Hello... Doctor - I’m Really in Pain, Please Treat Me Like I AM!!!
My name is Tom. I live in Ohio. In a nutshell here's my situation: I have chronic back pain from bulging discs, arthritis and other unknown complications. Three years ago, because of this pain, (and as a result of it) my wife and I lost our house and car and my job. Following is the first of hopefully many subjects that I will be discussing.
So the doctors, 10 YEARS AGO, got the BLANK scared out of them by the government about writing narcotic scripts for anyone and everyone. Well GET OVER IT and start treating the genuine patients with the pain management care that they deserve. I've passed the concerned stage and have now reached the furious and fed-up stage! But I will be reserved and self-contained as I discuss these matters. A sharp mind is better when dealing with your doctor; NOT a so-mad-I'm-shaking-and-can't even-talk-straight demeanor. With that being said, unfortunately we still have to prove ourselves when we see a pain doctor for the first time – easier typed than done! Aside from previous doctor's notes, X-Rays, MRIs, cat-scans, etc, it's best to be direct and to the point. Be honest. Look the doctor in the eyes and speak with confidence. AND HOPE HE'S NOT ONE OF THE CHICKEN LITTLES!!
I would appreciate any comments or even short stories of your experiences regarding problems with getting the proper attention and treatment from a pain doctor. I will be starting many specifically targeted topics concerning Pain Management and all the problems and situations that come with it.
Hi Tom,
Welcome to ChronicPainConnection! I hear your frustration and understand why you are angry. I've written on the same topic a couple of times. It's just not right that patients in severe pain should have such a difficult time getting adequate treatment and are too often treated as criminals for needing pain meds.
Personally, I feel the people we need to be putting pressure on are the DEA. If they didn't continue to actively pursue and prosecute doctors who are simply trying to treat their pain patients appropriately, more doctors would be willing to treat us. While I admire and respect those doctors who are courageous enough to treat pain patients in spite of the risks, I can also understand why others are afraid to risk their medical licenses, practices, and livelihood as well as face possible prison time. That's a lot to ask of someone.
This is a difficult and complicated subject. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts on it. I would like to suggest that you do future posts using our SharePost format rather than putting them in questions, as we try to reserve this space for people who are asking specific questions. You're also likely to get more responses there. Here's a link to the page where you can Create a SharePost. Or if you'll go to the ChronicPainConnection homepage, there's a green button you can click to "Create a SharePost."
Glad to have you a part of our chronic pain community!
Karen
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