General Discussion

First, I was horrified by your story. Yes, this could happen to any one of us.

So here's a thought about a possible solution to this problem of doctors not prescribing painkillers when needed.

I know it is true that doctors overreact and refuse to give pain meds and it's not just pain meds, either. There are other beliefs they have (a good example is prescribing estrogen for hot flashes) and they will not budge, no matter what the research says. In fact, with this example I just cited, an online source/company has sprung up with doctors who will prescribe for women needing these hormones. That's how bad it is--because regular doctors wouldn't prescribe them. There was a big story in the NY times about it and an extensive interview on public radio. This was about 18 months ago.

When I asked my doctor about it (out of curiosity; I don't have the need for them), she told me it was the insurance companies who would raise her premiums if she prescribed over what the insurance companies decided what the "norm" was.

All of which leads me to ask if this might be a possibility as to why doctors are so scared of prescribing pain killers.

Has that ever been discussed on the sub-Reddit?

I won't go to the sub-Reddit to find out because I'm afraid of reading too many horror stories. I have an over-empathy problem to start with and that would put me over the edge.

Besides that, I generally dislike Reddit, but that's another story.

But I have to ask because if the insurance companies are the real cause behind the behavior of doctors, that is a remedy for legislation.

Again, I am so sorry this happened to you and for all the pain you have endured.