Re: New to this group/VA medical care

[Guest guest]

Jennette wrote:

> I am so sorry to hear about the pain resulting from this broken bone. Did you

have any trouble convincing doctors that you hurt so terribly? Just curious.

>

> Is your doctor one at the VA?

>

> My husband goes to the VA for all his health care and seems to get more and

better care than I do with civilian doctors.

Jennette,

That is a nice sentiment but my husband and I both served and my injury is from

an auto accident as stated his is also and I had to get out because of the

injury.

I already had twenty-six years in but I believe that everyone deserves to have

their pain treated. This also happens when pain patients are categorized in a

cancer, non cancer categories as there are severe pain conditions that are not

cancer that need to be treated also.

The VA health care has had an evolution because of the poor care that needed to

be corrected. The Project " Wounded Warriors " was a good step in right direction

and Walter is supposedly the example for Warriors.

Just recently, Th Pain Academy Presidential Commendations were presented for

efforts toward improving comprehensive pain management through the U.S. Army’s

Pain Management Task Force, efforts that have ranged from better use of

anesthesia to non-pharmacological treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic

therapy, yoga and biofeedback.

The military is reluctant to give narcotics and steroids and their formulary

carries with it many stipulations. I wish for all injured and patients in pain

for them to be pain free. I worked at a VA Hospital for six years and military

hospitals and seen a realm of injuries, both mental and physical and hope pain

free days for all.

[Guest guest]

I do not use VA care even though it is available to me for free. Their care is

substandard in my humble opinion.

I did have problems with my ortho surgeon as he even told me that I had pain

because I was coming off of the pain medication at the time.

Later it was discovered the rod was moving in the bone justifying my statements.

My primary care doctors have never once questioned me as I have goof

relationships with the ones I had as well as extensive medical documentation. I

don't have any issues getting medication as they know I only use what I need,

frequently ill tell them I haven't used all my pills on some months etc.. and

sometimes I've reduced my dosage on my own.

I have also worked to come off my medication every time after each surgery

except the last as I refuse to suffer in pain and know better after being

treated poorly by my ortho.

W