Hello, friends,
I spoke with a physcian earlier online earlier online today. Some of my writings have caught the attention of individuals who are friends and patients of hers. They are activists in the "War on Chronic Pain", so to speak and she directed me to a petition that I happily signed. I am proud to be an American, but I am tired of hearing of doctor's who are afraid of getting their licenses yanked for simply trying to help people in chronic pain by using narcotics. If you have read much about my story, you know why I this is my champion cause.
I am appalled by anyone who uses narcotics or opiates recreationally. However, they are the only reason why I am able to function right now, and the only reason why many with TN and ATN are alive and kicking right now, I believe.
If you do not feel this way, please do not judge me for my beliefs. If you do, please follow this link and sign this petition. It was provided to me by a doctor who is affiliated with the American Pain Association and is tired of seeing the needless suffering of human beings with intractable pain. Her slogan is "Real Medicine for Real Pain".
Below is the link. Click search under Chronic Pain, and you will see the petition, which will be sent to the powers that be as soon as the goal of signatures is reached.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/realmedications4realpainsufferers/
If believe the same as I do, please click on the link above and sign the petition.
Now to my discussion question. Let's say for a moment that you are one of the unlucky ones, like me, who don't seem to be helped much by front-line non-narcotic medications which are typically used to treat Neuropathic pain, such as Trigeminal Neuralgia. How many of you feel as if you have been treated in an undignified fashion by your healthcare provider?
I want to say to those people. Be in my body for one minute, that's all it would take, know everything I have tried, then say those things to me! Let me see how fast you would be running to one of your cronies to write it whatever it is it would take to ease your agony.
So much has been done to de-stigmatize people who need medical Marijuana in California, and i seems to be a coming nationwide trend. If it helps someone in pain, then it is a medicine, not a "drug". It is not for me, but it is here for our use, just like the poppy plant's derivative.
I am a dependent, not an addict. There is a difference. Google "Addiction vs. Dependency".
Prior to TN, I was a straight edge career woman who relied inner strength and holistic medicines for all of my illnesses, primarily. (I didn't like taking Tylenol.) I was, by all definitions, except for being a vegetarian, what most people would call, a health nut, and loved it that way!
I remember once, when I was 27, I heard two women I knew talking about how much they loved Vicoden. I asked why. I don't get it. The taller of the two replied, "you mean you don't LUUUUVVVVV the way that s*it makes 'ya feel"? I replied, "I don't know". "I don't see why you would, unless you were using it to get out of pain???" To this day, I still don't understand.
Again, to my question, do you feel discriminated against, by needing opiate therapy to control your pain, if you do? Also, are you having a hard time obtaining the medications which work to control your pain?
. . . .and don't forget to follow the link and sign the petition above.
As always, wishing all of you a pain free day, and that you find your own personal miracle.
Stef