First Do No Harm: The DEA targets Physicians who treat their patients pain.
Public Comments (15,444)
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Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Stillwater, OK signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Columbus, NJ writes:
I was misdiagnosed for over 13 years, being treated for acid reflux - that I did not have. I am self-employed, so I have no "sick days" or a way to earn a living unless I work. I am being treated at UPenn Pain Management and have been told by 3 Drs. on my team, that there is no cure for what I have. I blew out 4 discs in my neck and the other 3 are bulging. I also have arthritis and spondylosis in my neck, plus much more damage. It affects everywhere from my mid-back up. The standard pain management Rxs don't work for me and I am in excruciating pain 24 / 7. It is hurting me to sit and type this, but something has to change, and change soon. If you have medical proof that what you have causes extreme pain and there is no cure, then the Gov't. needs to back off and stop terrorizing Doctors. The public, and even most Drs.do not understand chronic pain. We are not people seeking a buzz. I am lucky if my medicine takes my pain level from a 10+ to a 7. That is barely enough to help me to be able to slightly function and breathe. I am trying desperately to keep working and not become a drain on society, but without enough pain medicine this is becoming harder & harder. Can we become physically dependent upon our pain medicine? Yes, just as a diabetic or a heart patient is "physically dependent" upon their meds., yet they are not made to feel as if they are weak, or drug seekers. If you have medical proof that you have an incurable medical problem that causes enormous pain, then the Gov't and the DEA need to back off and focus on real criminals. Chronic Pain is criminally under-treated in this country, and as a recent article stated: Prince did not die from Pain Medication, he died from Chronic Pain. Wake up America. We are decent people trying to be useful members of Society.Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Johnstown, PA writes:
this is bad, the suicide rate is going up, and the death rate is going as the government has left us high and dry, not caring about the pain pt, but more worried about a druggie, who will still get their fix, with or without the government... the only thing this has done is put us pain pt a sub class being even lower than the 2nd rate citizenREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Rosemead, CA writes:
My daughter has painful psoriatic arthritis. No cure and treatments only help, don't relieve the pain or fatigue. Has her master's degree but now is too sick to work. She is heart broken. Without pain medicines, she would have no quality of life whatsoever. Doctors need to get more educated about this disease. Thank you.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Orland, CA signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Tucson, AZ writes:
I will be added to the ranks of bedridden, moaning, crying for help, chronic pain patients who will eventually choose a way out of the unrelenting pain through either illegal drugs that I am morally against, illegally purchased drugs that I could never afford, or suicide. I have been through every pain class, I meditate, I exercise to the best of my ability, i am socially active, attend my dozens of dr appointments and group support meetings every month, and I am always looking for new ways to deal with my pain. I have never come close to being addicted to my prescriptions for pain medications because I work with my doctors to always take as little as possible, so that there will be something there on the really bad days. But two years ago I went to a normal appointment at the VA, and was told all of my pain meds were being cut immediately, and that the women's clinic no longer prescribed narcotics for chronic pain patients. Thank God for patient advocates!!! A friend of mine who is on a pain pump was recently admitted into the hospital two days after surgery, to remove a defective pump, with dizziness and blackouts. The ER wouldn't listen to or believe her, gave her a shot of halydal to shut her up, and stashed her on a non surgical floor for 24 hours. She was hours from death when her dr found her. The reason for this? They thought she was a drug seeker and wouldn't even look at her medical records, despite the 90+ surgeries they listed that would have verified her conditions. Our doctors have become either uncaring, or unable to care,mor chronic pain patients. We are in need of quality of life, in order to have life.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Tullahoma, TN signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Frankfort, IL writes:
I'm extremely upset and overwhelmed that Congress and the president and the CDC can control what our doctors prescribe I understand if they are prescribing heavily medication in large quantities but I am simply taking Norco tens for my chronic pain but now they want me to take Belbuca which is highly addictive I am allergic to I'm cannot afford oh wait did I mention I cannot take my Gabapentin for my nerves damage or diazepam or meloxicam for migraines and if I get a cold I cannot take my Mucinex D which is the only thing that helps I do not understand why you would rather switch people to morphine oxycodone I'm sorry but I do not want your pain patches I do not want your dissolving strips oh and did I mention you can take this medicine if you have something wrong with your thyroid or gallbladder which I do not have a gallbladder and I have a major thyroid problem the medication they like to switch me to causes depression liver failure for your heart to stop and the top rate of overdose you're causing more people to commit suicide because you're taking their pain meds away and they cannot deal with it or they are going to the street corner to buy heroin just so they feel no pain and you call this Justice I suggest you rethink it because every death is on your handsREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Drexel Hill, PA writes:
Doctors who treat chronic pain patients need to be able to care for the patient without fear of retribution. I have been dealing with the chronic pain of CRPS for 8 years now. On the McGill Pain Scale CRPS pain is listed higher than cancer pain. So tell me...would you tell a cancer patient..."No more"?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Machias, ME signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Winterport, ME signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Garland, NC signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Newton, NJ signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Reading, PA writes:
I have a work related injury in my lower back,L3,L4,L5 S1.DDD and osteoarthritis in my back and knee.i also had knee surgery in 1979,80,1997,&2011.It so bad i need to wear a J brace everyday.Without medication,i might as well be dead.I do understand there was people that abused,well the ones that did dont deserve to get them then.Its not that hard to seperate the people with real chronic pain and the people that dont.We will have a bigger problem if chronic pain patients are thrown out in the street.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from The Colony, TX writes:
I have been in chronic pain for almost 15 years now and going through disability since I can't work or drive. I have reached a tolerance to my medication but my doctor is scared to change my medicine so I can refresh my tolerance then go back to my current medication in a year. He is afraid to even change my medication, which isn't an increase because of red flags it can raise to the DEA or so he has been told. He has been a great doctor and now he thinks he may lose his practice because of all the new red tape keeping him from treating his pain patients. He has been the most conservative doctor I've had and I'm taking less medications than before though I need higher dosage or a change. You guys are making my life not worth living. I'm single female at 39 and stay in bed all day unless I have a doctors appointment. THIS MUST STOP FOR MANY OF US TO GET OUR LIFE BACK. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Groveport, OH signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Fayetteville, NC signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Joliet, IL signed.
