Joan Eckley
posted
Jul 18, 2012
Dear Editor,
I have a spinal cord injury from whiplash car accidents that is
not treatable by current medical practices. I am in chronic pain in
my shoulders and upper back and my left arm is significantly
atrophied. Along with muscle relaxers and prescription non-narcotic
pain patches, I have monthly trigger point injections on my
shoulders and upper back. My naturopathic doctor uses lidocaine, an
anesthetic and serapin, a derivative of the pitcher plant which is
used as a nerve block.
Before I found out about them, I was in agony and had zero
quality of life. With the injections I am able to enjoy life with
manageable levels of pain. Now my naturopathic doctor's medical
malpractice has informed him that he can no longer do trigger point
injections so he is finding another person to do it while he
supervises. All of this I pay out of pocket. Medicare used to cover
the injections but now has deemed them 'experimental.'
There are millions in this country who have the same problem I
do but are not being treated the way I have chosen. They suffer on
narcotics, which don't work, can no longer care for themselves and
live in misery. It's so unnecessary.
We need full coverage for this as well as vision, hearing and
dental care. I have worked for almost four years in the Healthcare
is a Human Right campaign and strongly believe that everyone has
the right to full coverage.
Sincerely,
Joan Eckley, West Haven, Vt.
Tagged:
Letter to the Editor, healthcare
