Pubdate: Wed, 01 Mar 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Tony Leys
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)

DOCTOR - PRESCRIPTION TRACKING PLAN COULD CONTROL PROBLEM

John Grim's pain-control physician, Dr. Richard Rosenquist of 
University Hospitals in Iowa City, said Grim is one of more than 
1,000 patients in his clinic who are treated with long-term 
prescriptions for narcotics.

Rosenquist said researchers are working on less-addictive 
alternatives to the drugs, with mixed success. Some new techniques, 
such as electronic stimulation, help some patients. But the doctor 
doesn't foresee a broad replacement for narcotics coming soon.

Rosenquist understands Grim's concerns about his privacy being 
invaded if the state sets up a centralized computer system to monitor 
Iowans' prescription orders. But the doctor said he believes such a 
system would help control the real problem of patients who "doctor 
shop" to buy excessive amounts of drugs. "It would be very helpful to 
know when somebody who's illegitimately using opioid drugs is getting 
them from more than one doctor," he said.

He said his own profession could do a better job of explaining the 
pluses and minuses of narcotics. He's seen too many patients who were 
kept on heavy doses, even when the drugs weren't helping much with 
the pain. Doctors should wean such patients off the pills, he said.

"I know they don't all do that, and some people buy into the 
misguided notion that if you just give them enough, it'll take their 
pain away," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman