By Aliza S. Kumpinsky, MD
This is one of the most exciting times in headache medicine, with many new migraine-specific biologics available for both acute and preventive treatment. Migraine is a central nervous system disease that is both prevalent and disabling. In individuals age 15-49, it is the second leading cause of years lived with disability.1 The prevalence is 12% in the general population.2 ... Continue Reading
By Rob Schreiner, MD, FACP, FCCPÂ
The safest thing for us to do, as doctors, is disassociate and depersonalize. We tell ourselves the patient’s suffering, from COPD or alcoholic cirrhosis or opioid addiction, is their own doing. Or more importantly, would never happen to us. Or maybe we try to numb our empathy by memorizing the neurochemistry and behavioral science of addiction. But none of that works so ... Continue Reading
By Shireen Haque, MD, MPH, and Annie Cowan, MD
Anesthesiologists in and around Atlanta respond to the opioid epidemic. Sitting across from me in our office at the WellStar East Cobb Surgery Center, patient Ryan Coker shares the story of his son Roger. Ryan and I first met in October 2018 when he came to our center for outpatient surgery. On that day, as he quietly requested a narcotic-free surgery, I sensed the untold ... Continue Reading
By Yujia Shentu, MS and Justine W. Welsh, MD
In 2017, 1,043 Georgians died from opioid-related overdoses.1 People are now more likely to die from an opioid overdose than a car accident.2 This increase in overdose deaths has largely been driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl powder, pressed into prescription opioid street pills or mixed with other drug supplies (e.g., heroin, cocaine). To combat the opioid crisis, ... Continue Reading
By Randy F. Rizor, MD
Consider the following scenarios:Â A 65-year-old woman with osteoporotic compression fractures is prescribed acetaminophen with codeine, 30 mg. She has filled two prescriptions for 30 tablets in the last 6 months and is requesting a refill. The PDMP report is consistent with your medical records. Prior to refilling the prescription you order a urine drug test. The results ... Continue Reading
