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Report: Chronic Pain Misunderstood
Institute Of Medicine Says Pain Underdiagnosed, Undertreated
By Madison Park CNN

Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Updated: 3:25 pm CDT June 29, 2011

(CNN) -- Chronic pain -- no matter where it strikes -- is a problem not many of us really understand. It can sometimes be dismissed and not effectively managed by health care professionals. Pain is widespread, but underdiagnosed and undertreated, according to a report released Wednesday by the Institute of Medicine. The independent, nonprofit organization that gives advice to decision makers and the public focused on pain as a public health issue.

Its committee on advancing pain research, care and education found that much of people's pain is preventable and could be better managed. "Their suffering is not something they should be blamed for or something they've made up," said Philip Pizzo, chair of the committee, about people who are in pain. "In the absence of knowledge, there's an attribution of blame. Education needs to play a role in that." The committee reported that pain management training is lacking and that more programs for specialist in advanced pain care are needed.

It also asked for better data on populations at risk, characteristics of acute and chronic pain, consequences of pain and other trends. Treatment doesn't always have to be drugs -- as surgery, behavioral interventions, psychological counseling, rehab and physical therapy are also options.

From the report, here are some pain facts:

- $560 to 635 billion -- the amount spent each year in the United States in medical treatment and lost productivity

- 116 million -- the number of American adults who experience pain

- 5 medical schools -- out of 133 medical schools in America, only five have required courses on pain

- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and opioids are the most common agents for relieving pain

- 60 percent-- percentage of women experiencing their first childbirth who rate pain as severe

- 26 percent--percentage of Americans who report low back pain lasting at least a day in the last 3 months

- 2.1 million-- number of annual visits to U.S. emergency departments for acute headache (of 115 million total annual visits)

Copyright CNN 2011

AMEN!!!! Thanks for posting that, Jenny!!!!

Chronic pain has been my constant companion since late '06. It's hell on earth, and a person would have to truly have it, to understand it. Before I was stricken, I never knew that there were people out there who were suffering from chronic pain. The real kick in the ass is that we're treated like second-class citizens. Doctors don't want to prescribe pain medication or they won't prescribe enough to fully alleviate their pain, leaving the patient undertreated.

Something's got to give. It's estimated that there are 50 to 70 million who live with chronic pain, every day of their lives; with 10 million at a suicidal level. Laws need to change that put a stop to treating innocent people in pain like druggies. Drug dealers and their element have ruined it for the people who have a legitimate need for pain medicine. It's not the chronic pain patient's fault that what they need is also sold on the street.

It's the so-called, War on Drugs. They can't nab the real crooks and the drug cartels, so they go after doctors. Drug dealers don't keep records. As a result, doctors are petrified of getting locked up themselves if one of their patients sells their meds. There are bad apples in every profession. Bad doctors, bad patients. Still, people shouldn't have to suffer needlessly. It's not fair. People kill themselves over this.
Rant over. :soapbox:

Chronic pain has been my constant companion since late '06. It's hell on earth, and a person would have to truly have it, to understand it. Before I was stricken, I never knew that there were people out there who were suffering from chronic pain. The real kick in the ass is that we're treated like second-class citizens. Doctors don't want to prescribe pain medication or they won't prescribe enough to fully alleviate their pain, leaving the patient undertreated.

Something's got to give. It's estimated that there are 50 to 70 million who live with chronic pain, every day of their lives; with 10 million at a suicidal level. Laws need to change that put a stop to treating innocent people in pain like druggies. Drug dealers and their element have ruined it for the people who have a legitimate need for pain medicine. It's not the chronic pain patient's fault that what they need is also sold on the street.

It's the so-called, War on Drugs. They can't nab the real crooks and the drug cartels, so they go after doctors. Drug dealers don't keep records. As a result, doctors are petrified of getting locked up themselves if one of their patients sells their meds. There are bad apples in every profession. Bad doctors, bad patients. Still, people shouldn't have to suffer needlessly. It's not fair. People kill themselves over this.
Rant over. :soapbox:
I am so sorry for what you are going through Janice. I've had back pain for the last week and it's just starting to feel better. I can't even imagine the pain that you go through on a daily basis. Nobody should be made to feel like they're a criminal when all they want is something to ease the pain. :(

I am so sorry for what you are going through Janice. Nobody should be made to feel like they're a criminal when all they want is something to ease the pain. :(

:yeahthat

I am so sorry for what you are going through Janice. I've had back pain for the last week and it's just starting to feel better. I can't even imagine the pain that you go through on a daily basis. Nobody should be made to feel like they're a criminal when all they want is something to ease the pain. :(

Make that a DOUBLE AMEN!!!!!!

Chronic pain has been my constant companion since late '06. It's hell on earth, and a person would have to truly have it, to understand it. Before I was stricken, I never knew that there were people out there who were suffering from chronic pain. The real kick in the ass is that we're treated like second-class citizens. Doctors don't want to prescribe pain medication or they won't prescribe enough to fully alleviate their pain, leaving the patient undertreated.

Something's got to give. It's estimated that there are 50 to 70 million who live with chronic pain, every day of their lives; with 10 million at a suicidal level. Laws need to change that put a stop to treating innocent people in pain like druggies. Drug dealers and their element have ruined it for the people who have a legitimate need for pain medicine. It's not the chronic pain patient's fault that what they need is also sold on the street.

It's the so-called War on Drugs. They can't nab the real crooks and the drug cartels, so they go after doctors. Drug dealers don't keep records. As a result, doctors are petrified of getting locked up themselves if one of their patients sells their meds. There are bad apples in every profession. Bad doctors, bad patients. Still, people shouldn't have to suffer needlessly. It's not fair. People kill themselves over this.
Rant over. :soapbox:

At least you have now gotten some help for your
chronic pain. Too bad you had to go on disability
relief.

:yeahthat yes, Janice, and thankfully you're living in a state with good medical care.

At least you have now gotten some help for your
chronic pain. Too bad you had to go on disability
relief.
Not too bad at all. I feel fortunate that my case was approved. I can't work in any case, so I'd rather be out of work with a monthly check and benefits.

i think the drug companies need to take a large portion of the blame for the problem as well - they won't push a drug that isn't profitable enough for them, unless they jack the prices up to ridiculous levels.

i had a lower back injury many years ago and occasionally have pain flareups and back spasms which can be unbearable.

they do not market plain methocarbamol in the US; it has to be mixed with aspirin or ibuprofen (or other similar) - and then they claim that it is addictive (which it is not) so a prescription must be required, and then they sell it for $14 a bottle of 50 pills, any other country in the world you can buy it as generic "back pills" for the same price as aspirin and it relieves the back spasms in minutes - no more pain whatsoever.