Chronic Pain: "From Patient to Person"

The slogan, the issues, the workbook, the ACPA.  
       

On Our Forum "I have suffered from chronic intractable migraines for 13 years. I take Fiorcet with Codeine for pain at this time. Unfortunately many times it does not work and I find myself suffering a lot. I have a doctor but he refuses to give me anything stronger for the pain. I am looking for a doctor who will be willing to prescribe MS Contin because I have taken it in the past and it has worked fairly well. I have been all over the country looking for help and ... doc who will prescribe the pain meds. that I need to function like a normal person. Right now I am suffering from severe depression even though I am on anti-depressants. If anyone can help please respond I'm desperate and at a breaking point." Join the discussion    Elsewhere on the Web • American Chronic Pain Association    Free Newsletter Email Address Subscribe to: BEATING HEADACHES Email Newsletter

The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) defines chronic pain as "pain that goes on longer than six months and does not respond to conventional medical treatment." Chronic pain of some kind affects Eighty-six million Americans.
    

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The Costs of Chronic Pain:

• Industry and business expenses of $51 billion each year in:
  • insurance claims
  • lost work hours
  • retraining
• Beyond the cost in dollars lies a bigger price:
  • debilitating pain that seems to be never-ending
  • unimaginable stress on the families of sufferers
  • helplessness to find help or control the pain
  • desolation and levels of pain that literally can lead to suicide

Other Issues of Chronic Pain:
The pain itself is only one of the issues with which people in chronic pain must deal. According to the ACPA, others include:

• Isolation
• Confusion
• Uncertainty
• Suffering
• Guilt
• Anger

From Patient to Person:
"From Patient to Person" is a phrase often used by the ACPA. They consider chronic pain to be, "A process that turns the sufferer from a person to a patient."

Penny Cowan, Founder and Executive Director of the ACPA, has written an outstanding book aimed at reversing that process. From Patient to Person: First Steps is a workbook for chronic pain sufferers. (table of contents at the end of this feature) From Patient to Person: First Steps is available only through the ACPA, by itself or as part of the membership packed for new members.

The ACPA has many other valuable publications, support chapters nationally, an excellent newsletter, and more to offer chronic pain sufferers who need help. The ACPA is far more than a short article can convey. If you or someone in your life suffers chronic pain, I urge you to explore the ACPA.

For more information, contact the ACPA by:

• visiting their web site at www.theacpa.org 
• emailing them at ACPA@pacbell.net
• or phoning 916-632-0922

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From Patient to Person: First Steps

Introduction		4
ACPA Mission		5
Chapter 1	Learning to Live With it	6
Chapter 2	How Chronic Pain Affects Our Life	10
Chapter 3	Ten Concepts: Moving from Patient to Person
		13
Knowing Yourself		19
Chapter 4	Do You Know Who You Are?	20
Chapter 5	Setting Priorities	28
Chapter 6	Goals	40
Chapter 7	Evaluating Your Goals	50
Chapter 8	Managing Your Emotions	66
Chapter 9	Attitudes	76
Learning to Live With Others		81
Chapter 10	Your Basic Rights	82
Chapter 11	Assertiveness	89
Chapter 12	Communication Skills	119
Chapter 13	Family Involvement	122
Helping Your Body		137
Chapter 14	Stress and Relaxation	138
Chapter 15	Exercise	151
Chapter 16	Sleep Hygiene	166
Chapter 17	Nutrients and You	170
Chapter 18	Helpful Hints for Everyday Living	182
Chapter 19	Troubling Questions for Those with Chronic Pain
		190

       

Note: Special thanks to Penny Cowan and the ACPA for their priceless work and cooperation on this feature.         

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