The demonization of opiates is hurting people.

[truedelphi]

20. When my general physician pulled out of the clinic

That took my health insurance, I shopped around for a doctor within the insurance providers' network who would be able to help me and also bill the insurance.

The lady physician I then saw was aghast at my taking vicodeine. She did not do any over all overview of the situation - that going ten years abck, I started taking it for back pain, usually no more than 4 a week; then when another illness set itself upon me, I was taking as many as six a day. Then when I discovered this "illness" was a sensitivity to gluten, and began eating gluten free foods, I was back down to three vicodeine a week.

No she just wanted me off vicodeine, because "you know - it is a controlled substance." It also has to do with her being a Seventh Day Adventist, and she wouldn't do pain pills, so I must do as she does!

What did she propose instead? She wanted me to take a major anti-depressant, which she claimed would deal with my pain as well as the vicodeine. When I got home, I researched that med - it had so many side effects that I was ill just reading about them.

I finally returned to the fold of using my old physician, but I have to pay out of pocket.