Someone in the DEA wants us to see the idiocy in not allowing people access to their medicine of choice, so he put forth this effort--knowing it would be blocked as unreasonable, just as the crackdown on medical marijuana is unreasonable.

Either that, or they're just a bunch of idiots.

What to believe, what to believe . . .

Legalize Cannabis and forget the pills . Some of `em anyway . A good strong indica will replace previous pain management techniques .

and screw the dea if people want to be druggies let them and let them overdose and die it would make the country a better place to get rid of them loser fucking people anyway good riddance i say who cares if someone sells their meds and someone dies its not their fault its the moron that took them so i say make everything legal and get rid of all the dumb asses that are going to die from overdose anyway 

Why is this news, or a controversy. Another wild goose chase for nothing. Florida is a retirement haven full of old, decrepit people in pain. Non-issue, non news. Pure government harassment. Get rid of all these useless federal agencies, and if not soon, then we should be thinking French Revolution / October 17th thoughts about them. They are not our friends.

Some of the above comments are the reason why I am reticent about fully supporting the so-called anti-drug war groups.  The typical mantra is that pills are bad and marijuana is good.  The reality is that people should have the right to any substances so long as they are using them responsibly.  Chronic pain patients are completely left out of the debate on the war on drugs.  If "big pharma" were really behind the push to make pain medications more available, the big pharmaceutical companies could probably put enough money into political campaigns to direct the DEA's attention elsewhere.  Yet, the DEA, since the latter days of the Bush jr. Administration, has focused much of its attention on so-called prescription drug abuse, with the help of a complicit media, which has hyped a few overdose deaths (among millions of users who never have any problems).  I've never seen a pain patient interviewed on television who benefits from the opiate drugs or a televised discussion about the millions of people who use them responsibly without managing to overdose on them.  Indeed, opium has been used medicinally at least as long as marijuana and arguably much longer. 

The fact is that most narcotic or opiate pain pills have been around for so long that they can be bought cheaply as generics.  If anything, "big pharma" would like to have these opiate drugs outlawed so they can push newer nonopoid-based drugs which bring in bigger profits, because generics are not available.  For example, Celebrex (or take your pick), a non-opiate drug, costs several times as much as say, Vicodin, which has been around for a while and is available as a cheap generic drug. 

The above comments all have merit.However the laws passed by the republican controlled house, senate, and Governor,are now taking effect. Our elected official promised to get government regulation out of our private lives: What could be more private and personal than health care, your doctor, and your pain? I thought they learned with the Sheivo case:The government has no place between the doctor/patient relationship.Law enforcement needs to find another revenue stream. I predict deadly force will be used in a physicians office within the next few months in Florida. Pain patients (6 to 7 out of every 10 of us) are told their pain is either mental (good luck getting that covered in Florida) but most likely: suddenly after being maintained successfully on a modest amount of meds for decades allowing for productive lives, your doctor turns to you and accuses you of drug and addiction issues and tosses you out of the practice.At least be honest with your patient. Do not shame them. This only adds to the alarming suicide rate in our state for non treated and under-treated pain. [During Gov Jeb Bush Administration, those stats stopped being collected.] Explain to your patient that you went to medical (other related fields) school because you were passionate about helping pain and suffering in the world. Tell them of your amazement that the legislature and Governor, and their agents(law enforcement) now are the only ones allowed to diagnose and treat their pain.Go vote. Tell them why. Pain patients ARE the majority in Florida.You are NOT criminals.  

