Comments on: The Pain of House http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/ FWD (feminists with disabilities) for a way forward Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:29:21 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ang http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-1173 Ang Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:54:51 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-1173 I'm a bit late commenting; I hope nobody minds, but I found this discussion really fascinating and am only now catching up with all my bookmarks after a few days away from the internet. Two points I particularly agree with: 1. The idea that House's pain management issue is treated as a negative thing by other characters in part because he doesn't hide it. I think this is a really key thing. The socially accepted narrative of disability is that disabled people bravely soldier on, because that's what good disabled people do. If you're in pain, you grin and bear it, even if you feel like your spine/leg/bowel is being eaten by crocodiles. Whereas House constantly draws people's attention to his pain; he doesn't allow them to forget that it's a factor in his daily life. And we're kind of not supposed to do that. It's seen as distasteful to 'make a show' of chronic pain or other factors of disability, even though someone else making constant references to some other complicating factor in their life would just be seen as normal. 2. The possibility of a psychosomatic dimension to House's pain being treated badly. This is really concerning. I think that some types of pain get a lot harder to deal with if you're going through other bad stuff, be it physical, mental, emotional or circumstantial. And there are sometimes forms of distraction that can work on some types of pain for some people. The problem comes in when this is all judged on a moral scale, with the person experiencing pain treated as lesser, morally, if they can't manage to 'rise above it' or 'push through it' . And then there's the issue of precedent: that if someone manages to cope *despite* their pain once, or in one situation, it is assumed by those around them that they can and should do so in every situation and at every occurence. Honestly, if we could uncouple disability issues from moral judgments in people's minds, it would make life a hell of a lot easier... .-= Ang´s last blog ..<a href="http://pandorasblog.dreamwidth.org/395.html" rel="nofollow">The 'hello' post.</a> =-. I’m a bit late commenting; I hope nobody minds, but I found this discussion really fascinating and am only now catching up with all my bookmarks after a few days away from the internet.

Two points I particularly agree with:

1. The idea that House’s pain management issue is treated as a negative thing by other characters in part because he doesn’t hide it. I think this is a really key thing. The socially accepted narrative of disability is that disabled people bravely soldier on, because that’s what good disabled people do. If you’re in pain, you grin and bear it, even if you feel like your spine/leg/bowel is being eaten by crocodiles. Whereas House constantly draws people’s attention to his pain; he doesn’t allow them to forget that it’s a factor in his daily life. And we’re kind of not supposed to do that. It’s seen as distasteful to ‘make a show’ of chronic pain or other factors of disability, even though someone else making constant references to some other complicating factor in their life would just be seen as normal.

2. The possibility of a psychosomatic dimension to House’s pain being treated badly. This is really concerning. I think that some types of pain get a lot harder to deal with if you’re going through other bad stuff, be it physical, mental, emotional or circumstantial. And there are sometimes forms of distraction that can work on some types of pain for some people.

The problem comes in when this is all judged on a moral scale, with the person experiencing pain treated as lesser, morally, if they can’t manage to ‘rise above it’ or ‘push through it’ . And then there’s the issue of precedent: that if someone manages to cope *despite* their pain once, or in one situation, it is assumed by those around them that they can and should do so in every situation and at every occurence.

Honestly, if we could uncouple disability issues from moral judgments in people’s minds, it would make life a hell of a lot easier…
.-= Ang´s last blog ..The ‘hello’ post. =-.

]]> By: Ouyang Dan http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-813 Ouyang Dan Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:57:27 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-813 Ha! Thanks! I actually forgot I wrote that, and was reading on Wiki last night that it was an approved sedative for horses and children (that juxtaposition make me LOL in RL). I appreciate that link! Ha! Thanks! I actually forgot I wrote that, and was reading on Wiki last night that it was an approved sedative for horses and children (that juxtaposition make me LOL in RL). I appreciate that link!

