Robert Judge’s chronic pain overshadowed every aspect of his life.
His pain was constant and overwhelming. It ruled over his social life, physical activity and mental health. After having multiple operations, including lower back and kidney removal surgeries, this 65-year-old Veteran from Illinois knew he needed to get his pain under control.
Judge began participating in VA’s TelePain Management program to help him start addressing his pain. TelePain Management connects Veterans to virtual pain management care which includes occupational therapy and mental health care. Judge said the program Completely turned his life around.
“Within six weeks of going into this program, I became my old self. I get up in the morning and I’m cheerful. Before, I was very short with people because I was always in some sort of pain. Now, I have the tools and abilities to manage my pain and my life,” he shared.
Virtual pain management care
The virtual aspect of the TelePain Management program enabled Judge to receive care that he otherwise would have had to travel long distances for. Judge lives nearly 300 miles from the closest VA in Chicago. To attend in-person appointments he needed to spend multiple hours on the road and often stay in the city overnight.
TelePain Management enabled him to connect with his VA care team from home and his local Clinical Resource Hub.
“I can communicate with my doctors and I can communicate more openly and freely. TelePain has been probably one of the best services I’ve ever been involved with because somebody listened to my story when I told them what was going on,” he said.
Becoming his old self
Judge’s success with TelePain Management empowered him to pick up old hobbies and exercise more. He has gained more energy and flexibility because of the care he received and the pain management skills he developed. He has also lost more than 60 pounds.
Judge also struggled with his mental health as his chronic pain led to him experiencing depression. “Until you get that pain under control or remove as much of it as possible, you don’t understand how far deep you’ve gone down into that dark rabbit hole of pain. And you don’t know how far you’re down there because it just consumes you,” he said.
TelePain Management enabled him to reduce his pain so he could focus on his mental health. Judge says he is now more social and happier in his everyday life.
Now Judge encourages other Veterans to use TelePain Management and other VA virtual services. Whether he’s at a VA facility or even around his town, he lets others in pain know about his experience. “When I meet somebody like myself who’s struggling and I know they’re a Veteran, I always tell them, ‘Hey if you have pain or need pain management, there’s this VA program.’”
To learn more about VA’s TelePain Management program, talk to your VA care team. For more information on telehealth resources, visit the VA Telehealth Services page.
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I do not believe this story. I know what daily 24 hour pain feels like for the last 29 years. It has increased steadily as my ability to tolerate it has had to increase. I know at 28 I suffered a tri-malleolar fracture of the right ankle causing a 90 degree twist and eversion of same. In order to stand and get help I had to reset the eversion which I did and this caused further medial fracturing, I was able to stand after ten to fifteen minutes of excruciating pain and hobble to help. I have peripheral neuropathy in all for extremities stocking on legs and glove on hands, worse on left side, it is continual burning and sharp stabbing occurs frequently. I am losing my ability to walk and VA is still not satisfied it is dioxin related even with EMG studies that confirm.
I apply for cloth benefits , because i use cream and more products to fill good for my always pain. I din’t receive reseive amy answer from VA..
My experience with the VA’s TelePain Management program was not stellar. The panel sitting in their offices/homes told me how bad I hurt and that I was not feeling what I have lived with for 30 plus years. Then proceeded to offer appointment for alternative treatments, I set them up, and then the clinics cancelled the appointments 2 days beforehand. Then said , we will just move you to next week… or next month.
I still have a job, I already submitted time off for the first appointment a month ago… I can not reverse it, change it, and expect to have a job when it’s over. This has happened 3 times.
Pain Management Programs are a bunch of BS for some like me! Went through it they DO NOT Listen! After 6 years in Tulsa final got a VA Doc that would listen some. 7 years ago I had Great VA care/Doc in Iowa. I’m glad it worked for this guy. I have such a high pain tolerance it worries me. I also have a very high med tolerance. Example went 3 years with a collar bone in two pieces before a out sourced Doc figured it out. I have many reasons for not liking the VA here beyond myself.
