I copied this post from another page.
Wanted — Chronic pain patients (particularly but not exclusively in Tennessee) who have had difficulty getting physicians to continue opioid medications on which they have been stable and well managed for at least six months. I will pass your stories to two doctors who are working with a media producer to generate a program on the effects on patients of the so-called “prescription opioid epidemic” solutions proposed by the CDC in their revised voluntary practice standard for prescription of opioids in chronic pain.
You may be contacted for an interview on your experience. I addition to commenting on this posting, please pass a point of contact (email address and/or phone) to lawhern@hotmail.com.
Regards all,
Red Lawhern
Filed under: General Problems
I’d be happy to be interviewed. I was a nurse, and now I’m a chronic pain patient with a disease that has no cure yet.
So many people who have had their medications lower or taken from them have turned to illegal drugs and over dosed, just check the obituaries, this is happening daily! These government officials have no idea how much our life has changed to be functional again without severe pain daily. I have been on medication for 8 years, which has helped me greatly in regaining my physical movements, and now my doctor is telling me they’re changing my medication that has worked well for me all this time or that I can go some where else with a list of hospitals given to me. I’ve never failed a pee test, never abused my medications, always came for my visits, taken all EKG they required. I just dont understand what I did wrong! Now I know, its this insensitive government getting involved. I dont know what I’m going to do now but I pray I dont end up in the obituary.
In Arizona but willing to participate. My husband is a chronic pain patient. Was on 100 mg of morophine two times a day and Vicodin for break through. Then not a year ago they slammed him down to 60 mg of morophine two times a day Vicodin for break through. Then 3 months ago slammed him down to 60 mg of morophine two times a day and increased his Vicodin from 5/325 to 10/325 as needed. Wth?! My husband is our sole financial provider! He is suffering in pain! It is effecting our marriage!! He use to be able to function like a normal person! His pain was managed! Now he is suffering daily and the doctors don’t care! they say the heroine epidemic is climbing. That is exactly what the DEA wants!! They want to push people to the streets. More money to be made in street drugs like heroine.
I have type 2 diabetes high blood pressure that I was able to keep in check while my pain was managed . I have a hernia that needs operated on but they said that they wont unless my pain is managed and no doctor will manage my pain . My pains get worse when I eat not just from the hernia I believe from the diabetes . I have no doctor there is no point if they won’t address my primary health complaint chronic pain . I have chronic headache something wrong with my neck both shoulders mid back lower back pains down both legs feet and hands burn from the diabetes . Untreated chronic pain is torture ! Then they say they are worried about mental illness, what do you think torture dose ? I am stuck in fight or flight response due to the pain even the physiologist said my pain needs managed .
I will be contacting them as well! Lets get this fight going now!
I am a chronic pain patient with a disease that unfortunately is not fatal. I have a compassionate doctor and I do receive some opiates to help with pain, but not nearly enough or what is recognized medical protocol. I have been confined to bed for 3 years, with no end in sight. It has not only ruined my life, but destroyed every relationship I once had, family included as they do not understand or believe that I am not permitted by law to receive the medications I need for any quality of life. Recently I shared a petition on Facebook. I was appalled at the response. Not only did no one sign it, but comments were written by those who know the hell my life has become such as “prescription drugs are a scourge on society” My disease had a 10% suicide rate WITH proper medication. Heroin overdoses have risen by 300% in my state (Indiana) Much conversation has turned to the best way to off yourself when you can no longer stand the pain rather than what meds are most helpful. I have 2 moods now-depressed or angry. I am not sick in the head. I am sick in the body. We in the US now have the most archaic drug laws in the world. If I had the financial means, I would move to Europe, where you can get morphine if you have a headache. I dont say this as a drug addict or a drug abuser. I say this as someone in agony every waking moment.
I’m more than willing to be a part of speaking up! I’m not in Tennessee, but I’m a chronic pain patient who opposes the crap they are doing to us. If they take away our pain medicines, I truly believe there will be a slew of suicides and deaths due to purchasing street drugs! I’m ready and willing to speak out loud!
This has got to stop.. This war…. Doctors should be allowed to be doctors. The government shouldnt be allowed to tell doctors what they can and cannot do.
I contacted them . I will help in any way possible to end this war on Cronlc Pain Patients and our Doctors !