There a so many legitimate pain sufferers in Florida who can not find a doctor willing to treat them because the doctors are afraid to. I moved here from Ohio, I have been in pain management because of a connective tissue disease that is eroding my bones. I have a collagen disorder that allows my joints to slide out of socket, causing arthritis and recently a serious fracture on my femoral head, due to my hips sliding out of socket so often. Yeah, this condition also affects my skin, organ tissues, my eyes, my veins... Every bit of tissue within my body. It hurts to walk, sit, stand, and lay down. I only want to live my life like a normal person. I'm holding out on a hip replacement because I am so young, and they don't last very long. My doctor told me that if I got a hip replacement in my early 20's, that I'd most likely have to get 2 or even 3 more before within my lifetime because they wear out... So, I'm taking a risk, by waiting, and walking around on a broken hip. My shoulders, knees, wrists, fingers, ankles, and SI joint (lower back) can come out of socket; at random. I have neurapathy, bilateral carpal tunnel, painful arthritis in my hands, feet, knees, shoulders, and ofcourse both of my hips. I also fall down onto the concrete 1-2 every month and smack my head and body, everytime I have a grand mal seizure. I can't take any arthritis medication anymore because I was originally prescribed mobic and a few others without knowing the risk of developing a severe seizure disorder, that has continued (so far 2 years), after stopping. I have not been able to find a doctor who can help me with my pain. I'm limping around in agonizing pain because these doctors are afraid to treat thier own patients. I was told that cancer patients are the only patients that doctors will treat for pain. I am glad they help at least one group of pain sufferers, however there are so many other types of pain. It is such a waste of time to go after doctors to this extent. Since the DEA can see and track which doctors are abusing thier prisciption pad, by looking it up. Are these new laws even necessary? Please tell me how the DEA can arbitrarily decide how much of a medication is sent to legit licensed pharmacies? How was the amount even considered or formulated? I'm wondering how this even happened? The DEA is NOT cracking down on pill mills or illegal drug sales. They are harassing pharmacies and Doctors. Why? Obviously the DEA knows what's best for us. They know more than any of our doctors, exactly what each patient needs. Legal loopholes exist for the pillmills there are new ones beginning to pop up. I'd much rather see a legit doctor, but the alternative is beginning to leave me without another option. That alternative being a life of misery. I've been without any pain medication for weeks. I am disabled because of the seriousness of my condition, yeah this young too. More than anything I'd like to return to the work force. I've scheduled my surgery and I'm noticing that my left hip is showing similiar symptoms of a fracture due to the extra weight I've put on it (Im not obese at 125lbs). I am trading my hips including less surgeries for temporary post op medication. Pot is illegal here guys. I'm not trying to go to a Florida prison. The situation is out of control. By the way NSAIDs are extremely dangerous. Opiates have been administered for thousands of years. Not once have I ever heard of anyone suffering from even a heroine addiction to have seizures long after stopping, or the serious neurological issues and all these other permanent side affects. When Oxycotin was outlawed it killed 800 people the year prior, NSAIDs on the other hand killed almost 17,000 people during the same year. Synthetic drugs are protected, pushed, commercialized, and they're America's real sweet-heart. Watch out! Take caution please I tried the non-narcotic route, look where it got me.

We live in a Democracy is a joke! We are controlled by the goverment here in Florida! I have 5 herniated discs in my neck and back in addition almost every disc that is not herniated has some kind of issue! I am in CONSTANT pain and can't believe how difficult it is to get my pain under control. I was seeing a family Dr more than a year. His office was almost an hour from my home but I made the drive for good pain management. Then he became scared shitless of the DEA. As my pain worsened he could not help. So I found another Pain management DR. What a scary place that was. I felt like it was a place of addict and did not go back. Now I found a Dr that seems okay. I went on vacation and came back with sever pain in my leg. I called3 days before my appt and was told to go to the ER I was not seeking meds just an exam of my leg and a script to go get an X-ray or MRI. You've got to be kidding me, now Drs are scared shitless to even see patients??? When are us with chronic pain going to stand up as one unit and do something about our government treating us that are truly in pain like addicts. When are we going to get Drs to grow some balls and stand up for their patients instead of allowing themselves to be dictated by the state??? What about the hyperactive oath!! This is not a democracy!!!!

We live in a Democracy is a joke! We are controlled by the goverment here in Florida! I have 5 herniated discs in my neck and back in addition almost every disc that is not herniated has some kind of issue! I am in CONSTANT pain and can't believe how difficult it is to get my pain under control. I was seeing a family Dr more than a year. His office was almost an hour from my home but I made the drive for good pain management. Then he became scared shitless of the DEA. As my pain worsened he could not help. So I found another Pain management DR. What a scary place that was. I felt like it was a place of addict and did not go back. Now I found a Dr that seems okay. I went on vacation and came back with sever pain in my leg. I called3 days before my appt and was told to go to the ER I was not seeking meds just an exam of my leg and a script to go get an X-ray or MRI. You've got to be kidding me, now Drs are scared shitless to even see patients??? When are us with chronic pain going to stand up as one unit and do something about our government treating us that are truly in pain like addicts. When are we going to get Drs to grow some balls and stand up for their patients instead of allowing themselves to be dictated by the state??? What about the hypocratic oath!! This is not a democracy!!!!

We live in a Democracy is a joke! We are controlled by the goverment here in Florida! I have 5 herniated discs in my neck and back in addition almost every disc that is not herniated has some kind of issue! I am in CONSTANT pain and can't believe how difficult it is to get my pain under control. I was seeing a family Dr more than a year. His office was almost an hour from my home but I made the drive for good pain management. Then he became scared shitless of the DEA. As my pain worsened he could not help. So I found another Pain management DR. What a scary place that was. I felt like it was a place of addict and did not go back. Now I found a Dr that seems okay. I went on vacation and came back with sever pain in my leg. I called3 days before my appt and was told to go to the ER I was not seeking meds just an exam of my leg and a script to go get an X-ray or MRI. You've got to be kidding me, now Drs are scared shitless to even see patients??? When are us with chronic pain going to stand up as one unit and do something about our government treating us that are truly in pain like addicts. When are we going to get Drs to grow some balls and stand up for their patients instead of allowing themselves to be dictated by the state??? What about the hyperactive oath!! This is not a democracy!!!!

