I have avascular necrosis, caused by decompression sickness (the bends).It causes the ends of long bones in one's body to suffer loss of blood supply, to die and eventually crumble like a piece of chalk. The pain is quite real and often severe. I am also blessed, though, to have a physician who treats me with respect and dignity and who has never hesitated to prescribe appropriate doses of pain medication, in spite of the DEA's "war on pain Dr.s" these past few years. This "war" has resulted in investigation and/or prosecution of 17% of the nation's physicians who specialize in pain management. That's right,almost 1 in 5 doctors who choose to help those who are suffering wind up suffering themselves through asset forfiture and the exhorbitant cost of defending themselves! I am one of the fortunate few who has my disease and pain reasonably well controlled. When I read the horror stories on this page from people who have lost nearly everything to chronic pain, I cannot describe the frustration, anger and empathy I feel for these patients who are being mistreated by their families, their doctors and most of all by their government. It is estimated that as much as 90% of all chronic pain could be quite easily controlled through appropriate use of medications. Why is this not happening? Because the political climate of unreasoned fear and the all too real threat of prosecution has most doctors afraid to treat pain patients.

I think that we need more National coverage regarding chronic pain. I too suffer from Fibromyalgia. For years, I had aches and pains thinking that I had the flu. I would go into the clinic (my husband was in the military) and tell doctors that I felt like I had the flu all of the time. Some would just dismiss it, but some would run various tests. I would get discouraged from having multiple tests done and stop going to the clinic or the doctors would pat me on the head and say “live with it” or “I was a woman and should be able to take the pain”. How awful to be told “you’ll have to live with the pain”.

I had a hysterectomy a few years ago after suffering from awful cramping, cysts, and fibroids. After the surgery, I thought “wow, now I’m feeling great”. I was feeling better for the first time in my life and went back to work. I worked for about two weeks and started hurting but this time the pain was worse than ever. My neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, lower back, stomach, knees, etc...all hurt. I went from doctor to doctor seeking help. Some doctors ran tests, some only spoke to me and said “I’m sorry, I can’t help you”. I’d leave the doctor’s office in tears.

My GYN sent me to a pain management specialist that examined me and really seemed to listen. I thought “great, maybe this doctor will finally help”. I went to him several times, still hurting but determined to find out why I was in so much pain. After three months, the pain specialist told me that I had Fibromyalgia. At first, I was thrilled to hear that someone knew what was wrong with me. I finally had a name for my pain. Then he told me that he could no longer treat me. I was in shock. I said “what?” “You’re a pain specialists”. He said that he was in the business of helping his patients get better and that he couldn’t help me.

I have been to so many specialists since being diagnose with Fibromyalgia (too many to count or want to remember). I’ve tried various medications, physical therapy, personal trainer, water aerobics, etc… When you’re in pain 24/7, you become willing to try anything in order to be pain free.

I tried working (I was a legal secretary) but it was just too hard. I spent more time at home than at work. The pain would be unbearable with the stress of work. I would go to work and leave after a few hours. I had understanding bosses but in the end, I had to quit.

Now I spend my days at home, still in pain 24/7 with not much hope of getting better. My GP keeps encouraging me to see another specialists or try a clinical trial. I would love to find a doctor that would help but after seeing so many doctors, I am just left feeling frustrated and depressed.

I just wish doctors would understand that I (and so many people with chronic pain) just want to be treated with respected. I don’t go to doctor’s office for the fun of it. I would say that I have better things to do than to sit in a doctor’s office but I no longer work. It takes me hours in the morning to move without stiffness along with pain on the scale from 1 – 10 (I feel about an 8 in the morning). By noon, the pain goes down to a level of a 6 but only if I am not doing anything. If I have to the laundry or clean, the pain goes back up to a level 8 or worse. I am no longer able to ride in the car for more than 20 minutes at a time. Walking and standing isn’t much fun too. My life as a human being is pretty much over. I stay in the house more and more and the pain just gets worse.

