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As a chronic pain sufferer, I personally am tired of the "war on opiates/pain killers". I view it, not as a war on opiates/pain killers, but as a "war on pain relief". What is your take on this? I ask that you please read this original post (OP) in full before voting and commenting.
Sure there would be a problem with prescribing opiates to everyone who asks. That would be unreasonable, dangerous and would be a pendulum swung too far in the liberal direction. There is also a problem with denying or severely restricting opiates and pain relievers to everyone. That would be too far of a swing in a conservative direction and is also dangerous. Let me explain below.
A recent trip to the VA and with my experience with doctors over more then a decade, their fear, outright denials of adequate relief (out of fear) and questioning as if one is a drug addict (even though regular and blood tests prove otherwise) my take is that we, as a society, are swinging/swung too far in to the conservative (limiting/denying too much) direction because of a few bad apples. There needs to be a more balanced and sensible approach, not swung too far in either direction. Our society is aging. This is a topic that will need to be adequately addressed in a reasonable, compassionate and fair manner.
There could be a 100% ban on all opiates/strong pain relievers for everyone but who would this really hurt? Does it really hurt and create additional hardship for those legitimately in pain who are getting legitimate prescriptions through their doctor? Or, does it really hurt those who will continue to get their opiates through illegal means? If one wanted to get their opiates through illegal means and there was a 100% ban on them, would this stop people from going somewhere on "the street" to get them? All one has to do is look at other drugs that are 100% banned in this country (such as Meth or Cocaine) to see if there is still an issue with them. Is there still an issue with 100% banned drugs?
If there is still a major issue with drugs that are 100% banned in this country, does this show that it is the drugs fault for existing or does this show that some are making bad choices and will make bad choices whether the drug is 100% banned or not?
Are a few bad apples ruining pain relief for the millions with legitimate pain?
Suicide is becoming an epidemic in this country. About 40,000 commit suicide each year in the US. About 1 million (a 1 with six zeros behind it) commit suicide each and every year worldwide. That is about 1 person every 40 seconds.
"risk factors for suicidal ideation are so high in this population that it must be assumed that some proportion of those who die of drug overdoses might have intended to end their lives, not just temporarily relieve their pain."
"In our society, suicide is considered to be an aberrant act attributable to severe mental illness, impulsivity, or despair. For many individuals, committing suicide is a way out of a situation or problem that is causing extreme suffering."
- end study excerpts (read linked study above for full article)
Overall and fundamentally, is this a drug problem or is this an untreated pain (physical, mental, emotional etc) problem?
So again, who is really hurt by this overly extensive, heavy handed approach to significantly limit opiate/pain killers to everyone?
Will we see an even further increase in the suicide rate if opiates/pain killers become even more restricted for legitimate pain patients?
Is it ethical to deny legitimate pain patients opiates and strong pain medications because of a few bad apples?
Last edited by txbullsfan; 06-16-2018 at 11:47 AM..
As a chronic pain sufferer, I personally am tired of the "war on opiates/pain killers". I view it, not as a war on opiates/pain killers, but as a "war on pain relief". What is your take on this?
Sure there would be a problem with prescribing opiates to everyone who asks. That would be unreasonable, dangerous and would be a pendulum swung too far in the liberal direction. There is also a problem with denying or severely restricting opiates and pain relievers to everyone. That would be too far of a swing in a conservative direction and is also dangerous. Let me explain below. A recent trip to the VA and with my experience with doctors over more then a decade, their fear, outright denials of relief and questioning as if one is a drug addict (even though regular and blood tests prove otherwise) I can assure you that we are swinging too far in to the conservative (limiting/denying too much) direction because of a few bad apples. There needs to be a more balanced and sensible approach, not swung too far in either direction.
There could be a 100% ban on all opiates/strong pain relievers for everyone but who would this really hurt? Does it really hurt and create additional hardship for those legitimately in pain who are getting legitimate prescriptions through their doctor? Or, does it really hurt those who will continue to get their opiates through illegal means? If one wanted to get their opiates through illegal means and there was a 100% ban on them, would this stop people from getting them? All one has to do is look at other drugs that are 100% banned in this country (such as Meth or Cocaine) to see if there is still an issue with them. Is there still an issue with 100% banned drugs?
If there is still a major issue with drugs that are 100% banned in this country, does this show that it is the drugs fault for existing or does this show that some are making bad choices and will make bad choices whether the drug is 100% banned or not?
