They might as well. Now that the Feds have decided that doctors and patients are criminals for "trafficking" in Schedule II prescription drugs, my doctor and I must be on the "list." My doctor would have a 32-year career ruined. I know what I would do without pain relief.
I have a number of medical conditions that result in severe chronic pain. I have not been able to work as a computer consultant for the last four years, after 18 years of self-employment; a job and career I enjoyed. I am only 52. Believe me, I would be working if I could.
My physician and I have been working together for over ten years. He diagnosed the conditions and sent me to the appropriate specialists. Once the visits were over, my doctor and I worked out the combination of medicines and activities that reduce the pain.
After two years of trying combinations, we found a useful set. One prescription was touted as non-habit forming with few side effects when introduced four years ago. The drug has since been moved into the Schedule II classification because it can become addictive. Since sleeplessness is one of my major problems, I have taken the drug for over three years. We have not changed the dose once. Without it, my life is miserable, one day at a time.
My other controlled substance isn't Rush Limbaugh's drug of choice, but does reduce my pain to a functional level. The amount I take daily might seem excessive to someone with occasional headaches; but I have been taking this dose, the exact same dose, for over three years.
Having formal training in drug abuse, I know the dangers that come with increased tolerance and undisciplined use. I am more rigid about my dose schedule than anything else I do. I take a dose as proscribed. If I'm having a good day, I might slip the next dose out for an hour or so. But this also shifts the dose schedule to maintain a specific level of drug reducing my pain. After a month, I might have six or seven doses left. I keep these for an emergency. I suspect keeping these drugs is hoarding and also illegal.
Other safeguards I take: Only one physician for the past 10 years, only one pharmacy for the past 18 years, limited daytime driving, and not working around any moving machinery. And I only drive my computer forty words per minute.
Within the past year, my doctor was required to reduce the prescriptions to one month at a time. No refills. Now the maximum is two weeks per prescription. I also must pick up the prescriptions in person and sign a log, a list of drug users for the DEA, no doubt. Since my doctor's office is 30 miles away, I drive 120 miles a month because someone, somewhere, is convinced that my doctor is incompetent and I am a drug addict.
If the DEA breaks down my door because I'm an addict, I'll eat all those little leftover pills. I'll be taking the Big Sleep… at last.
February 19, 2004
