It has been brought to my attention that I intertwined socialized medicine with Dianes particular medical issues and that was an error in my judgement.

First off, although healthcare in the US is far from perfect, I am still personally opposed to socialized medicine. This is my own personal viewpoint and does not reflect the views of OCF. One only has to questionn the fact that the government can't even run a viable VA or military hospital system let alone a nationwide system of healthcare. Look at the trainwreck that Medicare is and the crisis that is looming as millions of babyboomers are just entering the system.

Please do not comment on my views in this thread - it is not my intent to start a debate on socialized medicine here. Start a new topic if you want to. I am sure that all of us would appreciate differing viewpoints on the subject. I do not want to hijack Dianes thread. As a matter of fact I'll start one in the general topics section go to:
http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=86084&#Post86084


Diane, others have pm'd me, (from Canada) that their pain was adequately managed so there may be contraindication issues with your other medical conditions that may have played a role in your physicians decision not to give you better pain relief.

Many doctors in the US also have the same viewpoint about addiction and needing pain meds so far out from Tx or surgery would be questioned here as well. Not that it would result in an automatic denial. Nerve endings can be damaged and give phantom pain for long periods of time. I would still question it however. I found that my MO was my best source for understanding my pain management issues. I got very little sympathy from the RO, H&N surgeon or even my general care PCP. Pain medications are frequently abused here as well so it is not surprising.