Frankly, the only thing I agree with in this article is the fact that many people are aging and suffering inflammatory & degenerative diseases. I for one I'm 66 years old and have stenosis of the spine which causes intense pain in my left leg and my right hand which only oxycodone relieves. I find if I follow the directions of one or two pills a day, my pain is relieved and I am able to live a normal life. Yes, there are people in our society who abuse drugs just as there are people in our society who abuse firearms. Why are we allowing people who ABUSE drugs to dictate our policy toward these pain relieving miracle drugs?!? Prayerfully, we will not allow school shooters to dictate our gun policy.
God bless Purdue Pharmaceutical!

You can read about some alternatives for chronic pain at http://www.lifeextension.co...

Your comments about Purdue are fairly accurate. Those people are swine. But there were drug addicts before Oxycontin, and there will be drug addicts after it. Oxycontin did not create our drug problem, and getting rid of it won't solve our drug problem. New drugs will continue to be invented. What then? You yourself say "some people" will become addicted. Do we deny life-enhancing and even life-saving pain relief to millions b/c a few might become addicted? Or do we properly manage the risks and allow modern science to make our lives better by relieving pain that, as you say, as many as 1/3 of adults suffer from? Nothing is without risk. The opioids you vilify have given millions of people a better quality of life than they could've ever had without such drugs. Life is a series of choices. Your alternative therapy might help some, but you know very well that it can't do anything for most people with serious pain issues. They need the pain relief that only opioids can provide. There's nothing wrong with alerting people to the potential dangers of opioids, but you ought to at least be honest about their potential benefits, too.

I was addicted to oxycodone 30s and it got really bad really fast tried over and over to quit but just had the cravings... I just woke up one morning and said i cant do this anymore and i detoxed myself I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!!!! I kept telling myself this time it will be different if you do this yourself.. I have never in my Life been so sick it was the most horrific thing i have ever went through.. But i covered all my bases deleted numbers, told everyone I knew what was going on i had a really good support team but i just wanted to be by myself and take this head on oh boy did i couldn't eat hardley drink ( just enough to get you mouth wet ) couldent sleep amd when i did get the little bit of sleep i got it was like i never rested cause your body is still in pain and withdrawing I had to crawl to the bathroom I was hot then i was cold i couldent keep my body still just had like Restless body syndrome I could hardly talk to anyone... I seriously didn't think I was going to make it... And finally i started to feel a tiny bit better everyday I was so weak had lost weight just looked awful.. And i finally went to the dr and told him what was going on and he told me i could have really DIED doing it by myself I told him i had to no matter what would of come out of it cause let me tell you I WILL NEVER TAKE THAT S#@T AGAIN.. I will remember exactly what I went through and all of the pains and feelings and sickness I had everything i went through physically and mentally And Having That Feelimg This Is It Your Not Going To Make It and Its Your Fault... So i have not taking oxycodone or anything that has Opioid in it.. I Am Done With All That It has been 6 -- 7 monthes and i have no Cravings Absolutely No Desire To Take Anything Like That Again... So please do research ask people talk to someone that knows a lot more about it before you start taking it because you'll get addicted fast and before you know it it's too late and your wanting more and more.. I Tell U It Is So Not Worth It...

Congratulations on your success. Life Extension has information on pain management at http://www.lifeextension.co...

I am taking 2-5mg oxycodones per day due to a 5 lumbar funsion with rods and bolts to stabilize, been taking for the last 6 Years. I went from 10s after surgery to 6 fives and have reduced to as little as possible and still function. I ware a brace due to nerve damage on right leg. I have been taking this drug because I am in pain all the time. I am 100% disabled. What do you think I should do. I can not function at the level that make life good without this medication. I am 68 be 69 in May...you all have made me feel very bad and weak about myself and my need for pain meds. My Dr and I keep it to a minimum we know what could happen. I am a strong women and am determined to not take more. Could you all weigh in on this. It is my life and I really want some input. Thank you

If you are treating pain, that is not an addiction. If you're taking it to get high, that can become an addiction. The crisis is the people taking 20-30 pills a day & not for pain. Please don't let anyone bring you down because you take pain meds. You make the best with what you got.

While one can't argue with someone who perceives the need of opiate drugs to control their pain, the drugs are addictive regardless of why they are being used. If someone is willing to accept having an addiction in exchange for uncontrollable pain, that is their own business, in my opinion.

It's your life, Ms. Walker. Don't ask these people for advice. Ask your doctor.

Any decision concerning prescription drugs is between you and your physician. The article is intended only to inform.

Baloney. Your articles are intended to shame anyone who suffers from pain and needs the life-saving pain relief they can get only from modern pharmaceuticals, especially opioid drugs. This woman's comment is a perfect example of the kind of damage you do.

We appreciate your concern, but the articles aren't at all intended to shame and are more about an attempt to keep readers informed concerning the pharmaceutical industry and politics.