DEA cuts opioid supply....again.

911 said:
Hydrocodone, Percocet, Dilaudid, Oxycodone and then there were harder opiates than these few that some people had stuffed in their pockets.
Click to expand...
Maybe it would be better if the street drug addicts just had access to clean drugs from a doctor. They’re using anyway and dying from the stuff laced with Fentanyl.
 

Last edited:
Jules said:
Maybe it would be better if the street drug addicts just had access to clean drugs from a doctor. They’re using anyway and dying from the stuff laced with Fentanyl.
Click to expand...
That's what the Methadone Program is for. They still do street drugs, though. Downtown Sac looks like it's being invaded by zombies right now. So freaking ugly, and we all know some of them won't be waking up on New Year's Day.

Sux so bad.
 

Murrmurr said:
Reading about the DEA's argument for it's interference, their representative mentions "deaths from overdose", and I wonder how many of those overdoses were actually suicides by pain sufferers who had trouble getting their Rx's the last 2 times the DEA interfered.

About steroids; I was Rx'ed a steroid after my first spinal surgery. It was to promote healthy bone re-growth in my lower spine. Seems to have worked too well...I had bony overgrowth that had to be filed away during a subsequent surgery. But a few years later, steroid injections into a spinal nerve reduced my pain by a solid 80% for several months. Unfortunately, you're only allowed to get that injection 3 times during your lifetime because of the side-effects.

I think medical science will get it figured out eventually. They are working on it.
Click to expand...

The option of death is attractive to many. What keeps me going is the memory of a young man with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He would have accepted the pain some of us have if only he could scratch his own nose, and use the bathroom without help. The disease destroys a person's muscles and takes away the ability to speak and eventually causes death.

I used to begin our visits with complaints about my pain and difficulty getting around and he would considerately listen, until I finally realized how fortunate I am that I can care for myself and pretty much do what I want. Compared to his problem mine is just uncomfortable and makes it hard to do things. Unfortunately, I think my sister has worse pain so even when it comes to people with pain, I am more fortunate than many.

However, when I think of death it is nice to think of a time when there is no more pain. A medication I was using messed up my brain and I thought I finally developed Alzheimer's disease. I do plan to take my life when that happens. The unfortunate reality is we do not have enough services for people below the poverty level and if we lose our independence we are better off dead.
 
Jules said:
Maybe it would be better if the street drug addicts just had access to clean drugs from a doctor. They’re using anyway and dying from the stuff laced with Fentanyl.
Click to expand...

In some places, drug addicts can get medication along with counseling. My daughter is a drug rehabilitation counselor. A lot is being done to help people with addictions. This is relatively new. My daughter has been a drug and alcohol counselor for many years. It used to be restricted to those with insurance or a means to pay for treatment. We are finally treating addiction as a medical problem, not just a personal problem associated with crime.
 
Vida May said:
The option of death is attractive to many. What keeps me going is the memory of a young man with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He would have accepted the pain some of us have if only he could scratch his own nose, and use the bathroom without help. The disease destroys a person's muscles and takes away the ability to speak and eventually causes death.

I used to begin our visits with complaints about my pain and difficulty getting around and he would considerately listen, until I finally realized how fortunate I am that I can care for myself and pretty much do what I want. Compared to his problem mine is just uncomfortable and makes it hard to do things. Unfortunately, I think my sister has worse pain so even when it comes to people with pain, I am more fortunate than many.

However, when I think of death it is nice to think of a time when there is no more pain. A medication I was using messed up my brain and I thought I finally developed Alzheimer's disease. I do plan to take my life when that happens. The unfortunate reality is we do not have enough services for people below the poverty level and if we lose our independence we are better off dead.
Click to expand...
There are times when I would rather be paralyzed than in pain 24hrs/day. Or better yet, dead.

It doesn't help me feel better or inspired in any way to compare my own miserable symptoms to someone else's worse ones. They have their battle; I have to focus on mine. That said, I do believe we should help and support each other to the best of our abilities, and I'm gonna give your friend credit for that....he was a good listener for you.

I was finally given a 30-day supply of 5mg Oxycontin and a 90-day supply of 300mg Gabapentin. The Oxy works fairly well but its effect wears off a lot quicker than my Norco did, so I've had to just sit on myass a lot. It totally controls the RLS, though, so I give it a big (y) for that.

The Gabapentin is too strong. 300 milligrams just puts me to sleep, like within minutes. And I'll sleep for 3 or 4 hours. Fortunately, it's in a plastic capsule so I can pull it apart and dump some of it out so I'm only taking around 150mg.

Yeah, that stuff messes with my brain.

I'm thinking about ordering a bag of empty medicine caps from Amazon so I can dump half the medication into a capsule instead of into the sink or the trash, which is bad for the environment anyway.

@chic suggested I do that, and it's brilliant because it would double my supply...what's left of it. Which is a lot, because I'm supposed to take 3 of those a day but I only need one (half) a day while I'm taking the Oxy.
 
