DEA cuts opioid supply....again.

VaughanJB said:
It's just shocking how the authorities screwed up with Opiods. They allowed Oxycodone on the market, along with terrible literature, too few checks, and out and out lies. Then when the billions had been made, they dialed it back leaving people who actually need the stuff out of luck. It's just a madness.
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Thing is, medical science doesn't know or understand the cause of specific types of pain, especially chronic pain and nerve pain, so there are few truly effective treatment options that do not include side effects, some of which are quite serious when used long term. And I'm thinking of stuff like early dementia and memory loss, not addiction.

I'm sure science will understand the specific causes of all types of pain some day, and doctors will be able to treat it completely and safely. But there will be additional errors until then, probably worse ones.

Meanwhile I see nothing wrong with letting severe, chronic pain sufferers use natural opium as long as a physician monitors the usage. I'd smoke a bowl of that every 6 or 8 hours, if I was allowed to. When the cause of my pain can't be fixed, and it's definitely a life-long problem, I'm not even slightly concerned about addiction.

I ran out of my opioid medication on Dec 23rd, 3 days ago, and I've had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. I'm in a lot of pain, have to sit around all day, and my RLS is totally acting up, but zero withdrawal symptoms.
 

VaughanJB said:
It's just shocking how the authorities screwed up with Opiods. They allowed Oxycodone on the market, along with terrible literature, too few checks, and out and out lies. Then when the billions had been made, they dialed it back leaving people who actually need the stuff out of luck. It's just a madness.
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I agree. If some one is in pain, help that pain and allow the person to function at least. This all makes no sense. :(
 

Jules said:
One of the things that helps my husband with RLS is magnesium. It’s not the whole answer. Any little bit helps. It was recommended by his neurologist.
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I do take magnesium. If it relieves my pain, the relief is insignificant, unfortunately.

I have actual physical deformities in my lower spine. Collapsing vertebrae, narrowed spinal column, missing discs, spina bifida, and too many nerve roots. All except for the last 2 things were caused by a 60ft fall.

I've had a few surgeries but the surgeons could only do so much, and one of the surgeries is now actually the cause of additional pain.
 
Murrmurr said:
Thing is, medical science doesn't know or understand the cause of specific types of pain, especially chronic pain and nerve pain, so there are few truly effective treatment options that do not include side effects, some of which are quite serious when used long term. And I'm thinking of stuff like early dementia and memory loss, not addiction.

I'm sure science will understand the specific causes of all types of pain some day, and doctors will be able to treat it completely and safely. But there will be additional errors until then, probably worse ones.

Meanwhile I see nothing wrong with letting severe, chronic pain sufferers use natural opium as long as a physician monitors the usage. I'd smoke a bowl of that every 6 or 8 hours, if I was allowed to. When the cause of my pain can't be fixed, and it's definitely a life-long problem, I'm not even slightly concerned about addiction.

I ran out of my opioid medication on Dec 23rd, 3 days ago, and I've had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. I'm in a lot of pain, have to sit around all day, and my RLS is totally acting up, but zero withdrawal symptoms.
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I hear you. Sadly, our bodies aren't perfect and they break down. The whole push to prescribe Oxycodone was moving pain management to the top of doctor's concerns. That's when the free-for-all started. But when you have a patient who has a regular doctor who wants to prescribe this stuff, you'd think they'd be able to do so. Pain management (pain killers) are an essential part of some peoples lives.

I've mentioned here before, but I was prescribed Codeine - a lightweight opiod - for arthritis. It seems to be the "go to" drug in the UK for that. It did absolutely nothing for me, nothing whatsoever. When I asked the doctor for something more potent he essentially refused, since he didn't want to prescribe Morphine. Which is dumb, because there are other things you could try before Morphine! I ended up not taking the Codeine and just dealing with constant paid. Mind - the fact I am able to do so suggests it's less pain that you're suffering.

I hope you can find relief soon.
 
Have you tried buying through Canada? I had a bottle of 100 pills of Gabapentin, but after I used about 10 of the pills and they didn’t work, I returned them to CVS and dropped them in their disposal container.

