Pain medication changes due to regulations

It’s very sad that the government is imposing this on innocent people who need help with their pain control, we are treated as a whole rather than individuals and it’s horrible to hear how much suffering this causes. I’m not on pain medication but I take benzodiazepine and this medication is also going through the same thing, I’ve read so many awful stories about the cruelty doctors have imposed on their patients because of government regulations. The worst part is that most people don’t abuse their medication and are being made to feel like they’re criminals! I wish there was a better solution to this issue instead of forcing everyone to go through withdrawal, they still haven’t created a better alternative for them and unfortunately desperate people do desperate things, it’s a very dismal looking road ahead for those who are being victimized by this.

@frouke
I also had to cut my benzodiazepine and half and literally get rid of my muscle relaxers. This is on top of now wanting to cut my medication again so thank you for your concern and your reply. I truly appreciate it. Best of luck to you.

Yes, that started to happen to me too. My Doctor did some quick thinking and was able to figure out that she could give me a "new" prescriptions every 2 weeks instead of renewing one time for the month. That way, for whatever reason, she was able to give me the same amount of pills in a month. That's all that I know about it. Every 2 weeks I get a "New" script and it's for the same controlled medication. Two weeks later...same thing...I have to pick it up on the day the issues specifies and she puts two on file for me if she's going on vacation. This is how it looks in the file. I just pick it up on my cell phone from the web site and show the pharmacy,
----------------------------------
HYDROCO/APAP 10-325 TAB MALL
Also known as: NORCO
As needed
New
Rx#: ***********
Prescribed by: MY Doctors name
Usage, side effects, and more
View FDA Medication Guide (PDF)
Informational
This prescription cannot be ordered until 09/08/2026.
---------------------------------
Then in two weeks there is another. I am grateful to her that she goes this extra mile for me!

Are you under the care of a pain management specialist or a pc?
A pain management doc can help you a lot more than a primary care doc.
I was denied my meds for about 2 years and it was just awful.
I am seeing a great rheumatologist now and the monthly injections of Cimzia I get in her office for RA are so helpful. I also take a muscle relaxer and an opioid 3 times a day. It is all working together now and my pain levels are manageable.

Good luck on your pain management journey.

@mslee56 I'm with a big HMO...This doctor is my "Primary Doctor" there.

cmedina, yes. https://www.youtube.com/watch It isn't your doctor. It is federal and state regulation.

I had spinal fusion surgery in 2012, resulting in 2 rods & 20 screws. The surgeon told my husband that I would need pain meds for the rest of my life. I was 63 at the time & didn’t realize how pain would change my life. We retired & moved from Calif. to Az. 2 yrs later, only having to move again after 2 yrs. when I couldn’t find a doctor who would see me! My family doctor in LA was the only doctor who would help me, so I ended up flying to LA every month to see him & pick up my pain prescriptions. Finally, in 2024, I was able to see a pain management doctor here in Nevada. The first thing he did was lower my medication! Not because I didn’t need it, but because of some arbitrary number the government came up with! I am now almost 77, & know this is now my life, in pain all the time. I hope all of those highly educated people who created this situation are happy.

@mslee56 I'm so happy you have gotten to the point of tolerable pain. Continued good health!! It's inspiring and gives me hope.

@shoegal
I'm so sorry about your constant pain. I'm in a similar situation. My body adapted to the pain medication after several years and I need 1 additional pill a day. My doctor wrote the prescription, and the pharmacy wouldn't fill it. The pharmacy is Also afraid of losing its license.
Until medical researchers can discover how to distinguish between people who become readily addicted to these medications and those who do not, we'll continue with this difficulty that cruelly affects all patients with chronic, severe pain. I fervently hope that something improves soon!!!

I take 3mg LDN as a bridge from prednisone to kevzara for PMR pain. I'm down to 2.5mg prednisone and at 6 weeks I'm only halfway to full effect with kevzara. I take it at night and I know it helps me sleep relatively pain free.

LDN (low-dose naltrexone, typically 1–4.5mg/day) has a growing but still niche role in chronic pain management — used off-label, not FDA-approved for this.
Where it's used:
-Fibromyalgia (the most-studied use)
-Neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
-Chronic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease
-Generally tried after standard treatments haven't worked well enough

If you're in pain, it may be worth discussing with your doctor to see if it's an option. It's one of those cumulative effect options so pain reduction may be gradual at first. Anyone trying it should give it 90 days before judging it's effectiveness. Insurance doesn't cover it and it requires a compounding pharmacy, but I pay $110 for 90 days at a local compounding pharmacy. Online compounding pharmacies are in the $80 range for 90 days supply.