Is The War On Drugs Insensitive To People In Pain?

I don't have an cites at the present time. But the story in the news is typically this: There is this wonderful new drug, that helps people in pain immeasurably. Doctors give it freely, until it is found one day that people are abusing it. So it is declared a controlled substance, and your doctor can no longer prescribe it, liberally at least in any event.

Is this really fair to people in pain? The (disastrous) war on drugs dictating what people in pain can get for relieve their suffering?

I don't about the rest of you. But if I am ever in severe pain, I will want the maximum dose of the most effective pain reliever possible!

What do the rest of you think?

:daisy: :bulb: :daisy:

 

Verified pain, documented pain, is treated by pain doctors. There are hoops to jump through but if you're on the up and up, it's really no problem.

 

I think a lot of people do have problems getting their pain managed properly - because of worries about "diversion".

Is the war on drugs sensitive to anything except serving monetary and power-related desires of government and big business?

 

They don't worry about diversion when prescribing. That's what the urine screening is for.

 

If you're on a whole bunch of drugs, what's a few less...

But, abuse in general, too.

To let any legitimate patient suffer because of any number of people possibly getting high is inexcusable.

 

My husband has been a patient at a prominent Atlanta pain clinic for quite a few years.

Also, my daughter is employed by a different, prominent Atlanta pain clinic.

Pain doctors and their staff are more than aware of drug seeking behavior, diversion, and abuse.

Law permits people in legitimate pain to be properly treated in office and to have pain medications prescribed.

 

Anecdotes are fine, but a positive anecdote doesn't cancel out a negative effect - it's just a time that it went well. Not everybody has prominent doctors, either.

Law allows for it - that doesn't mean it always happens.

 

General M. D.s are restricted in prescribing pain medication. When they've done what they are allowed to, a patient needing further pain management is referred to a pain management specialist.

Roo, you'd argue with an empty matchbook.

 

Arguing against the war on drugs is one of the most important things you can do.

There is no argument that justifies the war on drugs, whichever facet we're talking about. It is immoral for it's own sake, but also because it hurts people who need drugs as medicine. If it hurt one person (I've anecdotally know more than that, since anecdotes are in), that would be inexcusable.

We can't end one part of the war on drugs and allow other highly damaging parts to continue - we need to take no prisoners and demand full drug law reform, No half measures.

 

People who need pharmaceuticals for pain can get them. They have to jump through hoops, as I stated, but they can get them.

I need them and choose to not get them at this time due to being a self-pay patient and the financial strain it would cause.

If I put that aside (jumped through the hoops) they are available to me.

 

ohhh i get really bad stomach pains here and there from a sugery.... and they dont give me any pain pills! otherwise when the pain hits I'd take like 10mgs or more of oxycotin

 

There's a point here that I'm making and it was totally missed in the hunger for argument.

Having your every day, family doctor, treat you with narcotics for long term pain is no longer a possibility.

There is alot wrong with having to pay exorbitant prices to go even to the Family Practice doctors; only to be referred to a more expensive specialist for treatment of long term pain. The monthly drug screenings aren't even an issue for legit pain patients.

I know this first hand. I've been under the care of a pain specialist.

I also know it through my husband, and I know it through my daughter.

I know the facts. These examples aren't anecdotes.

I get it.

I agree. Roo just missed it.

 

This varies state to state... Around here they are getting the pain management doctors to not prescribe but kill off the nerves for long term chronic pain. No nerves, no pain. Doesn't matter if you also have arthritis so bad that you could tear knee cartilage when standing and need those nerves to tell you to stop and readjust before doing further damage. They just want to kill off the nerves. Pain management doctors here are also listed with the DEA and any information gathered is reported directly to the DEA... even if you aren't on narcotics. It's a fucked up state.

 

It's the same here.

It's a rare pain patient that only gets prescriptions. The pain doctors prefer to do all their in-office procedures. They look for ways to kick you to the curb if you aren't availing yourself of their procedure rooms.

The DEA has your profile, correct.

The pain doctor offices have access to all the drug store info on patients, even the Mom and Pops.

They don't play with that Pain Management Contract you have to sign.

 

This creates a problem of access to some.

 

So I'm wondering exactly what you think I missed.

It looks like people routinely get very bad treatment, because of the concern that they might otherwise get high and like it.

This is immoral, and utterly insane. The war on drugs is bad enough when it's just about criminalizing recreational drug use, but affecting medical treatment is beyond the pale. It wouldn't matter if it hurt one person and kept millions of people from catching a buzz, it is totally wrong.

Jumping through hoops would be one thing, if the treatment was really there - instead, you can choose to jump through hoops for somewhat managed misery.

 

What I think you missed is the fact that I agree that it is difficult. Your decision that I was offering "positive anecdotes" told me that you missed my point.

There are some conditions for which they offer nerve procedures.

There are other conditions for which they wouldn't be desired.

For these they will prescribe medication. They are bummed if all they can get out of you monthly is a fee for a specialist *edit = special procedure.

It boils down to "Big Money".

That is who is in control.

Always follow the money trail.

 

It's not imagination. To be made to jump through hoops makes living a normal life difficult and it amazes me that people accept this kind of treatment but of course they do it in the hopes it will help and in that way the stupid system has you by the balls/ovaries because of our vital concern for our own ease of being. The amount of time I spent in doctors offices in order to receive symptomatic relief was insane. The amount of suspicion present even in filling prescriptions at pharmacies is insane. My deceased wife was a registered nurse and she was furious with the whole thing from a patients perspective across the system including the way pain medications are given in some hospitals.

 

Yes, Dope.

My husband's most recent hospital stay was a pain management nightmare. They never verified his dosages with his pain doctor and gave him what their doctor thought he should have which was a much lower dose across the board for his pain management medications.

 

You said that treatment is available.

Adequate treatment is NOT available.

Because of the war on drugs.

I mean, if your point is that jumping through hoops may allow innefectual treatment, why would you say it? Food is available in north korea if you jump through the right hoop, and are a prominent party member, but saying food is available with the implication that there's not ongoing famine would be totally wrong - this is similar. Technically treatment is available, it's just inaccessible and of poor quality - so saying that it's available is pretty meaningless.