That statement right there gives us a clue about this "doctor" and his own complicity in the problem at hand. "Chronic Pain" is as over diagnosed (as he means it) as ADHD! I won't deny that many (and maybe even 10%+ as he claims) deal with SOME kind of pain on a regular basis. Foot- I have nagging, recurring pains from an ATV accident over a decade ago. Sometimes it causes me significant grief - I don't take squat for it - because it will eventually pass (as pain in many cases will if you don't rush to medicate every tiny ache and pain). Today's average pain tolerance for the general population is startlingly low compared to a few generations back (before everyone got high-power opioid pain meds basically "on-demand" for every week and discomfort) We are a society that demands quick/immediate fixes for everything. Hungry? Fast food. Don't like something you bought - immediate refund (even if you used the crap out of it and damaged it yourself). We demand every TV program or movie "on-demand" (right now, no matter what). We get to feeling a bit sick - we want a pill to immediately fix it (which for decades saw parents rushing children to their Dr. to get antibiotics for every sore throat, every sneeze, every wheeze, etc.- resulting in resistant bacteria). And of course - we have little pain - we demand it be fixed NOW.
Now - before any of the "you don't understand" nazis start blasting me... I would never deny that there are cases where - from injury, disease, etc. where damage is done that causes genuine, lifelong - even debilitating pain. It is a fact. Many of us know people personally in that situation. What I AM saying - is that we have fed the problem and literally "created" a "chronic pain" mentality. And I fully believe the pharmaceutical industry has intentionally fed into that with an ugly corruption of the "capitalism" concept I've ever seen. Don't believe me?
Lets see - as the medical field continues to try to meet the demands for quick-fix/immediate gratification - Big Pharma see an opportunity. Pain. They might not have a quick "cure" for various ailments - but pain - they know about pain. Research has gone on for a long time on pain and pain reduction. So - here's this family of chemical compounds - long used around the world for pain (and more nefarious purposes). It's illegal in most of the world - though the original form comes from natural sources (poppies). Yes - that "other" drug, used to "self-medicate" folks with heart (emotional) trouble - it does numb pain effectively. The FDA will never allow us to market it. BUT - if we can produce a similar chemical compound - we can sell the fire out of it! What? Is it addictive? OF COURSE NOT! (uh... every other opiate and opioid compound every developed tends to be easily addictive...).
BINGO! You have a recipe for mega profits - and since a high percentage of those taking it will form some degree of dependance/addiction - you have a long-term income established, and government officials will back you up with their approvals!
In your specific case, GailA - I cannot speak to what brought your chronic pain. If every other option has been exercised to "fix" what has brought said pain - and you are left with nothing more that "pain management" - I understand and know some in the same boat (a sister-in-law with spinal damage from botched surgery that introduced a dangerous bacteria into her spinal column - there is no cure). The REAL research needs to be in how to manage/control pain WITHOUT addictive pain meds.
Sadly, your case and your explosive response post is part of the issue - you get extremely defensive (nearly paranoid) and angry with even those who want to help via less or non-addictive avenues. The fact that you (we? who else) seem to act responsible with your pain medications does not reflect the larger issue - the stealing and selling of opioid meds is a massive problem. There are many who have no diagnosed "chronic pain" that are flat out as much "junkies" as any heroin, crack, or meth addicts. In fact - law enforcement is seeing IN ADDITION to the crime directly connected to meth - that opioid seeking is beginning to compete for the statistical lead in criminal acts.
Is it fair to be lumped together with genuine drug-fiend abusers when you have a verifiable condition that requires pain management? Nope That is why there is a difference between the proper use of medications and drug abuse.
I had chronic back pain (approximately “sciatica”) for about a decade, at a level that would hit a “7” every day. Bulging disc, arthritis, bone spurs, etc. all in one back joint.
Then I discovered core strengthening. I do 25 inclined sit ups, the reverse for my back, twists, sides, etc. every day. That with good stretching, and I haven’t been above a “3” for months, and most days are completely pain free.
Very, very well stated (#27).