Posted on 10/05/2018 4:57:42 AM PDT by GailA
STREET JUNKIES DREAM BILL
“We’ve seen the rise of powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl that have the potential to make an already terrible problem worse. Exposure to miniscule amounts can have deadly consequences for users as well as first responders. That’s why this bill takes a broad-spectrum approach to meet the opioid crisis head on.”
“The bill reauthorizes critical substance abuse prevention programs, expands access to treatment and provides law enforcement with tools to stop the trafficking of illicit substances.”
The bill certainly gives more attention to treatment of addiction – creating a grant program to comprehensive recovery centers that include housing and job training and would also increase access to “medication-assisted” treatment to help people with substance abuse disorders wean themselves.
But it is silent on the chronic pain issue and the patients who use opioids to manage their pain—again pointing out the lack of attention that elected officials are giving to the 100 million Americans who have chronic pain.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpainreport.com ...
My issues went back to being struck in my drivers door by a car travelling 45 MPH.
I struggled with episodic debilitating pain for decades, and even when my xrays showed lumbar issues the doctor blew it off, as you probably know HMO's don't make money by actually doing something.
So for almost forty years I did what I had to do to take care of my family. It wasn't until Obama destroyed the economy and there by the company I worked for, and no one would hire someone my age when cheaper younger people were plentiful that I ended up on Medi-Cal. Surprisingly the doctor I then had actually listened to me, sent me to pain management, who ordered an MRI and promptly sent me to an Orthopedist specialist. I will never know of course but maybe if my HMO's hadn't been so bottom line oriented I would have had to have surgery on three lumber and four cervical disks and a knee replacement I believe was caused by the way I walked and stood for so many years due to the pain.
By the way, I did occasionally use Vicodin over a period close to twenty five years for migraines. The number prescribed was only 15 per prescription which I almost never used before the thirty day period. The end result is that to this day I can't take Vicodin or any of it's family without being ill, one reason why I only get Tramadol.....because I don't want anything stronger, not through fear of addiction because I had no trouble dropping Vicodin but because I was raised to tough it out and do what you have to do.
I firmly believe that people with chronic pain receive the medication they need to mitigate it, no more or less. I also firmly believe that politicians need to but the hell out of medical decisions for anyone but themselves.
So, what if your back pain problem was worked related, and your doctor asked you if you wanted to remain off work. Would you have stayed off work or would have continued to work, and taken the pain meds?
The simple answer is no. I could not pay my bills and support my family by sitting on my ass at home. I have found that to be absolutely boring and aggravating since my injuries surgeries have left me disabled. The only thing that I would have done differently is if early on a doctor had made a real diagnosis and there was a less invasive way to treat and mitigate the ongoing deterioration of my spine and knee. I don't believe in opioids as the first and only therapy. But the reality is that for some, at this time there is no other relief.
Not buying you are a physician. I suffer from chronic pain. My personal physicians don’t question me when I come in for a pain med refill. I have the medical history to back up my need for them and I don’t take 3-4 a day. In the early days, you bet, I was up there until I was able to learn how to control and live with the disability/pain.
Now, I do not drive if I am in so much pain that I need to take opiods to get some relief. But, I can still work when I am on pain meds and not be a danger to anyone.
And, no, tylenol doesn’t help chronic pain in the same way that the next level up pain med does.
Now, for me, I am thrilled to death with the lidocaine in over the counter pain rubs. First line of defense that reduces the need for further treatment.
The problem with our opioid addiction in this country is the same problem with our alcohol and illegal drug addiction. Hollywood, et. al. sell this idea that every minute of your day should be a thrilling carnival ride, always high emotional response.
Parents raise children now by shuttling them to afterschool activity after activity. Kids don’t learn to live in the quiet, alone. That those moments are more important than the constant artificial high.
Not buying you are a physician. I suffer from chronic pain. My personal physicians don’t question me when I come in for a pain med refill. I have the medical history to back up my need for them and I don’t take 3-4 a day. In the early days, you bet, I was up there until I was able to learn how to control and live with the disability/pain.
Now, I do not drive if I am in so much pain that I need to take opiods to get some relief. But, I can still work when I am on pain meds and not be a danger to anyone.
And, no, tylenol doesn’t help chronic pain in the same way that the next level up pain med does.
Now, for me, I am thrilled to death with the lidocaine in over the counter pain rubs. First line of defense that reduces the need for further treatment.
The problem with our opioid addiction in this country is the same problem with our alcohol and illegal drug addiction. Hollywood, et. al. sell this idea that every minute of your day should be a thrilling carnival ride, always high emotional response.
Parents raise children now by shuttling them to afterschool activity after activity. Kids don’t learn to live in the quiet, alone. That those moments are more important than the constant artificial high.
Or they could pass out Levorphanol for the Discount Price of $5642.04 for 120 count of 2mg Tabs depending upon the Pharmacy one uses.
And it isn’t even a new Drug. The nazis made it back in 1939. I don’t know about others but I may as well have been eating PEZ Candy because it didn’t work for Me.
My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing your personal struggle. You are inspiring to all who truly suffer from chronic debilitating PAIN! Sometimes I feel completely helpless. I send you my sincere prayers and wish you some measure of comfort in your battle. Again, thank you.
BTW I work full time as an EMT.
When I was going to a pain center they were adamantly against use of narcotics or opiods. They put me on anything but except for immediate pain relief for a few days after invasive procedures like nerve ablatins.
I’m lying? Everyone knows me here...
100 million Americans do not have INTRACTABLE pain. That would be one in three.
there are people who have used their bodies in their work for forty years. as plumbers, riggers, etc.
Their bodies are worn out but their work life is not.
Up to the late seventies, these guys like men for thousands of years prior, drank, usually constantly throughout the day.
They no longer can do that .
Legally.
this is another example of criminalizing the innocent just like having to show your license to purchase cold medications.
I have seen a number of suicides from untreated pain.
Opioid drama?
It is certainly one way that the medical-insurance-industrial establishment can get rid of their expensive pool
this is another example of criminalizing the innocent just like having to show your license to purchase cold medications.
/
/
yes! I don’t have addiction issues. I had an operation for a belly button hernia that commonly occurs during pregnancy, and it was a laparoscopic surgery and only took three hours..not bad, but boy was moving afterward PAINFUL. You can’t even cough with a mesh stabled inside your belly.
I was given 100 dilaudid pills, and maybe used half in 30 days. I never had one issue stopping them..at ALL.
I think I had the other half in my drawer for almost two years before throwing them away.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.