Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jul 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Wayne Buehrer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n392/a02.html

FOR SOME, OPIOIDS ARE NECESSARY

Re: "Protecting Coloradans from opioid abuse," July 15 guest commentary.

Opioids are a valuable tool for treating legitimate pain issues. But 
the actions of state and federal governments concerning opioid abuse 
are adversely affecting the ability of people with chronic pain to 
get the medicine they need.

In conversations with my chronic pain support group and doctors, I've 
learned: some doctors won't even discuss opioid prescriptions; many 
doctors have stopped prescribing opioids for any reason; and doctors 
are very cautious about accepting new patients with chronic pain. The 
doctors are concerned about being investigated and find it simpler to 
just avoid the issue. This makes it more difficult for people who 
properly need opioids to get the help they need. The doctors are 
caught in the middle. The legitimate patient suffers.

This dilemma must be resolved to allow doctors to practice medicine 
as they should so those with chronic pain can be treated as they should.

Wayne Buehrer,

Littleton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom