pain in the ed

Originally posted by fab4fan
And I felt like I was being mocked for posting what I have learned from years of clinical exp. and personal mentoring from pain mgmt. specialists. You are entitled to your opinions. Having worked in the ED, and having also worked with pts with chronic and terminal pain, I have a different take. Having also suffered with chronic pain for most of my life, I have had to deal with people who were less than compassionate. It is a shame when someone feels like going to an ED for a pain exacerbation is only slightly better than taking a gun and blowing his/her head off.

We will have to agree to disagree. If you were offended by my posts, then I apologize.

And now that really is all I am saying on this thread.

Originally posted by angelbear
Just letting you know that this 2nd grader appreciates your apology. I realize this can be a heated topic. I am just saying as someone who has a legit chronic and painful illness lets try to be a bit more careful when it comes to labeling someone a drug seeker. As I have said before I am fully aware that there are those who are truely only after the high. Just please take the time to check something out before you label someone. I agree we are all caring people here and may just need to agree to disagree on this. I too hope I have not offended but you see I speak from personal experience having been wrongly labeled and badly treated.

Originally posted by ERKev
You may rest assured that I would NEVER label you that way. After many years of emergency nursing, I have a BIG problem with pain patients being undermedicated and poorly treated. I have had many a heated discussion with physicians and PAs reguarding undermedicating and unjustly labeling a pt as a seeker. I feel confident in having NEVER been the cause of anyone being labeled a seeker when they have had a legitimate complaint of pain.

I think many ED nurses will tell you the same thing. After a while, you get to know the seekers. Some times I may get fooled by a seeker, but I have NEVER withheld or encouraged the withholding of pain meds to an ED patient that was even POSSIBLY a seeker. I prefer to err on the side of compassion... Many ED nurses will say the same. I would further like to apologize to those of you who have had a negative experience in the ED seeking treatment for pain. Pain IS a very subjective experience. I, myself, am a big baby when it comes to pain. Thank Goddess I do not have a chronic problem with it.

ERKev