The "Opiod Police" got to me.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I'm 71. I have, at least ,a 25 year history of severe back pain. This isn't something I dreamed up to get opioid meds. I have dozens, and dozens,, and dozens of scans, MRIs, and all kinds of tests; which prove I have a significant neurological diagnosis. I have had surgery to correct it. My Doc said it was a 50/50 outcome. Unfortunately, I came out on the wrong side. I have what is called a '"failed back syndrome." I can't urinate on my own, nor can I have a bowel movement on my own. I have to catheterize myself, and use lots of laxatives. And yes, I use opiods to dull the pain. I'm not on massive amounts of opioids.

I'm a retired RN, and I've seen the results of opioid addiction. Just because you are on opiods, does NOT mean you are addicted to them. Opiods are for PAIN CONTROL. DUH!!! That's what opioids are used for. I had to go into the hospital. Without my permission, my pain meds were cut in half. I laid in agony for hour after hour. Then, again, my medication was cut in half. I was not going to lay in agony. Suicide was becoming an option. So, I signed myself out, and returned home. In their zeal to eradicate "opioid addiction", there are some, who really need pain relief. If there is another drug, which releaves pain, I'd take it. But there ain't.
 

Sorry you had to go through all this. I was on opiods when I had my hip surgery 10 years ago, and again last year when I broke my shoulder last year. Luckily, I was able to go off them. I wish there were other ways to deal with chronic pain, as I think opioids that are genuinely needed may become harder to get. Luckily for me, I was able to do without over time. I know some cannot.
 
Oh Fuzzy I feel so bad for you. This is a real problem. Maybe you could try another drug that is loosely called an "opioid" but it's not an opiate, it just works on the brain the same way. It's called Tramadol. Good luck.
 

Examples like this OP are why I am all in favor of having legalized Marijuana...or at the very least Medical Marijuana. MJ certainly has shown itself to "numb" the pains a person might be feeling, and is probably no more addictive than the opiods....PLUS, it is dirt cheap compared to some of the prescription drugs. The Latter is probably the reason why there is so much resistance to making MJ readily available...if it were so, it would probably cost our Drug Companies billions of dollars a year in lost profits....and the drug companies are one of the largest contributors to political campaigns....could there be a relationship there.....?????
 
According to Emanuel Jenofontes, founder of Medicinas de la Madre Tierra (curanderas), pharmaceutical companies are just businesses, and it’s in their best interest to keep people sick. I read that today on Ozy and it's still rolling around in my head.
 
Smiling Jane said:
According to Emanuel Jenofontes, founder of Medicinas de la Madre Tierra (curanderas), pharmaceutical companies are just businesses, and it’s in their best interest to keep people sick. I read that today on Ozy and it's still rolling around in my head.
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Certainly. Very few of these overpriced drugs actually Cure anything....they just Mask the symptoms. Plus, when a person starts taking one, the side effects almost always create the need for another drug...and another and another.
 
I'm sorry this is happening to you Fuzzybuddy, they should have known by your condition and pain situation that the doses you were taking were needed. I agree with Don, the first thing I thought of was medical marijuana or CBD oil, which is not supposed to have the 'high' of cannabis. It's legal where I live but I don't think it is yet in Pennsylvania. From what I understand, it's much less addictive and much safer than opiods. Can you still get the dose you need from your physician? I hope so....hugs.
 
Sorry that you are caught up in this battle over pain medications.

Is it possible to dispute the change in your medication with Medicare or Medicaid, get a second opinion from another doctor, etc...
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I'm 71. I have, at least ,a 25 year history of severe back pain. This isn't something I dreamed up to get opioid meds. I have dozens, and dozens,, and dozens of scans, MRIs, and all kinds of tests; which prove I have a significant neurological diagnosis. I have had surgery to correct it. My Doc said it was a 50/50 outcome. Unfortunately, I came out on the wrong side. I have what is called a '"failed back syndrome." I can't urinate on my own, nor can I have a bowel movement on my own. I have to catheterize myself, and use lots of laxatives. And yes, I use opiods to dull the pain. I'm not on massive amounts of opioids. I'm a retired RN, and I've seen the results of opioid addiction. Just because you are on opiods, does NOT mean you are addicted to them. Opiods are for PAIN CONTROL. DUH!!! That's what opioids are used for. I had to go into the hospital. Without my permission, my pain meds were cut in half. I laid in agony for hour after hour. Then, again, my medication was cut in half. I was not going to lay in agony. Suicide was becoming an option. So, I signed myself out, and returned home. In their zeal to eradicate "opioid addiction", there are some, who really need pain relief. If there is another drug, which releaves pain, I'd take it. But there ain't.
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Have you tried (if legal) CBD oil? It’s really sad that a few bad guys and corporate mucky mocks decide what’s best for the rest of us and/or ruin it.
 
Wait a minute here, who decided to cut your meds in the hospital? Certainly wasn’t the nursing staff. I also think that this should of been discussed with you prior.
 
Hopefully the pendulum won't swing too far the other way to make up for Dr's over prescribing opioids.
Sorry fuzzybuddy. Hope you get relief.
 
Aunt Bea said:
....Is it possible to .... get a second opinion from another doctor, etc...
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This is what I'd try to do. If I couldn't get referred to another doctor for a second opinion, I'd try one of those walk in clinics, or a smaller rural doctor's office and tell them your story. Or try the emergency room. Different doctors work there.

