Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I got to thinking about this when I first got up today.... made me wonder.
What would happen IF... *Hypothetically speaking *
Anti depressants ( take your pick ) could be crushed up to **smitherines**...then snorted up the nose JUST for the purpose of getting HIGH.
Ex...A few drug addicts are out of the usual *stuff* they abuse and because of boredom and the desire to get high off of ANYTHING -- because they REALLY don't care WHAT it is or WHO it might affect... they get into xyz's medicine cabinet to see if it would work. One guy says to another....crush and snort it? Go for it!
It works and even better than they could imagine! Well of course the news spreads like "wild fire" and within WEEKS the news has spread and every single druggie knows HOW... its done... and it couldn't be EASIER! No "labs" No limit on buying "supplies" NO fear of getting arrested and serving lengthy sentences for drug manufacturing.
So what would happen? Because of this new and "BETTER HIGH" that is "discovered" would a person ALREADY ON an antidepressant be told by their Doctor that "even though it works for you; people are getting high off them now and there MIGHT be a possibility that YOU will too; we don't want you to become addicted."
Would they cast blame ( along with the culprits) that THEY are also the trying to be deceptive and go "doctor shopping" just so they can get MORE and get high on antidepressants?
Would the DEA crash through Doctor offices to rummage through private records "to arrest them as antidepressant pushers?" Ridiculous? Yes...but ( hypothetically speaking) when looking at the big picture; I wonder where the "line would be drawn."
There are millions of patients in chronic pain that are DENIED the possibility ( sometimes even before being evaluated by a Doctor) to determine if pain medication (such as an opioid ) would help them have a better ( or any) quality of life; because abusers decide to use them for "recreational purposes." Where is the "recreation" for the patient? When do they get their "recreation?" Just to get up for the day, take a shower and go to the park ( even for a little bit) would be real "recreation."
Shouldn't everyone be entitled to HOPE that ultimately has NO bearing on the decisions of others and how THEY choose to conduct their lives?
I say YES.
( Again hypothetical - not in anyway- shape- or form-- am I saying that abusing antidepressants is possible - SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN ANY MATTER - FOR ANY REASON> WHAT SO EVER)
What would happen IF... *Hypothetically speaking *
Anti depressants ( take your pick ) could be crushed up to **smitherines**...then snorted up the nose JUST for the purpose of getting HIGH.
Ex...A few drug addicts are out of the usual *stuff* they abuse and because of boredom and the desire to get high off of ANYTHING -- because they REALLY don't care WHAT it is or WHO it might affect... they get into xyz's medicine cabinet to see if it would work. One guy says to another....crush and snort it? Go for it!
It works and even better than they could imagine! Well of course the news spreads like "wild fire" and within WEEKS the news has spread and every single druggie knows HOW... its done... and it couldn't be EASIER! No "labs" No limit on buying "supplies" NO fear of getting arrested and serving lengthy sentences for drug manufacturing.
So what would happen? Because of this new and "BETTER HIGH" that is "discovered" would a person ALREADY ON an antidepressant be told by their Doctor that "even though it works for you; people are getting high off them now and there MIGHT be a possibility that YOU will too; we don't want you to become addicted."
Would they cast blame ( along with the culprits) that THEY are also the trying to be deceptive and go "doctor shopping" just so they can get MORE and get high on antidepressants?
Would the DEA crash through Doctor offices to rummage through private records "to arrest them as antidepressant pushers?" Ridiculous? Yes...but ( hypothetically speaking) when looking at the big picture; I wonder where the "line would be drawn."
There are millions of patients in chronic pain that are DENIED the possibility ( sometimes even before being evaluated by a Doctor) to determine if pain medication (such as an opioid ) would help them have a better ( or any) quality of life; because abusers decide to use them for "recreational purposes." Where is the "recreation" for the patient? When do they get their "recreation?" Just to get up for the day, take a shower and go to the park ( even for a little bit) would be real "recreation."
Shouldn't everyone be entitled to HOPE that ultimately has NO bearing on the decisions of others and how THEY choose to conduct their lives?
I say YES.
( Again hypothetical - not in anyway- shape- or form-- am I saying that abusing antidepressants is possible - SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN ANY MATTER - FOR ANY REASON> WHAT SO EVER)
It's pretty crude, but funny if you need some distraction or a laugh!
