Dr. Kertesz addresses the doctors who believe no one should be started on #opioids in this tweet. I'd like to chime in as well.
I believe it should be a carefully thought out decision between doctor & patient. I'm a patient that benefits from #LongTermOpioidTherapy. A few notes:
I believe it should be a carefully thought out decision between doctor & patient. I'm a patient that benefits from #LongTermOpioidTherapy. A few notes:
I finally got a diagnosis that isn't half-assed. I have #EhlersDanlosSyndrome, among other things. It's extremely painful. It started to set in during college. I should have know that wearing a backpack shouldn't have been excruciating. It was. I didn't go on an #opioid regimen
for years, however.
I finally tried #opioids long-term around the age of 28. I was working as a freelance photographer. Hauling equipment around became so painful, I hit a WALL around the age of 30. I had to slow down, whether I liked it or not. I got married, & after that, my
I finally tried #opioids long-term around the age of 28. I was working as a freelance photographer. Hauling equipment around became so painful, I hit a WALL around the age of 30. I had to slow down, whether I liked it or not. I got married, & after that, my
medication was stopped. It was believed I would get preganant, have a baby, & my pain problems would evaporate. (NO, I'M NOT KIDDING)
They didn't, & I lost pregnancies. Motherhood was not to be. During that time, I was #opioidfree. No, I never turned to illicit drugs. Not once.
They didn't, & I lost pregnancies. Motherhood was not to be. During that time, I was #opioidfree. No, I never turned to illicit drugs. Not once.
Flash forward 3 years: with informed consent & careful consideration, I was put on nucynta. I took that for 2 years, then had bad side effects. My life improved with the pain relief, so I was switched to a different #opioid. It has been a constant struggle the whole time. I've
been REPEATEDLY labeled, ignored, & told I was just interested in the pills. Well, after my doctor was recently forced into retirement, I went to a specialist in CA in the infancy of a #pandemic, because I WANT TO GET BETTER. I was properly diagnosed. Then I was told that I had
to start using wheelchairs at airports. *sighs* That SUCKS, but it beats the hell out of having to stop every few gates to rest when walking to meet my plane. This is a summation of my story. I WON'T accept the labels that everyone is so eager to slap on me anymore.
That's over.
That's over.
I'm grateful I'm able to travel to go to a brilliant doctor who found out WHY I hurt. But I had to travel across the country to ensure my care wouldn't be interrupted. That's messed up, America. Some disabled folks NEED pain control. Dr. Kertez is pointing that out. Let's fix it.
Lastly, every uber driver that shuttled me across the expanse that is LA noted that I was so ^cheerful & kind^. Yes. I am. When they found out why I was there, they were shocked I was so upbeat. Being in constant pain & being disbelived taught me a lot. Maybe that will help me
share how hard this can be for a #disabled patient in America.
It's pretty punishing.🥺
Please. Treat the patient before you as you would want to be treated. Simple.
Thank you for reading my long thread. Remember, there are MILLIONS like me out there, & many can't travel!
🙏
It's pretty punishing.🥺
Please. Treat the patient before you as you would want to be treated. Simple.
Thank you for reading my long thread. Remember, there are MILLIONS like me out there, & many can't travel!
🙏
