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Therion
Member
Reged: 06/14/04
Posts: 144
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"The consequences of unrecognized and untreated major depression are substantial. The most severe consequence of major depression is suicide. For example, patients suffering from chronic pain syndromes including migraine, chronic abdominal pain, and orthopaedic pain syndromes report increased rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide completion (Fishbain 1999; Fishbain et al. 1991; Magni et al. 1998). In a study of patients who attempted suicide, 52% suffered from a somatic disease and 21% were taking analgesics daily for pain (Stenager et al. 1994). In another similar study, patients with chronic pain completed suicide at 23 times the rate in the general population (Fishbain et al. 1991)."
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If all OPs and IOPs were suddenly shut down, which is the expressed goal of the U.S. goverrnment, how do you suppose these statistics might change? To read the entire article from which the above is excerpted, please go here:
Chronic Pain & Suicide Article
I am interested in this subject primarily because a close friend of mine recently attempted suicide. I would like to present a small portion of the note that was found by the paramedics:
" ... because I can't take anymore because the pain clinic kicked me out. It's not my fault because they broke into my house and stolen (sic) my meds. I went long enough and it hurts too bad to keep on going. I know this will hurt the people that I love but not as much as I am hurting. Those that know me and about me I know will forgive me."
My friend was taking three 40mg OxyContin per day and was forced to go CT. She told me she was too scared to use IOPs and couldn't afford OPs. The state of affairs for CP patients in the U.S. infuriates me. I am so angry at this moment that I should stop here before I descend into irrationality.
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crc102400
Journeyman
Reged: 07/06/04
Posts: 64
Loc: Southeast
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Therion, let me say, I am sorry about your loss, it is difficult enough to lose someone close, but I can't imagine losing someone close because of suicide. maybe it's time some people became irrational though. It infuriates me that people make judgements against people they don't even know (see my MAYBE A WARNING POST) and laws to protect us from......ourselves.......STOP PROTECTING ME FROM MYSELF, THAT'S WHY I HAVE A WIFE (LOL)...... It amazes me that people can drink themselves into a stupor legally (and alcohol does alot more damage than almost any drug available on the schedule II or III list), but if I am in uncontrollable pain, I can't get help 1/2 the times. And if I become too knwoledgable, I am labeled a drug seeker because, and I quote from one doc I wen to "How do you know the generic of vicodin is hydrocodone, and percocet is oxycodone." BECAUSE I READ, THAT"S WHY........What the gov't doesn't understand is that no matter what is legal or illegal, people need to be held accountable for their own actions......don't punish the village because 1 person can't control himself/herself.....It's a shame that some people are forced into suicide or even thinking suicide is the only way to end their pain....and who's fault is that......it's the fault of the doctors and big brother who say "sorry, I know your in pain, but these are to dangerous to prescribe to you.....it's for your own good".
I am having a really bad day, and it's only getting worse, but I hate to see what's going on in this world, when it is so easy to stop it........
I don't know if I made any sense or not, but again......
I am truly sorry for your loss.......
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I have no responsibility here whatsoever..........
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Therion
Member
Reged: 06/14/04
Posts: 144
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Quote:
Therion, let me say, I am sorry about your loss, it is difficult enough to lose someone close, but I can't imagine losing someone close because of suicide.
Thank you for you kind thoughts. Actually, she ATTEMPTED suicide. She did not succeed, thankfully. According to the doctor I spoke with, she made the attempt by mixing Seconal and alcohol. He was wondering where in the world she got the Seconal, since it's VERY rarely prescribed these days. We're hoping she did not suffer any brain damage from the attempt. God, this makes me so sick!
She was kicked out of her pain clinic due to her house being burglarized. Even though she had a police report and her house was quite obviously broken into, they dismissed her anyway. It even says in her pain contract that ANY loss of medication, no matter WHAT the cause, will result in termination. When she leaves the hospital, I'm going to try to talk her into getting an attorney. Perhaps this could be a precedent setting case that would help others in her situation.
She lost her job, her insurance and many of her personal possessions in the burglary. She's such a kind person; certainly undeserving of this rash of bad luck. Frankly, I don't know what she's going to do. She's currently on a morphine drip for her CP, but the ER doc told me that he doubted they would do much more than give her a script for some Percocets when she's released. I could tell he was quite frustrated with the system, but his hands are tied.
How many must die before things change in this screwed up country?
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 875
Loc: usa
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Therion, I've been close to suicide. I confided to my best friend, leaving her instructions for an insurance policy my husband didn't know I'd purchased, and waited out 2 years to cover suicide as well as accidental or natural death. She made a plane flight for me the same day to come stay with her in Texas, made an appointment with a PM doc she knew and took me to see him. I've never looked back. Although my life is decidedly INCONVENIENT, flying to Texas and back every two months is a hassle, having surgery & having to fly home afterwards is also no fun, but my life is mine again and I am willing to put up with the expense and inconvenience as long as I can remain relatively pain free to live and work like people do. Until you've lived it, you cannot imagine how horrible life can be, I remember it so well, I'd just had my 4th surgery (2nd spinal fusion) and after 7 months off work, I tried to return to work full time & couldn't... We were broke, close to losing our home, cars, you name it. And all the docs here had to say was "go on disability" cuz were not gonna put you on narcotics....go figure...the government would rather we die & go away, or take us on the dole, than to help us live normal, productive lives. It's a sad state of affairs...tell you friend NOT to give up and to try to FIND a way to get into another pain clinic. There are compassionate docs out there, they are just not that easy to find.
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