night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Hydro isn't just the most popular pain med prescribed in the US, it is the most popular medication prescribed in the US.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Dante6677
Member
Reged: 08/14/03
Posts: 139
Loc: Fl. Panhandle
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The DEA needs to make sure they have plenty of jobs for their own since the war against med marijuana is failing in some states. More Dr.s will be prosecuted for hydro just like oxy. The DEA is concerned fist and formost about job security. BIGGER BUDGET for the DEA!! Everone needs to bombard the government with letters, it should take them years just to read them all.
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henry1
Board Addict
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 304
Loc: North Central USA
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I wish I could be as positive but I can't be. The first problem is the DEA has the final say in this. It doesn't have to 'pass' anything. As far as the drug companies losing money because of the popularity of Hydro, the drug companies never lose money, because whatever is prescribed in its place will also be made by them. I think this is very serious, and in my humble opinion it will not take very long if the DEA decides to push this thru. The only people its going to hurt are people like us, and the OPs, and its a backdoor way for the DEA to take a shot at them. The only thing we can do is write letters, and send them to anyone who might be able to help us.
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treading the backward path...
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SunnyQ
Stranger
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 7
Loc: SE
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I agree. Pharmaceutical companies have way too much to lose and WAY too much power to let this happen. It'll never happen.
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plotinus
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 281
Loc: California
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Correct me, but hydro alone is schedule II, as is oxy alone or time-released as in Oxycontin. Hydro and Oxy are schedule III when combined with a NSAID (Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Percoset) designed to destroy your GI system before addiction intervenes. This is the way our government protects us from our selves - better to die of liver failure, than to live dependent on an opioid. I must be missing something here- because I don't get it at all. Seems like something out of CATCH 22 to me.
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plotinus
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 281
Loc: California
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Quote:
Good thing the 'war on drugs' has been so successful that nowhere at all in America can one go down to the corner dealer and score coke and heroin, along with other Schedule II Rx substances.
This passes, the local dealers will be selling Hydros too, and more legitimate pain patients will be turned into criminals.
Dead on, Caveman -- whenyou're losing the 'war on drugs big time, only alternative to save face is up the ante.
>>The DEA effort comes as the agency is already embroiled in a dispute with many pain specialists over the use -- and alleged overprescribing -- of another powerful painkiller, OxyContin. Scores of doctors have been arrested on felony charges of conspiracy, drug trafficking and even murder in connection with their prescribing.
Although the agency says the prosecutions are needed to shut down "pill mills" and stop unscrupulous doctors, many pain specialists say that the agency has become overzealous and that some doctors are refusing to prescribe needed painkillers because they fear DEA investigation.
"Rescheduling the drug will bring more hoops and barriers to getting access to the drugs, and it may prevent some minimal amount of abuse," said Richard Payne, president of the American Pain Society. "But my concern is that it will come at the cost of denying access to thousands of patients."
John Ashcroft (and by proxy "W") hate chronic pain patients - you legit CPer's are a real pain in the behind to these guys and their clear-cut moral decisons.
Just shut up and suffer - that's their model for CP. So when you think about your vote come November think of everything that John Ashcroft has done to relieve your suffering. And imagine what he has in mind for the next four years.
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plotinus
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 281
Loc: California
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Quote:
I wish I could be as positive but I can't be. The first problem is the DEA has the final say in this. It doesn't have to 'pass' anything. As far as the drug companies losing money because of the popularity of Hydro, the drug companies never losing bets, because whatever is prescribed in its place will also be made by them. I think this is very serious, and in my humble opinion it will not take very long if the DEA decides to push this thru. The only people its going to hurt are people like us, and the OPs, and its a backdoor way for the DEA to take a shot at them. The only thing we can do is write letters, and send them to anyone who might be able to help us.
Don't despair -- henry1. DEA is more reasonable than you think -big problem is really congress sensing an opportunity to score s a few votes. Like you and me, the DEA just wants a clear charter of what they're supposed to do. Congress wants votes.
