AP: Pain Medicine Use Has Nearly Doubled

[Heidi]

AP Analysis Finds That Pain Medicine Use in the United States Has Risen by 90 Percent

By FRANK BASS
The Associated Press
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.

People in the United States are living in a world of pain and they are popping pills at an alarming rate to cope with it.

The amount of five major painkillers sold at retail establishments rose 90 percent between 1997 and 2005, according to an Associated Press analysis of statistics from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

More than 200,000 pounds of codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and meperidine were purchased at retail stores during the most recent year represented in the data. That total is enough to give more than 300 milligrams of painkillers to every person in the country.

Oxycodone, the chemical used in OxyContin, is responsible for most of the increase. Oxycodone use jumped nearly six-fold between 1997 and 2005. The drug gained notoriety as "hillbilly heroin," often bought and sold illegally in Appalachia. But its highest rates of sale now occur in places such as suburban St. Louis, Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3499702

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Long article, good news that many should know about but probably

won't.

http://www.stopoxycontinaddiction.com/scientific-research.htm
V. Summary

This body of peer-reviewed literature substantiates the effectiveness of the Hubbard program in reducing levels of foreign compounds stored in fat and in improving the symptom profiles of chemically exposed individuals. Health benefits of this program are not limited to symptomatic improvements. In the case of documented impairments in neurological function, these impairments were shown by two independent approaches to be significantly improved by detoxification treatment.

This program has proven to be a safe and effective addition to clinical practice. As the quantity and variety of chemicals employed in our society increase, it can be expected that this program will become increasingly relevant.

[FloridaJudy]

2. 300 milligrams of what?

That can be either a large dose or a minuscule one, depending on the drug. Lumping all pain killers together is a silly idea: some are more addictive/dangerous than others.

[JTFrog]

3. Where are the doctors that give them out?

Seriously. I've had bone spurs in my back for 10 years. I had one surgery before being hit from behind at 70 mph while I was at a dead stop on the freeway. I have severe arthritis in my pelvis. I can't get a doctor to prescribe me so much as a soma. I've literally lived in pain for over 15 years without any pain management from a doctor. Who the hell is getting these drugs and how?

[rainbow4321]

14. Hydrocodone for outpatients and Dilaudid for inpatients

I've worked in both settings and those are the drugs of choice handed out like candy. Docs hand them out and the patients know it. Lot of the docs do it to appease the patients. Especially in the inpatient setting where I worked where it was upper middle to high income patients. Gotta keep them happy and coming back!

As soon as a patient would get to our floor, I literally couldn't even get a sentence out introducing myself as their nurse before I would hear "I need my Dilaudid". And it was followed with "And my phenergan..not zofran (doesn't cause a high or drowsiness like phenergan). Oh, and the doctor ordered my sleeping pill, right??". OK, I would tell them, I need you to be AWAKE for a few minutes to answer some admission paperwork questions before you give you all those drugs. The patient description was always the same. Mid 40's, usually women, in with "unexplained abdominal pain".

Or the one where the doc wrote morphine every 2 hours for chest pain. They would tell the patient, the patient in turn would have chest pain every 1 hour and 55 minutes. For my whole 12 hour shift. Like clockwork.

We even had drug seekers are the pediatric floor. One 15 yr old would be looking happy as a clam, surfing the Net, writing on her myspace, smiling..looking up at me going "I need my pain medicine, my pain is a 10 out of 10". One of the times it was too early for it I brought her toradol (not a narcotic) and she looked at me really pissed off and said. "THAT isn't a narcotic". No, it's not.


My favorite way of weeding out the drug seekers..I diluted the narcotic in 10 cc of normal saline...keeps the narcotic buzz/high away but still keeps the pain med effective. Oooooh, how pissed the drug seekers would get when they realized there was no buzz.

[Cetacea]

24. If this country had sensible drug laws like European countries

Than you wouldn't have to deal with "drug seekers" and wouldn't have to do such creepy things to them.

[Donnachaidh]

30. and did you let the DOCTORS know how offensive treating pain patients were to you?

You see, it's the DOCTORS who prescribe the meds, and should be the ones who are alerted to any possible problems you see.

NOT you.

What you've posted, in the words of another poster, is flat out creepy. It's evident that compassion is lacking.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. I think that you need to see a different doctor.

There are practices that specialize in pain management and you need to find one. You shouldn't have to live in pain, my friend. I've been there and know what it's like. Fortunately, I had a doctor who took me seriously and prescribed what I needed. Also fortunately, I finally had surgery (my third) that cured me, but your situation sounds much more complicated. Please seek a second opinion, or a third, whatever it takes. No one should have to live in pain...:hug:

[JTFrog]

17. I am currently looking for a new doctor.

The problem is that they have to be in my network and finding a doctor that takes new patients and doesn't have a three to six month waiting period is very hard to do. I finally got an appointment this November. But I've been going through this for years with different doctors. Up until I could no longer move my right foot, I couldn't even get a doctor to schedule an MRI. I completely understand doctors not wanting patients to get addicted to pain medication. But quality of life has to be taken into consideration at some point. My husband keeps telling me I have the highest pain tolerance of any person he's ever known. If he only knew how wrong he was.

