Don't mess with my pain meds until you have something better!!

[Beagle333]

I think this is bad news for those of us who use opioids wisely and judiciously and in accordance with our doctor's orders.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare...emic-on-monday

The scariest part is that they plan to let the Feds monitor who really needs them. How would they know better than my doctor, who has years of personal experience in monitoring my pain and needs?

The administration aims to cut opioid prescriptions by one-third within three years by implementing a “Safer Prescribing Plan.” This includes incentivizing states to move to a national database monitoring opioid prescriptions to help flag people requesting numerous prescriptions.

Well, I don't really NEED "numerous prescriptions", but since they won't give me more than a one month supply and they can't give refills, then I do need at least one prescription per month.

And I have read about the studies that show that opioids are not the best thing for long term chronic pain. I might agree with that, due to a tolerance build-up if you don't follow the directions and take breaks. But I don't have chronic pain. I have acute pain. It isn't like a burn or a sore muscle or even a big cut, where the pain is fairly constant and ongoing. It's like a midget with a knife has jumped me and is stabbing me in the leg. (vascular problems) It comes on fast and it needs to be knocked out fast, so it needs a strong, rapidly-acting drug, which currently is only available as an opioid. I don't need to take two pills of something every 8 hours, three times a day, because I don't hurt all day, and sometimes it might skip a couple of days. But when it hits, it hits hard and fast and my Percodan is the answer for it.

[coloraydo]

Typical gov't, penalize the many because of the few. Hmmm, sounds familiar.

[Houndog]

Beagle, I agree with you 100%, but I think I have found the better mouse trap at least for my back and knee pain! Have you ever tried acupuncture? I've had bad back and knee pain since my late teens from an old injury and got pushed into trying acupuncture about a year ago after having surgery for it for the third time. It worked better than I could have ever dreamed! The pain is simply gone. It's not the answer for everybody but it is worth every cent in my case.

[poppy42]

I think this is bad news for those of us who use opioids wisely and judiciously and in accordance with our doctor's orders.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare...emic-on-monday

The scariest part is that they plan to let the Feds monitor who really needs them. How would they know better than my doctor, who has years of personal experience in monitoring my pain and needs?

Well, I don't really NEED "numerous prescriptions", but since they won't give me more than a one month supply and they can't give refills, then I do need at least one prescription per month.

And I have read about the studies that show that opioids are not the best thing for long term chronic pain. I might agree with that, due to a tolerance build-up if you don't follow the directions and take breaks. But I don't have chronic pain. I have acute pain. It isn't like a burn or a sore muscle or even a big cut, where the pain is fairly constant and ongoing. It's like a midget with a knife has jumped me and is stabbing me in the leg. (vascular problems) It comes on fast and it needs to be knocked out fast, so it needs a strong, rapidly-acting drug, which currently is only available as an opioid. I don't need to take two pills of something every 8 hours, three times a day, because I don't hurt all day, and sometimes it might skip a couple of days. But when it hits, it hits hard and fast and my Percodan is the answer for it.

I’m with you! Mine is all orthopedic

[Thundarstick]

The OP won't be affected by this, it's aimed at Drs who are pill pushers, and patents who abuse opioids. IE, I have known lots of addicts that brow beat, guilted, begged, and otherwise manipulated family members to feign pain to get prescriptions for them! I use to perform loads of drugscreens on employment applications, now I do loads to make sure the patient is taking the med they are prescribed! My late FIL had osteoarthritis so severely he had to have Morphine just to sleep a few hours, so I do know about people who need these meds. Personally, I'm of the opinion that long term pain relief should go through a Dr that specializes in pain management, I also think a GP MD has absolutely no business prescribing mind altering drugs to patients with no psychological exam or follow up! All these drugs need to be better controlled, followed, and regulated, but when the drug reps have regular dinner dates with clinics staff and Drs to tell them all about the latest greatest drug they have just rolled out it does make one wonder about the whole sit up, not mentioning the Washington bribes!

[glockfan]

i sympathize with the people plagued with spondylolysis and such disc-vertebras degenerative problems ....again, innocent people will be ostrascized because a restricted number of junkies not able to control their intake.

back problems can be very,very painfull and the pain associated is bright and cutting. at some point in the case of degenerative spine's problems , oxycodon and opioid are the only durable solution so the person is able to relax and focus on their regular activities-work instead of having to manage their resistance to sharp pain ; without the help of such med it really is breathtaking and discouraging to the point some wish to die instead of having to support the pain any longer.

the little glitch happening for some is : when you waited a year to get the so awaited surgery that is supposed to free you from pain, in the meantime chances are that the habit instilled from everyday use can drive to addiction,understandably......why? because from my point of view,i'd rather have to fight a little at defeating an habit to painkillers that has freed me from suffering in the wait for a surgery, than having to suffer all the time ''''because opioids can be addictive and blablabla .....there's no virtuous way of living with constant pain ;at one point addict or not, being forced to support a sharp pain all day long is something that shouldn't even be permited. !!!!'''''''''.

