Sally Royster of Ohio recently learned that her orthopedic surgeon would no longer prescribe OxyContin for her chronic back pain. She and other chronic pain sufferers are finding OxyContin difficult to obtain because of the controversy surrounding the drug.

In recent months, misuse of OxyContin has skyrocketed, with more than 100 deaths nationwide related to the drug. In addition, pharmacies are being robbed by addicted individuals looking for the drug.

"I have seen abuse reach epidemic proportions in other states and I don't want that to happen in Vermont," said Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a physician. The state has asked doctors to find substitutes for OxyContin and ordered pharmacies to remove it from their shelves.

With lawmakers and law enforcement stepping in, doctors have become less willing to prescribe the drug. In Vermont, for instance, the state no longer pays for OxyContin unless patients have terminal cancer or sickle-cell anemia. The same restrictions hold true in South Carolina, although the state will pay for the drug for AIDS patients.

Alabama, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and West Virginia also limit the amount of OxyContin a patient on Medicaid can receive in a month without approval.

"They're treating everyone who is sick enough to be prescribed OxyContin as if they were a criminal suspect," said Kent Willis, a spokesman for the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Chronic pain sufferers say OxyContin provides a 12-hour release from their suffering; other pain medicines last only four hours. "Anything that restricts a patient's access to what their physician feels is the appropriate amount or level of treatment has the potential to interfere with medical care," said James Heins, spokesman for Purdue Pharma, which manufactures the drug.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Misty on 16 Apr 08 08:21 AM EDT

I DO think that ALOT of Doctors are prescribing Oxy's to WAY to YOUNG of People! I know 18 year olds that do not have ANYTHING wrong with Them, & They are getting 120 of the 80 mg pills! That is just ridiculous! I am ALL FOR People who actually NEED this Medication getting it! I also think that it is Horrible that Those of us Who are ACTUALLY in HORRIBLE (REAL) pain, can't get the Medication because of People like ALL of the fakers & the Doctors Who are just out for the MONEY & don't care if the Patient DIES because They are using the pills the wrong way! People where I live either SHOOT them up with a needle, or they SNORT them up Their noses! Those are the People that NEED cut off!!!!!!! Thank You very much! Sincerely, Misty

Posted by betts on 29 Jul 08 03:23 PM EDT

I have been using Oxy for several years. I have taken more than necessary. I have skipped a dose or two to see I feel. I can hardly put one foot in front of another and my back feels like it's breaking in half. I worry I won't be able to get refills. I takeother RXs for Arthritis. The Oxy just backs up the other drugs so I can live a fairly normal life. Otherwise, I would be confined to bed a lot.

Posted by betts on 29 Jul 08 03:26 PM EDT

I meant I have NEVER more than prescribed.

Posted by Chungawumba on 23 Jul 09 05:32 PM EDT

I have only had one doctor prescribe me Oxycontin in Northeast Ohio. He is a orthopedic surgeon. He knew that my 7 disc herniations were causing severe pain and told me that it would only get worse. I since have never been able to get Oxycontin from any doctor I have seen. Mind you I have seen 3 specialist and they all have said it would just get worse and they would not recommend surgery due to the fact there were no strong points to anchor the steel rods needed for the surgery. So now I live taking Vicodin and Soma. It is still highly regulated and watched as I have been put on the "RED LIST" by the pharmacy 3 times already. I am getting tired of feeling judged by these pharmacists that have NO IDEA of what I am going through. I get piss tested every time I go into the doctor and I don't care. I strongly feel the difference between the Oxycontin and Vicodin in the way it handles my pain. I just have to manage at this point.

Posted by Mike on 27 Aug 09 02:37 AM EDT

I was rear ended a while back and it ended up giving me 2 herniated discs and a bad case of sciatica, leaving me with a leg that is constantly tingly, and a back that hurts all the time. All the doctors I talked to, however, won't give me anything beside Vicodin, even though it isn't helping with my pain. Is it because I'm 23 and according to the doctors, "should be getting better soon and don't need anything stronger?" The thing is, shouldn't a patient be able to get whatever is necessary to relieve their problems? I haven't slept for more than 2-3 hours a night for the past 10 months. It's not fun.

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