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wblmpls
Stranger
Reged: 12/09/03
Posts: 11
Loc: East Coast
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Quote:
Correct me, but hydro alone is schedule II, as is oxy alone or time-released as in Oxycontin. Hydro and Oxy are schedule III when combined with a NSAID (Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Percoset) designed to destroy your GI system before addiction intervenes. This is the way our government protects us from our selves - better to die of liver failure, than to live dependent on an opioid. I must be missing something here- because I don't get it at all. Seems like something out of CATCH 22 to me.
Acually, oxycodone is never a III, always a II. Acetomenaphin (sp?) is not a NSAID like ibuprofen but raises havoc with your liver (someone correct me if I'm wrong on both counts). But, I agree with you, it's a Catch-22. Under the guise of enhancing pain relieve by adding these other drugs to hydro and oxy, they are really just ways of reducing use/abuse but cause far greater harm.
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"If there is no God, all things are permissible"
- Dostoevsky
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Julz
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 232
Loc: NJ Shore
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Percodan & Percocet are also Schedule II drugs.
Peace,

Julz
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Love never fails. 1Cor 13:8
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Lisa1967
Member
Reged: 10/29/02
Posts: 125
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Wow,
I have read every single post in this thread,and it REALLY HISSES ME OFF that we even NEED to have this discussion First of all,what the HECK is the DEA doing"regulating" pharmacueticals?? Isnt that,or shouldnt it be,the FDA's job? Shouldnt the DEA's priorities be on ENFORCING the laws of illegal drugs? No,they are now in the pharmaceutical biznez,going after drs,cancer patients,and chronic pain sufferers ALL because this drug has the ABILITY to get someone stoned??? OMG people,this is just plain WRONG Ya know what the number 1 "abused drug" in this country is-by a LONG shot???? ALCOHOL!!!!!! There is NO medical reason for ANYONE to be using alcohol-and all this scientific mumbo-jumbo about how "oh,a glass of wine could help you live 3 more days,or get a better erection,or fall asleep 5 minutes faster"-ugh-who are these "researchers" trying to fool??? Yep-who needs pills when you've got a good glass of booze,right? 
Oh yeah,and lets NOT forget these drug rehabs screaming all this Best if kept off the board about hydro addicts flooding THIER doors(think they are mooching for more funding themselves??) WELL,as a woman who happens to be married to an addict/alcoholic-and has worked with them for YEARS-addicts/alcoholics will get hooked on OREOS-just ask them.It's in their genes.It doesnt matter what the substance is-if it gives them the desired"buzz",they will do it again& again.Even if they dont LIKE the buzz-they will STILL do it,cuz it's better than whatever it IS they are feeling about themselves when sober. THIS WILL NOT CURE THE ADDICTS-THERE IS NO CURE!!!! Just ask them-I know *I* have! The only people this will NOT hurt is the ADDICT-because they WILL get theirs somehow,some way.Ask them-*I* have. They will commit crimes,rob their grandmothers for their "high"-unlike people who NEED this medication,who will just live in agony-or,God 4bid,like Summer(btw,I SO relate ) will commit suicide rather than live in agony& be a burden on their families
I think I am going to print out this whole thread,all 3+ pages of it,and send it to Hilary Clinton-she is our Senator,and she seems to have a big mouth-just MAYBE she will listen to another mother with a big mouth 
Lisa
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gaby22
Stranger
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 11
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There is one thing we can all do if you have the energy to do it there is going to be a march on Washington in march I think for chronic pain sufferers. I dont know how much good it will do but at least its something.I told my dr. about it and he thinks its a great idea and it might at least get the story out about how many of us live in pain everyday.I dony remember all the details but if you go to some of the chronic pain sites online Im sure you can find out. Like i told my dr though all of us will want to go but will feel to bad to when the day comes.
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tray1
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 241
Loc: US
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yes there is a seperate thread about the march on both the free and vip boards, everyone should get involved, if you care then this is your chance, if you can not make it you can send a donation, sign the petition etc......everyone needs to speak up. There are also several websites dedicated to pain relief advocacy.... Pain Relief Network
This is a good place to start. I think that everyone should get involved, if we all work together there is always a chance, but if we dont speak up then we can definately say goodbye to it, even if it does take a year or more, we will stil be in the same boat then.