It’s hard for people (even doctors) to comprehend what it’s like to live with chronic pain. Pain is invisible. This is one disease that I wouldn’t wish for anyone to go through.

I'm a mother of 2, have RSD, brachial plexus, thoracic outlet, migraine- and I had to travel over 14000 miles to get diagonosed last year. Finally ending up at the Mensana Clinic in Baltimore MD. Dr. Nelson Hendler heard me. And I am in less pain than I have been since the beginning after following his plan. But going back home to recover.. ouch. It was through creating a support system north of San Francisco, for me that I had to face life. Hope for me doesn't come from being healed or not. It's that my life will be good either way. I don't live from pill to pill, Biofeedback to meditation, it's a lifestyle of peace, less stress. A commitment to finding the little flower in the pile of rocks and dirt moment to moment to moment. That helps my pain go down. And the chronic pain brothers and sisters I meet through ACPA and RSDSA lift me up and I hope I help them too. If you do not have support in your community, consider starting a group, or go online. You're worth it. kaitmusic@hotmail.com

First, I would like to say that the subject of chronic pain does need to be out there in the public and political eye, so thank you for the segment on it and thanks to my boyfriend for referring me to it.
Second, I too have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety, but only after years of suffering with it. It wasn't until I was finally refered to the same rhuematologist that my father sees that anyone would even hear my words of pain. He also has fibromyalgia and it is a hereditary condition.
Third, I also have been the brunt of "it's all in your head," and have been through dozens of medications with no relief. The only one that did help was the Vicodin that turned me into a drug addict. The reason I say addict is because, when my doctor forgets to call in my perscription on a three day weekend, I end up with the pain and other things that come with the withdrawal. That makes things worse than they already are. As of now, I refuse to take them anymore because I don't want to go through the hell I have been the past three days and still am. I would rather suffer with the fibromyalgia pain.
Fourth, it has been very hard to deal with my kids, school, and just ordinary every day activities when the stress from the pain and the frustration seeps its way in. I have thought about ending it all, going to sleep and making it all go away. How can I do that to my kids? They deserve a mother, no matter how creepy she is most of the time. Some days you just feel like you can't take any more and have no fight left within.
I feel for all these people, I know what they are going through. It is hard to see hope in the future when no one can seem to help.

Thanks for bringing chronic pain to the national news! I only wish the series could have been done in more depth to cover all sources of chronic pain. I have been dealing with chronic pain for more than 15 years. Only in the last 4 have I been able to find a pain specialist who truly cares and wants to help. If not for him and a very understanding psychologist who specializes in chronic pain issues, I know I'd be ashes by now.
One of the most stressful parts of my life in pain was the fight with Social Security to determine disability. The judge who was given my case was the most condescending SOB I have ever met. I know they have to weed out the true malingerers, but 10 years of medical and work records were there to prove I worked and did the very best I could for as long as I could. The only referral from him to "prove" my degree of disability was to a psychiatrist! The judge completely disregarded the occupational therapist's conclusion that I was too ill for ANY job. I am not a vengeful person , but I truly hope this judge learns first hand what chronic pain does to a person, let alone trying to live with chronic diseases.
I am so happy for all the people who got relief by reading a book, but hope they understand that not ALL causes of pain can be cured by Dr. Sarno's methods. How nice it would be if they could! There would be no need for narcotics, thus eliminating all the problems they cause or contribute to making. I hope they do not judge the ones who cannot be rid of their sources of pain by introspection and meditation. When you have chronic pain you get enough judgemental lectures from everyone else! There are numerous physical reasons for pain, and although attitude plays a huge part, it's definitely not enough in some cases. To be told your pain is "all in your mind" is one of the most hurtful things a pain patient hears, and it is most certainly not always true. Would you be able to get rid of the pain from a broken bone by these methods? I think not, and think anyone who suggested you could is "out of their mind"!

