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Posted 4/5/2012 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Seen an article in the Washington Post today that makes it sound like everyone who takes a narcotic pain med is an addict and one step away from committing murder and theft to get their fix if they are not hooked up by a doctor.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/summary-box-painkiller-sales-soar-nationwide-fuel-addiction/2012/04/05/gIQAG4khxS_story.html
Posted 4/6/2012 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, it does get old. Maybe if everyone could "walk a mile in my shoes," they wouldn't be so quick to judge. They seem to think we're all having a great big continual party or something!

Debbie
Posted 4/6/2012 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
….Sometimes I think these articles do more harm than good here on the forum…..our daily news is flooded with this type of news. I too saw this earlier yesterday but it was a much longer version, and was full of fear for us who suffer with CP….so I opted not to link it here. We have had multiple articles like this posted here…and all it does for me is raise my anger level and my BP. I wish I had a dollar for every news writer having a slow day, and decided it might be easier to take a cheap shot at the members suffering health issues….and pasting a label on them, out of ignorance. It's no skin off their back!…and of course it makes their boss happy.

Our Dr's…almost read these to us on our appointments now…..so it's no new news for many of us.

However….I can see that maybe some of the newer members just now suffering with CP might need to be educated on what going on around the country….but if they watch the news Im sure they will find it there as well. I would much rather read a few positive articles.

SE
Posted 4/7/2012 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have said it before and I will say it again, we have to fight fire with fire.  There are enough of us to make a difference, and we are by no means alone.

Get busy, write to your local politicians, newspapers, anything you can think of.  But we have to fight back, I spend a good deal of time writing letter after letter and will continue, I have gotten many responses, but they are basically just to try and pacify me.  Wont work, I keep writing and writing.  I will be heard.

Take care all, and get busy and write, write, etc.  Giving up is no an option.

Kathy

Posted 4/7/2012 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
it gets so old doesnt it. my meds keep me able to get out of bed somedays and able to be a mother. they help me salavge what is basically a new life one with pain but I am still living it. funny how they never ever quote the stats that the majority of folks that od are ones that are mixing pills with alcohol and not using them properly or havent even been prescribed the pills. every ten years or so they pick a "war" on something new, smoking, pitbulls, dobermans, sugar, crack, heroin, bullying etc. they just keep going over board to get folks to read it. I get so frustrated with it. I love the american pain foundation, they are fantastic when I get fed up they post the good articles for all to see and lobby hard for us pain patients. God Bless feel better!
Posted 4/8/2012 7:06 AM (GMT 0)

NiNi53 said...
I have said it before and I will say it again, we have to fight fire with fire. There are enough of us to make a difference, and we are by no means alone.
Get busy, write to your local politicians, newspapers, anything you can think of. But we have to fight back, I spend a good deal of time writing letter after letter and will continue, I have gotten many responses, but they are basically just to try and pacify me. Wont work, I keep writing and writing. I will be heard.

Take care all, and get busy and write, write, etc. Giving up is no an option.
Kathy

Amen.
Posted 4/9/2012 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using Tramadol for years, but the last few times I have asked for refills, my doctor has seemed reluctant.
"Are you sure you still need it?", he asked me last time.
Before recently, he always gave me new prescriptions for it with no problems.
I think all of the hysteria about painkiller addiction is making doctors paranoid, though.
Posted 4/12/2012 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first prescribed Vicodin (9 yrs ago) I truly didn't realize the stigma attached to me. Because of that I didn't act like there was one. When I saw my new GP, I acted like it was normal business in asking for refills in continuing my medication and a possible increase in dosage if necessary.

I truly think that my lack of playing into the stigma allowed me to act in such a matter of fact way. I wasn't nervous or scared. I was simply advocating for myself.

I still TRY to act that way, but it is much more difficult. The other people who are truly abusing are really ticking me off. Some of us need medication for quality of life. None of us choose this. I would rather not take anything. I don't get 'high', never have.

It's a sad state out there.
Posted 4/12/2012 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jacey86,

I think you are exactly right... I think one should not act nervous or scared..... the "stigma" is not to blame on one of us chronic pain patients who are taking their meds appropriately and are simply asking for pain control. We wouldn't walk in - scared to death - to ask for heart medication for our heart issues. Same thing.

I also think we get better treatment when acting this way... well, most of the time -

With all my health issues - I'm in the ER about every 6 to 8 weeks - for hydration, pain control, something - and MOST of the time, the doctors are pretty good. But every 4th time or so - I get the doctor for hell that acts like I'm raging addict, drug seeker, etc. Most of the time, I can handle my own, but I was having major issues last time and I ended up telling him off. He looked as though he would hit me if he could.

Anyway, as you said - none of us would choose these health/pain issues... and it really is a quality of life thing for most of us.

Take good care, Tina
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