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2muchpain
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 274
Loc: USA
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Lisa, I agree with you 1000% about the alcohol.
So many of 'those' folks use it to unwind. Why should they get any relief? I think they should drink a glass of water instead. It builds character. 
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Julz
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 232
Loc: NJ Shore
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I was on my way to pick up hubby yesterday evening, & a song came on the radio which made me instantly think of this thread, and the way things are running in this country.
A big thank you to Mr. David Gilmore & Mr. Roger Waters for writing and performing it:
"Welcome my son, welcome to the machine. Where have you been? It's all right- we know where you've been."
Peace,

Julz
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Love never fails. 1Cor 13:8
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classclown
Journeyman

Reged: 02/10/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Misery, I mean Missouri
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OK, so I know that this is a somewhat old thread, but I just found this site and became a member, so I am still going through all of the old posts/threads to get caught up on the issues. BUT, I read this proposal and got so upset that I couldn't see straight!!!! I am in no way an abuser of hydro or anything else, for that matter. I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't use illegal substances. I am simply a CP sufferer with two kids that NEED ther mommy to be able to funtion and take care of them...and without my hydro I would be bedridden every day! I have already gone to the links above to send emails to my state reps and prez Bush. I sent both the form letter and one that I composed myself that read as follows for anyone that cares to copy and paste it on their own email to their state reps:
I am writing to you, our elected officials, to inform you that the very tax payers that elected you strongly disagree with the proposed change of Hydrocodone prescription medication to be rescheduled to a class II medication. This is preposerous! I am a chronic pain sufferer and have been for almost 20 years. I do not and never have abused or overdosed on Hydrocodone. Without it, however, I have no quality of life. I am a mother of two beautiful children that need a mother that can function and take care of them and herself. But, without my needed prescription medications, I am left to lie in bed in pain and suffer needlessly. I implore you to consider the voice of the millions of tax paying Americans that are saying to you, our elected officials.....allow us to decide what is good for our bodies and not a stranger who has never taken the time to meet me or understand the kind of pain that I deal with on a daily basis. It was the Nixon administration that I blame for even making this ridiculous "schedule" for prescription medications in the first place. But, DO NOT add insult to injury by making Hydrocodone a class II medication. Stop trying to protect people from themselves...Me and ONLY ME knows what is good for me!!! I am only one, but there are millions of voting chronic pain sufferers that will NEVER forget who makes changes to our quality of life.
I hope that those of you that think that this issue will never pass are right, but just in case we have to make ourselves heard or else they will never know how important an issue it is to their voters. I encourage each and every one of you to speak out in the provided venues!!!
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hunt1
Member
Reged: 02/07/04
Posts: 128
Loc: TEXAS
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I agree 100%. The only way to get you voice heard is write or call you US Representive and US Senator. Believe me they do listen and reply. This the whole reason people are having to use OP's because Dr.'s are affraid to prescripe Hydro to CP who need it just to life a half way normal life. It is ashame that CP are looked at as second class citizens or even lower. There as been a stigma placed on CP from ignorate Dr.'s and Pharmacist.
Don't judge CP suffers until you walk a mile in their shoes. The problem is it is to easy to judge if you do not live in pain and lead a normal life.
I also agree with a previous post about the few deaths that have occurred from overdose is sad and I do feel sorry for the families that lost their love ones but they do really need to come to grip that their love one had a much deeper promblems. It was not the OP or Dr.'s that held them down and made them take the drugs, it was a concious choice made by their love one. Maybe they needed to be more involved with that love one and they would of saw signs of drug abuse or some other deeper psychological problems. They need to stop pointing the finger at OP's and Dr.'s that are caring and understand to CP.What they need to realize that when they point the finger at OP's and understanding Dr.'s that there are four fingers pointing back at themselfs.
-HUNT
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