]]> By: kitrona http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-811 kitrona Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:43:02 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-811 Ouyang Dan: "Supposedly after he was shot he had surgery where he was given a high dose of ketamine (I thought that was a horse tranquilizer? Good thing I’m not a doctor!)" From the "How to Cope With Pain" blog: "Ketamine is an anesthetic approved for both human and animal use in medical settings since 1970. Current investigations are looking at its use for chronic pain." Link: http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1424/studies-of-ketamine-for-pain/ Also from the article: "This study confirms previous studies which also showed that Ketamine effectively reduces pain, but most patients need “booster” sessions to maintain pain reduction." And now you know. And knowing is half the battle! Or.. something like that. :) Ouyang Dan: “Supposedly after he was shot he had surgery where he was given a high dose of ketamine (I thought that was a horse tranquilizer? Good thing I’m not a doctor!)”

From the “How to Cope With Pain” blog: “Ketamine is an anesthetic approved for both human and animal use in medical settings since 1970. Current investigations are looking at its use for chronic pain.” Link: http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1424/studies-of-ketamine-for-pain/

Also from the article: “This study confirms previous studies which also showed that Ketamine effectively reduces pain, but most patients need “booster” sessions to maintain pain reduction.”

And now you know. And knowing is half the battle! Or.. something like that. :)

]]> By: Meowser http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-724 Meowser Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:13:37 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-724 Not all AA/12-step groups are that hung up on the G-word. It really varies a lot; through my involvement in other programs in the past, I was told there are indeed AA meetings for atheists (mainly in larger cities). (Twelve-step meetings also have the option of degenderizing references to God, by group conscience. And you're always allowed to not read or say anything aloud that you don't care for; any group that doesn't allow that is in violation of the 12 Traditions.) Atheists and agnostics attending the less Christian-oriented meetings are told they can make the AA group their higher power, nature, whatever, and that "higher power" of one's understanding need not equate to "string puller sitting on a cloud," it can just mean "source of greater wisdom." So Buddha counts, too. But it is kind of crappy that more people aren't being given more of a choice. .-= Meowser´s last blog ..<a href="http://fatfu.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/well-i-dood-it/" rel="nofollow">Well, I Dood It</a> =-. Not all AA/12-step groups are that hung up on the G-word. It really varies a lot; through my involvement in other programs in the past, I was told there are indeed AA meetings for atheists (mainly in larger cities). (Twelve-step meetings also have the option of degenderizing references to God, by group conscience. And you’re always allowed to not read or say anything aloud that you don’t care for; any group that doesn’t allow that is in violation of the 12 Traditions.) Atheists and agnostics attending the less Christian-oriented meetings are told they can make the AA group their higher power, nature, whatever, and that “higher power” of one’s understanding need not equate to “string puller sitting on a cloud,” it can just mean “source of greater wisdom.” So Buddha counts, too. But it is kind of crappy that more people aren’t being given more of a choice.
.-= Meowser´s last blog ..Well, I Dood It =-.

]]> By: Criss http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-709 Criss Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:39:54 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-709 Ouyang Dan: Thanks for answering my questions :) I think it clicked for me when someone else mentioned "dependency" being different than "addiction." And I apologize for being unclear (about House being "in control" of his addiction); I used the wrong terminology because I'm not used to talking about these things. This comment thread has been interesting and enlightening. Kaninchenzero: AA does do a lot of good things and helps lots of people, but I also hate the religious aspect of it (and I'm a Christian). They also have a slew of other problems, but I'm not going to bore you with them... It also sounds like you were in a bad group/chapter. From the little I know, AA does (or should) recognize multiple addictions and the importance of finding the primary addiction and addressing those problems, but you were probably in a group that deal with alcoholism only (or had only had to deal with that up until then) and the sponsors/leaders didn't know how to handle your situation (or were too lazy to help you find the help you needed). .-= Criss´s last blog ..<a href="http://blog.crisswrites.com/2009/10/dear-biblethumpers-youre-doing-it-wrong.html" rel="nofollow">Dear Biblethumpers: You're doing it wrong. And making the rest of us look bad.</a> =-. Ouyang Dan: Thanks for answering my questions :) I think it clicked for me when someone else mentioned “dependency” being different than “addiction.” And I apologize for being unclear (about House being “in control” of his addiction); I used the wrong terminology because I’m not used to talking about these things. This comment thread has been interesting and enlightening.

