The Right (and Wrong) Way to Treat Pain
Thank you for your moving and insightful cover story on ways to manage chronic pain [March 28]. As a person who has battled debilitating pain for more than five years, I read it with tears in my eyes. But I was encouraged that your magazine took the crucial step of shifting the focus away from pills and to other ways of treating the sources of pain. And I can’t thank you enough for including fibromyalgia in your article. Many of us who suffer from it still face doctors who fail to recognize that excruciating disease — plunging us into a nightmare that compounds the anxiety, depression and hopelessness, and therefore the pain.
Moira McLaughlin
Los Angeles
Recurrent pain is grossly undertreated in our society. For tens of millions of Americans, chronic pain is a catastrophic medical condition that can disrupt every aspect of their lives. Still, the vast majority of doctors receive little training in pain management. Patients need to be persistent. It is important for them to find a caring, involved physician specializing in pain management. Essentially, the physician becomes a partner in their care. Advances in the understanding and treatment of chronic pain can significantly improve quality of life. Although pain cannot always be completely eliminated, it can be reduced to the point where people become more functional and get their lives back.
Philip J. Wagner, M.D.
New York City
I lived with chronic pain for more than five years, and I had to insist, insult, plead and finally cry before any physician would listen and recognize I was in agony and needed help. I now take a pain medication that has literally given me my life back. Ironically, even the doctor who prescribed it thinks much of my pain is “psychological.” The only response I have for such doctors is to say that chronic pain can happen to anyone — it might even happen to you.
Debbie Dellenbach
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
As your report noted, pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. That is important information, so don’t kill the messenger by taking pain medication. Find the source of the pain, and do something about it by changing your diet and lifestyle or seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Most pain is just a temporary, slight discomfort. Learn to tell the difference between twinges and chronic pain, and take medication only for the big stuff. Recognize that painkillers are drugs that have side effects.
Rolf Ohlemutz
Napa, California, U.S.
Remaking Morocco
Re TIME‘s report on investigations of the bombings in Madrid last March 11 [March 21]: I was disappointed by the story’s implication that Morocco’s policies may exacerbate terrorism. Moroccans continue to be saddened by the March 11 tragedy and share the grief of their Spanish brothers and sisters. The Moroccan government has embarked on a bold social, political and economic reform program to enhance freedom and opportunity. Last year King Mohammed VI addressed a council of religious scholars and announced a plan to revamp the domain of religious affairs to shield Morocco from the perils of extremism and retain Morocco’s tradition as a country of moderation, tolerance and respect for other faiths. Terrorism is a global problem that requires a global commitment if peace and freedom are to prevail.
Aziz Mekouar
Moroccan Ambassador to the U.S.
Washington
Stubborn or Sour?
Columnist Joe Klein’s “the creative Stubbornness of Harry Reid” [March 28], on the Senate minority leader’s success in blocking Republican-sponsored legislation, should have been called “The Sour-Grapes Obstructionism of Harry Reid.” Why glorify Reid’s antics when there is so much that needs to be accomplished in Washington?
Donald Nagy
Chino Valley, Arizona, U.S.
Ignorance Is Rich
I detected a pattern in your story on the fall of WorldCom’s former ceo Bernie Ebbers and other corporate fraudsters who may be facing long prison terms [March 28]. You reported that “Ebbers said he was too ignorant about accounting to detect the financial crimes of his underlings.” John Rigas, ceo of Adelphia Communications, “claimed he was ceo in name only.” And Richard Scrushy, CEO of HealthSouth Corp., “thought his financial officers, though aggressive, were operating within the confines of the law.” It is stunning how men who claim to be so clueless came to run huge companies and earn salaries that would make Croesus blush. I would like the board of directors of any corporation looking for a new ceo to know that I am available and ignorant — just the qualifications, apparently, to get me a job at the top.
Allen J. Schuler
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Classy and Controversial
Your story on the success of U.S. secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in reshaping diplomacy was right on the mark [March 28]. When President Bush appointed her, he knew that she would represent him and the U.S. with class, style and brilliance. I have been following her career over the years, and I must say our President couldn’t have made a better choice.
Micky A. Gutier
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
I disagree with your fawning portrayal of the “dazzling” job Rice is doing. The greatest weakness of her predecessor, Colin Powell, was that he was a good soldier rather than a good Secretary. Rice’s weakness is that she is a good Secretary, but in the interests of Bush rather than the American people.
Alan Moen
Entiat, Washington, U.S.
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