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Let's Get Montel's Attention!
Teri's letter: maybe reading it will help you write yours.

by Teri Robert
for About.com

Updated: December 11, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Montel Williams

Montel Wish: My story is one shared by millions of people around the world. I have Migraine disease and osteoarthritis, both chronic diseases that can result in chronic pain that requires good treatment to maintain a reasonable quality of life. The "war on drugs" is making life a living hell for many chronic pain patients. With government agencies monitoring doctors' prescribing patterns, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe narcotic pain medications, regardless of the patients' needs. Those doctors who still prescribe based on the patients' needs rather than government policing, are often subject to investigations that can destroy the lives and careers of these professionals who were merely practicing medicine with patient needs as their top priority. I'm fortunate that my pain is fairly well managed. However, I work as a medical journalist and patient advocate in the field of headaches and Migraine disease. Daily, I work with people who are desperate and are ready to give up hope of finding help. It's no exaggeration to say that lack of adequate pain management results in suicide. I've counseled suicidal patients. One poor woman left a message merely saying that she'd "like to talk to someone about her Migraines," but committed suicide the same day, before anyone could return her call. Please, Montel, help us tell our story? Your show can give us public faces and voices that can make a difference.
God bless you,
Teri Robert

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