"The Opioid Debacle"

http://nationalpainreport.com/the-opioid-debacle-8832812.html

The title of this blog is also the title of an article of the same name written by Suzanne Stewart, a fellow chronic pain patient, a Patient Health Advocate and an Ambassador for the U.S. Pain Foundation. In the article, Suzanne discussed the ramifications of the CDC’s somewhat recent decision to wage a “war” on addicts by forcing doctors to limit the amount of opioids prescribed. By doing this, they hope to see a major decrease in addicts. Suzanne addressed the fact that not only does this affect addicts, but those of us who are chronic pain patients who rely on opioids to help manage our pain. She states that the CDC isn't differentiating between those addicted to “street drugs” and those (like us, chronic pain patients) who use the meds to help manage our pain.

This topic and decision by the CDC has caused such decisiveness between the two “parties,” (those that believe opioids can cause addiction and those who feel that while the addiction crisis needs to be addressed) putting the pressure on doctors that prescribe opioids for chronic pain disorders is unfair to them and their patients. I, if you haven't figured out, I side with the latter group.

As an obvious chronic pain patient myself, I went through the gamut of options to help reduce my pain, especially during my flares, only to learn that an opioid was my only option to even try to touch my pain sometimes. Even as a Fibro Warrior who has friends who depend on these medications every day, I swore up and down that I would never request an opioid because of the stigma attached to it. But, when I realized that all the options for pain management failed me, I had to change my view. I also had the support of my doctor and a Fibro friends.

Suzanne addresses and answers many questions and issues posed by the CDC’s decision. She makes valid points which I believe can change some peoples’ opinions on the usage and effects of opioids on chronic pain patients. I encourage you to read this article, and to share it, as it has a lot to offer for people on both sides of the argument.

How do you feel about the usage of opioids as a treatment for chronic pain patients? Did you, like me, change your mind when you realized that taking opioids does not automatically make you an addict? I'd love to hear your opinions on the topic overall as well as your opinions on the article.

My goal is to educated those of us with chronic pain disorders on the topics that are important to us. My goal is to share relevant articles,my opinions and get our community talking so that we can be more active in our treatment. I hope to post at least once a week on different topics, and have many articles saved to share. If there are any topics you'd like to see, please let me know.

Until next time...