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Author Topic: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med  (Read 4407 times)

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Offline tednlou2

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Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« on: April 21, 2011, 02:24:44 am »
According to ABC News, 80% of all the prescription painkillers taken in the world and 99% of all the Vicodin and it's generics in the world are taken by Americans.  They claimed Vicodin is now the number one prescribed med, of any med.  They say more people now die from prescription drug overdose than motor vehicle accidents in 17 states.  The U.S. Drug Czar is recommending that doctors be retrained on pain killers and use them very sparingly.

I know prescription painkillers are very readily available.  I know several people who get them on a regular basis and others who have them in their cabinets.  Some of them really need them and some don't.  The gov't says pain meds are now the drug of choice for young teens and young adults.  But what do you do if you're in severe pain?  After back surgery, I've had to use them when needed.  I can take them as needed and not get out of control.  I realize others can't.  Why can't they just come up with an effective pain med that isn't a narcotic?  Tylenol or Aleve won't cut it.  Doctors are to blame for most of the problems by prescribing too many at once.  And, many docs know full well someone is coming in who doesn't need them and probably selling them.  Those docs do it for money. 

Anyway, funny they did this story on 420.  And, why are Americans taking 80% of the world's pain meds?  Can we believe these stats?  What are people doing in other countries?  Taking crack?  Pot?  Are pain meds harder to get in other countries and they just deal with the pain?  Is it because Americans work longer hours and have shorter vacations, so they're in more pain?  For those taking them for a high, are they doing pain meds, because other drugs like pot are illegal and stigmatized?  At the end of the story, the reporter says "many pain specialists now believe narcotic pain meds should only be taken by people with terminal diseases like cancer..."  How many did he talk to for that?  What are pain specialists?  If you go to a pain clinic, pain meds are mainly what they do.  Many don't even bother with physical therapy even to make it look like a reputable clinic.  Florida is the midwest's drug mill.  Florida is reluctant to start a tracking system to monitor narcotics.  Something seems fishy.  There are so many pain clinics in FL where you can just walk in and get what you want for a price.  And, many of the online pain meds come out of FL.  KY folks are a big buyer from FL.  I saw on the news that many of the FL online shops won't even ship to KY, because they are often ceased here due to the problem.  So, there are caravans to FL to get them.  Many are ruining it for people who really need them.  And, it is hard to blame them, because I'm sure they got addicted from a doc over-prescribing.   

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/drug-czar-warns-prescription-painkillers-addiction-vicatin-13422463

Offline littleprince

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  • Posts: 201
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2011, 03:20:24 am »
That's because US doctors seem to hand it out like candy. A doctor doing the same in Australia wouldn't have a job for very long.

Offline CaptCarl

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Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2011, 07:45:59 am »
Tedderz-
   So many questions, so little time. But to wit: As far as statistics go, you can interpret stats to mean almost anything you want. If I have learned nothing else over the years, it's to be leery of any poll or statistic thrown out there to prove a point. The easiest way to figure out if a poll might even be slightly unbiased is to follow the money, and find out who paid for it to be conducted. After all, if a study is done that shows smoking doesn't cause lung cancer and turns out to be sponsored by the tobacco industry, would you trust it?

   Painkillers are like any other drug: Somepeople really need them, and others are merely looking for fun. Why does this seem to be such a surprise to you? Part of the message that comes through in your posting is that maybe you weren't able to get a refill and are a bit miffed, hhmmmm?

   I would suggest that the majority of Americans that are on painkillers do it to anesthetize themselves against the daily onslaught of fucked up politics, and non-stop exposure to pointless bullshit such as American Idol, or Paris Hilton. As well a never-ending barrage of stupid from a non-stop parade of stupid.


That's because US doctors seem to hand it out like candy. A doctor doing the same in Australia wouldn't have a job for very long.

Princey Dear-
   I have the sneaking suspicion that this is not just a U.S. thing. Dishonest docs come from every country and walk of life. I have checked with a few friends down there in OZ, as well as some other countries. They have all assured me that the same thing goes on there, and that in addition to getting an armload of legal drugs on demand, they only pay six bucks per script, courtesy of the Government. Maybe you just need to find a new doctor...

CaptCarl


The only thing I can do straight is shoot..

Offline J.R.E.

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  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2011, 08:14:53 am »
Florida's the worst state of them all, for pill mills. One of my co-workers recently lost her neice to an overdose of Oxy and xanax.


http://clearwater.patch.com/articles/pill-mills-special-video-report-prescription-drug-trafficking-in-tampa-bay-5#video-5614815

Ray
« Last Edit: April 21, 2011, 05:27:47 pm by J.R.E. »
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline GSOgymrat

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  • Posts: 5,122
  • HIV+ since 1993. Relentlessly gay.
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2011, 08:45:43 am »
I've definitely seen more addiction to pain medication over the past 5 years and more abuse by teens. I would say right now in Greensboro I see most people abusing alcohol, then marijuana, crack, pain medications, benzos, powder cocaine, stimulants, heroin, hallucinogens then inhalants. It varies from region to region what is popular. Teens are using pain medications because they are so readily available. Part of the problem is people don't seem to realize how addictive pain medications  can be and doctors don't adequately inform people of the dangers. I see people who have never abused alcohol or drugs have a back injury, be prescribed narcotics, take them as prescribed, then take more because they start becoming tolerant, then take more because they are afraid if they stop they will experience pain and then can't stop because they have withdrawal when they do. Then there are people who have undiagnosed depression or anxiety who self medicate. People who use drugs recreationally use them either to get high or in concert with their other drugs. People who are older or on disability sometimes sell their pain medications to help supplement their income.

It is very common. Our inpatient psychiatrists have reached the point they won't admit patients unless the patient signs a contract agreeing to go off all narcotic pain medications, even if they have documented medical problems. It is starting to get the same way with benzos too and I know several psychiatrists who will not prescribe them anymore.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2011, 08:47:46 am by GSOgymrat »

Offline CaptCarl

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  • Posts: 1,114
  • Located in the Palinsville subdivision, JesusLand
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2011, 03:19:57 pm »
Florida's the worst state of them, for pill mills.

What else is to be expected in an area known as God's Waiting Room?  Would be interesting to see if it is a similar situation other places where there are large populations of the elderly, say Phoenix/SunCity.

CaptCarl
The only thing I can do straight is shoot..

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2011, 04:35:33 pm »
What else is to be expected in an area known as God's Waiting Room?  Would be interesting to see if it is a similar situation other places where there are large populations of the elderly, say Phoenix/SunCity.

CaptCarl

Good point.
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Offline denb45

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  • "1987 Classic Old School POZ+"
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2011, 04:56:55 pm »
Vicodin, as well as any other opiates makes my PUKE, I used to be a heroin addict, so, I always ask for the non-opiate-base pain-killers, those work, if I need them, like kidney stones, are lower back pain, headache
and such  ;)
"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2011, 05:20:45 pm »


Another big problem here in Florida ( LOL Gods waiting room) are the meth labs.  This one blew up the other day:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/cops-meth-lab-explosion-rips-dade-city-home/1164765


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline anniebc

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,185
  • AM member since 2003
Re: Vicodin Number One Prescribed Med
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2011, 05:24:01 pm »
That's because US doctors seem to hand it out like candy. A doctor doing the same in Australia wouldn't have a job for very long.

Oh please..I worked in the Medical field for 30+ years 20 of them in Australia, I could name a dozen or more Doctors who "handed out pills like candy"..and still are, Aussie Docs are no different to the ones in the States.

Jan
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