Covid #LongHaulers please take note.
Those in the #MEcfs community has been down the Post Viral Sydrome road for decades now.
The CDC is fully aware of our plight, but has done little in the way of research or help. #ThisNeedsToChange
Thread...
2-It begins, usually, with an infection.
For the majority of #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis pts it was the Epstein Barr Virus. But there are other infections that lead to #MEcfs as well. In almost every case the person knows that from that point, they were never the same again.
3-For some the progression is slow, fits & starts of decline.
Many continue with some sense of 'normalcy' in life for years. For others the onset of their post viral syndrome happens immediately and functional decline deterioration of all body systems is rapid. #LongCovid#MEcfs
4-Many will first notice issues with digestion, metabolism, profound fatigue with minimal exertion.
What #MEcfs patients know all too well is the standard prescription of being told to 'exercise' your way back to health does only more harm.
5-Arrythmia and drops in blood pressure when going from sitting to standing, (#POTS), is another issue that often surfaces, along with cognitive issues referred to as 'brain fog' by those in the #ChronicIllness community.
6-There are so many other debilitating symptoms that arise.
When seeking help, you're usually told that your labs look pretty good.
The unspoken insinuation that the MD feels your symptoms are likely all in your head.
Many are referred to a psychologist at this point. #LongCovid
7-The only saving grace is that w/#Covid19 & #LongCovid we have a more direct and obvious connection to the reality of Post Viral Syndrome. We'll also likely have a lot of medical professionals that contract it. Which may lead to funding for research and hopefully, treatment.
8-In closing, as one who has had #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis for 38 yrs, first I encourage all those with #LongCovid to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
While remaining as functional as possible is vital, learn when to stop. doon't 'push' too hard when your body is it's at it's limit.
9-Second-We in the #MEcfs community KNOW what you're experiencing is all too REAL.
It's important to stand up for yourself when confronted by those who will insist you're 'fine' or tell you your lived experience is 'all in your head'. #LongCovid
10-Third-That being said, it is NORMAL to feel frustrated, depressed, angry, and even sad faced with the loss of who you once were.
There is no shame in any of it, and no shame in expressing those feelings or asking for help.
The #MEcfs community's here, to offer support.💕
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Kolodny laid out a detailed plan in how to reduce opioid Rxing in a meeting in NY, before guideline was even published.
@jmkillingnyc has so much information on how insidious this anti-opioid agenda was from inception in early/mid 2000s and even earlier I believe.
#PainCareCrisis
2-In order to fight back against draconian prescribing protocols, we need to understand how we got here & what's preventing change.
Changes in Standard of Care requires MDs to stay withing the bounds of restrictions.
Law enforcement in medicine has created a chilling effect.
3-With changes re: opioid Standard of Care, if MDs stray, Medical Boards can target them, DEA can charge them, jailing at worse, destroying their reputation and financial standing at the very least. Pts claiming harm by opioids have increased ability to sue for malpractice.
Thread...1-Prescribing practices should never have gotten to the point where some of the most vulnerable people in our society-the sick/injured/elderly-are left in agony, driven to the point of desperation with little to no hope in sight of things changing.
#PainCareCrisis
2-People with serious illnesses and injuries have been being told every year for over a decade to 'hold on', that change is coming. I know from having boots on the ground in the chronic illness community that for most, things have only gotten worse.
#PainCareCrisis
3-Right after CDC/PROP's unrolling of the 'opioid guideline', I and others watched medical professionals convene boards to change the Standard of Care in managing pain in EVERY aspect of medical care, with an anti-opioid, 'dangerous drug', directive driving those changes.
1-What I've noticed over 14 years of advocating for people in pain is when you make it clear you're not anti-opioid, MDs, legislators, media, and GOV officials become rude then dismiss you. If you still don't go away, they'll then attack your character/ignore you.
#PainCareCrisis
2-Even when presenting facts-like the extremely low incidence of 'addiction by prescription'.
Or if we explain the safety/efficacy of opiate medicines when taken as prescribed, or the real dangers of leaving someone without effective pain control, including death- we are ignored.
3-More often than not, a pain patient advocating for themselves is automatically judged as ignorant and having no credibility. We are usually labeled as people 'just wanting THOSE drugs', called junkies or pharma shills, or bots.
Thread-There's probably more to unpack here than X or my current flare will allow me to elaborate on.
From deflection to gaslighting and than on to dismissal of anything we #chronicpatients or even professionals say.
#ChronicPain #PainCareCrisis @DEAHQ federalregister.gov/documents/2024…
2-Section 306 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. 826) requires the Attorney General to establish aggregate production quotas for each basic class of controlled substance in schedule I and II...
Maybe next letter writing campaign to the U.S. A.G?
#PainCareCrisis
3-DEA received 4,699 comments from people with chronic pain, patients (ADHD), pain advocacy associations, U.S. professional associations, U.S. nurses, and far more.
1-The most idiotic & insulting things those with #ChronicPain face is the implication or direct accusation that we 'just want opiates'.
The truth is, we ARE 'seeking' the meds from MDs we require for pain relief but usually ONLY AFTER trying almost everything else already.
2-When one is ill or injured they usually try the old standby's first vs before going to a doctor.
Ice, heat, OTC meds like Ibuprophen or Tylenol-Even both. Some try herbal supplements, massage, gentle exercise, diet, even acupuncture before seeking help from an MD.
#ChronicPain
3-Those w/#chronicillness have usually done their research & avoid medical offices/ER like the plague if at all possible.
From cost to gaslighting, we'd rather deal with our issues at home. But facts are, we require MDs help as THEY are the only ones who can RX meds we need.
1-Objective: SAVE LIVES.
Recently I said a #SafeSupply is the pinnacle of saving lives but I realized it's not; it's the FOUNDATION, upon which we build policies to actually save lives.
I'm going to refer to this moving forward as the GOLD STANDARD in reducing #DeathsOfDespair.
2-Drugs would be legalized. A safe, known potency supply of substances created by existing drug manufacturers. It would include supply for RX'd medicines as well as for OTC public, adult, sales and consumption. Similar to how alcohol is sold & consumed now. #SafeSupply
3-The BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS being funneled into the #DrugWar and the 'opioid crisis' would be put into improving efficacy and access to AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, including mental and dental health, while bridging gaps in regard to other #socialdeterminants of health.