First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Jan 6th, 2015Someone from East China, MI writes:
I strongly disagree with what the government is doing to our nations foundation of freedom. What happens when you take the foundation away from a building? The ending result is it collapses and falls to the ground. That is exactly whats going to happen to this great nation if the government keeps taking away our foundation of a truely free country. -
Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Anderson, IN writes:
My spouse and I both have chronic medical conditions which require pain meds One of us has been on a pain med for over 20 years to now be told need to be taken off of I also know of some abusing the medication. Which we are not But feel like we are the ones being punished for the abusers. Why not go after the abusers and not people on it for honest reasonsREPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Newport News, VA signed.
Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Euless, TX signed.
Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Massapequa, NY signed.
Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Calimesa, CA signed.
Jan 6th, 2015Someone from Albuquerque, NM writes:
I am an RN of 35 years and have worked in all but a few fields of nursing. Pain is a diagnosis not just a symptom. It is unconscionable that the DEA is creating more harm and instilling fear into the doctors and patients when it comes to prescribing pain medications that can and do create a better quality of life instead of just life. Doctors needs to pay attention and realize that more can be taken away and it is their duty as a physician to do more good than harm. There are countless diagnosises that cause extreme pain and when the doctor is too scared to prescribe pain medications it can drive a person to street drugs. This, can be blamed on the Dea and physicians but in no way will either accept accountability for this. Its unbelieveable that it has come to this, and if a patient has to go on methadone or street drugs to get some relief of pain then the old saying is you gotta do what you gotta do. The doctors can run drug tests, to see if the patient is in fact taking their meds or are taking street drugs, this is an easy fix, but will they do this.....no. Yet multiple people have no quality of life, can hardly get out of bed, have damage to their internal organs from taking too much tylenol or advil just to try to get a little relief. I'd bet that if this happened to them, it would be a different story. I am on disability for several split and torn ligaments and tendons, back pain, chronic migraines just to name a few. Can I get any relief, no. This issue needs to be reexamained, we are people. Animals get treated for pain, why cant we!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Pompano Beach, FL signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Stuart, VA writes:
Both of my elderly parents have had to endure far too much pain due to the DEA overstepping their bounds under some misguided pretense that they are concerned with public safety, overdoses & Prescribed C-2 Meds. making it to the streets for sale. They have no empathy , certainly no medical training like the Doctors whose education and competence is attacked every day. It's heartbreaking to see loved ones suffer needlessly. What difference does it make if a 90 year old patient becomes reliant or addicted to an opiate, when their ability to become slightly mobile is now a possibility, when it wasn't an option prior to a pill or two ? Quality of life is so important to a person's sanity ,especially the elderly.. Since when did Americans decide that some gov't agency should tell a compassionate Dr. that extreme pain is something that we can't manage ? The DEA is tired of trying to do their job It seems. So they've attempted eliminating helpful drugs from responsible people in a lot of unnecessary pain. If they paid any attention to the problems they've created, it would be so obvious to them that the newest problem is Heroin addiction and overdoses, & it is all because the people whose drug of choice was Oxycodone, So the DEA in all their "wisdom" have given those folks a cheaper and more dangerous drug ,,due to overdoses that naturally occur when a person has no idea what dosage they are ingesting.Many of them switch from snorting or swallowing a pill to injecting unknown doses of heroin..So how does the Gov't. justify this turnabout all over our country when their claim is trying to protect our public.Personally I believe it would have been safer to see the amount of mg.. printed on a pill ,as opposed to supporting the Afghanistan or Chinese Poppy-Heroin trade. How stupid are they ? Or better yet , just how ignorant do they believe the U.S. citizens to be?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Stuart, VA writes:
Both of my elderly parents have had to endure far too much pain due to the DEA overstepping their bounds under some misguided pretense that they are concerned with public safety, overdoses & Prescribed C-2 Meds. making it to the streets for sale. They have no empathy , certainly no medical training like the Doctors whose education and competence is attacked every day. It's heartbreaking to see loved ones suffer needlessly. What difference does it make if a 90 year old patient becomes reliant or addicted to an opiate, when their ability to become slightly mobile is now a possibility, when it wasn't an option prior to a pill or two ? Quality of life is so important to a person's sanity ,especially the elderly.. Since when did Americans decide that some gov't agency should tell a compassionate Dr. that extreme pain is something that we can't manage ? The DEA is tired of trying to do their job It seems. So they've attempted eliminating helpful drugs from responsible people in a lot of unnecessary pain. If they paid any attention to the problems they've created, it would be so obvious to them that the newest problem is Heroin addiction and overdoses, & it is all because the people whose drug of choice was Oxycodone, So the DEA in all their "wisdom" have given those folks a cheaper and more dangerous drug ,,due to overdoses that naturally occur when a person has no idea what dosage they are ingesting.Many of them switch from snorting or swallowing a pill to injecting unknown doses of heroin..So how does the Gov't. justify this turnabout all over our country when their claim is trying to protect our public.Personally I believe it would have been safer to see the amount of mg.. printed on a pill ,as opposed to supporting the Afghanistan or Chinese Poppy-Heroin trade. How stupid are they ? Or better yet , just how ignorant do they believe the U.S. citizens to be?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Minneapolis, MN writes:
I am being turned away and/or having my time wasted at many pharmacies when I go in to try to have my legitimate prescription filled. This is unacceptable that this can happen in America, we need a law that requires pharmacists to fill our prescription or they should face jail time.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Albertville, AL writes:
Senators and Congress,Please listen to what Americans with chronic pain are saying,..We are register voters too,...and the families who lost loves ones thru illegal use and purchase od meds I am truly sorry for your lost,...................................Please donot punish us,.we had nothing to do with those over doses,...from the mad doctors to the dealers to the news media they were all making a dollar of those drugs.Chronic pain is what it says chronic. When a patient is ripping is shirt off his back because he his in so much pain,because his Dr is to afraid to treat him,...because of the news media or DEA trying to arrest him ,.... It,s all hype because of the news media,...........Think about people who battle with cancer every day............REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Centre, AL signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Ennis, TX writes:
It's really sad when a government agency takes away the only hope for a somewhat normal life when it comes to chronic pain sufferers! Seems to me they should focus their energy on all the illegal drugs flowing into the country, that is after all why they even have a job...instead of telling a licensed doctor how to do his job why don't they concentrate on doing theirs!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Trenton, NJ signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Morristown, TN writes:
absolutely disgusting when our government can literally ruin a chronic pain patients life like this. as if we dont suffer enough physically now we suffer emotionally and FINANCIALLY.Now WE are treated as if we are criminals and doctors shut the door in or faces now or those who will see you keep going UP in price and DOWN in CARE. Even my drugstore has a new program that requires access to my drug tests.pill counts and paying more every month. OK DEA..this is on YOU.You collect billons in fines so now YOU should start PAYING OUR extra expenses because YOU cant do YOUR job right.I have seen more wrong doing by the PRACTICIONERs than patients and you slap them on the wrist and let them keep doing it. NOW WE pain patients must suffer and pay. NONSENSE!!If I COULD have the major surgery to TRY and fix my problems I WOULD.But mine is SO complex not even one of the top 5 in this countrys neurosurgeons will touch me UNTIL I am paralized from it when they have no choe but try. so until then...I HAVE TO SUFFER and I HAVE to spend more money EVERY month now instead of every 3 months for this condition that is NOT MY FAULT!!!!!My medical record is PROOF enough.I am so deformed i dont like going out in public.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Dearborn Heights, MI writes:
People that pass this law haven't a clue what pain is. This isn't helping to stop the illegal sale of drugs, it's only hurting the people that really need them for chronic pain. Actually law abiding citizens are thinking of turning to the black market to obtain them. They are easier to get there than from their own doctors. Duh...REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Los Banos, CA signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Abbot, ME writes:
My mother has multiple sclerosis and two shattered vertebrae which cannot be repaired due to severe thrombocytopenia (she'd bleed out), and was thus first prescribed opioid pain medication almost three decades ago (shortly before she had me). In the time since she has become dependent on it to function at all, and even with it she can barely sleep for the pain persisting... Much worse is when she goes without, and cannot even breathe without the pain being so debilitating that she has tried to take her own life (and had a brush with succeeding) as a result. Yet all doctors want to do is decrease her dosage more and more, even in the knowledge that such medication provides diminishing returns that require INCREASING dosages over time.. Resulting in agonising days and weeks without relief when her prescription is not enough. Days and weeks that I have to watch my own mother writhe, cry, and beg to be allowed to die to escape the suffering. Worse still is that she's refused access to rehabilitation because of her "drug history" and is treated like some sort of devious recreational addict who doesn't deserve their attention; this carefree neglect is sickening in ways that should not be associated with the medical profession, or humans at all. There is no compassion. It's terrible, but I wish these doctors someday experience her fate. I hate them so much for what they've allowed to happen to my mom.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Des Moines, IA writes:
Testing those of us who do not abuse pain meds are being victimized by those who do...REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2015Someone from Indianapolis, IN signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Moberly, MO signed.
