2007-03-17 05:04:16 · 11 answers · asked by david l 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Because they are not very well educated when it comes to pain management and even less educated when it comes to addiction. Most doctors are frightened of addiction and so choose to remain "blissfully" ignorant of it.
The only difference between acute and chronic pain is the duration. Whether pain is acute or chronic does not change the intensity of the pain. People with back problems can be in as much pain as someone who is dying of cancer. Should that person have to suffer unnecessarily just because they won't be dying in the next 6 months according to calculations?
There are plenty of studies that show that less than 5% of people will become addicted to their pain medications. It all comes down to quality of life. It is relatively simple for a doctor to determine whether a person is an addict or not, and all they have to do is answer the following question:
Is the patient's functioning level improved by the usage of opiate medications?
If the answer is "yes," then the doctor should continue prescribing.
If they answer is "no," then the doctor should refer the patient to someone who specializes in treating addiction in chronic pain patients. Even if someone has a history of addiction, they should still have their pain managed appropriately or else they run the risk of a relapse.
2007-03-17 06:34:35 · answer #1 · answered by Frederieka F 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think all doctors fall in that category! It depends on the condition and the doctors interpretation of the patients credibility.
I have RSD which is very painful and take numerous medications in an attempt to control some of the pain. My doctor supports using the medications along with nerve blocks and other means! Chronic pain without breaking the pain cycle has devestating effects on other body organs and systems. I'm told it also compromises the immune system.
Doctors are well versed in separating fakes from the real deal! One of those ways is the 1-10 scale question! It was designed for that purpose! People think if they pick a number closer to 10 they get more sympathy but that tells the doctor exactly what he needed to know! A 10 is someone that is close if not already coma state!
2007-03-17 07:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my experience (I work with people with both chronic pain and/or addictions) I would say that not ALL dr's treat patients like this. If your doctor does, AND you do have a valid medical condition, then you should see someone else! On the other hand....I have seen many, many, MANY cases where people say they have chronic pain from whatever and they simply want the pain medications for their addiction. Pain meds can be VERY addicting! So even if you are taking them as prescribed you should be very careful. Since pain is relative to each person, it is hard for a dr. to measure it (unless there is clear medical proof) so they must take the patients word for it. The best way to manage chronic pain is to go to a pain management clinic you can trust where you can be monitored and then tapered off meds when necessary.
2007-03-17 05:17:01 · answer #3 · answered by LAB03 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Certainly not all do. But there are a number of reasons a person would be treated suspiciously or with caution by their doctor.
1) Narcotic pain meds carry a very real risk of addiction or dependency for a significant number of people who use them, no matter what the reason
2) Federal guidelines have made it very difficult for doctors to prescribe these medications. Even if they do believe you they might not be willing to put in the hours and hours of paperwork it will require to take you on as a chronic pain patient
2007-03-17 07:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by Dib 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have just been after 6 years granted my disability/ssa/ssi/ everything but I wont get everything until a month or so . I have been seeing a chronic pain management Dr for years(17) or longer even when we were in the Military now I am being told I have to find a new Dr that will treat me for all my problems and give me the Medications that I need and I don't take to much . The Dr that I am seeing has told me that he will no longer give me the pain meds I need and I have to find the Dr on my own . Where do I go to find a Dr in the Durango, cortez, moab, Grand Junction so on area please can someone help . One Dr told me just to go smoke weed it will help all my problems YEAH I DONT THINK SO
2014-11-18 10:44:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pain management clinics are the best bet. Doctor's have to really get a good history from the patient as well as tests to prove injuries. This is because there are many people who know how to fake chronic pain. Doctors have a license to protect and I know of several doctors in my city who have gone to JAIL for over prescribing hydrocodone, soma, morphine and other abused substances. One doctor actually gave a morphine patch to a heroin addict. Go figure. So with so much deception these days, legitimate doctors are very cautious when prescribing pain medication. When you go to a doctor, have your history with you, any Xrays or other verification of the cause of your pain and stick to the pain management clinics, they have many ways to help you work with your chronic pain.
2007-03-17 06:28:41 · answer #6 · answered by sashali 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I sure would like to know the answer to that question.I use to go to the doctors all the time in pain until I just got sick and tired of being treated so bad.The drs, in so many words was telling me I was lying, I am not in any pain.That I am just looking for drugs.They would make me feel so bad I would cry.I would go home feeling worse than when I got there. So either I would have to deal with the pain or become a drug addict.
2007-03-17 05:42:45 · answer #7 · answered by Leneki 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My husband is in chronic pain from a head injury He gets a narcotic pain med just not a whole heck of a lot of it What it depends upon is the patient's medical history & the doctor
2007-03-17 05:16:08 · answer #8 · answered by hobo 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think you answered your own question...but, if someone has chronic pain, doesn't it stand to reason that it won't be gotten rid of with an acute treatment? And pain medicine is that. If the goal is to control the pain, someone needs to go to a 'chronic pain specialist.' They are good at new therapys to 'control' the pain, not get rid of it. All you have to do is read the headlines about all the people ODing on Oxycontin and Oxycodone-those were once reserved for people dying of cancer, now people with 'chronic back pain' are getting scripts, nicely 'sharing' them with others. There's a difference between 'chronic' and 'acute' pain. One you can treat effectively in an acute situation, one you can't. A quick fix is not the answer---people think medicine is like Mcdonalds. no quick fixes for CHRONIC pain.
Harsh words, but true....
2007-03-17 05:43:07 · answer #9 · answered by nickname 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Go to your friends doctor or get a medical marijuana card.That should help!
2016-03-29 02:42:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