First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Amarillo, TX writes:
To add to the person from Plainview, TX. We are all going to die anyway, so what's the point? Those who abused hydrocodone and death was the end result have no worries. They may have also used numbers in the double digit millions and percentages as high as 45% or just above that, BUT that pales in comparison to the 100 million + (AMERICANS) that suffer from pain, be it acute or chronic, short term or long. Some say that they wish pain on those making these decisions. To that I say, that's wrong to wish ill on anyone. Anyway, since they are connected, in some form or fashion, to the DEA, FDA, HHS all they have to do is flash their name badge, agency ID card, and POOF, they are set. The "rule setters" rarely, if ever, suffer. -
Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Social Circle, GA writes:
My husband and I are elderly with severe chronic pain that would far prefer taking advil but are contraindicated from taking it. We are treated like drug addicts. I have lived too long to be treated like this by medical professionals because of the federal got. I AM NOT A DRUGGIE. I AM IN PAIN.REPORT COMMENTS
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Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Cape Coral, FL writes:
People who have orthopediac procedures are in need of pain medicine and are being denied relief. Some have joint replacements and the pain never ends. Daily life becomes unbearable. GOVERNMENT RUNNING DOCTORS OFFICES! Suicides will be on the rise. No mental health care either!REPORT COMMENTS
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Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Terra Bella, CA writes:
absolutely ridiculous ..I have a chronic pain condition and was actually told by a "pain management" doctor, a term I use loosely, that he could take me off of pain meds but could offer no alternative treatment plan. Then gave me a list of doctors to try to see if they might do something. I have had every test imaginable have a high paying job and now am faced with possibly having to quit and go on disability. Not all of this is just because of this law but this doesn't help. I'm not sure when the government is going to pass a law forcing doctors to actually treat patients because I haven't encountered a doctor that has ever attempted to treat whats going on they would rather throw pills at the problem. In fact every bit of the treatment I have received is due to my research on the internet. Do I want to be on pain meds? NO. Has anyone offered any alternative treatment, I mean Ill take anything, a hint, a glimmer? NO ... Why do I pay 500$ a month for medical coverage when it does me no good?..Welcome to the merry-go-round .. ..I could go on but what good would it do ..REPORT COMMENTS
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Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Browns, IL signed.
Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Henderson, NV writes:
I'm sitting here in tears, not sure how or where to turn. I'm in constant pain yet I take only enough to get the level to a level I can function.. 7or 8. That's only 2-4 hydrocodone (1.0's) normally. Occasionally I must give in and take stronger meds or go to an ER. Now I can't get my medicine, and even a pain management doctor won't prescribe pills, only injections of steroids. WTF ?!?!?! I have never abused anything in my life, yet I'm being left to deal with pain and emotional distress because others abuse? Take my blood, urine, hair, whatever! You will see that I don't abuse my medicines.. Come in randomly and count them, then check my blood (etc..) you will see the only missing pills are in me. I don't sell them. I need them. I refuse to get to a point of being suicidal over pain, so shall I hit the streets or is American government going to get involved and stop this nonsense. I am sadly feeling betrayed by the system.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 10th, 2014Someone from Lebanon, TN signed.
Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Jacksonville, FL writes:
Only the legitimate honest pain patients are being punished with these laws. I am horrified to think of how many will turn to drugs like heroin in desperation because they cannot acquire the legally prescribed medication they need just to live a happy normal life.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 10th, 2014Someone from Carmichael, CA writes:
I agree with the individual from Plainview TX. This is a done deal by the DEA/FDA and with Federal Government complicity. As usual the stats and experts used to make their hearing case(not for the publics interest I take it because I never knew that any hearings were held, either) were from a closed group and setting. In other words, secret. Some transparency! Some truthfulness! This is after all consistent with the way this over reactionary government operates. Not in the best interest of people. What's to be done? What is the agenda behind this ruling? What has happened to our freedoms in this country? I wish I knew what was going on, truly. None of us will get the truth. One thing si for sure......the ordinary person in pain is the one who pays the price.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 10th, 2014Someone from Orlando, FL signed.
Nov 10th, 2014Someone from Waukesha, WI signed.
