We are at 2k followers!

Unfortunately, many have had pain medication cut or decreased, judgements from those who are misinformed about pain medication (I take pain medications daily so I must be an addict, and my pain is caused by the pain medications...) on top of the challenges of living with pain. Challenges most don't realize- doctors who don't know what is wrong, don't take us seriously, some who will only consider one side effect at a time (because multiple symptoms are NEVER needed to properly diagnose!), financial challenges whether working (stressing about time off or reduced productivity, insurance costs including copays and deductibles, home life (cleaning, time with loved ones), emotional issues-depression from not being who we were or want to be anxiety over the above issues.. not to mention the actual pain and symptoms from our conditions/diseases.

We are standing up for ourselves. Before just cutting off our relief, the thing that enables us to do what we do (and some days to not end our lives), find an alternative! Make insurance pay for it! Let us try massage, accupuncture , chiropractic, FAD approved vitamins and supplements, even marijuana (Which currently patients with Medicaid cannot use or will be denied any pain management including non-opioid meds) etc. (After making sure these are properly tested and under a physicians care...) then, as symptoms are lessened, decrease the meds. 

One medication I take is no longer paid for by medicaid- Nucynta- it has been an amazing relief for my fibromyalgia.  I asked my doctor the recommended alternative- fentanyl, opioids,  etc.! Come on people....

Unfortunately, lives are being lost. Patients who were able to work full or part time with pain medications are now unemployed. Some are turning to illegal drugs. These are being added to the statistics used to justify even more decreases and cracking down on doctors! 

Please share this petition with those you know. Encourage them to post a personal note- even if it's not their personal experience, a story about their observations of someone else suffering, it helps.

Also, please let me know if you have suggestions on who to contact (with contact information) or any changes to the petition (statistics, studies, with citations, wording, web sites, etc...)