Pain and Disrespect

Dear Dr.,

On Sunday, I saw you at your downtown office for severe pain in my back due to muscle spasms.

I had been to the emergency room early in the morning at which time I received a prescription for Valium, which I never filled. After taking a single Valium at the hospital, I consulted with you because the medication did not ease my pain.  I explained to you that, like my mother, I suffer from occasional bouts of back spasms and unless I stop the spasm at onset with a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril, the pain becomes unmanageable thereby requiring a prescription painkiller. For many years, I have curtailed the pain at onset, but this time it started in my sleep, and I awoke to unbearable spasms.

As I requested, you prescribed three Vicodin pills and proceeded to request I return to you the prescription I received for Valium earlier that morning--in the lobby and in front of your receptionist.  Your actions and their implications made me feel disrespected. To be honest, I have never experienced anything of this nature with any doctor I have ever seen.   

I do not know if you assumed because I am Hispanic I was looking for unwarranted opiates.  Please note that my medical records do not detail any history of drug abuse and indicate that two years ago I was justifiably prescribed Vicodin for pain due to a severe earache (you mentioned my use of the drug during my consultation)stemming from a fungal infection that took six months of antibiotic therapies to heal. While I understand your concerns to not overly medicate or provide unnecessary drugs to patients who abuse such prescriptions, you are also responsible to consider a patient’s claim of pain in a just, fair, and case by case manner.

I recommend you learn to read medical records carefully and diagnose patients properly to determine who is in real pain and in need of painkillers -- and to act with dignity and respect for all because when people seek your expert help they also expect you to be professional and empathetic of their needs.

Memoir, "The Continent of Ruby," available at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TT5DDWO