[OverMax]

Ibuprofen has been mentioned to replace oxicondon. {less side effects.} and taken in a high dose is not addictive and garners longer lasting relief. Life long prescriptions of opiate drugs to folks is under Gov scrutiny like never before.

It's a conspiracy so to speak? Or a collusion!! going on by all doctors to keep their patience High & Wide and relying on for more. "gim'me some ya'll"

[Beagle333]

I do get my opioids from a doctor at the Pain Management Clinic, located inside the hospital. They communicate with my GP and my surgeon and then the doc at the pain management center is the one who prescribes the meds. As I said, Ibuprofen is not effective on my acute pain. I cannot take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) due to a reaction to it, although it also is not effective on my acute pain.
I am aware of and have read some of the studies on Ibuprofen, but in the real world, my ex wife died from a dependency on and abuse of OTC Ibuprofen for her chronic pain (she was stubborn and rarely would go to a doc for it), so I know it can kill you just as dead as any opioid and isn't the nice, safe alternative to chronic pain they would have you believe. Any pain med should be monitored and regulated, but I'm just saying don't throw the genuine pain sufferers into a generic class of people and deny us the relief just to satisfy some feel-good goal and make the numbers look good on a Federal level.

I think that OTC drugs such as Ibuprofen are also quite dangerous, because people that use those are self medicating and never have to seek out a doctor, whereas opioid users at least do use the doctors until they stop following the directions and drift into dependency.

Again, I am not saying I wouldn't hand in my opioids and never use them again, if somebody presented another drug that worked at least as well, just don't cut me off an tell me to go chew on a rawhide-wrapped stick for my pain. (at the Wound Treatment Center, they are scared to prescribe anything, so they just tell me to go keep it elevated and squeeze a ball or lift a weight to take my mind off it).
I deserve to be able to function and work and sleep peacefully and enjoy activities and there is a drug out there that allows me to do that....... and at the moment, its name is Opioid.

[Rcmaveric]

OTC pain meds not taken correctly damages the kidneys. I personally don't like taking anything. When my back acts up and i cant walk right for a bit. I got one of the tinge units because i don't like taking pills. My wife is on have narcotics daily to survive the pain. I cant imagine what that stuff is doing to her.

[GhostHawk]

My wife takes tylanol 3 with Codeine. Been on it for years, it is the only thing that lets her keep the fibromyalgia pain backed off.

Now she works at the local Essentia call center. So she knows how to work the system.
But last summer they decided they were not going to give out opoids anymore. To anyone.

She went to 5 different doctors before one finally told her that she is not going to find what she is looking for. It was one of those "Policy" things. You know, the kind written by someone who sits behind a desk who has no real world experience. Not a doctor, more likely a lawyer.

She even tried their so called "Pain Clinic", no go. Those are really for dealing with problem patients you know.

So she tried to quit, for 6 weeks she struggled with tapering off. Dealing with pain, side effects.
In the end, she admitted she'd rather be dead than live like that.

So she was forced to go out of network, pay 600$ 4 times a year out of her own pocket to keep her prescription for Tylenol 3 with Codeine. She does not abuse them, she takes 2 a day. Has for 25 years.

But someone behind a desk can write a "Policy" put her through months of agony.

No I'm not happy with what they call "Medicine". Its a rip off, designed to separate you from your money. And that is pretty much all they care about.

[bikerbeans]

If you think it is hard to get a opiate now, wait till you wind up in a nursing home. The Govt. is taking pain meds away from folks who aren't capable of defending themselves. All this in an effort to create statistics that some lawyermaker can use to show how tough they are on illegal drugs.

BB

[popper]

Yup, Gov. decided to spend $B on war against drugs. Ca. is trying to reduce state tax on M.J. It's all about $$.

[opos]

My Wife has had a lumbar laminectomy, 2 back lumbar fusion operations and a 3 level neck vertebrae fusion...she suffers bursitis in her left hip and leg and also has fibromialgia..She has been diagnosed and her surgeries done at Scripps Green Hospital in Torry Pines, Ca...one of the finest and most conservative orthopedic hospitals in the Country..she is now under the care of one of their pain management specialists as she can't deal with more surgery at her age....she takes 1 1/2 -2 Vicidin per day...no more and has shots for the bursa situation every 2 months (she was there this morning). ..We are very sensitive to drugs and alcohol as she and I both had issues with them as young folks (she is over 40 years sober and I'm 37)...there are folks that will say taking any drug is a "violation" of sobriety but they don't lay awake at night crying in pain....Since she is being treated by a top notch hospital and their pain management group she should be ok with the gubberment...She tried 800 motrin for a while but it almost rotted out her stomach and bowel even with food so was told to stop.

I have minor (compared to her) constant pain...broken back in the 70's, shattered femur and knee replacement and a broken neck in the late 60's..I break one vicodin into 4 pieces and spread them out over a day..frequently not using any and usually about 1/2 to 3/4 per day...I'm 80 and know of folks my age that live on the vicodin from pain....I see the pain manager at Alvarado Hospital.

