Chronic Pain and media
During the past week, I have read two very interesting pieces concerning chronic pain.
One was an op/ed piece entitled "My Chronic Pain is not a Crime." You can read the link here: Chronic pain is not a Crime! The article truthfully describes the problems of pain patients and their physicians.
The second piece simply makes me mad. You can read it here: High prevalence of pain medication.
I understand that there is a problem with prescription drug abuse in this country. However, I do not believe that treating pain patients or doctors like criminals is going to stop the problem.
Chronic pain is a horrible thing to live with. I do not know a single pain patient who wants to be in pain. Believe me when I say that I would much rather be running around, doing something fun, than stuck inside in horrific pain from another bad migraine. Most of us would give our right arms not to have to suffer or deal with the pain and the stigma that goes with it.
Yes, many people who are on disability due to painful conditions take some medication for pain. This might be due to the fact that the disability which prevents the patient from working is, well, painful. It does not mean that the patient is addicted. It does mean that the patient is trying to lead as normal a life as possible. If you have a painful condition and are a parent, you want to be there for your children or your family. It is not a crime.
The article also stated that women are "at greater risk of becoming chronic opiod users than men." This isn't true. Women may be experience more migraines than men do, but on the whole, I'd say it is about equal.
One would not say to a diabetic- "oh that is too much insulin, you have to cut back." Instead, one would trust the endocrinologist and the patient to work together and get it stabilized so the patient wouldn't have more problems. The same is true for most other medications. You get sick, you go to the doctor, and you get treated, and hopefully you get better.
Unless, of course, you are a pain patient. In this case, you go to your GP, who is afraid to prescribe pain medications due to increased pressure from the DEA, and he refers you a pain specialist. The pain specialist does an exam, confirms the fact that you are in chronic pain, lays out options and then decided how to treat you. If you are prescribed any form of opiate, you will have to sign a pain contract. This means you will agree not to obtain any narcotics from another dr without consulting your pain doctor. You will also agree to random blood tests. And everything else he suggests.
This situation is ridiculous. Yes, some abusers may get through. People in pain generally want to be out of pain so they can lead relatively normal lives. Still, pain control, just like any other form of medication, should be between the doctor and the patient. No one should be condemned for it.
Pain free days
sconesail
