First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Bellingham, WA writes:
This is such an important issue. Yes, there are people who are truly addicts, but there are so people with real, unending, life-altering, debilitating chronic pain. We should not be made to pay for the crimes of those who abuse the system by a blanket declaration or policy that prevents physicians (who go to school for years, and we trust with our lives) from exercising their own independent professional judgment and doing their job. -
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Juneau, WI signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Haddock, GA signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Brick, NJ signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Fyffe, AL signed.
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Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Charlotte, NC signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Glen, NH writes:
Have a difficult time with doctors and substance abuse nurses that do not think my pain is so bad. It is like a knife in my head at times.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 7th, 2014Someone from Charlotte, NC signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Fargo, ND writes:
I have three rare diseases, Microscopic Polyangiitis (a life threatening rare auto-immune vasculitis), Lipoedema, and possible Dercum's disease. These illnesses cause debilitating pain, leaving me unable to function, work, keep up in school, or even walk or enjoy my life. Pain medication helps me live a normal life. Because of this behavior of targeting doctors and pharmacies instead of targeting the people who are selling these drugs illegally, I have not had pain relief for a month. In desperation I took NSAIDS (Non-Stereroidal Anti Inflamatories) like advil, aleve, etc. It almost killed me as I suffered an increasingly common life threatening reaction called NSAID-induced Bronchospasm (a severe asthma attack caused from NSAID drugs). Yes the NSAIDS worked for the pain, but they almost killed me. And guess what? Until I can get some pain relief I Will keep trying to take them, because I am tired of not living life. I am 37 years old. I should be working and enjoying life. Instead in pain all the time, I sit in the house and watch others have fun with life out my window. If I die from the NSAIDS then maybe it will wake these doctors up to the need to not ignore chronic debilitating pain. At this point the risk of death is not as scary as living a life where I can not do anything besides sit there all day. I have becomes desperate for pain relief. I encourage you to change your policies on pain control medications so people like myself do not suffer needlessly, and put thier lives at risk to simply have a few wonderful and beautiful pain free moments. Thank you for listening. If you need information my email is on the petition. Thank you.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 7th, 2014Someone from Smyrna, GA signed.
Jun 6th, 2014Someone from Wilmington, DE writes:
I am one of these chronic pain patients and I feel that my right to humane medical attention is being robbed because the DEA targets CHRONIC PAIN patients doctors for prescribing a medication that is medically necessary in or for me to function. It is the addict that should be targeted not us with medical proof and documentation that we need this medication until the end of our lives. I have to have a third surgery on my cervical spine due to the last surgery not healing and the screws are out. I could be paralyzed from the neck down if I don't have the surgery and if I have the surgery it could happen during the procedure. I feel either way I may be screwed. Please take this serious because there are a lot of voters out here that need your help.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 6th, 2014Someone from Grantsville, UT writes:
I have been in pain for about 6 years I had acdf surgery multi-level 4-6 with instrumentation IT TOOK 5 Years to find a doctor to find out why I had this 5 year headache... Finally found a good ole Midwest Dr, who believed me, about the pain he made a few diagnosis's finally his staff convinced him I was a drug seeker JUNKIE so he ordered me to have an MRI which I gladly jumped at, come to find out 2 ruptured disc's in my neck impinging on my spinal cord, was immediately referred to a wonderful Neurosurgeon ONE OF THE BEST he took care of me, headache gone but arm pain remains we discussed at length what was up with the shoulder and arm and he is one of the top neurosurgeons in the country and he knew it was not my neck I live in Pain! I beg for relief Weekly-bi weekly I have surgery but im not sure it will help??? if its a brachial plexus injury which I do believe it could be IM IN BIG Trouble without