dgdtemple
Greenlighter
Any comments on the effects of this on patient welfare or health consequences overall?
-
BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards
Prescription Drug Monitoring
- Thread starter dgdtemple
- Start date
Are you doing research or what exactly is your aim here? Let me know and I'll figure out exactly where to move this to, as this isn't really the appropriate place.
dgdtemple
Greenlighter
No research, just looking at some recent ACLU privacy issues that seem to infringe on states using mandatory reporting and the lack of transparency for patients to see exactly what is associated with their situation. Apparently some employers are able to access this information, as well as insurers which is not good, also the factual nature of such reports can be in error. It seems to be widely loved by all but recently has met with some pushback in driving some patients to sources that are questionable. And other issues about it (DEA reporting, etc)
GizmodiGirl
Greenlighter
- Joined
- May 9, 2017
- Messages
- 13
Chronic pain patient here. Where I live they have very strict prescription drug monitoring programs. I have used the same pharmacy for years, but in the past 2 years I have had my pharmacist tell me on occasions they are out of stock, and I had one of my pain management doctors drop all her pain patients and go into treating amputees only, saying that the DEA and the way the state that I live has changed things in regards to doctors prescribing to pain patients, that "it simply isn't worth the risk" per my prior doctors own words. Apparently it wouldn't take much for a doctor to mess up, or forget to dot an "i" or cross a "t" for them to get into trouble with the state or the DEA and have a full audit that would tie up their practice. We have lost a lot of very good pain management physicians in our state. I was lucky that I was able to find another doctor to work with me. But I have had to wean myself off the pain medications, and found this Kratom which has helped quite a bit. I had to give this careful thought about getting off my pain medications, because it is just getting to be too much of a hassle and trouble trying to get my pain medications filled, (never knowing if my pharmacy will be out, or refuse to fill), and never knowing if my current doctor ends up being one of those dropping all their patients due to pressures from the DEA and state board, or finding the risks are no longer worth it.
This has impacted many legitimate chronic pain patients though out the US. I have a next door neighbor who is a retired nurse, and is in the last stages of chemotherapy for her cancer. She has had several pharmacies where we live refuse to fill her pain medication. The strength and quantity somehow "red flagged" her. I don't understand how you get "red flagged" by the pharmacies when you haven't had your medication filled by them. It is a serious issue, and it doesn't help when we have a huge heroin epidemic raging in the US right now. It seems the media keeps pointing a finger at us chronic pain patients (and their doctors) as being the cause.
I am having open back surgery here soon, to have hardware removed out of my back, and so I will probably need to get back on the pain meds for a short time for post operative pain, but honestly it does have me very anxiety ridden over getting the pain meds filled, and or even taking them again, because it is just getting to a point that every pain patient is viewed with suspicion. I did read in a couple of news articles that some pain patients are taking their lives because they were abruptly dropped by their doctor or the doctor took them off their pain medications due to the level of intense scrutiny now that doctors are facing.
I have had several RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) procedures on my back, intervetrebral steroid blocks, and as I said am now having hardware removed. All this has added up to a huge medical bills for me, and I am on a fixed income. Honestly the pain medication I was taking worked well for me over a 6 year period. I didn't abuse my medication either, I passed all my drug screening tests, I don't use illicit/illegal drugs either. Kratom is legal in my state and this is the first time I have used it for pain. If it becomes illegal I will stop using it, but until then will keep using the Kratom off and on as needed. The pain medications are very inexpensive, costs me only 3-4 dollars for a month supply, as opposed to the medical bills that I have accumulated from "alternative treatments". The Kratom isn't cheap either.
This has impacted my life quite a bit. I don't mind a drug monitoring program, but as a patient you have no control over what a pharmacist puts in your file online. Where I live you can't even get your pain medications filled any sooner than a day or two prior to your medication refill date. All of these changes over the past couple of years has been a "knee jerk" reaction in my opinion to the drug crisis. I understand there are patients who may abuse their medication and have addiction issues, but for those of us that don't abuse our medication, are dutiful about how we take them, and sign contracts with our doctors, abide by the rules, we are literally having to jump through hoops to get treated for pain now. I am having to drive a good 45 miles out now to see my pain management doctor due to so many of the doctors getting out of pain management field all together.
