Posted on 03/22/2018 7:49:44 AM PDT by GailA
“What you don’t understand and what the country has forgotten is that 10 to 11 percent of America is in chronic pain,” he explained.
He says that group was dealt a blow in 2015 when the state legislature passed a bill that closed 308 certified pain clinics in one day.
“That put 120,000 people on the streets with nowhere to go because the law designated that only pain specialists could treat them, and there were only 63 of them living in Tennessee at the time, and their offices were full and not taking new patients,” according to Rudolph.
(Excerpt) Read more at wkrn.com ...
They aren’t going to heroin because of the pain. They are going because of the addiction.
I was watching a news piece on some rural valley in Columbia, where they had adapted the poppys from Afghanistan and were growing their version...to ship north. I don’t think there’s any handle on stopping the pipeline.
Look at the Rare Diseases and then at the Senior Population. Add in the patients damaged by botched surgeries, gun shot victims, war wounded, FDA drug damages it adds up to a lot of people.
Please join us for the WHITE COAT PROTEST RALLY at the Dept of Justice from 11 to 3pm on Tuesday, April 24. A Chronic Pain Patients Memorial Service, 1 to 2pm. Volunteers needed to help with the service. Please contact Doc Ronald Myers at 662-392-2016 for more info.
Congressional Briefing on Chronic Pain
Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 12:00noon-2:00pm
Room 122, Cannon HOB
US Capitol, Washington, DC
The old Canard of 80% is a big Whopper. It’s 30%. 22 VETERANS COMMIT SUICIDE DAILY BECAUSE THEIR PAIN MEDS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN OR REDUCED TO SUCH A LOW LEVEL THEY ARE NOW BED OR WHEELCHAIR RIDDEN. Where they once had a simulance of life.
Debunking McCaskill
http://www.politifact.com/missouri/statements/2017/may/10/claire-mccaskill/mccaskill-cites-long-disproven-figure-opioid-use/
What the Jama Story didn’t Find https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2018/3/10/what-the-krebs-opioid-study-didnt-find
Dr Roger Chriss has 1 of those Rare Disease EDS.
That’s true, AND the grandkids might steal the pills.
Both.
My 40 year old ex was at a pain level of “8 to 9” while on several opiates. She was so doped up she would lose control of her bowels in bed.
The Mayo Clinic dried her out, put her on a Physical Therapy and mind-management regimen, and she came out a month later clean and at a pain level of “3”. She could maintain that pain level if she did her PT (which she didn’t, another story).
Those are facts in one case on one side of the argument. There are lots of other facts and cases on either side. Which is why we ought to look for strategies that minimize the harm and maximize the help without looking to demonize one another.
Vets aren’t committing suicide because the meds are taken away.
They’re committing suicide because the meds they are given render them into complete zombies and give them such a degraded quality of life that after a while of living like that they lose all purpose for continuing on.
Many of these vets have been saved by ditching the meds and giving them cannabis instead, which is effective in managing both pain and PTSD, without the consequence of becoming the subject of medical experimentation.
Rule of thumb: if you see a bottle of Seroquel, that patient is being drugged into submission and made into an addict.
That statement right there gives us a clue about this "doctor" and his own complicity in the problem at hand. "Chronic Pain" is as over diagnosed (as he means it) as ADHD! I won't deny that many (and maybe even 10%+ as he claims) deal with SOME kind of pain on a regular basis. Foot- I have nagging, recurring pains from an ATV accident over a decade ago. Sometimes it causes me significant grief - I don't take squat for it - because it will eventually pass (as pain in many cases will if you don't rush to medicate every tiny ache and pain). Today's average pain tolerance for the general population is startlingly low compared to a few generations back (before everyone got high-power opioid pain meds basically "on-demand" for every week and discomfort) We are a society that demands quick/immediate fixes for everything. Hungry? Fast food. Don't like something you bought - immediate refund (even if you used the crap out of it and damaged it yourself). We demand every TV program or movie "on-demand" (right now, no matter what). We get to feeling a bit sick - we want a pill to immediately fix it (which for decades saw parents rushing children to their Dr. to get antibiotics for every sore throat, every sneeze, every wheeze, etc.- resulting in resistant bacteria). And of course - we have little pain - we demand it be fixed NOW.
Now - before any of the "you don't understand" nazis start blasting me... I would never deny that there are cases where - from injury, disease, etc. where damage is done that causes genuine, lifelong - even debilitating pain. It is a fact. Many of us know people personally in that situation. What I AM saying - is that we have fed the problem and literally "created" a "chronic pain" mentality. And I fully believe the pharmaceutical industry has intentionally fed into that with an ugly corruption of the "capitalism" concept I've ever seen. Don't believe me?
