A STIGMA THAT PAIN SUFFERERS HAVE TO LIVE WITH

As a sufferer of long-term, severe chronic pain, it was refreshing to read
the Feb. 4 commentary "Fear of addiction to painkillers causes unnecessary
suffering."

Not only does "bad press" cause patients to sometimes fear taking these
medications, it also interferes with doctors' willingness to prescribe
them, even when it is the only effective relief. Furthermore, people who do
not suffer such pain often view friends and relatives whose quality of life
depends upon this relief as "addicted."

Even with these medications, chronic pain sufferers such as myself
experience a pain level that would not be tolerated by most healthy people.
My advice to pain sufferers is to seek care by a pain management
specialist. My advice to non-pain sufferers is to show support, tolerance
and understanding, as wrongful judgment only leads to, as the article
stated, "unnecessary suffering."

NEAL FRANKS

Panama City