Back from Iraq - What To Do About The Pain?

Saturday May 24, 2008

The Military Pain Care Act of 2008 has been passed by the House of Representatives.

Photo:
Taliesin

According to the American Pain Foundation, the most common symptom showing up in soldiers returning from war is pain. The Foundation estimates nearly 50% of troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan have pain and pain related disability.

According to a Feb 14, 2008 Time Magazine article, soldiers who have returned with pain syndromes often fall through the cracks. The Army medical system, woefully lacking in accountability and a solid plan for post traumatic pain management, can and does lead to unnecessary deaths. If the doctors are not able to successfully treat the patient, they prescribe pain-killers, often addictive ones. It is quite possible that these medications may not provide anywhere near the amount of pain reduction needed by a soldier who has been through the War on Terror. And with the way the system works, it’s easy for that soldier to go missing for a few days without their commanding officers being alerted. Easy for a severely pained and potentially drug addicted soldier to die before anyone has even started looking for them.

The Department of Defense has yet to put together a qualified, coordinated national pain management program for our troops.

A “well defined and comprehensive pain management program for all active service members in the military health system” is on its way, according to a new statement by the American Pain Foundation.

On May 22, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 5658), which includes wording from the Military Pain Care Act (HR 5456). The Military Pain Care Act seeks to put together a plan to evaluate and treat pain in returning soldiers, in a comprehensive and qualified manner, and for as long as the patient may need. This includes looking for and treating problems that go with the pain, such as depression and sleep disorders, and to increase functioning and quality of life. It is based on the assumption that by treating pain early, while it is still acute, many chronic problems can be avoided.

The National Defense Authorization Act now goes to a conference where it will be integrated with the Senate’s version. Cross your fingers.

Related:

Types of Pain Symptoms:

_{Sources:

Thompson, M. Dying Under the Army’s Care. Time Magazine website. Feb 14, 2008.

Rep. Loebsack Votes to Support Our Troops and Veterans, Better Equip Our National Guard and Increase Oversight on the War In Iraq American Pain Foundation website. May 22, 2008.

Loebsack. HR Bill 5456. The Military Pain Care Act of 2008.}

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