I have an acquaintance in our church that makes a Canadian run every 3 months to get a 90 day supply of hydrocodone. I don’t know all of the details, but I have seen his bottle of pills. I don’t know if he gets them all at one time or only so many per month. I really never got into a discussion with him about how it’s dispensed.
 
Gabapentin & Tylenol in the evening really help my RLS & overall pain, enough that I can usually sleep in my chair Then there is [as suggested] a couple of stiff drinks. Notevery night but , sometimes it just helps.

Constant pain , from whatever the cause , or the body part, is hard for some to understand . Only the sufferer feels it, feels it's limitations, as such most others {IMO} just do not care.
 
Murrmurr said:
Thing is, medical science doesn't know or understand the cause of specific types of pain, especially chronic pain and nerve pain, so there are few truly effective treatment options that do not include side effects, some of which are quite serious when used long term. And I'm thinking of stuff like early dementia and memory loss, not addiction.

I'm sure science will understand the specific causes of all types of pain some day, and doctors will be able to treat it completely and safely. But there will be additional errors until then, probably worse ones.

Meanwhile I see nothing wrong with letting severe, chronic pain sufferers use natural opium as long as a physician monitors the usage. I'd smoke a bowl of that every 6 or 8 hours, if I was allowed to. When the cause of my pain can't be fixed, and it's definitely a life-long problem, I'm not even slightly concerned about addiction.

I ran out of my opioid medication on Dec 23rd, 3 days ago, and I've had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. I'm in a lot of pain, have to sit around all day, and my RLS is totally acting up, but zero withdrawal symptoms.
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Bold! (y)(y)
 
I may be cynical, but the "opioid epidemic" occurred just about the same time the courts ordered insurance companies to pay for patients' costly rehab. The "opioid crisis" reminds me of the "demon alcohol" hysteria in the 1910s. Yes, both alcohol and opioids are addictive, and should be under controlled use. But to say that no opioid is useful is rather inane. Like Murrmurr, I have chronic spinal pain. If I don't have a pain killer, ain't no way I'm getting out of bed. Those, who say just grin and bare it, and think nice thoughts don't have any idea what it's like to live with constant pain. What is better, to live a fuller 'active' life, even if addicted to opioids, or suffer unending, debilitating pain without opioids?
 
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You can save a lot of $$ getting a medical for Pot usage. The Pen helps a lot, it may also sooth your ragged nerves.
Maybe the Doc and prescribe other stuff to help you relax? A friend had to have rods installed in her spine. Didn't
stop her spine bend sideways. I can only imagine the hell she has been thru and the med issues. She sleeps mostly
on a chair / recliner when she sleeps. Maybe some at night, some in the afternoon. Basically exhausted. She moved
to assisted living some years ago, 150 miles away so I don't see her much now, can't help her much.
 
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Remy said:
This is heartbreaking to hear. Do you take a medication that targets the RLS? I'm thinking Ropinirole.

I can't stand someone who needs pain medication not having the access to it they need.
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Unfortunately, not being able to refill my Rx fell on a holiday. I emailed my doc. She'll get back to me soon as she can. I mainly want to talk about the RLS. It's off the charts today.
 
rgp said:
Gabapentin & Tylenol in the evening really help my RLS & overall pain, enough that I can usually sleep in my chair Then there is [as suggested] a couple of stiff drinks. Notevery night but , sometimes it just helps.

Constant pain , from whatever the cause , or the body part, is hard for some to understand . Only the sufferer feels it, feels it's limitations, as such most others {IMO} just do not care.
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I emailed my doc about prescribing Gabapentin. I've taken it before. It did nothing for my back pain, and I don't remember if it helped w/RLS, but I think I'd remember if it didn't.

Tylenol does nothing for nerve pain...at least, not mine. Ibuprophen helps a bit, and Motrin works best. I have some.
 
rgp said:
Gabapentin & Tylenol in the evening really help my RLS & overall pain, enough that I can usually sleep in my chair Then there is [as suggested] a couple of stiff drinks. Notevery night but , sometimes it just helps.

