Pain Management, and a New Friend

Today at work I met a woman who suffers from chronic pain. Two total strangers with a common bond. I think we were both starved for someone to talk to, and could have gone on all day. We had a very interesting conversation about how it affects our lives. She as a sufferer, me as a caregiver.

We both agreed that one of the most difficult aspects was getting people in the medical community to understand the difference between someone in real pain and someone who is a "drug seeker." Neither of us had an answer. She told me that on several occasions, out of frustration she stopped taking her pain medications all together. But the pain became unbearable, and she immediately went back on them.

Another issue we discussed was inadequate treatment for pain relief. It seems that medicine has not only the knowledge, but also the technology to prevent, as well as relieve most pain. Why then is poor pain management so rampant? We also discussed how important it is to stay on top of your pain before it gets on top of you. I can honestly say that the majority of ER visits that Stacy makes is because her pain gets the best of her. It becomes a vicious cycle; as her pain escalates she tends to sleep more and doesn't eat enough or drink enough fluids. The end result is dehydration, and nausea from taking the pain medications taken on an empty stomach.

I have accompanied Stacy on many of her pain doctor visits, and it surprises me that a multidisciplinary team approach is not used. Why isn't the pharmacist more involved in the treatment plan? I would think that pharmacological strategy would certainly require his or her input. What about the complex psychological factors? One would expect that a psychologist would also be a part of the pain management team.

It is so sad that we have learned all these things after so many years of trial and error. Perhaps this is where patient advocacy steps in, and I must ask... Why isn't there a patient advocate on the management team? We could have avoided so many mistakes if we only knew that we needed all these things to properly treat her chronic pain.

So, Stacy is San Francisco trying to put together a team, and I have found a new friend. It was a good day!

-Candy