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) 2. What "excuse" did your doctor give you for not prescribing narcotics/opioids? (fear of addiction, physical or psychological side effects, etc) 3. What medication are you currently taking for pain? (name, milligrams per dose and how many times a day). Is it effective? 5. Is your ARD related pain preventing you from beiing a productive person? (able to work, take care of family, etc)
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