From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: sympathectomy part 2 of 3
Date: 23 Nov 92 22:14:00 GMT
Reply-To: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25851

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Again, in a message to Wayne:

 > Simply, if amputation doesn't work, I still don't have a useful
 > leg, and I still have pain, perhaps worse.

That's the key, Jim.  A LOT of times an amputee has phantom limb
pain and it *is* worse than before.  If you have the amputation,
then there's nothing else you can try.

 > Her response was that "If you cannot work fulltime at your present
 > job because of the pain, then you need to find a job where you
 > can."!

ROFLMAO!!!  You know, I'd give anything for my doctor to experience
the pain I do for just one 24-hour period.  I'm sure you'd like to
wish it on that stupid nurse!  Chronic pain prevents people from
working in any job.  It does me.

 > The doctors WERE going to set up an appointment, promptly for the
 > DCS test, but the nurse intervened and suggested to the
 > psychologist that he give me an MMPI first.

Nothing to it.  I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that it will
reveal that you are depressed (no sh*t), that you concentrate on
the physical being (like duh!), and you suppress your emotions.
You'll have to let me know what they say about the MMPI, ok?  I'm
curious what other people in chronic pain show on theirs.  This was
what I showed on mine.

I especially loved the questions about suicide.  Like, people in
chronic pain (24 hours a day 7 days a week) shouldn't ever think
about it?  Yea, right.  We think about it.  We even fantasize about
how to do it. Doesn't mean we will, though, you know?

 > What troubles me is that the nurse INFLUENCED the doctors'
 > decision!

That was wrong, IMHO.

 > I will or will not be given the DCS based on the results of the
 > MMPI, thanks to the nurse.

Well, I went through this, too.  Medicare would not allow the SCS
implant until after I talked with a psychologist and took the MMPI.
(BTW, the psychologist said he knew from the MMPI that I was in
physical pain and it was not in my head.)

 > Finally, she stated that IF I receive the DCS (temporary) and it
 > fails to give me relief, she is "closing my file".

Well, you see, it's like this.  The SCS (DCS) is the last resort,
unfortunately.  Until the medical community comes up with something
better, (which they will eventually), this is it.  It's just the
cold, hard facts, 'mam.

 > Today I called a couple of attorneys that specialize in W.C. cases
 > and scheduled consultations for next week.

Good.

 > I really don't want to sue anyone, and I'm not out for money or
 > attention.

No, you just want someone to do something.  You're tired of
hurting, and you're tired of being given the run-around.  I had a
doctor refuse me as a patient because he didn't think he could do
anything to help me! How's that for dampening the spirits?  I came
out of my second surgery worse off than when I went in.  It does
happen, Jim.

 > All I want is to be treated fairly and to have my wishes and
 > suggestions taken seriously.

Well, unfortunately, most doctors don't want to deal with chronic
pain patients because they don't know what to do for them.  If they
feed you drugs, then they'll think that you'll sue them for getting
you addicted to something.  The word hasn't gotten around yet, but
for chronic pain patients, addiction is really hard.

Linda

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