Anyway, this is just my experience and what I have had to go through. I hope that answers your question!
This has impacted many legitimate chronic pain patients though out the US. I have a next door neighbor who is a retired nurse, and is in the last stages of chemotherapy for her cancer. She has had several pharmacies where we live refuse to fill her pain medication. The strength and quantity somehow "red flagged" her. I don't understand how you get "red flagged" by the pharmacies when you haven't had your medication filled by them. It is a serious issue, and it doesn't help when we have a huge heroin epidemic raging in the US right now. It seems the media keeps pointing a finger at us chronic pain patients (and their doctors) as being the cause.
I am having open back surgery here soon, to have hardware removed out of my back, and so I will probably need to get back on the pain meds for a short time for post operative pain, but honestly it does have me very anxiety ridden over getting the pain meds filled, and or even taking them again, because it is just getting to a point that every pain patient is viewed with suspicion. I did read in a couple of news articles that some pain patients are taking their lives because they were abruptly dropped by their doctor or the doctor took them off their pain medications due to the level of intense scrutiny now that doctors are facing.
I have had several RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) procedures on my back, intervetrebral steroid blocks, and as I said am now having hardware removed. All this has added up to a huge medical bills for me, and I am on a fixed income. Honestly the pain medication I was taking worked well for me over a 6 year period. I didn't abuse my medication either, I passed all my drug screening tests, I don't use illicit/illegal drugs either. Kratom is legal in my state and this is the first time I have used it for pain. If it becomes illegal I will stop using it, but until then will keep using the Kratom off and on as needed. The pain medications are very inexpensive, costs me only 3-4 dollars for a month supply, as opposed to the medical bills that I have accumulated from "alternative treatments". The Kratom isn't cheap either.
This has impacted my life quite a bit. I don't mind a drug monitoring program, but as a patient you have no control over what a pharmacist puts in your file online. Where I live you can't even get your pain medications filled any sooner than a day or two prior to your medication refill date. All of these changes over the past couple of years has been a "knee jerk" reaction in my opinion to the drug crisis. I understand there are patients who may abuse their medication and have addiction issues, but for those of us that don't abuse our medication, are dutiful about how we take them, and sign contracts with our doctors, abide by the rules, we are literally having to jump through hoops to get treated for pain now. I am having to drive a good 45 miles out now to see my pain management doctor due to so many of the doctors getting out of pain management field all together.
Anyway, this is just my experience and what I have had to go through. I hope that answers your question!
Last edited:
Everlasting
Bluelighter
Things have definitely gotten a lot stricter. I dont know if it's cuz of the law you mention or if it's other mandates being handed down but I do know it's way tougher (oxy & benzos) recently for everyone according to my doctors & their other patients.
Kittycat5
Bluelighter
As a pharmacist, Id say the PMPs are a positive. They really arent the cause of all this shit with pain patients being cut off. In fact, if used properly, in conjunction with proper care, it should help pain patients as doctors can see their compliance.
One scary thing is many states allow law enforcement to access it in drug cases. Fuck that shit.
One scary thing is many states allow law enforcement to access it in drug cases. Fuck that shit.
GizmodiGirl
Greenlighter
- Joined
- May 9, 2017
- Messages
- 13
Whaaat? Why? Those are medical records that should be private.
Kittycat5
Bluelighter
They certainly should be but also certainly arent in some states. Some dont even require warrants.
BeachBum4u
Bluelighter
Honestly that sounds like "police state" shit. Talk about trampling all over our civil rights, I don't really think that's what our Founding Fathers envisioned while composing the Declaration of Independence. I'm kind of surprised the ACLU hasn't gotten involved with the matter at this point. Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed rational thinking will prevail at some time and hopefully in the semi-near future.