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| |  New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People
A Life In Pain "It's debilitating, isolating and can lead to severe depression - yet pain is widely accepted as something to be expected and regarded as 'normal' in later life."
"By interviewing older people, the researchers identified specific themes in the way that they communicate, cope with and experience their pain" These include (I've edited the info that was listed after each reason...see the link above for more info):
-The stiff upper lip
-Becoming a burden
-An isolating experience
-Psychological effects
-Response of the medical profession
-Not being able to do 'normal' things
Oh, and we can't forget this! Sad to hear that this judgmental attitude is alive and well..... "I feel reluctant to keep going and pestering my doctor about my pain because when you get to my age, and especially if you're a WOMAN, you feel he's going to think I'm being neurotic. And because pain can't be seen, it's probably not easy for him to understand how much pain I'm actually in." "It is imperative to understand that no one, irrespective of age, should tolerate pain. I appreciate that awareness in this area is extremely important, because we are living in a century when all of us are getting older and, at the same time, there is a suggestion that pain is a symptom of ageing, which it is not. As far as concerns age discrimination, older people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in all care settings. This important document will increase awareness among the public and patients. At the same time, it will remind clinicians that they should give higher regard to chronic pain"
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| | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 3 | 
Jan 12, 2009, 11:23 PM
 Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People
Thanks for your replies!
Yes, there has been progress in pain control, thankfully, but we still have a long way to go.
Education is definitely the key. So many patients (and medical professionals, sadly) STILL confuse tolerance, dependance, and addiction.
Yes, I do understand that some patients expect to be 100% pain-free at all times when it probably isn't possible (unless you knock them out with conscious sedation). This is where education for these patients becomes so crucial. Many patients don't know the side effects of medications. They don't understand how the medications work. They are confused about the side effects. Many don't understand that because of the severity if their disease/injury, their pain may only be reduced and controlled, but not completely eliminated. Patients need to be reassured that everything is being done to keep their pain under control....and if if the current regime is not helping, it's time to get on the horn and call the doc for new/different orders. People with pain need to understand that their pain isn't anything to be ashamed of.
I cringe when I read posts that state, "Well, I saw the patient eating (what's the usual saying on AN, "Drinking Coke and eating Doritos"?)/sleeping/talking/laughing/watching TV/smoking/fill-in-the-blank, so I know the patient isn't having pain".
(Side Note: I've experienced severe pain, but still ate. I was in a car accident and suffered broken bones and still laughed. I've had such severe pain that my only escape was sleep. Pain is what the patient states it is).
Or hear,
"Geez, the patient gets 1 Vicodin every 6 hours! They shouldn't have any pain! They're a lying drug seeker!".
Or better yet.....
" She is on antidepressants and she complains of pain. She's  "<---Ya, hello Einstein. She most likely on antidepressants because her unrelenting pain has been ignored for so long. Studies have shown that almost all chronic pain patients are depressed. Studies have also shown that not all depressed individuals have chronic pain. Big difference, IMO! Yes, antidepressant can help with pain, but it should not be used as the only way to manage pain if patient is still rating their pain above a 5.
Some people just don't seem to get it....that pain can be present even though a person looks "fine".
I feel just awful for the elderly that suffer with pain. I've mentioned this on a thread on AN, but being old, suffering from pain and not being medicated appropriately is one of my biggest fears about growing old. I'm terrified of it.  | | No. 4 |
Jan 12, 2009, 11:32 PM
Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People Originally Posted by I love my cat!  Thanks for your replies!
Yes, there has been progress in pain control, thankfully, but we still have a long way to go.
Education is definitely the key. So many patients (and medical professionals, sadly) STILL confuse tolerance, dependance, and addiction.
Yes, I do understand that some patients expect to be 100% pain-free at all times when it probably isn't possible (unless you knock them out with conscious sedation). This is where education for these patients becomes so crucial. Many patients don't know the side effects of medications. They don't understand how the medications work. They are confused about the side effects. Many don't understand that because of the severity if their disease/injury, their pain may only be reduced and controlled, but not completely eliminated. Patients need to be reassured that everything is being done to keep their pain under control....and if if the current regime is not helping, it's time to get on the horn and call the doc for new/different orders. People with pain need to understand that their pain isn't anything to be ashamed of.
I cringe when I read posts that state, "Well, I saw the patient eating (what's the usual saying on AN, "Drinking Coke and eating Doritos"?)/sleeping/talking/laughing/watching TV/smoking/fill-in-the-blank, so I know the patient isn't having pain".
(Side Note: I've experienced severe pain, but still ate. I was in a car accident and suffered broken bones and still laughed. I've had such severe pain that my only escape was sleep. Pain is what the patient states it is).
Or hear,
"Geez, the patient gets 1 Vicodin every 6 hours! They shouldn't have any pain! They're a lying drug seeker!".
Or better yet.....
" She is on antidepressants and she complains of pain. She's "<---Ya, hello Einstein. She most likely on antidepressants because her unrelenting pain has been ignored for so long. Studies have shown that almost all chronic pain patients are depressed. Studies have also shown that not all depressed individuals have chronic pain. Big difference, IMO! Yes, antidepressant can help with pain, but it should not be used as the only way to manage pain if patient is still rating their pain above a 5.
Some people just don't seem to get it....that pain can be present even though a person looks "fine".
I feel just awful for the elderly that suffer with pain. I've mentioned this on a thread on AN, but being old, suffering from pain and not being medicated appropriately is one of my biggest fears about growing old. I'm terrified of it.
or worse being youngish and having chronic pain issues
| | No. 5 |
Jan 12, 2009, 11:53 PM
Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People Originally Posted by frez or worse being youngish and having chronic pain issues
I guess at any age, suffering from chronic pain, not being taken seriously, being undermedicated or not being treated at all, is a horrible way to have to live.