I was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in 1976 with disability of 20% from the VA. At present I’m at 50%. While in the Corps I had 3 unsuccessful painful surgeries. After the 3rd and last surgery, it was recommended that I be given a 4th surgery for an anal fistula. However I could not bear the thought of another surgery. In the medical board report dated November 5,1975 stated the following; Further surgery might similarly be unsuccessful as in previous surgeries. To this date at 75 years old I am still in a painful smelly discharge condition daily. Can I be reexamined to increase my disability?
Propaganda! Vas like Colorado will lie and deny you your benefits! This is NOT A SERVICE OR EVEN AN OPTION AT MOST VAs!
Stop MURDERING VETERANS WITH DALSE PROMISES AND NO FOLLOW THROGH!!
It is glad to hear that the program has helped you Devil Dog I know it is hard to keep us Jarheads down but when you are in back pain it is a whole different world I have mine pretty much in check but there is always going to be some pain but you learn to live with it and believe me it is easier said than done There are days that nothing helps but you relax and it helps It is amazing what your mind will do for you I hope you will handle your pain for good Hang in there Brother Semper Fi
I posted 3 replies to different comments. Where did they go? I didn’t break any rules. Please explain. I also posted my own comment on this subject. Is their song sort of censorship going on here?
[Editor: All comments go into moderation. We don’t have overnight employees.]
I would like to know where the VA COMES UP WITH THEIR CRAZY PAIN BULLSH-T. They will spend millions to create some crazy new program where they can give 300 college students jobs to take care of PAIN MANAGEMENT for real ? veterans with disabilities cause d by pain !?!?! Kinda like taking 20 BLIND PILOTS AND STARTING A FLIGHT ✈️ SCHOOL FOR VETERANS WITH PAIN. I have seen the craziest that can be made up put together by a bunch of VA EMPLOYEES THAT DO WORK AND WILL NEVER WORK. THERES ALWAYS TO MANY CHIEFS AND NOT ENOUGH INDIANS THE WAY THEY SET THINGS UP. BUT IT DOES GET ALL A GOOD SALARY JOB FOR YEARS & beyond.
For those trying to manage the pain and the ripple effects of it that can become demoralizing…. investigate Jon Kabot Zin and the MBSR program. That is an avenue to a life worth living, in spite of pain. Perhaps the article did not mention opioids because that was not the main or only intervention. And, I believe his condition is serious and painful as evidenced by the extent of the surgical procedures.
Sounds great..whats the reality??? Let me tell you..i had a telehealh. Seassion..I was told my meds would extended till i got my shots and everything would be done in 2 weeks…that was aweek ago..so far..no meds..i hot a call todsy my telehealth appt would be in august..and my appy for my shots would be in september…I called patient advocate..they could return my call in afrw weeks!!! Great system!!! This is not the kind of seevice vetersns deserve…and syre as hell not what we were told when we signed up!!!…….. a 100% disabled 100%?pissed off veteran !!
But what if you are not a Veteran?
I do understand this vets issues.
I too suffer Chronic Intractable Pain. But I have had a Very Compassionate Dr for te last 20+years. He prescribed me the appropriate Opioid pain medications and dosage that has made my life bearable. I’m not depressed. I live alone with my rescue dog Cookie. My caregiver, daughter, comes by daily to check on me and do the things she does. But Cookie and I have fun doing what a man and his dad do. Turned 67 yo today and as Long as I have my medications, I am fine.
My great Dr retired today. And now I am very fearful that whomever the VA sets up to be my new PCP will try to discontinue my medications. Considering the Phony Opioid Crisis that consumes our country. The ONLY opioids that are killing people are the Illicit drugs being smuggled into our country. Opioids, when used properly, have given safe pain control for thousands and thousands of years. I just Pray my new Dr understands that they have made my life, liveable. I have done everything the VA asks. Including UDS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I have shown No red flags for abuse. Not asked for early fills or raise in dosage. IF my new Dr cares anything about me, she will leave my treatment at the same level it had been for over 20 years. If not, I guess I will become just another statistic.
But, whether you get pain management I person or via telemed, All treatments should be available to Everyone. NOTHING should be off the table. Every human reacts to different medications differently. We all metabolize medications at different levels. So do t just automatically remove Opioid pain medications because a few Anti Opioid zealots have been running around since 2016 trying to vilify them. And they have No Real clinical evidence that show these medications to be any more harmful than any other treatment. Non treatment or undertreatment of pain is the Worst treatment their is. Unless you have ever lived with Chronic unbearable pain, 24/7, you really dont understand how it consumes your entire being. PROPER treatment is a Wonderful thing, that is provided by Wonderful physicians. Like Dr. Moti. I wish him well in his retirement and Thank Him from the bottom of my heart for the compassion and wisdom he has shown me for the last 20+ years. Bless you Sir in your future endeavors.
This is “spot on.” Opioids have been demonized to the point that most docs won’t prescribe them. The VA even fired a doc for prescribing too many. I am like you and have found nothing that works since my old doc retired. The opioids became “the devil” per Congress, the DEA, and the media. Now every day is a struggle with pain. Thank you for telling it like it is.
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Is there a problem with saying his pain was treated with opioids, or is that an example of the reason the First Amendment right of freedom of speech is dangerous to democracy?
Nowhere in the article did it say what type of help he received ! Nowhere in the article did it say what he was affected by and what area. This is false info, guys/gals. Pain management can do only so much, believe me I know. Sure, you want meds, they’ll give’em to you. You need shots for pain, they’ll give them to you. Pain will always be just that, pain. And, it’ll never go away.
It did say that back and kidney surgery I agree with you about the pain will always be there I am having a very bad day today but if you try to relax and like I said before I know that is much easier said than done but you have to learn to live with a little pain If you can get your pain to lower level even if it is with the medication that the VA provides And that is not the end you will find yourself reducing your medication and with your mental toughness and all out desire to have a better quality of life I don’t know you but I care about all of us I know what you are saying exactly but look at who you are and what you have done in your life The people that look up to you that you don’t even know So with the help from the VA and by the grace of God your life will be able to live a better life
The program has helped my husband a lot. The va caregivers are wonderful ? ✨
Thank you for this uplifting article. It’s wonderful that this veteran got the help he needed. I wish my husband had gotten such help when he was alive. It’s so important for our damaged veterans & it affects the whole family. There was something essential left out of the article. What exactly was the help the veteran received?
I need help I have chrono pain on both of my knees
Have you searched online for chronic pain networks that offer support?
How much have you been paid? VA especially as they take forever for even your first appointment. I work with people in recovery, sometimes there IS a time and place for Opioid driven pain management. I myself COULDNT physically do the exercises without opioids being used to allow me to do the physical therapy. With usage of ALL of those forms of therapy I have finally made huge strides from where I was, slowly but surely!!!
Your blessed! I’m not a veterinarian ( thank you for your service) I received several injuries from a women hitting me in an accident. I have a level 3 traumatic brain injury, complete cervical spine replacement, lumbar spine replacement attached to my pelvis w/bolts, (L) knee reconstruction. And , I thought I could recover back to some normalcy & treat my pain naturally! THAT IS NOT WORKING IM IN SO MUCH PAIN $ unable to d much. I just need to find a team of Doctors with knowledge & compassion.
A joke my pain manage people at the VA in AZ
What did they do to control his pain because my husband’s a veteran and he’s been in pain and the VA has done Jack about it… his pain stems from his time in, not a civilian injury…..
So the VA failed to tell him about care in the community, and that he could see doctors in his community including pain doctors that he wouldn’t have had to travel 300 miles for? Is what you are saying. That the VA allowed him to suffer because they didn’t tell him about care in the community.
This is comical !! The VA does not provide pain management here in Florida. Even if you have been previously treated for chronic pain by them. The fact that it is a tele care program just compounds the fact that they don’t want to be within arms reach of you.
my pain is completely controlling every aspect of my life. Just writing this message is not easy for me to write. I hope that this is true and it works for me. I just want to enjoy my kids and gr kids for the rest of my life.
Finally. We had a dear friend who had Vietnam issues and it was in fact cancer. He died before he could get an appt.
I call bullsh-t, nothing was mentioned in the article about managing his PAIN. The f-cking VA focuses on the mental aspect ONLY.
I noticed that. I kept asking myself. “okay, tell me what he did to manage his pain them already…sheesh!”
Pain patient? Pfff!
Does that guy work for the VA?
The VA in Michigan is trash. 4-5 month wait for any appointment.
If its pain related they treat you like a criminal. After 15 years of serious chronic pain due to service connected issue I have seen nothing but the very worst of the VA healthcare system.
After waiting 8 years for a 70% VA rating paid @ 100% for Ind Unemployabiliy but ZERO backpay because of a technicality. I filed for corrected benefits/backpay 6 years ago with a lawyer. We have a winning case from day 1. It hasnt been to a hearing yet and isnt expected to finish this year!
In the meantime the Va changes my doctor to one who doesnt agree with pain meds every couple years and I go through months in agony before being reassigned to a decent doctor.
Once in 2015 they sent me to Pain Management clinic that was set up to put everyone on Methodone or just stop prescribing opiodes, I watched a dozen angry patients leave before I went in and was railroaded by two doctors that hadnt even looked at my records. They shut that clinic down completely within 8 months over the issues it caused.
This last year they reopened it and my doctor once again gets transferred to a new doctor that doesnt agree with opiodes. He sent me to the new Pain Management team. They put me on Suboxone and lied saying it was a version to treat pain.
Within a week 95% of my pain was back. That was this past January. They have trapped me at home. Im wheelchair bound anyway, but now I havent been able to do anything physical for 6 months. Put on 15 lbs and lost what little muscle mass remains to me.
I live 2 hours from the hospital and needed to be picked up and dropped off for my appointments but the pain is too much to travel and ive cancelled dozens of important appointments like a colonoscopy, ENT, Urology, dental i had waited a year for the appointment. Im in terrible shape and probably going to die in pain trapped at home. I was a 13 year veteran and worked in the Hospital myself.
I tried to change providers and a doctor at the VA not prescribing/treating your pain, is the one thing that patient advocates are no longer allowed to help with.
After months of calls/emails to everyone i could contact, There is zero chance at changing it unless I go to a private doctor and pay with my benefit check. They actually keep telling me to go hire a doctor when Im trying to get medical care I earned by sacrificing my ability to walk.
The VA is a hellscape, every aspect, even my glasses prescription is 3+years old and causing headaches, like I need extra pain in my life, because they havent had an eye doc for that time.
And I wake up and within a few minutes i realize im at a 5 or 6 pain level. By the night Im usually crying. I live my life in a small single room apartment on the floor with a couple dozen pillows/mattresees. Everything is delivered and Im out of options. I seriously have begun documenting my decline hoping that after I do die someone notices and changes things.
Fat chance though. 20+ veterans opt out on their own and I know atleast a few were going through something similar and I hate this world for doing it to them.
Paul Hunt
Va Ann Arbor Michigan
As others have said this veteran should have been referred for care through the Community Care Plan. The closest VA hospital to me is almost two hours, I do Telehealth with one doctor there only because I really like her and she’s a specialist. My PCP is at the local CBOC, (we are lucky in my state we have five plus a vet center and the hospital)and I get my glasses there, but all of my other medical care is in the community through the community care plan. As a chronic pain patient there is a lot of it; neurology, chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and of course all of the other medical care that comes with being a female veteran in my sixties, dermatology for checks after skin cancer, mammograms, cataract surgery, etc.
