https://youtu.be/7RBWuYFeg9Y

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Finally the inevitable has arrived.

After suffering four and a half years of chronic pain, multiple different meds, and doctors. And now unable to get medication, I have taken the next step. Buying my meds, referred to as drugs from now on, off the street, illegally.
I feel I have no other choice but to do this. My Doctor has been great, but there is nothing he can do.
I now do not have my doctor who can treat me the right way, and must rely on myself to control my own use. I know this will end bad, but I am not living another day in the pain I am in. I have not taken this decision lightly.
So far all has gone well, acquiring and self adminstration my drugs. Hopefully I will get a year or two of being able to work before the inevitable happens.
I can walk properly, I am now sleeping.
I am 29, I used to work as a chef, I am type one diabetic, I only weigh 132 lbs. I know the risks.
I don’t condone this method of action, and hope you all can find a better why to relieve your pain. I have lost all hope in being treated.
Thank you for your time, wish everyone the best.

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Bad and Distorted Research Used By Health Canada Leads to Tragedy for Many Canadian Patients

For Your Information
Edmonton, AB
July 8, 2019

In order to deal with overdose deaths among illicit drug users, Health Canada decided to go after chronic pain patients and their doctors this in the purported belief that they could reduce deaths. The department’s website, press releases, TV advertising, and the Minister’s statements all make clear that Health Canada is blaming part of the increase in overdoses on some imagined increase in the use of prescribed opiate medicines by Canadian patients. Prescribing of these drugs in Canada has, in fact, plunged.
Beginning in February 2018, the Chronic Pain Association of Canada (CPAC) attempted to find out from Health Canada what was informing their claims and actions. After several written requests with no reply, CPAC simply asked – What is it that you are basing your continual claim on that prescription opiates are to blame for your said “opioid crisis”?
In addition to written requests for answers, we also visited the offices of MPs, sent e-mails and made phone calls. Near the end of 2018, we sent the Minister a user-friendly synopsis of applicable research. Finally, in December 2018, we received a reply and found it wanting. We spent some time re-evaluating the studies they provided as their proof (we already knew them) and wrote back with our analysis.
We were quite surprised at how bad their grasp of the available research was.
Everything they referenced acknowledged that illicit drugs, not prescribed opiates, are driving overdoses. None of it provides any basis for curbing prescriptions. Ottawa’s own “Opioid-Related Harms in Canada” (2017) states that opiate-involved hospitalizations increased 53% in the ten years since 2007—bringing us to a rate of just 0.015% a year. The report specifies that most hospitalizations involved heroin and synthetic opiates like street fentanyl, not drugs prescribed by doctors. That’s been confirmed repeatedly by the coroners of BC and Alberta, with the latest BC numbers showing involvement of street fentanyl in a full 92% of overdose deaths, most of which also involve a mix of other street substances. Alberta numbers likewise show fentanyl driving 89% of deaths.
The report also says the fastest rise in hospitalizations is in young people, owing to street drugs and suicide attempts. There’s no basis here for curbing prescriptions, which most often go to older people.
Health Canada also cited a study that estimated that 83,000 adults used a prescription opiate in 2015, but not for pain. This data is from unreliable self-reporting. And that’s also just one quarter of one percent of us—not much on which to hang the one million Canadians desperately needing these medications.
Likewise, they cite their own 2016-2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey to say that 61,000 kids said they used a prescription analgesic to get high. The survey says the rate is stable; they don’t mention that. And, like the other stat above, the number reads quite differently when put into perspective: it’s a mere 3% of kids, and pretty benign compared to the more than 250,000 kids—four times as many—who tried cough syrup, Nytol, Gravol and the like to get high. And so these surveys also provide no basis for curbing prescriptions..
They ended their rationalization by citing four papers by Canadian “scientists.” But three of these are from researchers caught fudging their conclusions: last year, acting on complaints by readers of an online draft, the editor-in-chief of the medical journal PAIN made David Juurlink and Tara Gomes strike intentional distortions from a paper they’d submitted. Juurlink and Gomes write and speak frequently about the supposed dangers of medically-managed opiates. News media seems to believe Juurlink is an authority on the subject, given how often they quote him.
Our reply pointing out these problems went to the Minister in April. She has not responded.
Based on the faulty and misinterpreted research Health Canada used, the majority of Canada’s one million intractable pain patients who have successfully relied upon opiates to deal with their pain have had their medications discontinued or drastically reduced. Patients who had been doing well for years are now attempting to cope with significant increases in their pain and significantly reduced quality of life. They and their families are devastated.
The Food and Drug Administration in the US, the Centers for Disease Control, the authors of the American opiate prescribing guideline on which Canada’s is based, the US Health and Human Services Department, and even the Surgeon General have all publicly acknowledged that cutting pain patients down or off their medications has been wrong, unethical, and dangerous. Numerous US medical organizations including the American Medical Association have spoken out against the practice.
In fact, we wrote to the minister and called on her publicly to change her prohibition policy based on what the US has done. One of our press releasescalled upon the Minister to restore proper treatment to pain patients just as some doctors are prescribing opiates to addicts to keep them safe. No reply!
Neither Health Canada, the authors of the Canadian opiate guideline, nor the Canadian Medical Association have uttered one word. As pain patients are thrown into disability and more suffering, Health Canada policy has also increased the death toll. Pain patients have died from medical collapse, suicide, and now from the poisoned street drug supply that more and more are turning to out of desperation as they lose their managed care.
Health Canada’s response to this devastation has been to set up a Task Force to report back in three years. And, as in 2016 when pain experts and patients were shut out of the federal opioid “summit,” once again pain experts and the severely pained remain excluded without explanation from this new panel.
The Chronic Pain Association of Canada again calls upon the Minister of Health to rectify the dire problems they have caused and to help pain patients regain their health and lives.
The Chronic Pain Association of Canada receives no public or industry funding and believes in treating pain by whatever method works.

