People’s Pharmacy: Government changes that restrict opioids are harming vulnerable patients

Q. I have complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis that put me in intractable pain 25 years ago. Until recently, I have managed with the opioids my doctors prescribed. Now that the doses are being lowered, I am in severe pain again.

I often wonder: If I have to take my life because I can no longer stand the horrible pain, how will I do it? It frightens me that I am thinking this way. I suspect others with chronic pain are, too. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are punishing us by taking away our medications, even though we have done nothing wrong. The changes intended to restrict opioids are harming the most vulnerable.

A. We have heard from hundreds of patients like you who have been deprived of opioids for their excruciating pain. The government does not seem to understand how to help people with severe chronic pain.

The FDA is poised to require changes to the labeling of opioid pain medications. The new information will have stronger warnings about the risks of addiction, misuse and overdose. In addition, labels will stress that prescribers should avoid long-acting or extended-release opioids unless there are no other options.

These changes may make life even more difficult for people like you with persistent agonizing pain. The FDA will remind prescribers “not to stop opioids suddenly in patients who may be physically dependent, as it can cause serious harm.”