Comments on: The Human Condition

By: Nurse advocate

Nurse advocate — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:23:41 +0000

I appreciate the empathy that you have expressed for seekers and I agree that they are entitled to respect like all others. I am ashamed that our society says addiction is a disease but treats people with that disease as criminals. Maybe if the war on drugs was focused on the teatment of the addicted insted of the incarceration of the small time dealers and users we could make some progress. Every seeker I have met is a person that for one reason or another was trying to relieve their emotional or physical pain.

By: sherri

sherri — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:32:06 +0000

WOW. If only all medical people thought the way you do! I am a registered RN with Chronic back pain due to years of abuse to my back on the job. Starting as a nurses aide in junior high school, ending in years of critical care/burns ICU. After 2 back surgeries 1 week apart, and alot of hardware in my body, i take medication on a daily basis, (enough to knock out a horse). I cant tell you the hassle i have recieved over the years trying to “explain” myself, during simple apts. I have been looked down upon, and treated like a corner drug addict. I only fear the day should i need surgery for something, and not be given enough pain medication due to the high doses i am accustomed to. I have tried a gazzillion alternate therapies, doctors, procedures, ect…. nothing works to take my pain away. i think my “pain issues” are what ended my 26 year marriage also. I can easily understand why pain pts. consider suicide. The whole scene gets old after a while. i just want to live a normal, pain free life. I gave up my life to take care of others. it just doesnt seem fair sometimes. i can only wish my fellow pain sufferers relief and support. and remind my fellow medical staff to use their hearts and knowledge before they judge anyone.

By: Deanna

Deanna — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:20:31 +0000

Thank you Samantha! I am sorry you and your husband are having such a hard time finding services. Do you have a local ‘pain clinic’ or pain treatment center? That might be the way to go with your chronic conditions. There are alternative pain therapies out there—I am not very familiar with them, and you should of course speak with your doctor first—but I have heard of TENS therapy, accupuncture, swimming, and yoga to be gentle means of pain relief. Perhaps you might want to ask your doctor if these types of alternative pain treatments are appropriate for you and your husband. Good luck to you and I hope you both are able to find the pain relief you deserve.

By: Samantha Garrett

Samantha Garrett — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:19:08 +0000

I just want to thank you for publishing this…. I consider it somewhat providential since I stumbled here for something else…Both my husband and I have chronic pain (him fibromyalgia et al. I have scar tissue problems and sciatica.) Neither of us are able to be prescribed any painkillers whatsoever because of a rampant addiction problem in our area. We are immediately suspect, and the unfair irony is that neither of us would take our medication inappropriately. I had a bit of bitterness towards those “pillheads” who make it more difficult for my husband to get relief, let alone myself. I needed to be reminded as well that those people need help, they are in pain, too. Nurses rock