A good pain management plan should not depend just on Telehealth, community care should be utilized. The “war on drugs” is a sham that has killed too many veterans. Pain medicine is a tool and should be utilized as such, there are other things that can help but it is unfair and inappropriate to stop medication and tell a person in pain to try another route. The Hippocratic Oath states, “First, do no harm” Veteran suicide rates indicate this needs to be a larger part of the pain management equation.
This is the most well informed post I’ve ever read on a VA website.
I am a vet who has been managing my pain in many ways, including medicine for over 30 yrs. TelePainManage docs sat on other side of a video to tell me how much pain I felt.
I offered to visit them properly and professionally, hit them on the knee with my hammer handle (no real damage or breaking anything) and then – I would tell THEM how bad it hurt and what they needed for their discomfort- as they are trying to do to me during our 1 hour or less vid appt.
They thought I was unreasonable and not willing to work with them. FUNNY how it was good the other way around …
The article is incomplete. There is no mention of the treatment received by the vet. The government’s war on patient’s in pain and pain management makes relief elusive. The article is not infomztive.
Yes go too alivefw.org we love you ysy sll we can do we do not walk anyore we buy guns too love you is too short you grabill Indiana will not have it parade had all this year people are crying in the streets little children are waiting for their candy and grable country shopper people are crying in there too when they hear the news it’s devastation thank you have a nice day
High iron in blood causes inflammation from rudarallus/hemp being sold as medical marijuana which absorbs heavy metals from soil and hydroponics. That’s what self medication does when you can’t take opioids
Praise God I’m so thankful there is a program for veterans like this. It’s time that we focus more of our resources on our veterans .
I’m very happy for this veteran, however I have been through the mill for 20 years now, with the VA and civilian providers. I live with intractable pain and depression that do not respond to the standard medications. The government war on pain patients has only made things worse. There are huge numbers of vets like me who end up on the streets because they feel that the only recourse they have for relief is street drugs. Until EVERY veteran gets full relief, I don’t buy this kind of rah-rah story
Rona, I agree on these rah-rah stories. I have CRPS and although I’m happy for this veteran. This type of therapy is very limited for most in chronic pain.
I started low dose ketamine through Joyous for $129. I’m not a vet but have suffered complex PTSD. It’s helped me a lot. I’m not a bot…
There is a lot of good research on Special-K. But people freak out when they hear that name, Ketamine. We have used it at the fire department for years for pain especially during long extrications. I have to say that when we first started using it, it scared the hell out of me. But it’s supposed to be the next best thing for mental health. Especially PTSD.
What did they do to control his pain exactly? The article just like all the others is missing key info. Wanna help someone, tell how they did it not just where. I know chronic pain very well. Every single day for the last 4 years due to a surgeon who was killing his patients. No fault of my own and he’s still free going state to state to continue killing. Some system we have.
TY….need specifics ..this article gives you none
Since my 2 lower back surgerires i’ve been in pain pain pain 24/7 this was in 2014 not s vertan but feel you
If you live further than an hour away or the next available appointment is past 28 days at a VA, do yourself a favor and request to go thru community care where you can see a Dr in your local area or wherever you want. I’ve had far too many negative experiences with Doctors at the VA. If you ever need surgery, DO NOT have it done at a VA. They botched one of mine. My dad also had a mishap there.
I was utilizing my Healthcare plan I pay for via my job. I was seeing a Dr at the VA that prompted me to move to VA Pain Management. Worst mistake of my entire life. I am a 56 yr old USMC Veteran and now a Senior Manager with two engineering degrees and by giving the VA in Indianapolis the Benefit of thinking things had changed left me in the worst mental and physical condition I have ever been in. I am now back to utilizing my private Healthcare and the Pain Management system they utilize. Be careful on making decisions about your health without undeniable fact.