We finally got my father diagnosed once, by going to a small town doctor's walk in practice on a related matter. His regular big shot doctor told him he was just getting old. The rural doctor referred him to a specialist, and they found out what was wrong. In other words, another doctor may adjust your medication back to what it was.

Good luck. I feel for you fuzzy.
 
Sorry to hear fuzzybuddy...watching the news at night, that is exactly what I think when I hear them say....[we need to stop the opiod epidemic yada,yada] What about the ones suffering from the pain ? Answer.........nobody cares.

I tried the CBD oil, and I do think I gave it a good try. 3 bottles/3 months, all three strength's [and costs]. No help.

Sincere best wishes...and hope for relief for you.
 
Don M. said:
Certainly. Very few of these overpriced drugs actually Cure anything....they just Mask the symptoms. Plus, when a person starts taking one, the side effects almost always create the need for another drug...and another and another.
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When ya think about it , doctors don't 'cure' anything either..As you indicate, they just use the drugs to 'control' what they can. In most cases if they can provide some relief/some quality of life, most patients will be happy with that. Because it is so much better than before. By doing this they [doctors] insure the industry that feeds them & big-pharma continues to thrive.

I believe there ARE cures for many conditions/diseases out there. But just think about all the folks that would be put out of work....if they cured just one....pick one, it doesn't matter which one. Think of all the people employed by cancer, diabetes , arthritis , alzheimer's. ....Cure those ? I mean actual cure, as in take this med & the disease is gone....and the next big issue is unemployment numbers on the rise.

But control them, and provide a decent quality of life when possible...and , the doc's & big-pharma are happy & the patients will keep coming back.
 
Fuzzybuddy, where does your primary care physician stand in all of this? He/She is the one that will have final say in what drugs you are prescribed.
 
Within the past couple of days, there have been reports about a Japanese drug company developing a pill that can reverse the effects of these annual Flu Pandemics we seem to be experiencing every Winter. If will be interesting to see if this is indeed true, and if so, how long it will take our FDA to drag its feet before approving such a drug. After all...despite hundreds or thousands of deaths every year, due to the flu, our Health Care Industry probably rakes in several billion dollars in drugs, doctor and hospital care, etc.
 
Don M. said:
Within the past couple of days, there have been reports about a Japanese drug company developing a pill that can reverse the effects of these annual Flu Pandemics we seem to be experiencing every Winter. If will be interesting to see if this is indeed true, and if so, how long it will take our FDA to drag its feet before approving such a drug. After all...despite hundreds or thousands of deaths every year, due to the flu, our Health Care Industry probably rakes in several billion dollars in drugs, doctor and hospital care, etc.
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Exactly !...the flu is a cash-cow for the health-care industry.....they IMO....LUV it !
 
My guess if your hospital is part of larger medical group so the reduction could be that company's policy-few to zero opioids which nothing more than virtue signaling in many cases. It is a nice goal but not necessarily a practicality for many. I used several rounds of opioids over the decades for anything from dental work to surgeries without incident. I understood the possible side effects so I always took as few as possible or avoided refills. But for people with chronic conditions if they are going to cut or reduce they should be offering multiple alternatives on the spot, not just lets see how the patient reacts. I know people with fused disks, crushed nerves, debris in their spine and they're hospital of choice for decades now has a sign in the ER saying they don't prescribe opioids. No doctors in their group are supposed to prescribe opioids. One doctor recommended surgery to correct their problems and need for opioids but at their age in their condition they would be an inpatient in a hospital and rehab facility for a year, really?

Right now opioid is a scarlet letter for the patient and doctor.
 
I could not agree with you more...I to live on opiods.....after 4 surgeries, an 2 bouts with cancer I'am in constant pain.....chemo hurts..ALL THE TIME ...even after the cancer is gone....I feel that same ///Drs judge you ,nurses judge you an pain clinics judge you.....if they would not judge you ,but look at what you have been thru maybe they would not be so dam basis ....we are NOT ALL DRUGGIES, WE ARE PEOPLE IN PAIN.....I recently left the pain clinic I was going to ....I had tested positive for pot....if I smoke it also helps with the pain an I don't take as many pain pills...when I told this to the Dr his reply was "So you know how many people tell me that"....I said no but if they are meaybe you should listen to us....we aren't all wrong
 
happytime said:
I could not agree with you more...I to live on opiods.....after 4 surgeries, an 2 bouts with cancer I'am in constant pain.....chemo hurts..ALL THE TIME ...even after the cancer is gone....I feel that same ///Drs judge you ,nurses judge you an pain clinics judge you.....if they would not judge you ,but look at what you have been thru maybe they would not be so dam basis ....we are NOT ALL DRUGGIES, WE ARE PEOPLE IN PAIN.....I recently left the pain clinic I was going to ....I had tested positive for pot....if I smoke it also helps with the pain an I don't take as many pain pills...when I told this to the Dr his reply was "So you know how many people tell me that"....I said no but if they are meaybe you should listen to us....we aren't all wrong
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IMO some of the problem is the fact that no one can see pain...There is no gauge to test it & no test to gauge it. They cannot imagine themselves living with the pain you describe...therefore they doubt you. They don't even realize you have no choice.
 

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