Chronic Pain Support is RIGHT HERE!

It's no secret that women are often labeled as...

1. EMOTIONAL

2. DRAMATIC

3. SENSITIVE

4. IN NEED OF PROTECTION

5. FRAGILE

6. ACCEPTING

7. AND MANY MORE "GRACEFUL & FEMININE ADJECTIVES *insert eye roll here

   
   

   These gender biases have unfortunately seeped into the brains and sub-conscious of many male doctors, causing serious repercussions, particularly when it comes to pain. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, women are 7 times more likely to be dismissed from the ER while experiencing a heart attack. On what grounds? Studies have shown women are likely to experience the pain and symptoms of a heart attack differently than the male species. And when it comes to chronic pain, women make up 70% of the community. So what is the medical community doing wrong? How can we bring attention to this phenomenon? Aren't we living in modern times and moving towards equality?

   
   

   Unfortunately, parts of the medical community seem to apply "blanket treatments" when it comes to pain control. Many doctors are inflexible and unwilling to keep exploring for answers or clues, something I've experienced first-hand. I'm a survivor of a traumatic accident and experience chronic pain daily. Upon my first visit to an orthopedic specialist, less than 72 hours after being hit by a moving vehicle, he chose to focus on the single dislocated bone in my shoulder, instead of taking a whole body approach.

   
   

   I struggled to even get a proper work excuse, so I could file for leave through my employer. I was working as a preschool teacher at the time and he comically wrote a work excuse for 3 weeks. 3 weeks? They sent me home with opioids, muscles relaxers, steroids with no guidance on pain management or where they'd like to see my pain level stay. I was never offered a brace, a walker, a cane or any type of assistive device and it gets worse. I spent 14 months thinking I could keep pushing through and magically I would wake up one day and it would all go away. That day never came.

   
   

   If there's one big thing I'd like you to take away from this article, PAIN doesn't make you a failure. Chronic pain is a serious medical condition that's real. It exists and it can happen to anyone; young or old, rich or poor, male or female, healthy or unhealthy. I want to normalize females advocating for themselves in the chronic pain arena. I want to help women find doctors that listen and create individualized care plans. I want to be a part of your support system. I'm cheering for you today & always!

   
   

   Peace & love,

   Sheridan