I am in physical torment 24/7. My pain is through the roof from neck and back injuries, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Osteo arthritis, etc. Not knowing if I will ever get better leaves me in a horrible state of mind. I've been treated so badly by Doctors I hate to go every month. I am treated like a common criminal, I am being punished because I can't function with out pain medicine. Finally the pain management doctor got me to a point that I could function for 6 to 8 hours a day. The pain never goes away completely, but even getting down to a six on a pain chart of one to ten, ten being the highest is a great relief. Now I cannot fill my prescriptions for pain. I don't know what is to come. I can't get help or answers from anyone in health care. My quality of life is at a zero, my pain is excruciating all the day, sleep is my only relief and I am awaken by pain several times a night. I am not a quiter but I need help and guidance. I've got to find a way to get my prescriptions filled. I've heard of mail ordering prescriptions, however, I don't know who can be trusted.Any advice, help, guidance is welcome. Thank you. LilBit.....

Liibit, I feel your frustration and helplessness. I too have chronic pain, same Dr for over 2 years, same pharmacy for 2 years. I submit to monthly drug tests, always bring med bottle for pill count, and tow the line. 2 months ago I drove to over 40+ pharmacys to be turned away and treated like a junkie. I'm a 51 y/o woman, wife and mother. I'm fully aware of the danger this drug poses if in the wrong hands. I speak to no one but my husband and Dr about my use of medication. I went 2 wks last month with no medication. I finally wemt back to pain mgt Dr who switched me to something else. The pharmacist would only fill 90 of the 150 I was prescribed. I had to forfeit the rest. Im outraged, and to top it off, the new med makes me nauseous and drowsy. I'm at my wits end, I've e mailed my representative, Senator and governor. No response. It obvious no one cares about legitimate chronic pain sufferers. You can find a good pain mgt Dr in FL. I would trust mine with my life. He's compassionate, and the only one I trust to give me epidurals. It's the pharmacys that don't want to fill med. I've heard everything from I'm not comfortable filling this.. to good luck with that, to we're not taking new patients. Hello! I was filling at one of the biggest chains for 2 yrs. Yet I go a mile away to the same chain, and they're not taking new patients. Between the dea and the fda, this will affect all of us permanently. I've done a lot of research on this, and everywhere I turn, there's a road block. It blows my mind I have a legit prescription from a legit Dr and every month it's a nightmare. Good luck and God Bless

(preface: aplogies for "wearing it on my sleeve".  I know there are many who suffer like I do.  But it helps emotionally to egocentrically tell someone in the world about your suffering.  Perhaps "the squeky wheel will get some grease from fellow suffers and sympathetic human beings who see this post.  I want to feel well again so I can help others.  And I definitely want to actively protest against the inhumane, destructive and deadly war on drugs.  Decriminalization means putting the the killer gangs and the "lilly white front"drug launderers out of business.  Thus the violence and corruption will be no longer, regarding "drugs")

 

I was rx'd hydrocodone for several years from a family doctor.  He honestly told me because the war on drugs has got its tentacles in the doctor patient relationship he could no longer rx my vicodin(hydrocodone). He said he worried about getting arrested.  He referred me to several pain specialists.  I went through all three and they were also worried about the war on drugs tentacles into medicine.  One pain doctor weaned me off of vicodin too quickly and put me on toxic levels of neurontin and old anti-depressant amitriptyline.  I could not handle it.  So for the past 2 years I have lost most of my 20k dollars in savings having to buy my vicodin online and elsewhere, out of pocket.  It is even more depressing because when I was rx'd via medicaid for disability from a legitimate doctor, cost me next to nothing.  I have been on way-below-poverty-line ssi for disability for approx 15 years.  I only get $720.00 per month and about $80.00 in food stamps. Besides my arthritis I have developed serious illnesses that are urological and gastroentological. Several months ago part of my prostate was removed and my urine retention became less and I was feeling better.  But the "turp" procedure has left me without being able to ejaculate.  Orgasm feels like next to nothing now.  I was never told before hand that this urological surgery would leave me this way.  Now my urine retention has become a problem again and I have to self catheter again. My urological surgeon barely gives me the time a day, let alone give me another appointment to discuss my resurgent problems, possible second surgery or other procedures.

