Originally Posted by lacy5122506

Below is pasted the link to the FDA's Federal Register notice regarding the pain hearings this week. There is still time (until April) to send them a letter.

If you "Google" this, you should be able to find it (I can't post the link on this forum): Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 244/Wednesday, December 19, 2012/Notices, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. FDA–2012–N–1172]
Impact of Approved Drug Labeling on Chronic Opioid Therapy; Public Hearing; Request for Comments

These encroaching policies have had a recent and severe impact on me.

Last week my pain physician's assistant stated I would have to come in every month for medication management. I've had late stage CRPS since 1996, and have been taking the same pain/sleep medications in the same doses for more than twelve years. I told him I could not do it. I work full-time, and between driving to and from their office and two hours there (mostly waiting) - that eats up half my sick leave - four hours. I have other health issues and a medically fragile adult son that I also have to use my sick leave to deal with. No one asked me when I said I could not comply what the issues are, or suggested any other way to help me access care. So I stopped taking my medications. I've had a rough couple weeks; the pain is worse, and I've had to deal with the physical and emotional roller coaster of coming off these drugs - with no help or support.

I am so tired of seeing pain management physicians, who presumably got into this business to help people in pain, treat their patients like cattle. I talk with people in the waiting room and most have horror stories to tell about finding care. I am a model patient. I use the same pharmacy, the same doctor. I properly destroy medications and labels. I lock up my medications. I count them out into daily doses. I do not "abuse" pain medication. I've tried just about everything, including Ketamine.

If these regulations are changed, it will make the pain treatment even more impossible to navigate. Soon the medications of choice for people with pain will be aspirin and Ibuprofen. I strongly urge everyone to write to the FDA. Your words can make a difference, be polite and tell them what you have had to endure. No one should have to choose between pain and supporting their family.