titgod18: You have figured out that we can't just assume the government is there to protect the general population. Major industries have powerful voices, more motivating to congress than the general public. They need campaign contributions and exotic vacation trips. I have been a victim of our governments purposefully ignoring the health dangers of what is sold to the public. Is it a conspiracy by the industries selling it using their lobby groups to manipulate congress. Yes there is no doubt that this takes place. Many of the chemicals allowed in our clothing, furniture, grooming products, cleaning products and so on have been banned in many European countries for years. Our government allows what they call, "tolerable" amount of poison. This is based on the fact that only 5% or less of the population will be affected by it or so they say. In reality it's based on the industries that want to continue selling it. In my case I am always the 1% that has side effects. So I have learned to do my own research on what goes in and onto my body. With the internet we have the information we need to become informed. Many aspects of my health are dramatically improved now that these toxins have been removed.
My knee pain issue is purely based on my physical structure. I can't blame the government for this pain like I can for all the allergies I developed, but I am aware that I can't count on them for the best way to manage the pain.
You have looked into a medication that the government has not approved. As I have pointed out just because it is approved doesn't mean it's safe. You are deciding for yourself- not being influenced by Bayer, Dow Chemical Company, Reynolds Tobacco, or a liqueur lobby about what is safe. None of you in this blogging group would be taking Kratom unless there was a serious need. If as a byproduct of taking this drug you may have the side effect of euphoria or feeling more energised, that side effect would be preferred to me over the physical consequences from most legal drugs. Heck, alcohol is a legal drug many use to self medicate, many find it relaxes them and it has many documented side effects. Tobacco is a a legal drug many find it temporarily gives them pleasurable feelings and it is no doubt legal poison. Nsaids which worked amazingly well in blocking my pain, have seriously affected my blood pressure and dangerous for me to continue to take and legal. I know that life with constant pain forces us to search for relief. I know first hand the meaning of unbearable pain which was based on my allergies which are under control, Right now my issues in my knees are just tolerable, the pain level is not to the point that I will experiment with Kratom, yet I believe in a year or 2 I will be ready and thank you for making me aware of this option. I have to think "outside the box" and not count on our government to think for me.