Updated: June 16, 2021
Originally Published: August 17, 2018
When I arrived at my office on a Saturday afternoon in August 1994, my intention was to finalize a brief that had to be submitted in federal court by Monday morning. At that time, I was serving as a civil rights attorney for the Justice Department. After about half an hour of work, an intense burning sensation started in my back, as if acid were corroding my spine. Suddenly, my muscles seized, propelling me from my chair and onto the floor, where I lay in shock, engulfed in excruciating pain.
Little did I know that this pain would linger for almost 20 years, rendering me incapable of sitting, standing, or walking unassisted. I never imagined I would eventually rely on opioids to manage my pain.
Today, discussions surrounding opioids often focus on overdose and abuse, overshadowing the other side of the narrative. Opioids are among the most potent medications available for managing severe pain, and for me, they were instrumental in reclaiming my life.
With appropriate pain management that included opioid treatment, I transitioned from being bedridden and unable to sleep for months to actively engaging in significant legal negotiations, arguing pivotal cases in federal court, and overseeing thousands of cases across U.S. attorney’s offices nationwide. Although I had to negotiate via video calls, argue from a reclining lawn chair, and manage cases from an impromptu platform bed, I was still able to work and participate in life.
Unfortunately, many pain patients today face a different reality. In our attempts to combat the pressing issue of drug overdoses, we are inadvertently stripping essential pain relief from those who genuinely need it.
Long-term patients who have relied on opioids are now struggling to fill their prescriptions due to dosage and supply limitations imposed in numerous states, often restricted to just three to seven days. Even in states with exceptions for chronic pain management, insurance companies and pharmacy policies frequently exploit these laws to deny coverage or medication fills. As a result, many patients are forced to taper off opioid medications involuntarily, despite having never exhibited any signs of misuse. This can lead to increased suffering, diminished quality of life, and even suicide.
Recently, the Attorney General made headlines by advising pain patients, “Sometimes you just need two Bufferin or something and go to bed.” This statement reflects a profound misunderstanding of a condition whose quality of life index is comparable to that of late-stage cancer. Approximately 50 million Americans endure severe or persistent pain, outweighing those who misuse opioids by a staggering 25 times. Chronic pain stands as the leading cause of disability in the U.S., imposing a financial burden of half a trillion dollars annually on the economy.
It’s crucial to recognize the significant difference between utilizing medication to manage a health issue that restores functionality and abusing a substance that undermines it. The vast majority of individuals taking opioids for pain do not misuse them, with studies indicating addiction risks ranging from 0.07% to 8%. Properly prescribed opioids, accompanied by careful screening and ongoing care, substantially reduce the risk of addiction. Most people who misuse prescription opioids never received them through healthcare providers; instead, they often acquire them from household cabinets, friends, or the illicit market.
Like many others dealing with chronic pain, I was initially hesitant to use opioids, exploring every alternative treatment first. My condition stemmed from a surgical incident where a doctor accidentally severed nerves in my spine. I underwent nerve blocks, infusions, and even a second surgery, alongside physical therapy, acupuncture, and biofeedback. Nothing relieved my suffering until I turned to opioids and integrative care, which enabled me to maintain my job, sense of purpose, and community connection until I eventually found healing. My experience is a rare narrative of an individual who successfully used opioid analgesics for years and then ceased their usage without complications once my pain subsided. Given the current climate surrounding opioids, stories like mine may soon fade into obscurity.
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In summary, while the opioid crisis is a pressing issue, it’s essential to balance the conversation by recognizing the needs of legitimate pain patients who rely on these medications for a semblance of normalcy in their lives.
Keyphrase: opioid crisis and pain management
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