http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pns/16454
" Author's opening note: Ahh yes, the medical industry (lower case is intentional). The HMOs, the Workman's Compensation (wc) boards, most medical doctors, neurologists, orthopedics, and last but not least the Pain Clinics and their medical staffs - and not to forget the Federal Government. " This article does not address those Good Doctors - those that really care - those that if not competent are willing to study and to learn - to them - I say Bravo - and they deserve much gratitude and good fortune.
" Rather - this article addresses those - who do not deserve the title of doctor - those who are uncaring and brutal - those who play god with their hapless patients. And the organizations of the medical industry that also brutalize the patient - by denying benefits in the name of fraud - of malingering - to make a living by not working.
" Our Federal Government has initiated a fruitless war called "The War on Drugs". Hmmm, yes effective it has not been. Just look at the results for the money consumed. But that is another issue. The fallout from the war on drugs is that most doctors are loath to prescribe opiate drugs to a patient, who experiences unrelenting and eternal pain. Pain of such a degree that causes some to commit suicide - rather than to endure another minute of this pain. This is the most tragic aspect of these circumstances. Even in the face of studies and documented proof that a patient in pain cannot become a drug addict, the Federal Government persists in its draconian measures against allowing proper medication in defense of pain.
" But it is not productive to rail against the medical industry. It is time to join forces - to educate the patients - the victims of these brutal diseases - so that they may take control of their own care and not be held hostage. To have the Federal Government recognize that people in pain are not capable of becoming drug addicts. That patients and doctors and the many untiring researchers can work together to end this tragedy.
" Please understand that while what you are about to read is very shocking and frightening - it is not the rule but is rather the exception. This is an extreme case of RSD. If precautions are taken by treating the disease - it is not likely to ever happen. This is the result of pain management without the treatment of the underlying disease - which is the cause the pain. This is the real tragedy as mediated by the medical industry.
" The account above is not unique. There are many in this condition. How many - it is unknown. But it is needless. If properly treated - this destruction need not ever occur or not occur as frequently as it does now. Thus, an aware and informed patient is a patient most likely to survive. Do not trust your doctor merely because of the title Doctor. Ensure that your trust is earned. Ask for second opinions. And if your doctor is dictatorial or pompous or acts like god, then fire the doctor and find another. Perhaps it is time for support groups to band together and create an international database of competent and caring doctors so that hapless patients need not discover the bad doctors repeatedly.
THERE IS MUCH MORE TO READ AT THE ABOVE WEBSITE!!