Hi,

I am 23 years old and I am a sufferer of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and Peripheral Neuropathic Pain. I live in the UK so I have not been able to watch your series on The Mystery of Pain but another sufferer told me to look at NBC Nightly News and that's how I have been keeping up to date. I would like to thank you for covering this topic on chronic pain as nerve pain has had a massive impact on my life. I set up my website www.Tap4TTS.co.uk for other sufferers of nerve/chronic pain. The more awareness about it the better. So once again, Thank you.

My son is 15 and 90pounds. He plays soccer and for about 3 months now he is suffering from lower back pain. Sometime his pain goes down his leg and it feels like his muscles are tightening up. He says his leg goes numb sometimes. We went to the Doctor who referred us to physical therapy. Did therapy for about 2 months and it is not working they said I need to go back to the doctor. He has referred us to an Orthopaedic. Is this were we should go for treatment.

I suffered for years from debilitating pain that started in my back and moved to my legs, neck, and shoulders. It was terrible and I was desperate for answers. I went to traditional medical doctors, acupuncturists, an osteopathic doctor, chiropractors, an orthopedic surgeon, and massage therapist to seek relief from the pain. I was offered a myriad of treatments including surgery. Ultimately, the pain kept me from doing much of what I loved to do. I finally saw a massage therapist who suggested that she could not treat the tension- she thought that only I could help myself. She referred me to Dr. Sarno's book Mindbody Prescription. I read it and wholeheartedly believed it as soon as I first read it. I became 80% better in no more than one month's time. I still suffer from tension stress that occassionally manifests itself as pain in my body, but now can understand that it is only a reminder for me to focus on my psychological well-being. I hope others can find relief also.

My mother suffered tremendously from painful neuropathy due to diabetes, and finally succumbed to the pain, passing away two years ago. I wish I had known Dr. Oaklander then. She is one of this country's leading pain experts, and her research is making headway to find ways to treat pain. There are millions of people who suffer from some sort or chronic pain. I would like to see some focus on the research that is being performed.

Dear Mr. Bazell,
Excellent series which validates a problem my wife experiences due to severe abdominal/pelvic area adhesions.Doctors can' see them and won't operate unless a mass or blockage appears I only managed to get two of the five series and would like to purchase a copy of the series; video tape, CD, DVD. Is this possible ?

I'm torn on this series on pain. on one hand it is good as word about chronic pain is getting out there on the other the reports have a negative effect in that people will assume that chronic pain is all in one's head and can be "cured" by thinking good thoughts.

I was told this 3 years ago when i began my struggle. I am 22 and an incomplete quadriplegic and had severe back pain/neck spasms/migraines. i kept saying it was my back but it was passed off as "all in my head" or blamed on a UTI. I was screaming in pain everyday... had to drop out of school and became a recluse in my mom's home. it was clear something was wrong with my back; i began to have severe curvature in my spine. i could literally put my left shoulder down to my left hip. a myelogram in 2003 showed that one of the rods used to straighten my spine when i was 11 was broken. i was told "not to worry" and that it "happens all the time" little did i know that it'd become a HUGE issue and the reason for my pain. in august 2004 i had gone in for a post op check up with my urologist. in an xray taken we could see metal protruding next to my kidneys and other organs. in dec. of that year i was finally taken in to an orthopaedic surgeon and xrays showed me bent at almost 90 degrees and the midback. and they were amazed that i hadnt been killed as a result. i had surgery last year in jan and feb and am now finally straight but still have pain. my surgeon has been very proactive and got me into a bone specialist and we found out that i have osteoporosis which is contributing to the pain. biofeedback cant fix that kind of searing pain. and thinking good thoughts didnt fix the rods but aggressiveness and persistance on my part and that of my drs led me to where i am today.

my hope is that next time you can focus on problems chornic pain patients face in regards to pain meds and the DEA making it so very difficult for us to get the relief we need. it's nice to get the word out but if more people raised a voice about the injustices the DEA is doing in an attempt to save face in their "war on drugs" then maybe change can be made for the better.

