Connect
Politics of Pain
I have chronic pain and have had since I lost my leg and injured my back in Vietnam in 1968. Now nearly 50 years later it has gotten worst with advanced age. In the last few years I started using strong pain medicine and now the powers that be want to shut it off unless your a cancer suffer. Even though many opioid users who follow their doctors advise do well and lead near normal lives. So I would like to open up discussion on the politics of pain if it is allowed?
I just received a notice from the pain news network (Painnewsnetwork.org) that the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is about to close public comment for citizens on payment for opioid type medicine through Medicare and Medicaid. If their proposal is approved they will restrict payment for pain medicine (opioid) to a small amount that needs to be renewed every few days. The Comments close March 6th and any citizen or concerned person may submit their comments.
For more detailed information please check the Pain News Network (painnewsnetwork.org) February 19, 2018 a post written by Richard Lawhern who provides a lot more information than I can.
You can write direct to regulations.gov (www.regulation.gov) look for Docket ID: CMS-2017-0163 . In the search box at the top of the page fill in the docket ID which should take you to the page with two requests for comment. I believe the one calling for payment is most important but you can comment on both. IMPORTANT make comments by the end of March 5, 2018. Just tell them how this will effect you or your family, of course family and friends can comment also. In addition contact you elected officials on the federal level and state level. Their office address and phone number is in the phone book or you can Google them and send an email. I did an internship in a congressional office and I know that they give more weight to letters sent through the mail but all comments make an impact so phone, email or write to make an impact. The pain news network article provides a direct link to make comments.
There are many sites that have formed to provide information about pain so if you wish to do something I recommend you get in contact with them to find out more information on opioid regulations.
I realize that most people come to this site for support, but if you would like to do more to lobby for change to opioid regulation then maybe we can bring up information on this site also. One of the things that counselors and Social Workers do is advocate for people, so as a Social Worker I have done some of this. 19lin
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.
Connect
After botching a cervical spine surgery leaving me in severe pain, a neurosurgeon wanted to fuse my lumbar spine. I left his clinic and “Care.” The next doc recommended a RFA to the facet joints in my lower back at S1. I was pain free x 6 months. I’m still coping with severe pain but any additional pain makes my body overreact and no medication is effective. It does not work for everyone and it’s not cheap(I have private insurance) $8,000 the doc got about $800 the hospital $7,200. If it works, it’s amazing to walk pain-free.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSorry to hear your Mom is having all this trouble and those rude Dr,s can't believe it ,horrible ,yes they should be reported to the medical lboard hope things get better
Just leave our pain meds alone. Should be on a case by case situation. I'm 72, have an incurable disease and, you're right. The "jelly bean" tylenol is a joke. As I say, "oh, yeah, she's cut her arm off, give her a tylenol" what a joke.
Have you gone to endo yet?my emails are ending up in spam ,sorry for not writing sooner but have thought about you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you
I read the nerves can grow back and be even more painful. The 3rd Neuro surgeon we spoke with said no procedures or meditation will help.
The Pain News Network has an article that says the CDC admitted they over estimated the deaths from prescription opidids. https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2018/3/21/cdc-admits-rx-opioid-deaths-significantly-inflated . This was suppose to be in an editorial of the American Journal of Public Health. I don't get the journal so I can not check it out maybe some others on here do and can see what it says. 19lin
Wow! I’m replying to follow up on what has happened? Did the bill pass? I am fortunate to have private insurance first and Medicare second as I am disabled due to a stroke that ended my career as an ICU Nurse in 2011 and left me with a complex Pain Syndrome in my Left Leg. I too have felt the government ‘s obsession with what they call the ‘opiate craze’. My primary physician has lowered the amount of rescue meds I receive and has lock me into a single dose on my main opiate refusing to increase the dose or shorten the time between doses even tho I have been at the same dose and schedule for 2 years and have been taking the drug at varying strengths for 6 years. The kicker is that he’s done it before; gone up in dosage and shortened the time between doses, all medically suggested. It’s the FDA. There watching everyone, looking for unusual activity. Whatever. It’s sad that good, honest people have to suffer BC of the bad apples.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHere in Oregon, the Board of Physicians recently imposed strict limits on the amount of opioid a doctor may prescribe. It all seems completely arbitrary, with little or no consideration for the individual patients and their needs or history of opioid use.
Jim
Fortunately the bad apples have now spoiled the entire barrel. It is difficult for those of us who truly need the help. Those of us whom are serious about getting help for their pain have started looking into alternative methods. I can say there are methods that may help some do help some and even a little relief is better than none at all. We are all different. Distraction works the best for me even though it is oft difficult to push through the pain to do so.