Happy President’s Day
With the presidential campaign in full swing, chronic pain patients are wondering if any of the candidates will pick up their cause.
President Trump has done not much in his three years and most of the Democrat candidates are mum on the issue as well with the exception of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren who made news last month when she proclaimed pain patients should not lose their access to pain medication.
While that comment buoyed many chronic pain patients, the reality is that her disappointing showings in the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary have severely hurt her chances of gaining the Democratic nomination.
John Kennedy Suffered from Pain
Speaking of presidents, it is important to remember that John F. Kennedy most likely would have been labeled a chronic pain sufferer today.
He had four back surgeries in the 1950s, and despite the vibrant image he displayed, he wore back braces, occasionally used crutches and was very limited in what he could do physically.
(More on Kennedy’s back issues)
He also suffered from Addison’s Disease, which can also be very painful. Notably, not many people knew about it until after the 1960 election.
(More on Kennedy’s Addison Disease)
Kennedy hid the effects of his medical issues (and other activities as we’ve learned) from the public, which would be much harder to do today.
Stanford University Starts a Pain News Site
Our friends at Stanford University have started a pain news site which it says aims to reach a person living with pain, a family member of someone who has pain, a clinician caring for people with pain, or a researcher working to better understand pain and develop new therapies.
Some interesting things are going on at Stanford—might be worth checking in occasionally. The first story is on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which is being studied at Stanford.
Advocating Tips When Mistreated by the Medical Field 
Want to Talk With the FDA? Here’s Your Chance 
Patient Organizations Should Embrace the Challenges Ahead: The First Step is Unifying Our Movement 
Media Hysteria Is Hurting Chronic Pain 
Predicting the Success of Antidepressant Therapy 
Does the National Pain Strategy Still Have a Pulse? Maybe! 
A National Campaign Calls for Investment in Pain Research and Access to Pain Therapies 
How giving up dairy has affected my fibromyalgia and chronic Lyme symptoms
Not long after taking office President Trump signed the order that started the insane and evil that is called the “prescription pain medication crisis” I voted for him and am sickened by that. He has deceived millions of voters and is continuing to deceived them. A booming economy and a secure southern border does not make America great, when millions of decent Americans are caused to suffering with many, many of them dying by suicide and withdrawal, heart attacks brought on because of needed pain medications being denied them. It’s a national tragedy that this has happened to innocent people in pain. Our “Americans with Disabilities rights have been violated with extreme prejudice and the evil insanity continues without a word from the candidates from both sides. Yet people continue to support their candidate of choice without regard to those in horrible pain daily. Love for their fellow man and compassion have vanished from millions in preference for more money and material wealth. Doctor for the most part have lost their collective minds and becoming uncaring cowards refuse to stand up and defend those who entrusted themselves to their care. The medical profession totally rejected the statements of both the FDA and CDC when they said that they had misunderstood the CDC’s recommendations on prescribing opioid pain medications for chronic pain sufferers and long term patients who have been on these medicines. Trump with the stroke of his pen could stop this madness but has done nothing to date except make it worse. I am a 30 year chronic pain patient with a good record but this means nothing to cowardly uncaring doctors who love their money and lifestyle more than the patients who gives them those things. On the 17th of February, yesterday I found that I am being considered as a person who they will drop and recommend that I enter a Methadone or Suboxone clinic. My pain management has turned their back on me and many more of their patients to save their own hide.
Why would voting for Elizabeth Warren give us any hope when she says we should not have any access to pain meds? The Dems want socialized medicine. From talking to friends who live in countries that already have it, I believe that it would just be worse. We think doctors have strict rules now. My friends say it’s 10 times worse
“when she proclaimed pain patients should lose their access to pain medication” ????????
Seems to be major typo in following sentence, copied from above:
“Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren who made news last month when she proclaimed pain patients SHOULD lose their access to pain medication.”
The word “not” appears to be missing.
Great article. Thank you. Fyi. Last sentence of 2nd paragraph re: E Warren’s comment should be changed from “should” to “shouldn’t” lose access to medication. Her backing could help us so much!
I think what you meant to say was shouldn’t lose access to their medications. I agree but I would never vote for her.A socialist will run out of others money to spend sooner or later, look at Venezuela, not a pretty picture.
Dear Ed,
Please fix the sentences about Trump and Warren. They are confusing. I had to look up Warren’s position cause what you wrote sounded so out of character for her. Sure enough, she said pain patients SHOULDN’T be deprived of our treatments.
Of course, I’ve watched this whole disaster from the beginning of the propaganda campaign and I lay it all at Trump’s feet. I’ve even figured out why he did it; $$$$, of to save it after his enormous tax cuts for the rich. Now, everybody else is going to be skinned, as usual in R admins.
Healthcare is on the chopping block big time. Vote, people!
There are millions of sufferers we should speak in numbers.
PLEASE NOTE: Elizabeth Warren said pain patients should NOT lose access to their medication. Read the Newsweek article and her tweet that I copied and posted.
Elizabeth Warren
✔
@ewarren
Programs and policies meant to deter opioid abuse should not force millions of Americans to lose access to critical medicine and live in pain. My administration will take care to balance both priorities. #CripTheVote
751
12:55 PM - Jan 7, 2020
The TMS therapy sounds too good to be true! I’d be willing to try it. If it was available near me. For certain, I’m happy to hear positive research coming out for pain syndromes. I just hope it’s real for everyone, not just a select few.