This may be a silly question but I was wondering if anyone ever thought of contacting someone like Oprah W. to see if she would do a show on pain management and the difficulties involved with getting the proper medications and treatments. I think if the public were made aware of the prejudice and problems victims of chronic pain suffer it might just result in a good outcome. People need to understand what it is like to wake up crying because of the pain, to loose self confidence due to not being able to work and earn a living, giving up your social life because you can no longer walk, sit or stand for any extended period of time. The most exposure I have seen to date is Rush (*$#$&#$) Limbaugh's bout with Oxy's. He didn't do us any favors did he.
Any comments?
Hugs
Mo

Mo,

I don't know if you caught it, but last fall as a matter of fact Oprah herself did a show about prescription drugs, but of course it was centered on the traditional "soccer mom" abusing them. And the woman who inspired the producers to do the episode was a member here. Unfortunately in the society we live in, we are FAR MORE LIKELY to have more shows like the one they did, as opposed to what you are talking about (and what everyone on this board would like to see, no doubt). The reality is, what they talked about is more "interesting", more "racy and sultry", for lack of better words. It just makes better TV. Mind you, I don't agree with crap like that, because I'm not one of the sheep of this country that just accepts what networks want to shove down my throat, I'm just telling you what the reality is.

I think any non-fiction based television should always be completely objective and partisan, but unfortunately this is the farthest thing from the truth. I mean, look at the many news stations - they above all else should unequivacly be the most objective, but are not far more often than they are, even the most revered CNN. I think it's fair to do a show discussing the problem of your neighbor next door-type of person abusing RXs, if it's done right, but you should dig just as deep to portray the other side of the issue. Ay, but there's the rub, when it comes to TV at least - that don't put butts in the seats, as they say.

I hate to say it, but the most you should probably ever count on for thruthful support is a place like this. If it truly bothers you enough, then research into what you can actually do about it. Heck, if you want to take it this far, I'm sure there's at least one Public Access network operating near where you live. Do what you need to know to get yourself on it so your word can be heard. That's just the beginning, and that's just one idea. Good luck :)

(PS - regarding Rush Limbaugh - and I'm not saying anyone here is defending him or sympathizing, etc, with him, but to anyone who is, before you do, let's not forget that in Mr Limbaugh's past - during the period that he was ILLEGALLY obtaining prescription drugs for the purpose of abusing them - he would speak publicly and vehemently :nono: about how "the government should prosecute 'these drug addicts' to the full extent of the law when they have broken laws to get their supply.")

"Oh, hi Kettle, I'm the Pot. Well, look at that - we're both black!" :D

Hey, just wanted to agree with the statement that folks abusing the meds should be prosecuted, it just really makes it hard for some folks to get the right help because of other folks that DO NOT need the meds abusing them.

A ditto to what cowboy said! :D Surgical Disaster

People on another board (including me) have done just that...written to Oprah objecting to the one-sided show about pain meds and addiction. Her website will allow you to send an email to her expressing your feelings.

I hope that a lot of you will take the opportunity to give a minute of your time to write her and ask for equal time on the subject of narcotic pain use...OUR SIDE! If she gets enough mail, perhaps she will actually do a show that lets us speak our piece.

Carol

People on another board (including me) have done just that...written to Oprah objecting to the one-sided show about pain meds and addiction. Her website will allow you to send an email to her expressing your feelings.

I hope that a lot of you will take the opportunity to give a minute of your time to write her and ask for equal time on the subject of narcotic pain use...OUR SIDE! If she gets enough mail, perhaps she will actually do a show that lets us speak our piece.

Carol


Carol,

I totally agree and am going to email regarding showing the other side of the subject/issue. I watched parts of the show and noticed immediately no information was provided regarding people who really need these medications to function each and everyday and what life is like for a cper. Only the people who are addicted and abuse the medications. I was surprised Oprah didnt offer viewers the other side and what these medications are intended for, etc.,..

Hi Chriztene!

I also did what Carol did when Oprah originally aired an episode of mothers addicted to rx pain meds. I emailed her immediately and requested they tell the other side of the story. Again last week, she did another segment on the abuse of pain meds. It makes me livid to have just one side of the story told. And of course, it was the sensational aspect of pain med use. Needless to say, I never received a response from my email - that's no surprise.

These women were taking anywhere from 15 - 40 pills per day! Of course they're gonna have a problem with addiction. What did they expect? Duh! As chronic CPers, we take our meds as prescribed with only rare exceptions. I believe all of us at one time or another, have gone a bit over our limit. But that's only due to legitimate intractable pain. And I don't know of any CPer who has taken 40 pills per day unless actually rx'd that amount. If that were the case, alot of us wouldn't be here today!

I wonder why Oprah eludes the opportunity to tell our side of the story. I guess it wouldn't make for sensationalism in TV. Dr. Phil has also addressed the downside of rx pain meds. Just once, I wish a CPer could tell the truth and let people know there's a hugh difference between physical dependency and addiction.

Sorry to vent, but I get so angry when I see these kinds of stories. We need to have some publicity to support the real benefits of rx use. Don't know if that will ever happen though. Love, Linda

I can't even really discuss pain meds around most people I know because of shows like that and bad publicity. I even told my doc how most of my friends are AGAINST pain meds and don't have a clue what chronic pain is other then an ingrown toenail that hurts for a week or two. I get really ticked when I see shows against 'anyone' takein the meds as if we should all jus learn 'to deal with it'.......as if they really know what that means. Pam

Honestly, your best bet might actually be Montel Williams who suffers from MS (and actually was recently caught in an airport with illegal substances used to control his severe pain when other things failed him). If anyone understands what folks go through it would be him.