Constant pain , from whatever the cause , or the body part, is hard for some to understand . Only the sufferer feels it, feels it's limitations, as such most others {IMO} just do not care.
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Oh, about alcohol...I have to be careful because I also have liver damage from the fall I took around 30yrs ago. I have NASH and stage 2 cirrhosis.

Doctors classify spinal pain as "invisible pain", but I disagree. When I have my meds I walk upright, I smile and laugh appropriately, I'm in a good mood and have a normal stride. Not today.
 
911 said:
Have you tried buying through Canada? I had a bottle of 100 pills of Gabapentin, but after I used about 10 of the pills and they didn’t work, I returned them to CVS and dropped them in their disposal container.

I have an acquaintance in our church that makes a Canadian run every 3 months to get a 90 day supply of hydrocodone. I don’t know all of the details, but I have seen his bottle of pills. I don’t know if he gets them all at one time or only so many per month. I really never got into a discussion with him about how it’s dispensed.
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I don't want to chance it. I'm sure I'd be required to give identifying info, which might result in my doctor not prescribing it anymore.
 
VaughanJB said:
I hear you. Sadly, our bodies aren't perfect and they break down. The whole push to prescribe Oxycodone was moving pain management to the top of doctor's concerns. That's when the free-for-all started. But when you have a patient who has a regular doctor who wants to prescribe this stuff, you'd think they'd be able to do so. Pain management (pain killers) are an essential part of some peoples lives.

I've mentioned here before, but I was prescribed Codeine - a lightweight opiod - for arthritis. It seems to be the "go to" drug in the UK for that. It did absolutely nothing for me, nothing whatsoever. When I asked the doctor for something more potent he essentially refused, since he didn't want to prescribe Morphine. Which is dumb, because there are other things you could try before Morphine! I ended up not taking the Codeine and just dealing with constant paid. Mind - the fact I am able to do so suggests it's less pain that you're suffering.

I hope you can find relief soon.
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People who live with pain can tolerate a lot of pain. I can tolerate my pain without my medication. I won't be at all comfortable, ever, but I won't be screaming and crying, either.

I'll be depressed and inactive, neither of which are healthy.

Just now got a text from my pharmacy....a Rx is ready to pick up. Maybe my doc ordered the Gabapentin, maybe my pharmacy got some Norco. Great news, either way.
 
Nathan said:
My neighbor across the road has been taking Norcos since injuring his back when working at CDCR. His injury does not have a suitable surgical solution, so it's opioids plus whatever gets him through the day...and night. He makes his own beer, which after several glasses of which, I feel like a horse kicked me in the head. Anyway, he smokes pot daily, even makes some cannabis infused beer... 😲 I don't know if cannabis acts on pain like pain meds do, but I think it kind of takes your attention off the pain, which can't be a bad thing.
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Opioids and alcohol are deadly when taken together. It's not a solution.
 
Murrmurr said:
I can't get my pain med Rx filled because the DEA cut supplies. My pharmacy said they might have some around the end of January. Meanwhile I'll have to refrain from doing all but a couple of my morning exercises, taking walks, certain housekeeping chores, shopping, cooking, and doing wood projects.

Besides a bum spine, I have RLS, restless leg syndrome. My opiod pain med stopped that by a solid 95%. Last night the RLS kept me awake. It literally kicked off about every hour....in other words, I slept about an hour at a time, then was up for an hour or 2, then went back to bed to try sleeping again.

I read that Gabapentin helps with RLS. I've taken it before but I don't remember if it helped or not....which means it probly did. If it didn't, I think I'd remember that. I do remember it didn't relieve my my back pain. But I'm gonna ask my Dr to Rx it.

DEA Finalizes Cuts in 2023 Opioid Supply — Pain News Network
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I've been having the same problem. Over the last 2 years, there have been 3 times I couldn't get refills on Norco for a month from any pharmacy. My doctor is reluctant to prescribe anything stronger. I don't like pot - it makes gravity feel stronger (not kidding, go ahead and laugh), but plan to research some of the drugs on this thread.
 
