First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Oct 8th, 2014Someone from Tampa, FL writes:
The DEA has crossed the line. Our government should be ashamed at how they are responding. They are supporting the "Legalization of Human Suffering." Even though it is well documented that the claims made by the DEA are essentially unsubstantiated, they have managed to create chaos, which the media has successfully appropriated, all at the expense of the patient. We are NOT expendable. The recent announcement concerning the reclassification of hydrocodone combination medication to a schedule II, clearly shows that the DEA has a stronghold on the U.S. government. This decision and the other's like it, will prove to be one of the worst decisions made. As a victim of a near fatal hit and run, I used to be thankful that I survived, in spite of the permanent damage that cut my life short at only 33. Then in a mere instant, I went from living with chronic pain, to suffering from it. Consequently, I am not so thankful anymore. We are a minority, ruled by the decisions of the majority, fostering oppression; that is removing an essential part of life.....quality... -
Oct 8th, 2014Someone from Bedford, NH signed.
Oct 8th, 2014Someone from Terrell, TX writes:
The government has decided unanimously that nearly 120 million people are expendable and an acceptable loss, and that we the unruly child who cannot decide for themselves what would be best. The DEA has overstepped bounds for quite some time and it was only a matter of time before they came after us, because we were silent. To those considering extreme measures (who doesn't from time to time), please stay around. You are needed more than ever. Time, perhaps for an "occupy" of the DEA HQ. To force those who encourage the massacre slow as it may be, of people in pain. The economy is recovering because those "new jobs" are jobs we had until we were no longer able to work from pain. A non violent, walk, crawl, roll or march to the steps of Congress and Senate are in order.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 8th, 2014Someone from Jacksonville, FL writes:
I have RA, fibromyalgia, diabetic nerve pain in my legs. Been in a car accident that left my right ankle severe nerve damage. And I am bipolar with panic attacks 1 to 3 times a day. I now can not get the meds that let me function. I about to lose my job as my std is gone and fmla i not been able to get back in last 2 years because I been in out of hospital for different surgery. I had 4 surgery this past year. Last one I broke my back in end of July 2014. I can't sleep sit or even lay down without suffering pain. This makes the stress and panic attacks come on even more. Funny part is I been one who waits till last min to take my pain meds till the last min even when i suffer. Now I can't get legal pain or bipolar meds. I about to be tested for breast cancer. I thinking pain from that if i have it will be denied help too. Maybe in long run its best I die from it than day to day life without help.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 8th, 2014Someone from Weare, NH writes:
I have suffered from chronic back pain, due to degenerative disc disease with nerve impingement, spondylosis, facet disease, etc., fibromyaliga, leg pain due to a rare tremor disease that causes extremely fast tremors in my legs (orthostatic tremors) among many more health issues. My insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) considers me a complicated case and I am a part of their Care Management Program. I used to be able to get oxycodone 5-325 from my primary care doctor. In 2012, she wrote me a prescription for 50 pills, and it lasted me more than a year...so, that puts my average usage at less than one pill a week. I hardly think this indicates drug abuse; however, I have been made to feel like a drug addict lately. I never took them during the day because of the sedating effect, but if I do anything that requires any activity.....shopping, sitting in a straight chair at an event, short walks, tending my few flowers, etc., I cannot sleep at night. Therefore, most of my life (or lack there of) is spent in my recliner with my laptop, and that was when I could get a prescription for pain killers. I have always had a good attitude, in spite of my pain and numerous health problems; however, this ridiculous new ruling on pain pills has me wondering how I'm going to remain functional at all. For years, I have dealt with my daily pain, and taken an occasional pain pill at night, just so I could sleep. I'm no longer getting good sleep, and only sleeping 4-5 hrs. at night. This is NOT living, and now you have made it so that the ones who will get pain pills are those who do it illegally. I am 64 yrs. old and have already had radio frequency lesioning on 3 discs, steroid shots in my ankle, back and knee. I've tried one of those useless 'specially compounded creams', and this is all within months. In the last year, I have had two new primary care doctors and been to 3 useless pain clinics. I wake up every morning in pain, and I feel my positive attitude declining. You are definitely leading people towards suicide because when you live with unrelenting pain, can't live a normal life, and when you are denied pain pills, what are your options? Why punish those of us who have absolutely no record of drug abuse and who are trying to hang in there and make the best of what little life they have? At 64, I don't consider myself elderly, but I am disabled and wondering how I'm going to deal with this long term. I heard that Granny was just going to be thrown over the cliff and now I see that it's already begun.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 8th, 2014Someone from Aurora, CO writes:
I came to this site looking for fellow pain patients who wish to commit suicide with me. Maybe if we do it all together it will make a statement. I am 63 and on SSDI for the initial back injury 11 years ago that led to my chronic pain condition. My doctor rations my medication, at the urging of the DEA, and I am too old and debilitated to try the illegal routes, none of which I ever in my remotest imagination would have considered until the last year or so when this all came down. I worked a professional job in health care for 30 years until a federal social security judge found me disabled, only to have another federal branch tell me I cannot have treatment. Perhaps to get rid of these pesky citizens causing all the confusion (116 million per the New York Times), we could be taken to large ghettos (we've already lost all our property), observed as we begin to starve, and then transported by train to concentration camps, where we can be disposed of in an orderly manner, and, at last, find some blessed relief.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 8th, 2014Someone from San Leandro, CA signed.
