney stones. A 42 year old female denied pain medication for multiple foot fractures after an accident. A 43 year old woman told to increase her doses of naproxen after calling her dr to report renal and stomach side effects. She's currently in the hospital after developing a GI bleed. A 55 year old veteran accused of drug seeking when he was brought to the ER with head trauma after being robbed and beaten. Funny how the addict who did this to him is treated more compassionately than the guy he brutalized. A 38 year old female denied pain meds while having shingles. And these are just acute pain patients. This doesn't mention those of us with chronic pain diseases that are denied pain relief. Those of us with chronic pancreatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, numerous back problems, severe osteoarthritis, stress fractures in the spine, neuropathy from diabetes and blood clots, fibromyalgia, CRPS..,,the list goes on. Not one of us can get help from our doctors. Every single one of us in my group have side effects from this lack of treatment. Many of us have uncontrolled high blood pressure from stress and pain, most of us have varying levels of PTSD and depression because of these accusations. One patient has started getting panic attacks every time they enter a medical facility. Despite opiods being next to impossible to get here, heroin use has risen dramatically. Hmmm. Coincidence? This is a disgrace. Our government and our medical professionals are telling us that our lives have less value than those who abuse drugs. People who are hurting physically suffer enough without society accusing them of being the reason their kid doesn't know how to stay out of medicine cabinets.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Fresno, CA writes:
I have a disease called Ehlers Danloss Hypermobility. Nearly all pain medication do not work for me. I've been on Tramadol for over three years because I can't take NSIDS. I want a cure for my disease.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Jaffrey, NH writes:
Government FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE. I desire to have caring doctors to treat my EDS type III symptoms. If you knew what it was like to live in chronic pain you would understand why we need pain medication.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Gibsonville, NC signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Cape Neddick, ME writes:
As someone who suffers from EDS Type III, I know personally what it feels like to be unable to find a doc who knows anything about EDS and, even when they do have some idea of what it is, I still get labeled as "having anxiety" when my POTS is out of control and have had to do all of the research myself to try and get help for all of my symptoms. I had a cardiologist just dismiss my symptoms as anxiety and the same with two PCP docs even AFTER I told them that I have EDS.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from South Plainfield, NJ writes:
I posted a few months ago about my back. Well since shots have not helped and no one will give me proper medication; I can no longer feel my legs!!!! I am a 38 year old working professional. Well, I was. Without help via medication I can't go to work, I can't feel my legs and I can't even walk. Do you know what that's like to not be able to even walk to the bathroom without crutches? I was in amazing physical shape! I cry every day. I tried to join a gym and push through the pain and totally blew my back out just by walking on a treadmill. If I my job we are going to lose our house! I'm scared, I'm beyond terrified, why are you doing this to people? I'm young and have done everything right in life. I have followed all the rules and worked hard and this is what I end up with? Practically disabled with no medical help, even with amazing insurance. This country is a disgrace. I'm ashamed to be an American. For those of you who will be like; "then leave", well when I'm disabled and homeless before I'm even 40; I won't really have a choice now will I? You have ****ed all over the constitution. If you're going to ban medication for crippled people why the hell are cigarette and alcohol still legal? Why! I want a legitimate answer. Why!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Lakeville, MA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Marlborough, MA writes:
A patient that needs opioids to control intractabke pain that doctors refuse to try and correct, or claim that they can't correct, is NOT in the same class as a person that uses opioid medications to obtain a "high" or other feeling of escape or euphoria. When a person with true chronic pain take opioid medication, they don't experience any such feelings of euphoria or enjoyment, they simply feel less pain. Stop putting those of us with true chronic pain in the same classification as those street abusers of opioid medications. It's unconscionable what you and the media are doing. You are destroying lives, reputations and families.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Halifax, MA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Gloucester, MA signed.
Jan 1st, 2016Someone from Edmond, OK writes:
I have a unique perspective on this. Having been in LE for 20 plus years and having been diagnosed with Autoimmune arthritis for 10 years, I see both sides to a degree. Yes, we have patients and doctors abusing their medications, but we also have patients whos lives have greatly improved because of those medications. We must do a better job of allowing the medication to get to the patients that truly need them, and use them correctly while at the same time holding those accountable that abuse them.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Providence, RI writes:
We need to stop feeling dirty and punished needing to take pain medication. None of us asked to take on our conditions and medication to control pain helps us to return to more functioning members of society - so get on board and treat us with respect and HELP us!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Vanderbilt, MI writes:
I was born with Klipple Fiel Syndrome and has cause cervical Kyphosis discs herniated so badly in my cervical spine that it's effecting breathing and caused muscles to die in my shoulder and arm and causes the most pain. Having surgery to fix it. The doctor I have has since the degeneration of my vertabre started is a PA-C and recent changes since there is no MD or DO working at his clinic just a DO overseeing the clinic and a NP working in office in small town USA he can only perscibe Tylenol 4. So my surgery that is medically urgent had to wait as the surgeon can only wright a 7 day supply due to hospital policy and I have to wait 13 months to get into the pain clinic because no doctors are in my area to help cause no one can perscibe CII opiate medications that you changed Hydrocodone to. So you are causing me to have irreversible nerve damage and the death of my muscles. I told the surgeon to do it anyway but he won't and says pain management helps aid healing that if I'm having muscle spasticity from the pain I could require revision surgery to fix the rods that could bend or dislodging of the screws. In addition to that I am having thoracic and lumbar fusions and Prestige Disc placement. You guys really need to back off these people. Drug addicts go to jail everyday for heroin and cocaine. Can't you see regulation is not working anyway. Why distory these people in real pain and punish doctors for helping them. You guys are just jerks and probably huffing smoking snorting and injecting all the evidence so even if you were in chronic pain you wouldn't feel it and you could medicate yourself. Well we do t have that option. If a doctor says I need blood pressure pills you going to take that away too if people start a using it. Pretty soon you will have people prostotuting for a Boniva or a Coumadin. And you wonder why there is a doctor shortage. But yea. Let's make the newest abused drug Suboxone that's more prevalent and abused drug a CIII and force doctors to get addition tests and lay you more money to help the addicted with the problem they ha e themselves that you have to blame on doctors because all drug addicts tell the truth right. Of course they would say it started with a valid script. Who else can they blame so they look like a good person. STIGMA. Hello. But that's okay. I used to be a Addiction counselor but I quit because of government oversight and restrictions. So now your forcing doctors to hate the job and quit too. You guys need oath of DO NO HARM TO THE PEOPLE. IDIOTS.