Drug Recalls Announced

I recently read a brief article about the FDA removing yet more medications used for the treatment of migraine pain.

The article was short and I noticed that it pointed out the drugs that were not effected/pulled -- rather than those that were pulled. I was wondering why, since I would think people would want to know if they were taking any of the drugs that were pulled.

Ergotamine is a powerful vasoconstrictor. I remember being hospitalized many years ago for migraines and receiving an ergotamine preparation. I went numb in a part of my body which they attributed directly to the dosage of the ergotamine. Fast action reversed the condition and I was soon fine. Had I not known and had a reaction to that drug at home, I might have experienced irreparable damage or long term adverse effects because of it. It was the fast action of the healthcare team that recognized what was occuring and what needed to be done to reverse a sudden onset downhill course.

I feel the FDA did the right thing. The pulled drugs never should have been in circulation to begin with if they hadn't been through the complete review and approval process. I can appreciate the frustration, pain and suffering people go through when they are unable to find a drug regimen that works for their condition. However, patient safety must come first and drugs need to be reviewed for safety and efficacy.

Since many of the commonly used migraine drugs remain uneffected by this recall, hopefully this announcement should have less of a panic response than some of the others have in the past. Let's hope that this recall will enable the FDA to do a proper and effective review that will enable these drugs to return to the market -- properly tested and labelled.

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Technorati Tags: health-and-wellness, chronic pain, headache, migraine, FDA recall

The Long Road to Relief

It is understandable when folks voice frustration and exhaustion fighting chronic pain. Quite often finding relief comes only after traveling along a weary journey of "try this and try that," only to find options growing less, while symptoms continue to grow more. I truly believe the quest for relief in itself is so stressful and agonizing sometimes that this aspect of life adds to the suffering already going on.

I was thinking back to the days when I had agonizing and unrelenting pain and I remembered how hard it was for me to find doctors who were willing and able to work with me. I remembered the time my doctor asked me to create a symptom diary so we could look at it together to see if there were any clues that might explain why I kept getting such severe debilitating headaches almost every day for weeks.

Well, the day of my appointment I was met by a colleague of his who was covering him for that day. When I met him he was rude and condescending. And when I presented my diary to him, he told me I was a hypochondriac and that I was too focused on my pain. He had no recommendations, made no changes to my treatment plan, and offered me absolutely no hope that day. I remember leaving that office in tears. I went from the emotion of relief in finding a doctor to work with me only to have his colleague insult me and treat me with utmost disrespect.

The hurt of that day over 20 years ago remains vivid to this day. As I type this now, I can feel my stomach knotting up and my breathing change. I don't know if that doctor is still practicing or not. I never went back when I knew he would be there. I was sure to tell his partner -- my doctor -- about it though on my next appointment and we did review my diary then. It is now over 20 years later. It took close to 6 doctors and neurologists and 7 years of treatment before I was able to finally gain control over my pain and get my life back. Most of the doctors wanted to bail out quickly when I found little to no relief from their prescribed regimens.

But I continued to become educated about my condition and the treatment options that were available and ultimately I proved to my doctor I was not a push-over. I was a partner in this team and I would have a say about my care. As we worked together, my doctor and I developed a very good relationship based on professionalism and mutual respect. But I think back on the difficulty I had to go through to find someone who would work with me. That struggle in itself was a painful experience I do not want to have to endure ever again.

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• WebMD Video: Drug-Induced Coma Helps Crippling Pain
• The Price Tag of Chronic Pain

Technorati Tags: chronic pain, health and wellness, migraine