I received a very disturbing email this morning from the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association re proposed changes by the FDA to the way opiod-based meds (includes oxycodone & hydrocodone) are prescribed.
The proposed changes, particularly to who can prescribe pain meds would make it very difficult for me to get my meds which I need to deal with the chronic pain of osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease, and fibromyalgia. If I need to go see a doctor every month to get my Rx, it will overburden my already busy doctor with trivial visits by patients. Right now I go every 2-3 months and see a NP most of the time. I only see the doctor 2x year. It is already difficult to get an appointment because she has many patients. She's an amazing doctor but her staff (NPs and PAs) are also wonderful and well qualified. It is already difficult because of my health for me to go to the doctor. It is also costly (I have to pay for my visits). This would also raise Medicare and Medicaid costs to have to pay for monthly office visits for all patients. I think the FDA needs to consider this carefully - the true impact on the patient as well as the doctors who serve us. There are many people who suffer chronic pain who would be negatively impacted by this policy. As for the proposed dosage change - I am not personally impacted but I know there are people who need higher doses to cope with pain. This is a really bad proposal!!!
To contact the FDA and give your comments, click on this link or copy and paste it into your browser:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2012-N-1172-0001