Politicians should not dictate medical treatment
A resident and business owner in Kona for 15 years, my work has taken a toll on my back and it recently led to having spinal surgery to fuse L-4 and L-5 vertebrates.
My Honolulu neurosurgeon prescribed me oxycodone for the post-surgery, knowing I would not be able to get out of bed and drive for four weeks after the procedure.
My Kona primary doctor prescribed me the oxycodone 45 days before the surgery for pain management.
When I went to get the post-operation prescription in Keauhou from my Honolulu surgeon, they treated me like a drug addict and refused to fill the prescription and refused to contact the surgeon to confirm my spinal operation just five days ahead. They said I was doctor-shopping for opioids and the employees looked at me like a criminal.
I finally found a real pharmacist at Costco who gave me the benefit of the doubt and called to confirm my prescription with my surgeon, Costco filled the prescription.
It has been six weeks since the procedure and I have not taken any pain meds for three weeks and recovering very well and not a drug addict.
My point is Rep. Lowen and other politicians should try to get us clean public restrooms around town and the island, and stay out of the medical field dictating treatment for patients.
This world of lies that everyone taking opioid is an addict is just not true. When I was treated unfairly, it felt like an assault on my character.
It’s over sensationalized studies and reports that attract politicians to grandstand a bill like Lowen’s Bill 666 that would punish the needed patients and try to protect a few who do not have the common sense to make good decisions.
Yet my visitors I have to the island laugh out loud that our local government in the 2000s, can’t fund or figure out how to provide adequate restrooms around town and the island, now they want to prescribe medical prescriptions?
Pete McCormick
Kailua-Kona
Big Bro not a doctor
No one needs to endure the excruciating pain that comes with many cancers and some surgeries. That’s why we have opioids in the first place.
Admittedly, we have an abuse problem, but there are simpler ways to control it than giving “big brother” oversight. The government can never know the quantity a patient needs. But the doctor does and the pharmacy can monitor that amount through efficient software, which most pharmacies either already have, or can install cheaply.
Please keep the government out. It will only worsen an already bad situation.
Tom Tucker
Kailua-Kona