Jun 1st, 2016Someone from Morrow, GA writes:
Anyone who has never experienced chronic pain has absolutely no unearthly idea what it's like. Moderate to severe arthritis, for example, is not something that someone else can SEE, but those who suffer with it (whether they show it or not) are in CONSTANT pain, and only their prescribed medications can help to make life bearable.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Carrabelle, FL writes:
It's horrific that chronic pain sufferers who won't be able to manage pain will have no other options but endless suffering or suicide! Quality of life-matters!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Humboldt, AZ writes:
someone needs to take responsibility here drs, dea someone is responsible for it my opinion is t he deaREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 1st, 2016Someone from Shasta Lake, CA signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from League City, TX writes:
I'm a chronic pain sufferer. I have been since I was injured on the job. I've had 4 back surgeries & have added several other diseases that cause severe pain. I don't take pain medication to get high, I like many others take pain medication to help lessen my pain and make it easier to live my life and be with my family. Taking away my pain medication will turn me into an invalid. Taking away pain medication from thousands of us will cause some of us to commit suicide or more likely the FDA, DEA & the cowardly doctors will have committed murder by taking away our medications. Prisoners in jails are given humane treatment. We won't be.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Saint Louis, MO writes:
The Government could care less about the pain that people are or are not in.... they are ****ed that people are getting these scripts and selling them. I agree that action should be taken towards them, but not this type of action that hurts legitimate people trying to manage pain to live their lives. They actually do not care who they hurt. It will also mean a lot more people applying for disability, which is a bonus for them as well. Puts more people at their mercy!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from New Carlisle, OH writes:
Please, don't tie the hands of the doctors! It is very hard to find a good pain management doctor now. It may someday be your son, daughter, mother, or wife that ends up with chronic pain and can't get help from the doctors.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from North Attleboro, MA signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from Indianapolis, IN writes:
Suffering with chronic pain IS real! Patients that have this condition deserve to be treated with dignity and support. Instead they are often humiliated and refused any help at all. Quit treating chronic pain sufferers like addicts looking for their next fix and start helping them live a quality life that is free of pain.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Buffalo, NY signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from Thomaston, GA writes:
I wonder if the letters of constituents really matter. I wonder ,also, if they are ever actually read by our over reaching government "representatives" . There is a difference between addiction and dependence but our governing bodies seem to think they cannot leave the determination up to highly educated medical professionals and mature patients who are intelligent enough to take the personal responsibility for their own well being. The DEA exists to enforce laws passed by our representatives. The problem is these representatives are oblivious of the reality true pain patients suffer through and seemingly do not want to understand. Because congress prefers to appear they are addressing the problems rather than actually addressing them, innocent people suffer and criminals laugh. AMERICA is being run by big money bullies and true Americans suffer (including veterans , cancer patients and other common citizens with actual painful conditions ).REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Kalamazoo, MI signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from North Liberty, IN writes:
As a nurse I have seen these new rules in action-patients and physicians suffer. And lest we forget that drug addicts are suffering from disrase as well. None of these people are criminals-they are all just trying to get through their lives.... Please stop these gestapo tactics-they are hurting way more than helping....REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Lyons, IL writes:
When someone is in pain they need to be taken seriously and not treated like a second class citizen. That is very harmful, especially to someone suffering from pain and depression. Please respect and treat people in pain like you would want to be treated.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Toney, AL writes:
DEA should not be involved in this. It should be between the patient and the doctor. They should not be able to take away our pain meds. We should be able to get them If we have a legitimate chronic pain. I am in Chronic pain 24/7 and I would not be able to not be without my pain meds. Please just leave our meds alone.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Galesburg, IL writes:
Give legitimate patients their pain meds if you dea agents were inflicted by this disease you sure wouldc change your tuneREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Lake Placid, FL writes:
It is simply just not fair that they can take away pain medications from The Chronically ill. This has got to stop. Most of these people need their medications to survive daily. If these medications are taken away from these chronically ill people suicide rate will soar.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Dallas, TX signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from Oconomowoc, WI writes:
DEA needs to stay out of it. It's between Dr and PtREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 31st, 2016Someone from Buffalo, NY signed.
May 31st, 2016Someone from Conyers, GA writes:
It is inhuman to deny medications to anyone who lives with chronic pain. Or any other(s) debilitating illnesses. Pain lives count too!REPORT COMMENTS
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