I have multiple sclerosis. I worked for 30 yrs. with it. I am an R.N. and have always had severe pain in my lower legs and feet. I was on Darvacet-N for years. I had gradually increased the dose of that so that I took 2 100mg. cap. every day or b.i.d. Then I contracted HCV from a needle stick. I had to quit work because we moved halfway across the country. The Dr. who treated my HCV said he didn't know why a person with M.S. should need something for pain;. I became so run down I had to quit work permantly. The neurologist in NC where we moved to started me on neurontin and Oxycontin. He said it was time I was free of pain. I did need a little dose of Methadone along with the 20mg. of Oxycontin b.i.d. The
Methadone was ordered at between 3 and 5 mg. per day. I was doing just fine with this and then we had a problem with my husband's job and had to move to Kentucky. Well, you would have thought I was the biggest drug addict of all time. We live in a town near the Mammoth Cave National Park. The Drs. here tell me it is against the law for them to order it. They have yelled at me and accused me of all manner of drug problems. I was eventually referred to a pain specialist who refused to order Oxycontin for me. Instead he ordered Methadone 10 mg. t.i.d. . It is not against the law for them to order it here. That is not the only lie I have been told to as a patient even when I tell them I'm an R.N. I finally found a Dr. who has ordered the Oxycontin 20 mg. b.i.d. for me. But, I am having a difficult time handling the pain. What dose of Oxycontin equals most closely a similiar dose of Methadone? Does Kentucky have more of a drug problem then any other particular State on an average of every 1000 people or so? The people here seem to think so. I am also told that Kentucky is a targeted State. Is this true? and if so what does that mean? I have heard that people with cancer can't even get anything for pain. Also I was told that the hospital was doling out Oxycontin in the emergency room of all places. This happened before I came. I found this out from medical personal and the public. Doesn't the public health department have enough funds to provide information about new powerfully addicting drugs to hospitals? And, if so, why not make the hospitals provide the department with written proof of inservices etc. and take accreditation away if they don't comply?
The above information thankfully comes from the steadyhealth.com at the following
link.
