----- Original Message -----

From: l.d.misek-falkoff

To: DisabilityParty@yahoogroups.com

Cc: ConronicPainCooperate@yahoogroups.com ; C-O-P-I-N-G_UN@yahoogroups.com ; invisible-NO-more@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 3:09 AM

Subject: Re: [DisabilityParty] Have we ever discussed Pain as a Mental Hell/health issue--COPING

Dear Ed and responding to Ed C. also:

 

Well said on a difficult subject. 

 

Your proposals - these are good ideas, in my humble opinion.  We can and should discuss all possible approaches. Also, the pain bills Before Congress have been in Committee too long and Ed C. (Carraway) and I visited those offices in Washington.  As soon as we know who the new Administration will be we can move forward on this.

 

And you may be interested in:

HRCPP now in formation.  Human Rights Council of and for People with Pain... because ... what you and our other dear Ed have  posted includes legal aspects but well beyond to fundamental freedoms as to quality of life.  It is a mystery how a person burdened with severe pain can be expected to not get very worried or depressed - that is, there are exceptions, but from many years with pain and pain research and support and other I would call that a minor miracle..

 

But immediately, sorry about the arthritis grip; here too; we can look to the season resolving to at least some sort of steady state one hopes (not likely!) and then spring forward in tune with Spring's warming balms.

 

:) LDMF.

----- Original Message -----

From: Ed Westphal

To: DisabilityParty@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 1:11 PM

Subject: RE: [DisabilityParty] Have we ever discussed Pain as a Mental Hell/health issue--COPING

            I haven’t been ‘chiming in’ much, but this one strikes real close to home. Doctors are, in my experience, pretty poor at the more complicated cases. I’ve had SSDI for nearly a year now, but my private long term disability insurance provider continues to deny my claim. In my opinion it’s because they can’t connect the dots from a bevy of doctors. My lawyer has shown me the documentation, it’s literally 4 inches thick! But MetLife, w/their partner UnumProvident continue to not understand the connection between constant pain and several disorders, including mental health ones like major depression and anxiety. You are quite right, the insurance company oversold their product, not properly contemplating the likely outcomes for aging populations of higher income workers. Thus, when it comes time to pay up, they balk and literally will take any possible avenue to avoid their responsibilities. There are literally thousands of such cases clogging the courts. To my simple mind, it would seem to be fertile ground for class action, much like what has been done for tobacco and asbestos, et. al.

            Maybe not exactly on point, but forgive me for venting. The cold rainy weather is aggravating the arthritis.

 

Ed Westphal

 

-----Original Message-----
From: virginiaedward@... [mailto:virginiaedward@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 12:28 PM
To: DisabilityParty@yahoogroups.com; C-O-P-I-N-G_UN@yahoogroups.com
Cc: ldmf@...
Subject: [DisabilityParty] Have we ever discussed Pain as a Mental Hell/health issue--COPING

 

Linda and all, please chime in!!!

 

When pain becomes severe and constant there must be many possibilities that effect ones mental health. I pose three questions and or concerns:

 

Does the "Doctor" usually (why not normal protocol)? take this into consideration and offer a counseling prescription?

 

When one masks pain with prescriptions and knowing that it will return or require meds dosage to be increased, and the natural anxiety of wondering how/when it will return effects ones everyday functioning regarding plans or routines, why counseling isn't part of the treatment protocol and covered by insurance?

 

Insurance by most companies only cover a set number of treatments for Mental Health Counseling which a long term pain individual would/could soon run out of allowed treatments.

 

Also, its takes away productivity and employment, which at that time an individual isn't paying any premiums, which at the least helps the insurance company with costs. Are they cutting their nose off to spite their face? Enigma in a Conundrum HUH!

 

My Niece in North Carolina is going through this as we speak, as she is concerned about making daily plans as she never knows when times will be too difficult to participate, which prompts me to discuss with others who are probably going through similar or like situations.

 

When we go up to visit its our plans to take her to Duke University where a major Pain clinic has a Doctor who strongly believes that pain is real whether its imagination or not. He accepts the individual as the best one to diagnose their pain and its levels. 

 

Linda, I always admire how you seem to be the enigizer bunny and keep on ticking. You have much to share with us how you don't let pain get you down. Seems you take the pain situation and accept it at that moment in time and nurture yourself back to a "functioning" level despite knowing it will return. 

 

Hope I am not overstepping any bounds with my comments.

 

Ed Carraway

 

 

The National Disability Party Website is at:
http://www.disabilityparty.com/

The National Disability Party Website is at:
http://www.disabilityparty.com/