Nov 9th, 2014Someone from Santa Rosa, CA writes:
I live with chronic severe pain... I dare you to live a day in my shoes.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 9th, 2014Someone from Lynnville, IN writes:
I'm 60 years old, with spinal stenosis from C-5 to L-3, every disc in my spine is ruptured, severe pain stems into my arms, legs, hips. I've had back surgery 2004. The surgeon stated it would only be good for 5 years. I've been seen by 2 different neurosurgeons they won't touch me, therefore I'm inoperable. Prior to my surgery in '04 I was prescribed oxycotin until they could do the surgery. While taking the aforementioned pain medication my pain subsided, I didn't feel high, loopy, I felt normal. My god it was a miracle. I could walk, smile & lead a normal life. Fast forward to 2014, my life is a living hell due to my deteriorating spine, all my joints hurt, I have osteoarthritis in my spine, spinal stenosis, hands, shoulders, hips, toes. No surgeon will help me. What the hell can I do. My doctor is a very caring doctor, he's wonderful. I am prescribed Percocet but that doesn't free me of my pain. I do want to say back in '04 when I took oxycotin I didn't become addicted to it. When I stopped taking it after my surgery I was fine. When the DEA states people become addicted to oxycotin guess what DEA, I did not! Not everyone becomes addicted to pain medication. Right now with my agonizing pain & a life that is hell, at times I wish I would just die, because I don't have a quality life. My pain is so damn bad I cry, scream because the Percocet is only short term where as oxycotin is time release. That is what I need a time release pain medication. My doctor hesitates to write the prescription because of the DEA. Cancer patients get help for their pain, people near death get pain medication. I honestly can't believe the DEA dictates to physicians how to treat their patients. I thought we had a privacy act in place. Is this not a fact? So isn't the DEA violating the privacy act by hounding physicians not to treat their patients who have chronic pain with the proper pain medication. To this I say who in the hell does the DEA think they are? We are talking about a doctor & patient confidentiality law & privacy act. I'm shocked that the DEA hounds doctors. I invite the DEA into my home. Send one of your thugs to stay with me for 48 hours you will see a crippled, pathetic old lady in chronic non stop pain! I'm a U.S. Citizen how dare you deny me a medication that would make my life better! I can't enjoy anything! I can't be a wife to my husband, a mother to my children, a grandmother to my grandchildren! I am angry at you DEA thugs! I have nothing to hide from the DEA. I don't sell my medication, I have severe pain. For the DEA to deem that patients sell their medication is insane. I need help for my pain, I want my doctor to treat me with the medication that will be most effective for my pain. The DEA thugs, you must be laughing at people like me, do you enjoy the fact that you cause people to live in shear hell? I've nothing to hide, I don't do anything illegal. The DEA needs to stay at the border & deal with the illegals there. Do not harass doctorsREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 9th, 2014Someone from Houston, TX signed.
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Nov 9th, 2014Someone from Saginaw, MI writes:
I comply with all drug testing,tests ordered, and treatments advised by my dr. I have never diverted or misused any medication given to me.yet now I am unable to get my opiate therepy meds filled by any pharmacy in michigan due to threats by the dea and fbi. If they cannot directly shut down a pain doctor they blacklist them through the pharmacy how is this fair or just behavior? What are we who suffer with sickness and pain and follow all the rules suppose to do,who is going to help us? Intractable/ chronic pain is very real, It is not a psychological issue it is neurological, please help us.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 9th, 2014Someone from Orlando, FL writes:
The DEA and Pam Bondi are NOT stopping the drugsddicts. Any with street/club/ police/or ER doctor knows that the NEXT DRUG Is every few months, FOR THE DRUG TRADE goal Is to get into US borders/cross state lines and sell for profit the newest chemical combo BEFORE the DEA Is aware of Iit and classifies it as an illegal drug. Pain I both humans and animals Iis a medical condition that can put so much stress on a body, can kill. Pain either increases or decreases blood pressure lesding to heart attack or critical shock. Pain is a stressor that relapses and worses almost every condition, disease or injury. This war ag the disabled, injured and sick is inhumane cruel snd unusual punishment that VIOLATES UN HUMAN RIGHTS LAW, CUVIL RIGHTS, DISABILITY RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONSL