Oppose the DEA's Proposal on Reduced Opioid Production

I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and can't imagine what my life would be like without opioids. The pain would surely be so bad that suicide would be just about the only way to get relief. I am in pain most of the time, but my meds help take the edge off as this wicked disease spreads throughout my body. Don't make it hard to get the meds I need. I don't believe I am addicted to my medication, I'm not looking to get high. I'm more addicted to pain relief.

I have RSD, one of the most painful diseases without any cure. I have had it for 7 yrs. It's nicknamed the suicide disease. Only 8-13% of people with chronic pain get adiccted to opiods. To punish us, the ones that actually follow the rules, take her medication as directed, and follow our doctors directions would be cruel. The people that are getting addicted to opioids are doing so with prescriptions that are not theirs and then moving on to heroin.

My dear friend has CRPS and takes prescribed opioids daily for pain management. She does not abuse them. She is not an addict. But she needs them to live a somewhat normal life. She checks in with her doctors monthly. CRPS is called the suicide disease because the pain is so horrible at times that the thought of death brings the relief they crave. Taking away her medication without having an effective substitute will, I'm afraid, drive her closer and closer to thoughts of suicide. This is not hyperbole. I don't want my friend to live in pain, and I certainly don't want her to take her life to escape that pain. Nor does she. Please rethink this position on opioids. Not all are abusers and addicts.

There has got to be a better way to combat drug abuse. Reducing production will likely raise the price and make it less available to those who really need it. There has got to be a better way.

8 years ago Featured

Please don't punish us because of those who seek and use drugs illegally. After 16 years of opioid use, I have never misused my presription, lost one, asked for an early refill and have kept the same doctor and pharmacy. We are not the same as addicts!

I have RSD and do to my doctor's refusing my pain medication, I am in sever pain all day long.

Please everyone take the time to learn more about this condition. All of us need to advocate for patients!

Chronic pain patients are not drug addicts. We are being killed by fault stop having healthy people destroying our life more bc they can't tell the difference between a chronic pain sufferer and drug addicts

Don't punish the people who need this type of medication to cope with pain on a daily basis.

God help us all. We're being punished for something we haven't done wrong. To have no choice but be dammed by living with this horrible disease, along with other medical issues that cause constant pain, they're trying to take away the one thing That allows us some relief of the endless torture we feel 24/7. The suicide rate will continue to increase. We're being purged. You're not allowed quality of life in America.

I've had RSD since 2003, as well as other dibilitis that cause pain as well. My RSD has worsened over time. My pain medication that I'm on now thru my Pain Specialist is the only thing that I have found that works. If u reduce my medication due to other people's addictions etc, I will be in pain half the day. I can't sleep at night as it is due to my pain. Please do not penalize me or people like me because of people out there lying to get the opiatoids. I can not make it out of bed without my med because my pain is do severe. Not only thst, it doesn't help that I have metal in my back and neck. Thank u.... please have mercy....

It's the illegal street drugs that are the problem. The drug dealers are going to get them regardless of cut backs. By cutting back production those of us that live with constant relentless pain will have difficulty getting the medications we need just to survive!

We, law abiding pain patients, have had most of our medication taken away already. There has already been enough rise in pain related suicides. Enough is enough. Go after the sources of illegal street drugs or the epidemic will never be controlled!.

I am a chronic pain patient (RSD/CRPS). Opiods are a necessity for me to function in a "semi normal" fashion on a day to day basis.

Opioids do relieve pain for many with chronic pain and for cancer patients. So many people truly need these medications. Please think of those truly suffering before making it impossible for them to get pain medications.

.

Please think about what your doing!! Already post op patients leaving the hospital to pick up the pain meds have trouble getting them, chronic pain patients like my self have issues as well. These are life saving medications!

Do not assume everyone is an addict. If a doctor is concerned about continuing the prescription, they should only give 30 day supply or even a 2 week supply. The person has to be seen to get a new prescription. If a person states somebody stole them, they must file a police report that the doctor gets. If course a person can lie But, if it keeps happening, the doctor needs to be responsible and see if something else can be used or send them to a Pain Program. Not all insurance companies cover this. Apparently, the insurance companies would rather pay for the prescription, doctor visits, hospital care and detox. Remember not assume and put 50% or more are addicts.

My wife is a chronic pain patient and depends on her meds to keep her moving.

It is not humanity to deny medication that increases a persons ability to live and function..and. of course care must be taken to prevent abuse.