Oct 7th, 2014Someone from Laughlin, NV signed.
Oct 7th, 2014Someone from Claremore, OK writes:
dr. just cut me off of a 40 pill every 90 days script b/c I quote "he doesn't want to get involved in anything like that". coerced under duress by our fine government.. f^ktards!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 7th, 2014Someone from Nacogdoches, TX writes:
This MUST be said.....if our Big Brother government truly believes that this is gonna deter the death toll and illegal use and abuse of this drug then the parties responsible for implementing this law have to be, without a doubt, the BIGGEST bunch of MORONIC IDIOTS to ever walk this planet!!!!! How in the name of all things holy is this going to fix a bloody thing? I'll tell you..... IT WONT!!!!! Not only have they NOT fixed a problem but our 'we know best' screwed up government have created what will soon be evident HORRIFIC backlash that I can only PRAY the number of suicides will haunt each and every person responsible for every day they draw a breath.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 7th, 2014Someone from Bearden, AR signed.
Oct 6th, 2014Someone from Monterey, CA writes:
have been treated for FMS and CFS pain meds for 27yrs never ever abused. Now what my life is not worth it like this. i didnt ask for being in pain day in and day out for over half my life. i have had no life and even when i stop for over a yr i am still not normal and in pain and not living a life, i am despriteREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 6th, 2014Someone from Bandera, TX signed.
Oct 6th, 2014Someone from San Antonio, TX writes:
I have had back surgery. I had an MRI done and it showed an irregularity. My doctor Joseph Marotta MD in San Antonio treated me for 4 years almost 5. He started me on hydrocodone then as an alternative for long-term control switch to methadone. In May of 2014 I had an abscess and went to the dentist he did oral surgery. He wrote me a prescription for 20 hydrocodone pills. Following my next doctor's appointment I was discharged from my doctor because the DEA coerced and implemented constraints upon his practice. Since then I'm thing and I lost my job twice.the DEA has a website in Texas under the name of DPS website. It muncher everyone who feels a schedule 3 or schedule 2 prescription. This information is at every hospital in major Dr office in Texas. This HIPAA information is in the hands of the DEA to control and manage care for United States citizensREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 6th, 2014Someone from Amarillo, TX writes:
The new hydrocodone laws moving from schedule 3 to schedule 2 doesn't do anything but make the drugs higher priced on the streets. The addicts will just have to rob and steal more causing crime rates to rise. Addicts will get their fixes, one way or another. Ignorant law makers passing laws about something they know nothing about, just as usual.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 6th, 2014Someone from Amarillo, TX writes:
The new hydrocodone laws moving from schedule 3 to schedule 2 doesn't do anything but make the drugs higher priced on the streets. The addicts will just have to rob and steal more causing crime rates to rise. Addicts will get their fixes, one way or another. Ignorant law makers passing laws about something they know nothing about, just as usual.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 6th, 2014Someone from Magee, MS writes:
I did not ask for, nor do I require, a "Pain Manager"! This is just another excuse to bill me and my insurance for unnecessary tests, office visits, etc. All I need is my prescriptions filled and no interlopers!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 6th, 2014Someone from Olive Hill, KY signed.
