The Doctor Patient Forum
By The Doctor Patient Forum
Check out our website at thedoctorpatientforum.com
The Doctor Patient Forum Oct 11, 2022
ORRP Part 2 - Does the Opioid Rapid Response Program Exist?
This is part 2 or our 3 part series on ORRP - Opioid Rapid Response Program. This program is funded to help support abandoned pain patients after a law enforcement action. Here is Part 1, in case you missed it.
We took clips from the following videos/podcasts for this podcast:
2. Senate Finance Committee - Oct 2019
3. National Opioid Summit 2020
For the full list of all documents claiming ORRP exists and works, please go to our Patreon Page
The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Dr. Stanton Peele and Zach Rhoads -Do Opioids Hijack the Brain? Is Addiction a Broken Brain Disease? Episode 38
We interview Dr. Stanton Peele and Zach Rhoads about addiction, Suboxone, pain patients, Harm Reduction, and more! You won't want to miss this episode.
Dr. Stanton Peele is a psychologist who has pioneered, among other things, the idea that addiction occurs with a range of experiences and recognition of natural recovery from addiction. He developed the Life Process Program for addiction. He has authored many books since the 1975 publication of Love and Addiction (co-authored by Archie Brodsky); his latest is A Scientific Life on the Edge: My Lonely Quest to Change How We See Addiction.
Zach Rhoads - Zach is a behavior specialist in Vermont schools and his school's PBiS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) coordinator. Zach is a counselor and family systems developer for the online Life Process Program - an addiction coaching program developed by psychologist Dr. Stanton Peele. He also writes articles about health and drug policy for Filter Magazine and is coauthor (with Dr. Stanton Peele) of the book, Outgrowing Addiction. (He is currently working on a forthcoming book about student-led education in the United States). Zach believes that community collaboration and cohesion is a bulwark against many forms of mental illness and addiction, and helps people find these resources in ways that makes sense in their own lives.
The Doctor Patient Forum is a national non profit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally.
https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/
#thedoctorpatientforum #dontpunishpainrally #chronicpain #opioids #chronicpainpatient #patientabandonment #harmreduction #chronicillness #medicalgaslighting #dpfpatreon #pain #opioideliminationindustry #opioidelimination #patreon #thedoctorpatientforumpatreon #harmreduction #medicalgaslighting
The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
I Failed My Drug Test, But It Is Wrong! Tox Expert Ed Brown. Episode 37
We often hear from pain patients who were dismissed from their doctor for failing their drug test. They say there is no way the test is right. Ed Brown gives some possible explanations.
Edward Brown's Bio:
Edward G. Brown is a chemistry expert with over twenty-five years of laboratory research experience, over 5 years of patent work experience and over twenty years of experience assisting attorneys in chemistry cases as chemistry expert and expert witness. His technical and academic background includes the following:
B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley;
Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Davis;
In addition, Dr. Brown received post-doctoral research fellowships from the University of Auckland, NZ and Yale University; he pursued chemical analysis and chemistry research related to methodology development in organic chemistry at those institutions.
Dr. Brown has also worked in a number of biochemical and pharmaceutical companies during his career as a research chemist, staff scientist and senior research scientist; he currently provides clients with in-lab contract medicinal chemistry research expertise as well as patent drafting and expert witness services.
He is a coauthor on over twenty chemistry articles and is a co-inventor on ten U.S. patents. He has testified in both state and federal courts as a chemistry expert in both criminal and patent litigation cases.
His expertise as a medicinal chemistry expert in criminal drug cases has expanded over the years and includes advising in cases involving:
methamphetamine and amphetamine analysis, manufacture, possession and sale;
fentanyl, opioid and opiate analysis, possession and sale;
cocaine analysis, possession and sale;
LSD analysis, possession and sale;
MDMA and MDA analysis, manufacture, possession and sale;
benzodiazepine analysis, possession and sale;
analysis, possession and sale of synthetic cannabinoids;
and in hemp, THC and marijuana cases.
Dr. Brown currently advises attorneys and other clients in criminal, patent and litigation cases as a medicinal chemistry expert and consultant in Durham, NC.
His webpage can be found at: www.ExpertChemistryServices.com
The Doctor Patient Forum is a national non profit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally.
https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/
#thedoctorpatientforum #dontpunishpainrally #chronicpain #opioids #chronicpainpatient #patientabandonment #harmreduction #chronicillness #medicalgaslighting #dpfpatreon #pain #opioideliminationindustry #opioidelimination #patreon #thedoctorpatientforumpatreon #harmreduction #medicalgaslighting #UDT #drugtest #toxscreen
The information contained in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
A Day in the Life of an Abandoned Pain Patient - Kacey Part 2- Episode 36
If you missed part 1, please listen here. Kacey, a NC patient, recorded her appt with her doctor because he was dismissing her and she didn't know why. Listen to the recording of her appointment and then listen to Kacey explain how she felt when she was being treated this way.
This is part 2, which is a recording of her next appointment with a new pain doctor.
