In The News
- My pain relief with cannabis
- Virtual Advocacy Day update
- Addressing inequality and health disparities
By: Ellen Lenox Smith
When it was first suggested I try medical marijuana to see if it would relieve the pain being experienced, I thought the doctor was nuts.
Back in 2007, I had never once even thought about that as an option. I had tried marijuana recreationally in college and hated the feeling of being out of control of my body. I was desperate, however, and had to consider this as a possibility because, at that time, I was not taking anything for help with two painful, incurable conditions. Since birth, I negatively reacted to most medications. I had gotten to the point where it was better to learn to live with the pain instead of the pain and a reaction to a medication. In time, these reactions were justified through the DNA drug sensitivity testing. (You can learn more about drug sensitivity testing through a past webinar, here.) It showed that I was not able to metabolize most medications, including all opiates and even over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and Tylenol.
Last month, the U.S. Pain Foundation rallied a total of 761 pain warriors nationwide to urge Congress to allocate funding for the Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force report, a federal blueprint for improving pain care. Cindy Steinberg, National Director of Advocacy and Policy, served on the task force that developed the report.
Through U.S. Pain’s action campaign, 738 individuals sent 2,452 emails to Congress, and 71 individuals made 167 calls. Meanwhile, the hashtag #aplanforpain was tweeted out roughly 1,000 times across social media platforms. People from across 49 states and D.C. participated (if you live in South Dakota, or know someone who does, please join the campaign!).
A statement from U.S. Pain Foundation
As an organization, the U.S. Pain Foundation strongly condemns racism and inequality in all its forms. We are heartbroken at the unjust and unfair challenges that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as LGBTQ+ individuals in our community have to face—on top of dealing with the difficulties of living with chronic illness. Studies repeatedly show that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to face barriers to health care and be undertreated for pain. (You can read more about health care disparities from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.)
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
It starts here
Want to become the voice of hope and empowerment, as well as create pain awareness and support in your local community?
Become a U.S. Pain Foundation ambassador.
CONNECT WITH PAIN WARRIORSLooking to connect with others going through the same challenges?
Join Pain Connection, which offers in-person support groups and free conference call support groups.
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Our Commitment to You
An organization created by people with pain for people with pain, U.S. Pain recognizes and validates the challenges 50 million Americans endure every day. We strive to be the leading source of support for those living with pain, as well as their caregivers and care providers.
U.S. Pain is here to offer hope, information, and stories and to honor those whose lives have been affected by pain.