" I hate the stigma attached to needing painkillers, especially when the condescension is coming from those who have never experienced the kind of pain that the person in front of them is in. It frustrates me to no end that I have to visit the doctor every few weeks for prescriptions because they have tight laws regarding painkillers. These laws were made to prevent people abusing them, however this can cause much more extra stress for those who truly need them! I think that, in general, society needs to stop being so judgmental. Suffering chronic pain might make us need medication some or all of the time, but that doesn't make us the same as a thrill seeking street user!!"
- STIGMA
- CONDESCENSION
- FRUSTRATION
- TIGHTENING LAWS/DEA
- ABUSE VS. COMPLIANCE
- STRESS
- JUDGMENT by
- SOCIETY
- SUFFERING PATIENT
Take a look at these key words from Caf's comment. Are these comforting words? Do you see anything resembling calm, peace, understanding, or any type of positive 'world of words' that anyone would like to live in?
The entire discussion regarding medications for daily pain goes on and on, off in many directions, and brings anger, judgment, and sometimes understanding. This subject brings emotions out of people- (Oh boy, does it!) some become outright mean and feel as if they have the right to put us down.
The RIGHT? Well of course! This is still America, isn't it? Free Speech and all that? C'mon, we all know there is a subdivision within that right to speak out that really doesn't need to enter the,"I am right, because I believe this, therefore, if you don't agree with me, you are wrong."
Reminds me of religion. Man-made and flourishing, underneath is the sad fact that, "If you're not with me, you are against me, and what I believe." With all the abilities we have now to write anything, (well almost anything) online, and our words are seen by so many people, it is a responsibility of the writer to allow discussion, comments, and whether or not we agree with them, those words need to be put out there for everyone to see. A dialogue is the only way that the old-way of thinking can be worked through.
Everyone has an opinion. A strong belief in something. Yet do we really need to berate others personal choices? Such as the GLBT community has been fighting for years, chronic pain patients have been fighting too. We want others to just accept us. No matter who you are, that is one of the most basic of human emotional needs. To be accepted for who we are. What we choose to do with out bodies, is our business. I am an openly bisexual woman, I have been out since 17. I accepted it about myself then, I do now, and never found a reason to hide who I am. And it was the 70's. Nuff said, eh?
No matter what is said about needing to have Pharmaceutical intervention as one of the ways to help a patient, in pain, every day, I know what works and doesn't work for me. I don't care anymore what anyone says regarding that issue. It is MY life, MY business, and if you would like to sit down and talk with me about your personal feelings about medications; please do so!
A relative of mine found it necessary to berate me for certain things in my life. To this day, I do not understand why that person thought they even knew me now, enough to write negative things. I was taught by my mom that if you don't have anything good to say about someone, don't say anything. Keep the heavy opinions to yourself. ( Miss you so much mom!) That person would have not used those accusatory words to me if my mom was still here.
Words can hurt. A lot. Do negative, accusing, 'you don't live like me, do like me, think like me,' words give positive feelings to the recipient? Never. They lead us to wonder why those words were so necessary for us to know. Why? I have so much on my plate in life, and have for years just trying to get through each day in pain; I have the type of heart that knows only words of encouragement are useful to anyone. Letters from 'unknown' senders falling in that same category. Why do people find it necessary to tear up another? I am mature enough and I like myself enough to not let that bother me any longer. Let those that have NO IDEA what my life consists of, or who don't care to even KNOW me, have their 'perfect lives' seem even more perfect (to themselves) by putting another person down. Go for it! Anything more? I'm ready. Give it to me. I'm just trying to live a life that allows me to get through the day without crying from pain, exhaustion, spasms, and many nights that see no sleep. I am the perfect person to write crappy words to of judgment. Yep, exactly what I look forward to in a letter. Really ups the mood.
Now, I look at the words that Caf wrote above, and realize the Chronic pain patient already goes through enough with societal judgment.
Let's not hurt those we know with words.
Let's not hurt anyone, period!
I am a dreamer, aren't I.....