Murrmurr said:
There are times when I would rather be paralyzed than in pain 24hrs/day. Or better yet, dead.

It doesn't help me feel better or inspired in any way to compare my own miserable symptoms to someone else's worse ones. They have their battle; I have to focus on mine. That said, I do believe we should help and support each other to the best of our abilities, and I'm gonna give your friend credit for that....he was a good listener for you.

I was finally given a 30-day supply of 5mg Oxycontin and a 90-day supply of 300mg Gabapentin. The Oxy works fairly well but its effect wears off a lot quicker than my Norco did, so I've had to just sit on myass a lot. It totally controls the RLS, though, so I give it a big (y) for that.

The Gabapentin is too strong. 300 milligrams just puts me to sleep, like within minutes. And I'll sleep for 3 or 4 hours. Fortunately, it's in a plastic capsule so I can pull it apart and dump some of it out so I'm only taking around 150mg.

Yeah, that stuff messes with my brain.

I'm thinking about ordering a bag of empty medicine caps from Amazon so I can dump half the medication into a capsule instead of into the sink or the trash, which is bad for the environment anyway.

@chic suggested I do that, and it's brilliant because it would double my supply...what's left of it. Which is a lot, because I'm supposed to take 3 of those a day but I only need one (half) a day while I'm taking the Oxy.
Click to expand...
Yup, it should work. Splitting capsule contents in this way saves meds and money and health. Why take more than you need of anything?
 
Murrmurr said:
That's what the Methadone Program is for. They still do street drugs, though. Downtown Sac looks like it's being invaded by zombies right now. So freaking ugly, and we all know some of them won't be waking up on New Year's Day.

Sux so bad.
Click to expand...

I have second hand experience with the "Methadone Program", and I'm talking direct access to it through a third party who was addicted and eventually died.

The "Methadone Program" is so corrupt, it's a disgrace. It's a "for profit" thing, and thus, they have zero interest in getting people off drugs. They just want people on their drugs, and paying. It's swapping street drugs, for Methadone, but never quitting They only make money by having their clients visit them - and so it goes.

I've nothing much good to say about the "methadone program".
 
VaughanJB said:
I have second hand experience with the "Methadone Program", and I'm talking direct access to it through a third party who was addicted and eventually died.

The "Methadone Program" is so corrupt, it's a disgrace. It's a "for profit" thing, and thus, they have zero interest in getting people off drugs. They just want people on their drugs, and paying. It's swapping street drugs, for Methadone, but never quitting They only make money by having their clients visit them - and so it goes.

I've nothing much good to say about the "methadone program".
Click to expand...
And like I said earlier, those "clients" still use their street-drug of choice whenever they can get it, and it's available 3 or 4 times a week, at least. They'll buy it with stuff they stole from you, your neighbors, and Walmart, with seXuaL favors and government hand-outs, including free methadone and needle kits.

So not only does the methadone program perpetuate addiction, it perpetuates seX crimes, assaults on innocent victims, often with violence, and petty theft and larceny costing billions in losses every year.
 
Murrmurr said:
That's what the Methadone Program is for. They still do street drugs, though. Downtown Sac looks like it's being invaded by zombies right now. So freaking ugly, and we all know some of them won't be waking up on New Year's Day.

Sux so bad.
Click to expand...
Is that because of the drug, tranq (Xylazine)? Philadelphia and NYC have big problems with that. It's horrendous to see human beings reduced to this.
 
More cuts are planned for 2024

Opioid quota limits started in 2016 when several congress persons sent the DEA a letter telling them to instruct pharmaceutical companies to do so. Further cuts have been implemented in each subsequent year. Due to the craptastic way in which a few politicians and the DEA have handled this, people are cut off cold turkey when they go to their pharmacy and are told their meds are not in stock and no one knows when they will be back in. Opiate withdrawal is no joke and the unfun symptoms are piled onto whatever underlying pain condition a person already has. I've talked with pharmacists friends who say people are leaving the profession and those still in it have very low job satisfaction.

Per forum politics rules, I can't link the articles but it should be pretty easy to find searching for DEA Cutting Opioid Supply in 2017. If not, PM me for the link.
 
Last edited:
Murrmurr said:
And like I said earlier, those "clients" still use their street-drug of choice whenever they can get it, and it's available 3 or 4 times a week, at least. They'll buy it with stuff they stole from you, your neighbors, and Walmart, with seXuaL favors and government hand-outs, including free methadone and needle kits.

So not only does the methadone program perpetuate addiction, it perpetuates seX crimes, assaults on innocent victims, often with violence, and petty theft and larceny costing billions in losses every year.
Click to expand...

To be fair, my own experience wasn't like that. The guy I went with got off street drugs as the methadone "worked" for him. It kept him clean and crime free. The trouble was, there was no end to it. It went on years. They wouldn't taper him down and just wanted his money. It was sick.
 