If you'd like to see the full video of this podcast - including before and after the show discussion, please go to patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum The information in the podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
#thedoctorpatientforum #dontpunishpainrally #chronicpain #opioids #chronicpainpatient #patientabandonment #harmreduction #chronicillness #medicalgaslighting #dpfpatreon #pain #opioideliminationindustry #opioidelimination #patreon #thedoctorpatientforumpatreon #harmreduction #medicalgaslighting
ORRP Part 1 - An Intro to Opioid Rapid Response Program- CPP Advocates Banned From Their Webinars - Episode 35
Episode 35
What is ORRP? Do they help patients find continuity of care when patients lose their doctors? Why did they ban CPP advocates from their webinar with Project Echo?
The following links were mentioned:
ORRP - Pre-request for proposal
ORRP information on CDC's website
Cover2Resources- ORRP ARPO podcast
Please consider subscribing to our Patreon Page - https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
The Doctor Patient Forum is a national non profit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally.
https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/
#thedoctorpatientforum #dontpunishpainrally #chronicpain #opioids #chronicpainpatient #patientabandonment #harmreduction #chronicillness #medicalgaslighting #dpfpatreon #pain #opioideliminationindustry #opioidelimination #patreon #thedoctorpatientforumpatreon #harmreduction #medicalgaslighting
The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
A Day in the Life of an Abandoned Pain Patient - A Recording of an appointment- Kacey Part 1 - Episode 34
Kacey, a NC patient, recorded her appt with her doctor because he was dismissing her and she didn't know why. Listen to the recording of her appointment and then listen to Kacey explain how she felt when she was being treated this way.
Here is the video where we discussed ORRP/Project Echo and how they banned us from their webinar If you'd like to see the full video of this podcast - including before and after the show discussion, please go to patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum The information in the podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Epidural Steroid Injections Are Not FDA Approved in the USA - Episode 33
Claudia and Bev interview Dennis James Capolongo. Dennis is a retired patient advocate and former director of the EDNC in Washington DC. His 25 year career as a photojournalist came to an abrupt end after having been misdiagnosed with a disc herniation for minor hip pain in 2001. Unfortunately this led to a calamity of errors resulting in two subdural epidural steroid injections using Pfizer's DepoMedrol, an off-label, unapproved application of particulate steroid suspensions. He suffered progressive irreparable harm to his brain, spinal cord and eyes. His efforts at the FDA resulted in new warnings & revisions for all injectable steroids worldwide. Today he spends most days in bed controlling the severe adverse effects of these life-altering, unlicensed pain management procedures.
Although Dennis' org is closed, the videos are still available on his YouTube Channel - EDNC
To see the full unedited video including before and after the podcast discussions -
please go to The Doctor Patient Forum's Patreon Page: patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
If you've had an experience with ESI that you'd like to share with us, please email bev@thedoctorpatientforum.com
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Painkiller Propaganda - Cameron English - Episode 32
Netflix released another nonsense series about the Sacklers called Painkiller. Cameron English, a journalist from ACSH, published an amazing article calling them out on their lies. Cameron breaks it down for us.
Cameron's links:
Twitter @camjenglish
Podcast: Science Facts & Fallacies
If you'd like to see the video of this episode including before and after the podcast discussion, please go to our Patreon page -
The Doctor Patient Forum Patreon : patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
A Year in Review Part 2 - DPF Podcast Just Turned One - Part 2 - Episode 31
It's hard to believe it's been an entire year since we launched our podcast. In that year, we've had over 20,000 listens! We are so grateful to everyone who listens and supports us.
This is Part 2 of a look back at every episode.
The link to our Patreon page is patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
DPF Podcast Just Turned One! A Look Back on Every Episode - Part 1 - Episode 30
It's hard to believe it's been an entire year since we launched our podcast. In that year, we've had over 20,000 listens! We are so grateful to everyone who listens and supports us.
This is Part 1 of a look back at every episode.
The link to our Patreon page is patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Where do we go from here? The future of DPF - Episode 20
Listen to Claudia and Bev discuss how The Doctor Patient Forum began and where we go from here.
Some things DPF is working on:
- Updated website
- Video podcasts
- Reaction videos to Dopesick
If DPF has ever helped you in any way, please consider donating. Even $1 per month helps! We need funding to take the next step in effecting change.
Escaping Sickle Cell Hell - With Marissa Cors - Episode 29
Marissa Cors is a fierce Sickle Cell Disease advocate. She is a 5th generation SCD Warrior and her family has a non profit called Axis Advocacy.
We first heard about Marissa when one of her Tik Tok videos went viral about a SCD patient, Brittany. Brittany was horribly mistreated, and recorded her mistreatment. Brittany sadly lost her life to SCD. Marissa was her advocate. Marissa's Tik Tok channel is called Escaping Sickle Cell Hell.
The clips from Brittany's ER experience can be heard in their entirety here.
Marissa's Twitter account is here
For behind the scenes discussion with Marissa, please go to The DPF Patreon page.
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Dr. Carl Hart and DPF- A Very Exciting Announcement!
Dr. Carl Hart was a guest on our podcast earlier this year. Here is the link to the episode, in case you missed it.
Dr. Hart contacted us last week with some very exciting news! He asked us to help him co-edit a medical journal. This is such a huge opportunity and we are grateful we will be able to bring attention to the suffering of CPP's.
