Thursday, March 1, 2012

Can I Please Get Some Drugs

I am so overwhelmingly sick and tired of the bad people or things in life taking much higher precedent than the good. Medicinal marijuana, for example. It would seem focusing on providing a medication to help relieve symptoms in ill patients would be the objective. But it is not. Instead mounds of efforts are spent on preventing those without a prescription or valid medical need from obtaining it. Much more effort than is spent facilitating the patient's legal right to access the medication, which was the intention of the law in the first place. Now it is indeed important to regulate this system, but by no way the reason which caused the voters in sixteen states, plus D.C., to pass this controversial law. The voters passed it because enough of them believed in a patient's right to access medication which could help them tremendously. Not to broaden the government's efforts, or give them a new angle to crack down on the war on drugs. Rationally the patient's needs come first, the crack down on illegal activity second. But that is not the way it is.

Another trend near and dear to my reality is the preposterous treatment of patients on narcotic pain medications. Now they are no joke, addictive and hard on the body. There is a well documented prescription medication addiction in the USA. People young and old, from all socioeconomic levels and every race, religion and creed. Nobody is immune from addiction. But not every person who takes them is an addict. Because they have a valid medical need. Millions of patients take the medication to relieve pain so they can recover from surgery or injury. And as soon as they no longer need it, they stop. There are also chronic pain patients who need these types of medications to manage pain so they can live life. Work to support their family, raise their children, take care of their parents. I was one of them at one time and simply would not have survived without them. But once I got to the point I could, I stopped. Gladly.

But what I see now is blatant bullying. Pain clinics are known to rip new patients off narcotics cold turkey. Folks are required to sign a consent form stating they agree to a drug test at every appointment. Or if prescribed are required to drug test to evaluate the amount in the system, searching for abuse or potential sale of the medications if the drug test comes back clean. It's like a police state out there! Doctors are under heavy scrutiny from the government and reluctant to prescribe them in the first place, leaving a person who can barely function in excruciating agony. Patients are admitted into the hospital and prescribed inadequate amounts of pain medication because the prejudice regarding their daily use causes the prescribing doctor to withhold therapeutic doses. I was one of those too. So once again the needs of the patient come in far second to the need to regulate addiction. How on earth does any of this make sense? When did we allow our needs to become so low on the totem pole? Oh, I forgot, we are sick and in pain and lacking the resources to stand up and fight. I don't have an answer or pretty little bow to tie up this blog. I am pissed fighting criminals is SO much more important than the needs of patients. It is not fair, does not make any sense and quite frankly, is the biggest crime being committed in this ugly little triangle between the government, prescribers and patients. 

Thanks for joining,
Leah

14 comments:

  1. I agree... part of me feels that if the addicts are going to find their fix somehow, somewhere, it's almost a moot point to try to stop them. I think my experiences as a patient are partly behind this.. it only takes a few docs who look at you with THAT look and make a quick note in your record before explaining away their rationale for withholding medication. I think that many of the docs/RN's in our health care system have been brainwashed to withhold drugs from those who specifically ask for them, regardless of the reason. Most people go to a doctor when they feel there is something wrong with their body, not for attention-seeking (etc) means. I think many of our health care practitioners in the US (and probably elsewhere as well) have become jaded by the people abusing the system for a quick fix, and we are the ones who suffer. The biggest difference, as you've said, is that the people who have a medical need for medication typically do not want the need for that drug- it's a matter of weighing advantages and disadvantages, not "I need, I need!"

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  2. The war on drugs doesn't work....how about the war on pain, war on poverty, war on disease, war on hunger, war on peace war on almost anything but this!! We aren't strong enough to fight alone because we're sick and every day is a battle just to get through never mind fight bigotry and bias! No tidy bow here either! I dream of the day that I can do what most people take for granted....get through each day without pain!! If people think they can go to the Doctor and get any type of relief.....well hurt yourself and then we'll talk!!