RIGHTS. I do not need to tell you how illegal or inhumane; nor how it easily endangers medical conditions or life!! There is already AMPLE EVIDENCE OF THAT FROM THE NAZI HOLOCAUST, EVIL LAB TESTING ON MAMMALS INCLUDING PRIMATES AND GOVT RESEARCH IN EVERY DECADE UP TO NOW. THIS IS GENOCIDE, HOMICIDAL SUICIDE AND A VIOLATIONOF YOUR PUBLIC TRUST RESPONSIBILITY; CAUSING UNNECESSARY STRESS, DISTRESS, COST, BURDEN, LOSS, impact, endangerment, cruelty, medical negligence and non consent, malpractice, malfeance, death, and GENOCIDE. SUICIDES are already happening , trauma, ptsd, dangerous withdrawals, substantial grosd violations and this is going to hurt do many that this is going yo go out of control. Thid is a terrotist sct sg the citizens of the united states. This is not liberty or dignity or civil this is evil. And Bondis general email sent to all who erite in is a lie. Pain meds are Not accessible by all legit psin pstients. At the low income clinicd, health dept clinics there have been signs up for years that no patients will be given any pain meds regardless of condition. This war against the sick poor is how and why drs and rich bix men saw a market niche to create psin meds. And even withblegit dcropts ones cannot get it filled ny even gping to 27 pharmwcies in a month. Homebound, unable to drive or wslk far are forced to work like slsves to no avsil desperately trying to get their scriptd filled. Stop lying to the public. You are not serving your constituents and I bet the Florida voter ballot was rigged or frauded. Too many people and the environment have been hsrmed by you and Scott. As you waste our time and taxes discriminating the gays, a gay tourist could be injured and you will not even let their mate be there to say goodbye. All fisability rights are not enforced and these are federal aand UN violstions. Disability agenciesbon federal funds do not even have thevrequired disabled on board or staff ad ceo pay and bonuses profit off the disanledbpoor elderly and unemployed. Florida has been hiding the largest medicare scandsl in the nation ovrrbilling medicare like a atm as refusing to diagnose patients and writing false mefical records and severe retalialiatiins and inREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 9th, 2014Someone from Jefferson, TX writes:
The DEA and FDA have punished the innocent true pain sufferers because of all of the drug heads and drug dealers. ( Prescription pain meds ). The Doctors started this crap by prescribing opioids based on patients claiming that they are in pain without medical proof. Now, they are refusing to honor their oath as a medical doctor: To put patient above all. Do not refuse to treat patient to better health. DO NOT CAUSE HARM TO ANY PATIENT.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Mchenry, IL signed.
Nov 8th, 2014Someone from Friona, TX writes:
This is ridiculous!!! Return the medication back to Schedule III. Many pain sufferers will be undertreated and there's not a damn thing they can do if their doctors are scared of the DEA. Nothing. Many, I believe, will turn to illegal street drugs or pay ridiculously high prices for black market hydrocodone; which could mean the difference between food on the table or paying the electric bill, just to get some relief. At the least that should've been done is to allow doctors to "grandfather" in their long term patients, e.g. 1 year or more being a pt with chronic pain. Restrictions should be put on those who go to a new doctor and are given hydrocodone at the first visit and may or may not come back. Especially if their doctor becomes suspicious of their story for the need of pain meds. Those who have confirmed illnesses causing chronic pain SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED. But, again, big government KNOWS what's best and the little peon politicians who line their pockets from PAC's will stand by and watch people suffer lest they reduce contributions to their campaign funds. I doubt any change will occur because IT IS WHAT the government says IT IS. To iterate: 1. NO hydrocodone on first/new dr visit. 2. Allow doctor's discretion to "grandfather" in legitimate chronic pain patients. ( minimun of 1 year having been treating the patient) 3. Require pharmacies to contact doctor only IF that patient is new to their database ( if pharmacy has NEVER filled for the patient). 4. Possibly require pt to show photo ID at Rx pick up. I don't know if any of the above were considered during the FDA/DEA hearings. It would be nice to have a transcript of the hearings. But my biggest concern is that legitimate patients are going to turn elsewhere to pain management and it may have severe, long lasting consequences like the ones this new requirement was meant to deter. Good luck everyone.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Aurora, CO signed.
