First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Humble, TX signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Haslett, MI writes:
While there are people who abuse pain medicines, a very large majority of the people who use pain meds, have a very real and legit reason for and need them. The DEA needs to STOP it's harassment of both the doctors who prescribe them, and of the patients who need and use them. And the doctors who look at and treat EVERYBODY who comes in seeking relief for their as an addict, need to take a look at themselves, and stop judging and pre-judging everybody. You doctors are not "gods", and for most of you, are not even as intelligent as I am.Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Atlanta, GA writes:
I have been seeing a very legitimate pain management practice (requires a special license in Georgia). I have multiple issues in my lumbar spine, and have had no less than 21 painful injections. The last was a series of RF ablations (inserting 16 gauge, 5" long needles next to each side of three lumbar vertebrae) and then introducing RF energy to kill the nerves that control pain. It is a PAINFUL procedure and does have side effects (for me, very acute muscle spasms in my back on the right side). Insurance will pay for these every 6 months. At my visit, I was about 20 days from being able to have the injections done again so I could get off narcotics again. At almost each visit, my pain doctor (an anesthesiologist, certified in pain management) has continually CUT my Vicodin dosage (currently it is 1/2 the daily amount recommended in the PDR). This is at a time when my nerves are regenerating and the pain is becoming increasingly intolerable each day. I made it clear that I felt she was underprescribing (which can lead to disciplinary action by the GA State Composite Medical Board). Her response, she really wanted to cut it some more, and could give me NO medical rationale for reducing my dosage at a time when my pain was increasing. From the outset of the appointment I made it clear I wanted the RF ablation redone ASAP (as soon as insurance would pay-6 months; which was 11 days away). Her response, basically, was ok, I won't cut it back and I will discuss your behavior with our "head doctor" and he will probably kick you out of the program. Congress NEEDS to hold Congressional Hearings to get the DEA OFF of the backs of certified pain management physicians. I have been drug tested several times with no problems. Putting Vicodin at Schedule II from Schedule III was UNCALLED for an not supported by medical evidence. The DEA, a bunch of morons in my estimation, need to get out of the practice of medicine. The ONLY ones suffering are those like me with chronic pain who can no longer get the pain medication they need. The DEA is running rampant-I am ALL for drug testing to make sure I am not getting the Rx and then not taking the drug and diverting it. But making doctors so afraid to Rx ANYTHING in Schedule II (and particularly putting Vicodin in Schedule II) is just plain governmental law enforcement intrusion into legitimate medical practice. REIGN IN THE DEA; have them concentrate on thefts from wholesalers, retail drug store holdups/break-ins and known pushers. They are cops, NOT DOCTORS!!!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 21st, 2015Someone from Hinsdale, IL signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Bush, LA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Lakewood, OH writes:
Dear DEA: Chronic pain patients are NOT criminals!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 21st, 2015Someone from Ingleside, TX signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Elkton, MD signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Tampa, FL writes:
I am on hydrocodone and have been for 6 years due to neuropathy and severe pain caused from high doses of chemotherapy and having to take cancer medications (for life) . My husband and my one enjoyment was traveling for 3 months in our,RV. It is the,only way I can travel as I have to lie dow,a lot and thus the only way we can visit our children and grandchildren in different western states. Since I can no longer refill my prescriptions when away from Florida, our 40 foot motorhome has sat in our driveway for 2 years. Before, I could go to any Walgreens and my doctor would fax a prescription. Now, we are considering selling our coach and resigning ourselves that we may never see our family members again.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Albuquerque, NM signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Breaux Bridge, LA writes:
I'm 56 and have RA since 17. At 40 I had both knees replaced at 50 I had left hip replaced. I need both shoulders redone and both knees done again. Plus other surgeries. I had a script taken away from me in janurary, by my RA Dr. Since the early 90's I had meds so I could get out of bed. Now I have nothing I have to suffer with RA and now with fybromialga. Why do I have to suffer for the fkn DEA or my Dr so much? If someone can help me I want go against them my Dr. and whoever else who stopped my little quality of life with lesser pain I had. This is pain beyond suicide for what a fkn law?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Olivehurst, CA writes:
I was denied to have my pain medication transfered from one Riteaide to a different one because of a emergency move out of my entire Apt. Complex. I was told my Dr. Would only have to send an ESCRIPT through. Well didn't happen. So very Sick. To the ER with withdraws. and they said. No to giving me pain medication or anything to help me . Sent me home. Next day. I went by ambulance with seizures due to the withdrawels. CatScan showed bleeding on my brain because of all of this. I'm still sick and numbness on n my entire left side. And In the hospital for 3 days. I almost died. And it's not over yet. 4 cervical surgerys because doctors keep sewing up. I'm only 54 years old. What am I suppose to do? Still in severe pain.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Mc Calla, AL signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Milwaukee, WI signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from East Moriches, NY writes:
I suffer with excruciating Severe Peripheral Neuropathy among other auto immune disorders I was recently hospitalized from a tick bite that almost killed me and added to my existing pain. I wish I could make them spend ONE DAY in my body and tell me to take Tylenol!! Damn them for labeling us and putting their faces in what is supposed to be a confidential relationship We are not the ones killing people. We just want to be comfortable and try to enjoy what's left for us. Not fair to us or our Doctors. Back off!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Ashburnham, MA signed.