Lets see - as the medical field continues to try to meet the demands for quick-fix/immediate gratification - Big Pharma see an opportunity. Pain. They might not have a quick "cure" for various ailments - but pain - they know about pain. Research has gone on for a long time on pain and pain reduction. So - here's this family of chemical compounds - long used around the world for pain (and more nefarious purposes). It's illegal in most of the world - though the original form comes from natural sources (poppies). Yes - that "other" drug, used to "self-medicate" folks with heart (emotional) trouble - it does numb pain effectively. The FDA will never allow us to market it. BUT - if we can produce a similar chemical compound - we can sell the fire out of it! What? Is it addictive? OF COURSE NOT! (uh... every other opiate and opioid compound every developed tends to be easily addictive...).
BINGO! You have a recipe for mega profits - and since a high percentage of those taking it will form some degree of dependance/addiction - you have a long-term income established, and government officials will back you up with their approvals!
In your specific case, GailA - I cannot speak to what brought your chronic pain. If every other option has been exercised to "fix" what has brought said pain - and you are left with nothing more that "pain management" - I understand and know some in the same boat (a sister-in-law with spinal damage from botched surgery that introduced a dangerous bacteria into her spinal column - there is no cure). The REAL research needs to be in how to manage/control pain WITHOUT addictive pain meds.
Sadly, your case and your explosive response post is part of the issue - you get extremely defensive (nearly paranoid) and angry with even those who want to help via less or non-addictive avenues. The fact that you (we? who else) seem to act responsible with your pain medications does not reflect the larger issue - the stealing and selling of opioid meds is a massive problem. There are many who have no diagnosed "chronic pain" that are flat out as much "junkies" as any heroin, crack, or meth addicts. In fact - law enforcement is seeing IN ADDITION to the crime directly connected to meth - that opioid seeking is beginning to compete for the statistical lead in criminal acts.
Is it fair to be lumped together with genuine drug-fiend abusers when you have a verifiable condition that requires pain management? Nope That is why there is a difference between the proper use of medications and drug abuse.
Fact is, most of the opioid addictions and dependence I see, by far, involve doctors at pain clinics who dispense the medications themselves. Why? More money.
There are studies showing that opioid use actually renders someone more sensitive to pain.
I’m not buying this idea that someone needs to be on opioids for chronic pain. Sometimes for years, taking 3 to 4 pills per day.
I had chronic back pain (approximately “sciatica”) for about a decade, at a level that would hit a “7” every day. Bulging disc, arthritis, bone spurs, etc. all in one back joint.
Then I discovered core strengthening. I do 25 inclined sit ups, the reverse for my back, twists, sides, etc. every day. That with good stretching, and I haven’t been above a “3” for months, and most days are completely pain free.
Very, very well stated (#27).
More. They leave out the War Wounded.
This is just MY story, while I have multiple health issues, all the GI issues started with FDA approved Osteoarthritis drugs and Estrogens. Ruined my GI Tract. My Drug reaction sheet is a full typed sheet long, mostly GI issues others A-Fib. ALL OA drugs are Black Boxed for GI/Heart issues. Well they gave me both. Nexium destroyed my spine and bones. Think your FDA drug is safe think again! I can rarely take an Opioid as Gastropreisis means very SLOW digestion, and Opioids slows that down. The correct treatmetn when it flares are spasm meds like Valium and LOMOTIL along with Hypertension control.
I fall in the first category, There is NO surgical, or medication that can aleivate the pain. I don’t take Opioids as I have 5 Gastric conditions, caused by Osteoarthritis drugs which are Black Boxed by the FDA for both GI/Heart Disease. Why does the FDA allow drugs they label as very Dangerous to stay on the market doing incacuable life long harm to people like me. I have both. Along with Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Osteoprosis, Enlarged Heart with tiny Mitral Valve leak, the Gastropresis and Barrett’s Esopogus Hypothyroid are NOT curable, Nor is the spinal Degeneration. I’ve been stable for a decade on Valium for Fibromyalgia and Neuropathy, until an Under Educated APN would not refill my perscription because she freard losing her liscense, even though that was not actual fact. CDC guidelines are NOT law. And Tennessee Law states I can be treated with Valium 1 month script with 5 refills.
Since being forced to Cold Turkey off what was controlling adequately very painful conditions, I’ve had 1 drug reaction to Klonopin 1 mg which is MORE addictived than Valium and 2 ER trips for Gastropresis spasms. Followup with my Neurologist revealed my spine has deteriated more, there is now Calcification in my Lumbar beside the other damage there. Just Cold Turkey, taking away one medication caused a Drug reaction and 2 ER trips with 2 Wrongly diagnosied CT’s, 1 Gastro visit, Barium X-Ray, Bacterial Breathe test that took 5 hours, 2 trips to the Neuroligist, 2 MRI’s. The last ER Trip I was in Stage 2 Hypertension that overode my Cardizem. They didn’t monitor my heart until I hit 167/110. Hypertension untreated KILLS. Would have been $75K cheaper just to leave me on a stable medication that was controlling 4 health condtions.
