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July 2nd, 2013
03:55 PM ET
Women's prescription overdose deaths skyrocketEvery day, 42 women die from a drug overdose - and nearly half of those overdoses are from prescription painkillers. In fact, according to newly released figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of women dying from prescription drug overdoses has increased by more than 400% since 1999 - nearly double the 265% increase of deaths in men. "In 2010, more than 6,600 women died from prescription painkillers, four times as many died from cocaine and heroin combined," says CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. These numbers are proportional to the increasingly high use of prescription painkillers in the last decade, Frieden says, but "the overwhelming number of these deaths ... more than 70% were unintentional." In fact, a woman was admitted to the emergency room for prescription drug overdose or misuse every three minutes, the CDC found. While women between the ages of 25-54 were the ones most likely to go to the ER, it was women between the ages of 45 and 54 who had the highest risk of dying from a prescription painkiller overdose. So why is the epidemic hitting women so hard? Women are more likely to have chronic pain, like fibromyalgia, and thus be prescribed pain killers, Frieden says. Women may also be given higher doses and use them for longer periods of time. Also given that women tend to be smaller than men, the relative dosage may have a larger impact on a woman than a man. None of this surprises Dr. Andrew Kolodny, president of Physicians for Responsible Opiod Prescribing. "You see many women with chronic non-cancer pain, and opiods are being overprescribed," he says. "When you overprescribe to people who shouldn't be using these drugs, it's dangerous. Even in patients that don't get addicted, they are dangerous." Frieden points to increased education for physicians and for patients, as well as more tracking and monitoring programs. After all, he says, "Stopping this epidemic in women and men is everybody’s business. Doctors need to be cautious about prescribing and patients about using these drugs. Together we can turn this epidemic around. "
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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Sorry doctor, last time I checked we were supposed to stay out of womens healthcare. But we do have to pay for it.
Yep – and Viagra.
La la land, society is supposed to stay out of *everyone's* healthcare. Does anyone else chime in on your prescription medication use or do you get what you are prescribed? Just think, if women can't get their hormonal contraceptives, all you men will have to wear...uh...yep, condoms *every* time. That's right. Shut up and stay out of everyone's healthcare access and decisions.
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So how many men die per day, that stat was left out. I guess it's all about the womyn.
It was about the INCREASE in women's overdose. If there was a statistically significant increase in men overdosing on prescription pills as well, the article would have been about both. But, you can continue to be obtuse. That's ok.
"If there was a statistically significant increase in men overdosing on prescription pills as well, the article would have been about both."
There was more than just a statistically significant increase in men overdosing, it went up 265% according to the article. But why pay attention to facts when you're busy insulting people?
I agree this is a big problem. I lost my wife of 13 years due to heavy prescribed medication just 3 weeks ago. This has been a big issue all over the world and should be addressed. I wish doctors could slow the process down to really determine the needs of the patient instead of heavy dosage that eventually transforms the person to be an addict. People in this area are getting hooked on prescrption drugs. Its so sad to see this take over such good people. At times I think the doctors would just right out a prescription and completely forget what the intention was all about.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I do understand why there is a concern, but have you ever been with someone who cries every day and night in agony? Someone who can't be the mother they want to be because of chronic pain? Medicine has been a life saver for my wife. We have tried every alternative therapy and nothing else works!! So what exactly to women with legitimate pain do?
Maybe try working with an actual pain specialist?
How about trying natural remedies.. drug companies just want your money.. they make some people better but make more people worse..
