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Some chronic pain sufferers say they are unintentional victims of the crackdown on opioids

Posted at 11:03 AM, Oct 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-25 11:46:59-04

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — As President Donald Trump gets ready to sign new opioid legislation into law, people who suffer from chronic pain worry the bill includes provisions that could hurt them.

These people believe they represent the other side of the epidemic.

Johnna Magers of Indianapolis says she battles chronic pain daily.

"Some days it's bad," Magers said. "Some days it's not so bad."

She treats her symptoms with pain relievers prescribed by her doctor.

"About six years ago is when I found the doctor that actually diagnosed me and started treated me to the point where I could have a semi-normal life," Magers said. 

She is one of many patients who say they're the unintentional victims of the crackdown on opioids. 

"I have friends who have been dumped by the doctors," she said. "They don't want to write prescriptions anymore."

Magers helped organize a rally in September outside the Indiana Statehouse, calling on lawmakers to ease the restrictions they face in getting drugs that treat their pain.