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This New Study could be at your next Dr. Appt. New Rules for Opiods for Chronic Pain

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Posted 12/9/2011 8:34 PM (GMT 0)

Last month my PCP called me into his office for a med check. Now I have know this dr since I was 16 y.o, I will be 44 this month. I was told that because of this study that he would start reducing my MS Contin & oxycodone by 10% each month until I am under 100 mg/day. I was at 165 mg/day. I haven't had a med change in over 2 years. I follow the American Pain Society Guideline and my contract with him to the tee..........I have since made an appt with Brigham and Womens Hosptial in Boston in such of the pain pump. My appt is Dec 28th. My PCP has agreed (he has already reduced me by 20mg) not to make any more changes pending this out come. I just want you all to know that this study is out there and drs are listening too it. I have been disabled for 16 years I have had everything they have recommended on this list, with no good out come. the underlined parts are what my dr really wanted to stress....comments???

 https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/note.php?note_id=2291891419981 a link to the synopsis.

         Hello! I know your intentions are the best, but we need to follow the rules here on the forum. If you wish, please contact the Admin for approval before posting.

       Thanks! SE

    5. No posts regarding research studies, surveys, or clinical trials without prior approval from the forum administrator.

Post Edited (Lulicious) : 12/9/2011 4:51:55 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/9/2011 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
SE, does that rule apply about the results of research studies? I always figured it just applied to soliciting participants, not to posting articles about research studies that have already been completed.
Posted 12/9/2011 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
 

 Hello Heather...The rule is stated as it is above, and I take it that it includes all studies reguardless.

       However, I will ask the other mod's to check, and we may want to ask Peter about it. I'm guessing that Peter posted this rule, because we will have studies that contradict each other and so on.

      I don't like having to apply the rules, and I'm sure there is some very useful information there as well. As soon as I find something out, I will post it....and if Peter approves it, then they are more than welcome to repost it.

          I think the key to all of this...is that Peter ask them to submit for approval first.

      Luicious, if you would,...please request approval from Peter (Admin) then there won't be any question about it. Good Luck!  wink  

     SE wink

Posted 12/9/2011 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
 

     Please don't be sorry...lets pursue it and see what Peter says. I also think we need to stay informed on these things.

    Could you please forward the article to me or simply send a request to the admin?

    SE wink

Posted 12/9/2011 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry guess I didn't read all the rules properly.....I am not sure who Peter is and how to get approval , but if you post your email I will be happy to share privately
Posted 12/9/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
 

     I think I would have been ok with a link to the site rather than a article coppied and pasted here, and we also have to honor the copywrite laws as well. It gets expensive for Peter when a lengthy article is posted too.

     You may click on my mail tab to the left of your screen and email me this way. I'm also in the directory as well. Thanks! I'm here to help...so lets take a peek at what Peter says first on it.

       SE wink

Posted 12/9/2011 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately the link is to a medical site that can only be accessed by drs. :( I have the simplied patient version which is not available online other wise I would have rather than type all that....my hands hurts lol

I don't think it would violate copyrites as it is a pamphlet that the drs. who wrote it, gave to regular drs to hand out to their patients. It like a stop smoking pamphlet you can get at the drs office for free.............but lets see what Peter says. I don't want to cost money, I just don't think the opinion of these 3 drs should dictate our care.

Thank you for your help

 

Post Edited (Lulicious) : 12/9/2011 2:18:01 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/9/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Heather, I quickly received a ruling on the Study post, and the rule stands as is. I have visited with Lulicious by email and shared the decision with her.

Sorry, that she could not post the information with the members. The admin sets the rules and we are asked to enforce them within reason, and I believe we have.

The rule is pretty straight forward, and sometimes we as members need to review them from time to time. I know I do! smilewinkgrin

We do appreciate members like Lulicious offering information that may benefit our members and guest, and hope they will continue to seek and offer support. We just need to make sure the support falls within the guidelines set-forth by the admin.

Thanks,

SE wink
Posted 12/9/2011 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

After speaking with Mike and the Admin making their decision, which I stand by and am grateful. I was allowed to post this link to my FB page so if anyone who is afraid of loosing their opioid medication this is something to really read.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/note.php?note_id=2291891419981

feel free to let me know what you think and suggestions.

thank you

Cheryl

Posted 12/12/2011 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
wow.
Posted 12/12/2011 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Luli...I just read the article and that is awful. I live in Canada and I hope they don't get any bright ideas from the states. Who are they to say what a person needs for pain. What next.....

Thanks for sharing, Amy
Posted 12/12/2011 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
This just makes me sick - we are having our own issues in WA state with new laws that went into effect this year. Because of all the scrutiny that Drs that prescribe opiates get from the state, many if not most doctors are no longer treating chronic pain patients at all - even going so far as to tell their current patients to go find a new doctor. There are so few pain docs in the area that the current wait time for a first appt with a PM doc is around 6 months. My PM had told me this at my last visit - saying I was lucky to already be her patient, since there are sooooo many out there that can't get in to see a PM doc. How can this even be considered to be humane? We treat animals better than that. Just makes me so mad!!
Posted 12/12/2011 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
What is really pathetic in all of this is that there has never really been a wide scale, long term, detailed study about the use of narcotics in pain management.

I have yet to see one article that demonstrated good scientific principles and was not based on conjecture from highly generalized statistics.