You are exactly right Ty. My mother is a prime example. She is now 63. She has had degenerative disk disease since her early 20's and also suffers from post-polio syndrome. Over the course of the past 30 years or more, I have watched her go to every type of doctor imaginable – specialists, chiropractors, to pain clinics, pain doctors, etc. There basically is NOTHING they can do for her except continue to prescribe medications to try and alleviate some of her pain. She is now so hunched over from her disks being essentially gone, that she has lost over 6 inches of her height (she was 5'9"). She can only walk with a walker. She has tried patches, to pain pills of every kind, to now having a pain pump. She is allergic to many drugs - including morphine. Her pain pump is filled with an opium based drug now. This past year, she took a bad fall because of her terrible balance and the high dose of medications she is on. It nearly killed her. She ended up losing her spleen. Her potassium levels were so low she nearly died from that alone. She had to have blood transfusions twice. She spent over three months in and out of the hospital and a convalescent type home before she could return home. She is doing better but the restless leg syndrome - the diabetes she has developed thanks to the medications - etc are really taking their toll on her. People who don't have a clue constantly tell all of us –including her - why don't you take her some place else, etc., etc. Well, she has been to at least three different pain clinics and physicians. And none could do any more for her than what was already being done or had been done in the past. Yes, it would be great if they had the money to possibly travel some place and try some "trial" procedures or drugs but with their huge bills and substandard insurance (medicare and a very poor plan they pay for since my dad was forced into retirement from our local phone company when it was bought out) - they just simply can't afford it. I also don't honestly think she could travel any distance in the condition she is in anyway. It's heartbreaking to see her like this. It kills me and it's really taken it's toll on not just her, my step-dad, myself - but also my two children - as they are their only grandparents. I can't tell you the last time my Mom has had a "good" day- – not even an outstanding day - but just a "good" day. Attending my son's high school graduation last month laid her up for three days after. We are all open for suggestions but no one has any. People are so quick to judge. Yes, it's terrible that so many people are dying from drug overdoses. Every day I wonder if today will be the day that they finally kill her too. But I see no choice. I often wonder if I should try to buy some marijuana (illegal in our state) just to see if that would ease some of her pain. - And if this isn't all bad enough, I have the disk disease and have so much pain in my right side and into my hip and knee that I can barely stand it myself most days (and I've also done PT, seen specialists, doctor's, etc.). So far I have refused anything more than prescription Ibuprofen (which is bad enough) and a very occasional Tylenol #5. I am striving to avoid the road my mom has been on. I want to be able to enjoy the rest of my life, hopefully with grandchildren, etc. and do things my mom could never do. But I won't sit here an lie and say I am not hurting because I am. I'm just hoping maybe I can deceive myself into a higher threshold for it. I would give anything to have my mom pain free and to have my "Mom" back. The drugs have also changed her personality substantially. The few days she was out of the meds in her pump (they had to replace the pump) - it was the first time in probably 10 years that my "real" mother shone through. Even the kids noticed. It was so nice. And then as quickly as she was my "real" Mom, it went away. - I'm sure all the people in pain would give anything for alternatives. Telling them they can't have meds and must suffer isn't the answer either. My mom's threatened suicide (and I know she's serious) when her pain meds have stopped working. So is it better for them to commit suicide??? These studies are so one-sided. They seriously need to look at all aspects of the problem.
Does this person who responded "E" really think these people haven't tried pain "specialists" ??? Most have. And the natural remedies only work for short periods of time usually and then go right to not working at all. Unless you've witnessed this, you just don't understand. I have seen my Mother's legs jerk and spasm. I have seen her scream and cry out in pain. And that is WITH the use of pain meds. You just don't understand. Some times there is just nothing left.
Bone, all opiates derive from morphine, which comes from the Poppy flower bulb. What you fail to understand is that "drugs" frequently come from nature. The difference between "drugs/pharmaceuticals" and "natural" remedies is pharmaceuticals are pure, certified, tested and regulated. Natural remedies purchased from vendors aren't regulated or tested. The material in the bottle may not even be what the label says it is. It may even contain things that are harmful.
Both "drugs" and "natural remedies" require money to purchase them. The charletans peddling unregulated natural products take your money just like pharmaceutical companies do. At least the drug companies funnel most of the money back into research for newer, better drugs. Where does the money going to your "natural remedy" vendor go? It ain't going into research.
It's a terrible predicament. Family members and friends are left helpless, while doctors continue to over-prescribe the very medications creating this crisis to their patients, who, in turn, become addicts. An elderly family member is currently being prescribed 27 different medications (narcotics, opioids, benzodiazepenes, etc.), and has been hospitalized several times for accidental drug overdose, most recently was put on life support, and nearly lost her life. There seems to be acute awareness of this epdidemic, and continued reporting about it, yet nothing done to address it. No one can do anything to intervene in the relationship between the doctor (a "legal" drug dealer) and patient (the addict).