Jan 5th, 2015Someone from Jack, AL writes:
I have Chiari, RA, OA, Mono Neuritis Multiplex. I have been seeing a pain sirenians fit the last ten years. This past year Mr Dr. cut my medicine way back all because he was afraid of DEA. No point in trying to change it is my understanding they are all this way in my address and there are very few. My neurologist won't even prescribe passion meds to his Neuropathy or MS patients. He says he didn't go to medical school to be put under that kind of pressure. Constant Pro Life pro Choice. What about DEA not telling Doctors how to treat their patients, chronic pain patients allowed to live life as pain free as possible to enjoy their life. Mandatory continuing education for Doctors about chronic pain and how it should be treated. The education classes should also teach Doctors not to treat patients like 2nd class citizens and drug seekers when they chosen of pain, Doctors tend to dismiss out not believe women when they complain of chronic pain.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Oakfield, WI writes:
This is beyond acceptable. This agency was never given the right to dictate. This is exactly what this is coming, JUST LIKE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Oakfield, WI writes:
This is beyond acceptable. This agency was never given the right to dictate. This is exactly what this is coming, JUST LIKE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Raymore, MO signed.
Jan 4th, 2015Someone from Waxahachie, TX writes:
I can't believe that you all sit in congress and get away with doing this to AMERICAN'S. same be said to the DEA. the things you all proclaim this law will stop/fix are exceptions to the rule when it comes to these meds. you all no this to be true. it is awefull that these bad things are happening. but you all are oppressing the masses and persecuting all for the few that do wrong. myself and my fellow AMERICAN'S can attest to you that chronic pain is an all consuming thing in ones life it's not something you get to tag out and take a day off from. GOD I wish we could. this is like a slow drip of death in your life every day. this kind of pain is haunting because you know all your days to come are going to be painful and challenging. but these pain meds do help to bring less pain to our every day. and now you all chose to play dr's,kings,gate keepers,gods. and make us all suffer even more. when every day can bring so much pain and suffering you all now want to put the heel of your boot to our necks and apply pressure to kill. and by that I mean you all are just telling us to kill ourselves cause we have no want to help you nor hear you. this is wrong way way wrong!!! what you all have/are doing. so maybe this will one day make it right. "lord I pray for all of those who have chosen to pass this law and watch their fellow men who suffer now suffer more. may they lord get to share in this suffering that they chose to inflict. not so much in there own eyes but through the eyes of there beloved and through the eyes of there children. let them see hear and feel the suffering that chronic pain inflicts. my they pay in some great way for inflicting there own dose of pain to there fellow man. GOD is love,in JESUS name we pray AMEN" this is my pray'er for all of you who chose not to destroy this way over reach of government and law.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Silverdale, WA signed.
Jan 4th, 2015Someone from Fort Worth, TX writes:
I've been on pain meds since 2010 because lower back pain. so in 2013 I finally had lower back surgery because the surgeon told me it was bone on bone. I had the bad disc removed, a spinal fusion, and to huge screws put in my lower back. Since the surgery I've had severe pain in my lower back right side, pain in my right hip, pain down my groin, right buttocks, and my tailbone. I've never been arrested. I only take what's prescribed and without it I can't work as a court reporter sitting all day and dragging my equipment back and forth caused my body to break down with that bad disc. I did it for 22 years I guess they want the druggies to live in the innocent to die of pain. I can't believe the DEA has done this. I hope they have relatives and are in severe pain and watch them suffer. but since I live in texas it will be extra hardREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Waxahachie, TX signed.
Jan 4th, 2015Someone from Livingston, TX signed.
Jan 4th, 2015Someone from Fort Worth, TX signed.
