And here we go.....

[ajspine]

Hi Fellow Spinies,
Just read an article that the 2 counties in California are suing drug manufacturers, those that produce pain medications, for "deception". They allege that these manufacturers lied to Drs about the safety of certain pain medications and patients are dying. I wanted to share with all of you because unfortunately with our conditions there are many times that we NEED these medications and this new "War on Drugs" could very well take this pain relieving option away from patients such as us. Here is the link and please share how you feel on this subject. Thanks!
AJ

[mmglobal]

AJ, thanks for the post... I agree with your assessment that these types of occurrances and issues will (and already has) made getting appropriate pain management much more difficult to get.

Sadly, none of this is black and white. Under the best of circumstances, the doctors will (in some cases) withhold meds from people who really need them and they will freely prescribe them to those who should not have them. I have seen spineys who severely abuse their meds, or get prescriptions only to sell their meds. I have experienced pretty amazing problems in getting appropriate pain management for myself and have known many spineys who have been abused by the system and not given appropriate pain management.

The pendulum swings and years ago they were talking about not giving appropriate pain management as malpractice. In recent years, it has been swinging the other way.

Sadly, I believe the insurance industry is complicit in this as they really like not having to pay for pain management.

Take care and thanks again for posting the article. I don't believe that this is 'not spine related'. I hope you don't mind that I'm moving this to the main forum.

Mark

[Maria]

It's quite the involved issue with relevant points on all sides and often the person using things in the manner intended is probably going to be the most affected if major changes are implemented in terms reduction or difficulty of delivery of pain meds for the chronic (or intractable) pain patient.

Thank you for sharing this article AJ. So much is out there about the negative side of "horrible" pain meds and things that happen because of use and potential abuse or true abuse of them..

There needs to be published articles about numbers of people like myself that feel greatly benefited over a number of years by using prescribed opiate medication as directed under the care of qualified Pain Management specialist.

Oh and perhaps what might interest the insurance companies is I think I've avoided at least a 3rd spine surgery if not more by having access to a PM specialist and pain meds in the last decade~ although perhaps the insurance companies would have preferred my non existence which surely would have followed should I not had access to some quality relief from horrendous pain and a non life.. then I would have cost nothing..

[ajspine]

Humanistic side of Opioid Therapy, Patient stories.

This is a link to Dr. Fudin's website, he is an advocate for Chronic Pain Patients and his website is full of wonderful info. I shared my story on this site and if you guys could also, it would really help the cause.
I agree that there are people that misuse/sell their medications but there are also those of us who do not. Those of us that use them responsibly are having a harder and harder time finding treatment.
Monday I finally met with my new PM Dr. She is amazing and was recommended by other Vet friends of mine that also suffer from chronic pain. I am waiting for approval for an Injection in my neck, I have decided to try this therapy in case it can really help me with my pain.
She has also started me on a new medication and I am in the middle of titration(?) trying to find the right dose. I feel a little off but was told to expect this in the beginning. If this one works, I will be switched to the long acting form with a very small amount of other med for BT pain. I am hoping that this new med will cover all of my pain and the BT meds will not be needed at all. IMO everyone is happier if the patient is on less medication, the patient included.
My hope is to eventually be healthy enough and with the help of injections, to be medication free in the future. But I have also had to accept the fact that this does not mean I will be pain FREE. I will have to learn to live with a 3 to 4 on my pain scale and that will be my life.
I am still concerned with how Pain mediations are being treated by our government and whether or not I am currently in need of them, when the time comes, I will fight for everyones right to have access to them. These can be great, life saving medications when used properly and should not be outlawed because of some peoples abuse of them.
Thanks for listening again, I love this forum.
AJ