After twenty years of severe sciatic pain in the left leg which was always attributed to a couple of ruptured discs, I started following and implementing the concepts of John Sarno, and I have experienced roughly an 80% improvement in the pain plus I have lost most of my functional limitations.

Please continue this series. My husband crushed his calcaneous (heel bone)when a SUV hit him while he was motorcycle riding 2 yrs ago. He is in constant, excruciating pain. We used to hike, jet ski, knee board, etc. We had the perfect life but since his accident he is miserable. The cold weather in Oregon only makes matters worse but he owns a business here so it's unlikely we could move. Please run a segment on information related to pain relief for a calcaneous fracture. Thank you.

Thank you so much for doing this series on Chronic Pain and especially the segment that included information on RSD/CRPS. This disease is an extremely painful form of Chronic Pain.

If anyone needs information on RSD/CRPS, they can visit the American RSDHope Organization. A National non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of RSD, raising research funds, educating the Medical Community, Sponsoring Conferences (the next one will take place in November in Portland, Maine), Educating patients and their spouses, loved ones, caregivers, etc.

For more information please drop by the website.

I suffer from a rare form of chronic pain called RSDS, or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. It is ranked as the most painful form of Chronic pain that exists today according to the McGill Pain Index.

I suffered from this disease from the time I was 14 years old until I was 33 before I was correctly diagnosed. By then it had spread to my entire body. The pain from RSD is constant, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no known cure. I have now had it for 31+ years.

Like most chronic pain patients I suffered the indignities of having Doctors tell my family and myself that I was;

1) Exaggerating my symptoms - pain, migraines, sensitivity to touch, light, sound, etc.
2) Making up the pain, symptoms, to seek attention.
3) Abusing drugs and that was why I had "problems".
4) Was a "Doctor-shopper"

During those times when the pain was so bad I couldn't stand it and I had to go to the Emergency Room, they treated me as if I was a junkie looking for a fix rather than someone who was truly suffering.

Chronic pain care in this country is poorly understood and even more poorly treated. But I think that,finally, that is changing. Organizations like the APF, and the advent of the internet and sites like www.WebMD.org, and , www.RSDHope.org are empowering patients and enabling them to educate not only themselves but also their families. It is also allowing Physicians greater access to the most current information available and that is having a huge impact.

You will find the internet is crammed full of Chronic pain patients, meeting in chat rooms, exchanging ideas via listservs and Bulletin Boards, etc. It is here that we meet in the middle of the night when "normal" people are able to sleep.

Jim McGowan's post of 1/07/06 was very well stated. The media has sensationalized pain medication and demonized it in this country, and to suggest on a national news broadcast that it can be controlled via mind control or a lovely thought is irresponsible. It causes the rest of the world, especially family, friends, and Pharmacists to judge and criticize those of us that utlize pain meds and as a result have been given a chance at quality of life, instead of one filled with sleeplessness, pain and suffering.

Dear Mr. Bazell
I suffer from Cronic Pain but nothing like the people that has it worse than I. Most of all the people suffering from Fibromyalgia. I have a friend who has been diagnosed with it and I can inmagine how bad it can be. As for me, I am diagnosed with Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease. My whole spine and the discs are getting bad. I already went though a Fusion on 2 Vertabre in my back and now the surrounding discs is begining to go. There is 3 Vertabre in my upper part of my neck right below where the brain connects to the spine. My doctor was very candid and explained to me how dangerous it is to operate on my neck. He will not do it because of the high risk. But he will do any where else on my spine. To control this pain I was on a lot of medications including a 50umg/h Morphene Patch. At this time, on Feb 16, 2006, I will have a total knee replacement on my left leg. I wore braces on my legs to mimic the cartldge. Finnally they took x-rays and it showed that the brace was not doing anything and my right leg is on borrowed time. I am coming off the Meds, and to everyone out there who is using that Morphene patch, get off of them. They are no good. They do more damage to the body than the good it is suppose to do. For the persons that is using a TENS Unit, there is a new one out that is exactly like the unit they use in Physical
Therapy ( that big thing on a cart with a ultra as well). They took the large unit on the left that work like a TENS Unit but alot stronger and the magic of minaturation and battery technology they shrunk it down to a size like a GPS hand held unit. It helps, better than the TENS Unit, but it helps by penitrate the skin and directly into the muscle that is spasiming. It is so new, no insureance company is paying for it yet. The device from Rehabilicare in Tampa, FL and it is called the IF 3 Wave. They are accepting tryals through your doctor. I hope this info helps some people.