Contact: Barry Ulmer, Executive Director Chronic Pain Association of Canada
Telephone (780) 482-6727 | Fax (780) 433-3128 Box 66017 Heritage Postal Outlet, Edmonton Alberta T6J 6T4 Chronicpaincanada.com | cpac@chronicpaincanada.com

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ABC57 investigation uncovered startling number of nurses stealing, abusing drugs

https://abc57.com/news/abc57-investigation-uncovered-startling-number-of-nurses-stealing-abusing-drugs

On the above link there is a video report… website would not allow me to get a link to embed it on this blog

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — We trust them to take care of us and family members in the hospital, nursing homes and the doctor’s office. But, ABC57 is uncovering a startling number of nurses are stealing and abusing powerful drugs while on the job.

Just this past may, Creekside Village Nursing Home in Mishawaka, made a police report claiming someone had stolen liquid morphine and replaced it with cough syrup. In April, the Attorney General’s office filed a complaint against the nursing license of a former St. Joseph Hospital employee accused of stealing pain medications. Those are just two recent examples of what people in the medical profession call “diversion,” or the theft of prescription drugs.

In a review of just 90 days of complaints filed against nurse licenses across the state, ABC57 found 39 of 66 involved the abuse or theft of medications. That’s nearly 60 percent of all of the cases.

It’s such a problem, the state has a contract with a company aimed at treating addictions of nurses, doctors and pharmacists.

“We currently have 417 in active monitoring.” Tracy Traut, a Clinical Case Manager with Indiana Professionals Recovery Program, said. “Indiana professionals recovery program is what we refer to as an alternative to discipline program for medical professionals in the state of Indiana.”

IPRP took over the state contract less than a year ago. In the 11 months it’s been working with the state, they’ve dealt with nearly 650 medical professionals, mainly Nurses. Traut says it’s a national problem. The criminal defense lawyers based in Orange County area is where you can get legal help.

“3 to 6 percent of nurses currently engaged in active practice, have an alcohol or drug addiction problem.” She said.

IPRP serves essentially as a middleman. If a nurse has been accused of stealing drugs, fails a drug test or has a DUI, the state’s licensing board will have the company do an assessment, then recommend treatment. Traut and her team then monitor their treatment, pass info along to the state and, many times, the employer.

“You have an accountability system.” Traut explained.

That accountability system is essential for nurses who are allowed to go back to work on a probationary license, Traut says. Many times those nurses will have restrictions on handling narcotics and could be monitored by Traut’s team for up to 5 years.

“What we want to do is make sure everyone is make sure everyone is feeling good and stable and back on their feet, before they go back to the hustle and bustle of work.” She said. “We have many nurses who go back to have successful careers, happy lives, who go back to being pharmacists, pharm techs and really do beautifully for most of their lives.”

Traut says it’s common for any addict to relapse. In fact, about 50 percent relapse in the first 6 months of recovery. Traut says the goal is 5 years of sobriety. At that point, the chance of relapse drops by half. IPRP says they’ve had clients relapse, but, so far, none of it’s clients have been caught taking medications from their employer during or after monitoring.