I am going to try and see if this will help me. Every step I take, bending down to get something. Short or long rides in the car…all pain, pain, pain. Guess at some point I decided just to live with it and get used to living with it. If this thing works…hallelujah!
I served in Marine Recon and totally trashed my body like every other warrior in Spec Ops. Pain management at the VA is all about getting you off the meds that control your pain and forcing you to use street drugs with the ultimate goal of you dying on the street somewhere, so they don’t have to continue paying you disability pay. Nothing but a f-cking joke!
I am Happy that Brother Judge was capable of overcoming some of his Pain & sounds like a good plan, have to keep a open mind when it comes to Chronic Pain(From personal expierence) I can tell you it goes hand in hand with Depression & Anxiety,but as some of my Brothers have said suffering from Chronic Pain is serious & I have had Brother that have attempted suicide, Thank God he didn’t succeed….great to be informed about this program..Thanks VA
Veteran. 28 years. Last 14 in Special Operations. I was medically retired. Went to a VA Pain Management Clinic in Phoenix. I sat there with my wife while the alleged doctor explained to me that I needed to get off the pain meds. I said, okay, I don’t care about meds, other than obvious physical dependence which I can overcome through quitting. After I’m off the meds how will you control my pain? He kept harping on getting off meds. I finally said look I get it, I’m off meds now what do you do to help me with the pain. His response: “Mr H no one has ever died from pain!” … I stood up and told him he was not a doctor too me and walked out.
I’ve struggled for over 30 years with the pain even through my last 16 years of service. Eventually it was too much after further injuring my cervical spine.
The VA Dental have been fabulous. I’m sure there are many other VA employees that are great but Phoenix Pain Management I’ll never recommend. The alleged doctor apparently missed any classes on empathy. I’ve had friends who have taken their own lives because the pain became overwhelming. I have been close to it a few times. I guess in his eyes that doesn’t count!!
I’m glad that others have received help they needed.
Try Tucson.
behind, you can tell that So called dr., that Yes Their have been Many people die from pain. Untreated pain affects every organ in your body. Many people have died from heart failure due to un or undertreated pain. The human body make all sorts of chemical reactions when it is in pain. The body is not meant to be in severe pain 24/7. Your body is telling you something is wrong and need to be dealt with. And if You don’t do something to treat the pain, you body will try to stop the pain through different chemical and metabolic changes. You Can die from untreated pain. Look It Up. Research!
How about allowing me a Vietnam Era Veteran 100% service connected disability to get MSC umbilical cord stem cells infusion.
I agree. After undergoing their intensive psychological attack about being an addict I stopped taking opoids they dispensed and suffered for 6 months. When they finally decided I was a addict I showed them my paid for used opoids where not only did they want to confiscate them they informed I was psychically addicted and then tries to have me arrested. F-ck them
I’m very happy for Robert. It seems that this was a life changer for him. Also glad to know that VA has this pain management option available to us. I will share this info with my veteran brothers.
The VA completely ghosted me on pain management. They wanted to try me on a different med and I was allergic to every form they tried. Instead of helping me they’ve seriously hurt my mental health and my ability to do anything. VA sucks now and doesn’t care what we go through
This guy lived 3 hours from the closest VA..Why didn’t he go through community care? If you live an hour away or the next available appointment is past 28 days, you can request to go thru community care to see most private sector doctors. I’ve had far too many negative experiences at the VA with the Doctors. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some positive ones and there are many great people who work at the VA. I try to go thru community care as much as I can though. I’ve got some horror stories from the VA.
Sounds like this could help me. I have been using telehealth with other providers.
Do I need a referral from my PCP?
Kimberly, I’m sorry to hear your experience was like mine. I posted a comment but don’t know if it will be published.
I finally detoxed off opiates (the only med that actually worked) and now juggle various meds to try and knock myself out when the pain is just too high.
I live day to day and many days hope my end is sooner rather than later. It’s not my decision when my life is to end. If it was, I would have ended it a decade ago.
