Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2001
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: April Obey
Referenced:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1442/a02.html

OXYCONTIN IS HELPING ME

Thank you, Alan Bock, for speaking up for those of us who have been 
watching our blood pressure rise with each new story about OxyContin abuse 
["A drug war," Commentary, Aug. 5]. I wonder what the underlying reason is 
for all the hype whenever something relatively new comes to market with the 
possibility of abuse. I've been taking OxyContin for chronic pain for a few 
months and it's been a lifesaver. I was beginning to go crazy from having 
to wake up every night in pain and take another dose of medicine. Most pain 
sufferers know that it's difficult, at best, to get proper management of 
their pain.

Doctors are stingy enough with pain medicine because of perceived 
addictions. If everyone, including doctors, became more educated in 
addiction versus proper pain treatment we would be a much more humane 
society. It's time this country got out of the Middle Ages and treated 
people properly and with compassion for their suffering instead of casting 
uneducated frowns upon those who are seeking proper relief of pain that no 
one would tolerate for their dog.

April Obey, Huntington Beach
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