Pain is something no one is allowed to talk about. We've been brought up not complain and it's boring. After stumbling into this nightmare myself with what I still have a hard time believing is a chronic neck condition, I empathize more than I ever would have imagined with what pain patients have to endure. There's no one to talk to...general physicians tend to be mistrusting or lack empathy, who can't appreciate the impact it has on your life, and that you just want to be rid of the pain and frustration, and the depression, when you feel like your always complaining and you miss your old life. It's really sad and very real for more people than I'd imagined. Thank you.

Thank you for your report on," Chronic Pain".The news report on 1-6-06 evening news was telling my story all over.I injuried myself on the job 6-14-02.I herniated discs in lumber spine which is still very painful today.When my MRI showed bulge was smaller, doctors said I could return to work.I went back 3 times & finally had to quit.I drove tractor trailers & unloaded freight myself. No matter what you tell the doctors,they don't believe you.Not only don't they believe you, they carefully write their reports with no mention of you still complainting about your pain.I was given a functional capacity test & the doctor reported that I could return to working a 5 day, 40hour week.He didn't mention that I called the next day for pain treatment.Since that happened I don't trust doctors at all.I've been refused Social Security benefits twice going on 3 years.I'm can't afford health insurance because of pre-existing conditions.Someone needs the fixed the way doctors treat injured people with pain who can not longer work.Thank you again for your report.If there is a doctor you know that can help me, please let me know.Thank you , again.

I highly recommend the work of Dr. John E. Sarno. It is very disturbing that his work has not been mentioned in this series. Much of this chronic pain epidemic is of a psychological origin, although very painful, and can be treated using Dr. Sarno's methods. He is helped thousands to achieve pain free lives. His books include "Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection" and "The Mindbody Prescription." He has expanded his very successful treatment methods to include all sorts of chronic pain, and other TMS equivalents such as asthma, excema, etc. Even people with herniated discs and fibromyalgia are now pain free and living normal lives due to his work.

I have been living with chronic daily headaches for 13 years, 24 hours a day. I've been told by numerous doctors that I am in the 1-2% of chronic daily headache patients that is only helped by narcotics. I don't have rebound headaches, I've been on just about every type of prevenative drug possible, have had nasal surgery, botox injections, and so on. Due to the DEA's tight grip on pain meds and the atmosphere of fear that doctors work under, I have to travel 4 hours each way to visit my doctor. Because of my prescriptions, I am able to hold a full time job and provide for my family.

Mr. Bazell, while I do thank you for the series on chronic pain and the much-needed exposure that only a national newscast can bring, I must say that the series itself was rather superficial. While it was certainly hyped enough by Brian Williams, it seemed that the promos for the series were actually longer than the spots themselves. I understand that you don't necessarily control the length of the series.

Biofeedback is pretty old news, and tremendously overrated as a pain remedy. I've used a rough form of it all my life, and it got me through most of the aches and pains that keep many workers home now and then. But as for its efficacy with truly big pain, it simply does not help much.

