Priceless "Red" Sense!

1

I do not want this piece lost. I think anyone who manages their pain with Opoids should read Red’s post. Thanks, again, Red:

Comment by Richard A. “Red” Lawhern on March 18, 2011 at 8:52am

Good Morning,

I joined this group a couple of weeks ago, but have been traveling and not as available as usual, to contribute. If I may, thought I would offer a couple of thoughts around the edges of the discussion.

First of all, I’ve talked with TN patients for over 16 years. For a portion of them, opiate or opioid therapy has been the ONLY thing that worked to even moderate their pain. For others, the opioids hardly touched their pain at any dose level that left them awake and cognitively clear. I don’t think medical science has a clue just yet about what things distinguish the two groups.

A second thought: For several years, I collaborated with a co-editor on a facial pain website. My co-editor was a lady with acute and chronic occipital neuralgia caused by surgical error during an MVD for TN. Her only effective remedies comprised an opioid “cocktail” administered and overseen by a pain management specialist. Though she had periods of serious break-through pain, she has continued on this regimen for over 20 years. She functions in the outer world of work and has managed to put two sons through college as a single mother. Though she is habituated to high doses of opiods, she displays none of the addictive behaviors of drug seekers who have no chronic pain. For her, chronic constipation is a more significant side effect than getting high. From what I’ve read over the years, her case is not particularly unusual.

It is possible to live constructively and productively while managing pain with opioids. Much depends upon the personal bravery and good sense of the supervising doctor, in a climate of gross ignorance and malice on the part of “drug war” advocates and government regulators.

One of the things needed to change this climate is a significant redirection of NIH research funds on chronic pain conditions and treatments. We can and should acknowledge that drug abusers are a complicating and confounding factor in obtaining valid treatments for people in pain. But we should not be required to sit still and shut up, when anti-drug crazies over-generalize and ignore human agony in their efforts to punish the abusers.

Just my two Red cents, for the little they’re worth.

Go in Peace and Power.

Red

2

Your compliment is very kind, Stef. I pretty much calls 'em as I sees 'em. Sometimes I'm wrong on details, but I try not to be wrong on principles.

Thanks for making my day...

Regards, Red

3

Stef, I can't see his comment here. I clicked on the link but it took me to Red's page, not his comment. I know I read it in the group, but if you want it to not be lost, We should be able to read it here, right?

I appreciated it too Red!

4

Oh, I don't like this. I didn't want to lose this discussion. I wonder if I can go back and find it in comments and "Feature" it somewhere.

I will try to find it, Sheila.

Hugs,

Stef

5
Found it! I need the right "Forum" to feature this comment in. Super!

Comment by Richard A. "Red" Lawhern on March 18, 2011 at 8:52am
Delete Comment

Good Morning,

I joined this group a couple of weeks ago, but have been traveling and not as available as usual, to contribute. If I may, thought I would offer a couple of thoughts around the edges of the discussion.

First of all, I've talked with TN patients for over 16 years. For a portion of them, opiate or opioid therapy has been the ONLY thing that worked to even moderate their pain. For others, the opioids hardly touched their pain at any dose level that left them awake and cognitively clear. I don't think medical science has a clue just yet about what things distinguish the two groups.

A second thought: For several years, I collaborated with a co-editor on a facial pain website. My co-editor was a lady with acute and chronic occipital neuralgia caused by surgical error during an MVD for TN. Her only effective remedies comprised an opioid "cocktail" administered and overseen by a pain management specialist. Though she had periods of serious break-through pain, she has continued on this regimen for over 20 years. She functions in the outer world of work and has managed to put two sons through college as a single mother. Though she is habituated to high doses of opiods, she displays none of the addictive behaviors of drug seekers who have no chronic pain. For her, chronic constipation is a more significant side effect than getting high. From what I've read over the years, her case is not particularly unusual.

It is possible to live constructively and productively while managing pain with opioids. Much depends upon the personal bravery and good sense of the supervising doctor, in a climate of gross ignorance and malice on the part of "drug war" advocates and government regulators.

One of the things needed to change this climate is a significant redirection of NIH research funds on chronic pain conditions and treatments. We can and should acknowledge that drug abusers are a complicating and confounding factor in obtaining valid treatments for people in pain. But we should not be required to sit still and shut up, when anti-drug crazies over-generalize and ignore human agony in their efforts to punish the abusers.

Just my two Red cents, for the little they're worth.

Go in Peace and Power.

Red

6

I am under the care of Pain Management and my doctor is more concerned with the quality of my life with dealing with my pain. It is able to make me function throughout the day helping me through my daily routine. It is not a cure because the pain is there but you are able to manage and keep it at bay. I still get my episodal migraines from time to time but thanks to sumatriptans, my headache is gone right away but my body and my brain feels drained. I'm hoping for a pain free day but also wishing for a pill free life.

7

Thanks for sharing, Veronica

Go in Peace and Power

Red Lawhern, Ph.D.

Resident Research Analyst, LwTN

8

Red U hit the nail right on the head! As a Tn sufferer for over 14 years Opiate therapy is the only thing that has helped me. I appreciate your comments. Thank U laurie Keil