Pain Management/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am not a doctor but I have spent the last 11 years in chronic pain from numerous lumbar back surgeries and L4/L5 fusion surgery. I can answer questions about most treatments, traditional and alternative therapies. I can answer questions about the many pain medicines used to treat chronic pain. I can also answer questions and give practical advice on all aspects of living with chronic pain. I am NOT a doctor and I have not had any formal medical training so I CANNOT GIVE YOU A DIAGNOSIS!

Experience in the area

I have spent the last 12 years in chronic pain due to a lower back injury. I have had just about every treatment, therapy and alternative treatment, including massage therapy, acupuncture and rekki. I have been to more pain specialists than I can remember and I have been put on almost every pain medicine available.

Organizations

I have been involved with the American pain foundation for about 7 years. I am also an active participant on several chronic pain message boards. I am a member of several local chronic pain support groups. I also volunteer at a local organization that helps people that are disabled and in chronic pain find the information, resources and support needed to cope with living with disability and chronic pain.

Education/Credentials

I have not had any formal medical education but I have done extensive research on available treatments and therapies. I have also done extensive research on the different pain medicines used in the treatment of pain.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Pseudoaddiction is "drug seeking" like behavior exhibited by people with under-treated pain. The big difference is these people are seeking relief from pain instead of drugs to get high. Almost 85% of people in chronic pain has admitted to doing something dishonest at least once to get pain medicine before they were routinely getting adequate pain control.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Almost the whole issue of controlling chronic pain is controversial. The majority of the medical community is either afraid to effectively treat chronic pain or would rather allow people in pain to suffer rather than take the chance that even 1 abuser/addict will get a prescription for pain medicine. Don't even get me started on pain and the government, DEA, law enforcement and court system.