I have to admit that after reading so many articles like this I'm angry at myself. Either I'm not expressing myself well enough to my doctors, or I've just had the worse luck with picking those that are more concerned with the quantity of controlled substances they prescribe instead of worrying about helping someone. It's all so depressing sometimes.

[Donnachaidh]

20. in many cases the patient expresses themselves FINE

It's the DOCTORS who want to play *cover their asses* and still have a link to your insurance. How many times have you come away from the doctor with the idea (given by the doctor) that it's *all in your head*? I'll bet you've lost count. I had one anorexic doctor that told me that my pain was caused by my weight - which, of course, compared to HER I was overweight.

Funny thing was, the next doctor ordered tests and surgery, which proved that I did have nerve damage and I wasn't lying. I was fully vindicated. But how many others did this woman damage who didn't fight back?

[Rhiannon12866]

21. Wow. I am so sorry! What a drag to have to wait for so long...

Wish that you lived in the NE, since my previous doctor, the one who was so helpful to me, is now near Boston. But I understand what you're going through with the "network." My doctor had real issues with insurance companies and that's the reason that he moved from NY... :-(

I can understand doctors not wanting patients to become addicted, as well, since I was probably addicted to codeine when I was in pain, but I've never had any doctor hesitate to give me whatever I needed. There is a reason that these meds exist and they are for people with conditions like yours! If Rush Limbaugh could get them, they should be willing to prescribe them for you! Sorry, but this makes me really angry.:grr:

One suggestion that I have is that you might want to bring your husband with you to your appointment. Another person who can verify the amount of pain that you're in might help convince the doctor. And ask about a doctor that specializes in pain management. I know that they exist because my friend's father went to a clinic dedicated to this...:shrug:

Good luck and hang in there. I sympathize and I'll be thinking of you. Let me know how it goes...:hug:

[Donnachaidh]

16. there *are* good pain management doctors out there

I've been fortunate to be in the good programs. Of course, not all treatment involves drugs. I have an implant (a stim) which covers the largest amount of pain, with what I call prescription back up. You need to start looking locally, and if necessary, branch out from there.

If you find a local practice, look to see if they offer an "addiction course". That, IIRC, is a federal requirement, and all pain management docs are supposed to do this.

Seriously, you do NOT have to live with pain. And you don't automatically become a *junkie* by seeking pain relief.

[JTFrog]

18. I begged my current doctor

to refer me to a neurologist to see what options I have, or a physical therapist so that I can maybe strengthen my back, but she decided four years ago that I needed to be on anti-depressants and take care of my "depression" first. Those things literally almost killed me.

When I told her I made an appointment to see another doctor, she then scheduled 2 MRI's, a cat scan, 2 ultra sounds, a colonoscopy and an endoscopy (I haven't done the last two yet and not looking forward to them at all). So, I'll do all the tests and take the results to the next doctor and see how it goes from there. If I'm lucky maybe somewhere along the way they'll find a fix for me and I won't have to worry about medication.

Sorry for the waaaaah post. It's just hard to see this kind of thing knowing that I have the exact opposite problem.

[Donnachaidh]

19. sounds as if your current doctor looks at you as if you're an income stream

and not much else.

In a good pain management program, anti-depressants are given to most patients. I was on them for quite awhile, but I'm off them now.

Try looking here -

http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/indiana/pain_management_physicians/

And see if there isn't someone close. Please feel free to email me with questions. I've been in good programs for over a decade. I'm NOT a junkie, as some *compassionate* medical people like to classify pain patients. Don't allow ANYONE to label you because you are seeking help.

I would call the pain docs before having any of the tests the first doctor scheduled. WHY give them the chance to dip into your insurance when they've got a track history of ignoring your needs?

Keep in touch.

[Cetacea]

22. Anti-depressants for pain=Horrible withdrawal problems.

Something that is vastly under reported is the fact that that many anti-depressants can have withdrawal symptoms that can last up to a year in many cases.
These meds are a lot more expensive than the opiates and a good deal more harmful.

[Donnachaidh]

29. and stopping them cold can have deadly effects

Some people have attempted suicide.

[JTFrog]

27. One of those doctors is actually listed

on my provider list. I never really thought about looking for a pain management doctor. I'm going to call their office right now to see if I need a referral first.

Thank you so very much!!

[Donnachaidh]

31. good luck and keep us posted n/t

[JTFrog]

32. I do have to get a referral from

my current doc. I'm still waiting for her to call me with more of the test results. Hopefully it won't be any problem.

Thank you again, and I'll try to let you know how it goes.

