Pain Relief Network Tries to Reopen Schneider Clinic

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Posted: 2:03 PM Feb 19, 2008
Last Updated: 2:03 PM Feb 19, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press

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Patients of a Kansas doctor charged with illegally prescribing painkillers say they have been repeatedly turned away from other medical providers.

The eight patients say the doctors fear similar federal prosecution.

The patients held a news conference this morning outside the federal courthouse in Wichita. They wanted to draw attention to their plight and the civil lawsuit filed against the government last week on their behalf.

The lawsuit, filed by the New Mexico-based Pain Relief Network, claims the government put patients in mortal danger and created a public health disaster.

The state suspended Dr. Stephen Schneider's medical license after his indictment. That forced the Haysville clinic to close.

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Posted by: Christina Location: 67042 on Feb 21, 2008 at 07:28 PM
I don't think anyone has the right to tell anyone what they are feeling. Unless you have been through what they have been though then you should speak for your self and ONLY YOURSELF. And why don't you try to call some of these Dr.s and tell them you are one of Schnieder's patitents and you can find out how the are being treated. Sence you don't seem to believe the people that are calling these Dr.s. People like you that does not know what your tring to talk about is one of the reason why these people are have so much trouble finding a new DR. And why people are scarried to admit they are in pain and need meds for the pain becouse to many people like you judge other people without knowing any, any of the facts.

Posted by: unknown Location: Kansas on Feb 21, 2008 at 04:38 PM
I work with individuals who suffer from physical disabilities on a daily basis; therefore, I have a question that I am not sure where to get the response. I am wondering where is the line drawn to show the difference in what Dr Schneider has been accused of and the medical field professionals not treating his former patients all because of where they received services. Some of his patients truly have a need for pain meds and were not abusing them. It is not fair to lump everyone of his patients into one category. My concern is that the people who had been going there for general health issues are not able to get care now and when the run out of those meds and a Dr, who took an oath, is turning them away which in return could result in death itself. I know there are some patients who just want a new doctor so they can survive and they are aware that it will be different treatment than what they had. On behalf of these people I am asking that someone step up to help them.

Posted by: me Location: here on Feb 20, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Dear Heather, after i read your first comment i wanted to get on here and really let you have it. But after your second comment i decided not to. I decided you deserve my sympathy for your ignorance. It is because of people like you and your knee jerk reactions that patients are not being seen. That, and those people out there that are abusing the system. Amen and God bless you Katie, flip, PCTech, and everyone else who is suffering now due to the entire system, which i believe is the true culprit. Please people!!! open your mind and hearts. Please people, quit looking for the quick fix through life! money is not the answer, drugs are not the answer! What separates us from beasts? courage, love, friendship, compassion, and empathy. Treat others as you would be treated. That is my wish. a patient of the dr's. please help me.

Posted by: Michael Location: Indiana on Feb 20, 2008 at 11:37 AM
It is amazing how many people, who know nothing about pain managment, are ready to jump on the bandwagon and call the pain patiens "addicts" It is a cruel punishment that is added to the punishment, from chronic pain, they already recieve! The family doctors office likely sees 60% of his visits because people are in pain. Waiting for specialists to do something can take months. These people need relief, now. It is sad when uneducated people decide who should be getting what medicine and when. The ocurrance of addiction, among chronic pain patients, is, actually, very uncommon, if you want to go read and find out about it. Heather, the anwer to your last question is simple. BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL for treating patients compassionately!

Posted by: Heather Location: 67042 on Feb 20, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Then y won't new Dr.s take in these patients with "real" medical problems?

Posted by: a PCTech Location: Wichita on Feb 19, 2008 at 11:54 PM
I agree with the nurse I also work in the medical and I have Rhue.arthritis. Heather I know from experience the pain of having RA. I wake up every morning with chronic pain, there are days that I have a hard time walking from my bed to the restroom. There are days I have to ask my two kids to help tie my shoes because my hands are beginning to curl up and the pain is real, it is not in my head.I do have to take pain meds to help me make it through the day. Yeah I could quit my job and go on social sec. disa. but I am doing my best to keep working and supporting my kids so other peoples tax dollars dont have to. I have figured out one thing though, people like Heather are going to judge people no matter how hard they try. Heather I wish you the best I pray the same, that you never have to experience one ounce of the pain I wake up to every morning.

