I’ve lived this. I have chronic pain from more than one injury / exposure during my Air Force career. For more than a decade the VA was my faithful pusher man. Then one day, I was cut off. Cold Turkey. Didn’t even give me a phone number to call in case I experienced some withdrawal symptoms. In fact the doctor said that I was a reprobate and that it was entirely my fault if I had an addiction problem. No acknowledgement of the VA’s role in supplying me with the now evil opioids. Luckily I didn’t have that problem. The problem was getting through the day with my pain. I fought the VA for 7 years. They only offered mutilation and pretending it doesn’t hurt. I found a brave physician outside the VA to treat my pain. I figure that’s better than going to the Corner Boys. Make no mistake, the VA action nearly drove me to illegal drug use. Now I won’t even discuss pain with the VA. They are good at some things. But pain management isn’t one of them. And the overdose rate among veterans is skyrocketing.
Remember, even strong men, for example, Rush Limbaugh, turned to the "corner man" for a time. I'll never forgive his enemies for portraying him as "weak" because he had an addiction.
I have been told I have a stubborn streak. About a mile wide. I have to admit there were times when I almost gave in to temptation. (Normally I can resist anything but temptation.) I’m glad I stuck it out and kept searching for an acceptable solution.
When a doctor encounters a person with chronic pain, he sends that patient to a "pain management doctor." Often these doctors are anesthesiologists. Every patient is treated like a drug addict or dealer. It's a racket. Once an objective, documented source of chronic pain is identified, it shouldn't be necessary for a patient to be treated like a criminal who is only good for generating fees for the "pain management doctor."
I agree, I'm an OB nurse and seeing more and more C/Section women refuse all pain meds out of "fear from addiction", to the point they have trouble breathing and moving...
When hospice finishes caring for you, they clear out ALL your medicine (especially those pain relievers) without family consent, bcuz... Criminal Abuse and You B Stoopid.
No refills by law? Oh, the VA is going to hate me (even more) if I ever have inpatient services. By Law you say. The Regulator in me would like to know exactly which law. Heaven help them if they try to bluff. Hopefully it will not come to that.
..."Prescription pads wrote excessive prescriptions by providers who failed to use prudence and responsibility."...still going on big time but for other drugs. Big pharma is hardly suffering.
I’ve lived this. I have chronic pain from more than one injury / exposure during my Air Force career. For more than a decade the VA was my faithful pusher man. Then one day, I was cut off. Cold Turkey. Didn’t even give me a phone number to call in case I experienced some withdrawal symptoms. In fact the doctor said that I was a reprobate and that it was entirely my fault if I had an addiction problem. No acknowledgement of the VA’s role in supplying me with the now evil opioids. Luckily I didn’t have that problem. The problem was getting through the day with my pain. I fought the VA for 7 years. They only offered mutilation and pretending it doesn’t hurt. I found a brave physician outside the VA to treat my pain. I figure that’s better than going to the Corner Boys. Make no mistake, the VA action nearly drove me to illegal drug use. Now I won’t even discuss pain with the VA. They are good at some things. But pain management isn’t one of them. And the overdose rate among veterans is skyrocketing.
Glad you were able to overcome.
Not everyone is so fortunate.
Remember, even strong men, for example, Rush Limbaugh, turned to the "corner man" for a time. I'll never forgive his enemies for portraying him as "weak" because he had an addiction.
Pain management is not to be trifled with!
I have been told I have a stubborn streak. About a mile wide. I have to admit there were times when I almost gave in to temptation. (Normally I can resist anything but temptation.) I’m glad I stuck it out and kept searching for an acceptable solution.
Plz, See other comment
I'll take "What happens when politicians set the rules" for $1,000 Alex.
When a doctor encounters a person with chronic pain, he sends that patient to a "pain management doctor." Often these doctors are anesthesiologists. Every patient is treated like a drug addict or dealer. It's a racket. Once an objective, documented source of chronic pain is identified, it shouldn't be necessary for a patient to be treated like a criminal who is only good for generating fees for the "pain management doctor."
Specialists.
Don't get me started!
I agree, I'm an OB nurse and seeing more and more C/Section women refuse all pain meds out of "fear from addiction", to the point they have trouble breathing and moving...
VA:
You get 3 pills after surgery.
No refills "by. Law." (Wtf?!)
You can take Tylenol.
Oh and,hey, DID YOU GET YOUR BOOSTER?
When hospice finishes caring for you, they clear out ALL your medicine (especially those pain relievers) without family consent, bcuz... Criminal Abuse and You B Stoopid.
*sigh*
Bless tou Duct Tape.
No refills by law? Oh, the VA is going to hate me (even more) if I ever have inpatient services. By Law you say. The Regulator in me would like to know exactly which law. Heaven help them if they try to bluff. Hopefully it will not come to that.
..."Prescription pads wrote excessive prescriptions by providers who failed to use prudence and responsibility."...still going on big time but for other drugs. Big pharma is hardly suffering.
Yeah, they happily played the game.
Heads, they won!
Tails, they won!
Then, at the end of the game, they paid a very large fine.
But, THEY WON!
They made many times more money than they paid in fines.
And no one went to jail except the losers who paid for the drugs supplied by the WINNER!