Kaninchenzero: AA does do a lot of good things and helps lots of people, but I also hate the religious aspect of it (and I’m a Christian). They also have a slew of other problems, but I’m not going to bore you with them…
It also sounds like you were in a bad group/chapter. From the little I know, AA does (or should) recognize multiple addictions and the importance of finding the primary addiction and addressing those problems, but you were probably in a group that deal with alcoholism only (or had only had to deal with that up until then) and the sponsors/leaders didn’t know how to handle your situation (or were too lazy to help you find the help you needed).
.-= Criss´s last blog ..Dear Biblethumpers: You’re doing it wrong. And making the rest of us look bad. =-.

]]> By: Ouyang Dan http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-707 Ouyang Dan Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:21:02 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-707 IQB: I liked the way that was done in that episode too. I am actually impressed with the way they handle some hot topics where other show really hit the FAIL, and deeply disappointed with the way they handle others (see: everone's reaction to George joining the Army). I am actually doing some research to do a post on Owen and his PTSD right now. IQB: I liked the way that was done in that episode too. I am actually impressed with the way they handle some hot topics where other show really hit the FAIL, and deeply disappointed with the way they handle others (see: everone’s reaction to George joining the Army). I am actually doing some research to do a post on Owen and his PTSD right now.

]]> By: Ouyang Dan http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-706 Ouyang Dan Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:05:01 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-706 Lauren: Nope, not replying to you specically. There were a few comments on this thread that I felt were treading on the grounds of "this is how pain management is supposed to work", and I that doesn't swing on my playground. I just want everyone to remember that different people go through different programs that work. A fully mental health and physical therapy regimen did exactly ZERO for me (and did actual physical and mental harm), but I know that it has worked for others. Also, there is no way that some people, myself included, could do the full physio work up that sometimes comes w/ opiate regimens, such as treadmill or swimming workouts. There is no "standard" when it comes to these things. Only what works between a patient and hir doctor. Lauren: Nope, not replying to you specically. There were a few comments on this thread that I felt were treading on the grounds of “this is how pain management is supposed to work”, and I that doesn’t swing on my playground. I just want everyone to remember that different people go through different programs that work. A fully mental health and physical therapy regimen did exactly ZERO for me (and did actual physical and mental harm), but I know that it has worked for others. Also, there is no way that some people, myself included, could do the full physio work up that sometimes comes w/ opiate regimens, such as treadmill or swimming workouts. There is no “standard” when it comes to these things. Only what works between a patient and hir doctor.

]]> By: Rosemary http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-705 Rosemary Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:00:50 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-705 kaninchenzero - thank you for making the points about addiction sometimes being a symptom of something else. A family member of mine was treated for substance addiction when he was younger, but now he can partake in the occasional substance - because what he found out as his journey continued was that he was abusing substances to treat his rage problems and once he got those under control, he no longer had an issue with the substances. When he first "came out" to me that he does sometimes now have a drink, I was really worried because the only model I knew of for recovering was AA-style, which says once you have a substance addiction you never EVER use any addictive substance again. I was worried he was in denial, was going to slip, etc. But it's been many years, and he continues to have his rage issues well under control and as far as I know - has no issues with addiction anymore. It took me a long time to suss out that his method of doing things was okay, because it worked For Him. But back to the original topic - actually, I go off the rails a bit and since I don't watch the show and am not commenting critically about it/the post itself and just my views on the general topic of pain management, I made my own post about it ... linked to with the commentluv. .-= Rosemary´s last blog ..<a href="http://sophy.livejournal.com/1213390.html" rel="nofollow">Chronic pain management is not addiction</a> =-. kaninchenzero – thank you for making the points about addiction sometimes being a symptom of something else. A family member of mine was treated for substance addiction when he was younger, but now he can partake in the occasional substance – because what he found out as his journey continued was that he was abusing substances to treat his rage problems and once he got those under control, he no longer had an issue with the substances. When he first “came out” to me that he does sometimes now have a drink, I was really worried because the only model I knew of for recovering was AA-style, which says once you have a substance addiction you never EVER use any addictive substance again. I was worried he was in denial, was going to slip, etc. But it’s been many years, and he continues to have his rage issues well under control and as far as I know – has no issues with addiction anymore. It took me a long time to suss out that his method of doing things was okay, because it worked For Him.