Jan 4th, 2015Someone from Lolo, MT writes:
I am 61 and have suffered from one of the most painful conditions a human can have: Adhesive Arachnoiditis. Because of DEA pressure I can no longer find a pharmacy that will fill my pain perscriptions. This ia a crime against humanity in my opinion to deny access to pain relief to legitimate pain patients but is a violation of our human rights. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. I bet if it was your mother that was full of cancer she would have her pain controlled.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Lancaster, CA writes:
You have got to be kidding me. I have arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, degenerative disk disease. I get out of bed every morning bent over in pain. I have to go hunting with my Rx every month for a pharmacy who has not run out of Norco yet since they are now only allowed a certain amount each month. Last month 12 pharmacies did not have it and I had to wait for 4 days, cutting my last 3 pills in 1/2, to try to stretch them out until I could get my LEGAL Rx filled. Who gave the DEA the right to do this to patients in pain? What alternative DEA do you recommend?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Spokane, WA writes:
This is my second letter. I am in severe pain. Right now l had to pick between my pain management or my marriage. My husband's work takes him out of town. Normally a year per project. I usually go with him because as anyone would know it's not good on a marriage if you never see each other. Our last big job was over a 1000 miles away from home. It has been difficult being a chronic pain patient but now it is impossible for me to be with my husband. I would have to fly home every month! That isn't an option for us. Please help us, this is too much especially not being able to move, stand or sit without pain being unbearable. I miss my husband.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Huntington, WV writes:
This my friend is cruel. I have had cluster migraines for the past 30 years with milder headaces. All doctors that I have visited says " don't know what causes them or how to cure"REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2015Someone from Munster, IN writes:
My mom has rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. She is not mobile and does not drive. Your new rules are causing harm to my mother. Her doctor is trying to reduce her flare of arthritis and put her on high dose steroids to reduce her pain meds. She now is so immunosuppressed she developed a candida infection. Are you trying to kill the elderly? You are forcing doctors to make medical decisions and attempt treatments they know are not in the best interest of a patient who cannot tolerate immunosuppression. When did the DEA become medical practitioners and know how to treat a patient better than a qualified practitioner.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 3rd, 2015Someone from Tallahassee, FL writes:
My spinal degeneration has reached an acute phase with severe pain a commonality. Can I trade a day with pain to a DEA policy person for their day of relief from pain?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 3rd, 2015Someone from Fairfield, TX signed.
Jan 3rd, 2015Someone from Lake Elsinore, CA writes:
Living in a rural area, my Dr is 60 miles from me, in a different county, as health care where I live is very bad. There is no Dial-a-ride that serves both counties. I suffered several injuries over 30 years, My chronic pain and residual non fixable back injury have forced me to live with daily pain. I cannot get in to my doctor very easy and visiting her office every month, also costs more money for transportation and adds to my existing problem of getting to her office at all lately as I can't any longer drive myself there, due to some of it being nerve issues. Other issues are added expemses to the insurance and to the state medi cal is another consideration. The next is if I start over at a new dr closer dr the tests will all have to be repeated, the time the getting around the long waits to get an appointment, is not an option. I simply cannot do it. There is a very high percentage of people who CANNOT get to the doctors due to over booking or distance, What ever the reason it certainly is not due to the fault of the sufferer. Also for just one moment let's remeber this is about pain meds, its possible people who need them have problems getting around. Otherwise if it were so easy to get up and go to the dr, many would rather be able to get up and go to work. So again, here we have a rule without looking at all of the layers in which it ,ay affect someone , So to simplify the way to cope with the imposition this law has caused, and to reduce the costs, There should be "Interim Offices" where the patient's regular doctors, can send appropriate records, and consult, and basically , allow another doctor to step in for ROUTINE refill visits, since we are forced to have these for the specific purpose of giving opiates as opposed to the constant fear by a doctor to see a new patient and for clinics trying to force the primary care pysician out of the Rx process. or to help keep overall costs down. Also not over crowding offices, because it already is weeks to get in. Another point is patients have good reasons for staying with one doctor. The DEA list is one, another is one doctor keeping a eye on the interactions. I am talking about an arrangement between medical professionals allowing patients to have options. Clinics designed and monitored by the DEA from the get go, and still insured for malpractice, as that would be the first whining group, they already soak the medical community out of ridiculous money. This way the patients can try to avoid gaps in their continued control of severe chronic pain, which may mean the difference in causing other issues, like muscles and nerve tensing and spasming. I have been on and off pain meds through some serious injuries for very long periods of time , and I have never had an issue stopping them, when the pain was gone it was gone. I stopped after 2 years straight , and high doses, and yes while it is very addicting, I am saying, not every patient has the same chemical reatioREPORT COMMENTS
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