pain meds I am unable to do simple things like laundry, gardening, house keeping had to take a LOA from work, because I just cant sit there for more than 45 minutes. I hope I will find a Fix (not in drugs, but on a forever basis to not need them) But Im just a drug seeker IM not I do admit that sometimes when the pain wakes me and I have had my limit for the day which was 8 hours earlier I will take it, so I can get some rest... On another note I don't think the DEA is really all the fault here there unenforceable threats MAY BE! But I have never met anyone in the DEA or FDA that wants Dr's to not treat their patients with kindness compassion and at least make their lives comfortable I have only heard they want the pill mills people selling their pills to real JUNKIES! and for patients to be responsible in the matter of locking them up! so kids or visitors do not get them... Im ok with that.... I have also never met a DEA or FDA Represenative that believes in pain contracts, or if you are in dire pain, to not take an extra one or two here and there. pain is unpredictable good days/bad days they get that I put the full brunt of this epidemic on New Dr's and Pharmacists there have been many Pharmacists here that have been arrested for running Drug dealing out of their respective Stores WELL DUH! now all other pharmacies believe that those pharmacists were set up by the pain patients HONESTLY! someone needs to do something... most pharmacists here do not know how to count. or even dispense medicine now they have some power given to them to question a dr I guess if it s a combination that might kill someone SURE INTERVENE But, just because someone takes NORCO doesn't mean they are a junkie, or will become one EVER. it is pretty much impossible to be addicted to a schedule III drug. schedule II I don't know cant take perc's make me meaner than a junkyard dog take the pain away but the emotional side effect not so good for me.. schedule III works most of the time and if it doesn't I will be ok take a sebatical for a day aREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 5th, 2014Someone from Manassas, VA writes:
I have a degenerative autoimmune disease and can no longer function. Narcotic pain medication allowed me to do housework, moderate exercise and socialize. I was weaned off and am essentially bedridden. Never abused or took more than prescribed. I'm 51 and feel like my life is over. Thanks.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 5th, 2014Someone from Colorado Springs, CO writes:
For those of us that live with horrible pain everyday, we need a doctor that will treat us for it. Doctor's shouldn't have to be afraid to care for and treat their patients!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 5th, 2014Someone from Jeffersonton, VA signed.
Jun 5th, 2014Someone from Emmett, ID signed.
Jun 5th, 2014Someone from Jeffersonton, VA signed.
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No, CancelJun 5th, 2014Someone from La Mesa, CA writes:
I wish that when I was in the apex of my Chronic Daily and Hemiplegic Migraine which I have 24/7, I had the ability to place my hand on the doctor or pharmacist's hand and let them fell what I feel, what I live with day in and day out. I wish they understood, that my entire world, with very few exceptions, is in my house, because I spend nearly every waking moment there trying to control my pain with the very small amounts of pain medicines I'm allowed and nothing else to help me. I wish they could feel my humiliation when I'm sitting there listening to them tell me just to lose weight, get off my medications and think happy thoughts and all my pain will disappear. Which is right after they tell me what a horrible addict I am, and my migraines are due to my pain meds, then they turn around and offer me a prescription for Marijuana, which is so much worse than what I'm on. I'm also allergic to just the smoke, when I smell it on other people's clothing. With a note here, the exception about my migraines is, that I wasn't on any pain medicines when I was four years old. That was when these migraines began. I also wish they understood, that I'm not asking to be pain free, just to lower my pain to where I could function again, if only I could even go out long enough to attend a church service, go to a movie, or even celebrate my wedding anniversary's with my husband. I dream of a day when I can see my four year old granddaughter playing in the park, or have her first pony ride. I am afraid, that unless attitudes change about treating pain, I will probably die alone in my room when no one is here to help me. If things stay the same, this is the future that will be waiting for me.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 5th, 2014Someone from Philadelphia, PA signed.
Jun 5th, 2014Someone from Philadelphia, PA signed.
