Abuse of Opioids takes away from all the good it can do

Your comments are very cogent! I am almost 69 and have been taking OPIOIDS for over 30 years. Straight and simple, I would’t be alive today without them. It really infuriates me that so many people and entities directly involved with treating moderate, severe and intractable pain are so far removed from the facts and realities of utilizing OPIOIDS safely & effectively. The FACT that all the governmental agencies continue to include poisonous Fentanyl on the streets in the same exact category as physician prescribed and trustworthy patients utilizing OPIOIDS to manage chronic pain is a disgrace and dereliction of duty. Frankly, it’s absolutely “MORONIC” that this gross disinformation and misinformation persists while adversely affecting the legitimate patients and physicians who responsibly use and prescribe them.
Even worse, if there were medications that were more effective than OPIOIDS than patients would gladly utilize them. As almost every legitimate, authentic chronic pain patient will tell you……..”We don’t take OPIOIDS to get high or achieve a buzz!” More often than not, there isn’t enough efficacy as it is to successfully treat the pain. When my multiple pain symptoms were 10+ I could reduce the level of pain down to about a 7 or 6 at best. I’ve never received or experienced any kind of psycho active reaction to OPIOIDS! At most, they relax me sufficiently enough so I am not dominated by my pain. I feel embarrassed to be considered a human being and affiliated with these so called authorities who are so far off course and idiotic that having to be adversely affected by their complete incompetence is inhumane!!!!!!

“They’re” taking this opioid crisis to the wrong group of people. Chronic pain people are doing things they never thought they’d have to do. Therein lies the overdoses. After my second knee replacement in April (not to mention all the other surgeries I’ve had) I’m disappointed that even my surgeon can only prescribe for six weeks. The hydrocodone they now have me on barely touches the pain. I want a copy of the new prescribing rules. I’m not looking forward to going to pain management where they give you a pee cup as soon as you walk through the door. To add insult to injury, I also have Tardive dyskinesia which is a movement disorder I got from taking Abilify. The muscle movements are very painful and there’s no stopping them. I need a referral for every specialist from my primary doctor.

Opioids are very effective pain relievers, and can work when nothing else does. Unfortunately, they have some serious side effects when taken orally. One; opioid very quickly slow down and even halt the peristaltic action of the alimentary canal. Over time this can cause digestive difficulties and severe constipation to the point of bowel blockage. Two; opioids are now prescribed mostly for short term use. Used for extended periods they can create a physical and mental dependency and even addition.-and that's where they get the bad rap. With dependency, if stopped abruptly most will suffer withdrawal and put up with the suffering because they realize it will soon pass. But, if someone becomes addicted they will develop drug seeking activity, doing almost anything to avoid the agony of the physical and mental withdrawal if they don't have anymore narcotics I can't and don't condemn anyone's long term responsible opioid use for pain management, I did it for years, but happily' I found it possible to get off that merry go round and I did and I am much better off for it.

rockon, you are totally off base! Have you ever had 24/7 pain before? Are they habit forming? Yes, but if you didn't take them, as prescribed ,you could not live from day to day!
As for digestive problems, that's what they make light laxative to help with it!
I always laugh when they talk about Ambien being addictive! Yet how many adds do you see every night about sleeping drugs!
Any medicine can be addictive!
If you use them correctly and under a doctors care they can offer you a good quality of Life!
So your thinking, we should Ban Alcohol! Used incorrectly it also can be addictive! And be deadly for both the user and others!
Using any drug takes the proper mindset and discipline!
Sundance aka RB

rockon, you are totally off base! Have you ever had 24/7 pain before? Are they habit forming? Yes, but if you didn't take them, as prescribed ,you could not live from day to day!
As for digestive problems, that's what they make light laxative to help with it!
I always laugh when they talk about Ambien being addictive! Yet how many adds do you see every night about sleeping drugs!
Any medicine can be addictive!
If you use them correctly and under a doctors care they can offer you a good quality of Life!
So your thinking, we should Ban Alcohol! Used incorrectly it also can be addictive! And be deadly for both the user and others!
Using any drug takes the proper mindset and discipline!
Sundance aka RB

“They’re” taking this opioid crisis to the wrong group of people. Chronic pain people are doing things they never thought they’d have to do. Therein lies the overdoses. After my second knee replacement in April (not to mention all the other surgeries I’ve had) I’m disappointed that even my surgeon can only prescribe for six weeks. The hydrocodone they now have me on barely touches the pain. I want a copy of the new prescribing rules. I’m not looking forward to going to pain management where they give you a pee cup as soon as you walk through the door. To add insult to injury, I also have Tardive dyskinesia which is a movement disorder I got from taking Abilify. The muscle movements are very painful and there’s no stopping them. I need a referral for every specialist from my primary doctor.