Dr. Jay K. Joshi - A Victim of the DEA -The Criminalization of Doctors - Episode 27
Dr. Jay Joshi recently released his book, Burden of Pain. Dr. Joshi is a Primary Care Physician and spent almost a year behind bars after an undercover DEA agent went to his office.
"Dr. Joshi writes regularly on his website, Daily Remedy (www.daily-remedy.com), a trusted source of editorialized healthcare content for both patients and healthcare policy experts. He has published articles on a variety of healthcare topics in both peer-reviewed journals and trade publications. His legal writings include amicus curiae briefs prepared for prominent federal healthcare cases like the Supreme Court case, Ruan v. United States." Dr. Joshi recently appeared on our DPF Patreon live hangout and will address questions with Claudia and Bev on monthly recorded Q&A videos.
Please head on over to DPF Patreon page to see a 45-minute after the show video recording with Dr. Jay Joshi, Claudia, and Bev.
If you have a question you'd like Dr. Joshi to address on Patreon, please join Patreon and submit the question there.
patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Dr. Jay Joshi's contact info:
jjoshi45@gmail.com daily-remedy.com 640-430-8024
Disclaimer - The information provided to you in this podcast episode is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
OPAL Study Explained and Debunked - Episode 26
Claudia and Bev explain the OPAL Study that just came out of Australia.
This link from our website contains all of the up-to-date information and all of the links we mention in this episode. We are planning on doing a follow-up podcast episode with Dr. Chad Kollas, from DPF Board.
Links to audio clips in this episode:
Clip about long-acting med - Launch of the Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard
Second clip about long-acting med - A discussion about opioid prescribing in hospitals - Dr Jennifer Stevens and Dr Tejas Kanhere
Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Pharmacist Matt - Drug Shortages - Episode 25
Claudia and Bev interview Pharmacist Matt from Tik Tok.
In case you missed our first episode with Matt, here is the link.
Claudia, Matt, and Bev address the drug shortages. Bev interviews a patient who has been affected by this and reads posts from The Doctor Patient Forum Facebook page.
Matt is a community pharmacist who works at a local independent pharmacy.
His goal with Tik Tok is to basically give a virtual consultation. A window to the world bringing pharmacy specific information to the world. Along with Tik Tok you, can also tune in to his podcast - the two druggists. It is an entertaining and insightful program with drug information and stories. You can also find Pharmacist Matt on Instagram.
If you'd like to watch an after-the-show video discussion with Pharmacist Matt, please go to the DPF Patreon page:
patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Disclaimer - The information provided to you in this podcast episode is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
Pediatric Patients Made to Suffer - One Mom's Story - Beth Steckler - Episode 24
Claudia and Bev interview the amazing advocate, Beth Steckler. Her husband had a disease called PRSS1, and both of their children inherited it. Her daughter had a whipple procedure when she was just in first grade. Both of her children have been horribly abused in the health care system, which isn't uncommon in these days of opioid elimination.
Listen to Beth discuss the heartbreaking abuse her children continue to endure.
Beth's Twitter account - @purplemamabear
The name of the org that Beth helped to create - National Childhood Pancreatitis Foundation
Michigan Open Pediatric post-op opioid guidelines
How to advocate for a loved on in the hospital from The Doctor Patient Forum Website
If you'd like to watch an after the show video with Beth which includes an update about her daughter, please Head on over to our DPF Patreon page. patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Dr. Josh Bloom - Part 2 - Tylenol for Severe Pain - Suicide Due to Pai - Episode 23
This is part 2 of our interview with Dr. Josh Bloom.
Here is part 1, in case you missed it.
In this podcast, we discuss Tylenol for post-op pain. Is it actually as good as opioids? We interview a pain patient who was offered Tylenol only for breast cancer surgery.
We also discuss suicide due to pain.
Links discussed in this episode
- Debate with Dr. Singer and Dr. Fugh-Berman
- Article about this debate by Josh Bloom - A Surgeon And A Non-Practicing Anti-Opioid Zealot Walk Into A Bar: The Singer Fugh-Berman Debate
- You Take The Lavender, I'll Take The Morphine. More Anti-Opioid Nonsense.
- Dr. Kertesz's video with Dr. Fugh-Berman
In this podcast, Dr. Josh Bloom suggested patients send two articles to legislators about Tylenol instead of opioids.
- Op-ed article in USA Today by Dr. Singer and Dr. Bloom - Bureaucrats are telling your doctor how to treat pain. And patients suffer needlessly.
- Article by Dr. Josh Bloom - Tylenol Isn't So Safe, But At Least It Works, Right?
Other article by Dr. Josh Bloom about Tylenol
- Is Tylenol 'By Far The Most Dangerous Drug Ever Made?
- IV Tylenol As Good As Moose Urine For Post-Op Pain Control
- Oral And IV Tylenol Work *Equally* Well For Hip Replacement Pain - But Do They Work At All?
