2014 New Pain Medication Laws Dictating To Doctors That They Cannot Prescribe Anything Equivalent 120 Mg Of Morphine Or Higher A Day Per Patient (Page 36)
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I was told Friday by my Pain Management Doctor at my monthly appointment that the DEA was implementing a new law dictating to doctors on how much pain medication they could prescribe per patient per day. It could be equal to no more than 120 mg of Morphine per day per patient and they had to comply within 3 months for all of their patients. I am trying to find out as much information on this as possible. I don't know if my Pain Management Doctor is stating fact or if he is just running scared and if he is stating fact, I don't know if this is federal or state (Alabama) mandated. I spoke directly with the Southeastern division of the DEA in Atlanta this morning and they are not aware of any law of this nature coming into effect and I also contacted another pain clinic locally that has never heard of it either. So I have been trying to reach my Pain Management Clinic and get a copy of the law itself so I will know if it's federal or state and if it is an actual law or just a state regulation and if it's even true but so far no one has called me back so I thought I'd try my luck here and see if anyone has heard of this. This really has me bothered. It looks like either way, true or not, to get adequate pain care I am at least going to have to move out of state if not the entire country. I will ask my questions about that in a different post. But if this is in any way true, and it seems my pain doctor is going to be going by these guidelines whether it is or is not true, it is going to cut my pain meds by almost half. I am on 120 mg of Oxycodone and 8 mg of Dilaudid per day which I was told equals 212 mg of Morphine per day. And before someone decides to tell me that I don't need that much pain medication, I will go ahead and say to you, you don't know me, you don't know what conditions I have that cause me Daily Severe Chronic Pain and other Daily Severe Pain to warrant that much medication, you don't know my tolerance for pain meds, I do NOT take any pain medication to feel high, I ONLY take pain medication to relieve some of the pain as what I am on doesn't even relieve all of my pain, I do NOT drink, I do NOT do street drugs, I see my doctor every 28 days just as I am supposed to, I take my medication as prescribed and the way I am supposed to take it except when I had extreme oral surgery a month ago and I did have to break up my tablets for about a week but they were put on my tongue and NOT up my nose and they were IR tablets so I was fine doing that as I had checked with my pharmacist prior, and you don't feel what I feel or see me lying in bed 24/7 crying from the pain because it is so excruciating and unrelenting so please before anyone starts telling me that I don't need that much pain medicine just stop now before you even start. Those of you that have to live with daily pain will surely understand where I am coming from being this defensive as I'm sure you know you are treated as a drug addict by most doctors even. Thanks in advance for any help with my question.

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25

This is so utterly wrong. All of America would be in an uproar if this pertained to any population OTHER than pain management patients!

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24

AMEN!!! I have been unceremoniously dumped into completely "cattle herding" PM clinic with a "Doctor" who literally said to my face he does not CARE what my tests say or health concerns are; neither is he interested in corresponding w/referring GP. - I was cut from 100 Oxy-CR daily to 60 Oxy-CR/day - NOW changed DOWN AGAIN to MS15 ER 3x/day ... after being PROMISED 30mg 3x/day by Dr's P.A as we changed from Oxy to Morph Sulph - even knowing as they do that ANY Oxy is 1.5x stronger than ANY Morph Sulph dosage ... BUT I'm not stopping yet!!!

Either change Dr AGAIN with referral from GP- OR - write another set of letters to NIH.gov + DEA.gov + FDA as well as FL DBPR - not to mention the VERY cutesy, bouncy & seemingly VERY healthy smug Ms Pam Bondi and Rick Scott, -- Florida's AG and Gov respectively. They care more about their rep than they doe about those of us living in hell on earth ea day! I feel U'r frustrations... I live in FLORIDA... birthplace of this CRAP... and her name is PAMELA BONDI- ATTORNEY GENERAL OF STATE OF FL... And I live in MISERY Day 2 Day ... on my sofa... BTW DONT depend on SS Disabiity they are STINGY - START w/ an attorney FIRST or denial will be all U hear.. I have been trying since 2009!!

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23

Here is what they did.. They did not restrict pain meds to 120 however they played this trick that will be implemented starting in October 2016 for tn..if you are prescribed 120mg the state mandates 3-6 mandated URINE SPECIFIC... (different than normal) over 650.. the insurance company went behind them.. starting this month you will receive letters however they put suboxone info so you dont read further and insurance companies will only pay for 2. The catch is the doctor at that point is not allowed to ask you to pay for additional diagnostics. The state is mandating and if you already met the limit for the year you can not be prescribed until the following year and stupid governors did not read and were sold like they were saving money by limiting needless diagnostics and no dr is going to pay out of pocket for all the extra evaluations for all his patients.. and they are too ignorant to tell the difference between long acting and short acting meds so they lumped total together. so either state needs to lower its mandate or insurance co needs to cover what state is before October and dr's started early so they could taper since if you already have over 2 URINE SPECIFIC in October they cant see you for a year. Since they are going to back date that and not start new in October to see how many can be kicked out to save lots of money... be prepared and they count all drs that you see so if another neurologist does a diagnostic it can count against the year total..

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22

Keikee..... I feel you .....my doctor of almost 9 years who has been wonderful to me just quit prescribing. I was on over a 1000 morphine equivalents. It completely changed my life and freed me from being a prisoner of my body. I haven't found a new doctor and have less than two weeks of medication left. It's awful feeling like I've been sentenced to hell on earth for a crime I didn't commit. All the doctors I have contacted said that they do think I need the medication and they do want to help me but every single one has cited fear of the DEA and the State Board. After years of trying to find employment, I was on top and of the world to have done so.....and then I found out I'd lose my medication. Without it basic living is almost impossible....not to mention work. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

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21

You're right, Bart, it isn't a law. I think what the commenter is thinking about is the LAW which changed the schedule status of the drug Hydrocodone from schedule III to schedule II which is a major big deal in that Dr's now have to write a script every 30 days, no more refills or calling the pharmacy. That in itself changed the scope of opioid prescribing for anyone taking the drug for chronic pain.

The second letter I saw was about morphine. The first 2/3 of the letter described new thoughts on the drug. It suggested that 80mg of morphine had been set as "trigger point" signifying the Dr should stop and reassess the Patient. It suggested more than 80mg of morphine was found to be non therapeutic blah blah blah. Then finally, in the last paragraph it did state the Dr should use her discretion in managing those patients on higher doses.

No it didn't change any laws regarding Morphine doses but it implied heavily that prescribing as much as or over 80 mg Morphine was frowned upon heavily. It may as well have been a law because it scared the CRAP out of my Dr. I'd been on extended release morphine for more than 22 years. I was taking waaay more than 80mg. I think I was taking 300 mg split into 2 doses which was immediately cut in half. I WAS given Vicoden or Lortab to take, only if needed, between the two doses of morphine. Also I was told to expect an even greater cut in my dosage the following month. I was a complete wreck. The month after that I taken completely off the morphine and put on 40 mg Oxycontin. One, twice per day plus Lortab for breakthru pain. I've never been so sick in my life. I'd been a patient of this dr for nearly 10 years. During the appts, his nurse would sit near him and not look me in the eye. I was afraid to try to talk during the appt, scared I'd start crying and not be able to stop.

I'd had a great job I loved and had to take a medical leave of absence. Couldn't take proper care of myself or my home. The last time I saw that dr was March, 2014. He left the state. I was referred to another pain specialist where I was made to feel like a criminal, drug addict. He would not prescribe ANY narcotic pain medicine though I was given a u/a before every appt. He sent me for physical therapy, which I did. What I said "no" to was the repeated tries to send me to "their" Psychiatrist. I have a psychiatrist I've seen for 15 years, my insurance won't pay for me to see 2 psychiatrists and finally I don't need two psychiatrists! I finally told that a**hole from hell where to stick it.

I've had to start completely over, going to a specialist for my syndrome. Repeating all the painful diagnostics, examinations & procedures I went thru years ago. I've signed petitions for DEA reform blah blah blah. So, no, there's no law, other than the new scheduling for Hydrocodone which has caused far reaching catastrophes for thousands of American people.....

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20

It isn't an actual written policy but the pressures and fear of disciplinary action by the DEA or Board have never been worse. This is causing many physicians to taper patients or refrain from prescribing all together.

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19

Yeah you can talk about something you know about. There are no laws on the books restrictioning pains meds to 120mg per day. I
Challenge you to quote such a law with reference you won't find it. Doesn't exist. Who ever started this thread doesn't know what he is talking about.

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18

Chris, I think I know which group you are talking about. Thanks for your post.

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17

There is a group who has begun an attack on this drug war and since one member is a higher up with pharmacy board he has connections that will get results. It will be a definite stab in these uncertified political, i****s that are killing us. I am in FL so am going down for the last count before being drowned totally. Already been bedridden for a year now I cant find a dr. for ANY meds. So I am writing here & giving one last try to save myself. Too young to die. I also redid my will, just praying for a miracle.

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16

alwaysNpain, please msg me {edited for privacy}. I'd really appreciate a few names :)

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15

Not a law but last year at the Pain Convention at Opryland Hotel here in TN I THINK, it was decided on by doctors, nurse practitioners, pain doctors and such that four pills a day should be all that's needed of anything. I don't know how they made that decision when there weren't any pain advocates or patients present!

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14

Grace...I live in Knoxville. Not sure if you are still in need of a doctor or not since its a old post. If you are let me know and I can provide you with a few doctors.

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13

Hi I live in the state of Oregon. My doctor is very upset about this new law. I was sent to a pain management to be "reset" He told me with my problems there is no surgery to help me and that I am doing everything right, that I would keep the same does of meds. When I went to see my primary doc he showed me a letter from the pain management that said take me off of everything! Even the 120 mg law. WTH???? We are leaving OR. Looking for a state that will keep me on the meds that I am on now. Anyone know of a state that is still good?

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12

The DEA, Pharmacy Board & even the governor of your state are in control of your licensed pain manager physician. A Pharmacist now has the power to decide whether or not you deserve to have your pain medicine prescription filled depending on their mood or what their opinion of the amount of morphine your Dr has ordered for you is. It started in Florida. The second biggest takeover was Northeast Ohio and after that I've read nightmarish accounts of folks medication being cut by half or more in one days time from just about every state in the union. It has been a nightmare for two years. They came around 11:00am while the place was packed. All the patients were kicked out and told they didn't know when the office might reopen." Could be today, possibly tomorrow. Might be never". Shrugging their shoulders and shaking their heads to people's faces.The arrogance! The office did reopen the following week thankfully but it didn't last. By March 2014 the office was closed for good. I've had to start all over with my care for my disease but a new pain manager only wants to prescribe me neurontin which literally made me feel homicidal. I've signed petitions and even emailed a letter to the governor. My letter ended with the phrase "some days I just can't take this pain any longer". That afternoon two young men from a local mental health clinic were on my step. I s*** you not. Have you ever in your life? I certainly never wanted or expected the governor's office to be so afraid I'd off myself they'd send the guys in the white coats. But it happened. I could write a book but there's not enough time. Wish I had some encouraging words. The only way we'll get proper pain care back is if we all stand together and stop paying our taxes and demand they stop with the craziness.

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11

I'm in Alabama on high doses and my doctor says that's it's not an actual law or ruling but the Medical Board is putting pressure to lower doses by sending the out PDMP Reports to doctors for patients on high doses. I'm absolutely dependent on this for any quality of life and have improved tremendously with it. I fear I'll lose all I've gained. Prior to this I'd developed cardiac adrenal syndrome from ongoing pain, had very little immune system, and lost over 40 pounds despite being thin already and having a high daily calorie intake. I had pneumonia repeatedly. I'm in a wheelchair and finally was able to affiord transportation and trust my ability to drive after seven long years once I was treated. Spasms from the genetic condition I have are getting much worse and I I've only driven a few miles twice since this started. I had just accepted a part time position that was truly perfect for me after so many years of endless searching. There is no way I could ever handle it though and I had to call back and tell them I could no longer accept the position. This would have done so much to improve the tenuous financial circumstances I have. My doctor said he hates to think of how much he'll have to reduce my dosing. I truly feel as though I'm losing everything including the simple ability to live independently which I've fought so hard to maintain due to the bad choices some people make. All this while I'm not a given a choice. Thanks to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners I've revised my Living Will and will likely refuse treatment when and if the issues I had before return if there doesn't seem to be any help in sight. I'm not old at all, way too young for a decision like this. I've done nothing wrong yet I'm punished severely so that others who make poor CHOICES that may lead to the disease of addiction if so predisposed.

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10

Hi Vernon,

I am in Oregon and this changing meds is bull****. I've had two back surgeries and neither one took very well. Now they are telling me I am on too high a dose of pain meds. What I****S. My Dr. Is having a fit with them. But he says there is nothing he can do. Do you know if it is a state or federal law? Well Vern I really hope you feel better!! Eileen

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9

I am going through the same thing in the state of Oregon. I don't know if it is a law here, but it is creating havoc with my mental health as well as with my chronic pain from two back surgeries that haven't done much. Have you learned anything more about if it is a state or federal law? I am thinking about moving from Oregon and I am scared to death that I might have to leave the country....hi my name is Samantha I am Eileen's daughter I just walked in and she explained to me about your post I sure hope this post finds you well I am really worried about my mom and any help you can give us would be really appreicted I'm am just at a loss when it comes to giving her any advice because I really need more knowledge to be sure because this is my mom whom my god I love dearly our prayers are with you thank you sincerely Samantha

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8

This 120 mg limit is total bulls***, from some jacka** that has never lived in pain and doesn't care or understand what real pain does to a person. I have had over 23 major operations and suffer from hereditary neuropathy and to be told by some jacka** that doesn't know what real pain is that 120 mg is enough or to much is total bulls***.

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7

Hello, Grace! How are you doing? I'm very sorry about what happened to you, that's horrible.

I wish I knew of a doctor there, but unfortunately, I don't. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, so quite a ways away.

Can anyone recommend a good doctor in that area that can help Grace? Pretty please?!?

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6

Vernon or Anyone- Do you know of ANY legitimate providers in or within 100 miles of Knoxville? My provider was recently indicted in the now defunct Broadway Health of Maryville money laundering scam which occurred in 2009-2010. I thought I had done my due diligence when I decided to use Serenity Health in Alcoa. I asked the principle provider if there was any reason she would not be around a year from now. Of course she said no. I am a legitimate & compliant patient who wants to.do the "right thing" & it seems almost impossible. I would appreciate help & guidance. I am at my wits end & need a provider who accepts self pay patients & doesn't charge an arm & a leg for services. Thanks

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