Combating the Chronic 'Reign of Pain'

I agree totally with Mr Feldman. I have had pain for twenty years. I disagree with the article that says not to use pain meds as they are addictive. Wrong. If you have true chronic pain you are dependent on your meds, but you are not necessarily addicted. In fact, if you don't use your pain medicine, because of scare tactics and thoughtless people who pop off without understanding the new thinking, you will suffer needlessly. The stress of unmanaged chronic pain can be harmfull to your whole body.Just work with a good pain Dr and take your meds as prescribed. I agree with the rest of the article.

Pain is the Rodney Dangerfield of afflictions - we get no respect. Often someone looks at us, sees nothing they can identify as painful ao presume it is 'all in our head'./ At least unlike them we do not have rocks in our head. In my own case I have severe psoriasis, painful and uncomfortable enough, plus psoriatic artritis (swelling type similar in effect though different cause as rheumatopid arthritis as well as gout so bad I often cannot put any weight on my feet or even lift them without agony. Also due to eye issues I get serious eyestrain headaches. Needless to say my chronic pain issues have had me diagnosed with severe clinical depression. So many just say 'suck it up'. My usual thought in response involves their sucking up a running lawnmower up their nose. It is also very depressing to not be able to do the things ypu used to be able to do or to go out and see others doing what you wish yu could do. People's insensitivity also is annoying... like when someone is sitting in the seats reserved for wheelchairs (those of us in wheelchairs cannot use any other seats) and ask like you are srealing their idney when they have to get their butt up and move to another seat. Or the geniuses who use the area for the wheelchair ramp up to the sidewalk as the cart collection spot so that you need to move all the carts out of the way. Or the prince or princess who parks their car such that it is impossible now to use the ramp. Their parents must be proud at what a kind and considerate person their kid grew up to be. The list is endless .... but society needs tio realize those dealing with severe chronic pain suffer enough without getting more crap added on. Next time you see someone in pain and maybe in a funk about it do something nice, hold open a door, show some compassion... sooner or later it mighr be your turn. Ah well...