- Tylenol After Surgery? Why The Feds Make Patients Suffer Needless Pain (USA Today)
- Oral Vs. IV Tylenol In The Elderly: The 'Let's Kick Granny Down The Stairs' Study
- IV Tylenol Bombs For Post-Op Pain Control, In Randomized Controlled Trial
- Dr. Aric Hausknecht Responds To SG Jerome Adams' Tylenol Recommendation
Head on over to our DPF Patreon page. patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum
Suicide hotline: 988 or 911
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Dr. Josh Bloom Part 1- Gabapentin and fallout of the CDC Guidelines - Episode 22
Josh Bloom's bio:
"Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Josh Bloom earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Virginia, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania.He worked for more than two decades as a research chemist for Lederle Laboratories, which was acquired by Wyeth in 1994, which itself was acquired by Pfizer in 2009.
During this time he worked in a number of therapeutic areas, including diabetes and obesity, antimicrobial agents, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and oncology. His group discovered the novel antibiotic Tygacil®, which was approved by the FDA for use against resistant bacterial infections in 2005.
He is the author of 25 patents, and 35 academic papers, including a chapter on new therapies for hepatitis C in Burger s Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery and Development, 7th Edition (Wiley, 2010), and has given numerous public lectures on how the pharmaceutical industry really works.
Dr. Bloom joined the American Council on Science and Health in 2010 as ACSH s Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and has written more than 20 op-eds, which have appeared in major publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Post, National Review Online and Medical Progress Today. Dr. Bloom is a regular contributor to Science 2.0, where he writes on topics related to the pharmaceutical industry, medicine and junk science.
In this episode, we included quotes from two ACSH podcasts. They are:
Podcast: Neurontin — The Lousy Opioid Alternative; Twitter Censors ACSH
Podcast: Tylenol After Surgery is Useless
Dr. Josh Bloom's articles about Gabapentin:
The Devil You Know - Neurontin's Massive Flop As An Opioid Alternative
Neurontin: The Darling Of The Anti-Opioid Crowd. But Does It Work?
Neurontin: Over-Hyped And Underwhelming
Source of graph showing opioid prescribing is down to 1992 level
Other patient comments about Gabapentin experiences. Please join this FB group in order to view this post, since it is a closed group.
DPF's Patreon page announcement!
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
DPF will be launching a Patreon page soon!
We are very excited to announce that DPF will be launching a Patreon page very soon!
What does this mean for everything we have offered like our website, podcast, and social media pages?
Everything will stay the same! We will continue to publish our regular DPF podcasts, our FB groups will all remain the same, and we are working on an updated website as we speak. Patreon will be an addition to what DPF offers.
What will be on the DPF Patreon page?
Some of the items you will get on Patreon are extra content - such as video podcasts, behind the scenes content, and coaching calls. You'll see daily posts of important studies, articles, podcasts, etc. There will also be monthly blog posts with important information that affects pain patients and providers.
What will Patreon allow DPF to do?
We recently had to turn down a speaking engagement due to lack of funding. Funding will allow us to take our org to the next level so we can continue to effect change for pain patients and providers.
How many tiers will DPF Patreon page have?
We are starting out with 3 affordable tiers.
When is it being launched?
June 1st is the official launch date, but we are hoping to launch even earlier!
Dr. Sarah discusses the updated CDC Guidelines- Episode 21
Claudia and Bev discuss the updated CDC Guidelines with Dr. Sarah from Maryland. They answer the following questions:
- Is it an improvement?
- Are the 2022 Guidelines more or less restrictive?
- Will it help pain patients?
- Were limits from the 2016 Guidelines a misapplication or was it intentional?
- Did the CDC violate their own guidelines on how to create guidelines?
Links from discussion:
- Telebriefing for updated CDC Guidelines Nov 9, 2022
- CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - Dr. David Tauben UW TelePain - March 23, 2016
- Dr. Jane Ballantyne - TelePain - What the New CDC Guideline Mean for Prescribers - April 27, 2022
- Dr. Jane Ballantyne - Alternatives to Opioids - PDFNJ - March 30, 2023
- 2016 CDC Guidelines
- 2022 CDC Guidelines
- The Doctor Patient Forum's docket comment on 2022 CDC Guidelines
- Study by Dr. Jason Doctor - Effect of Prescriber Notifications on Patient's Fatal Overdose on Opioid Prescribing at 4-12 Months
Have you been force tapered or have you lost your pain provider? Please fill out this survey
Suicide hotline: 988 or 911
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Mini-podcast - How PDMP affects your prescriber and you - Episode 19
Why is my doctor afraid to prescribe?
Bev discusses a recent webinar by BJA TTAC - COSSAP - Bureau of Justice Assistance's Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program Resource Center. Link to their website and webinars
The Doctor Patient Forum's Podcast Episodes on:
Red Flags/Drug-Seeking Behavior
Patient Abandonment and Forced Taper Questionnaire
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Freedom Model of Addiction - Episode 18
Mark Scheeren and his colleague, Michelle Dunbar, developed the Freedom Model of Addiction. Listen as Claudia and Bev discuss this, agreeing on some things and disagreeing on others. It's always interesting to listen to different points of view. Both Mark and Michelle have struggled with addiction.
- Is addiction a brain disease?
- Can someone recover?
- Is medication always needed to stop using substances?
- Do people with addiction have to stop using all substances for the rest of their lives?
- Is the hijacked brain idea true? Who created it and why?