Oct 6th, 2014Someone from Aberdeen, NC writes:
I too was severely injured at a young age (20). I had someone fall into me knocking me off balance on to a second story balcony railing. the railing gave with the weight of both of us and I along with the other person on top of me landed on the hood of a car. I broke the fall and inturn suffered sever joint and disc damage L4 L5 compressed disc fracture . I damaged my right hip and suffered a fracture in my pelvis, i severly damaged 2 discs in my neck L1 & L2 , concussion etc etc. I was unable to seek proper medical help and ended up not going to a doctor for nearly 10 years. the whole time I carried around severe pain. then as if that wasnt enough I suffered a motorcycle accident and i landed on my head sending the helmet flying off my head and doing more severe damage to my neck L1 L2 again and major tendon muscle damage I also damaged my right hip again in that accident. I took it like a man and suffered for 15 years before I broke down and went to the doctor. ( i had lost several jobs and had become unreliable as an employee because I hurt so bad I couldn't get out of bed most of the time. I have let almost all of my dreams disappear due to the pain and anxiety caused by these injuries. I finally got MRI's CAT scans and X rays after i lost everything i had and ended up going to the free clinic because the next step was offing myself. well after all the examinations I have been given Injections and tried every NON narcotic pain killing method with No positive results. Enter the pain management Clinic and a wonder drug called Fentynal. I put a patch on and 5hours later (after 15 years of suffering mind you) I feel minimal pain(i'm a realist my pain will never be completely gone) and im able to be around people and tolerate others. I go out a few days later, get a job, buy insurance , start living a normal life again!!! all because of Opiate medicine!!! when i dont have it , I am right back in the gutter thinking about how life sucks!! Long story short..I am now employed , insured, back in school , learning a new career in welding and electronics. WITHOUT MY MEDICINE I CANT BE PRODUCTIVE IN SOCIETY!! AND IT ****ES ME OFF TO NO END THAT SOME GROUP OF LAWMAKERS OR GOVERNMENT AGENTS (ALL VERY WEALTHY IM SURE) MAY TAKE MY ABILITY TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AWAY BECAUSE OF DRUG ADDICTS AND DEALERS .) There are far more people benefiting from these drugs than abusing them! Just because the media reports every single negative aspect and not one single positive aspect ! And when i go to the clinic i have to have my pills counted and **** in a cup and fork out the few hard earned dollars i have in order to prove im not an abuser. Its a sad time in humanity my fellow pain suffers! I cant help that i got severely injured , and I dont necessarily like being dependent on opiates...BUT IT BEATS THE ALTERNATIVE!!!!! WE MUST BOND TOGETHER IN OUR AGONY AND FIGHT THIS NONSENSE!!! KEEP A PAIN JOURNAL, record yourself with and without your meds ..There are far bettREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 5th, 2014Someone from Mcallen, TX writes:
**** THE D.E.A. may you writhe in pain ****ers!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 5th, 2014Someone from Lampasas, TX signed.
Oct 5th, 2014Someone from Queensbury, NY signed.
Oct 5th, 2014Someone from West Chester, OH signed.
Oct 5th, 2014Someone from Irving, TX signed.
Oct 4th, 2014Someone from Bellflower, CA signed.
Oct 4th, 2014Someone from Center, TX signed.
Oct 4th, 2014Someone from Rapid City, SD writes:
I live in rural south dakota and have a" legitimate "pain condition. I say it like that because if doctors see any untraceable pain they assume you are lyng on an x ray you can see my condition clear as day thank God. My doctor REFUSES to write schedule 2 drugs. I have been on hydrocodone for 4 years. I am 28 so it was near impossible to find a doctor who did not think I was "drug seeking" with this change I have been told that I will get one month of medication to "taper" with and then off I go!! I am a single mom of a 5 year old and a buisness owner. I fear I will not be able to work I do not want to end up on disability. Thanks alot all you losers who snort and inject pain medication and the damn DEA instilling thr fear of God into doctors. SeriouslyI mean what the f***??!! What am I supposed to do now? Taken the same dose for 4 years so I can get out of bed and get a child to school and run store. I guess my 5 other employees will lose their jobs.. I will lose my car and house (cant make my payments if I dont work) that I worked my butt off for. If I did not have a child I would probably consider suicide which I have a feeling others in my position are already thinking or have done this. Nice job guys... do no harm.... MAYBE save one addict while 20 other people suffer and stop contributing to society and wither away. And no.. welfare is not an option. I was taught to be self sufficient.... thank God for my child and my service dog to help with some of the burdens .. shes going to have to learn a few new tricks around the house! Stay strong everyone!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 3rd, 2014Someone from Fort Worth, TX signed.
Oct 3rd, 2014Someone from Huntington Beach, CA writes:
I've suffered with chronic joint and muscle pain for over 20 years. The pain medications help me get through work and allow me to have a better quality of life. This is in combination with chiropractic, massage and accupuncture therapy. I can't afford to see my doctor every month to get a prescription refill. Please demand that these changes be overturned. There has to be another way to curb the abuse. You are messing with hard working peoples lives that just want to work and not go on disability. Thank youREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 2nd, 2014Someone from Oceanside, CA writes:
I have degenerative bone disease in my neck along with arthritis which gives me headaches everyday. The pain meds makes it tolerable so I can be productive in my job . Not sure how I will be able to without, leave the doctors alone!!!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 2nd, 2014Someone from Williamsport, PA signed.
