Pain Management

Re “Painful Rift Unnerves Doctors,” Oct. 20: The last time I was in the hospital for surgery, the medical staff was obsessed with possible addiction and I was obsessed with my pain. I was undermedicated and in pain for eight days. From my reading, very few post-surgery patients become addicted if they are fully pain-managed and, even if they become addicted, they can be quickly detoxed, if need be. There will always be doctors who abuse the system, but why hurt the patients for the folly of a few rogue MDs? The Drug Enforcement Administration needs to get its priorities in order.

Brad Sales

Sierra Madre