Your exactly right Tao. I basically watched my wife go through mortal hell trying to beat this. We were even considering a rehab facility. This moves so fast on a person. After going through this I have a hard time even watching someone take headache medicine. We have 3 beautiful daughters that witnessed this day in and day out. We are so confused and will never be the same . I never thought this would be the outcome. Hopefully these legal drug dealers will realize how many families and friends suffer from this and consider the dosage. My wife had an addiction to opiods and benzos. You can clearly see the unfortunate outcome. Wake up America and lets get this under control. Hopefully it will change in the future.
Why aren't naloxone [brand name Narcan] prescriptions being written with the opioid prescriptions? Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, it is easy to use, safe, and effective. Everyone using opioids should have access to naloxone and those who are close to an opioid user should be trained on how to recognize an overdose and how to respond to it. Please call 911! Please support 911 Good Samaritan Laws and increase naloxone access.
They over prescribe so you can get addicted fast then they got you coming back for refills and also people just hate their lives that's one of the reasons they get addicted in the first place..You can buy all these drugs on the streets as well..Some People really are in pain or whatever else it may be and so it's ok to take it if it is really helping but never forget to check for herbal remedies.. They all work! Everything is curable even cancer without having to go through Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy.. .. The pharmaceutical companies just want to get richer and the people get just get sicker. these are the side effects ..
Chemotherapy
Cataracts
Early menopause
Heart problems
Infertility
Liver problems
Lung disease
Osteoporosis
Reduced lung capacity
Increased risk of other cancers
Radiation therapy
Cataracts
Cavities and tooth decay
Heart problems
Hypothyroidism
Infertility
Lung disease
Intestinal problems
Memory problems
Osteoporosis
Increased risk of other cancers SAY NO TO DRUGS
"They all work" do they? Perhaps you can tell that to my mother, or Steve Jobs...........oh ya, no you can't, because they are both dead!..........after wasting their precious time on herbal remedies when they should have seen a real doctor and been prescribed real medication.
your an idiot hippy that needs to STFU before your stupid advice hurts someone!
Now, now, DT, don't go beating on the hippies. I'm as close to one as you can get and even I know that "natural remedies" are so much hooey. Seeing a doctor and getting real prescription medication and/or surgery or other treatments is your best bet.
bone, you are incorrect. No herbal remedy has worked to alleviate my pain; repeat NO herbal remedy. I don't want to be on pain medication. It makes me tired & upsets my stomach. BUT, I would kill myself if I did not have access to narcotic pain meds. I have tried PT, aqua therapy, electronic stimulation, acupuncture, meditation, etc. Did not work. Not all people become addicted. Their bodies do become dependent but that is not addicted. Perhaps you don't know anyone in REAL chronic pain. Repeat, no herbal remedy has worked.
Wow so if I take a herbal remedie then it will fix the botched surgery on my back amazing, didn't know that herbs could do surgery, replace lost disc, straighten my spine back to normal, funny that the chropractior couldn;t fix my spine, or relieve the pressure off my bones where they disc are missing, or remove the part that was inserted during my surgery that can't be taken out unless I don't want to walk again so they can fix one of the real problems that is under that disc those must be some dang good herbs to be able to do all that repair work.
Always read that sheet of paper that comes with the prescription. I know its boring and if you don't understand the words that they use and some of the terminology look it up or google it. Read everything you can. Especially the part about drug interactions.
The worst all started with man made. Makers of man made heroin known as oxi cotton admitted it was more addicting than first mentioned only to pay top dollar to pertect the doctors. They should have to produce rehab living units. Not just the fast detox drive throughs putting helpless drugged up lookers only wanting anything to stop the crave for your next oxi.
Physicians should check out the "Pills for Ills, Not Thrills" campaign and free booklet to help fight this crisis. Materials deal with how to identify the red flags of doctor shopping, and how to help those with addictions. http://www.pamedsoc.org/pillscamnr
How is it nearly 2 times as much of an increase as men? It is 1.5 times as much. Please don't exaggerate the truth. To round 1.5 up to 2 is an error of 25% This is bad math and bad reporting.
