My brother-in-law, a heroin user, caused untold physical and emotional pain to his entire family before he died in his mother's bathroom after shooting up stronger-than-usual dope and my poor, beleaguered MIL had to break down the door to find her son cold and dead.
I have taken vast amounts of Oxycontin and Oxycodone every day for the last about 20 years for Diabetes-related Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet. The opiods completely stop, what for me, was unbearable foot pain (particularly in my toes) in my totally numb legs, from two inches above the knee down to the tips of my remaining toes.
I am particularly irritated in my response today because, just yesterday, at my pain management Dr, who I have to see every 60 days when he does nothing but ask how I am doing and then writes me Rxs for the next two months. That appt's co-pay is $50.00 out of my pocket.
I don't even see the Dr, just the PA, and yesterday she sprung a requirement for a leg nerve conduction test to prove that I really had it, in order to continue receiving my drugs, which after 20 years, I am completely tolerant and dependent on (read: totally addicted to). I don't get any of the euphoria due to having taken them for so long. I suffer the consequences though if I miss a dose!
At this point, I feel no effects when I take my opioids. If I miss a dose, I am reminded by feeling the effects of opiate withdrawal, which are really horrible. I understand what drug addicts go through. It's very bad.
I have had diabetes for 56 years since I was 6 years old. I have worn an AirCast pneumatic boot for diabetic-related bone disease for the last 24 years, I had a very successful (literally and directly saved my life) kidney transplant a little over 20 years ago due to diabetic kidney failure in April, 1996, I have severe sight problems with blood leaking into my eyes (controlled by laser treatments since 1982) from Diabetic retinopathy, etc. I have had medical problems with every single one of my bodily systems, including my heart, brain, and memory (Vascular Dementia (poor short term memory)) except my liver and appendix, all related to the wondrous disease of diabetes. I have had real cancer, which was indirectly incurred as a side-effect of the immuno-suppressant transplant drugs. So I think it might be possible to believe that I really have foot pain due to diabetes-related nerve failure without any proof or unnecessary medical tests.
I am a medical marvel of controlled-by-modern-medicine diabetes related problems. I am lucky to be here. And as happy as hell!
But to continue the only working treatment for my Diabetic-related peripheral neuropathy, I have to pay at least a hundred dollars after insurance to prove that I have diabetic related problems AFTER HAVING THE DISEASE FOR 56 YEARS. This is the direct result of Federally-required and Virginia State sponsored regulations to combat legally available prescription drug abuse.
BTW, I am a right leaning, and right voting, Libertarian. In my opinion, I think that there should be no drug laws. I would not take drugs myself without a real modern Western medical doctor's prescription but believe in one's right to make mistakes in a "free" country. But I fear prison and other punishment (IE., I am not a criminal.) and thusly, follow the laws as written and enforced. So I, unlike the criminals, pay.
The pain doctor even had his recommended neurologist buddy's card ready for me to share in the gov't mandated bounty! I declined her in-the-system, fellow-traveler advice and will be using my regular Neuro guy, Dr. Sarbjot.
My whole life was affected by medical laws that should have been private discussion between my doctor and me.
Don't get me started by mentioning the pharmacy's gov't required requirements which I have to follow to redeem my Rxs. It's ridiculous.
So, yes, I have been affected by the laws re: drugs.
I am quite sure my BIL, one of the smartest, best looking, and although blessed with a poor attitude, nice guys, would be alive today if heroin was legally available in the corner drugstore. He accidentally took too much and literally OD'd. If it were legal, it would be properly metered and labeled and he would have taken the "correct" amount.
Yours, in big government oversight and irritated by government interference in my private life,
Mike D.