So after almost 8 years of undertreated/untreated pain, this year I was officially labeled a drug seeker by certified mail & banned from care by a medical clinic in our town for requesting a benzodiazepine medication that was helping to mediate severe spacial disparity & vertigo. 
Vertigo is now another battle that started after a Shingles & a #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis flare. I was also beginning diagnostics to determine if I have breast cancer as well. Getting that letter was humiliating-Devastating as I live in a rural town with limited options for care.
I still don't know if I have Cancer or not.
Seeking help for anything now feels like willing walking back into a situation where I know I'll be accused, abused, or verbally assaulted.
Seeking help for anything now feels like willing walking back into a situation where I know I'll be accused, abused, or verbally assaulted.
To be clear, my M.D. repeatedly stated ‘being watched’ by administration & the DEA as reasons he was hesitant to RX the benzodiazepine, not because it wasn’t medically indicated. He said repeatedly that he would have had no issues RXing me this medicine in the past, with refills
But since certain drugs are now considered taboo due to the persecution of MDs by DEA & Medical Boards, MDs are reluctant to RX them at all. Many are giving up their Schedule II licenses altogether to absolve themselves of any liability or appearance of perceived impropriety.
Opioids and benzodiazepines are medicines. They are invaluable to those who need them to mediate moderate to severe pain, anxiety, and various other health issues.
Would we label someone needing medications from their M.D. for hypertension, cardiac issues, or for diabetes a drug seeker and then deny them medical care? No, of course not.
Maybe it’s time we start asking some important questions. Why are we allowing patients needing opiates and/or benzodiazepines, to be labeled as DRUG SEEKERS and even abandoned from receiving needed medical care?
Why are PhDs and M.D.s perpetuating and allowing the words OPIOID and ADDICTION to become synonymous and who is PROFITING by this narrative?
Most in the #addictionrecovery community understand the importance of reducing stigma by changing language, labels, and perception regarding addiction.
It is vital to extend the same logic toward people in pain.
It is vital to extend the same logic toward people in pain.
We all need to do this by pushing back on the ‘drugs cause addiction narrative’ as it’s simply just isn’t true for the vast majority of people.
In closing:
You label me a ‘drug seeker’ like it’s a bad thing.
Merely substitute the word ‘medicine’ for ‘drug’ and see how different the message becomes.
#Opioids are medicines that save lives.
You label me a ‘drug seeker’ like it’s a bad thing.
Merely substitute the word ‘medicine’ for ‘drug’ and see how different the message becomes.
#Opioids are medicines that save lives.
Opiate medicines save the lives of people in pain, and they can save the lives of people who are struggling with addiction. It’s time to put an end to this madness and return to actual patient centered care.
@threadreaderapp please unroll.
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