Re: Pain, opiates, depression, alcohol/pain diary

[Guest guest]

Bennie,

I haven't posted often but I have paid attention. I just want to say

that you seem to have a wonderful Schindler's List ability to see the real

issue. I agree with everything you said in you post to me and Mike.

I remember my first pain diary. I thought it was just a waste of time

and effort, but the doctor asked me to do it so I did. I was amazed just

how much I learned about myself by doing the diary.

It is also a method of documenting your pain. It helps a lot when you are asking

a doctor to prescribe medications that could get the doctor in real hot water.

Very important.

I believe it is incumbent on us to do whatever we can to help

our wonderful doctors to reduce the risk. It is a sad reality that any doctor

compassionate enough to give us real pain control is at risk of loosing their

practice and even their very freedom. As we all know the risk is real.

We have all heard about the doctor who was charged with murder because one of

their patients committed suicide while on pain

control and used their pain meds to kill themselves. We HAVE to protect our

doctors from risk.

I was the Alabama head of the National Pain Patients Coalition a few

years ago. I was interviewed by a reporter from Atlanta. I learned a lot doing

that " job " .

I'll say more about this soon I promise. When you all hear my story,

like I said, you will be shocked. For now let me just say that I have

had some of the best and some of the very worst pain treatment.

To Mike,

What Bennie said is very important. Doctors need documentation and some sort of

proof and a diary goes a long way towards keeping the

authorities happy and out of the doctors office. Like I said there is

help out there, and I know that a caring person like you will find it.

Have a great and pain free day everyone,

- Alabama

Non-text portions of this message have been removed]