Shelby S.
1/5
I'm 24 years old, and was put through my dream school, my dream program, and dream internship, with all my expenses paid by my parents. When dealing with constant medical bills and doctor's appointments they always found the time to make my dreams come true. After my mom gave birth to me she started to show symptoms as what we can only conclude is fibromyalgia. The disease gives its victims the worst possible pain imaginable firing up bones in the legs, arms, back, and more. Fibromyalgia can be managed in some cases, but cannot be cured.
I don't know what your upbringing was like Doctor, but mine was perfect. My mom fought through pain every single day to make sure it was. She will wake up at three in the morning still to this day to take a pain pill so it has time to kick in so she can interact with everyone else with minimal pain. Sometimes holding a simple conversation is even hard for her because it takes so much effort to take the focus off of the excruciating pain in her legs to talk about something so minimal like a report card or dentist visit.
Through all of that, she didn't miss a single recital, debate, student council function (which parents don't even have to come to.) She missed nothing. Even through some of her worst days (and some of my brattiest) that woman showed up willing to be by my side through it all.
But while she was missing nothing she was going through EVERYTHING. She was experiencing a pain you and I couldn't even begin to imagine. A pain that forces her to cry on the couch for hours. A pain that forces her to rely on a heating pad and opioids. A pain that is nearly unstoppable unless your have the right medication.
I know that fibromyalgia to some is nerves in the brain not functioning properly, and to others, it is, in fact, the physical pain they are feeling. But regardless of all of that. I want you to picture your own mother.
I want you to picture your mother sitting across from you at Christmas time grabbing at her legs because there is so much pain its almost unbearable. To get so happy when she gets a new heating pad. A HEATING PAD. I don't know what your mom get's excited about, but my mom gets excited when she has just a sliver of hope of being relieved of her pain.
It is absolutely without a doubt the most heart-wrenching thing you will ever see in your life.
Now, I wasn't there the day you told my mother you don't believe in prescribing opioids. Due to the current epidemic a part of me can understand your justification for turning down my sick mother of the only thing she has in this world to help her wake up. What I fail to understand in your almost abysmal decision is the fact that you looked my mother in the eyes. My sweet, innocent mother, watched her grab her legs in pain and told her that it is "not something you practice." You know very well that her only option without pain medicine is to sit there and cry out in pain at home. You knew that. It seemed as though you wanted that so you can continue on with your sick belief.
I also find it frightening to other patients out there who may be suffering from a similar situation where doctors practice on beliefs rather than what is in the best interest of the patient.
There is a story behind every person who walks into your doctor's office. There is a story of someone going struggling with something much deeper than you may witness. My mother, my savior, my everything is one of those people.
I call it your system because you treat as if it's your way or the highway. When you won't even give my mom the time of day to hear her backstory and advocate for her. That should be your first and only job.
You must advocate for your patients and you must advocate for my mother. And for that, you have failed my mother and your system has failed me.
Please don't come here. The doctors practice on beliefs rather than what is best for the patient. I'm so disappointed in you Nate. I trusted you.