ABC57 reached out to multiple state offices for comment. The state licensing board would not answer our questions. Indiana Attorney General, Curtis Hill’s, Office did not return our messages.

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https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/ed-henry-im-becoming-a-liver-donor-for-the-sister-i-love-so-she-can-live-a-long-and-healthy-life

This could prove to be interesting… here we have two relatives (Brother/Sister) that are both under going surgery… most likely, Ed (brother) is not a chronic pain pt but his sister it is unknown because of her failing liver.  BUT.. both are under going multiple hour surgery that is going to be cutting through their abdominal muscles…  Which I suspect is going to end up being a VERY PAINFUL RECOVERY PERIOD.

Fox cable appears to only has three personalities that are pro opiate for pain management… Greg Gutfeld – probably the most adamant supporter, Kennedy and Eliz Mac Donald – who interview Robt Rose on Fox Business channel a couple of months back… concerning his lawsuit with the VA.

Henry is just 47 and Sister is two years younger.. so the surgery should not be that much of a risk – older age really complicates surgeries.

It will be interesting what is said after Henry comes back after recovery… if pain management is even mentioned. Of course, being on Fox cable… he is probably being viewed by his doc and hospital and having a fairly large podium from which to speak and may not go down the path of “there is a couple of Tylenol for your post-op pain .  It will also be interesting if Fox cable takes a softer tone on our fabricated “opiate crisis” ?  Stay tuned… there could be some serious REVELATIONS coming to Fox cable.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/transplant-specialist-breaks-down-ed-henry-liver-donation

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https://apprisshealth.com/blog/new-resource-page-for-patients-and-families/

https://apprisshealth.com/solutions/narxcare/

Appriss Health has created this MASSIVE website to supposedly to  help healthcare professionals to understand what they are doing – or attempting to do – in assisting healthcare professionals treat chronic pain pts and help call attention to those pts that are at risk of being substance abusers.

I find the websites EXCESSIVELY WORDY and at a point confusing and don’t know many healthcare professionals are going to have the time to read and digest all of this information.

I just wonder if this MASSIVE PRESENTATION is more to impress non healthcare professionals who are corporate executives who are being asked to pay dearly to provide this service to their employee healthcare professionals and how the “use” of this will help protect the corporation and provide “better care” to the pts that they serve.

Is this complex system and its reports just going to give healthcare professionals to JUST SAY NO.. because they don’t have the time to properly evaluate the information provided in the format that it is provided in.

Color me SKEPTICAL

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Portsmouth doctor reprimanded for treatment of chronic pain patient

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/portsmouth-doctor-reprimanded-for-treatment-of-chronic-pain-patient/article_d45611d5-f0e3-5a8f-ace5-46bc9d945c90.html

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IF you can’t read… right mouse click on image and chose “view image” to enlarge

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Did your health plan deny you care? You can fight back. Here’s how

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-health-plan-coverage-appeal-20190705-story.html

Have you ever stepped up to the pharmacy cash register only to learn your new prescription will cost you hundreds of dollars — instead of your typical $25 co-pay — because your insurance doesn’t cover it? Or received a painfully high bill for a medical test because your health plan didn’t think it was necessary?

Most people have, but only a tiny fraction ever appeal such decisions. In 2017, for example, enrollees in federally run Affordable Care Act marketplace plans appealed fewer than one half of 1% of denied medical claims, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

If you do appeal, your chance of getting the health plan’s decision overturned is a lot better than you might think. “About half of appeals go in favor of the consumer,” says Cheryl Fish-Parcham, director of access initiatives at Families USA, a healthcare consumer advocacy group.

There’s no sugarcoating it, though: Getting to “yes” with your health plan can be an ordeal, and you may need help from friends, family members, your doctor, insurance counselors, even legal aid societies.

In California, health plans are supposed to help facilitate the appeals process. When they deny coverage, they must inform members in writing how to appeal. And when they receive enrollee complaints, they are required to acknowledge them formally, which sets the clock ticking on a series of steps to resolve the dispute.

Unfortunately, insurers don’t always comply with these requirements.

Last month, the Department of Managed Health Care fined Anthem Blue Cross $2.8 million in a settlement covering more than 200 grievance and appeal violations. In some cases, Anthem classified grievances as “inquiries,” which means many enrollees did not get important information about their appeal rights, says Shelley Rouillard, the department’s director.