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  3. The truth is, is that narcotics are addicting and no one is immune. If you are on them long enough, you will become dependent and chances are you NEED THEM BECAUSE YOUR ADDICTED, THAT IS THE TRUTH. Narcotic pain medicine is not to be used for long term chronic pain sufferers. They eventually work against your pain making it worse. If you can live without them and learn to deal with your pain naturally is best for the long run. I am not talking about procedures like surgery, infections, etc that would require a person to take them for a couple weeks and then get off of them. I am talking about chronic pain like "Fibromyalgia" that should not be treated with them due to the fact that you will become dependant or "Addicted" if taken for a long period of time. I don't blame the medical for being careful as there are too many people dieing everyday because of it, plus they see you jonesing for it every time you call. I understand also there would be a need for long term use of them if a person has like cancer or something like that. But not Fibromyalgia. We don't need to be on them 24/7. I know, because I have it and I treat mine with no medication. It is possible, and trust me, you are better off without it no matter how much the doctor is a jerk. That is my opinion on the subject as I hear just waaaaay to much whining. The thing about chronic pain is that it eventually turns peoples attitudes bad. I'm sorry Leah, but your gripping and ranting is just miserable and I don't find this anger you have to be encouraging what so ever! I refuse to live that way.........

    March 1, 2012 3:53 PM

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  4. Don't kid yourselves, people. In my experience, the "system" doesn't give a rodent's rear end about helping ANYONE.

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  5. Well,well,well. You must have a very mild case of fybromyalgia . Tomsay that Leah is whining is the stupidest sentence I have ever read. I have fibromyalgia and a list of nine other autoimmune symptoms. I have an incredible pain management Doctor. He says it is people like you that make people who are in SEVERE
    Pain feel like an addict because you take pain medicine to survive. Yes,to be able to work and walk and be a mother and a wife. Yes my body is dependent on the chemicals that are in the pain meds. But I do not got to my Doctor jonesing for some meds. He talks to be about vitamins and supplements that I am currently on because of him. He talks about the importance of exercise and meditation. My rhumetologist sent me to the PAIN management Dr. MY endocrinologist and family practioner all know whAt I take for Pain. I am so happy that you can manage your pain with other methods. If I could I would. I have had Fibro for nineteen years. I am a special education teacher and I got my Masters degree while I was on pain meds. It would have been impossible to study if I was all doped up. I even have taught on the University Level. My pain meds go to the pain in my body and I do not act drunk or forgetful or whiney. I simply am working my hardest to live with these syndromes. But when I read something like you just wrote AND you have Fibro. We still have a long way to go to change peoples perceptions of us whiney drug addicts with Fibro.

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    1. Thank you!! This is exactly what I have been trying to tell people. I take my meds because I could not function without them due to severe pain. For years I tried so many different products. Iodine, etc, and nothing worked! My specialist finally gave me a narcotic that does work. I have my liver tested every year because of the meds I take - and I do not drink alcohol, go in for random drug tests, and have never had a problem. Now, after almost 7 years on the same meds, my doctor tells me he is now uncomfortable prescribing them to me and wants to wean me off!! What the heck?? I NEED them so I can actually get out of bed a be somewhat productive. Does he or anyone really believe that I would choose to have Fibro and take meds over being healthy and able to do things most people take for granted? Not being able to work, go out socially anytime, bowl, ski, and so on. So now it will be going back to the Pain Management Center where the people actually believe you and understand the pain we go through every day, finding a Fibro and Arthritis Specialist as well as getting a new family doctor (after 20 years). My Health Nurse has suggested reporting him since he has called me a drug addict twice now. Very unprofessional to say the least!! Well, I better go have a nap now, lol. I've been up most of the night (except for about 1 hour of sleep) due to lovely Fibro insomnia. Glad I could vent a little as well as read what other are going through. This is a great Blog and I will be back often.

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  6. I agree with many of the above statements, and anonymous #4 is right - fibromyalgia differs in severity among patients, and it is absurd to undermine those whose condition is more severe.

    I have many reservations about most prescription drugs, especially those prescribed for fibro, but I think it comes down to weighing out the benefits of taking them or not, and that is something that should be left up to the individual and does not warrant unsolicited advice or judgment.

    Speaking of being left up to the individual, the debate over medicinal marijuana is simply infuriating. In my opinion, cannabis is more effective than any other treatment I've tried (both holistic and script), and definitely produces minimal side effects in comparison to the narcotics often prescribed.

    I'm actually currently working on finding a doctor willing to prescribe me Marinol, as I've heard others with fibro raving about how effective it's been for them. Here's to hoping.

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  7. Dear Anonymous -

    You need to check yourself. The only thing I'm going to agree with you on is that addiction has no prejudice, it can get anyone. However, who are you to say that someone else's pain (that has Fibro) is not more severe than yours? Just because you have been effected in some why by the horrible disease of addiction does not say that other people cannot take narcotic pain killers to manage their symptoms (as needed) when they are at their worst. There are measures to take if one is concerned about pain killers turning into an addiction. And the 1st one I'll suggest...learn how to be a happy person. Work through your bitterness, this is not the forum for that.
    Finally your comment to Leah..."Leah, but your gripping and ranting is just miserable"...really?? You should be so selfless to give of yourself daily! ~Anonymous 2

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  8. blow it out your ass, Anonymous with not much pain. Good blog post, thank you.

