I wouldn’t have believed the convoluted mess our doctors are in, had it not been for personal experience. The doctors mentioned in this post, are fantastic doctors. They will remain nameless, as it’s not our intention to cast doubt on them, but the overall system. Nineteen years ago, my wife was injured in an accident. She’s had seven back surgeries, three neck surgeries, and has a TENS Unit implanted in her lower back. Very strong willed and persistent. We are thankful that her expenses are covered from the accident.

Being made to feel like a drug abuser.

When you have severe pain like this, you’re handed off to a “pain control doctor”. He specializes in dispensing the drugs needed, to reduce your pain to a manageable level. First, you have to be interviewed by a psychiatrist, to ascertain if you’re a suicide risk. Once you’re approved, you see the doctor a minimum of every three months, if not more often. This is required by law if your given narcotics. In this case, opioids. You also get the pleasure, of being made to feel like a drug abuser by mandatory regular, and surprise drug tests. This is to lessen the liability of the doctors, by monitoring the level of medicine in your system. Making sure you are not overtaking, or not taking and selling your medicine. They even call you in randomly for urine tests, or a “pill count”, to see if you are taking them.

The War on Opioids, sounds like a noble endeavor, to slow the consumption of powerful drugs, reducing the addiction rate. The strangest part? There seems to be no mechanism to help you get away from the opioids. A pain specialist, can prescribe the opioids, but they refrain from prescribing medicine to wean you off the narcotic medicines. Due to liability.

The programs are only for, “drug abusers”,

Seeking help to get off a narcotic due to injury, is just as big a joke. When she asked if there was a program that could help her finally move off the opioid based pain medicine, she was told the programs are only for “drug abusers”, which she is not, as she is seen and monitored by a doctor. So, they can help you get on them, but unless you’re abusing the drug, you have to wean yourself off. At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawal.

Ever know anyone that had withdrawals of any type? Not fun to watch. My wife has been on opioid based medicine for 19 years. First half of that time, was on Fentanyl Patches, until the highest dosage wasn’t providing enough relief. She weaned herself off the patches, by stretching out the time between patch changes. She was on the higher dose Fentanyl patch, changed every 48 hours. While it wasn’t as horrible as in the movies, it was really hard on her. Mood swings, feeling like she had the super flu for nearly two months. Plus putting up with the pain slowly increasing, until she could safely switch to another medicine that might help the pain.

At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawals

So they tried oxycodone, another opioid. She had reactions to that, so it was changed to Percocet. That is the one she is trying to move away from. At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawal from medicine. She has amazed the doctors by being able to do it on her own twice now. A movement should be started to support pain management doctors, assist patients with stopping opioid medications, or any other strong pain medications. She told them the War On Opioids, is a joke. They could put her on narcotics, but not allowed to help her get off them.

All I can say, She’s one hell of a woman.

Comments always welcome,