TRIBULATIONS OF TREATING CHRONIC PAIN

Re: "Patient deaths lead to raid on doctor's office - Prescriptions at
South Dallas practice probed after 11 fatalities," Wednesday Page One.

The investigation of Dr. Daniel Maynard is a primary example of the
pressure placed on the few physicians who are willing to treat chronic
pain. As a hospice nurse I frequently care for patients who report many
years of suffering that could have been relieved with the same prescription
medications Dr. Maynard is being accused of wrongfully prescribing.
Medications ordered for the unfortunate patients in your article are not
dangerous unless they are abused.

We have the knowledge and the medications available to treat pain and other
chronic symptoms. Tragically, most doctors remain reluctant for reasons
demonstrated by the scrutiny that Dr. Maynard is now under. Any medication
can be lethal if it is taken incorrectly. However, I doubt that Dr. Maynard
would be investigated if he had been treating diabetes or hypertension.

The medical profession has always fallen short when it comes to pain
control. I think the reasons are obvious.

Beth Kelly, RN, DeSoto