That aside, this is an alarming issue. Pain killers should be avoided. I only took 1 of the 30 I was suppose to take. I don't know how people find these drugs enjoyable.
People who are in pain do not find these drugs enjoyable, they hate these drugs other the the little bit of relief they get from them now if your talking about out and out junkies who just want a high that is different but they don't take them from a Dr. mostly likely and they don't take them in the form they are suupose to take them they snort, shot, even put them up there butt, so don't tell me that chronic pain patients enjoy taking these drugs because we don't but we want relief, and yes you only took one because your pain went away chronic pain patients pain NEVER goes away it is 24/7 365 days a year, we don't get holidays off, or weekends off or anytime off it is there always if our pain went away we wouldn't be taking them.
Sorry I forgot to add that women are the most under treated pain patients, look up those facts,
How many overdoses on Weed?
This sounds mean, but I hope everyone is injured who takes that lethal junk they peddle at the "doctor" these days. Nothing makes me happier than some anti-weed junkie od'ing on "legal" drugs that are only there for profit. Write your representative or shut up.
People love to talk about celebs when it comes to overdosing when the fact of the matter is this is a SOCIETY issue.
What is the count for overdose? My own prescription says take 1 every 6 hours, 4 in 24 hours max.
Is taking 2 an overdose?
I saw a tv show that had a wife murdering her husband, she was taking 100 or more Vicodin a week. She was alive and well.
Take it as prescribed, and then you have nothing to worry about.
@Laura: Really? I have had medications which, if I had taken them "as prescribed," I would be a junkie by now. I only needed to take a fraction of the prescribed dose to get the effect I needed without tweeking.
Thats because to overdose they need to mix other things with them alchol being one of those things, now that person may blow out her liver if she keeps taking that many but that alone will only do that t mixed with other things.
The Federal government has the responsibility and the ability to do more to prevent these overdose fatalities. For more information, please see: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3551246/?report=classic and http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract-id=1437163.
I suffer from a condition named Peripheral Neuropathy. Basically, the nerves in my extremities are shot. I take daily doses of both Hydrocodone and Vicodin to help with the pain. Notice I said "help" and not cure. With my meds, my feet and hands feel like they are sunburned and asleep. Without my meds, they feel as if they are being dipped in battery acid.
So the medication allows me to work and have a career. I take only the prescribed dosage. In medical terms I am dependent, not addicted.
Addicts will take what to me would be a week's worth of medication and they grind the pills into a powder and then snort it. These drugs are designed to be released into the blood stream gradually – to level the pain off, NOT get rid of it.
When you take mega doses, the body will quickly become accustomed to it and will require more to get "high".
Take meds to moderate pain, not get high.
A good friend of mine recently passed away. She was on the fentanyl patch to relieve pain from fibromyalgia. I miss her everyday, but only in retrospect did I look into the dangers of the patch. I'm faced w/fibro myself & the pain gets worse everyday, but so far am doing OK w/ibuprofen, naproxen or Tramadol & various topical creams. A joint now & then also helps, better than the pills, to be honest. Doctors have continuously tried to perscribe opioids, but I refuse, based on what I've experienced through watching various friends getting hooked on meds perscribed by their docs. This epidemic needs to be a wake up call to us all, especially the medical community. I wish I had discussed the patch more thoroughly w/my friend, maybe she'd still be alive. As for my situation, I don't expect to be painfree; I'm good w/taking the edge off. And more importantly staying alive & unaddicted!!
Hospitals are going to start getting reimbursed based on satisfaction scores. Satisfaction scores are derived from patient satisfaction surveys. Patients aren't going to be satisfied if they don't get pain medication they came in for. I see this being an issue regarding addictive personalities. Don't blame the docs...they try to help the patients but sometimes it goes the wrong way. This is not a doctor issue, it is a society issue. Take responsibility for your own actions.