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    1. You go Rob Mar1 2012 06:03 PM

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  9. I am so tired of these so called people who sat that they have fibro who do not have pain and who just deal with it. If you do not have pain and are able to get out of the bed. God Bles You. But I find it hard to believe that people who do not have pain and are able to work and function have Fibromyalgia and you do not have some type of medication. I have read numerous books and heard many doctors opinions. But until you have suffered for over 15 years with fibro and been in so much pain that you prayed to die you do not know what pain is. I am tried of people calling me an addict because I take pain meds. I see my doctors regularly and abide by my doctors orders. I do not drink. I take my meds only when I need them and only as ordered. I drove 3 hours to a doctor for over 5 years because doctors in my area would not treat fibromyalgia, now those same doctors not only treat it, they are taking special training to learn all they can about it. I feel for those who can not afford or not get treatment for their condition. I am tired of being called an addict and I am not a addict and I will not be degraded by someone who does not know what it is like to live in pain everyday of their life. And I will not be called WHINNY. Evertime I hear about some star like Micheal Jackson, Lindsey L, Whitney H, or some actor or actress that has abused presciption drugs I realize that it only makes it harder for people like Leah and myself to get pain medications that we need. It amazes me that all the so called super stars lead such terrible lives. Snorting coke, smoking pot, doctor shopping and mixing all that with alcohol and when they suddenly die the world wants to lower the flag. They have homes all over the world and vacation year round anywhere they want too and they are miserable and have to party and get high to feel alive maybe if they lived on $922.00 a month of a while they might appreciate things a little more. Just because they abuse does not mean that sick people do. I know that there are people out there that do but it is not right when someone sick can not get meds because of people who will beg, borrow or steal for a fix. It only makes it harder for people in pain. I live in pain every day all day, do you know what that does to you mentally and emotionally? I thank God for my doctor and medications everyday and I pray for those who are not able to get what they need. I HAVE FIBROMALGIA AND I SUFFERED AND I WILL NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO DEGRADE ME OR CALL ME AN ADDICT BECAUSE I SEEK TREATMENT. It is time people quit letting people degrade and bully them because we are sick.......... GET A LIFE, IF YOU FEEL THAT GOOD YOU DON'T NEED TO BE ON HERE.

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    1. As usual very good points and great insight. Thanks Leah!

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  10. Wow! I have never heard of such an unempathetic Fibro sufferer in my life!! It is hard as hell for us to find docs, to find treatments, and yes, to find meds. Wonder why?? I used to think that it was only the addicts & junkies that the medical community was hearing about or from (when their patient CHOSE to abuse their pain meds but turned around and sued their doc for prescribing it) But now to read that someone who actually CLAIMS to have Fibro is all rolled up in a nice little pain free bow, telling her/his doc that Fibro isn't so bad as long as you hatefully judge others!! What a joke! I was DX 20+ years ago and although I was able to work for several of those years & raise a family, etc. I could never have done it without my awesome doctor that first, believed in Fibro and second, knew that my quality of life would be greatly diminished if pain meds weren't available to me. I did eventually have to retire on disability as the flares seemed to be present more than they were not. Now I have to deal with a Pain Clinic that yes, on your very 1st appt. reduce whatever meds you were on by over 1/2 in my case, tell me that I am an addict & to just face it. I was so upset I couldn't believe it!! I admit I am dependent on narcotics for pain relief but I am NOT addicted and would never steal from family, friends, strangers, to get it. I get it legally...for now anyway....but the way some people act like they are above God himself because they don't need it for their pain (or lack of) Ridiculous!! Also, living in the great State of Utah we will NEVER see marijuana legalized! Not ever! If they would have egalized it by now 5 cops wouldn't have just got shot, 1 fatally over a stupid marijuana search warrant being served and going deadly wrong. Wake up people....we are the victims. We, the sick, who have no rights other than to pee in a cup every month, have your integrity ripped away from you, say 'yes doc' or 'no doc', all while hoping and praying for a cure! Til then we get to deal with self-righteous jerks like the one who likes to bash Leah!
    Oh I'm sorry!! Was I WHINNING?? Screw you!

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    1. Amen!!!you tell that moron!!!!!!!

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