Terrorism Tied to Jump in Pain Problems

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Mon Nov 5 23:24:35 2001


[] Terrorism Tied to Jump in Pain Problems - October 1, 2001

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50234-2001Sep30.html

Tens of thousands of people whose chronic physical pain is usually kept in check have suffered setbacks since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, according to pain management specialists across the nation. Those who regularly treat pain say that since Sept. 11 they have been inundated with complaints of worsening pain from patients who suffer from cancer, back problems, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, chronic headaches and other ailments.

At Washington Hospital Center, pain management specialists said complaints about flare-ups have been five times greater than usual. In Houston, specialists reported that pain complaints from cancer patients are up 33 percent, and in Buffalo, they have doubled.

The widespread reaction, they said, was clearly triggered by stress over the attacks, fear of more terrorism and concern for what the future will bring their children.

"A lot have been stable for years on their medication, but after [the attacks], we are getting flooded with phone calls saying that their pain has gotten quite out of control," said Lee Ann Rhodes, the medical director of pain management at Washington Hospital Center. "Patients who normally are happy that their pain is under control are coming in in tears." The phenomenon was evident in the first week after the attacks. At George Washington University Hospital, physicians said complaints about pain and other symptoms of chronic ailments climbed abruptly.

"The medicine department was swamped with . . . patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pain, asthma," said James L. Griffith, associate chairman of the psychiatry department. All kinds of chronic medical disorders were aggravated, he said.

Physicians said stress levels across the country have increased as Americans fret over the risks of bioterrorism, the ailing economy, grief for those who died and anger at the attackers.

Moreover, they said, the suffering has been amplified by insomnia, as millions of Americans stay glued to televisions into the wee hours or simply lose sleep to worry. They go through their days on less rest, and doctors said sleep deprivation intensifies the perception of pain.

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