I’ve been treated for chronic pain for 19 years, by a total of 3 doctors. Each has prescribed opioids for my conditions. In February, the DEA revoked my pain doctors license to prescribe opioids because of the 2016 CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. Those guidelines are what started the nightmare of pain patients getting opioid medication. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on the real problem of overdose by illicit fentanyl the CDC set it’s sights on pain patients. I have been screened/tested every few months by my pain doctors for meds in my system. I have never violated use of my opioid medication. In March, 2022 a new doctor took over writing opioid medication for my last doctor. I was cut off of one of the medications I was taking (for 19 years) without taper. I was told he would prescribe the second opioid I take for 45 more days, then stop it. I’m looking for a new pain doctor now. I’ve seen one doctor who agreed to fill my Norco, but reduced the quantity. I’m suffering horrible withdrawal. Restless leg keeps me up at night. I’ve always been tapered off any drug I’ve taken, why wouldn’t a doctor do that with opioids? It’s cruel. All I asked for was to be tapered. My pain is unrelenting, no sleep, awful withdrawal… I’ve lost faith in our government. The fact that government agencies would do this to pain patients is unconscionable. The CDC Guidelines are being ‘revised’ right now. They promised to change the language of the 2016 guidelines regarding limiting opioid medication to 50MME (morphine milligram equivalent) justifying raising to 90MME. But I’ve reviewed the new guidelines, and that language is the same. They did not remove those damaging limitations for chronic pain patients. That is why pain docs are leaving the field or are being forced out by the DEA and CDC. The CDC needs to get out of our doctors offices! Take action and learn more on dontpunishpainrally.com. Even though states are passing laws to protect pain docs, these are federal agencies so pain doctors are scared to lose their licenses and practice.
I’m new to this forum. It’s nice to meet everyone! I’m fighting for myself and all of us to change the damage the CDC has done. I truly wish everyone success finding adequate treatment for chronic pain!