These "anti" narcotic type pieces are actually at odds with real studies that have been done in regards to the treatment of pain in areas such as quality of life, overall health, and what the true maximum dose if of pain medications really is in patients who are really in pain.
Posted 12/12/2011 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
These are not studies, they are OPINIONS and they can just take that nonsense and put it you know where...scare tactics and ignorance of real chronic pain issues...pathetic

I must tell you, my last visit there was a sign in doc's office..."in accordance with FDA guidelines to phase out LORTAB, we are prescriging hydro 10/ acetaminophen 325...so they are lowerinf acetaminophen or whatever and keeping 10 mg hydrocodone-semantics

maggie
Posted 12/12/2011 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
The best part of this study to me is that they say 4 million american take opioids, BUT 11,499 people died from overdoses. In my book that is less than 1% of the 4 milllion......I am okay with those odds. Again this dr has known me forever and I have never been treated for any type of overdose. I don't even drink alchohol, not because I have a problem, but by choice. I was married to an alcoholic for 16 years. I have been taking opioids for 16 years and I was at 165mg/day, my last increase was over 2 years ago. They make is sound like I am at their doors beggin for more. Eventually there will probably be a needed increase, but I was doing fine and not hurting myself or anyone else. It just p*sses me off, that I am a good person and followed all the rules only to be screwed by this ONE ARTICLE. I am hoping I am eligible for the pain pump so I can hopefully put this crap behind me.
Posted 12/13/2011 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Lul,

Actually, that death rate from opiads would be equal to less than 3/10ths of one percent. Extremely low risk of death.

Fortunately here in SC, no real issues getting or staying on my pain meds, nor in finding doctors that support a serious prescription drug plan for chronic pain patients. I am fortunate, that my GP, my Urologist, and my Oncologist, all fully agree on my drug mix, and feel its the right mixture for my situation right now.

The only trouble I am seeing, is at my local drug store, a male pharmacy assistant, is starting to get an attitude about me when I come in and pick up my Loratabs.

Last Saturday, as soon as I approached the counter, he said "Mr. xxx, I see you are eager for your refill."

This was with a line of people behind me. I was picking up 180 pills, my legal presciption.

Then he smugly added, "That's a lot of pills for one month."

Now I knew I didn't have to respond, and under HIPPA rules, he had no grounds for his smart mouth, but I did reply to him.

I looked at him, and said, "I am dealing with severe cancer pain related to having advanced prostate cancer, would you like to trade places with me?"

He looked away, didn't say a word, and rang it up on the register. Hopefully he learned something, perhaps not.

Good luck to you in your situation.

David in SC
Posted 12/13/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Purgatory...that just infuriates me...he has some nerve. I sure hoped he learned something, if he ever says anything again I would report it.


Thanks for sharing, Amy
Posted 12/13/2011 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
Amy,

I mostly considered the source, a 20' something know-it-all. Could have, or even should have, reported him to the pharmasist, but I know how hard it for anyone to find a job these days. Hopefully he will think twice next time he see's me.

david
Posted 12/13/2011 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Your a very nice person.....continue to be we need more people who think like you. I hope he has learned his lesson.


Take care, Amy
Posted 12/13/2011 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
I agree…glad you said something to him…and it was a very clever heartfelt reply….good job! I also had trouble with one, and since moved to another pharmacy.
I told the new one why we switched over….and she said that won't happen here. She said she can see the pain in my face.

SE
Posted 12/13/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have a number of health problems. I have severe arthritis in my right leg and hip. I use a cane or walker most of the time. I'm on oxygen 24x7 for C.O.P.D., and I have been fighting with depression for 20 years. And I'm in so much pain at night that I'm up and down all night. My doctor put me on morphine 12 hour caps.
Posted 12/13/2011 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad that you spoke up to your pharmacy tech!!! Its none of his fing business. I personally would find another one to do business with. I love my Pharmacist Gary, he is always sweet and polite, always has what I need in stock every month. It is just a pleasant experience. Go Rite-Aid in Holden, MA :)
Posted 12/13/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the link... interesting reading... just so unfair because living with pain every minute of every second everyday is draining on mind and body...

Since I started my pain meds about three years ago... I am actually at a lower dose only taking Oxycodone... I still take the same amount today as I did then... I try not to increase my dosage..
I told myself I'm taking this pill and only this amount that that's that... I may have days where I take more or less but it is rare...

If meds were severely decreased or taken away I bet the suicide rate of pain patients would rapidly rise...

I've gone off my meds three times.. by choice... I lasted for just about a month each time... with the meds I could function... without, I stayed home and in bed...

David... I so sorry for what that rep said to you.... how horrible... if they only knew...
Posted 12/15/2011 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
SE, I just wanted to thank you for following up and clarifying the rule.

And I have read the article a while ago and Maggie is right, this is not really a study, but an opinion article. The 100 mg/day "limit" is not based on any actual study...I was shocked when I heard this article is making big waves in the medical community, because it is really just opinion.

And Jim, I agree, it seems like all this could be cleared up with a few well designed studies.
Posted 12/18/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
It's ridiculous that this is happening. I received a letter from my doc early this year stating they could no longer prescribe my percocet but wouldn't tell me why. Told me to seek out a PM doc. I began seeing a PM doc and he prescribed Nuycinta which made my heart race too much so then he gave me Tylenol #4 which doesn't do much of anything. Also have tried PT, chiro, massage therapy and injections as well as surgery and nothing helps. I have continually told my PM doc that I need something stronger for the pain but he just shakes his head now and tells me to keep taking the Tylenol. Now I see a neurosurgeon on Monday to see what he suggests. The people that are abusing the opiods are screwing the chonic pain sufferers royally. Not happy at all!!!
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