Originally Posted by
Giacomo 1
I hear you, but it has become a monstrous problem and pharmacies must do what Big Pharma refuses to do - give opiods out responsibly and carefully.
Big Pharma puts profit ahead of responsibility again. They are making and distributing far more opioid pills than our country could ever legitimately use, and they know it and do nothing to stop it. When a drug store in some small town with a population of 1000 people are able to order thousands of Oxy pills a week, there is a problem that drug companies should spot rather quickly.
Consider yourself lucky that you were able to get off of them so quickly, because that doesn't seem to be the norm.
Big pharma has the responsible to put the warning label on what they sell. After that, its up to the individual to make their own decisions
Originally Posted by
CAT7RDR
My g/f suffers from chronic migraines. Opiates are the only meds that somewhat alleviate her suffering.
I pickup her meds occasionally. She has to call the pharmacy ahead of time and they scan my driver's license before I pay. Cameras pointed right at me. Makes one feel like they are engaged in a criminal activity.
She fears the feds will outlaw all opiates. If that occurs, I will likely lose her. Her QOL will be zero.
Then it will go underground along with all the other illegal drugs. Drug laws don't stop people from using drugs.
Originally Posted by
DrIsotope
Hasn't happened yet. Mankind has been unable to produce a painkiller that isn't either opioid-based, or some derivative. It's simply the only thing that works. My wife has severe reactions to any of the synthetics-- so her choices are literally "nothing," or morphine.
Try to fill a prescription for pseudoephedrine sometime. It's a decongestant. You used to be able to buy it over-the-counter as Sudafed and a bunch of others. Now you have to sign a form stating that you will not, under penalty of law, use the pills to make methamphetamine.
A goofy law since its less potent than aspirin. Its just used as an precursor to harsher drugs. The equivalent of placing a sales tax on an item. Drug dealers consider it the price of doing business.
Originally Posted by
prathmann
Sure hasn't been my experience. I've had a couple bouts with kidney stones that left me in such pain that I couldn't function. At the ER they tried various pain medications that did almost nothing to provide any relief. Finally they switched to morphine and the pain vanished. It certainly wasn't a case of not caring - I was still thinking clearly and very concerned about how they were actually going to eliminate the stone, but the intense pain was gone and I could function normally again. Was on the morphine for almost a week before getting rid of the stone and did get some cold sweats - but never felt the least inclination to take any more morphine once the pain was gone.
I am concerned that the crisis of opioid misuse is making it harder for patients who need it to obtain it. I go backpacking and was concerned after my first kidney stone episode that I might find myself deep in the back country with another stone and a pain level that would make it very hard to hike out. Got a small prescription for morphine to keep in my pack for that kind of emergency. I've never needed to use it but it's nice to know it's there - but I doubt anyone would be willing to give me such a prescription today.
That's exactly what its doing. I've never had a drug addition problem and still have to fight with my medical provider to get the pain relief medication I need. I have chronic back and shoulder pain and the pain can get so bad I can't function. I don't take it because of any addiction, I take it only when I'm paralyzed in pain and really need it. I'm frankly getting sick and tired of all the lecture because of what drug addicts misusing opioids are doing.