If that kind of procedure for the wife and for me is in violation of some sort of gubberment rule we will simply have to deal with it....we have both been "test" subjects in situations and the treat ments were worse than the pain situaition...The gubberment should **** well be able to determine who is truly in need and who is taking 20 vicodin a day to stay stoned.....

[TXGunNut]

I can't take opioids because I took them too long to manage chronic back pain and risk a very unpleasant withdrawal if I take even one or two. That didn't stop a dentist (several years ago) from prescribing 30 (!!!!) tablets after a difficult extraction. I feel some doc's continue to over-prescribe them and I'm certain some "seekers" will continue to convince other docs to prescribe them. Of course the folks that actually need opioids will face scrutiny or be forced to use less effective drugs. I'm lucky that Ibuprofen works good enough for me and that I seldom need to take it.

[Traffer]

This "national data base" is the really, REALLY, bad part. Peoples medical history is probably the easiest way for the Government to "intervene" in our lives. This is very gestapo stuff folks. It is a real threat. I have been prescribed opioids for about 8 years now. I was on Vicodin when I lived in Florida. I moved to Wisconsin and my doctor said he had to sign a pledge where he worked to not prescribe Vicodin for long term. So he referred me to a "Pain Clinic" The doctor at the pain clinic told me that Vicodin had so much bad press lately that his company wouldn't allow him to prescribe it. After listening to my story he prescribed Morphine AND oxycodone. Slow release morphine twice a day and oxycodone for break out pain. After being on them now for about 6 years, I just had a near death situation with my guts not working from the stuff. So I went off of the oxycodone. There is much I could say about opioids having experienced them for this time. Too much to write here. But two things I will say, 1) in the years I had taken these drugs I have not felt "high" one time. and 2) in my opinion it is relatively easy to "go off" of this medication. The hard part is that when you need relief of pain, it is hard not to take something that will help if it is sitting in front of you. I have overcome a lot of tough stuff in my life, I wouldn't put opioids even on the list. Compared to something like smoking cigarettes...piece of cake.

[farmerjim]

I have lots of back problems and pain. I can't take NSAIDs because I am on a blood thinner. I can't take Tylenol because I am on Methotrexate and It will kill my liver. The only thing that I could take was percocet. It worked to dull the pain. They have now made it almost impossible to get. I have had to add 2 more blood pressure meds and double my glyburide because the pain drove up my BP and blood glucose so much. Punish those that sell these drugs illegally, not those that need them.

[mpkunz]

Punish the law abiding. I was hoping this president wasn't going to do that kind of thing. I had rotator cuff surgery and the surgeon only provided 30 tabs. Taking it according to his directions, they were going in less than a week, and the pain was indescribable after that. I had to go to a different doctor in the same practice, who reviewed the records, and then provided more with an apology. Aside from the death penalty for dealers, I can't see anything productive coming from this. The message is clear. Don't get injured.

[Char-Gar]

I have been in pain 24/7/365 from back, knees and hips for over 30 years. The pain ranged from moderate to severe. I have taken all kinds of pain meds over that period of time. The time came when the side effect and consequences became unacceptable.

So, three months ago, I decided to take life straight up and stopped taking any and all pain meds. The pain grew for about ten days and then leveled off. Today, I still hurt, but it is something I can deal with. You will be surprised what you can adjust to.

The only people that don't feel pain are dead people. Feeling pain means we are alive. There are lots of kind of pain in this life, physical, emotional and spiritual and we can't run from any of it.

[Char-Gar]

Ibuprofen has been mentioned to replace oxicondon. {less side effects.} and taken in a high dose is not addictive and garners longer lasting relief. Life long prescriptions of opiate drugs to folks is under Gov scrutiny like never before.

It's a conspiracy so to speak? Or a collusion!! going on by all doctors to keep their patience High & Wide and relying on for more. "gim'me some ya'll"

With ongoing use, Ibuprofen will kill you kidneys. So will any other NSAID.

[lefty o]

I think this is bad news for those of us who use opioids wisely and judiciously and in accordance with our doctor's orders.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare...emic-on-monday

The scariest part is that they plan to let the Feds monitor who really needs them. How would they know better than my doctor, who has years of personal experience in monitoring my pain and needs?

Well, I don't really NEED "numerous prescriptions", but since they won't give me more than a one month supply and they can't give refills, then I do need at least one prescription per month.

And I have read about the studies that show that opioids are not the best thing for long term chronic pain. I might agree with that, due to a tolerance build-up if you don't follow the directions and take breaks. But I don't have chronic pain. I have acute pain. It isn't like a burn or a sore muscle or even a big cut, where the pain is fairly constant and ongoing. It's like a midget with a knife has jumped me and is stabbing me in the leg. (vascular problems) It comes on fast and it needs to be knocked out fast, so it needs a strong, rapidly-acting drug, which currently is only available as an opioid. I don't need to take two pills of something every 8 hours, three times a day, because I don't hurt all day, and sometimes it might skip a couple of days. But when it hits, it hits hard and fast and my Percodan is the answer for it.

its always the dang midgets!! LOL