As for folks abusing medications, yes it frustrates me to no end to see people that I know who don't suffer like we do but yet are able to get medications we are unable to get without struggling years to get them. There was a Dateline show or something like that about this very subject that actually prescription medication is the most abused drug (or at least one) but is also is one of the most undedected. It's folks like that who make it difficult for those who really suffer to get the help they need.

Usually I just lurk - since I'm already on too many Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia boards - but I wanted to thank all of you for writing to Oprah, asking that she present a (non-sensational) show on using medications for chronic pain management. Also wanted to let you know that several of us (who are chronic pain patients) have been posting on the Oprah message thread regarding her recent airing of the show on moms addicted to drugs.

We've also been sending e-mails, requesting a show on Chronic Pain and/or FMS, but (obviously) haven't had much success with that effort, either. Still, I believe that after a while, as the e-mails from us continue to arrive, it will become more and more difficult for the staff to pretend we just don't exist.

By the way, a special thanks to Kissa for the suggestion about contacting the Montel show. As you mentioned, he might be a bit more receptive to the idea since he has MS.

Wish you all the most pain-free day possible!

Janice

While believe me, I'm EXTREMELY sympathetic to trying to come with viable ideas to get our word out to a wider public, I just have to say that I'm not sure the Montel Williams show is a good option, even considering his own MS diagnosis.

What makes me say this, honestly, personally I'm not sure I'd be happy with, or proud of, whatever, of this issue being dealt with on the same show that has in the past an innumerable number of times had fluff and inconsequential topics like "Children who think their mother dresses too slutty", or "Where are they now? Child stars of the 70's", etc. And this encompasses pretty much all of daytime TV's landscape (and I even to a certain degree include the almighty Oprah in this category - I don't like her and almost never watch her show, except on very rare occasions. True, she doesn't do the kind of topics that I referrenced above, but I don't believe she ever really has the best interest of her "everyday people" guests at heart).

I'm just not sure that considering the quality of material that's dealt with usually on the show, that it would, in the end, lend much credence to our cause. I apologize if I've offended anyone, but this is my opinion that I felt compelled to share. I'm just exercising my First Amendment right, the one that our White House is so diligent in taking away from me right now in every possible way they can, simply because it may not be what they'd prefer to hear.

Hello there.
I too have emailed Oprah and actually quite a few time throughout the last 4 years. I think that there are many shows that she targets and does that are a lot less needed to be talked about and aired. It amazes me. Even the diseases that exist and are commercialized she chooses instead of the up an coming and the "invisible diseases"
such as Chronic Faituge and Fibromyalgia and the SEVERE PAIN we live with..The debliitating life and she chooses to talk about weight and prescription pain killer addictions. Those of use who use the medication as intended and actually need it do not get addicted and we are not heard. I will continue to add my emails too.
Deb

My Dr just told me yesterday that he went to a conference and was preached to that Drs are now under treating pain patient and that they are actually asking them to make sure that they treat their patients adequetlly and treat their pain. I guess there has been alot of negetive reports from people who can't get the pain meds and relief that they need. This was cominf from the DEA agency. He also said that they told him that they are going to be doing away with the triplicate forms soon. He was a bit sceptical about that but we shall see.

What is "triplacates"?
I strongly believe in Montel Williams....he does many many shows showing both sides to situations. If he does a serious show, like the one he did on molestation...he had past victims and recovering abusers on his show. He is in chronic pain and even did a show on himself one time that he was in his closet about to commit suicide, and I think it was because he didnt want to live with the pain and sickness any longer. he has been know to cry on his show also.
write montel...he is very sincere.

Triplicates are the RX pads that the DRs have to use for any schedule II narcotic. This would include things such as Oxycontin MS Contin K***** Methadone ect. Most all of us know what a pain it is to have to go to the Dr every month and get a new script on these pads. If it is not filled out exactly right( missing your B-day or something) then the Pharmacy won't fill the script. I also think that these triplicates are very intimidating to Drs as the DEA keeps close tabs on these scipts and that is why they get a bit leary about actually treating someone with CP with a med that can ultimately give a person some sort of quality to their lives. The US has shown that they as Drs are undertreating CP patients and that they need to start treating pain instead of being too worried about DEA. Bout time!

Hi, I just wanted to mention, for information's sake, that the triplicate form for Sched 2 narcotics is only currently used by 4 states, all the rest of the country can just use a regular old script form even for things like Oxycodone and Morphine, etc. 1 of those 4 is California, I used to have to deal with this myself when I lived there. The last PM that I had while I was there, he's the one who told me only 4 stats utilize it anymore (he wasn't sure of the other 3), and at the time, about 1.5yrs ago when I saw him, he didn't see the triplicate lasting very much longer for anybody. So yea, bottom line is it's very good news, as there's a certain intimidation for some people attached along with it.

Provinces up here (Canada) vary on triplicate useage. For example in Saskatchewan anything stronger than and including Tylenol2 has to be on triplicate but in Alberta it is anything stronger than and not including Tylenol3.
Hope that makes sense to everyone!!

I think Montel Williams would do a show like that, he has cronic pain issues with his MS and I think he could sympathise with us and I also think he would be a great advocate.