I ask this more for a personal reason than for debate. You see, I am nineteen years old, young but still an adult. I was involved in a rather terrible car accident about 10 years ago, and ever since I have had chronic pain that grows and fades in intensity from a "3" up to an "8". The only thing that helps at all are opioid painkillers. I have tryed chiropractic care and other sorts of homeopathic remedies, to no avail. However, whenever I go to a doctor, either a general practitioner or a pain specialist, they refuse to give me the only meds that work. Upon asking some, they said that I am too young to risk addiction. I would gladly be addicted to opiates for the rest of my life if it means I can be out of this pain.
So, if anyone can tell me what I should do to remedy my situation, I would be greatly thankful.
--I am not a junkie. Just because I'm young, it disqualifies me from receiving adequate pain treatment. What a horrible state to live in, yes?
2006-11-08 11:57:46 · 4 answers · asked by Chris K 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Why are you all so opposed to me being out of pain? It may be good for me in the long run, but I would rather have a shorter, pain-free life than a long, agonizing one. Who is the doctor to protect me from adequate pain relief? Why must I suffer.
All answerers so far believe that addiction is worse than pain. I want to be effectively treated with as minimal effort and intrusion into my life, and painkillers provide that. Why should I be denied relief. Addiction certainly seems a rational price to pay for a normal life. The lesser of two evils to be sure.
2006-11-08 12:22:25 · update #1
In your own words: "I would gladly be addicted to opiates for the rest of my life if it means I can be out of this pain." The doctors are right to protect you from yourself. Have you tried therapeudic massage, thermal water treatments, etc? I wish you luck. Living in pain is certainly very depressing. You have my sympathy.
2006-11-08 12:14:06 · answer #1 · answered by love2travel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, some doctors do discriminate, but not just because of age. They discriminate for a lot of reasons. They are human. But in this case, I think they might be right. You are too young to make the decision that you're fine with being addicted to opiates. That's kind of crazy. Don't give up on alternative treatments; you haven't tried them all.
2006-11-08 20:07:20 · answer #2 · answered by not2nite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you were closer to the end of your life, they might be more inclined to give you those drugs because you'd be less likely to suffer from some of the other side effects of the abuse... failing kidneys, liver failure, etc.
From this perspective, I would say that they do discriminate based on your age. But it really is for the benefit of your health in the long run. It's not something that you should take personally.
2006-11-08 20:07:14 · answer #3 · answered by Luann 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how long did you try chiropractic treatment for? people respond to treatment in different lengths of time... it could be 3 months before you *feel* much different... but it doesn't mean the condition of your spine isn't getting better.
i would strongly suggest trying chiropractic again.
2006-11-16 19:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by * 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