Opioid epidemic continues unabated

[Aroura]

There is much transfer you in both directions. One of my girl scouts dad's was in a very bad car accident some years ago where he had a servere spinal injury. For years he could not walk at all and just recently he's found some water therapy that helps him. But he's in constant pain, and sure to doctors afraid to prescribe long term pain meds, he's been without for some time. Over a year now, at least. His family matches with signs saying their dad deserves quality of life! But I guess to many local docs are afraid of the long term consequences considering the epidemic. They don't look at his individual case.

Jor mentioned it and I will also. He needs to find a pain management center that knows how to deal with chronic pain.

Really?  You think they need to find a place that will help him get treatment for his problem?  Wow thanks!  I'm sure they hadn't thought of that or spent months (or longer) doing just that already. All of their problems are now solved.

Look, I know that came off super bitchy and sarcastic, but my point was that this is part of a systemic problem with American medicine.  It's not that they haven't tried.  I actually had this whole reasonable response typed up, but I was getting really frustrated explaining, and it's not even my family or my problem.  

It made me think, this woman and her children have been dealing with this pain management issue about their husband/father for a long time.  A LONG time. (his accident was over a decade ago, it's only in the last 1 to 2 years he's had a hard time getting pain meds). Their daily life revolves around taking care of him, at least in part. I cannot imagine trying to share this heartbreaking story and getting this kind of obvious, if well meaning, response on a regular basis.  I would want to strangle people. 

What I know is they have even gone out of state looking for help for him.  For whatever reason, doctors in their insurance group are unwilling to prescribe what he needs long term.  I know they have looked into everything they can, and their last option is to change the system itself, to force a doctor in their network to help, because their IS NO pain management enter they can afford that will treat him.

TLDR: well meaning comments can sounds super condescending and be an extra source of frustration for people who really don't need it.  IRL with people in actual crisis, think before you speak.