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Article about new state restrictions on pain meds

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Article about new state restrictions on pain meds Empty Article about new state restrictions on pain meds

Post  Mule Kick Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:32 pm

Here is a link to an article about states tightening access to pain meds for chronic sufferers:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/17/prl21017.htm
Mule Kick
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Post  sailingmuffin Mon Oct 31, 2011 3:46 pm

Hi All,

Mule Kick, thanks for posting this article.

It is actually kind of frightening to me. Personally, I think that treatment for any disease should be between the doctor and patient-and that the government should not dictate treatment. I understand that prescription drug abuse is a problem, but I do not believe that such strict restrictions on doctors or chronic pain patients will solve the problem. Those who abuse medication will still find ways to abuse medication.

I agree that there extra training on pain management would be useful, especially if you a pain specialist. Most practicing physicians have to do a certain number of CME credits every year. I beliieve it is something like 100 CME hours every year anyway. Most of these credits are iin thier field anyway. (I am the child of two physicians and at least half our family vacations were at medical conferences- usually at radiology conferences. The pediatric conferences were never held at interesting locations.) I also think that some GPs, Neurologists, and others who deal with patients in chronic pain should take a few credits in pain management- so that medication is correctly prescribed and used for patients who need it.

Unfortunately, I am afraid that all these regulations will lead to more problems. Doctors should not have to worry about being prosecuted or fined, or in danger of losing thier license every time they write a prescription for pain medication when it is warranted. Patients in pain are going to suffer more amd needlessly with chronic pain.

I can only say that it takes a few bad apples to spoil the barrel.

Pain free days,
sailingm
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Post  Mule Kick Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:18 pm

In posting that article, I just wanted to give everybody a heads-up as to what the govt. is planning. I do not agree with the restrictions on pain relief, either.

Here is a link to the page where I got the link to the article in my first post. See the comment by the doctor that found the article.
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Post  tortoisegirl Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:18 pm

I live in WA and its completely ridiculous here. Doctors have dose ceilings on pain meds, and don't take into account tolerance. 100mg of something for an opiate tolerant patient like me could do way less than 10mg for someone else. Why should I get cut off at a certain dose? There is a shortage of pain docs to begin with, and most here are needle jockey types, only prescribe low dose pain meds, only see back pain patients, etc. The last pain doc I consulted with wanted to drop my dose, not increase it, yet he had no other ideas I haven't tried. I have another consult tomorrow and have little hope. I have asked all my doctors for recommendations and they know of no good pain docs in the area, so I am taking shots in the dark at those who at least have one positive review online (most either have none, or more negative then positive). I definitely think opiates are a last resort, but for those who need them, they should be available. When dosed correctly, they turn my quality of life around. I have no problem jumping through reasonable hoops like the pain contract, drug test, etc. Here's a WA article that is quite informative:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016035307_pain28m.html

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Post  Mule Kick Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:31 pm

Here is another frightening article on the same topic: http://news.yahoo.com/deaths-painkiller-overdose-triple-decade-160401910.html affraid

I wonder what they think people that can not get pain relief any other way are supposed to do?

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Post  Migrainegirl Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:09 pm

SM you are exactly right about the unintended consequences. Unfortunately all legislators hear about is the abusers. They don't understand the real overwhelming pain so many people live with and the unintended consequences of laws like this on those people.

I don't know whether to be angrier at the drug abusers who cause this problem, or legislatures who who only see half the problem. I'm sure they think this is a reasonable solution. But the indirect effect is doctors who don't take the training and will not prescribe at all, and the few doctors who do prescribe cutting back due to fear of prosecution.

We need the National Migraine Association and any Chronic Pain societies to start pushing back on our behalf. I'm concerned about all the people with very real problems getting the shaft and seeing their lives become intolerable.
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Post  Cindy*W Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:13 am

Thanks for posting this article. I had heard that this was coming.

While I think it is important to shut down the "pill mills" that are operating in many states. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to identify one of these types of clinics.

And I totally agree with the above poster that doesn't think the government should be in our personal healthcare business. Only our physician that treats us on a regular basis can really make the best decision regarding what we need.

And I agree that anyone that really wants to abuse meds will find a way to continue to do so.

Can someone come up with a list of organizations we can all contact and at least see if they are planning any actions regarding this matter?

I kind of hate to wait until it does start affecting some of us.

I must tell you that I haven't been here in a looong time and I feel kind of guilty about that.

Been helping my husband as much as possible with an additional business to the one he already has and it pretty much takes all the good days I have during the month.

I'm going to do my best to get here at least once a week though. This place and the people here have been a real lifesaver me many times over the years.

Again, thanks for the article.

Cindy
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