Page 42 - MSN_363_FebruaryMarch

SENIORS IN PAIN
PAGE 42 HEALtH CARE
UNITENDED FALLOUT FROM THE OPIOID CRISIS
BY DEBBIE BURKE AND ANN BUKACEK, MD
(Names have been changed to protect identities)
Ned R., 74, is an Army veteran who
was wounded in the Vietnam conflict and
exposed to Agent Orange. Now he’s the
casualty of another war—the war on drugs
targeting the opioid crisis.
His voice chokes when he talks about
fellow Montana veterans: “We served our
country, were wounded for our country,
and now we cannot get pain relief for those
same wounds.”
Seniors and veterans are suffering the
unintended consequences of laws meant
to combat abuse of prescription narcotics.
People suffering from chronic pain are often
denied needed drugs or must deal with
burdensome regulations.
“No one can really quantify pain,”
Ned says. He believes VA restrictions
send a chilling message: “We’re going to
see your pain follows an administrative
path,” rather than take care of veterans’
medical needs.
If responsible physicians who are prop-
erly treating their patients run afoul of
bureaucratic regulations, they risk losing
their medical licenses.
Out of fear, many doctors no longer
prescribe Schedule II narcotics (hydro-
morphone, morphine, codeine, oxycodone,
We’re here to help you
turn wear and tear,
Into Recovery and Rejuvenation.
Because you’re still booming...
...and so are we.
New walk-in clinic OrthoNOW
now open for same day appointments.
406.496.3400 | MontanaOrthopedics.com | Butte, Montana
B L AVAT S K Y B U E H L E R DI G I O V I N E
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020
PART 1
Dr. Ann Bukacek, recipient of the 2019
American College of Physicians Laureate
Award for Montana, and coauthor Debbie
Burke will examine how recent regulations
make innocent seniors and veterans pay the
price in pain.
WRIttEN AND UNWRIttEN RULES
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) issued new guidelines for prescribing
opiates that caused many doctors to radically
© shull314, Bigstock.com change how they treated patients in pain.
Even the physicians who wrote
etc.), even when those medications poten- the guidelines admitted they were
tially can be the safest, most effective way based on low quality or no research,
to treat chronic pain. stating, “The recommendations in
Other regulations “blacklist” legitimate the guidelines are voluntary, rather
patients from pharmacies and medical than prescriptive, standards. They are
providers, or put up roadblocks that make it based on emerging evidence, including
difficult, if not impossible, for seniors with observational studies or randomized
limited transportation to obtain medicine clinical trials with notable limita-
on schedule, when they need it. tions. Clinicians should consider the
Because of the media blitz about circumstances and unique needs of
the opioid crisis, many seniors fear each patient when providing care.”
becoming addicts. They stop taking Nevertheless, legislators and govern-
prescribed pain medicine. Instead, they ment bureaucrats forced these admittedly
self-medicate with over-the-counter flawed guidelines into regulations and laws
(OTC) remedies that can cause kidney, in a number of states, including Montana.
stomach, and liver damage. Seniors and veterans are asking why.
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series that Dr. Bukacek says, “Many physicians
examines how political good intentions to have abandoned their pain patients since
reduce drug abuse paved the road to hell for the 2016 CDC guidelines were released.
suffering seniors in Montana, Idaho, and Some incorrectly believed the guidelines
throughout the U.S. were based on hard science.
s de
e
te
ri
te.
e, e
y
ou ag
As y
As you age, eyes deteriorate.
r
a
o
e, e
a
ou ag
As y
As you age, eyes deteriorate.
te.
o
te
ri
s de
y
r
e
TAKE CARE OF THEM
TAKE CARE OF THEM
TAKE CARE OF THEM
TAKE CARE OF THEM
As you age, your eyes naturally deteriorate, becoming less effective if
not actively managed and maintained. Research and technology have
done a great deal to improve opportunities to retain youthful senses,
especially sight.
Wearing sunglasses is a great start, but these need to block at least
99% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound sunglasses will best protect
your eyes from UV ray fallout, and polarized lenses are the best
option for driving. Even if you’re wearing contact lenses with sun
protection, it’s a good idea to invest in a proper pair of sunglasses for
an added layer of protection.
Create a consistent schedule with an eye doctor, so problems can be
detected before becoming irreversible or chronic. There is some
natural deterioration only a medical professional will be able to spot
and treat. You should also make sure to visit an eye doctor if you
experience any symptoms such as blindness, ashes, oaters, eyes
spots, dryness or soreness.
Take care of your vision. Schedule your appointment today!
Accepting New Patients
Dr. Sa ey, F.A.A.O Board Certi ed, Dr. Obie, and Dr. Stremcha
406-265-1231 416 3rd Avenue, Havre | havreeyes.com
G A L L AG H E R R U S S O