Patient Testimonial: Susan Wolf
Susan Wolf, 42, began experiencing chronic pain nearly 20 years ago when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Her pain was ultimately so incapacitating that it forced her to end her career in advertising and deprived her of leading a normal life; she was unable to perform even the most basic daily activities like getting out of bed and taking care of her home and family. "I lost several jobs, causing my family financial difficulty that was further complicated by the thousands of dollars I had to spend on out-of-pocket medical bills," Susan says.
"Over the last 10 years I have had 10 operations including having my hip joint and both knees replaced because of rheumatoid arthritis," Susan explains. "The pain and my condition took over my whole life. I experience pain deep down in my joints -- from my neck to my feet. It is very hard to live with."
Susan's chronic pain was initially treated with aspirin and one tablet of prescription pain medication to cover every few days, but her pain was not alleviated. After two years on this treatment regimen Susan's pain began to increase. When Susan repeatedly asked for more pain medication, her rheumatologist told her she was "an addict" and that she needed to get off the prescription pain medication. Not understanding about appropriate pain assessment and effective pain management, Susan believed her doctor.
Susan turned her pain treatment over to her gynecologist, after learning that her rheumatologist didn't want to treat her anymore because she was "trouble" and "an addict." Her new pain treatment program included a daily visit to the pharmacy to pick up a daily dose of pain medication in order to regulate the number of prescription pain tablets she took. Susan's pain continued to be unbearable. "It was almost impossible to live," Susan recalls. "I was not receiving enough pain medication."
"A couple of years ago I hit rock bottom," continues Susan. "I had more surgery and I was so exhausted and in such chronic pain that I thought of taking my own life."
Finally, Susan found a pain specialist who recognized that her pain was under-treated and understood that the risk of addiction with opioids is very low. He put Susan on an appropriate pain management program and her life has completely turned around. "Most people think I will be in bed all day or unable to function while taking pain medication. It's the opposite. Instead, I have become a more active and productive person. I handle the family finances including our taxes, swim every day and plan our family trips. I have found life again and I'm so grateful."
http://www.jcaho.org/news/pain_kit/wolf.html