OldEngineer said:
I've been having the same problem. Over the last 2 years, there have been 3 times I couldn't get refills on Norco for a month from any pharmacy. My doctor is reluctant to prescribe anything stronger. I don't like pot - it makes gravity feel stronger (not kidding, go ahead and laugh), but plan to research some of the drugs on this thread.
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My doc tried me on a few different RUI meds...reuptake inhibitors. They didn't relieve my pain, they only put me in a stupor.

She also tried me on cyclobenzaprine. Same result.

Opioids are the only class of medication that ease my pain and the RLS without making me drunk and sleepy.
 
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Murrmurr said:
I do take magnesium. If it relieves my pain, the relief is insignificant, unfortunately.

I have actual physical deformities in my lower spine. Collapsing vertebrae, narrowed spinal column, missing discs, spina bifida, and too many nerve roots. All except for the last 2 things were caused by a 60ft fall.

I've had a few surgeries but the surgeons could only do so much, and one of the surgeries is now actually the cause of additional pain.
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Can you tell us what kind of surgery caused your additional pain? It could help some of us.
 
Murrmurr said:
I can't get my pain med Rx filled because the DEA cut supplies. My pharmacy said they might have some around the end of January. Meanwhile I'll have to refrain from doing all but a couple of my morning exercises, taking walks, certain housekeeping chores, shopping, cooking, and doing wood projects.

Besides a bum spine, I have RLS, restless leg syndrome. My opiod pain med stopped that by a solid 95%. Last night the RLS kept me awake. It literally kicked off about every hour....in other words, I slept about an hour at a time, then was up for an hour or 2, then went back to bed to try sleeping again.

I read that Gabapentin helps with RLS. I've taken it before but I don't remember if it helped or not....which means it probly did. If it didn't, I think I'd remember that. I do remember it didn't relieve my my back pain. But I'm gonna ask my Dr to Rx it.
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This link says Gabapentin does help with RLS. DEA Finalizes Cuts in 2023 Opioid Supply — Pain News Network

This link explains why the DEA has cut the supply again! DEA Plans Further Cuts in Rx Opioid Supply in 2024 — Pain News Network

My sister is very distressed by her inability to get the pain meds she needs. She is questioning how much longer she wants to live. At this minute she is the hospital to get an MRI because she is in so much pain. The reason for democracy is to empower the individual and there is a problem when agencies take control and the people affected by a decision are not properly represented. A Google search shows concern coming from several sectors focused on preventing the abuse of pain relievers, and those enduring intense pain do not appear to have a voice. I am sure if the people trying to stop the abuse of painkillers were the people who live with pain, the decisions would be different.

I suggest people who really need the medication contact the drug manufacturers and ask the manufacturers to take action to increase the voice of those who are suffering. They have the money and know when there will be a hearing. Besides posting the problem here, you can write the newspaper's letters to editors and use other social media to develop a voice for those who would rather die than continue without pain medication. You can make a video and submit it to the Public Broadcasting Station. You can write to all your representatives and try to speak with them in person if you can and encourage others to do the same.

I have lived with pain for many years and refuse opioids because I don't want something that makes me think I have advanced Alzheimer's disease. Opioids mess up my head really badly. Instead, I begin my day by going to our public pool and sitting in the hot tub. I swim and work out in the weight room and if I walk more than a block I use a walker. I have accepted this as my life. Hot water and my walker are my best friend.

However, I wish chemists would figure out how to balance steroids in our bodies so we could safely use them. A doctor gave me steroids to prevent swelling after surgery. I felt 18 again. :love: I was ready to return to work as a janitor. My daughter panicked and start sreaming, "no Mom, it is the steroids and it won't last". Are you kidding me? There is something that can make us feel that good and get us off disability assistance, I can't have it? Who do I have to donate to for the research we need to make steroids safe?
 

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