Jul 19th, 2015Someone from Pell City, AL writes:
I'm running out of ideas and very frustrated because now I have no pain meds at all. All of this because doctors are afraid the DEA will pull their license. I'm not a druggie. I'm a chronic pain sufferer that doctors are afraid to help.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Birmingham, AL writes:
I am in a pain management clinic and have had new Doctor's and PA's in and out through the years. I have multiple physical issues and surgeries that now "Are Non Operable" that cause me to live in PAIN everyday and night of my life. *This go round....I have been living in a LOT of PAIN for a year now because I needed my meds altered because they weren't handling the pain as much, well that's when it all went south. That's what pain management is: MANAGE Medications as needed. I don't like the fact that I need pain meds to function in normally simple daily things and getting treated like (?) just makes Life a lot harder. I think it's awful to treat a person this way....where is compassion? Before all my physical disabilities happened, I was a full time student, full time employee, Insured...LIFE....Now, I'm on Disability and Medicaid......this is pure torture. I just NEED help so I don't have to ASK for help doing my daily things at home.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Santa Rosa, CA writes:
Denying pain meds to people suffering is inhumane and cruel. Dentists no longer prescribe pain meds, even though dental pain can drive a person mad. This fear of the DEA has ruined the quality of life for many Americans. This country used to care for its own. Now we do nothing but cast judgement. Why has the DEA revoked the right to living a pain free existence? Nsaid pain relievers will cause organ failure if used for chronic pain. Gaba Pentin though non narcotic is extremely addictive. People with debilitating pain deserve relief and they deserve respect. Thank You.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Conley, GA signed.
Jul 19th, 2015Someone from Estacada, OR writes:
This Anti Opiate War against Doctors, Pharmacist and Pain Patients is a travesty. I'm, not a pain patient but, an aging boomer that is starting to hurt. I can see that there will be no relief for me in old age. A drug 1000 plus years old from a plant that founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, grew in their gardens for pain relief are being denied to us now. ssri's are toxic with a lengthy, not mentioned by doctors, withdrawl and anti inflammatories cause bleeding, tylinol liver damage ect. I think the 1% just wants everyone to die. You can bet those folks are getting what ever pain relief they need just fine. I just read an article about Russia not giving dying /cancer patients pain relief same saving the public from drugs reasoning. America, I hope we are not next.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Murfreesboro, TN signed.
Jul 19th, 2015Someone from Roseville, CA writes:
When does "Quality of Life" come in to play? Having RA and the only medication I'm prescribe Chemo based drugs (these meds ultimately destroy your liver and other organs, but hey that's fine & dandy). Or maybe I should try the real expensive biologics being advertised on TV non-stop, only side affect is cancer. BUT God forbid I get relief from pain medication for the days in which I have break-thru pain. I hate living this way.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Mankato, MN writes:
I've been fighting RSD/CRPS for almost 21 years, I have tired 19 nerve blocks, countless none narcotic medications, physical therapy & pain management. When I did start on oxycodone it was the only thing that gave me some relief. Since then, I've been ridiculed from family and friends. Been told by many that I'm a druggie, to which I respond that if they lived one day in my body they would not judge me. It's not like I'm on the streets looking for pills, nor am I self medicating. I just want to quality of life that I deserve. People with chronic pain deserve to be treated with respect & dignity, not judge! We have suffered enough & need are medication just to get through the day. Please let us have the quality of life that we deserve.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Poplar Grove, IL writes:
CONTINUED *cause my insurance randomly dropped me cause they "never got some form" my mom sent them a year prior). And the doc goes off on me about how im a drug addict and drug seeking because i come back every 30 days (as directed) to get a refill of the same pain meds ive been getting from them for almost 2 years. And then she wastes my time and gives me a week supply even though i passed their BS drug test they had me do. But because im 18 and i wear "flashy cloathes" and red Nikes, i must be a drug addict. Its about time this sh*t ends, dealing with doctors who have NO IDEA what pain is, enforced by politicians and the DEA, WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PAIN IS. They need to start using accurate ways of detecting pain (like a Harvard study that succesfully showed doing cat scans of your brain can show whether your in pain or not. Once this perversion of the American dream we live in is put to an end, doctors will be able to help those who need it so they can be productive members of society and not have to live pathetically off of disability.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2015Someone from Laurel, MD signed.