[Donnachaidh]

38. do yourself a big favor -

CALL your insurance and ask them what you would need to do *if* this doctor refuses, or dithers around about giving you the referal. Explain the situation to them as you've done here, and ask if there is a procedure in place to get to the pain doctor in a TIMELY manner. You've already waited a long time, and your doctor has been hesitant, and you feel you need to know if you can *bypass* any arguments with the doctor - especially as all the previous ones have been total bullshit.

Remember -- you have RIGHTS as a patient, and you deserve to be treated like a human being. Living with pain is not a place to live happily. If your doctor is uncooperative YOU have the right to place one foot on his or her head and walk over it, to someone who will help you. Doctors who deny services don't deserve patients.

Hang tough. Persistence will get you where you need to go.

[shimmergal]

34. I second Donnachaidh's suggestions.

I've gone from back pain so severe I could only toss and turn in bed all day to being near normal, thanks to a good Pain Clinic practitioner. Haven't been prescribed anti-depressants, though, and don't think I need them.

Actually there's a difference between being physically habituated, which _does_ happen with any long-term opiate treatment, and addiction, which depends on psychic factors too. If you haven't sought out "highs" outside of mild, occasional social use of substances which give a temporary rosy cast to the world, you're not that likely to become addicted.

I get really tired of the media, and people in general, bashing users of pain medication when they've never walked in our shoes. I get no "high" from it (as a writer, I could use those Xanadu/Kubla Khan-like vivid visions, but they don't happen!), just the ability to function in the world.

[knitter4democracy]

36. I hate to say it, but you need a new doctor.

Hubby found out that one of the new doctors in town refuses to give out pain meds at all (told a hip replacement patient that the pain was all in her head and that she wouldn't even give the woman ibuprofen--patient called Hubby's office that day for an appointment).

I hate, hate, hate it when doctors say that it's all in our heads. Of course it is, but that doesn't mean that we need antidepressants for a known physical cause. Grrr!

[Cetacea]

23. National Pain Foundation.

You should not have to live like that.

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/


Real people who understand the politics.

[knitter4democracy]

35. I tease Hubby and call him Dr. Feelgood.

He believes strongly in pain control, and he gets patients from other doctors all the time who need help with their pain.

It really frustrated him during my year of pain that he couldn't help me--we tried something from every class of pain killer only to find that anything derived from opium at all didn't work except to give me side effects. Apparently I inherited it from my dad. *sigh*

[Perry Logan]

4. I blame the Republics. They have brought America nothing but pain.

[REP]

5. It's Not Me!

Well, I mean my consumption of presecribed meds hasn't gone up 90% - unless I have another root canal.

[Heidi]

6. I'd be more likely to believe you if your post contained

MORE SPLEEN!11!!1111!
:P

[REP]

8. My Profile Contains 100% RDA of Spleen

SPLEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!

[Heidi]

9. That's better.

:rofl: :spray:

[REP]

10. The Remains of a Long-Ago Pointless Flamewar

But I decided I liked it like that!

[B Calm]

7. I blame Rush Limburger..

[Rhiannon12866]

11. I'd bet that the use of meds like Prozac have gone way up, too.

Half of the people that I know are taking something. But that's pain, too, just a different kind.:-(

[Heidi]

12. Agree.

I haven't taken any prescription medication in nearly 10 years, but I certainly understand why people do.

Hi, Rhiannon! :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I only take prescription meds, but none of it is for pain, anymore, fortunately.

I almost never take over-the-counter meds, but know that a lot of people do. My mother's medicine cabinet contains them all, Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, Excedrin, looks like the headache aisle at a drug store.x(

When I actually was in pain, before my surgery that finally worked, I was on prescription Tylenol with Codeine for about a year. My doctor finally said that I had to get off it, but said it was the Tylenol he was worried about, not the Codeine. So I went to plain Codeine and he put me on a supplement, Milk Thistle, which detoxifies the liver, since the long use of Tylenol can cause liver damage.:-(

Hello, to you, my friend! It's great to see you and really good to be back...:hi::hug:

[donsu]

25. it's a drug of choice now - tell your doc you have a pain and wa la

you got your drug, all legal.

[Heidi]

26. Totally agree.

While there are some who really _need_ painkillers of this caliber, I would be willing to bet that many, many are willing and unwilling slaves to Big Pharma as a result of accommodating family medicine practitioners (many of whom likely are in the pocket of Big Pharma).

[RB TexLa]

28. Wussies. I have a reoccurring pain in my hip that sometimes is too much to walk on

ibuprofen is enough to get through it.

on edit: Yes I know peoples tolerance for pain is different, and yes there are times where you have to have prescription pain medication. But I am proud of the fact that I can make it through the hip pains without using them.

[knitter4democracy]

37. I did the same thing with my year of appendicitis. Bad idea.

I found that it made my body react to other pain poorly and hard-wired me differently. Hid my kidney tumor and some infections, and my doctor wants me on better pain control from now on.

Ibuprofen also gave me an ulcer. *sigh* Not fun.

[Mutineer]

33. The population is living longer.

They are living longer with serious, painful diseases. Couldn't that account for some of these increases???