Superb investigative article on CP

Hi, everyone,
Most of you don't know me, as I've not posted for a long time, but I read one of the best pieces of investigative journalism related to chronic pain and the difficulties we have finding adequate treatment I've ever seen today. So I had to come here and leave the link. I hope I do this correctly, but if not could one of the mods please make the link so members can click on it? The article can also be found at aol.com and Huffington Post, and it's going to be one of a three part series. Plus the author is requesting comment from anyone who might like to be interviewed. I'm sure he'll be overwhelmed with responses. Here's the link:


www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/prescription-painkillers_b_1240722.html

Sorry it's in cut and paste format, but I hope one of the mods will change that soon.

And hello to all my old friends!

PaLady


I made the link HOT per your request!…and actually copied the correct link in, as the one you posted brought up a Page Not Found notice.
It should work correctly now, and I have double checked it as well.
Thanks for the information! SE

Post Edited By Moderator (Screaming Eagle) : 1/30/2012 5:44:40 PM (GMT-7)

…we always appreciate articles pertaining to Chronic Pain, and they are welcome here! We would also like to see many of our veteran members return to support,... and share their wisdom and knowledge as well. We can always use the help!….and of course!... we will support you as needed.

We have many new members, since you have last been here, and I am sure they would enjoy your insight. Feel free to post anytime,…. and again articles are welcome. Many of the rules have been reworded and or changed…and relaxed to a degree. Feel free to take a peek at them, to see what has changed. We are in the process of posting one rule a week for a review, and the moderator posting it for that week, will explain the definition of each rule. Other than that, you pretty much know your way around here, and we welcome you back, and hope you are able to spend some time with us.

SE

PA Lady,
So very nice to see your posts, sure have missed you a lot...Interesting news story, Thank You...
Hope your doing good, many well wishes to you...

Hi, old friends!
White Beard, Chartreux, Jag, & Reitred Mom - thanks for remembering me! (SE, you, too, & thanks for making the link "hot".)

I keep thinking I should write an update, then I think there's not much that's changed. Or maybe it's too depressing. I don't know....but I'll think about starting a new update thread but can't promise. I haven't forgotten all of you - honest!

Two quickies - yes, Jag, I did get my SSD. A little over a year ago, & on the first try without an attorney. What a relief to see even the pittance of a check come every month, although by the 3rd week of the month the bank account is pretty empty. I'm surviving, and am grateful for that. And I adopted a cat from the humane society a couple of months ago. Problem is he was a 2 year old stray and he really wants to be an outdoor cat. And he's not the cuddler I thought he would be (and I really wanted). So I'm not sure he's the right cat for me. Time will tell.

I would love to discuss this article more. White Beard you brought up some good points. I wasn't at all aware of how this mess with the DEA and others coming down on doctors started. If this journalist is correct, it seems to be with that article in the Orlando newspaper which contained so many incorrect facts. Very interesting that the focus is on Florida, with all the problems with pill mills down there (Pete should find this interesting, too).

Just as I was smiling after having read the article, I made the mistake of scrolling down to the comments section. It didn't take long to realize the general public obviously doesn't care about facts. The attitudes and confusion around CP and addiction are quite entrenched. Wish I hadn't read the comments. (for any of you who haven't read the article yet, don't ruin it for yourself and scroll to the comments!).

Ok, gotta go. The cat (Mittens is his name - he's a Hemingway polydactyl with extra toes that make his front paws look like mittens!) just knocked over a stack of things! Best go check out what!

PaLady
p.s. I went back to the article and the newer comments are quite supportive of those of us with CP - many from other CPP's. Nice to read!

Post Edited (PAlady) : 1/31/2012 4:38:06 PM (GMT-7)

PALady,

I am so glad to see you back. That article was very interesting. It amazes me how the controversy began with a report that had so many errors. I remember the 80s crack babies controversy that the article mentions as well, and I have long wondered how much media hype can increase the response of the government to certain medical issues. It would be great to have a detailed discussion on this article with other members who have been having CP treatment longer than I have, to share opinions.

Nice to see you again, hoping that Mittens didn't break anything or cause you more pain. Give him or her some time. I have a cat that was an outdoor cat for 2 years, and now is strictly an indoor cat. He is 13 this year, and just became a lap cat about 3 years ago for no apparent reason. Hope you find what you need though, if he is not the kitty for you.

Mindy

I wonder if it wasn't for celebrities overdosing on prescription drugs, would such a big deal be made of the issue?

 

Hi,
Cognito I agree - perverse! And Part 2 of the series goes into even more detail (I'll start a new thread with that link soon), with a focus on what's happened in Florida, but also how that relates to the rest of the states. To think the situation we CPP's have to deal with has been created in part by data that's now been debunked is....well, I don't think I have a word. And it seems what's been done is sadly not being undone - at least not yet. That's why I think these articles are so important. I wonder if they will matter as much as some of the original scare tactic articles have?

And yes, I think the celebrity deaths certainly contribute, although I think without all this other data about supposed "epidemics" of abuse and such, the celebrity deaths in and of themselves wouldn't have such a huge impact. People also forget to separate celebrities who are able to purchase doctors (yes, I do mean purchase them) to do their bidding, and prescribe whatever they want, are far different from the large numbers of average folk (like us) who have to seek medical care the way everyone else does.

Thanks for reading and keeping the discussion going!

PaLady

Hi, Kathy,
I gave them my name and phone number, too, but haven't heard anything. I bet they were flooded with e-mails!

Thanks for adding your thoughts!

PaLady