Jul 18th, 2015Someone from Embarrass, MN signed.
Jul 18th, 2015Someone from Chatsworth, CA writes:
it is too bad that a few bad apples ruin it for the rest of us. Those individuals who are really in pain due to illness, accidents, age need their pain medication to make it through the day. They do not abuse them nor get high. The DEA has made it harder and harder to survive due to the damn drug addicts. I wish they would all overdose and end this problemREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2015Someone from Burgaw, NC signed.
Jul 18th, 2015Someone from West Plains, MO writes:
To those responsible for this : BS : that's been sent you from the Higher powers ..... You know that it's BS. Get used to the color RED. You know doubt will be seeing it soon!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2015Someone from Natick, MA writes:
there are 15000 signatures here.I already wrote my letter about what the doctors and pharmacys.and what they have done to me.Im not going into thst. Instead is there someone who could create a web site that we could sign a petition towards the big pharmacys and boycott.They are just as if not more responsible for this whole pain med issue.Lets hit them where it [Hurts] No pun intended.Lets band together and tell all your friends and family to join our cause.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2015Someone from Allons, TN signed.
Jul 18th, 2015Someone from Oceanside, CA signed.
Jul 18th, 2015Someone from Shepherdsville, KY writes:
I never in my life had to take pain medication till I was involved in a head on collision that broke my ankle completely in half an inch above my tibia joint and message you love broke in half at the center. I took pain medication after that and then it wasn't long before my doctors cut me off. I was fine with it however I was also in a lot of pain. Or I thought that was a lot of pain at the time over the years I have ground away all the cartilage in my ankle I don't understand why that can't be treated they put fake cartilage and backs all the time or disk anyway. However I was in pain management at first it was fun it was great I had a nurse practitioner that works for my doctor who knew me personally so she knew what I had went through and prescribe me what I needed which was hydrocodone 10 milligrams 4 times a day and that worked for me. I decided to take a hiatus from taking pain medication. And when I felt like I needed to come back I did to the same doctor. Ever since I've come back I've been treated like my pain doesn't matter, like what I'm telling him is not real and that all and therefore is pain medication. He's even told me before all you want is is pain medicine, and I told him several times no its not. I am NOT the doctor I am NOT the one who should be coming up with alternatives or new procedures or something I can do that's his job the only thing I know is physical therapy which I've already been told isn't going to help because I have no cartilage it'll probably just deteriorate the bone. Again I'm not a doctor I don't know that's what I come to you for. We had discussed physical therapy and I wanted to know who he thought would be able to help me the best, meaning what are they going to do besides stretch me and exercise me that would make some kind of improvement of quality in my life. He failed to answer the question maybe he didn't know again I have no idea but this last visit I pushed a little harder for answers. It had been over six months since I had taken two 10 milligram tablets of hydrocodone a day just two. For anyone in chronic pain knows that this is a joke. But I waited because I know the scrutiny they are under. So ask him can we please move me up to three times a day didn't even ask to get put on a stronger medication. Just to move it to 3 times a day so I could have pain relief for more than a couple hours a day. And he threw a fit. He said according to the books I don't do enough to get any more medication. I can't do anything when I can't walk, it's like going to the dentist you know you need to go to physical therapy but you know how much pain you're going to be in during and after and for the next up to a week later. And if you went twice a week you would never do anything else. But I told him I would go just name a place that you think would be the most beneficial he said it's my job to find a place. And as I began to tell him the reasons why I needed more pain medicine and I delved into the fact that my dREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2015Someone from Lubbock, TX signed.
Jul 17th, 2015Someone from Clifton Park, NY writes:
Yes! I am tired of being treated like a criminal for asking for help with pain management. The petition mentions the elderly committing suicide rather than live with chronic pain. I understand that now, and there are days when I think about nothing but the peace and release from pain when I die. I understand there are people out there who abuse pain medication. People who are addicted will find a way to get the drug of choice no matter what. The medical profession and the insurance companies are punishing people who use those medications responsibly because they truly need them.REPORT COMMENTS
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