Colonoscopy seems to be a constant reply from doctors.  I am hypoglycemic and the 24 hour preparation of medicine induced diarrhea and no protein leaves me seriously ill.  I have had to cancel two   Perhaps if our corrupt privitized  medical system would allow you to be in hospital to be monitored during the 24 before the colonoscopy or if I had a nurse monitoring in me in my apartment, perhaps I could go through with the colonoscopy.  However it was revealing when an Egyptian doctor gave me a sigmoidoscopy about ten years ago at a university medical center.  He told me colonoscopy was just a money maker and that  a good doctor can usually tell if anything is wrong further down the colon with the non prep(except for an enema just prior)sigmoidoscopy, bloodwork and other non evasive tests and imaging.

In addition I have a long standing iatrogenic psychological condition.  Many years ago I had a non violent nervous breakdown and the psychiatrist insanely gave me the torture drugs.  I had rx based side effects that give me flashbacks till this day.  About 15 years ago a psychiatrist put me on benzodiazepines(e.g. xanax, klonopin,valium,atival et al).  They are one of the least toxic of "feel good" anti-anxiety drugs psychoactive drugs but are the hardest and most dangerous drugs to withdraw from including harder than heroin.  Luckily I currently have had "shrinks" who rx's(prescribe me) an adequate dose of benzos.  But the war on drugs won't allow refills.  So I have to see him once a month just to get another script.  It is difficult to travel or move somewhere.

Nobody really cares or understands me.  With all these and other pressures and problems I have not mentioned, and another summer wasted....I have come to the point of seriously considering suicide.  And the last thing I need is psychiatric intervention

Please join us on Wednesday September 12th 2012 from 10:00am-noon in Tallahassee at the Capital Courtyard as we Rally in support of chronic pain patients access to opioid medications.

Patients are being denied the filling of their legal prescriptions signed by board certified pain physicians at the pharmacy level. Pharmacists are afraid of the DEA and are not carrying schedule II opioids, or refusing to fill them. Others, are charging hundreds in usary fees for the risk of filling opioid medications.

The Rally in Tallahassee brings together physicians, pharmacists, clinicians, and chronic patients alike.

This is the first time in the U.S. that patients are standing up for their rights! The rally is sponsored by the Fight for Florida Patient Care Action Network, a small group of chronic pain sufferers.

Call Donna Ratliff the Director of FFFPCAN at: 813-634-3829 or

Email Dr. Jeff Fudin http://paindr.com/prompt-info/

 

As a 59 year old male I suffer from injuries suffered working for the likes of Halliburton, Exxon and few other oil field employers, and now I pay the price. When working for these type companies you did not complain you just took your the abuse to your body to get the job done in the name of America and as a REAL MAN. Well sucker now just try to get your prescription filled. "What do you mean you do not have it in stock you did last month." "The DEA will only allocate us just so much every month" "Sorry" So you go back to your medical provider and explain the problem so he writes a prescription for Subutex and you have it filled. "That will be a 100.00 dollars please" " Does not my insurance cover it" " They dont cover medications for drug addicts"  So you go home like a good little boy and take it as directed, 6 hours later stomach cramps set in so sever that you are doubled over, Next a trip to the john half of dozen times then I feel like I am about to go into seizures and about to try to call an ambulance if I can manage to dial 911. You finally gather the strength to crawl out of bed about nine o clock feeling like someone beat you with a ball bat. Gee guess I WILL NOT MAKE IT TO WORK TODAY!!!

SO IN CLOSING I WANT TO THANK ALL YOU GOVERNMENT SHIT BAGS WITH THE DEA AND ANY OTHER AGENCY THAT HAS A HAND IN THIS. IT IS NOT RIGHT. IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY THAT YOU GO THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE PUTTING EVERY OTHER LAW ABIDING CITIZEN OR SUBJECT SHOULD I SAY THROUGH. MAY YOU ROT IN HELL AND MAY EVERY EVIL THAT HAS  PLAGUED THIS PLANET FALL UPON YOU AND YOURS. YOU ARE SELF SERVING SELF REICHIOUS BASTARDS IN EVERY SCENE OF THE WORD. I HOPE I HAVE MADE MYSELF CLEAR AND THIS COMES FROM NOT JUST ME BUT HUNDREDS LIKE ME.

I have a valid, legal prescription from a licensed doctor & I was told yesterday by the pharmacist at the Publix where I have been filling my prescriptions for years that though they will still be stocking my meds they will be unable to fill mine because in the words of the pharmacist"Publix doesn't want us doing this anymore. I won't go into all my physical problems but they are vast. I will be looking into legal action as I believe the pharmacist has a duty to fill my prescription s or at the very least give me a better explanation than this.