Help Protect Chronic Pain Patients

Those without chronic pain shouldn't have a voice in this matter. Until they do need to but out.

Individuals who depend on pain medication to improve their quality of life and use their medications responsibly as prescribed are not addicts, and should not be punished because of addicts who abuse these same medications. They are Apple and oranges and can not be compared, nor should be treated the same.

I too have chronic pain from a crushed vertebrae in my back. I was offered Morphine in the hospital but I refused it for another pain killer and a muscle relaxer. They do the job.... some doctors push too many opioids and others refuse to give their patients the meds they NEED for the debilitating pain. I have seen doctors tell people (my late husband) that he did not feel the pain he claimed he did. I have seen pain, and I have seen withdrawels. They need to watch their patients for more than 10 to 15 minutes to truly diagnose their patients completely!!!

My daughter has had chronic pain for years now. She has never been an addict. She would love for them to finally come up with a diagnosis and be fixed so she could live a pain free life. But Dr.s are so hung up on the Oh you must be a drug addict and want more pain pills. No! I want you to help me get off of them!

As a chronic pain patient i believe the impact of l this will be catastrophic. Being treated like a criminal has to stop. I believe suicide rated will increase. It will only add to the hopelessness and misery. Don't you think we wish we were pain free. Nobody wants to be in pain all the time and most of us even on opiates still feel pain. I would never even make it out of bed without them. There should be resources to deal with actual addiction and other avenues to deal with the pain.

As a chronic pain patient and a retired health professional I implore elected officials to let qualified physicians prescribe appropriate treatment.

You're killing me. What about my quality of life?

Good llI hope everything works out I too suffer for pain I wouldn't know what to do without my pain meds there the only thing that help me have a some what normal life its hard and if you don't go through it yourself you will never understand the struggle of what a chronic pain patient go through walk a day in my shoes without pain meds and the pain I go through I guaranteed you you will be begging for your life and your old body back E

I am a resident of Florence Oregon,and I suffer significant chronic pain from Psoriatic Arthritis.

I do not understand how the state can make determination on how to deal with a patient chronic pain!! Stay out of my DR visit!!!

How can a person not educated/trained in the medical field (chronic pain) dictate how a medical professional treats their patient(s)?

Such an important distinction! My Chronic Pain does NOT make me an addict! I need my opioids to get out of bed.

I'm on disability can not buy much food and now I have nothing for pain I lay in bed 95% of the time. I scream and cry in pain can not vacuum any longer I hurt so bad I am having very hard time to take care of myself. When I had pain pills I could afford the $5.00 a month and was able to function as a human. You have taken everything from me I just lay here and I am very very tired of this I am paying for someone's else mistake the addicts deal with them but help us live. I am sure that are still getting all the drugs they want!! Please help us who are at end of rope. Thank you

Already forcibly and rapidly tapered in Washington state. This is a horrible way to live. Cannot wait to die.

Please reconsider this forced tapering. i have suffered from chronic pain for 30 years. I am 68 years old. Four years ago i was put on a pain management program. It has been a life saver for me. Before pain management, I tried every known way to help with myself. I was bed ridden and in extreme pain before I was given a low dose of opiates. I am closely monitored by my doctor. I have never abused my medication and it has given me quality of life. if this tapering happens i am horrified to go back to the life i lived before. please dont do this to people who really need help.

This is not the answer for those that abuse drugs as well as condemn the people that need them for the quality of life. I have to live on them for years for my health issues and with out them I wouldn't be able to function with basis every day life.

This is crazy - seems the system is going overboard with restrictions- yes alternatives are good but not for everyone - the practioner with the patient should decide. There is sufficient oversight to prevent addiction!!

Legitimate chronic pain sufferers need access to those medicines that can provide pain relief, so that they may have a better quality of life.

I suffer from chronic pain and understand both sides. Before becoming disabled in 2003 I had a career as a LPN. You just can't shut of the need for help regarding pain. Pain is real and different for every person. I can also understand doctor's bringing their patients to a lower dose of the narcotic. Yes, there are people who abuse opiods but most people with chronic pain do not abuse them and use them exactly as their doctor has ordered. I am only on Tramadol and in constant pain, sciatica, poly diabetic neuropathy. I wish all my fellow patient's good luck and Hope to God for your sakes they actually listened and heeded what you said.

This forced opioid taper is simply barbaric and it truly shows how ignorant people can be regarding chronic pain.