By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:11:16 +0000

I am 63 years old and have had Crohn’s disease since age 24. It was diagnosed after perforation of appendix’s and small bowel. I have continued to have pain that has been Chronic but did not take anything stronger than Advil, unless in the hospital for 4 other surgeries. In 1993 I had life altering pain, and was diagnosed with Fibrosis/ which is now called Fibromyalgia. I have required pain medicine, for the past 10 years and that only enables me to get out of bed. My pain is horrible, and it’s 24-7. I really detest the way I am perceived and treated when picking up my pain medication. I have had to provide urine samples, bring in my bottle and have my pills counted, and when going to the Emergency Room in horrific pain due to a flare up of Crohn’s disease, I was only given Tylenol and Benadryl. This is totally opposite from the way I was treated before the Opioid Epedemic was so televised. Now I live in fear everyday that my pain medication will not be renewed, and I will not be able to even function or live a life that would have any quality to it at all.
I really feel angry at the people who misuse and sell their pain medicine, but I am also angry at health care workers who judge those of us who do have to live in chronic pain, like we are druggies trying to get high. I Never get high or even pain free! It just gives me a few hours out of the day when I can get necessary things done. I think there should be a place for physicians and nurses to go that educates them about diseases that require medication for pain, that may cause dependence but NOT addiction.

Comments on: Building Cathedrals: PAINS Transition to the Academy of Integrative Pain Management

By: Denise