Are a few bad apples ruining pain relief for the millions with legitimate pain?
Suicide is becoming an epidemic in this country. About 40,000 commit suicide each year in the US. About 1 million, that is 1,000,000 commit suicide each and every year worldwide. That is about 1 person every 40 seconds.
"risk factors for suicidal ideation are so high in this population that it must be assumed that some proportion of those who die of drug overdoses might have intended to end their lives, not just temporarily relieve their pain."
"In our society, suicide is considered to be an aberrant act attributable to severe mental illness, impulsivity, or despair. For many individuals, committing suicide is a way out of a situation or problem that is causing extreme suffering."
Is this really a drug problem or is the problem really a pain relief (physical, mental, emotional etc) problem?
So again, who is really hurt by this overly extensive, heavy handed approach to significantly limit opiate/pain killers to everyone?
Millions are in pain and have been for decades, but find and work with many other ways to reduce/calm their pain .. I do and try so so many other ways to help myself.
Canabinoid oil is a major relief to many. You can order it online, even from Walgreens! Only side effect is I became apathetic. The oil does NOT get you high and is legal almost everywhere.
An interesting statement in the PBS show I saw this week
was about strategic mixing of OTC non-narcotic analgesics to great effect.
A bit of Tylenol with some Aleve... and so forth.
I'd like to see some nih.gov page on the idea if anybody has one.
On the CBD's there is so much to be learned as it's so new to us and we can buy online etc...and my friend is trying the Charlotte's Web CBD and first time she used it she shook the bottle and didn't feel a thing from the dropper full...then she just reported the recent dropper full she took she didn't shake and contents gave her a real release of tightness in her body...so she thinks the stuff at the bottom of the bottle was stronger and it made a difference. This C.W. doesn't even have a mg content on the bottle she says. The stuff I just bought says 500mg CBD but it's not doing anything for me. Tonight I won't shake the bottle.
On the CBD's there is so much to be learned as it's so new to us and we can buy online etc...and my friend is trying the Charlotte's Web CBD and first time she used it she shook the bottle and didn't feel a thing from the dropper full...then she just reported the recent dropper full she took she didn't shake and contents gave her a real release of tightness in her body...so she thinks the stuff at the bottom of the bottle was stronger and it made a difference. This C.W. doesn't even have a mg content on the bottle she says. The stuff I just bought says 500mg CBD but it's not doing anything for me. Tonight I won't shake the bottle.
Millions are in pain and have been for decades, but find and work with many other ways to reduce/calm their pain .. I do and try so so many other ways to help myself.
jamin it depends on the type of pain. There is NO cure for RSD which is the worse pain one can have. This is what I have. Three different doctors agreed on diagnosis.
I find it incredibly sad that people say there are other methods but they aren't the ones living with the pain. Like I said if you were to look up RSD it's the worse. Flaming hot - high on the pain scale.
As a chronic pain sufferer, I personally am tired of the "war on opiates/pain killers". I view it, not as a war on opiates/pain killers, but as a "war on pain relief". What is your take on this? I ask that you please read this original post (OP) in full before voting and commenting.
...
So again, who is really hurt by this overly extensive, heavy handed approach to significantly limit opiate/pain killers to everyone?
Will we see an even further increase in the suicide rate if opiates/pain killers become even more restricted for legitimate pain patients?
Is it ethical to deny legitimate pain patients opiates and strong pain medications because of a few bad apples?
You're preaching to the choir. Every now and then at work I'll get up on my soap box and talk about how the pain med restrictions are really only hurting the ones that need them for a legitimate purpose. It sucks. A huge load. Which is why I really [very negative word] drug addicts. I won't get started on that. That will turn into a bad rant. I'm sure my other posts on the topic were sufficient for that.
jamin it depends on the type of pain. There is NO cure for RSD which is the worse pain one can have. This is what I have. Three different doctors agreed on diagnosis.
I find it incredibly sad that people say there are other methods but they aren't the ones living with the pain. Like I said if you were to look up RSD it's the worse. Flaming hot - high on the pain scale.
I have a friend who lives with RSD for probably 20-30 yrs, I've seen her at her worst and she's moved to Oregon so I don't see her anymore, but we chat online sometimes. She's struggled no doubt and I know she's taken pain meds but don't know which ones. I'm on another health group that a pretty large group who are challenged with RSD and many talk about alternative therapies they use too.
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