DEA War on Pain Patients

[Eva 14]

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The above link is to an interesting article that I found about the DEA's draconian efforts to "crack down" on opiods. If you read the comments section, you will read that the War on Pain Medicine covers ALL opiods, not just oxycodone. (I take hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and am having terrible trouble trying to get my RX filled).

Also, the War on Pain Patients is not limited to Florida. I'm in California and can't get my RX filled at my local chain pharmacy. I'm guessing that there are problems for chronic pain patients occurring from coast to coast and all areas in between.

My local pharmacist said that the DEA is placing limits on the amount of pain meds that the pharmacy can order in any given month, and that's why they can no longer fill my RX for Dilaudid. (I've been getting it filled at my chain store for 4 years, but all of a sudden things have mysteriously changed and they are unable to get the full quantity of meds for me).

I wondered if others here have had problems lately getting pain meds? If not, consider yourself lucky. At least I can still get my meds at an indy pharmacy, but it's quite a long drive.

I just wanted to point out that the DEA's "War on Drugs" is placing a horrible burden on those with legitimate prescriptions who are in chronic pain and require C-II opiods.

Eva

[tortoisegirl]

I have luckily finally found a good pharmacy. Its a chain, but local only. They have been really great. Currently I only take pain meds which are stocked, but in the past, worse case scenario was a 1-2 day wait time for an order (other pharmacies I was used to 3-7 days).

I've actually been having more issues with non-opiate meds lately...there is a Toradol nasal spray that was actually helpful for me (its called Sprix), but its been on backorder for probably two months now, without an estimate of availability. I was told by someone else online that their pharmacist said it was being discontinued, but I finally got word they now estimate availability in April.

Agreed to put up with the longer drive and go to whatever single pharmacy is the best fit for customer service, availability, etc. I think many lawmakers and DEA folks don't realize that there are some reasons for such an increase in pain med prescribing...for one, with tolerance, higher doses are required. Plus, pain is finally being taken more seriously. A couple decades ago they didn't even treat non-cancer chronic pain with opiates. I'm very thankful to get whatever treatment I can get.

In WA state, the new rules have doctors, patients, and pharmacists alike confused. I haven't had any changes in my care.prescriptions, but I switched to a pain doc before the requirement started to have pain specialist consultations for certain patients on opiates getting them from other doctors. I think that if the rules/guidelines already in place (contracts, UAs, combing opiates with other therapies) were more widely used, they wouldn't need to start going crazy to the point it will severely affect patients. Best wishes.

[Mark N]

I have been aware of the DEA efforts and have signed a petition to get FDA to reconsider their actions. I am so sick of people using the federal gov't for their pet peeve while the gov't ignores those of us that are effected by their actions. From my research it seems much of the prescription drug problem comes from two sources - the internet drug providers and Mexico/South America. It comes from the labs that don't have strick control over production yet FDA is lumping all opioids into one group.

Eva, I am sorry you are running into trouble with your script. I haven't had any trouble yet but I am not hopeful about the future with DEA and FDA taking the measures they are now.