Pain Meds for those who need it.

[LindaBadKnees]

I do understand the opioid epidemic is an issue for those who abuse the pills, But what about the other side of the scope.  Those people that really need the pain pills to live. I have had bad knees for almost a decade and yes I'm overweight, but I'm trying. But my knees are shot. There is nothing out there that I have tried that works like Norco for me. But I always get treated like a pill popper when I need a refill. My friend also has the same problem but his pain stems from Ulcerative colitis which comes with extreme pain. He has the same problem. How can we get to the point where we are singled out as the "bad guys" when we have to get a refill.  Thanks

[Spondybum]

It took years of looking for the right doctors and exhausting treatments although I realize surgery is not for everyone and surgery doesn’t always work. I’m not really sure what I’ll do if this fusion doesn’t help this time around like the last time. This time this journey has been 4 years of hell last time it was 3 I had a break in between.  I have tried every med and treatment and now done the procedure and also incorporating alternative medicine. Nothing is 100% and I’m still bedridden sometimes. I’m not overweight because it hurts me, I push myself to swim AND with my 5 year old I know it’s hard. There are times and days I just can’t. And I have put on weight before because I can’t do much else. You are doing your best. I suggest going online and finding what doctors in your area prescribe the meds that work for you. As a patient you have a right to seek proper treatment. Bring all your files. It’s going to be hit or miss sometimes. I’m only 36 I’ve only had a handful of “young” years in my life as I’ve had 10 years of severe chronic pain. My husband also has it as well from being hit by a car so it is not easy.  Don’t forget telehealth is an option now you can see out of state doctors!

[backhurtz]

A lot of the current attitudes toward opiate prescribing is exactly the opposite of what it was in the 90’s and first 15 years of the 21st Century.
In my obersavtions of the issues are complex- In the 90’s and until 2010- the attitudes toward prescribing opiates and benzos was far too lax- any and every possible complaint or expectation of pain became an automatic prescription for opiates with medications like hydrocodone and Percocet being given in large quantities with 6 months of refills far too often. Too many people started calling dentists, primary care drs for anxiety and opiate medications for things like toothaches, headaches, sprains, minor issues that could be relieved in a few days of pain meds if necessary at all. There was little to no follow up or regulation and it was far too easy to call the pharmacy/dr and request refills for another 6 months- and too often they were given without any follow up or questioning.
Then came drugs like OxyContin- touted initially as SAFE, non addictive, long acting pain medications- only later was it realized that rapidly escalating doses and addiction was the result.
With no tracking- it was easy for those who dealt with addiction/abused benzos and opiates to go to multiple ERs, Drs/Urgent care centers and obtain new multiple prescriptions from several drs at the same time.
Newer more effective treatments were often ignored for ongoing chronic pain issues and with the pharmaceutical companies saying there wasn’t a ‘ceiling’ to an amount of opiates a patient could take if titrated properly- people began  asking for ever increasing doses and overdosing at higher numbers from prescribed opiates and benzos instead of dugs seen on the street.
Unethical pill mills and unethical pharmaceutical companies and a percentage of patients revealed huge flaws in the volume of pills being prescribed long term for minor conditions seemingly creating new cases of addiction/abuse/misuse all over the country.
Now- drs are more careful about ongoing prescribing of opiates- and increasing doses- they expect patients to try other pain reduction methods, other treatment options, surgery if indicated . Most states have a database that informs drs of opiates/benzos prescribed, quantity/fill dates to cut out the dr shopping and risks of accidental overdoses.
I have found that most PM doctors are willing to prescribe opiates to a patient as long as they follow dosing instructions and recommendations. Many GPS however have seemed to prefer those chronic pain patients see a PM doctor  for their opiate management.