Nothing has ever been found that works for severe pain as opiates, nothing. If you have chronic pain and it’s untreated you will not live very long as it just eats you up. In past times you would just die. Now they extend your life with these drugs. This class of drugs are powerful and not to be played with. I have taken methadone for chronic pain every day for 10 years and I have never had a problem. I do as instructed to do by my physician. No alcohol and take the prescribed dose.
I’m thankful these medications are available and how does a physician treat stupidity and refusal to follow medication instructions? In fact the physician set me down and told me if you do not follow the instructions given to relieve your pain you will die. How honest and straight up is that? No alcohol and no dosage change without permission. If your pain = the correct dose of opiates you will Never become addicted.
There will always be some who take the mortgage money to the dice table, who play with firearms, refuse to wear a seatbelt, drive 100 miles an hour down a narrow and dark road, etc. Don’t penalize legitimate pain patients for the irresponsible actions of a few.
Last I checked, you couldn't die from pain.
You're aptly named, Clown. People don't "die from pain," but many die because of it-they can't live with it and they commit suicide to end it. Why are you so ignorant?
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Farrok, you've been on methadone ten years and don't think you're addicted and/or dependent? Try going without it a few days and say that. Your doctor is a fool and a liar if he told you that you can't become addicted taking the prescribed dose. You take any opiate long long enough, at the prescribed dose or not, you will eventually become addicted or at the very least dependent. That's fact.
HUGE difference between addicted & dependent. Addicts take as much medication as possible to get high. Those who become physically dependent can take as prescribed & yes they will go through physical withdrawal. But, you try & live with pain so bad you would kill yourself without the meds. And yes, I have tried every other method known to man to relieve the pain without meds & they did not work. Do some research & become educated about the difference between addiction & physical dependency before you "speak" incorrectly.
There are people dependent on heart medication, blood pressure medication, breathing treaments, etc. etc. so does that make them an addict becau. se they are dependent on those thing to live as normal life as possible that is all pain patients are trying to do is live as normal a life as possible. And don't think we don't have to jump through hoops to get these medications because we do, I get drug tested every month and always have even before it was mandatory, have pill counts, can be called at anytime and have to be there in 2hrs. time for pill count, and it just goes on and on but do I mind NO because if that is what I have to do for some relief then I will gladly do it. Also, get blood test to check on liver, kidneys and everything else.
PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS YES ITS ALL IN CAPS. YES THERE WILL BE BAD GRAMMAR YES BAD SPELLING. MOST OF YOU DO NOT REMEMBER THE RECESSION IN THE 80'S THAT PUT A LOT MORE WOMEN TO WORK THAN EVER BEFORE AS MEN WERE LAID OFF IN SCORES. THE SUICIDE RATE THEN INCREASED LIKE NUTS. ONE CAUSE THE MEN COULD HANDLE BEING A MOM AND LOOKING A AWESOME JOB LIVING OVER STRESSED WITH BILLS. TILL THINGS TURNED AROUND. ALSO WOMEN WERE STRESSED BEING THE MONEY MAKER AND STILL COMING HOME AND BEING MOM TOO. THEY OVER STRESSED SUICIDE WAS HIGH FOR THEM TO. SO HERE WE ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION THE WOMEN BEING THE MONEY MAKER AND COMING HOME AND BEING FULL TIME MOM. DAD WORKING AT A CHEAP JOB AND LOOKING FOR THAT FAMILY JOB MAKER TO GET BACK WHERE HE WAS AND BOTH ARE AGAIN OVER STRESSED SUICIDE RATES CLIMB SKY HIGH. THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN 1929 SCORES WENT MISSING. PEOPLE JUMPING OFF BUILDINGS ON WALL STREET. ITS THE SAME DAMM THING ITS JUST THAT PAIN PILLS ARE KEPT ONCE PRESCRIBE AND THE ARE MIXED TO END THE SUFFERING. HOPING THAT INSURANCE WILL COVER THE FAMILY FOR THE LONG HAUL. SORRY I USED CAPS I JUST WANTED TO GET THE ATTENTION SO PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT ITS NOT THE PILLS, ITS THE STUPID ECONOMY THAT IS TO BLAME JUST LIKE IN 1929, THE 80'S AND NOW. THINK ABOUT PUT THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS THE MEDS ARE EASIER CAUSE THE PERSON FEELS NOTHING. BLAME CONGRESS FOR NOT WORKING TOGETHER TO GET US OUT OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE 100's OF JOB PACKETS TO VOTE ON AND THEY DON'T VOTE ON THEM. THEY ALSO HAVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ISSUE TO WORK ON THAT WOULD FORCE COMPANIES TO HONOR THOSE ILLEGAL WORKERS AT THE RIGHT PAY AND THEN START TO HIRING OF AMERICANS AGAIN. THE BLAME IS THE LAWMAKERS HOUSE OF REPS AND THEN THE SENATE. REMEMBER THE PROCESS HOUSE MUST APPROVE THEN THE SENATE NO MATTER WHO APPROVES IT FIRST THE SENATE MUST APPROVE IT BEFORE IT GOES FOR PRESIDENTS SIGNATURE. SO IF YOU WANT TO BLAME ANY ONE BLAME BHOENER AND THE REPUBLICANS CAUSE THEY HAVE THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE BUT WON'T TABLE THESE JOB PACKETS.
