Nailed It

[docbrite]

I just read something on this blog that, for me, sums up the problem with pain management in the U.S. The entry discusses a new time-release hydrocodone-based painkiller that some people oppose because "abusers" might crush and snort it:

[I]t is maybe not the coolest thing to render invisible folks who might need or benefit from the medication by

Comments

[ext_768500]

I've been taking vicodin for various tooth and kidney problems that always seem to misbehave. I like the pain meds, but I'm so tired of being in pain, and then also tired of taking vicodin so I don't always like it... if that even makes sense. I wish there was a time release option on the vicodin...and in reality people use lots of medications, power tools, sharp objects, everything out there in unintended and possibly dangerous ways, but people are going to keep doing that.
I'm currently avoiding treating a broken tooth (stupid of me) because I think they're going to say that it needs pulled and it doesn't hurt this instant, so I don't want to mess with it because doing that means more dental surgeries and medications.

[gunshotbeauty]

through watching a show on discovery called weed wars about a medical marijuana clinic in california it has made me think a lot about chronic pain vs abuse because my mum works with people with mental health problems and some require strong medication for their pain relief. one woman in particular has problems all the time with doctors giving her anything. i think there are so many issues with the pharmaceutical industry in general but the horrible problem of telling the difference between those who need pain relief vs those who abuse vs those who are one and become the other. i have some experiences with pain problems and need codeine even for a headache which is thankfully otc here. i know i am a red flag for becoming an addict and i'd definitely be using pills so it's always made me want to stay away from ones with any potential addictive qualities. it's really quite frightening how severe pain can be and how strong of a medication some people require. one of my mum's clients takes methadone for the pain so something like the new

[myrrhmade]

The reason I'm not on pain meds anymore, tbh. I got tired of triplicate scripts, and doctors looking at me as if I was some type of defective person for having massive chronic pain. Also, there was the random nurses that would say things like, "sure I'll refill your pain meds, just don't sell them on the street, OK?"

[mariadkins]

The plain fact is that the powers that be care more about theoretical drug abusers than they do about real people in pain.

we need this on t-shirts.

[infrogmation]

I highly recommend the book "Drug Crazy" subtitled "How We Got Into This Mess and How We Can Get Out" by Mike Gray. Very perceptive overview of how the US became a country where massive resources are directed against people who might take drugs because they'd enjoy them while people who actually need drugs are given short shrift.