Unfortunately many Americans do not realize (with their instant-gratification minds) that their is virtue in suffering.
Don't confuse self-flagellation, in which there is no virtue, with remaining faithful in the midst of suffering. If relief is readily available, it is hardly virtuous to forego it just so you can suffer.
Do you live with rheumatoid arthritis? I know people who do, and without the medication they'd live in crippling pain that would have them wheelchair-bound in a matter of a few years. These meds allow them to live relatively productive lives (not pain-free, but productive).
Where I come from, choosing crippling pain and joint problems when a remedy is readily-available isn't virtuous, but rather incredibly stupid.
also in starving i suppose, but i need my hands to work until i finish college. without vioxx or the like, i cant open my hands for an hour after i wake up and they finally stop hurting around 3 in the afternoon at which time they are too weak to pick up anything heavy and lack much dexterity, i am not looking for a "quick fix" if i was i would just take the narcotics my doc has given me for those really bad days. i just want a normal resemblance of life.