What do you think???

**KBear** · 07-07-2009, 02:47 PM

Ok, so you may or may not like Michael Jackson; but I think his death has brought up some important discussion. I'm sure you have been bombarded with all the tv, radio, and magazine talk about him. One thing, that I keep hearing over and over is about how they suspect he died from pain killer overdose; only time will tell if this is true or not.

What bothers me about all this, is the references to 'Dr. Feelgood' and the negativeness associated with narcotic use. He obviously, had been injured badly, on more than one occassion, and very well could have been in chronic pain. Whether he was addicted to pain meds or truly needed them, we may never know.

What bothers me, is how the perception of chronic pain and those of us who do rely on narcotics to get through the day, is so negative. I think in these high profile cases (Anna Nicole, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, etc); the image is one of drs just handing out pain killers, for no reason. In our news, they have re-played footage of dr's offices where the dr's have lost their licenses for over prescribing and overdose deaths. The whole thing bothers me, as those of us in real chronic pain, know how hard it is to get the treatment and medication we need for our pain (and the media makes it look like there are dr's everywhere just handing out scripts like candy). I think this further hurts our fight for treatment & it's infuriating. Just wondering what everyone else's feelings are on this subject??

**symara** · 07-07-2009, 03:47 PM

I think there are Drs that do hand them out to easy though. My cousin got one just cuz he asked and said he was having pain, and he was lying.

My Dr's office actually got in trouble years ago cuz one of the Drs was calling in pain pills and such without even seeing the patient. If you had ever seen him your medical records were frozen. Luckily I hadn't. The Dr's office is now very careful about how they do things. Unless you have been there years, like me, they won't even call in an anitbiotic.

**KBear** · 07-07-2009, 04:07 PM

I know there are offices that do hand them out like candy; but I see them as the exception, not the rule. At my office, I am submitted to random drug tests. I have been at that office for 9 months and have done 4 drug screens there. I think this is the way to go, if you are being honest and taking the meds as prescribed, then it shouldn't bother you to be screened.

**treefrog** · 07-07-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

I know there are offices that do hand them out like candy; but I see them as the exception, not the rule. At my office, I am submitted to random drug tests. I have been at that office for 9 months and have done 4 drug screens there. I think this is the way to go, if you are being honest and taking the meds as prescribed, then it shouldn't bother you to be screened.

I agree, I don't take offense at the thought of being asked to take a drug test when I go see my doc. Though I have only done the test the first time she prescribed me something that required the pain contract, I know that they could ask me at any time. But she says she trusts me, and they do have patients whom they do not trust. I'm not surprised.

**Cindylou** · 07-08-2009, 01:15 AM

Ok, I'm showing my ignorance here, but are they screening to see if you have too much of your pain medication in your system, or are they screening for other drugs?

**symara** · 07-08-2009, 07:53 AM

Cindy, I was wondering the same thing... I've never heard of being drug tested before.

**treefrog** · 07-08-2009, 08:04 AM

They test to see if you have the correct amount of drug in your system, matching the dose you are prescribed, and for other drugs. They want to make sure you are not getting drugs from more than one source, and that you are not selling your drugs.

**Cindylou** · 07-08-2009, 12:00 PM

Oh, wow. Ok. Thanks Treefrog. I never had any testing so I wasn't sure what the talk was about. Of course, I'm off all pain meds now. But it does make sense to be screened, so a few bad apples don't ruin it for everyone that needs their pain medication.