PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT REGISTRY:

There is a surprisingly large, and often greatly misunderstood epidemic among Americans whose daily lives, due to injury or illness, are consumed and often destroyed by excruciatingly high levels of pain. Such people are now diagnosed, and referred to by medical professionals, as Chronic Pain Patients, or "CPP's".

The majority of all CPP's have undergone, and have not responded to, all available medical procedures and treatment protocols to alleviate the high level of pain they suffer. Their condition is therefore considered permanent, or "chronic", and the only effective treatment in alleviating their constant, relenting level of pain is
the use of pain medication ,or narcotics. The most common pain medications prescribed by Physicians and Pain Management Specialists contain Opioids and have very effective analgesic or pain relieving properties - some examples of which are Darvon; Propoxyphene, Dilaudid; Hydromorphone; OxyContin; Oxycodone, Vicodin and Hydrocodone. All of these pain medications are strictly regulated, as they should be, by the Food and Drug Administration, (FDA).

However, as a result of attempting to curb the abuse by those who do not require such medications for their intended purpose of relieving severe or chronic pain, CPP's have been left to suffer needlessly and unfairly. Because many Physicians and Pain Management Specialists are fearful of being investigated or possibly losing their license, CPP's are either not being prescribed much needed medications at all, or are given doses totally insufficient to adequately alleviate their high levels of chronic pain.

There is a very important fact which is greatly misunderstood, but is supported by numerous studies [would help to refer to some here]. When pain medications are taken by someone who is suffering severe or high levels of pain, their body breaks down the medication much differently than those who are not in pain. A feeling of euphoria, or "getting high", leads many people to abuse these medications, rather than the intended purpose of pain relief. Much to the contrary, chronic pain sufferers do not experience any euphoria or "high". What they do experience is a valuable reduction, or manageable level to their chronic pain.

A Chronic Pain Patient Registry would serve as a qualified listing of only those who have been thoroughly evaluated and who's ongoing chronic pain condition has been fully documented. The Food and Drug
Administration would recognize the pain medication and dosage being prescribed is that for a verified CCP. This would alleviate the need to investigate Physicians and Pain Management Specialists prescribing pain medication for possible abuse by non-chronic pain sufferers, as well as address the fear by medical professionals of losing their medical license or facing severe disciplinary action. CPP's would greatly benefit by receiving adequate pain medication required to help alleviate and control the high levels of pain which they endure on a daily basis.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter.

Respectfully yours,

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