I hope you can find help somewhere. There has to be someone who can help you. Maybe you could get help through your congressman’s office? Please try.
I know you can find help somewhere.
Take care,
bjh
Talk about a scam!!! V.A. “PAIN” management is an oxymoron and anyone who thinks otherwise… I’m happy for the 1 out of millions of veterans it worked for, but for the rest of us is to make us jump through flaming hoops just so we,can keep what little pain medicine they will give us. I’m out of the Madison VA Hospital and Rocford, IL clinic. If I have 1 alcohol drink or even get a 2nd hand buzz from Marijuana this “PAIN” pharmacist told me that she would cut me off of my pain meds. I am now just getting ready to go into pain management. This pharmacist has made it her job to make me take a blood and urine test at least once a quarter for the last 4+ years. How is that fair? I just had to take 2 months off work due to break through pain, would the Dr help me out? NO, because the “PAIN” Pharmacist told her not to. What other insurance or pharmacy would the patient be required to receive a call EVERY 6 WEEKS just to keep my meds. This is absolutely ridiculous, but I try to complain and it goes nowhere. Pain management my ass. We’re nothing but a bunch of circus animals waiting to dance and jump through MORE HOOPS again,
I hear you. Pain Managment at my facility is just Physical Therapy. What a joke. We just got a Pain Pharmacist. And from the report I just read in my file, she is doing everything she can to take my pain meds. Suggesting that Dr do More random drug screens and pill counts. Told him that I could be selling them and just taking one on the morning of my uds. I told Dr that if I only took One all month, they wouldn’t even show up. He told me not to worry about her. But, he retired Today. So now a New Dr. Who Knows what this New pcp will do?? I’m scared to death that she will take my meds. And after 30+ years taking them, I really don’t want to feel this pain 100% with No pain meds to help me get through the day. But oh well, what can one do. As a pain patient, we are currently at the mercy of our medical team. Until the 2016 CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines are completely thrown out, the large majority of pain patients are destined to live in un or undertreated pain.
Wow. I’m not a veteran but I too live with chronic pain from 8 screws in my back, kidney failure and bone degeneration. I cannot walk straight up without medicine. I’ve was seeing a pain management clinic that almost killed me. I cannot take hardly anything over the counter and a majority of medicine will put me into kidney failure and on dialysis. I finally found a doctor who is a doctor. He prescribes me what works. I hate it but as a single mom with 2 kids, an elderly mom with a brain injured sister, I have no choice. Too many depend on me. Last month this wonderful doctor of mine is being now punished. Someone mentioned the government wants all disabled people off opiates to just go die off. I believe that. But I don’t want to turn to the streets. One surgeon said I should testify in front of congress because there is 5% of the population whos lives must take these medications. I’ve been wanting to create a nationwide group of chronic pain patients to make our case to the government to stop this nonsense. Right now, our government is holding street dealers in higher regard than our doctors. And for us patients, those of us who do it right because we need it, not want it, get treated worse than the addicts on the streets. If you want to help me create a group/committee to get this in play, please let me know. Your stories just break my heart. I feel if we, regular citizens AND vets band together, we can make a difference. God bless you all and THANK YOU for protecting me and my family. And btw, my son is a Marine. He did his 4 years and is currently in the reserves. My grandpa was a Marine Sgt. battling in Guada Canal. My uncle, Army Private, paratrooper, died in Vietnam. I do not want to see any vet wanting to die because their wounds hurt too much. Take care all! Leah
Leah, there are many groups on social media that have been working hard since the 2016 CDC Opioid Guidelines. We have met with congressmen all over the country. We have finally gotten some bills passed in q few states to give Chronic Pain Patients some relief from the stupid laws that have been enacted since 2016.
Try, American Pain And Disability Foundation.
Chronic Pain Patients News Sourse. Both on Facebook. And X.
Their are many many advocate groups as well as support groups out thete. You sound like you truly want to get involved and we need all the fighters we can get. Please check us out. Thanks.