Q: I am a 44-year-old woman. Recently, I had some severe pain in my
back that I believed to be due to a kidney infection. I went to the
nearest hospital emergency department and the doctor called me a drug
addict who was looking for painkillers. I never asked for any drugs. I
was dressed well, wearing jewelry and there are no needle tracks on my
arms.
A: Even though you were obviously upset and annoyed at the emergency
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doctor’s comments, I do not completely blame him for those remarks. He
could have been more tactful and asked a few more questions before
jumping to conclusions.
However, it is not uncommon for drug addicts wanting such medications
as Demerol or Tylenol No. 3, which contain codeine, to pretend to be in
severe pain. Kidney pain from stones or infection is a favourite
choice, as these conditions often require treatment with strong
narcotic painkillers.
Migraine is another condition frequently faked by addicts. It is almost
impossible to prove whether a person is a genuine sufferer, but these
days there are other treatments available that do not involve addictive
medications. One is injectable Immitrex. Doctors should become
suspicious of people who say that it doesn’t work, and demand Demerol
instead.
Some drug addicts are clever enough not to ask outright for their drug
of choice, but wait to be offered it by the attending physician. I have
known many prescription drug addicts who were clean and well groomed,
and you would never guess their secret problem.
Back pain injections
Q: I have had severe back pain most of my life, and recently I heard on
the radio of people taking injections in the painful area with
excellent results. The medication was pronounced Bowtox, but I am not
sure of the spelling. My doctor had never heard of it.
A: The correct spelling is Botox. It is made from the toxin produced by
the Botulinum bacterium. This is the bug usually associated with severe
food poisoning known as botulism, but in this injectable form, it does
not cause any gastrointestinal symptoms. It acts by paralyzing the
nerves in the affected area. The treatments last a few months. They can
be repeated if necessary.
I am sure your doctor will have heard of Botox being used for cosmetic
purposes to temporarily remove lines and wrinkles in the face. More
recently, the drug has been used to treat such conditions as migraine
and the muscle spasms and contractions of cerebral palsy.
Most provincial medical plans do not cover these injections, but you
may be able to get it paid for if the doctor writes a letter stating
that it is medically necessary in your case.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont.
Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are
encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding
medical questions and treatments.
