We Need to Talk About Pain Management for Women. Now.
or, the lack thereof.
I’ve been a woman for a few decades now, but I am just beginning to realize how absolutely abysmal so many things are for us.
The top of the list for me right now?
Pain management or the lack of any type of management. As someone who has suffered from chronic pain for nearly two decades, I know a thing or two about pain. And about doctors, essentially brushing off my complaints and not helping put in place any preventative measures.
A nurse in the ER, 15 years after I dealt with my pain, was the first to tell me what I needed to ask my doctor for and to get taken seriously. The worst is that my doctor is one of the ‘good’ ones.
I’ve had doctors tell me to lose weight in order to feel better (not an altogether horrible idea, but one that is impossible when you are stuck in a chronic pain vicious circle). And doctors who gave me wicked pain meds and those who gave me absolutely nothing. Like everything in life, it’s a bit of everything rolled into one.
Some of you may be thinking, — well, you received pain medication when needed from one doctor — that’s great!’
Sure, it really is.