Posted by: A nusre here in wichita Location: Wichita on Feb 19, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Heather first of all, you are an idiot. You are very ignorant when it comes to the medical field. I have been in the medical field since 1990 and apparantly you have never seen the affects of a persons hands or any part of thier body that has been crippled by RA or OA. Apparantly you have never seen how much pain these people are in. The only relief for some of these people are narcotics. You say they have head problems, you are the one with the head problems. Go back to school and get some kind of education because you dont know anything about the medical field.

Posted by: Kelly Location: 67212 on Feb 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I agree with Julie. Patients with severe Pain Management issues SHOULD ALWAYS seek treatment from the appropriate specialist. Yes Dr Schneider takes the responsibility for his lack of true care in the overall treatment of his patients....however...Patients bear responsibility in knowing what should be happening with their care. Ultimately patients need to be asking the appropriate questions of their family physcian. You can't take your car for repair to the car wash, you have to take it to a specialist to get it done right. Right? Patients need to be knowledgeable in being proactive in what happens to themselves and their overall health. If you don't know...ask, if you feel your questions are not being answered, then go somewhere else. Schneider knew what he was doing wrong....the drug seeking patients knew it was wrong too. I really feel for the average patient that has had to be caught up in the irresposible actions of their physcian and other patients.

Posted by: Flip Location: Wichita on Feb 19, 2008 at 09:07 PM
In response to Lucy: I agree that none of the patients are losers. Addicts?, very possibly addicted to the pain medication as many of them are very addictive. These folks deserve treatment for the pain they deal with and if they are addicted they need professional treatment for that as well. We have plenty of pain management specialists in the area that deal with chonic pain and are careful to not get people hooked on the medications. I caution your hit on Heather as a "self rightous type". You don't know what, if any, religious conviction she holds and injecting that into your response is a bit prejudiced in itself. I hope the Wichita medical community comes together to help the former patients of Dr. Schnieder get the care they need.

Posted by: Julie Location: 67219 on Feb 19, 2008 at 06:48 PM
I am so tired of hearing these patients say that they have no where to go. There are hundreds of docs in the area including numerous Pain Management Physicians, which is where the patients being prescribed the narcotics should have been going to all along - not a family practice physician. As far as a person receiving blood pressure and diabetes and other meds, there are too numerous to count physicians in town where that care can be resumed. I don't think it's fair to call Schneider's patients worthless addicts...addicts are just addicts. They need treatment like any other addict. What they do NOT need is their addictions to be fed any longer which is WHAT Schneider does. Anyone, argue all you want. The documentation is there. I believe he is not the only one to blame, nor the patient. Where does the pharmacies and insurance companies become responsible in all this? I know the pharmacy I use will not fill an overabundance of ANY medication, let alone a narcotic.

Posted by: Katie Location: 67834 on Feb 19, 2008 at 06:22 PM
My heart goes out to ALL of the patients that can no longer receive treatment. I have suffered ong term pain, but mine is getting better as a result of surgery, but it took me two full uears to have that surgery done. I was terrified of it and my doctors, thank heavens were compassionate about my fears, although I was encouraged at each visit to go through with it. I watched my mother's body curl up and wither over twenty-seven years as she suffered from rhumatoid arthritis, no pain medicine because she was terrified of doctors period. Chronic pain is very real and doesn't just "go away." My prayers are with all of Dr.s Schneider's patients.

Posted by: LUCY Location: 67216 on Feb 19, 2008 at 05:15 PM
This message is a response to Heather who posted a message at 4:20 today.HOW DARE YOU?Your comment is not only mean and nasty but truly hateful! I have a elderly family member who went to that clinic and she did not recieve narcotics but she received Blood pressure meds, medicine for her Diabetes and other medical needs, so lady before you judge others maybe you should have full knowledge of what your talking about. Some people have been injured or have other "REAL" pain related problems that require them to take narcotic pain meds but that in noway make them losers or addicts. You better hope you or a family member never needs that kind of service and if you do I hope you will be treated just as all these people are like trash oh but you already are Heather. When you self-rightous type goes to chuch this week you better ask the Blessed Lord for his forgiveness, for his heart is open for all who need him. You might not be a pill addict but you are predujuice. GOD BLESS YOUR KIND!!!

Posted by: Heather Location: 67042 on Feb 19, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Maybe all you addicts should take the time to get clean instead of trying to find more way's to get your fix. Your turned away by other dr.s cause you are worthless addicts. If you had a medical problem instead of a head problem you would be getting treatment from Dr.'s that are legit.