Medical Neglect Quotes

“We have a genuine and devastating epidemic of opiate abuse in this country, and it is of critical importance that this problem be addressed. But we must do so in a way that doesn’t cut off an effective (and often the only) treatment for the chronically ill, many of whom are able to function in this world at all only because of the small respite that responsible opiate use provides.”
― Michael Bihovsky

“Government agencies are trying to get doctors to cut back on prescribing opioids. I understand that they need to do something about the epidemic of overdoses. However, labeling everyone as addicts, including those who responsibly take opioids for chronic pain, is not the answer. If the proposed changes take effect, they would force physicians to neglect their patients. Moreover, legitimate pain patients, like myself, would be left in agony on a daily basis.”
― Alison Moore,

“How do I validate him in the face of such profound personal loss and the outrageous denial by the medical community?”
― Mary Dimmock, Severe ME : Notes for Carers

“The description given by a leading gastro-enterologist at the Mayo Clinic [of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome] remains accurate: 'the average doctor will see they are neurotic and he will often be disgusted with them'.”
― Simon Wessely

“Validation is needed from the doctor ... once that is granted, the patient may assume the privileges of the sick role (sympathy, time off from work, benefits, etc.).”
― Simon Wessely

“Truth or Care by Stewart Stafford

It's not every day you find out you're going to die,
A sweaty doctor hit me right between the eyes,
With my body's Judas kiss and then I was prey,
Life had left me without any cards to play.

Reading the shocked expression on my face,
The doctor played his "it's treatable" ace,
Treatable is good but curable is better,
Survival hinges on the placement of letters.

Turns out I never had a chance, sadly,
The doctor lied to me and lied badly,
Flop sweat had put truth to the sword,
And I'm writing all this through a ouija board.

© Stewart Stafford, 2022. All rights reserved.”
― Stewart Stafford