reglnnt we both must have been posting at the same time not just alike but we both know that most of the suicudces are on purpose to get out of pain, yes drugs are mixed with other things what ever it takes to get out of pain because Dr.s can't take care of our pain like they should because the DEA/FDA have them so regulated that Dr.s are scared of losing there license if they deem them as over prescribing of course how would they know since they don't have a clue about the patient of there pain. I don't know if you live with ths or you have seen someone else go through it but thanks for your support and understanding
Well I don't knw where you people get your information, but over prescribe that is bull, you can't get enough to even help with the pain with all the new regulations, I live in pain every day and have for 12 long years and unless you have been there you can't understand it. Also, there is a difference in being addicted and physically dependent on a medication. I wish I could get what I need from my pain specialist to help enough with the pain that I could have a life, I leave my house 2 times a MONTH, when I go to the dr. and pharmacy and when I go to the grocery store, the rest of my time is spent in so much pain I can hardly get up to fix me something to eat. I am single because of this disease so I have to do everything for myself. And yes I have tried all the Dr.'s ect. I have had nerve blocks not once, not twice but three times, try going in and having really large neddles placed in your back sometimes up to 7 shots, did it help NO, I have tried PT twice did it help no and numerica other things for the pain, but the only thing that even touchs it is the pain medication I that I take and it barely touchs it or I would have more quality of life but since they can only prescribe so much I am doomed to sit here day in and day out. And let my tell you I would bet money that most of the people who overdose on precsipton pain mdication bi it on purpose, I think about it daily as do the other 84 people I know from a support group for chrnic pain, Why live when this isn't really living? Do any of you that think you have the answers or want tighter control etc. wake up that is if you slept because it is a rare thing to sleep or to sleep over 4 hours at a time, but when you wake up do you have to wait an hour just for a pain med. to kick in before you can even get a cup of coffer or do anything else. Then when that kicks in do you have to decide what is more important to do next make the bed or brush your teeth because that is all you will get done for about an hour to 30 mins. . then after that 30 mins you have to decide what is more important next and so and so on and the best you can hope for is that you get at least most of it done by the end of the day because you are hurting so bad for these very simple things that others do everyday without a thought to them. And traveling forget that if you do you will pay dearly for it for 3 days to a week after. I have not slept in a bed in 12 yrs. have you I bet you have, I sleep in a reclincer when I can sleep because that is the only place I can get hafl way comfortable. So please don't proceed to tell me that they over prescibe or what I should try because chances are I have tryed it, Don't you think we would do anyting to live a normal life, don't you think we HATE taking all these pills, I do I hate them other than the relief they give me, I would love to be free and go and do anything I want at anytime without having to thank about it and weight the options of is it worth what will heappen when I have to be down for a while and unable to do even the simplist things. Well I have said my piece but as I said at the beginning unlees you have been there you can't even begin to understand what life is like, it takes your pride, self confidence, usually your family,, because when you feel worthless than you have nothing. Thanks for at least reading this if you did.