All because of a scared APN taking for Gospel Inacurate CDC BIASED guidelines as law, and Inogrance of Tennesse State Law. Krebs and Koldony need to be discredited and lose their credentials as well as those who sit on the CDC. To attend that meeting you had to FORK out $25K. Most Pain Groups don’t have that kind of money, individuals certainaly don’t. Nor are there provisions for Patients like me or the others like me in any of the state of federal legislation.
For every action there is a reaction as the old saying goes. Not always for the good of the Patient. Now not even Dying Cancer patients are being given adequate pain control, that is now way to end the last days of your life.
Pain drugs are the second-largest pharmaceutical class globally, after cancer medicines. "There was about 300 million pain prescriptions written in 2015," Irina Koffler, senior analyst, specialty pharma, Mizuho Securities USA, told CNBC.
The 300 million pain prescriptions equal a $24 billion market, Koffler said, but it's not a market evenly divided around the globe. Rampant use of opioids in the United States, which represents only 5 percent of the global population, points to a larger divide between affluent nations and the rest of the world when it comes to prescription painkillers.
"If you include Canada and Western Europe, [consumption of global opioid supply] increases to 95 percent, so the remaining countries only have access to about 5 percent of the opioid supply," said Vikesh Singh, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Pancreatitis Center at Johns Hopkins University.
No but every heroin addict knows they are shooting up a dose of stupid. Not only can it kill them, they seek ways to make it kill them faster. All the focus on these meds is to keep from going through withdrawal. I only know one person who admits to being on pain meds for chronic pain and he tries every gimmick to stop using them. He wants rid of the pain so he can quit the pills.
I have an aunt with dementia. She may not know the day or the time or place but she remembers the Ativan. She doesn’t know if she has eaten today but she knows exactly how many pills she has left.
You are lucky I can’t even take a baby aspirin. I use K2 Complex as my blood thinner. Forces the shed bone material back up into the bones, I don’t have plaque in my arteries, where as hubby who does take baby aspirin does have plaque in his.
Just like cops, the bad actors in your profession taint the rest of you.
“Over the past decade, out-of-state drug companies shipped 20.8 million prescription painkillers to two pharmacies four blocks apart in a Southern West Virginia town with 2,900 people, according to a congressional committee investigating the opioid crisis.”
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/health/drug-firms-shipped-m-pain-pills-to-wv-town-with/article_ef04190c-1763-5a0c-a77a-7da0ff06455b.html
New Orleans East doctor pleads guilty to running pain clinics as ‘pill mills’
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:uc5rmLajUWsJ:www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/09/new_orleans_east_doctor_pleads.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Montco psychiatrist charged with running ‘pill mill’
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/opioid-crisis-montgomery-county-pill-mill-psychiatrist-20180315.html
Doctor arrested for running opioid ‘pill mill’
https://nypost.com/2018/03/14/doctor-arrested-for-running-opioid-pill-mill/
Etc......
In my case, because of a broken femur and resulting bursitis, coupled with the inability to take any of the normal medications to treat the bursitis, I either have to take the stronger pain meds, or live with the pain. I chose the latter. I cannot take the normal medications or any NSAIDS due to blood thinners and other issues.
I just recently attended a new enrollee orientation for the VA a couple weeks ago. They’re embarking on doing anything BUT prescribing opiods, including oddball alternative medicine/healing crap. If they do prescribe pain meds, you have to sign a “treatment contract” and get tested for drug usage every 6 months. Had to scratch my head at that drug screen part, I mean WTF?
I’d give cannabis a try as a substitute for the highly toxic and addictive pharmaceutical solution. It may not be enough in your case but if it is you can save yourself a world of nasty side effect trouble. I know quite a few people who have successfully made the transition and every one is extremely pleased with the difference in quality of life.
From my experience as a worker’s compensation judge in Wisconsin, now retired, most “pain clinics” were pill pushing, overpriced scams run by some doctors with more interest in money than curing patients.
Yes, chronic pain is real but it should be treated by the doctor who you see for your yearly physical and the doctor should only order opiates for short term, not long term. Non-opiates and periodic therapy in a general rehab department is the treatment for long-term pain.
the solution begins with NOT prescribing opioids at all...
once you get used to them, which takes very little time, then your want and "need" for them increases exponentially...
however, many people resist taking them, or take them infrequently after surgery, etc....this is the kind of attitude we need to reinforce...
we must stop expecting pills for everything...
our attitudes are responsible for not only the opioid crisis.
its also caused the development of new strains of infections that have become resistant to antibiotics, due to over prescribing...
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