First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
-
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Merced, CA signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Ontario, CA signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Barberton, OH signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Milwaukee, WI signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Missoula, MT signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Lafayette, IN writes:
As you look down the list of people signing this petition it should be FILLED with doctors demanding back their rights to use their professional expertise that they worked so hard to obtain. The things happening to our medical care are a travesty. Why are we as free citizens of this nation not able to manage our own medical care?!? Where are the doctors of this world that pledged to treat the sick and suffering? We have to find a way to stop this abhorrent treatment! How and why should anyone with chronic pain just have to learn to deal with it? It's like the government can't find a way to control the addicts and abusers so they decided to show their muscle by preying on the elderly and sick law abiding people. Citizens of the United States in their 50's and 60's have a powerful vote in this country. If they don't rally now and start the change that needs to take place they are going to be hard hit by these drug laws when arthritis and other pain causing diseases wreak havoc on their bodies. I could not believe my eyes when reading that patients who say they can't take anti-inflammatory drugs are ADDICTS. I have said this exact thing to my doctor completely ignorant to the fact that this was a red flag. I took the anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed to me. They made me horribly nauseous so I told my doctor not knowing I had apparently just provided him permission to completely ignore me. So am I supposed to be nauseous just to possibly put a dent in my pain? What do I want to do today- feel like I'm going to throw up all day or cry every time I have to get up off the toilet because my knees have been destroyed by arthritis? What are they going to do when permanent disability payments skyrocket because people can't function enough to hold a job? When will they get it through their thick pompous heads that their stupid drug laws only hurt the wrong people and have multitudes of repercussions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Glenside, PA signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Brooksville, FL signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Carlisle, PA signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Southington, CT signed.
Sep 4th, 2015Someone from Homestead, FL signed.
Sep 3rd, 2015Someone from Scituate, MA signed.
Sep 3rd, 2015Someone from Scottsdale, AZ writes:
I work for a 92 year old woman who has been suffering with extreme arthritic shoulder pain (bone on bone) for half a decade now. She has tried everything; gone to multiple Drs trying various treatments & useless medications; wasting thousands upon thousands of $ only to find it all hopeless. It seems the medical professionals are all too afraid to adequately treat her pain with narcotics. I find it reprehensible that despite availability of pain medications doctors are unwilling (& unable for fear of government retribution) to actually utilize them when obviously needed. What the hell are doctors for if they are not allowed to make professional judgments based on the needs of their patients?!?! They not only have a professional duty but a moral one as well to treat patients with the best available resources and with dignity & compassion. Government needs to let medical providers do just that- provide quality medical care whatever that may be!!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 3rd, 2015Someone from Blue Springs, MO writes:
This is exactly how I am being treated. Not only do they treat me badly to my face. I am finding that they call the police after I pick up my paper prescription. As if I was doing something wrong. I cannot believe this is happening to me. So I called to make an appointment to wean me off. I need the medicine but I don't need unwarranted trouble.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from New Castle, PA writes:
8 years ago at the age of 34 i was suffering from severe neck pain that interferred with daily activities even sleeping at night was hard to do. Finally unable to stand the pain i went to a colluage of my pcp who was on vacation, he ordered an mri which found i had cervical degenerative disc disease with 2 hernitated discs with out narrowing. He referred me to a pain clinic which all they wanted to do was an epidural and i wanted a less evasive procedure first, so ended up not going back. The pain did subside a bit and became more tolerable. But then i would start to have what i call flare ups which the pain was really intense. I went back to my pcp and when i told him what was going on he started getting really nasty with me and asking me who authorized all this and who told me i had all this when i told him he told me there was nothing wrong with me it was just arthritis and that i shouldn't be in pain told me to go home and take ibuprophen which doesn't always help and i have never asked for any pain medication. It continues to get worse, every doctor i have been to has treated me the same way. Now i have 3 herniated discs and an ER doctor did a catscan that showed the disc space is narrowing and was told that i needed to get another mri and get treated as soon as possible when i went for my followup with my pcp she asked me where i got this information i told her it was in my report she read it and sain i guess it does but what she said after shocked me, she told me it was nothing more than osteoporosis go home take vitamin d and exercise. And i still can't get no treatment for this. I suffer daily and don't even want to leave my house anymore. Who wants to see a doctor who treats you like an idiot and disrespects you everytime you go?! Now i sit and worry if i'm going to be paralyzed or lose control of my bowls and bladder. And i'm only 41 years old my future seems bleak.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from New Castle, PA writes:
8 years ago at the age of 34 i was suffering from severe neck pain that interferred with daily activities even sleeping at night was hard to do. Finally unable to stand the pain i went to a colluage of my pcp who was on vacation, he ordered an mri which found i had cervical degenerative disc disease with 2 hernitated discs with out narrowing. He referred me to a pain clinic which all they wanted to do was an epidural and i wanted a less evasive procedure first, so ended up not going back. The pain did subside a bit and became more tolerable. But then i would start to have what i call flare ups which the pain was really intense. I went back to my pcp and when i told him what was going on he started getting really nasty with me and asking me who authorized all this and who told me i had all this when i told him he told me there was nothing wrong with me it was just arthritis and that i shouldn't be in pain told me to go home and take ibuprophen which doesn't always help and i have never asked for any pain medication. It continues to get worse, every doctor i have been to has treated me the same way. Now i have 3 herniated discs and the disc space is narrowing and i still can't get no treatment for this. I suffer daily and don't even want to leave my house anymore. Who wants to see a doctor who treats you like an idiot and disrespects you everytime you go?!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Largo, FL signed.
Sep 2nd, 2015Someone from Conway, SC writes:
My poor husband is in extreme pain everyday. He has had four back surgeries and no relief. His doctor has stopped treating him. A recent MRI has shown that he still has a herniated disc and a shattered disc. He has a large amount of scar tissue that is touching a nerve. The Dr. has tried shots that hAve done nothing but give him more pain. He has depression due to his pain. He is only 32. We have 4 small children. I wish the doctors would treat him for his pain. The medicine is the only thing that use to help him get through the day. I see him in pain and in tears everyday. My children don't have the happy active father they once had. He can't even work. He served hid country for 7 years. Being in the army is what lead to his injuries in the first place. Please allow Doctor's to help with the pain.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Little Rock, AR writes:
I hate going to the pharmacy! I've never ever been a criminal but I'm treated like one every time I need to refill my pain medicines.I'm one of the "lucky" ones,so far, but that could change abruptly. I still get the medicine I need but I worry all the time that I'll be dropped like a hot rock by my pain doctor. Junkies will find drugs or steal them anytime. We are not the problem. The DEA needs to be reigned in. They are targeting the wrong group! I had brain surgery several years ago and was okay for a couple of years,but then the aneurysm ripped open again and now I have a coil hanging out of the neck that doctors can't fix and it's too deep inside my brain to clip without killing me.The only alternative for me,without access to narcotics is a well placed bullet. That should never be my only option but thanks to out of control government it's the only option worth exploring while I am still able to help myself.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Birmingham, AL writes:
What follows is a letter explaining my desperate situation that I wrote to my state's chapter of the American Medical Association as a last ditch effort to maintain my quality of life. Dear Board Member of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama; I am requesting your assistance as a last resort for the severe difficulties I am having locating a physician to manage the medication I have taken for many years. These medications have allowed me to live independently and have a good quality of life. I?ve been a patient of a responsible and knowledgeable physician since February 2007, but he changed the scope of his practice this with very short notice and has not been able to help me find another physician to maintain my current, successful program.I have always been conflicted about using opioids due to the values instilled in me as a child. For example, after bilateral derotational osteotomies at age 13 that resulted in MRSA osteomyelitis and wound complications, I received only ibuprofen and a few doses of ketorolac. I?m not a person who simply cannot tolerate pain. I have Primary Generalized Dystonia of non-DYT1/DYT2 origin. Multiple blood relatives including my father have been diagnosed with Parkinson?s disease. I have tried many therapies over the past 15 years. An intrathecal baclofen pump inserted at the age of 18 caused complications leading to an atonic bladder, chronic CSF leak, neuropathic pain, and actual spasticity, and plantar flexion. Medication trials have included: baclofen, tizanidine, dantrolene, trihexyphenidyl, benzotropine, levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole, botulinum toxins A and B, and tetrabenzine via compassionate use protocol. Most were helpful to some degree during sustained trials on high doses. However, many had side effects that were intolerable, including elevated liver enzymes and orthostatic hypotension. After taking opioids for years, I was opioid-free by choice in the six months preceeding my appointment with my most recent physician. I was in the worst shape of my entire life ? reliant on a power wheelchair, losing weight rapidly, with severe rigidity and intermittent episodes of myoclonus, unable to sit without support, with clenched fingers that rendered my hands useless. The comparison in my quality of life with and without opioids made one thing very clear. Although prescribed for pain, the opioids ? by whatever mechanism ? had a primary and significant effect on my dystonia. Within an hour of resuming OxyContin I experienced a noticeable improvement. Over the years, my dose has increased back to my prior levels. Each increase has produced sustained, visible improvement in my dystonia and quality of life without intolerable side effects. I understand my dosing regimen (high dose oxycodone and fentanyl) makes me an ?outlier? in the scheme of medical board recommendations. I am no longer a prisoner in my own home. I started coaching youth sports for inner-city childrenREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Birmingham, AL signed.