I specifically mentioned the elderly in my post because elderly people in pain was the focus of the article.
Believe me, I know how awful it is for a young person to suffer from CP.
| | No. 6 |
Jan 13, 2009, 02:16 PM
Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People
I am an APN. I treat people who have pain, emotional and physical every day. I feel the fear of prescribing a med and it getting in to the wrong hands or hurting some one. On the other hand I am also diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder and have been told I need to relax. I have patients threaten to kill me if I do not give them a medication and I need to relax. I fear that it is the job I cannot handle. I have worked so hard to get here. I was told I am too stressed. I have do, massage, meditation, diet excersise, heat, laughter, sex, and all of these help. I could barely walk when I came home last night. I have done everything that I have been told. I am a good patient and provider. I am also scared out of my wits right now. I know how scared that person feels when some one walks in to thier office and announces thier pain. I certainly would not come in for a minor ache. It is a lot of money. I would not come in after trying every other way out either. I wish I could talk myself out of this problem. I see clients in my same situation on disability everyday and telling me I just do not know. My own mother does not understand even though she has the same illness, because I do not complain enough I do not have it so bad. You can wish this upon any one you want. It does not mean they will ever understand it. It takes compassion. Not having the pain. I had that before this disorder. I just wish it was afforded to me as well.
| | No. 7 |
Jan 13, 2009, 05:56 PM
 Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People Originally Posted by Tammypsychcns I am an APN. I treat people who have pain, emotional and physical every day. I feel the fear of prescribing a med and it getting in to the wrong hands or hurting some one. On the other hand I am also diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder and have been told I need to relax. I have patients threaten to kill me if I do not give them a medication and I need to relax. I fear that it is the job I cannot handle. I have worked so hard to get here. I was told I am too stressed. I have do, massage, meditation, diet excersise, heat, laughter, sex, and all of these help. I could barely walk when I came home last night. I have done everything that I have been told. I am a good patient and provider. I am also scared out of my wits right now. I know how scared that person feels when some one walks in to thier office and announces thier pain. I certainly would not come in for a minor ache. It is a lot of money. I would not come in after trying every other way out either. I wish I could talk myself out of this problem. I see clients in my same situation on disability everyday and telling me I just do not know. My own mother does not understand even though she has the same illness, because I do not complain enough I do not have it so bad. You can wish this upon any one you want. It does not mean they will ever understand it. It takes compassion. Not having the pain. I had that before this disorder. I just wish it was afforded to me as well.
Oh my goodness!
It makes me feel so sad when I read stories like this. 
This is exactly what chronic pain does to people. It causes complete chaos in their lives.
I am sorry that you suffer with CP and it is very irritating that someone would tell you to "relax". Obviously, this brilliant idea of relaxing is coming from someone that hasn't experienced the toll of pain 24 hours a day/7 days a week. I mean really, if "relaxing" is all a CP person needs to do to get their lives back, don't you think they would be doing that? Honestly. Telling a CP person to "relax" is undermining the CP issues, IMO....and I guarantee, it does not make the person relax, it only makes them agitated and the stress of the pain worse.
Hmmmm, If you complain that you are in pain, you are "being a baby and/or a drug-seeker"....if you don't complain, then that must mean that the "pain isn't bad enough".
It is a no-win situation for those that have to endure CP.
You mentioned that some of your chronic pain patients have threatened to kill you if you do not give them medication. What a terrifying ordeal to have to face! It is so wrong for anyone to ever say that. I hope you tell them that being talked to in that manner will not be tolerated.
Now, playing devil's advocate here......I sort of understand why these people are so desperate.
Most likely, they are suffering from CP that is or has ruined their lives. They've tried everything under the sun to control their pain and nothing is works. People don't believe their pain. Their family is sick of them. Their jobs suffer (if they still have one). They are passed around from MD to MD and nobody is bothering to even listen to them anymore.
The pain is running and ruining their lives and they are at a complete loss.
CP sufferers know that the ONLY things stopping them from getting their lives back are: an MD who will really listen, a pen and a prescription pad.
So, one is sitting in the office, knowing that their lives can be improved in a matter of minutes and once again they are ignored. People become desperate....and desperate people say and do desperate things.
Who would have ever thought that something as simple as pain relief would be such an ordeal?
I think the main problem is that the Medical Community is soooo preoccupied with addicts and drug-seekers that patients with real pain get brushed off. Although, addicts have a right to pain management, too!
CP patients are the ones who ultimately pay the price in the scope of it all.
| | No. 9 |
Jan 16, 2009, 09:41 AM
Re: New Study Examines 'A Life In Pain' - The Experiences Of Older People
What really has started bothering me is that other doctors will send clients to my office to get medications that they are qualified to prescribe. I had this happen yesterday. I have clients with fibromyalgia who have been helped with Lyrica, but practitioners will not prescribe it. I do not understand. I know it is a schedule 4, but I have never seen anyone get upset over not having it, other than thier pain will return. I on the other hand have been told not to prescribe it because it is not a psychiatric med. Personally in these cases fibromyalgia is a neuro condition. I just feel like some people are just not educated. I am finding that you really have to see a practitioner who has experience with your disorder. If a client truly wants to get better they will try anything. I have worked with some wonderful people who will follow recomendations and try to get better. Again there are many psychological implications. I always recomend counseling. This is because a person's life and idenity is so damaged by having a chronic disorder. They need tools to defend themselves.
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