Mike Bowman, an Anthem Blue Cross spokesman, says the company “is making significant changes in our grievance and appeals process.”

Rouillard says Anthem has had more grievance and appeal violations than other insurers, but “this happens with all the plans.”

Regardless of the type of insurance you have, you can do several things to strengthen your position even before you file an appeal.
Get organized

You will need up-to-date medical records, as well as all communications with your doctor and health plan and any other paperwork that might bolster your case.

“Don’t do anything over the phone. Do everything in writing. You need a paper trail,” says Maria Binchet, offering her hard-earned wisdom from the trenches.

Binchet, a resident of Napa County, has a rare, disabling illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Because none of the doctors in her Medicare HMO network has expertise in the disease, she says, she has requested referrals to outside specialists on numerous occasions over the past 22 years, been turned down each time and appealed nine times. After one of those appeals, the health plan allowed her a single visit to a specialist — but he wasn’t taking new patients.

“You have to be persistent and resilient,” she says.

Binchet also advises that you request from customer services the unredacted notes of the health plan’s internal discussion about your case. The notes can help you determine how extensively your case was considered, who made the decision and whether that person was medically qualified to do so.

A letter or phone call from your doctor to the health plan can provide valuable support. “It’s important that you get someone involved who can talk about the medical evidence, because that’s what this is really about,” Fish-Parcham says.

Clock is ticking

When your paperwork is ready, you must appeal first to your health plan. For most private plans, your deadline for filing the appeal will be 180 days after care is denied. The insurer then faces a deadline — usually 30 days — to render its decision. If it upholds its initial decision or doesn’t meet the deadline, you can take the matter to the agency that regulates the plan within 180 days. If your health is in imminent danger, you can generally get an answer in a matter of days rather than weeks.

Unfortunately, different plans have different regulators, with varying appeal procedures. If you don’t know who regulates your health plan, call customer services and ask.

A large majority of Californians have policies regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care, but millions of others are in plans regulated by other state agencies, such as the California Department of Insurance or the federal government.

A good place to start is the Department of Managed Health Care (888-466-2219 or HealthHelp.ca.gov). Even if it is not your regulator, it can direct you to the right place, Rouillard says.

If you are one of the 26 million Californians in plans regulated by the department, you can request a free review of your case by outside medical experts if your appeal to the health plan failed or was not answered by the deadline.

These independent medical reviews are for cases in which a health plan doesn’t think a type of treatment is medically necessary or refuses to cover it because it is experimental — or won’t pay for emergency medical services after the fact.

An archive on the department’s website allows you to search past decisions for cases like yours. The summary language in those decisions might help you frame your arguments.

You can also request an independent medical review through the California Department of Insurance (800-927-4357).

If you are one of the 5.5 million Californians in a federally regulated employer plan, your regulator is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (866-444-3272 or www.askebsa.dol.gov).
Help is available

As you wade through this process, there are organizations that can help.

One of them is the Health Consumer Alliance (888-804-3536 or www.healthconsumer.org), which can assist people in public and private health plans. It offers free advice, can help you get your documents in order and provides legal services.

Medicare enrollees can get free assistance from the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (800-434-0222 or cahealthadvocates.org/hicap/).

Bernard J. Wolfson writes for Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent publication of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

As is pointed out in this article, even if the insurance company is mandated by law to tell you about how to appeal a denial…they may not tell you…

Remember that most all insurance companies are PUBLICLY TRADED FOR PROFIT COMPANIES and the most profitable thing for them to do is JUST SAY NO TO YOUR CLAIM.

As is pointed out in this article .. the vast majority of pts will just take the NO AS A ABSOLUTE FACT…

In those states where they are not required to notifying pts that there is an appeal process… all are obligated to provide you the appeal process – IN WRITING – IF YOU ASK !  Follow the appeal process – especially the timetable(s) – TO THE LETTER.

As is pointed out in this article – if you appeal – you have abt 50% chance of getting your claim APPROVED.

Personally, I have never lost an appeal with an insurance company… I consider tenacity a VIRTUE when taking on a denial of coverage by an insurance company. Now that Barb and I are both entitled to Medicare because of AGE… my tenacity has been emboldened … they can’t cancel our policy, they can’t raise our premiums nor retaliate because of my tenacity.

Here is something that Barb bought for me when we had the pharmacy and it was on my office desk then and to this day it is still in my home office.  When we had the pharmacy the phrase that I routinely used when I got tired of discussing something – with an employee & even Barb, that I wanted done…. was “HUMOR ME… do it my way !”

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