So, I used to do palliative medicine clinic consults. I had more than one patient who commented that an upside to getting incurable cancer was that they were finally allowed to have their pain treated. I was just reminded of this. Still makes me incandescently angry. - ThreadSky

skipbidder.bsky.social • 30 days ago

So, I used to do palliative medicine clinic consults.

I had more than one patient who commented that an upside to getting incurable cancer was that they were finally allowed to have their pain treated.

I was just reminded of this. Still makes me incandescently angry.

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sarracopia.bsky.social•29 days ago

My best friend had to go through 20 YEARS of suffering before finally getting a hysterectomy to help with debilitating endometriosis.

The number of docs I personally saw accuse her of drug seeking while watching her writhe in pain permanently killed any trust I ever had in the medical system.

marvmadethat.com•30 days ago

Aren't we great?

mylittletower.bsky.social•30 days ago

As someone who does MH therapy for clients with chronic pain, I concur. Not all who seek pain relief are addicts. I treat those too and they do wear on you sometimes, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat humans who endure horrible pain on a daily basis.

bobtheguardian.bsky.social•30 days ago

The swing from free bottles of oxy and benzos to begging for more than Tylenol and getting denied has been cruel and inhumane. And god forbid you want to use pot to help reduce your dependence. If you go to a pain clinic you get what they give and dare not ask more.

But the DEA hath spoken.

ppanchorage.bsky.social•29 days ago

Yes.

bocchithebun.bsky.social•30 days ago

I'm always low-key hoping for a terminal illness so I can opt out of treatment and just...let go of the constant struggle.

bitter-limelight.bsky.social•29 days ago

Watched my stoic, conceal don't feel sister break down sobbing on the ground with her sciatica because she couldn't stand any longer. No one wants to give her anything.

grumpyleigh.bsky.social•30 days ago

My husband has advanced PPMS, a C-spine injury, chronic pancreatitis and insufficiency, and a couple other things I don't think he would appreciate being mentioned. A dentist gave him 4 painkillers once and his PCP cut off his PRN painkiller. It sucks to watch him in pain all the damn time.

debmcalister.bsky.social•30 days ago

In Texas, doctors affiliated with state medical schools cannot prescribe opioids unless the patient meets certain criteria. I broke my pelvis & was told the break wasn’t bad enough for Vicodin. After open heart surgery, my granddaughter got 3 days of morphine, then Tylenol. It is cruel.

edlundereng.bsky.social•29 days ago

Were these patients who transitioned from oncology to palliative care, or patients who presented with metastatic cancer, and were finally allowed to be relieved of their chronic pain? I have certainly encountered both.

skipbidder.bsky.social•29 days ago

There were a few that came to mind that expressed this sentiment. Typically untreated or undertreated pain unrelated to newly diagnosed metastatic disease. (Palliative Medicine being distinct from Hospice here. Patients were referred for additional specialty care, retaining their other services.)…

skipbidder.bsky.social•29 days ago

…Usually chronic pain. Sometimes with demographic characteristics that correspond (in the US at least) with minimizing patient’s symptom reports or discrimination within healthcare system. I really had one specific patient at front of mind but I sadly had multiple with similar stories.

jewelwingaudio.bsky.social•29 days ago

antidramallama.bsky.social•30 days ago

It's cruel, and it drives us into desperation, which can absolutely lead to overdose-on-street-drugs outcomes. My daughter sleeps 16 hours a day and can barely move the other eight from pain. I'm not feeling much better and I am lucky enough to get three daily doses of tramadol.

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