I take pain killers on occasion for a very bad back.

[redstatebluegirl]

I have had one fusion, am looking at another since I have a chronic weakening of the spine . I have a prescription for Oxycontin for bad days. I rarely use it, maybe once a month but it keeps me moving on the worst pain days. I have never abused it in any way.

I was informed by my insurance company that they will be requiring me to prove that I have tried everything else in order to get the prescription refilled. I will also be required to get monthly urine tests and quarterly blood tests.

I know there are a ton of people who abuse opiates, but for every one of them there are two people who benefit from them. I am just pissed right now.

I keep going back to personal responsibility. Are they going to make alcohol illegal because some people become addicted?

[Cousin Dupree]

1. What a crock of crap. So sorry you have to go through this

[SWBTATTReg]

2. And your situation is exactly why they haven't pushed for such draconian measures on stopping...

or dealing w/ opiate use, for like you say, there are literally 2 persons easily who have greatly benefited from using, vs. 1 person who's abused the use of these literally life saving drugs. I'm sorry to hear that you have to go through this routine. My doctor / office is the same way on refilling such drugs (users must go in person each month, no exceptions for refills etc.). I blame the rampart and gross distortion of this entire market partially on the doctors that have overprescribed these drugs to begin with, and of course, like you said, the lack of personal responsibility in handling these powerful drugs.

[notdarkyet]

3. I got tired of the demands and I have used marijuana for four years. It works pretty good.

[Blues Heron]

4. nothing says "land of the free" like monthly urine tests

Fuck this fascist crap. This country has lost its damn mind. So in the next three years they want 36 urine tests and 12 blood tests from you? How much is that going to cost? for painkillers? That's insane.

[2naSalit]

5. I use natural substances

like hemp (CBD), marijuana and comfrey. I make a slave from any or all of those. Hemp tea relieves a lot of pain as do the topicals. Comfrey is for occasional use but it sure kills the pain.