The Freedom Model research - The Baldwin Research Institute
"Here are some really informative opiate/MAT-centered articles written by FM co-author and BRI Research Fellow, Steven Slate on his site www.thecleanslate.org"
Mark Scheeren's co-author and BRI Research Fellow, Steven Slate’s Ted Talk
You can contact Mark at info@thefreedommodel.org
Information on opioid MDL settlement dollars - $54 billion and counting
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Dr Jeffrey Singer - A Surgeon's view on untreated/undertreated pain and Cops Practicing Medicine - Episode 17
"Jeffrey A. Singer is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and works in the Department of Health Policy Studies. He is President Emeritus and founder of Valley Surgical Clinics Ltd., the largest and oldest group private surgical practice in Arizona and has been in private practice as a general surgeon for more than 35 years.
He is also a visiting fellow at the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix. Singer is a member of the Board of Scientific Advisors of the American Council on Science and Health. From 1994 to 2016, he was a regular contributor to Arizona Medicine, the journal of the Arizona Medical Association. He served on the Advisory Board Council of the Center for Political Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University from 2014 to 2018 and is an adjunct instructor in the Program on Political History and Leadership at ASU. He writes and speaks extensively on regional and national public policy, with a specific focus on the areas of health care policy and the harmful effects of drug prohibition.
He received his BA from Brooklyn College (City University of New York) and his MD from New York Medical College. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons."
Links to articles discussed in this podcast episode:
Dr. Josh Bloom's article about the Dr. Singer vs. Dr. Fugh-Berman debate
Dr. Singer vs. Dr. Fugh-Berman debate
Dr. Singer and Dr. Bloom's article discussing pain and tylenol
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Suicide due to pain and DEA action against a doctor. Jim Elliot discusses Danny and Gretchen- Episode 16
On November 7, 2022 chronic pain patient, Danny Elliot and his wife Gretchen, tragically took their lives after the DEA shut down Danny's doctor. Listen to our podcast from November 13, 2022 discussing Danny and Gretchen's suicides.
We interview Danny's brother, Jim Elliot. Jim talks about Danny's life, his accident that caused his severe intractable pain, and what Danny was like when he had adequate pain medication compared to when he didn't.
Here are Danny and Gretchen's obituaries.
Jim's comment to us and the chronic pain community: "I'd like to add how appreciative our family is of the chronic pain patient community which was so supportive and helpful during Danny's struggle; after he lost his Georgia doctor, the others he saw were all referrals from friends he made through social media. He was articulate and knowledgeable and tried to help others even when he wasn't getting much help himself. As I said in our interview, all we want is for Danny and Gretchen's story to help others and to expose how apathetic the federal government is toward people in need. Thank you ladies for this opportunity."
This is the second suicide to to pain we've covered on our podcast. The first was Sonya Slone discussing the death of her husband, Brent.
Unfortunately, nobody is measuring patient outcome and the consequences of the crackdown on opioid prescribing. Nobody records what happens to the patients after a doctor is shut down by the DEA, or if a doctor retires. Danny's wife had contacted 17 doctors to try to find continuity of care, and couldn't even get an appointment. This was the third time Danny had lost a doctor due to DEA action.
We, at the Doctor Patient Forum, created a Google Document to attempt to collect stories of patient outcome from forced tapers and abandoned chronic pain patients. Please share the following:
Patient Abandonment and Forced Opioid Taper Questionnaire
If you have any questions about this form, please email Bev at bev@thedoctorpatientforum.com
For a list of studies showing accurate statistics including the tapering studies mentioned, please visit thedoctorpatientforum.com
Suicide hotline: 988 or 911
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Dr. Carl Hart's opinion on the untreated pain crisis. Where do we go from here? - Episode 15
Claudia and Bev interview Dr. Carl Hart. We discuss how pain patients are being harmed by horrible drug policy. Dr. Hart discusses his view of anti-opioid zealots like Dr. Andrew Kolodny and offers to use his platform to help us fight for pain patients.
I took this bio from his website, drcarlhart.com
"Carl Hart is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University. He is also the Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry. Professor Hart has published numerous scientific and popular articles in the area of neuropsychopharmacology and is co-author of the textbook Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (with Charles Ksir). His most recent book, “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society,” was the 2014 winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Professor Hart has appeared on multiple podcasts, radio and television shows including Real Time with Bill Maher and The O’Reilly Factor. He has also appeared in several documentary films including the award-winning “The House I Live In.” His essays have been published in several popular publications including The New York Times, Scientific American, The Nation, Ebony, The Root, and O Globo (Brazil’s leading newspaper)."
Check out Dr. Carl Hart's Twitter account
Here is a link to our survey for pain patients who have lost their pain doctor or are being force tapered.
Disclaimer: The information provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
Danny and Gretchen Elliot's Double Suicide - Due to DEA shutting down a doctor's office - Leaving Abandoned Patients - Episode 14
Danny Elliot was a chronic pain patient who has been vocal on Twitter about what it was like for him after he lost his doctor because of actions of the DEA.
Danny lost his doctor a few weeks ago for the third time due to the DEA. Where was the CDC's Opioid Rapid Response Program?
