New Wepons In the War On Pain Patients and Doctors

Jewish World Review ^ | 11-25-04 | Robert J. Cihak

[fat city]

http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com

| The current Congress has a few lame ducks, but they're still mighty busy birds - trying to push through lots of big legislation such as 1000 pages of a $338 billion omnibus spending bill. They're also hoping that little bills zip right through, below the public's radar, such as H.R. 3015 which targets physicians and pharmacists in the take-no-prisoners war on pain drugs and patients suffering chronic pain.

H.R. 3015, the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act, the US House of Representatives in October. It's now before the Senate where it's slated for a voice vote before the current session of Congress expires on January 2, 2005. A voice vote is a way to pass a bill quickly without a record of which way each senator voted.

[fat city]

I guess its easier for the DEA to catch chronic back patients than crack dealers. At least they, and their doctors, leave a better paper trail.

[dangerdoc]

There are physicians no better than a crack dealer. We see physician assisted addicts all the time at our facility. Those physician do not provide this "service" for free and should be held responsible for their action.

Unfortunately, these patients run out of meds over the holidays and present at out facility in withdrawal.

[fat city]

Law enforcement has always had legal access to med records and the ability to prosecute "pill pushers". However, sadly, it is the nature of much pain treatment to create "addicts" as the only succesful medications are narcotic. If not abused, these drugs do allow for a moderate functionality in patients.

A national database available to insurance companies, employers, etc. seems a bit heavy-handed. The voice vote is the tipoff.

[MizSterious]

I'm not surprised. A lady who used to work with my husband had a major habit with some well-known painkillers, sorry, can't spell them. Oxy somethin. They were prescribed--she'd run out of them and frantically call the doctor for a refill.

Chronic pain is a horrendous thing. Fortunately, I deal with mine in a different way.

[TheCrusader]

"If not abused, these drugs do allow for a moderate functionality in patients."

Total government control of physicians dispensing pain medication is just ridiculous. We have an aging population out there with all sorts of chronic conditions that cause pain and doctors are now sometimes reluctant to prescribe medications even to the elderly suffering because of all the ballyhoo the government has made over controlling everything.

My dad, (83), suffers from two deadly forms of cancer, two recently broken hips and nerve damage in both legs, and we've had difficulty at times getting his pain meds refilled due to all the outlandish red tape and federal controls.

[RedMonqey]

"I guess its easier for the DEA to catch chronic back patients than crack dealers."

.

Chronic pain patients don't run as fast...

[dangerdoc]

I find it hard to believe that anyone would have trouble getting narcotic pain medicine for terminal cancer. The DEA will not bother a doctor treating cancer pain. And as far as I can tell, they don't particularly care it you prescribe unnecessary pain meds. The only time I have seen them get involved is when they think a physician is prescribing medicine which is being resold on the streets.

The DEA doesn't have a problem but I have a problem with physicians giving healthy people narcotics that are obviously out of proportion to their discomfort. One very busy physician I used to know prescribed percocet to his female patients for menstrual cramps.

I have treated his patients when he was on vacation in obvious withdrawal and needing detox.

I think the DEA is not abusing their authority and demonstrating a high level of discretion.

[Lion in Winter]

BTTT.

I am an older American who has had two major surgeries this year and suffer from a couple chronic illness' as well. Plus, I am almost an invalid.

My daughter or her husband has to go to one of my doctor's just to pick up the precription for a very low dosage darvocet for me... everytime I need a refill. It cannot be just called in. If they could not be here for me... well, I would be HURTING!

I am hardly an addict!! I do not even take them everyday either. So, I find even thw present restrictions a real PAIN.

[EEDUDE]

I was on OxyContin for two years for an inoperable spinal condition. I hated the way they made me feel (depressed) but it was the only way to make the situation tolerable and allow me to continue to work.

The pain clinic I went to gave random tests to prevent diversion (you better be taking what's prescribed)and tests for other narcotics (you better NOT be taking anything else!)

I know there are some pill mills out there and I don't care one bit if they end up behind bars.

But when street heroin is 90% pure and costs $75.00 a gram,
I think the DEA ought to have better things to do than harass legit pain specialists and their patients.

I am sick of seeing people in pain who can't get relief because of a bunch of bureacrats and overzealous cops.

As you must know, the WOD is a total failure.

If you want to go after something that kills a lot more people, start a war on alcohol.

[ARridgerunner]

More insanity.

The whole sorry lot has gone completely bonkers.

[TheCrusader]

"I find it hard to believe that anyone would have trouble getting narcotic pain medicine for terminal cancer."

That's because you're ignorant of the facts.

[dangerdoc]

So Crusader, what facts are you aware of that I am not? I see these patients every day, about 10,000 patient visits per year. I based my opinion based on looking at real cancer patients, looking at their medicines and staying current on current pain management techniques.

You can call me ignorant but I think you are talking out of your ***.

If you have these facts, please share them. If you just think anyone who disagrees with you is ignorant then maybe you should post to a liberal site.

My original opinion, which is unchanged by your illuminating post, is that the DEA does not in fact prosecute physicians who are inappropriately prescribing narcotics.

[TheCrusader]

"If you just think anyone who disagrees with you is ignorant then maybe you should post to a liberal site. My original opinion, which is unchanged by your illuminating post, is that the DEA does not in fact prosecute physicians who are inappropriately prescribing narcotics."

ahem, I believe it's a liberal principle that government should have more control over physicians and health care. Liberals like the Clintons, whom you appear to be in bed with regarding health care, would have total control over physicians and prescriptions.

As for me, I'd prefer to let America's highly trained physicians be free to give health care and dispense medicines as they see fit, not as some government hack with an education in 'law enforcement' would have it. Between the insurance companies and Big Brother, American doctors are already far too restricted in providing health care.

It's general knowledge that doctors are over regulated already, as are often forced to release patients from the hospital before they'd like to, (insurance companies), and that a great many doctors are reluctant to prescribe pain killers to their patients who need them because they are being watched by Big Brother. If you feel otherwise that's your opinion to which you're entitle to, but my bet is that most folks would strongly disagree with you that the government should move in and take tighter control over doctors.

[dangerdoc]

I've been in practice for 15 years. The big "scare" now is getting sued for not prescribing enough pain medicine. I'm not making this up.

As a physician, I do not want uncle Sam intruding into my practice, but, I want drug pushers prosecuted. I don't care if they are kids on the street corner or lily white men in expensive suits with an MD behind their name.

I don't know what factors have led to your opinion or how many people agree with me. I have seen too many real people have their lives destroyed by drugs given by a physician who didn't care enough to tell them no.

I prescribe narcotics every day. I don't fear the DEA. I do fear the considerable damage I can do if I am not carefull.