A larger issue that was ignored in the series is how severely undertreated chronic pain is, and how the federal government - in the form of the DEA - after apparently losing every "war on drugs" it has undertaken, has officially made narcotic pain medication its newest enemy in a war that it may finally be able to win; a war that has no true enemy that can defeat it. A surprisingly small total of about 200 Americans died from abuse of narcotic pain medicine in 2003, the last year for which statistics are readily available. Yet the DEA is spending approximately 75% of its massive budget on pursuing doctors and prescription drug dealers within our own borders. The patients suffer. All this has "fixed" is that it has become such a large risk for doctors to treat patients with chronic pain that most simply will not do it anymore. Chronic pain sufferers presently go through more scrutiny than do potential terrorist suspects at US airports. It may be difficult for those without chronic pain to see such discrimination, but if you are ever cursed with such pain, you will discover all too quickly just how difficult it is to obtain treatment at all. Most doctors refer patients to "pain clinics", where patients get to share the waiting room with drug rehabilitation methadone users, submit to random blood and urine screening regularly, bring in their prescription bottles so that a nurse can count their pain pills, which are only prescribed in 30 day increments. If a patient decides to try the mostly ineffective "alternate" methods of pain treatment, such as biofeedback, most will find that their health insurance carriers - if they are fortunate enough to have one - will not cover such treatments.

Chronic pain is only a small part of this story. The troubling quest for treatment in America is, sadly, the big but unreported story.

Thank you for the series on chronic pain. I pray for awareness for RSD every day. I am 17 and fighting the RSD Pain daily. While the pain is horrible, not being believed and understood is worse. It's time for the "invisible pain" of RSD to become visible. I am sick of my classmates questioning me why I have to use a heating pad all day long. I just hope that this awareness continues, so chronic pain sufferers have hope for tomorrow. Thank you and God Bless to all who suffer from any chronic illness.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, please discuss the use of MR neurography for diagnosing unusual nerve entrapments. My 15 year old daughter lost 2 years of her life to chronic pain that affected her legs. She saw a number of neurologists, which included a trip to Mayo Clinic. Intensive research on my part eventually found that MRIs had been improved to the point where they could be used to image nerves. I flew her out of state again to obtain the procedure, which for the first time ever found a 4cm region of her sciatic nerve that was entrapped within her pelvis. Physical therapy was used to target the area and she is now almost pain free. If she does flare, she is treated with some intensive physical therapy rather than mind-numbing and heart damaging drugs. Go to www.neurography.com for more information.

07 January 2006. 6:20 a.m. EST.
MSNBC's series on Chronic Pain is so very important a health story. I'm male,32 YOA & have had nine sinus operations between 1986-1997, in Atlanta,GA. These are common procedures, & not uncommon for folks to have 1, or perhaps 2. However, my specific case required such ongoing work, & was carefully planned by my parents & myself, & terrific ENT's. After moving back to Cincinnati,OH in March 1997(where my family's from origionally) I began to have persistant severe head & face pain. My wonderful PCP & I began referrals to pain centers. The 1st place I learned much, but didn't find suitable relief, until the 2nd pain center. In conjuction w/a pain med., I did physical therapy for 1 1/2 years & went to a psychologist for depression. The chronic pain is still there, but manageble, & from time to time have sinus infections & allergies, but nothing like when I was growing up. I'd rather have some pain than be knocked out w/ medications. Effective chonic pain treatment is a "balancing act" for the patient & physicians, specialists along w/ medications & natural treatments(acupucture, acupresure, nutrition, exercise, etc.). Don't be discouraged by "less than compassionate" Doctor's. I was always pre-prepared for Dr. visits w/ pertinent documents, CT-Scan film in-hand, and/or sent to the Dr. in advance of my visit, &/or was truthful, detailed, & respctful. Just like any profession, some are better than others. My "gut" instict about physicians was always right. Just like any profession, some are better than others.
Chronic pain is a common health problem, but for each individual treatments can be wide & varied. The more Chronic pain is exposed to people the stigma some folks have will give way to understanding & compassion. There can be life with Chronic pain.
Thank you MSNBC.