Thank you! You are correct, some patients have turned to street drugs for pain relief. To me, that’s like playing with fire, you’re bound to get burned. Many have lost their lives. It takes so little fentanyl and it’s being mixed into so many street drugs now. I know of several people who have chosen to end their lives rather than live with the pain. The actual percentage of pain patients who abuse opioid medication is very low. Especially compared to overdose by illegal fentanyl. The CDC actually misrepresented the percentage figures in their 2016 Guidelines. It’s just like politicians to avoid admitting they’re wrong about something!
I will continue to pursue finding a caring pain doctor who is willing to help me and work with the doctors I already have on my team!