VaughanJB said:
To be fair, my own experience wasn't like that. The guy I went with got off street drugs as the methadone "worked" for him. It kept him clean and crime free. The trouble was, there was no end to it. It went on years. They wouldn't taper him down and just wanted his money. It was sick.
Click to expand...
I don't doubt you.

The apartment I lived in for about 6yrs, and moved out of late last fall, was situated in an area of Sacramento where there's a lot of gangs and thugs, drug sales on every corner, including "dolls" (methadone), ragged transients coming and going because it's located real close to an interstate highway, where a police copter announced "stay inside and lock your doors!" once or twice a month and emergency sirens wailed through 2 or 3 times a week, but you never saw a patrol car.

I witnessed 3 overdoses in just the last year I lived there, 2 being worked on by First Responders, and I was the one who called 911 for the 3rd guy.

This was a rough area, but I had several friends there. Really good friends. Most of 'em lived there long before I moved in, and some of those guys were former gang-bangers who knew what was going on in our neighborhood and always had a story to share.

Two methadone clinics were within a 1/4 mile of my apartment; one to the east, the other to the south, both close to the interstate. In fact, Sacramento has far more methadone clinics than missions, safe-houses, or rehab centers. I don't doubt the reason is cost-vs-profit.
 
Murrmurr said:
I don't doubt you.

The apartment I lived in for about 6yrs, and moved out of late last fall, was situated in an area of Sacramento where there's a lot of gangs and thugs, drug sales on every corner, including "dolls" (methadone), ragged transients coming and going because it's located real close to an interstate highway, where a police copter announced "stay inside and lock your doors!" once or twice a month and emergency sirens wailed through 2 or 3 times a week, but you never saw a patrol car.

I witnessed 3 overdoses in just the last year I lived there, 2 being worked on by First Responders, and I was the one who called 911 for the 3rd guy.

This was a rough area, but I had several friends there. Really good friends. Most of 'em lived there long before I moved in, and some of those guys were former gang-bangers who knew what was going on in our neighborhood and always had a story to share.

Two methadone clinics were within a 1/4 mile of my apartment; one to the east, the other to the south, both close to the interstate. In fact, Sacramento has far more methadone clinics than missions, safe-houses, or rehab centers. I don't doubt the reason is cost-vs-profit.
Click to expand...
The DEA cuts opiate supply but there are active methadone centres going up everywhere?
 
AnnieA said:
I'm beginning to wonder if the handful of congress folks who instructed the DEA to cut opiates have their fingers in alternative pies...
Click to expand...
That reminds me - I read and heard that the United Nations has proposed that all nation-members of the UN need to sign on to a declaration (or whatever) that will allow the World Health Organization to create all policies and make all decisions during all future pandemics, even to the extent of overriding member-nation's own policies and decisions.

And "signing on" is automatic. Every leader and gov't of every member of the UN will automatically agree to allow the WHO to take over completely during whatever the WHO deems a pandemic unless they submit a formal letter of refusal by a certain date. And I think it's this month.

That's how I remember it, but I'm gonna look it up. It's a recent thing.
 
Murrmurr said:
Yep. Plus thousands that have been around for a few decades or more.
Click to expand...
It really sounds like a drug infested place to live.
AnnieA said:
I'm beginning to wonder if the handful of congress folks who instructed the DEA to cut opiates have their fingers in alternative pies...
Click to expand...
You think? There are MANY crooked, dishonest scumbags in positions of power and authority , making the rich richer and the poor, poorer and addicted.
 
Last edited:
I am being forcibly cut down from my beloved Xanax. Hasn't happened yet, but I was warned. The clinic I use has fired all their psychiatrists and replaced them with Nurse Practictioners to save money. I was informed by this new twerp they have been told by the state to cut these medications down. I am starting by slowly cutting myself down.

I may seek a psychiatrist for this drug in a few months and leave this f-ing clinic. Don't like young wise ass NPs, they piss me off. Have condescending attitudes. Having a telehealth meeting, the second one soon, with this newbie. I am considering telling her what I think of her.
 
VaughanJB said:
As for the DEA cutting opiods into the country - it's saying something when you can't get legitimately prescribed medication even if you have private coverage. Kind of punches a hole right through the entire concept of healthcare that relies on experts to help you out.
Click to expand...

There are a handful of politicians essentially practicing medicine without a license by instructing the DEA to limit the supply of legally prescribed medication.
 
Last edited:
Frank, I take Gaba for RLS and it works like a charm. 100mg. in the A.M. and 200mg. at bedtime. At first the doctor tried a higher dose, which puzzled me, as most begin with the lowest. Well, that made my head feel as though it would blow apart, and I discontinued it until I spoke with him. From that point on, I control all my own dosages for pain, RLS, and the like.

With my severe arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, I control my Vicodin intake. I keep it on the lowest dosage side, as it is sufficient with a couple of aspirin.

The DEA notified me over a year ago that I was within the correct dosages permitted legally. Well, thanks a lot. Who asked you? My doctor also received this. We are offended by such notifications. Who are these people to judge? Very annoying to say the least.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top