Epidemic
The undertreatment of legitimate pain in the United States is becoming an epidemic. The DEA has overstepped its bounds and have begun to clip the wings of Dr.'s. Some Dr.'s are terrified to prescribe opiate analgesics because the DEA is more worried about a hand-ful of 'drug-seekers' than those in legitimate chronic pain. The DEA bullies Dr.'s, think they 'know' what's best, ignore up to date, factual, and CLEAR studies and evidence for the overall safety and effectiveness of opiate analgesics. The DEA continues to suspend Dr.'s licenses, charge and try them in criminal cases. And it's all about poiliitcs. The wisest and best Dr.'s in the field all agree that opiate analgesics are not a medical problem but an ethical one. But every politician needs an easy enemy and target. Drugs have always been on the A-list for politicians and the media. You have all this artificial negative press about prescription painkillers, especially OxyContin. But you know what? It's all lies, and has been proven so in a court of law. There has only been ONE DEATH related to the misuse of OnyxContin. NOT over 300 as the press would have you believe. All those other deaths have been proven that other drugs were the main culprit. And the one elderly lady who DID die from OxyContin, did so because she chewed the pill (It's time-release). Yet, UNBELIEVABLY, they keep on with their lies and so-called 'drug-war'. All it hurts are the one's in legitmate pain. You will NEVER be able to stop those few who seek drugs. And most every sane and rational person agrees that it's insane to let < 5% of drug-abusers to ruin it for those with legitimate needs. Unfortunately, the DEA WILL CALL IT THE DR.'s FAULT, take away his license, and charge him with criminal acts, if he prescribes opiate anagesics to someone who ends up selling them on the street. There may be a VERY VERY few Dr.'s who would knowingly do this, but the DEA seems to think all Dr.'s who are licensed to prescribe narcotics are in their own words "no better than drug trafficers".
As someone who lives with chronic pain, it's been frustrating and demonising to me and my fellow sufferers to watch this before our very eyes. Sometimes it is so difficult to get our medications, it's downright criminal. Yes, there is a Pain Sufferers Bill of Rights, and it IS A CRIMINAL ACT to underprescribe or not effectively treat legitimate pain. This makes the Dr.'s position even more stressful. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. So a lot of Dr.'s have STOPPED prescribing opiate analgesics altogether. And the problem, again, is not the medication. It HAS BEEN PROVEN that long-term use of opiate analgesics are medically safe, and a very low percentage of people are actually at risk of abusing the drug. Yes, you can become dependent on opiates, but dependency is NOT the same as abuse. And, contrary to this huge widespread misconception about opiates, largely due to 'that german invention' heroine, rampant racism and xenophobia, opiates ARE NOT that dangerous, addictive, or dirty as many would have you believe. In the medical profession, Morphine, Oxymorphone, and Oxycodone and a few others are the strongest opiate narcotics prescribed for pain. But you know what? Due to the fact that heroine is boiled with acetic acid, it passes the blood brain barrier far more effectively than any other narcotic. As a result, it is THREE TIMES more potent than morphine!!! Yet heroine is not prescribed by Dr.'s. (at least anymore). The main point is that medical opiate narcotic analgesics are medically SAFE, in fact far safer than even alcohol, and MUCH MUCH safer than benzodiazepines which for SOME REASON don't get the same press. And I think that illustrates a good point, most of this crap is all based on perception and existing DOGMA. The benzodiazepines (Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, etc...) are VERY dangerous, and their withdrawall symptoms are far worse than narcotics, with a MUCH MUCH higher fatality rate. Think Grand Mal Seizures... BUT they don't carry the dogma or the 'dirty' xenophobic, and misplaced ethical position that narcotics have on the collective consciousness. In fact, it almost seems a nice little fad. Stressed out? Life got you on the down? Here take a xanax! It's all good!
Holy geez, I guess this is a long rant. Maybe if I wasn't in such PAIN right now because I am out of my meds, I'd be calmer. But, as it is this nifty piece of new legislation has gone into effect which has put my pharmacy into a position of not being able to give me my refill for 90 days. Yes, you read that correct. EVEN THOUGH THIS CONTRADICTS MY DR.'S PRESCRIBING INDICATIONS (I get 60 a month --1 twice daily). Now at the end of my month I am told I have to wait another 60 days??? And that my current prescription should LAST ME TILL THEN???? How messed up is that! But it gets better... I am in limbo right now. I call my Dr. and he is willing to write me a new script, but APPARENTLY, he has had the DEA breathing down his neck because this can/may be considered DOUBLE-DIPPING because my other script is still valid. Basically, you can't have two different triplicate scripts out at the same time for a schedule II or III substance. Sometimes I just wish that those a-holes could walk in my shoes for a minute to see what it feels like. They just don't understand. And no one DOES understand what it's like to be in debilitating chronic pain until they are. Apparently, the lack of basic human compassion seems to be a requirement for being one of these politicians or DEA Agents. But then I wouldn't wish this kind of pain on anybody. It's just too bad that you have hypocritical wankers out there who put their own self-interests before those with legitimate needs.