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Nov 8th, 2014Someone from Vero Beach, FL writes:
FIVE HIP SURGERIES AND BOTH ROTOR CUFFS, SPINE IS SO BAD, TAKE ONE OXYCNTIN AND I CAN RIDER MOW LAWN, LET ME HAVE MY LIFEREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Amarillo, TX writes:
REPEAL THIS LAW/LEGISLATION NOW!!!! My uncle has been taking hydrocodone for a year and a half now. His quality of life improved tremendously since starting it. Prior to that he had been given various medications for pain that did not help him at all. Countless times before this he made doctor visits after doctor visits. He went to family doctor, rheumatologist, allergist....all to no avail. He was finally referred to a pain management doctor who started him on conservative therapy like trigger point injections, Tylenol 3, physical therapy, steroid injections....after about 6 months with no relief he began the hydrocodone ONLY after having his pain source verified through multiple MRI's. What a world of difference this has made in alleviating his joints pain and giving him a quality of life that allows him mow the lawn, clean house, wash his car without having to inconvenience or pay someone else to do what he could've been doing all along. I mentioned the different doctors above; they were all referrals from the previous doctors he had visited to no avail. I would also like to mention that my uncle has used the same pharmacy for over 15 years; just to dispel any thought of doctor shopping or jumping from pharmacy to pharmacy. What the DEA and FDA have done to innocent pain sufferers is CRUEL and UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!!! politicians and lawmakers, alike, should jump in and get the REPEAL process started now since they're underlying political platform is; "we care about our constituents". If they don't do anything about this their true colors are showing and PEOPLE should remember this come election time. My uncle is back on Tylenol3 and was told by his doctor to give it at least 6 weeks before the medication would give him the relief of hydrocodone. In anticipation of this change the doctor started him on Tylenol 3 early. It's been 3 months and his pain is not even edged off so he just lies in bed and gets around enough to eat and use the restroom, luckily he sleeps just feet away from the restroom. His doctor, knowing full well the lack of relief for my uncle, will not budge for fear of prosecution. GOD BLESS these UNITED STATESREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Nottingham, MD writes:
Pain is the number one cause of suicide. The dea is ridiculous and should be sued. Pain is real just like high blood pressure and diabetes. The concern should be for the patient not the probable of addiction. If patient takes medicine as perscribed then addiction should not be a problem. If anyone becomes addicted can get better by going to addiction classes. It is not fair that the dea is more concern about the addicts care then the people who suffer so much in pain. Why do they stop selling alcohol because some people are alcholics?????REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Harrison, OH writes:
I don't know who should be more insulted the doctors or the patients! This new reclassification of pain medication assumes the doctor is incompetent and the patient is either a liar or a drug seeker. Didn't they learn anything from prohibition? People that have the agenda to get drugs for a high will find a way! All that the DEA has done is ensured more hardship on people already suffering. Meanwhile drug cartels are moving evermore into America and what about all the illegal drugs sold everyday on the streets? Why doesn't the DEA get that mess cleaned up before they come after law abiding tax payers who are only taking legitimate prescriptions prescribed by their doctors. I think all the people affected adversely by these idiots should file a class action law suit against the DEA and anyone else that has promoted this intrusion into American citizens personal health issues and their rights to make choices on their courses of treatment with their doctors. It is completely offensive that Americans privacy is being completely betrayed without any indication of wrong doing. Why should the DEA have access to our medical records? I hope the senate and house are giving consideration to all this because when people start feeling the pain and are increasingly impacted by the indifference of the very people elected to protect them from government intrusion, there will be a backlash like nothing seen before from angry sick people who do not have anything to lose because they are already pretty miserable! The last comment I want to make is that since all the articles in the paper and media on the dangers etc of prescription pain medicine many people are now noticing a notable prejudice in people's attitudes towards them. Everybody better wake up and realize that sooner or later they or someone they love will have pain and need medication!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 8th, 2014Someone from Andover, NJ signed.
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Nov 7th, 2014Someone from Houston, TX writes:
I'm have a disease that induces chronic pain. Thanks for making it harder when I'm already treated like a drug addict.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelNov 7th, 2014Someone from Dickinson, TX writes:
There is a prescription drug problem in this country...but it's not the fault of those who truly suffer disabling pain. Tighter restrictions on controlled substances is not an effective measure against illegal drug use...and no excuse to let innocent people suffer. There IS no excuse for that.REPORT COMMENTS
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