Thank you for your comments on my post...much appreciated. :)
I enjoyed your post!
I must be having a brain block or something ( I thought I pretty much new most of the medical abbreviations) but... can you please tell me what a LLMD stands for?? LOL
Thanks!
I agree with you - good points!
"This has brought up an interesting point. Are patients that are compliant suppose to go without because of those who make poor choices?
Perhaps as far as the "rich & fameous" perhaps they should focus on the doctors that treat these celebs instead or saying the drug is the killer. As stated these people have to willing be putting these pills in their mouths. If we need proof so should they.
Once again its not the medication its the person who abuses."
YES And YES!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your next comment...
"He has shared experiences with patients & let it be known if there is fear of abuse he will not drop the patient but work through it. Now I'm sure he expects some cooperation. I admire him for this." ( I DO TOO! That's incredible- HE is INCREDIBLE) (He is one of the VERY FEW docs that WONT DUMP a patient at the drop of a hat- and I have heard some ridiculous reasons to dump a patient over the years! ITS SAD- HORRIBLE and OFFENSIVE! )
"He tries to let his patients know you can come to me."
( Ah I wish there were a million of him... *sigh* )
AND... another comment...
"I try to put myself in his shoes & although I don't always like his calls I understand the reasons behind them. I also acknowledge that building trust when it comes to prescribing is an ongoing process. He has pointed out that patients will turn to meds for the wrong reasons although they are prescribed for the right reasons.
To watch for this & be careful. Now because he has taken the time to point this out I keep everything he says in mind. "
( I would too! He is the kind of Doctor that I would respect and because respect goes both ways... it would be very, very, easy to take what he has to say to heart. Its amazing that he is even willing to build the trust you both need and I completely agree that it is an ongoing process. When someone gives a patient that kind of respect and compassion...who would want to take a risk or show themselves in a bad light when they have been given trust FIRST? The Rheumy that diagnosed me with Fibro was just like that when I saw him. He was kind and compassionate. At every visit, he would *ask ME*... how my pain was affecting work, daily activities, basic- overall quality of life. He would ask if I thought I needed a bump up in medication. Sometimes I did-- sometimes I didn't. He did NOT give me "pee tests" ( I don't know about any other patients) because I think he thought they were a little bit degrading... simply because he believed that a person in pain doesn't deserve to be treated like a criminal. Now yes...he did "pain contracts" ( of course as he should) but unless you showed reason to be watched... they probably would watch out for any problems that might be going on ... and go from there. He was wonderful! I chose to go another route regarding my Fibro ( his specialty was/is pain management) I didn't want to be on pain medication (opioid class of medications) so I no longer see him for now - can't say for sure about the future.) ANYWAY.. didn't mean to go off track...
It's understandable that ( years of med school - a practice that has been established) is quite a lot to risk on a patient that they don't trust. They need to protect what they worked so hard to accomplish.)
OK... so all for now... I will end with one more of your comments sammy...because I agree SO MUCH and think/feel it everyday..
" I have 0 tolerance, not only for my own sake but for those who suffer do to others poor choices."
ABSOLUTELY YES! 0 Tolerance!
Thanks for the link... HA! I already went there but realized it was about 20 mins. (or so) long, so I will have to watch it later... I think its going to be really funny considering the content...
I haven't really watched South Park before...BUT I have a sarcastic / some times a little weird sense of humor so it may be right up my alley...
Not to mention no matter how old I get ... I still find potty humor (at times) funny and I still laugh if someone says "I do do that..." in a sentence.
If someone orders the "poo- poo platter" at a Chinese Restaurant and when someone says... "Poop. "
I guess I have to start accepting myself as I am.... ( joking)
That is such a great example. I have printed this and, I intend to pass it along to my friends, support group IRL people and my docs! I may even include it in a few letters that I write to congress, legislatures etc.
HUGS!
So when you hear about the patient who was "dropped for no reason" or the patient who says "the doctors don't know anything" you need to consider that maybe it is the patient and not the doctor.
Remember the addict/abuser can be your mailman, bank teller, crossing guard, policeman, fireman, teacher, gas station attendant, accountant, lawyer, doctor, sister, brother, mother, father, aunt, uncle, nieces and nephews.....and maybe even you.