Re: PLEASE HELP ME HELP YOU: a few quick questions.
From: Tami Dana (tami_dana@hotmail.com)
Wed Jul 4 23:33:36 2001
At Thu, 28 Jun 2001, Ginny Halpern wrote:
>
>Hey Guys!:
>
>I've been working 5 hours a day getting packages of info on ARD and the
>related suffering together to mail to local surgeons, pain specialists
>and nursing staff coordinators in the hope that I can spread the message
>that ARD sufferers are NOT lunatics, drug addicts, hypochondriacs or
>Munchausen sydromers (people who pretend to have illnesses by
>deliberately swallowing caustic substances, crushed glass, poisons etc.
>to create illnesses and then arrive at the ER near death, all for the
>atention) and that ARD sufferers need and deserve adequate and
>aggressive pain medication WITHOUT judgemental accusations or downright
>rude treatment by ER or office practice staff.
>
>On the A.S.A.P. pain site (dedicated to getting stronger pain meds to
>long term pain patients by educating the government and insurance
>companies on the use of opioids and narcotic dervatives) there is a
>"pain form"that takes very little time to fill out and return. It is
>then forwarded to your state legislator(s) and as the list grows each
>day, these law makers must pay attention to our needs and demands.
>
>I urge you to take a few minutes if you haven't already and log on and
>fill out a form. It isn't a legally binding document that holds you
>accountable to anything except being truthful about your pain and the
>treatment or lack there of you've received. And it is so important that
>we all have the option to be medically treated for pain if surgery is no
>longer an option and pain is destroying your life or the lives of your
>loved ones.
>
>Check out Skip Baker's site @ skipb@widomaker.com. If you cannot locate
>the pain form, ask him for it.
>
>There is also some extremely well written, enlightening information
>regarding "Pain patients using narcotics versus addicts" your "rights"
>as a pain patient and alot of fascinating data. There is even a concise
>page of info that you are urged to take to your physician to make him
>aware of his responsibilities as a doctor to diminish or alleviate your
>suffering.
>
>Meanwhile, to assist me in making my info package to the doctors the
>most informative it can be, I am asking that each of you sends me
>several pieces of information on yourself.
>
>1. Have you recently been refused or denied adequate pain medication?
>(by "adequate" I mean, are you on a prescription that is not relieving
>pain but the doctor has told you it "takes time" or that he cannot
>prescribe anything more potent)
I was denied at first and he tried ALOT of no good pain meds, like the
patch, lortabs, etc.
>2. What "excuse" did your doctor give you for not prescribing
>narcotics/opioids? (fear of addiction, physical or psychological side
>effects, etc)
His fear was addiction.
>3. What medication are you currently taking for pain? (name, milligrams
>per dose and how many times a day). Is it effective?
Right now I am on 30 mgs (one 20 mg and one 10 mg) oxycontin 3 times a
day, percocet 4 times a day for breakthrough pain, prozac 40 mgs once a
day, trazadone for sleep 1 at bedtime (it doesn't work) and zantac 2
times a day. The pain meds are WAY more effective than the others but
it still is not enough, I want to ask for a higher dose of oxycontin but
I am scared he will think I am "addicted" and then take the 30 mgs away
from me, so I just keep quiet.
>5. Is your ARD related pain preventing you from beiing a productive
>person? (able to work, take care of family, etc)
YES!! I have not worked in almost 2 yrs. I can't do anything with my
children, husband, family, friends...I do well if I get out of bed
everyday. What I used to call a "life" is now over because of ARD.
*Hugs*Thanks Ginny for doing this, I think it is a great idea and I
would like to try and do it too. Good luck hun!
>
>PLEASE SIMPLIFY EACH ANSWER. DO NOT GO INTO DETAIL UNLESS SOMETHING
>EXTRORDINARY HAPPENED
>
>Thanks, gang. I love you all big time and am here for you to talk to or
>laugh/cry with as always. I'm in need of your help to try and get us
>the recognition we need/deserve.
>
>Love and hugs
>
>ginny
>
>Please e-mail back through the message board so that you can all share
>your answers.
>
>To personally contact me, I am at gingin99@home.com
>
>Ginny
--
With love and understanding,
Tami Dana