The following article in Pain News Network gives a bit more detail.
DEA Suspension of Doctor's License Leads to Double Suicide
Please go to the following sources to hear/read them in their entirety.
- Journalist Barry Meier at Stanford Medicine's Health Policy Forum
- Roger Chou's interview - PCSS Episode 5 - Applications of the CDC Guidelines
- Kolodny's quote about suicide due to pain being bogus
- Adriane Fugh-Berman pushes back against Dr. Kertesz about the need to study suicide due to pain or stopping pain medication
- Danny's Podcast on Painkiller
Links mentioned in this podcast episode:
Opioid Rapid Response Program (ORRP) Information
Dr. Kertesz's Tweet about California Doctor
Suicide hotline: 988 or 911
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Part 4 - PDMP/NarxCare - Jacob James Rich - PDMP and Law Enforcement - Episode 13
This is part 4 in our NarxCare/PDMP series. We interview Jacob James Rich. This episode focuses on PDMP harms, law enforcement's access to the PDMP, and whether HIPAA protects patients from PDMP data being shared.
Jacob James Rich is a researcher at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Evidence-Based Care Research, studying epidemiology and biostatistics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Jacob also works as an analyst for Reason Foundation, focusing on healthcare policy. He has written extensively on drug policy topics, such as the consequences of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) on patient access and overdose mortality. Jacob is currently researching racial disparities in drug enforcement with CWRU Graduate Student Council's DEI Award.
Reason bio page: https://reason.org/author/jacob-rich/
Twitter: @jacobjamesrich
Attorney Jennifer Oliva's article on PDMP and law enforcement in Duke Law Review - Prescription Drug Policing: The Right to Health Information privacy Pre- and post-CarpenterLinks to topics mentioned:
Links to podcasts or presentations in their entirety that were shared in this podcast -
- NASCA - "State PDMP vs National PDMP"
- Cover 2 Resources - "Strike Force Stops Flow of Illicit Opioids"
- Cato Institute - "Patients, Privacy, and PDMP's"
- NPR show 1A - "Against the Pain - The Opioid Crisis and Medication Access"
Kate Nicholson's bio - "Kate Nicholson, JD, is a civil rights attorney and a nationally-recognized expert on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She served in the U.S. Department of Justice for 18 years, where she litigated and managed cases, coordinated federal disability policy, and drafted the current ADA regulations." - Executive Director at NPAC
Kate developed intractable pain after a surgical mishap left her unable to sit or stand and severely limited in walking for many years. She gave the TEDx talk, What We Lose When We Undertreat Pain, and speaks widely at universities and conferences and to medical groups."
Disclaimer: The information provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
Part 3 - PDMP/NarxCare with Atty. Jennifer D. Oliva - Episode 12
Claudia and Bev discuss PDMP's (Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs) and NarxCare with Atty. Jennifer Oliva.
"Professor Oliva’s research and teaching interests include health law and policy, privacy law, evidence, torts, and complex litigation. She has served as an invited peer reviewer for the American Journal of Public Health, Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics, American Journal of Law & Medicine, Journal of Law and the Biosciences, and Big Data & Society and her scholarship has been published by or is forthcoming in, among other publications, the California Law Review, Duke Law Journal, Northwestern University Law Review, UCLA Law Review, North Carolina Law Review, Ohio State Law Journal, George Mason Law Review, and online companions to the University of Chicago Law Review and New York University Law Review."
Jenn is on the Science and Policy Advisory Council for NPAC (National Pain Advocacy Center)
Excerpts were played on this podcast that can be found in their entirety in the following links:
NPR show 1A - "Against the Pain: The Opioid Crisis and Medication Access"
"Patients, Privacy, and PDMP's" - Cato with Dr. Jeffrey Singer and Kate Nicholson
Duke Margolis - "Strategies for Promoting the Safe Use of Prescription Opioids"
NPR - "To End Addiction Epidemic" - Kolodny quote
Cover 2 Resources - Gary Mendell
Jennifer Oliva can be contacted on Twitter @jenndoliva
Learn more about Jennifer on her website at uchastings
Jennifer D. Oliva's paper: "Dosing Discrimination: Regulating PDMP Risk Scores"
Thank you to my co-researcher, Carrie Judy, for her tireless research and advocacy about NarxCare and PDMP.
Disclaimer: The information provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Part 3 - Tips from a pharmacist with Pharmacist Matt-Episode 11
Claudia and Bev interview Pharmacist Matt from Tik Tok
Matt is a community pharmacist who works at a local independent pharmacy.
His goal with Tik Tok is to basically give a virtual consultation. A window to the world bringing pharmacy specific information to the world. Along with Tik Tok you, can also tune in to his podcast - the two druggists. It is an entertaining and insightful program with drug information and stories. You can also find Pharmacist Matt on Instagram.
