I thought folks would want to know about this trend in an increasing number of states to significantly limit the duration of opiate prescriptions. None of the new laws seem to consider chronic diarrhea as one of the exceptions.
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I don't know, my first surgery I was on heavy doses of pain killers after a horrible infection and open wounds for 10 weeks... I had no issues or problems getting off my pain meds after getting out of hospital. I have been on them several times before for various intestinal surgeries for weeks at a time and had no issues getting off of them. I have even just quit cold turkey a few times. Last time I had them was for hernia surgery 10 months ago and it was just for 2 days. addiction is my bitch and I have no time for that bullshit. After 40 years of biting my nails to the nub, I have quit as of 3 weeks ago and no issues.
Scott F posted:I thought folks would want to know about this trend in an increasing number of states to significantly limit the duration of opiate prescriptions. None of the new laws seem to consider chronic diarrhea as one of the exceptions.
It's scary to think I may not be able to get my meds to control my diarrhea because some people abuse it.
enough is enough, let them abuse and do what they want with there body but leave my meds alone
I wonder if patients will be discharged with pain medicine only to end back up in the hospital a few days later for unmanageable pain because Tylenol isn't working.
What's needed is research into non-narcotic, non-addictive, and very potent pain relievers with no adverse side effects. They're out there. There's a component of Geographer's cone snail venom that's vastly more powerful than morphine, (which BTW I'm allergic to, my breathing goes way down on even a tiny dose), has no side effects, no high. But so far it needs to be injected into the spine, and costs $10,000 a dose, with no insurance covering it.
Since I've had multiple surgeries, and one emergency surgery, I'm in constant pain, (sneezing is especially horrible). I make do with prescription drugs, but I had to do through hell to find a pain management doctor willing to prescribe it. Most wanted TEMS, (which did nothing), the very weakest narcotics, (which didn't do anything). To be clear, I'm stable and okay, though obviously in pain, (which I've learned to take and function), with the exact same prescription each month. I hate taking it, but I have to or I'd be bedridden. As it is, with an Illeostomy that leaks or comes off completely many times, I'm terrified of going out, but that's another story. At least I'm luck enough to be able to do most of my work from home thanks to the pain relievers.
I had to take them after a serious car accident. I live in CA and the worst part was having to physically pick up the Rx (nobody else could do it for me), drop it off at a pharmacy and personally pick up the script a few hours later. You have no idea what a pain in the ass this process was when your in a wheelchair and can't drive!
This is the reason I switched from Norco to tramadol for my chronic pain. I can still get it by mail order (for now).
Jan 
Pouchomarx posted:I don't know, my first surgery I was on heavy doses of pain killers after a horrible infection and open wounds for 10 weeks... I had no issues or problems getting off my pain meds after getting out of hospital. I have been on them several times before for various intestinal surgeries for weeks at a time and had no issues getting off of them. I have even just quit cold turkey a few times. Last time I had them was for hernia surgery 10 months ago and it was just for 2 days. addiction is my bitch and I have no time for that bullshit. After 40 years of biting my nails to the nub, I have quit as of 3 weeks ago and no issues.
My experience was adhesion pain from multiple revisions. It got so bad I couldn't get out of bed, much less function or concentrate. I finally hooked up with a pain management specialist, and we tried various meds, starting from the weakest. Finally, I found one that allows me to function, (within limits, such as no daytime use when I have to drive a car, and it merely lessens the pain to about a six, which I've learned to tolerate--though it does go up to a nine occasionally for reasons I understand). Nothing like the screaming ten I had when I had my emergency surgery for a ruptured bowel, (UC---lucky it happened when it did, I also had a stage three CC.
I've had interruptions on the meds with no problem, and quite frankly I loath taking it for a number of reasons. But it does allow me to work and get out in the world, when driven, (though that's counterbalanced by the terror my illeostomy will leak or malfunction, which it has in front of numerous people many, many times, making me wish I could die on the spot.
So I'm also one of those people who doesn't have a problem with being addicted to the stuff, and I'm more than a bit pissed it's getting so hard to get the medication because of a bunch of people using this incredibly potent and dangerous stuff, (if not used as directed), for recreation. And politicians overreacting without knowing the facts, without knowing they're condemning millions of people with legitimate very serious pain to unneeded suffering.
My ideal solution is to invest in research for pain killers that are not addictive, don't depress the respiratory system or have other nasty side effects, and don't give a high, while being as or more potent than current narcotics. It's shameful IMO that after over a century, we have little more than the same pain drugs, along with synthetics of those drugs.
..."so I'm also one of those people who doesn't have a problem with being addicted to the stuff, and I'm more than a bit pissed it's getting so hard to get the medication...."
I agree! I used every four-letter word directed at all addicts who made getting a script so difficult for the people who really need it.
Also, my doctor way over prescribed (I could take up to 8 a day, but never took more than 3) and I still have a stockpile left over from 2 years ago. Not willing to toss / flush them down, because you just never know when you might be in intolerable pain.
Lesandiego posted:..."so I'm also one of those people who doesn't have a problem with being addicted to the stuff, and I'm more than a bit pissed it's getting so hard to get the medication...."
I agree! I used every four-letter word directed at all addicts who made getting a script so difficult for the people who really need it.
Also, my doctor way over prescribed (I could take up to 8 a day, but never took more than 3) and I still have a stockpile left over from 2 years ago. Not willing to toss / flush them down, because you just never know when you might be in intolerable pain.
That's another problem; doctors who hand the stuff out like candy. I had to jump through hoops to get my prescriptions, and justly so. And even when he tried Tramadol, it was only three a day. And the trend to the coated, long-acting stuff doesn't work for me either, since my entire colon was removed it just doesn't dissolve ever, a charming fact I discovered by getting no relief, and also having a transparent ostomy bag.
Right now I can deal with the pain given my regime of meds, but the illeostomy itself is killing me. I'm going to talk to Dr. Schiller on Monday to see about a BCIR, but since my insurance is changing in September due to Anthem pulling out of the state, I don't know. All I know is that I'm not prepared to live much longer with this thing. Sorry to vent, but I'm feeling very, very low. I used to be a champion swimmer, I used to go out all the time, now I'm terrified to do either; I've had too many experienced of utter humiliation.
Anthem is pulling out of CA? Good grief!
Anthem is not pulling out of CA, but is pulling out of a number of counties, including many Bay Area counties.
Jan
Jan Dollar posted:Anthem is not pulling out of CA, but is pulling out of a number of counties, including many Bay Area counties.
Jan
Thank you so much!
I had thought I had Anthem Blue Cross, which is the one pulling out of most of CA. In fact, I have Blue Shield, which is expanding it's offerings in the state! I may still have a chance...
I am just glad I have Kaiser. Looks like they are sticking with it. Good luck with your Blue Shield!
Jan