Jun 4th, 2014Someone from Buda, TX writes:
This is not just a war against physicians treating pain in Texas. The DEA is aiming at the pharmacists as well. I realize that most people don't have a relationship with their pharmacist but I do and they are facing legal sanctions for filling opiate prescriptions. It's a sad place we've reached when a physician cannot practice medicine and a pharmacist cannot do their job for fear of reprisals. It's bleak out there for those of us who depend on this medication for some semblance of a quality of life. Unfortunately, FEAR is the motivating factor for all of us. When did this become no longer we the people but we the government.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 4th, 2014Someone from Philadelphia, PA writes:
it a joke , the dea involved in legal pain medications. we all suffer in silence trying to get by with a couple of good hrs in a week that with medications without it madness, life is not worth living this need to stop please stop meddling in dr -patient affairs-Pharmacies wont fill my meds for no reason WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY HAS AMERICA TURNED INTO??????REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 4th, 2014Someone from Samson, AL writes:
Everyone in this st*pid country that suffers from chronic pain should FLOOD every ER everyday and refuse to pay the bill unless the pain is controlled. Why should we have have to pay outrageous prices to get no help at all. Someday maybe it will be the fools running around trying to ban everything that need pain meds, or better yet let them watch their kids suffer for years with no relief.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 4th, 2014Someone from Littleton, CO signed.
Jun 3rd, 2014Someone from Waterloo, IA signed.
Jun 3rd, 2014Someone from Waterloo, IA signed.
Jun 3rd, 2014Someone from White Bluff, TN writes:
The USA is becoming rUSsiA, when the government dictates what medications doctors, or patients take. Now you can drink all the alcohol you'd like, and die from that! Just don't drive!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 3rd, 2014Someone from Castro Valley, CA signed.
Jun 2nd, 2014Someone from Hillsboro, ND signed.
Jun 2nd, 2014Someone from Monticello, FL writes:
My son's pain medicine is $2000. a month out of pocket. He has been denied treatment by doctors because of no insurance. Then after finding a doctor and paying $500 for the visit, they may or may not keep you as a patient. Doctors are afraid to even take new patients. even if you have MRI's to prove you are in pain. Then after the doctor, he has driven hours and hours to get his prescriptions filled. This causes him more pain. From one pharmacy to another and hours of driving.. If you make any waves they drop you and will not fill the prescription. Even getting a receipt for your medicine is hard to do. If you don't have a receipt you can't get reimbursed if you have insurance. My son who is only 36 was in a car accident, he does not like taking pain medicine, but he can't even get out of bed in the morning with out it. Who do you have to be to get help? Yes my son has talked of suicide. If he does I will just have to understand why, right. Well at least I can tell those who ask me why this happen, that he was not an addict or nor was it an overdose. He died from the pain that he has been in for the past 8 years. So Congress where are you when the people you represent need your help?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 2nd, 2014Someone from Waterbury, CT signed.
Jun 1st, 2014Someone from Denham Springs, LA writes:
I want to be the voice. Who do I need to approach first?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2014Someone from Menominee, MI writes:
The Government must stop the DEA from practicing medicine. Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients all across this country are needlessly suffering because of the actions of abusers. True Pain sufferers are the casualties of the DEA's New "War on Drugs". They are losing the fight with Marijuana, so they have moved on to Pain medication. This must stop now. Please stop the DEA from killing and taking the quality of life away from true pain sufferers.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2014Someone from Hellertown, PA signed.
Jun 1st, 2014Someone from Graysville, TN writes:
After having surgery 2 weeks ago for cysts in my armpit, i was told that i could not go to er for additional pain meds. I am on pain management for a prior back injury. I had gone to the er because my invision had swollen and i was in terrible pain despite taking my regular pain med. I contacted my surgeon who told me to call the er and see if they would write me a script for additional pain med but when i called them they told me they had just spoke with my surgeon and he suggested they not give me anything further. What is this world coming to when u r shunned for needing pain medication. This is totally uncalled for.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2014Someone from Martinsburg, WV writes:
My husband committed suicide 8 years ago. He was repeatedly denied pain meds for years was" labeled" and treated badly. He was in a accident when he was 22 lost his leg and had almost every bone in his body broken. He turned to alcohol ......Thanks Congress for the pain Myself and our Daughter is Still feel because he is not here to share our lives with us. So glad You know what is just and right.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2014Someone from Twentynine Palms, CA writes:
I have been in pain constantly for 2 years with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. I was treated for 4 months with Norco whic helped greatly but was then told I could no longer have medication because it's "habit forming." So then, does pain become my lifelong habit?REPORT COMMENTS
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