title: An Online Survey of Patients' Experiences Since the Rescheduling of Hydrocodone: The First 100 Days.
abstract: To conduct an Internet patient survey through the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association on reactions to the first 100 days following the rescheduling of hydrocodone.
  
  
  
  Face-valid survey questions were created with expert consensus along with repurposed questions used on previous NFMCPA surveys covering domains such as demographics and symptoms. The questionnaire was designed to be administered over the Internet.
  
  
  
  6,420 responders met screening criteria and completed the survey. Most (5,181, or 82.5%) had been prescribed hydrocodone for more than 1 year. 2,296, (39.0%) reported no changes in access to hydrocodone, while the majority experienced some barriers. Of those who could no longer get hydrocodone, 1,067 (18.1%) borrowed pain medications, 1,007 (17.1%) turned to marijuana, 773 (13.1%) used alcohol, and 135 (2.3%) used illicit drugs. Most respondents had to visit their healthcare providers more often (N = 3,699, 64.2%) and 1,735 (30.3%) reported some type of issue interacting with their pharmacy. Most felt that the rescheduling was neither a fair nor appropriate solution to the abuse of hydrocodone (N = 4,938, 88.3%). For those still working, 801 (46.2%) reported that they had missed work because of the stricter regulations. 1,462 (27.2%) reported having thoughts of suicide since the rescheduling.
  
  
  
  The unintended consequences for people with chronic pain that have been caused by the rescheduling effort to impede hydrocodone abuse are negatively impacting thousands. These consequences include suffering from being placed on less effective drugs, increased cost, inconvenience, and negative influence on physician-patient and pharmacist-patient relationships.
authors.affiliation: *National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, Logan, UT.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: *National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, Logan, UT.
authors.forename: Rae M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.affiliation: Millennium Health, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kirsh
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pain Management, Sonora, CA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Twillman
authors.affiliation: PRA Health Sciences, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.affiliation: Woodinville Psychiatric, Woodinville, WA.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.affiliation: Remitigate, LLC, Delmar, New York Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, Massachusetts **University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fudin
authors.affiliation: Millennium Health, San Diego, CA steven.passik@millenniumhealth.com.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Passik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000145:classification*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006853:Hydrocodone
keywords: Access; Fibromyalgia; Hydrocodone; Medications; Pain