Posted by John Bown (206.165.44.111) on August 02, 1999 at 21:44:23:
In Reply to: My Doctor just fired me as a patient! posted by CLaudette on August 02, 1999 at 18:13:51:
I too have learned that many doctors simply don't understand the degree of pain we suffer. Clusters are, in and of themselves, thought of as benign in that they don't do any damage to your body, as far as anyone knows. Therefore doc's sometimes are reluctant to prescribe medicine that can, over time, have a negative effect on your health. What they don't understand is the degree of psychic damage that is done by having extremely traumatic pain daily. I have told my doctor that I frequently think of offing myself during a cluster attack; particularly the 10's. I then had to stay for a "psychiatric consult". After explaining that I don't want to kill myself I have been able to explain to the psych what the matter is, and they have been able to explain it to the doctor, and I have gotten my meds.
Oxygen is very good. If you can't get a prescription for it, it is available from welding supplies. Recent posts here have indicated that welding oxygen is now as safe as medical oxygen.
Fight to get your doctor to understand. Yell and scream and stamp your foot. If it doesn't work, find another doctor if you can. Print out the medical information from this site and ask your doctor to read it through.
Good luck to you!
Zeros to all.