Tina, I too am a chronic intractable pain sufferer. It is a living HELL living in excruciating pain 24/7/365. What's even more troubling is the fact that more and more pain drs are turning their backs on legit patients. The DEA has FAILED their war on drugs on the streets so they target legit patients and their doctors, threatening loss of license if they treat with pain meds, What the hell kind of country do we live in that allows innocent people with debilitating conditions to suffer in pain!?!? The CDC and our government has FALSIFIED their statistics to fit their agenda! What they NEGLECT to tell the public is just how many deaths involved alcohol mixed with pills!? How many deaths were suicides due to inadequate pain relief, what is the source that caused tge death, meaning was the person an abuser/addict and got it from the streets, or was it a patient under drs care, that patient being on the correct dose for relief, I highly doubt you will find any deaths related to a chronic intractable pain sufferer who took their meds responsibly. I am so sick and tired of people who have NO CLUE what existing in excruciating pain is like 24/7/365. Many say "pain wont kill you" You cant be more WRONG! Untreated pain DOES KILL! Each day a piece of me dies. I was on the same dose for ten years with success, not painfree, but it was managed. This past march my meds were all cut back to ineffective doses that leave me in agony. Due to the DEA sticking their noses where it DOES NOT belong! Legit patients are being stripped of their life saving medications or having them lowered to ineffective doses. As I sit here in agony, I often contemplate suicide myself. The doctors don't listen anymore, they turn those suffering in pain away, to afraid to treat us. We are stigmatized as addicts, junkies, pill seekers. Do any of you have any idea what that stigma does to someone who is suffering?? Shame on all of you who open your mouths so quick to judge. You may find yourself in chronic intractable pain one day from debilitating conditions there is NO CURE FOR! You will try every option your body coukd take for relief and nothing works. You may resort to opiod therapy as your last resort. Only you will be denied the one thing that will give you relief. It is INHUMANE, CRUEL AND BARBARIC what is being done to legit patients! The NEGLECT, ABUSE, MISTREATMENT AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHRONIC INTRACTABLE PAIN SUFFERERS NEEDS TO END NOW! The DEA/CDC/ and our government are FORCING legit patients to turn to the streets for relief or worse KILLING THEMSELVES DUE TO INADEQUATE PAIN RELIEF! Is that the governments intentions, to kill the suffering off one by one!? It's happening !!! How many more suicides is it going to take!? WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO MEDICATIONS THAT EASE OUR PAIN! and yet we are being denied them! Woukd they deny insulin to a diabetic, or heart meds to a heart patient, inhalers to an adthma sufferer!?!? I am sick and tired of paying the very high price with my health because someone CHOSE to abuse! Walk in my shoes for an hour, when I can walk, ill hold a bottle of pills that would ease your pain over your head and deny you the relief you need. Most days I beg god to take me as the pain is overbearing. This kind of treatment should never be happening, and yet the innocent legitimate chronic intractable pain sufferers are being pushed aside. I love the know it alls who say thats all a dr does is push pills, WRONG!! Many legit patients have tried all other options before resorting to opiods. And with the way the DEA us threatening drs across this country, the legit patients cant even get the meds they need for relief anymore. We are FORCED to sit here in ago y day in and day out, What a diseaster our healthcare has turned into!!
First off, the real problem is the fact that the government requires that drug companies use Tylenol mixed in with the pills. Tylenol is what kills you! HELLO! Take too many, you die! If there was no accetominophen in the meds, you could take more pain killers, and not worry about dying. PERIOD. As someone who had unbearable pain after surgery, and was given Vicoden for 4 months, they saved me. The good Dr. didn't explain that the withdrawl was worse than trying to get off heroin, but after going cold turkey, and finally reading about the symptoms Online, I learned quickly. I quit, and never went back for more. Funny thing is, I'm still addicted to the Tylenol. All those pain pill junkies will kill themselves because they are being culled from the herd by taking too much Tylenol. Known Fact. The government wants them all dead. If you take your prescribed pills, and keep your dossage down, you get to live. Plain and simple.
Make prescriptions illegal and the streets will fill up with dealers. Either way people will get their fix.