Walgreens good faith prescribing checklist
Information about Walgreen's good faith prescribing checklist
Blog about Walgreen's good faith prescribing checklist
Listen in as Matt gives tips to pain patients for when they go to the pharmacy. He explains what to do if the pharmacist gives you a hard time. He says what the pharmacist is having to deal with. Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
Disclaimer: The information provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice
We need your help with this survey! Interview with Dr. Jay Joshi - Episode 10
The opioid epidemic has incurred significant clinical and economic toll on the United States. The human impact of the epidemic has adversely affected communities and many employers. We see the impact on the data. Opioid overdoses continue to rise and more potent forms of illicit heroin and fentanyl flood the streets. The trends affect all aspects of healthcare, including the patient-physician encounter, a microcosm of the social ramifications of the epidemic.
But data alone does not capture the perceptions that arise between physicians and patients during a clinic visit. Physicians are concerned about clinical and legal consequences that may arise if they prescribe controlled substances such as opioids to patients. Patients are concerned that their physicians will unnecessarily reduce or outright discontinue their medication, affecting their quality of life and their activities or daily living. As a result, there is an inherent lack of trust that builds between the physician and patient.
These are major concerns. But they are lacking in the health data. To evaluate the impact these perceptions have on broader data trends, we propose a series of short one to two question surveys that glean specific patient perceptions that arise during the patient encounter when discussing opioids and pain management.
How will we do this?
Every week we will release a survey asking one or two pertinent questions on the perceptions patient experience during the patient encounter.
We will stratify the responses per county and state and cross-reference them with existing data to evaluate how clinical perceptions affect or are affected by trends in clinical data.
When will the questions be released?
We will release each question on a Sunday starting October 9th. After that a new question will appear every Sunday for the next 10-12 weeks, excluding holiday weekends.
How can we get involved?
Foremost, take part in the survey. What you think matters. How you feel during a patient encounter is important. Your perceptions determine clinical outcomes.
Once you answer the questions, please share the survey link and repost it across your social media feeds. The more responses we get, the stronger the survey response data.
What’s the first question?
Does your provider trust you?
www.daily-remedy.com/survey/how-strongly-do-you-believe-that-you-can-tell-when-your-provider-does-not-trust-you/
Part 2 - PDMP/NarxCare - NarxCare used to deny medical care - Episode 9
This is part 2 of our NarxCare podcast series.
We play portions of the radio show 1A of NPR that Maia Szalavitz and Bev Schechtman were on.
They covered the article Maia wrote in Wired about NarxCare called "The Pain Was Unbearable. So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away?"
Full recording of the radio show 1A
Watch Dr. Ibsen do a running commentary on the radio show as it happened
Link to NarxCare information on our website.
Contact us at: bev@thedoctorpatientforum.com claudia@thedoctorpatientforum.com
Disclaimer: This information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical advice
Part 1 - PDMP/NarxCare - What’s my NarxCare score and what does it mean? Episode 8
In this episode Claudia Merandi and Bev Schechtman interview Dr. Neil.
He has put a tremendous amount of work into researching and analyzing NarxCare. Part 1 of NarxCare includes an introduction to NarxCare and an interview with Dr. Neil.
Part 2 will come out next week and will have interviews with three women affected by NarxCare, and also portions of a talk show Bev and Maia Szalavitz were on called 1A with NPR.
The following information can be found on our website under FAQ's/What is NarxCare.
Please check out that link for more links including the article in Wired by Maia, the patent for NarxCare, and the Ohio Study the ORS was based on.
From The Doctor Patient Forum website: NarxCare, a product of a company called Bamboo Health, is a proprietary data analytics program. It uses up to 70 data points (that only Bamboo Health knows) and mixes them with your PDMP (prescription history) to assign four 3-digit scores letting your doctor or pharmacy know if you have a high risk of abuse or overdose. There is a Narcotic Score, a Stimulant Score, and a Sedative Score, and an Overdose Risk Score (ORS). According to Bamboo Health, "NarxCare aids care teams in clinical decision making, provides support to help prevent or manage substance use disorder, and empowers states with the comprehensive platform they need to take the next step in the battle against prescription drug addiction." Essentially, NarxCare pulls data from multiple state registries looking for red flags of drug seeking behavior. The three categories of prescription medication it looks at are narcotics (opioids), stimulants (ADHD meds) and sedatives (benzos, sleeping meds, etc.).
"The NarxCare report identifies risk factors with interactive visualizations, as well as an Rx Graph, and a set of scores that numerically correspond to the patient’s PDMP data." Although Appriss states on their website that their product shouldn't be used by itself to make medical decisions, that's not what's actually happening. As shown in this NarxCare article, patients are being denied medication or even being dismissed from a medical practice based on a NarxCare score alone.
Some of the risk factors used in the proprietary algorithm are:
- The number of prescribers a patient has had in a two-year period.
- The number of pharmacies a patient used in a two-year period.
- The dosage (MME-Milligram Morphine Equivalent).
- Amount of other medications that may increase potency of other medications.
- Number of times prescriptions overlap with prescriptions from other providers.
- Any Mental Health Diagnosis Distance from patient to doctor
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice.
Part 2 - Tips for your pain dr. appt. from a provider’s point of view - Episode 7
Claudia and Bev speak with a pain provider, Kelly. Kelly gives tips for interacting with your pain provider. What to do. What not to do. UDT's are discussed. Spinal Cord Stimulators. ESI's.
Kelly is a nurse practitioner.
