Where Does It End With Opiods?

[Frankenski]

This is disturbing? How did it get this far?

consumer.healthday.com/bone...

My apologies for going off topic.

F

[YostConner]

The government that claims to want to foster the doctor/patient relationship now wants to tell your doctor what she can’t do in that relationship.

Stepping off soapbox now.

[Frankenski in reply to YostConner]

Nice pic, Yost.

[YostConner in reply to Frankenski]

Well thank you!

[Don1157]

What needs to be done, IMO as a psychologist, is to reduce stress in the world, which dives up opioids use and many other kinds of drug use. Unfortunately, stress also drives up drug company profits!

[jimreilly]

Just random thoughts, because I can't figure out all this stuff and I'm pretty confused. I get Yost's point, and at the same time it seems that some doctors, who have over-prescribed opiodes, bear some responsibility for the opiode abuse we are seeing in this country. But again at the same time I'm damn glad opiodes were easily available to me by prescription after surgeries for kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and two knee replacements; I relied on them heavily. I also know I didn't get addicted (I claim not credit for that, it's just the way it was). I also know when I'm in France I can go into a drugstore and get cough medicine with codeine with no prescription (I've done it twice, both times with legitimate serious coughs), and I wish that were true here. And the point about stress from Don 1157 is also well-taken, but I think maybe too limited in scope--studies seem to be showing that social context is an important factor in who becomes addicted to drugs and who doesn't. We must have a doozy of a social context right now. And finally, I don't think, Franenski, you need to make any apology for going off topic, because for many of us on this site opiodes have been important in pain control or may be important in the future, and their availability is critical to some people. If the government clamps down too hard (and I don't trust them one bit right now) many of us could be negatively affected now or in the future.

[Frankenski in reply to jimreilly]

Nice post, Jim. I dealt with my daughter's problem with opiods after a dental issue. It was horrible. Completely and utterly insane.

[MelaniePaul]

Over here in Ireland we hear about the problem with opioids in the States. But, to be honest, we have a similar problem here.

The regulations under which you can get opioids prescribed here are really a lot stricter now than they used to be. And the pharmacies make sure that you only get what you really need according to your prescription.

I must say, though, that I hope that they won't change the rules too much. For some people pain control through opioids is sooo sooo important. My husband's pain, for example, can only be controled through Methadone. Before that he was on another Morphene medication. And I know that his pain is not cancer-related, but there are many people who have cancer-related pain and for whom opioids are the only way.

It is always difficult: to make something available for those who really need it and to make sure that it cannot be abused by others.

Mel.

[Raff5757]

I have pain caused by cancer in my bones. Morphine was provided and it handled the pain well and improved my quality of life. After chemo, the pain went away and I tapered off the morphine. After two years on morphine without a problem I went off morphine on a three month taper. I pray to the good Lord, that morphine will be available when my cancer once again causes bone pain. Not fearful of morphine addiction. Tapers are quite doable if you want off.

[Hidden]

In the United States, the hypocrites that fight the "drug war" don't seem to be that concerned about the biggest drug problem in the country: Opioids. The drug pushers they need to be going after are Big Pharma and doctors overprescribing these highly addictive and destructive drugs. Our idiot Attorney General seems more concerned about marijuana use.

I know these drugs have a very legitimate use, especially for managing cancer pain. But check out this article titled "8 states that have more opioid prescriptions than people"

tnoverdoseprevention.org/si...

Here's an excerpt: Currently, opioid drug manufacturers have adopted a survival strategy that largely consists of lobbyists and millions of dollars in campaign contributions, intended to curb legal initiatives. That is, measures that could possibly put a dent in the number of opioids available on the streets. Although drugmakers state they are trying to battle the epidemic, they continue to use tactics which delay or squash any legislation that aims to put limitations on opioid drug prescriptions.

Oh, and to add to the hypocrisy, the health care providers here will drug test you for marijuana use before they give a prescription for opioids. Testing positive for marijuana means no prescription in many cases. I guess they know that marijuana has been proven to lower the use of opioids. They don't want any competition.

[Frankenski in reply to Hidden]

A local Dr. was just indicted for the death of his wife in 2012. She discovered he was pushing opiods through the local Pagan Motorcycle "Club". Disgusting.

No shit, more than one opiod script per person, including children. How? How can that be?

[Tjc1]

I remember seeing an article stating if you are in pain and take the opioids as perscibed, addiction is unlikely if you need it. Its when people use them for the high is where the problem lies.

Thomas

[Frankenski in reply to Tjc1]

I think it takes a certain kind of person to not get hooked. And, that's with any drug. But, with opiods there is a need for it beyond the prescribed time. It has nothing to do with whether you want it or not, it's the need to have it. If they aren't sated, they look for heroine. Then it's over. That's the cycle.

[BigM62 in reply to Tjc1]

I agree that makes a difference, but thats not the whole picture. Besides this bastard cancer, ive led a healthy addiction free life. No coffee, cigs, soda, or even food addictions. Im the kind of person who can seperate food taste from my desire for the right fuel. But after getting a cytoplasty to take a pressure of a met off of a spinal nerve i was discharged with some hydrocodone. Pretty minor stuff, but had never taken an opoid my whole life. 6 days in of minor use, i found myself looking for excuses to take it. My pain was tapering off, but my mind was asking for more drugs. After 6 days it was easy for me to cold turkey and remove the pills from the house. But MAN it was crazy how fast it hooks you. Of course when the time comes. I will be glad to get the relief i need. But for now i continue to carefully stay away.

[Frankenski in reply to BigM62]

Crazy stuff.

[Break60]

I spoke to a former judge and prosecutor about this and was astonished to find that these drugs are produced by illegal factories and sold directly to dealers!!! No prescriptions required. This is like meth labs and heroin factories. If that’s the case they needed to be raided and shut down just like the cartels factories in Latin America!

Bob

[Frankenski in reply to Break60]

Really crazy stuff!