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Opiods for chronic pain

Posted , 8 users are following.

Choanie
Choanie

FDA guidelines have changed and my doctor was prescribing an Opiod which really helped my severe chronic pain from multiple conditions.  Now the insurance company doesn't have to pay because the FDA guidelines don't allow this "off-label" use for chronic pain.  It is too bad that this is the case for those of us using them legitimately.  Yet, addicts can get them for short-term use, in self-help or rehab situations.  All of the billions spent to prevent legitimate use should go toward research about long-term chronic pain and the complexity of it.  What do you think?  What has helped you?

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  • cerys.aine
    cerys.aine Choanie

    Posted

    I'm sad for your predicament. These "guidelines" are quickly turning to mandates, aren't they? As for formularies, its crazy how insurance plans have us over a barrel. My spouse changed jobs and therefore insurers. Some of my meds are not on the new plan's "preferred" list and I nearly ended up in the hospital from a required trial of Linzess. I can only take Amitiza at its lowest dose - after the "failure" which meant a couple weeks writhing in pain unable to even talk to my family - the insurance "granted" the override and the "privilege" of paying  a $90 copay. I'm only able to get it bc the pharma co has a patient assistance program. It hurts my heart to hear these "guidelines" are now mandates for veterans. And likely Medicare plans are next. I'm so helpless reliant on my spouse and no hope he can retire. Until the politicians and bureaucrats have to deal with the obamacare fallout and these hyped up abuse statistics impact their care, we patients are just expendable. I hear the State legislatures -like Maine - are even legislating pain meds post-surgery. Maybe in time the general public will experience the horror of untreated pain and the pendulum will swing back. Until then I think writing your elected officials is the only way to get some balance to this insane misrepresentation of prescription meds as "evil". Reality is  97% legitimate chronic pain prescriptions. So vast majority of abuse is people recreationally using. The billion is going to their treatment - much to the glee of the doctors advising the FDA/CDC who work at rehab centers. Ugh. Good luck everyone.
    • Choanie
      Choanie cerys.aine

      Posted

      I am sorry for your situation, too.  It is a shame how insurance plans have us over a barrel.  Medicare plans are not "next."  My situation is a MEDICARE issue.  Due to FDA guidellines changing, with Obama's War on Drugs, primarlily Opiods, Heroine deaths, etc., they are not letting peope get them with legitimate prescriptions for long-term use. Now, if you have surgery, certain meds can be given for three days after, sometimes ONE WEEK, but that's it!  This includes the use of Morphine for cancer patients at the end of life and many are not able to get what they need to control their pain.  Many doctors have taken a stance, have blogs, told patients to contact pain groups across the nation, congress reps, etc.  And, many have done just that.  Yet, the patients who need and deserve them can't get them and have insurance companies pay.  The cost is too high and they don't want to pay it.  What they recommend isn't strong enough to work, I don't know what the answer is but think people have to write to their congress people and explain situations, ask for help, maybe share the cost of hiring a lawyer to do legal research for loop-holes, etc.  One thing is for certain, you can't just sit back and wish for change, you have to be a part of the solution and find a way to do it.  Be persistent.  One person can make a difference.
    • kathy07828
      kathy07828 Choanie

      Posted

      My kids are so frustrated seeing me in pain, trying to manage on the medication level I'm only allowed to have, they were trying to talk me into asking for an Rx for medical marijuana. It certainly can't be any worse than these drugs I'm on, but good luck trying to get an Rx for our filled here in NJ. Gov Christie finally allowed it to be grown by a couple companies after years of refusing to allow this, despite the fact that it had been made legal here. Now they want to get me stuff off the street if necessary they're so desperate to find something to give me my life back. I think you're right Choanie, a class action law suit citing cruel and inhuman refusal from all the powers that be to at least give us access to a little relief might be the way to go. This is definitely discrimination.
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