Sep 2nd, 2015Someone from Parkersburg, WV signed.
Sep 2nd, 2015Someone from Tallahassee, FL writes:
This is inhumane!!! I am a chronic pain patient and I now no longer have a pain management doctor nor any medication as of next week due to failure to take drug tests for proving whether or not I am taking my meds when in all actuality I did take the tests not once, but TWICE!!!!As I am 100% permanently and totally disabled, am in a wheelchair or bed-bound would someone let me know what I should do short of sucking a pistol????? In my opinion the DEA has WAY OVERSTEPPED ITS MANDATE (whatever that is) and is targeting pain patients in order to justify its existence especially since medical marijuana is about to be legalized nationwide - maybe not right this second but in the next year or so. DEA is a menace, a health hazard of the worst kind (think atomic waste) and should be immediately dismantled and every one of its agents or members or whatever they choose to call themselves should be arrested and shipped to Syria or somewhere similar maybe even to ISIS where they would fit more appropriately what with their barbaric inhumane and unconscionable treatment of patients.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Detroit, MI writes:
I'm in terrible pain and I cant get enough pain medication from my doctor to take it away, my doctor says he's afraid of the government. STOP THE DEA!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 2nd, 2015Someone from Lexington, MI writes:
I want the government to leave my doctor ALONE and let him treat my pain!!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Portland, OR writes:
I've been stuck in pain for a lifetime but the past 4 years have been horrific. Doctors just tell me to take ibuprofen and I have horrible stomach issues now from the NSAIDs. I'm ready to kill myself as I hurt so bad I cannot get out of bed or take care of my young kids. My endometriosis doesn't respond to the treatments offered. There is a pill out there that could help me get through my day however doctors leave me in pain 1000 times worse than labor. Please fix this.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Michigan City, IN signed.
Sep 1st, 2015Someone from Owensboro, KY writes:
Doctor has had me come in for a pill count, there were no problems of course but embarrassing to even be asked to do it. Pharmacist looks at me like I'm a drug addict every time I fill my pain med for chronic lower back sciatic nerve pain. This particular pharmacy will not fill narcotic meds until the 30th day even though doctor has authorized 29 day refill written on the script. I didn't even realize it was day 29 I could have waited until day 30 I had meds left but the pharmacist makes a smart loud comment in front of everyone in the store that "you are actually one day early for refill but I will fill it this time but you need to make sure you wait 30 days next time"! He said it in a smart condescending manner and made me feel like I was a criminal or drug addict! I am tired of going through things like this just to fill a script for a pain med. These laws have doctors and pharmacists running scared and a lot are refusing to even prescribe pain meds for people who really need them! These laws are.doing nothing but keeping legitimate people who need pain meds from getting them. It is doing nothing to curb the drug addict....he's just going to move to heroin or meth or something else....use some common sense and ease these rules doctors and pharmacies need to follow for heaven's sake!!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Winter Haven, FL signed.
