Every doctor treating patients with chronic pain should read this

Posted by kdks99 @kdks99, Jan 20 6:34am

This article is an excellent description of what it's like to live with chronic pain and current research and potential treatments. I would welcome thoughts and comments.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/magazine/chronic-pain.html

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@loriskt

Very well stated! I was on a low dose of hydrocodone for years and it helped my chronic pain, but every doctor I saw during that time tried to get me to get off opioids. I finally gave in to try low dose naltrexone, which didn't work as well as hydrocodone. After 4 years of worsening pain, I sure wish I had stayed on the hydrocodone. I've felt the way you do about opioids. The people who need them for actual pain we live with every day are being denied relief because of those who abuse them, and doctors should be able to differentiate between those who need these drugs to live our lives and those who don't. I wasn't even on a dose that I could get addicted to. Makes me really angry!

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It is unfair. The war on drugs has, like you said, affected all of us who manage our pain with opioids. I have had cancer3 times, have scoliosis, moderate to severe back pain, been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I refuse back surgeries, because it appears to me that they leave scar tissue which leads to more pain. Just my opinion.

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@wvsue

It is unfair. The war on drugs has, like you said, affected all of us who manage our pain with opioids. I have had cancer3 times, have scoliosis, moderate to severe back pain, been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I refuse back surgeries, because it appears to me that they leave scar tissue which leads to more pain. Just my opinion.

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Of course, I think people in pain deserve access to any pain meds and treatment that help them cope with chronic pain. I did not post this because I think this will be a solution for everyone or even anyone. It's just information for those who are looking for new possible solutions to pain. Just an fYI. I apologize if this post read as a value judgement about opioid use for chronic pain. I am a chronic pain sufferer and believe me I only havre compassion for all who struggle with this.

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@kdks99

Of course, I think people in pain deserve access to any pain meds and treatment that help them cope with chronic pain. I did not post this because I think this will be a solution for everyone or even anyone. It's just information for those who are looking for new possible solutions to pain. Just an fYI. I apologize if this post read as a value judgement about opioid use for chronic pain. I am a chronic pain sufferer and believe me I only havre compassion for all who struggle with this.

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As do I. Thanks for your response.

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same here can't open without subscribing

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I hope that this new drug will be available at a decent cost sometime soon. For the meantime, Aleve and Tramadol (Which is doled out like pieces of gold at my hospital) are all that work for my chronic pain. I always "threaten" any of my doctors who suggest Tylenol (Not actually, obviously). I only wish we could sign a release up front that tells the medical profession that we are aware of opioid addiction so that we could actually get pain relievers when we need them.

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Would love to read the article. It appears it’s only available to NY Times subscribers. Can you give a brief synopsis of the article?

Thank you so much!
Laurie

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@happydales

Would love to read the article. It appears it’s only available to NY Times subscribers. Can you give a brief synopsis of the article?

Thank you so much!
Laurie

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