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Marble Falls, TX writes:
Alprazolam has destroyed my life. Had anyone especially my doctor gave me even a hint of what was to come after taking this for less than 2 months I would have not even considered it. The withdraws are unbearable and through the multiple attempts to quit I have yet to see light at the end of the tunnel. That 2 month scrip has now turned into a 7 year nightmare that I can not wake up from. This is truly the worst, most painful experience I have ever had and would give anything to go back and sat NO. I do not belive there is a more addictive substance on this planet and I am a slave to it.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Pittsburgh, PA writes:
CHRONIC PAIN cure it , treat it , or kill me !REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Norristown, PA writes:
There are many patients who do commit suicide b/c they refuse to suffer day in and day out. It is a war for us and we are not talking depression! We are talking hour to hour pure pain. Dr.'s are also told that chronic pain suffers will eventually manipulate, that it's not a question of if, rather it's a question of when and how. What a great deal of you fail to realize is that most narcotic medications don't give us a high because we are not addicts. Addicts get a high from narcotic medication, we however don't. I am also NOT "a functioning drug addict" so refrain from using that terminology as it truly causes despair b/c you are still insinuating that i am a drug addict. I have purposely gone off of my pain medications numerous times to prove that my pain is not rebound pain and that it and my disease that cause it are real! Do you have any idea what it's like to feel you are not believed when the truth is that your Dr is being prevented from treating you the way he knows is best, has exhausted all other avenues and is afraid to lose his license and practice? Furthermore, i think it prevalent to hold hearings to discuss why the DEA actually makes shortages of certain medications occur by restricting how many may be made. Imagine if that were your blood pressure med or a staple food such as bread you use daily - wouldn't you be outraged too? Well for us it is a staple and we couldn't function without it! We are not criminals and should not be treated like them.To have to prove yourself over and over and over again is a sincere waste of tax payer money when there is already enough proof and records to fill a suitcase. Why should have to have another U.S., then X-ray, and finally an Mri, and perhaps more P.T. that has a good chance of making me worse just to prove once again that i do need narcotic medication. Personally i would not choose to live this way. I would choose to go back to my simple life as a hard working commercial grocery worker but i can't. I will never be able to again. When do i get to just be a sick patient in chronic pain and not an addict, user, or drug seeking crazy person as i have been previously termed? When do we stop encouraging Dr.'s to blacklist patient and start to investigate why this has happened to them and RESEARCH their diseases?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2016Someone from Bothell, WA signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Quincy, MA signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Belmont, MA signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Quincy, MA writes:
I have a genetic disorder that causes severe chronic pain. There are times where I am completely bed bound. I think it's a shame that those of us that are responsible with our medication are treated to feel apprehensive of even approaching the subject of pain and managing it appropriately with our doctors for fear of being labeled. Not treating pain and taking away medication from the patients that truly need it is not the answer. Frankly, some days it would be torture. Suffering needlessly on a daily basis because a select group of people making the wrong decisions.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 31st, 2015Someone from Worcester, MA signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Providence, RI writes:
I have suffered from chronic pain for the last 10 years. Worse than the physical pain, however, has been the psychological trauma of living with this pain and facing doctors who repeatedly told me to 'just take Tylenol'. This demeaning and dismissive response to my very real pain only served to frustrate me, diminish my condition and exacerbate things further. First should come education about pain. For example, there are conditions in which a person's pain signals sent to the brain are crossed & the neurological circuitry has faulty wiring, resulting in more intense pain than what might be considered 'normal' by medical professionals. Second, the government should not interfere with those doctors who are trying to treat very real conditions. By reducing a patient's pain, many disorders and diseases can then be helped by various therapies. But those therapies can only be successful in the long run if the patient is able to participate in therapies (due to reduced pain levels) and feels calm, rested and confident -- all things that are impossible for a chronic pain sufferer who cannot ever get a good night's rest or have a relaxing few hours. Stigmatizing pain sufferers or labeling them as 'drug-seekers' DOES HARM to patients. This practice and witch hunt need to stop.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 31st, 2015Someone from Upper Darby, PA writes:
For those of us unfortunate enough to need this medication, to live without it is torture. And addicts will just switch to another drug. This is just more political theatre achieving nothing but hurting the sick and disabled.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 31st, 2015Someone from West Hartford, CT signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Quincy, MA signed.
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No, CancelDec 31st, 2015Someone from Warwick, RI signed.
Dec 31st, 2015Someone from Rutland, MA writes:
Those of us whom do not abuse these drugs, absolutely need them to live a normal life not free from pain but to be able to do normal tasks to survive each day. They can not be taken away, that will only lead more chronic pain sufferers to go down a path which is not well.REPORT COMMENTS
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