Links from the episode:
Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia - from our debunking lies section
Disclaimer: The information in this episode is not to be considered medical or legal advice
Part 1 - Tips for preparing for an appt. with a new pain doctor - Episode 6
So many chronic pain patients are left without a provider for a variety of reasons. A doctor retires, a patient moves, a doctor is investigated, etc. If a patient is fortunate enough to find a new provider, it's difficult to know what to say or what not to say during the initial appointment. This is one of the most common questions we get from CPP's. We give you tips on how to prepare, what to say, what not to say, what the doctor may consider red flags, and more.
Topics we discussed in this episode:
Electronic Health Records (EHR's) - everything you need to know
One party recording consent states - as of 2022
Claudia's main Tik Tok account
The Doctor Patient Forum's other Tik Tok account
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical advice.
Suicide due to untreated pain. CaSonya Richardson-Slone bravely speaks about her husband, Brent - Episode 5
Brent Slone had been in a horrific car accident where he became paralyzed. He was receiving pain management. In 2017, his clinic cut his pain medicine by more than half at one time. Although both Brent and Sonya did everything they could to fix the situation, they repeatedly were met with no help. Sonya knew Brent was waiting to hear from his pharmacy about a new prescription. Sadly, when she left work and looked at her phone, she saw this text from Brent - "they denied script im done love you." He died by suicide. Sonya successfully sued the doctors and the clinic, and was awarded seven million dollars. Sonya is using her voice to tell Brent's powerful story and plans to open a non profit in his name to bring awareness to the plight of chronic pain patients. We will update the notes here to include the information of the organization when we have it.
From the show:
Kolodny's quote about suicide due to pain being bogus
Maia Szalavitz's article about Brent
Link to the article about Brent Slone on our website
The following is link to a Fundraiser created by Casonya Richardson-Slone : People with chronic pain need your support!
As Sonya stated in the podcast, her hope is to set up a non profit to bring awareness to this cause. From Sonya's fundraiser: "Moving forward...it’s my honor to share Brent’s story, and it’s my mission to make sure that those that need it most get the help, love, and support they need and deserve. This is Brent’s story. We finally have justice for Brent!!!"
Disclaimer: The donations to this fundraiser will go to Sonya and not to The Doctor Patient Forum. Thank you for supporting Sonya and helping her honor Brent's life!
Suicide hotline: 988 or 911
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.
Predators in the pain community - how to protect yourself - Episode 4
Interview with attorney Ron Chapman about the targeting of doctors by the DEA - Episode 3
Listen to Ron Chapman discuss how prescribers and pharmacists are being targeted by the DEA. He explains how they do it and what a doctor should do if the DEA shows up at their office. He talks about whether or not CPP's can sue the DEA or the CDC. He discusses what the pain community can do to fight back. He explains the RUAN SCOTUS ruling and what it means for prescribers and patients. Also, he touches on whether or not a patient can sue a doctor. Ron has successfully defended many doctors including a recent case, which he mentions. He also runs a compliance company that can protect doctors and pharmacists. This episode is a great resource for prescribers and pharmacists to learn how to protect themselves from being the DEA's next target.
Ron has achieved more acquittals of physicians facing federal indictment than any other lawyer in the country. Recently his client was acquitted of a $540 million healthcare fraud indictment in the Eastern District of Michigan. He also achieved a trial acquittal on behalf of a prominent Mayo Clinic physician and secured the return of $6 million in assets. In West Virginia he secured the acquittal of an addiction medicine provider in a federal indictment against a suboxone clinic. Ron has also achieved great success as an appellate litigator, the United States Supreme Court recently granted certiorari and vacated the conviction of his client, a physician accused of unlawfully dispensing opioid medications in Naum v. United States.
Here are some links of things mentioned in this episode:
Ron Chapman's compliance firm, www.CCGhealthcare.com
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical advice.
"Drug-seeking behavior." What is it? What isn't it? What to do if it's in your medical records? Episode 2
We've all heard of the term "drug-seeking behavior." But, what is it really? What are the red flags doctors and pharmacists look for and where did these red flags come from? Is the term "drug-seeking behavior" even a helpful term? We break it down for you and explain how to find out if this term is in your medical records, and what to do if you find it there. Please check out our website thedoctorpatientforum.com
Links for information we mentioned in this episode: DEA "Don't Be Scammed by a Drug Abuser Bev's story of the horrible hospital experience Electronic Health Record Information Legislative Efforts SCOTUS Ruan Ruling Harm Reduction/Narcan Frontier Article
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical advice.
Who are we and how did we become advocates? What will we discuss on our podcast? Episode 1
Listen to how Claudia got the idea to start Don't Punish Pain Rally on Facebook. Claudia and Bev discuss the war on pain patients and prescribers. They discuss an overview of what the podcast will be about. They mention a wide variety of topics that will be covered. The information they discuss can also be found on their website thedoctorpatientforum.com.
Links to topics covered during this introduction episode: The Opioid Rapid Response Program (ORRP), Legislative Efforts, 2016 CDC Guidelines and those who expressed concern, Ruan SCOTUS ruling, Harm Reduction, Table of accurate statistics, Debunking Lies, PROP
Disclaimer: The information that has been provided to you in this podcast is not to be considered medical advice.