Oct 2nd, 2014Someone from Fairfield, IA writes:
This is the largest travesty in MANY years in modern medicine......a giant step BACKWARD!!! The saddest part is that this does't truly affect the addicts.....it affects people who are truly suffering every day; we don't specifically WANT to be on a strong narcotic but we need them just to be able to tolerate basic living......showering, going to the grocery store, getting dressed, combing our hair/brushing teeth..........since when did our legislators/citizens decide that it is acceptable for the FDA/government to get between a Dr and their Patient?????? These Dr's have seen most of us for YEARS and yet the gov't decides that THEY know better what is good for us.........where did they go to school that their power should over-rule our Dr's????? I would MUCH rather NOT need narcotics.......more than anything-I wish I didn't need them for daily living.....if I don't have them.....I can't get out of bed to use the bathroom, can't brush my hair or teeth, can't get dressed, can't go to parent/teacher conference annually......some days, I can't WALK or roll over in bed without narcotics........I am NOT "drug seeking" or requesting my physicians give me narcotics.....I am seeking whatever I can get to have a minimal quality of life all because I hurt my back in 2008 and my surgeon butchered me!!!! The sad part about all this is that physicians are now afraid to help patients like me that truly need it.......so most people in my situation end up seeking out illegal ways to manage their pain WITHOUT medical supervision.......does that seem backwards to anyone besides me??????? It's too bad that the addicts have had to ruin it for the MILLIONS of honest to goodness pain patients and the doctors that TRY to do their jobs and help their patients....how does anyone in the FDA know better than my physicians the specifics of my condition, things we have tried that have both succeeded and failed and what actually helps??? Is it too much that I would like to be able to get out of bed to use the restroom??? I did NOT ask to have this happen to me when I was 34......I think it's terrible that honest pain patients like myself are being punished because of the people who abuse the system!! (FYI-I worked in health care for years and was always taught that if someone tells you he/she is hurting, you MUST believe them because for all of the "seekers" there are people who really ARE hurting and why should they have to be punished for someone elses behavior????) Truly, all of this BS is NOT hurting the seekers......they will ALWAYS find a way to get what they want.......THIS is hurting good Dr's and honest pain patients-period!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 2nd, 2014Someone from San Clemente, CA writes:
Stop making it more difficult for people with legitimate prescriptions to get their pain medications. Instead make it more difficult for people abusing drugs to get the prescriptions in the first place. It's riduculous that you are punishing ill people because of the people abusing drugs. We have nothing to do with drug abusers and it's offensive and insulting that you classify us as abusers (by making more hoops for us to jump through to get our prescriptions) because we have madical conditions.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 1st, 2014Someone from Campbell, CA writes:
My husband has CRPS also know as the suicide disease. He has to suffer everyday because doctors are afraid to prescribe the meds he needs to have a decent quality of life. After surviving cancer in 2009 he says the cancer was a piece of cake because it was not as painful as this wretched disease. So he suffers, and I suffer as his caretaker, and all other patients who need pain meds to function now have to suffer because of the drug seekers. I wish the DEA could live one day as he does. The druggies will still get their meds though, you can count on that. So not right!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 1st, 2014Someone from Panama City, FL writes:
I am a chronic pain patient and this is flat out torture. It is against the constitution to discriminate against me based on disability (Americans with Disabilities Act) and demand urine tests, pill counts and other methods of treating me like a convicted criminal/drug abuser.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 1st, 2014Someone from Farmington, IA writes:
I have had cancer twice please don't take my pain meds away. Can't stand the pain as it is :(REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 30th, 2014Someone from Schwenksville, PA writes:
I've had chronic pancreatitis for over 10 yrs. now, its a VERY painful disease. I am in pain so often that I haven't been able to work for several years. If my pain meds were taken away I couldn't keep up with daily functions like taking care of my cat, home and family.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 30th, 2014Someone from Buffalo, NY writes:
I have never used illegal drugs or had much reason to use prescription pain killers. Now I find myself with two chronic conditions with no cure that cause terrible pain. Doctors are unwilling to prescribe pain medication due to this asinine attack on patients and doctors. Something has got to give! We need treatment!REPORT COMMENTS
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