Chronic Pain Should Be Considered a Disease – The Right Not to Suffer – Dr. Cousins
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is silent, invisible, stealth like, merciless and unrelenting. Those afflicted with chronic pain are suffering day by day, often amidst a torrent of ignorance and helplessness. But there are mavericks who observe that chronic pain is not being understood and patients are being tortured each day by this fierce malady.
In Australia, Michael J Cousins AM, MD, DSc, professor and director of the Pain Management Research Institute at the University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, has been leading the path to evidence that shows that severe persistent pain becomes a “disease entity”. The concept that chronic pain is a disease will lead to new treatments that incorporate all components of this illness. Dr. Cousins presented the Decade of Pain plenary session on February 14, 2008, at the 24th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida.
Chronic pain has primarily been treated as a symptom in the past. But new research shows that if severe pain is not treated effectively, the result can be lasting damage to the nervous system. As pain morphs from acute to chronic, the advice of a pain medicine specialist should be sought. Dr. Cousins, a world renowned pain expert, believes pain management needs to become a fundamental human right. This view challenges our present beliefs, which exist in Medicine, Law, Ethics and Politics.
Dr. Cousins we thank you for recognizing the complexity of chronic pain and the deep degree of suffering that occurs. It is most uncommon to experience pain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for often years or decades. The patient suffering this horrendous pain is challenged to deal with the pain emotionally, physically and spiritually every day.
It is not unusual for patients to see many doctors before finding some relief. Patients who attempt to fight this battle of invisible wounds are often misunderstood, disbelieved or dismissed which is the real tragedy. To see severe persistent pain as a “disease entity” honours those who suffer with this malady.
The impact of chronic pain on a patient’s life is immeasurable. Chronic pain will usually shut down our lives one piece at a time. Each day we loose moments with loved ones, opportunities, jobs, money, homes, education, relationships, ability to exercise, social life, and a sense of pleasure in living. It is like a carousel of grief that never stops. We attempt each day to stop the carousel but after thousands of attempts, we almost give up and helplessness sets in. Alone we spin around as the isolation eats away at our souls. Many choose to end their suffering.
The Knights of the Pain Table is a refuge for all those who are wounded in ways that others cannot see. King Arthur of Camelot doth cleanse thy wounds and heal thy herte. The fellowship of Knights will assure you never fight alone.
The trumpets doth sound as the accolade begins. King Arthur doth dub Dr. Cousins as an honorary Knight for seeing the pain and the deep wound it inflicts, that others do not see.
Amidst the torrent of pain tonight, let us thank Sir Cousins for not forgetting us.
Lady Sharon
Knight of Pain
Sources:
Physorg.com
Quantum ABC Television
I accidently came upon this site looking for lyrics to “What I Cannot Change”. I am a woman suffering from chronic pelvic pain and chronic lower back pain. My pelvic pain has be the one that I have suffered with the longest, 20 years. I am happy to say that I finally found a doctor that “believes” me. I have just completed my first pain management class and was disappointed that I would no longer be in the company of people that understand what my everyday life is like. I’m so happy I happened upon your site. I can relate to so many of the things I read. I can see that I have given up on life as a way of numbing myself to the pain and emptiness I have been feeling. Thank you for reminding about hope, faith and joy and how important they are for me to embrace and cherish.
Dear Lady Robin,
We honor you and your fight against the Dark Knight of Pain. You have had a long and arduous battle that took great strength and courage. When facing pain each day in order to survive one must often shut down one’s feelings. It is a survival mechanism.
The emptiness can be overwhelming like a vast ocean. We can easily loose sight of the sails of love and faith and joy. IF we can find a way to see those sails they will guide us in the ocean.
We are happy Robin, that you have found a doctor that understands and sees your pain. To not be believed can be as painful as the pain itself.
Lady Robin, King Arthur wilcumes you to the Pain Table and dubs thee a Knight of the Pain Table. You have earned this great honor. On your journey we will now ride with you.
We preye that your paine doth ease and that you are surrounded by love.
Take good care Lady Robin,
Lady Sharon,
Scribe of the Knights of the Pain Table
Dear Lady Sharon,
I´m not sure how I discovered this blog, but it was a blessing for me to find people that look for a different way to live with pain in their own lives. I was diagnosed with fybromyalgia a year ago, and I still don´t get used to pain, and even more when my doctor tells me that my disease has no cure. I have been trying some medicines but pain seems to be stronger, as if it was determined to be in my life. Sometimes it makes me sad to think about my future, I do not consider myself so young (I´m 26) but the thought of years and years of pain scares me so much :,(
But I´m happy to be here in your blog, I hope you continue writing for all of us.
Take care Lady Sharon,
Estefania Vilcapoma
Lima, Peru
Dear Lady Estefania,
How beautiful your message. I am honored by your words. I will continue to write as long as my body and mind is strong enough.
I am saddened that you have pain at such a young age. I pray that you will not have years and years of pain. You have a whole life ahead of you Estefania.
I do understand being overwhelmed by the pain and not wanting to live with it. I think it is wise to accept the pain at the moment and respect the power it does have. But one does not have to accept the idea that it is forever. One never knows what tomorrow will bring. There are still many questions regarding Fibromyalgia in the Medical community so one should keep one’s mind open to the future.
I have found often that information is empowering so one should learn about optimizing one’s overall health to help deal with the illness and pain.
Reading your words I feel a strength within you that I pray will help you make it through the hard moments. Suffering can teach us about the true meaning of compassion and love and give us a deeper perspective in life if we find the way.
I hope your pain will cease soon, but if it does not please know you are not alone. You are a Knight of the Pain Table and we, your fellow Knights, will always ride with you.
Thank you Lady Estefania for being part of this Camelot.
Lady Sharon
Scribe of Camelot
Как обычно хорошая новость на полезном блоге – knightsofthepaintable.wordpress.com !! Вы давно в закладках
Dear Suimmixdict,
Спасибо за ваши добрые слова.
Пожалуйста посетите Камелот снова.
Добрый вечер,
Lady Sharon
good site!
Dear Billy,
I thank thee for thy kind words. Take good care.
Lady Sharon