Dear Mr. Allen,

Thank you for your response. I know I've read differing percentages regarding the estimated number of chronic pain patients who become addicted to their medication. Every number I saw was under 10% and I believe the lowest was 2-3%.

This article (http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story...) quotes a 3.9% rate as twice that of the general population which is probably where I got the 2% number from.

Regardless of the percentage -- I do believe it to be a low number. I interact with a lot of chronic pain patients and just about everyone I talk to is just looking for relief from their pain. I don't know of one person who would dream of selling or diverting the medication that they need just to have some semblance of a decent quality of life.

When I received prescriptions for opioids, I took them exactly as directed by my doctor. I never even took my medication 5 minutes early - regardless of the fact that the medication to be taken every 4-6 hours was only slightly helpful for the first 2 hours. Never once was I "high" from the medication, but I did receive some relief.

People suffering at high levels of non-terminal pain should not be left to suffer in excruciating, unending pain because of the unfortunate folks who are abusing the system. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved-ones to addiction -- but, there must be balance in our response so that legitimate chronic pain patients don't suffer further.

For me, it has been 6 years -- The first year was pain levels of 9/10 (on a scale of 10) 365/24/7. The following years have seen a decrease to a max of 7/8 per day (if I'm careful) because I'm no longer working outside the home.

I would love to see a story about the invisible disability of chronic pain and the 76 million people in our country who suffer thinking they're all alone. There are millions of us out here just trying to survive and find something that will bring relief from the constant, unending pain and suffering.

Respectfully,

Carolyn

As a pain patient myself, I find this article decidedly one-sided.

There are millions of people in the US suffering from chronic pain and only about 1 in 4 get sufficient relief.

A very low (I believe 2%) number of legitimate chronic pain patients ever become addicted to their pain medication. They need this medication to function and have a decent quality of life.

No one can truly know what it is like to live with chronic pain until they experience it themselves.

I personally do not receive any pain medication (due to lack of insurance) and have sought alternative treatments (such as physcial and massage therapy). However, I would hate to see such a one-sided article affect public opinion to the point that it prevents by fellow chronic pain patients from receiving the care they need and deserve.

Obviously - these medications should be dispensed in a responsible manner to those who need it.

One-sided articles such as this only serve to add to the difficulty that pain patients have in receiving adequate care.

I find that this article does not adequately address the possibility that at least part of the increase seen is due to patients actually receiving the care that they need.

Organizations like the American Pain Foundation (www.painfoundation.org) and others have great information and statistics to help us better understand the necessity of availability of these medications as an option in pain care.

No one should have to needlessly suffer.

Carolyn