According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, "overdose deaths, particularly from prescription drugs and heroin, have reached epidemic levels. In 2015, annual overdose deaths from heroin alone surpassed deaths from both car accidents and guns, with other opioid overdose deaths also on the rise. Drug overdoses have since become the leading cause of death of Americans under 50, with two-thirds of those deaths from opioids.” There is a high risk for addiction with opioid use. There is a staggering amount of those who use and abuse opioids as recreational drugs. However...In the middle of this epidemic are real people with real pain. In June of 1999, I experienced the worst pain of my life from gunshot wounds, not treated for 46-hours. After hours of surgery, I woke up to intravenous fluids and medications, including Morphine. In the four weeks of my hospitalization, I transitioned to Percocet on a PRN (as needed) basis. Upon discharge I attended Physical Therapy three times weekly, using Naprosyn or Tylenol PRN as I continued healing/getting stronger. When I truly needed pain relief, I was grateful for my medical team and their collaboration with/understanding of me. Recently…I watched a 11-minute TEDx talk by Kate Nicholson (writer, speaker, civil rights attorney) on pain in the context of the opioid epidemic. Kate’s situation is different than mine. Yet, the short term use of opioids (finally) with her was just as life-changing. Check out this video. I found Kate’s message to be both informative and powerful... In closing, a multi-faceted approach with adequate funding to support research, education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation is a tall, but necessary, order to address this societal killer, while simultaneously advocating for those experiencing severe pain. I welcome your thoughts, as always. ShoutOutsWishing you a peaceful day,
mar
10 Comments
From the video, it appears that the knee-jerk reaction of lawmakers is directed at the providers of these medications (Doctors) rather at than those who misuse, sell and abuse opioid medications. Her story and yours is compelling as to the proper diagnosis and treatment of pain.
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Mike
11/8/2017 10:57:53 am
Hello mar - This is a huge problem. Legislatively we are crippled by those working on the behalf of drug companies. A statistic from VA was that enough pills for six million does was sold through one small pharmacy. So, to me the legal arms of the supply chain are very guilty. Corporitized profit driven (crazed) American Pharma are the root cause. Insurance companies are also complicit.
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Oh dear, what a topic! Without opioids (tramadol, in my case) I will die of pain. I am, however, very aware of the dangers.
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What a story you have there: June of 1999 you were healing from gunshot wounds - wow! I know you had mentioned this before, but still - it just takes my breath away to read about a friend going through this. I'm sorry for this trauma that you endured. You are a strong person with a strong message that inspires!
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Dear Cynthia,
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11/12/2017 09:26:25 pm
Hi Mar...
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Dear Rolly,
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