Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2002
Source: News Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2002 The News Herald
Contact:  http://www.newsherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1018
Author: Neal Franks

A STIGMA THAT PAIN SUFFERERS HAVE TO LIVE WITH

As a sufferer of long-term, severe chronic pain, it was refreshing to read 
the Feb. 4 commentary "Fear of addiction to painkillers causes unnecessary 
suffering."

Not only does "bad press" cause patients to sometimes fear taking these 
medications, it also interferes with doctors' willingness to prescribe 
them, even when it is the only effective relief. Furthermore, people who do 
not suffer such pain often view friends and relatives whose quality of life 
depends upon this relief as "addicted."

Even with these medications, chronic pain sufferers such as myself 
experience a pain level that would not be tolerated by most healthy people. 
My advice to pain sufferers is to seek care by a pain management 
specialist. My advice to non-pain sufferers is to show support, tolerance 
and understanding, as wrongful judgment only leads to, as the article 
stated, "unnecessary suffering."

NEAL FRANKS

Panama City
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MAP posted-by: Beth