Opioid Epidemic

For some time the Government, and various Agencies, as well as the AMA, CDC, and the VA have been telling us that there is an opioid epidemic in the US.

True? .......... False?

Actually it is both. How? IF we are speaking of ILLEGAL opioid use/abuse, then, yes, there is an epidemic here in the US. However, that is not a Medical problem, it is a Legal problem, because of the inability of the various Law Enforcement Agencies to properly enforce the existing Laws.

IF we are speaking of Legal use, opioids legally prescribed by Primary Care or other Doctors that can prescribe their use......then it is FALSE!

The C.D.C. itself proves this to be true by printing and distributing a Poster concerning the use of opioids to the VA and other Medical Facilities around the US. This Poster is displayed in the three VA Facilities that I go to here in Bama, and I would think in all other Facilities around the US as well......... To ensure that folks know what it says, I am typing the important part below, then showing the Poster to prove its existence.

AS MANY AS
1 IN 4
PEOPLE
receiving prescription opioids
long term in a primary care setting
struggle with opioid addiction

[UNDERSTAND what this is really saying. What it is REALLY saying is that 3 in 4 people, or 75% of the people receiving opioids prescribed by their PC Drs...........DO NOT STRUGGLE with opioid addiction!!!! No way that equates to an EPIDEMIC! What it does equate to is that 75% of the people in the US who suffer from chronic / severe pain are being denied the MEDICATION that will relieve their pain AND increase their quality of life!

Now, folks can argue all they want,.......but, unless you are one of the people being told that the crippling pain you suffer from can be better treated with Tylenol..........then, well...............

TYLENOL? SERIOUSLY?

When my PC at the VA told me this, I laughed out loud! I told him to lay his hand on the table and let me slam it 3 or 4 time with a hammer, and then tell HIM to take two Tylenol and it'll be all better!

He declined my offer,.........hmmm, wonder why?

My late wife had debilitating arthritis and without the use of opioids for pain she would have no quality of life whatsoever and the pain would have been intolerable. Tylenol is worthless as a pain reliever. It doesn't even take away my occasional headache. I am of the opinion that opioid pain medication, as well as anxiety medication should be able to be purchased over the counter at your nearest Walmart or Target without a prescription, no limit as to type and quantity, and priced affordably. For the record, I take neither of these types of medication but I do not look down at those that do. Who needs the government to control the levels of acceptable pain? Yes, there are those that abuse these medications but also all forms of drugs besides opioids. This so-called crisis is concocted by the government.

I just googled this, לא תלוי בי or"lo telvi bi," which is kind of, not up to me....

I can say Lyla tov chavari.........Col tov m'Yahweh lay atah.......

???

LOL we live in a world today where no one will own up to their responsibilities. They like the high the pain pills give so lie to their doc to get more. then when it becomes addiction it's their doctors fault. That is why good drugs like Demerol that for people who are allergic to morphine need, it is being removed from the market because of the addiction factor. when I was in a car wreck, they gave me two shots of Dilaudid. I drove home. ( I worked in that ER and they knew I was safe to drive home).

For migraine suffers, they can't go to the ER to break a true strong migraine. to many druggies come into our ER's saying they have a migraine and want a shot. It is a problem, I watch my elder families suffer and many Pt because of this problem. yet Booz is still legal. look how many addicts there are for that. I don't want them to start regulating drink. history shows it don't work. to many politicians drink, few need real pain meds, but I guarantee you if they need them their money will be able to get them.

I am blessed with researching natural ways to relief pain. So far I don't or haven't needed any narcs in a coupe of years. Sadly the problem will probably only get worse.

Lol.......

Walk a mile in my shoes, then see how well your natural cures keep you sane..........

The Grace of God, and His gift of the Spirit for "healers" which are Doctors.......and the advancement in medicines are the only reason I ma here today.

Just saying..........if some herb works for you like smoking dope works for some others, then all is well........

Hope your natural ways keep you pain under control............

I am unsure if you misunderstood what I was saying or if you are adding to.

I am in support of those that need pain meds. I worked in a hospital long enough to see the real deals and the phonies. And know why this problem is taking place as stated above.

From 2003 to 7 years ago. I was a walking talking Pharmacy. I would be sent home with 3 months worth of scripts. Including class 4 narcotics. 8 years ago I was diagnosed with an auto immune that attacks and destroys my joints. As well as a migraine suffer since 1992 from a TBI. So yes I know pain all to well. I also learned what all the Pharmaceuticals were doing to my body. And being that my body develops a reaction to drugs after being on them for so long I was running out of options.
When the put me on a drug that almost killed me, to stop joint pain 8 years ago. That's when I was done with Pharmaceuticals. Since 2013 I have not been on any Pharmaceuticals except twice. Both times severe bronchitis and sinusitis. As far as the auto immune attacking my joints. My natural meds have basically made that disease non- existent based on my last x-rays and the lack of joint pain. Nor have I needed any meds to break a migraine since 2013. Since getting off all Pharmaceuticals I am a much healthier woman. Also I did all of it with the help of my PCP. Being he seen first hand my body rejecting drug after drug.

I understand pain. I have endured it and witnessed it. Vital signs are a key indicator of real pain. And when I lived in legal states because of my auto immune disorder could have got a script for marijuana. I have never ever used it, and dislike it. Though after my own PCP wanted me on it, I did research. It can be beneficial for several illnesses therefore I won't judge those who use it legally.

When I say the problem will only get worse, I'm referring to narcotic control, and Pt needing it not getting it. I've also watched how these synthetic drugs destroy a body. I have a family member that has stage 3 kidney disease from over a decade of prescribed pain pill use. There are pros and cons with narcotics.

The problem with some of these pain relievers is that over time, the person needs more and more. Stronger doses over time. As a chronic pain sufferer myself, I manage best I can. Try to keep my body away from long term meds. Side effects are just not worth it