Sep 1st, 2015Someone from Athol, MA writes:
This whole system is insane. I have been caught up in this trap, never saw it coming. I have wedged & compressed vertebrae, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis and a rare one eating holes through my spine syringomyelia. I was with my Dr close to a decade, never had issues, always did everything asked of me. I had a falling out with him, his head was on the proverbial chopping block because apparently the DEA influences your Dr/patient care and he was scared and let me go. I'm only 30, have come so close to ending it. I had notes written out to my fiance & mother and was trying to figure out if the banasters on my stairs would support my weight. I live in unbearable pain, life just isn't worth living anymore. I had a nice run, got 30yrs but if i don't find a nee Dr by the end of Sept i can't go on this way anymore. I pray for anyone dealing with pain that you find comfort and help. The DEA ruined my life by controlling the Dr's and not allowing them to treat THEIR patients. Unless anyone has lived with unbearable pain, than you'll never understand. We do not live in the 1700's have medicine to help folks; we only get 1 life, it's unfair to make anyone suffer if they can prove they have legitimate pain. If my dog had an issue walking, the humane thing to do is put it down, why is it ok to let humans suffer? I know others abuse drugs, they will never stop it. It's up to the individual, many that lose their Dr graduate to heroin. I thankfully wouldn't go that route, but many have. I don't think asking to live pain free (for the most part) is a crime. Folks will only understand when it's them laying in bed for days not eating, dreading getting up to use the restroom. End this cruelty.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Redwood City, CA signed.
Sep 1st, 2015Someone from North Fort Myers, FL writes:
Mr from ft myers this has gone to far cant find a chain pharmacy to fill my script with my medicade so i have to go to a private owned pharmacy and they are charging $ 10.00 each for the oxycodone 30 mg ,,over $ 1200.00 per month/ please hold a gun to my head!!! Something needs to change it isn't fair that i cantget my medicine on my medicade i can't go without my meds I'm 54years old been under doctors care for 6 years,, lets all of us get ugly and bring a change to this unfair control they are using ;REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Algoma, WI writes:
The system punishes the patient that needs treatment like any other illness. Broken, fused back ruined my health.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Buffalo, NY writes:
I'm not a junkie, need pain meds for RA,Lupus and disk pain. No surgery will correct my problems. Tired of pharmacy treating me like a criminal. No guality of life living this way. Worked since I was 16 and had to retire from a good job.we need help thank youREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelSep 1st, 2015Someone from Albuquerque, NM writes:
constantly in pain from gastro, shoulder, neck problems and my doctor will not give me anything other that cyclobenziprine, my pain is not fair i never asked her but i'm assuming it's cause of this i can't use the restroom without cronic pain and i'm only 33 years old owie.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelAug 31st, 2015Someone from Dayton, OH writes:
I am a long-time pain sufferer (since 1990) and I have always used my pain medication responsibly. Since moving to OH, I am no longer able to get the small amount of pain killers that I need to live comfortably.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelAug 31st, 2015Someone from Winston, OR writes:
My mom suffers from a bad knee that no doctor will operate on because she needs to lose 70 pounds, which kinda hard to do with severe pain in her knee. No doctor in our local area will prescribe or treat her pain, and when I call my constituents offices all I get is "well there is a lot of deaths because of pain meds and a lot of people have died because of them, that's why they have tightened the regulations amd ate doing this" I don't mind them going afterthe shady pain clonics but when they go after doctors to the point no one wants to treat the whole patient that is when there is a problem. I mean really when did our government and the dea become physiciansREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelAug 30th, 2015Someone from Las Vegas, NV writes:
I can't get any pain medication for my debilatating back pain because my Dr hasn't been "approved " to write a prescription for a class II narcotic. I thought that was one of the reasons for the 12 years of schooling. The DEA is turning law abiding citizens with legitimate issues into criminals because it's easier to buy morphine tablets on the street than at a pharmacy.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelAug 30th, 2015Someone from Long Beach, MS writes:
I am sick to death of doctors who will not prescribe me the pain medication I need to actually help me because they are scared of the government or DEA. I am done dealing with these idiots who only think of themselves and have no compassion for people in my situation. I said at a doctors office for over an house then she had to go talk to her supervisor which walked in, told me he wanted me on Cymbaltia and ability which I cannot afford nor will I take anything with a thousand other side effects when the meds I take now works for me and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. He was NOT in the room, he did NOT listen to my issues but yet in 3 minutes he was able to tell me what I should be taking and completely ignore everything I was telling him. Then his smig*****got up and walked out. Wonder how much they get paid to prescribe these very expensive medicines with more side affects than chemo in the meantime, they are screwing the patients are were sworn to help and protect.!!!! It's disgusting!!!!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, Cancel
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.