But back to the original topic – actually, I go off the rails a bit and since I don’t watch the show and am not commenting critically about it/the post itself and just my views on the general topic of pain management, I made my own post about it … linked to with the commentluv.
.-= Rosemary´s last blog ..Chronic pain management is not addiction =-.

]]> By: InfamousQBert http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-688 InfamousQBert Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:53:16 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-688 reminds me of an episode early on in grey's anatomy. i think it's mcdreamy and alex, dealing with a guy who's trying to get a fix of oxycodone or something. alex refuses to prescribe it and something bad happens. derek chastises him, saying basically what you said. "yes, he's addicted. yes, he's gaming the system. but he also has real pain that we need to treat before we can even begin to treat the other issues." .-= InfamousQBert´s last blog ..<a href="http://infamousqbert.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/i-have-a-problem/" rel="nofollow">I have a problem</a> =-. reminds me of an episode early on in grey’s anatomy. i think it’s mcdreamy and alex, dealing with a guy who’s trying to get a fix of oxycodone or something. alex refuses to prescribe it and something bad happens. derek chastises him, saying basically what you said. “yes, he’s addicted. yes, he’s gaming the system. but he also has real pain that we need to treat before we can even begin to treat the other issues.”
.-= InfamousQBert´s last blog ..I have a problem =-.

]]> By: Lindsay http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/21/the-pain-of-house/#comment-685 Lindsay Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:17:05 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=348#comment-685 Kaninchenzero: <blockquote>It did annoy me immensely, especially AA's insistence that a) alcohol was the source of all problems (wanna bet?) and b) recovery was possible only through belief in and surrender to a higher power. "I'm an atheist. What am I supposed to do?" "Ain't no atheists at rock bottom." Muttered: "Fuck <i>off</i>." Attendance was mandatory during my time in inpatient care.</blockquote> This has bothered me, too. I haven't ever been in a position to <i>need</i> a recovery program, but my entire immediate family is atheists and it has occurred to me that most of these 12-step drug and alcohol rehab programs would exclude us. (Also, I <i>loathe</i> rhetoric of the "no atheists in foxholes/at rock bottom/in any extreme situations. It implies that my atheism is an affectation and a luxury, rather than just what I believe. That kind of dismissive talk probably strengthens my resolve to stay an atheist more than anything: "Oh <i>yeah</i>? I'll show <i>you!!</i>") There *IS* <i>one</i> secular 12-step program I can think of, called Rational Recovery. That would at least get rid of the "higher power" problem, but probably not do much about the other problems you mention, like not bothering to address any of the underlying problems that might lead a person to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs... .-= Lindsay´s last blog ..<a href="http://autistscorner.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-not-to-do-superhero-halloween.html" rel="nofollow">How *NOT* to Do Superhero Halloween Costumes</a> =-. Kaninchenzero:

It did annoy me immensely, especially AA’s insistence that a) alcohol was the source of all problems (wanna bet?) and b) recovery was possible only through belief in and surrender to a higher power.

“I’m an atheist. What am I supposed to do?”

“Ain’t no atheists at rock bottom.”

Muttered: “Fuck off.” Attendance was mandatory during my time in inpatient care.

This has bothered me, too. I haven’t ever been in a position to need a recovery program, but my entire immediate family is atheists and it has occurred to me that most of these 12-step drug and alcohol rehab programs would exclude us.

(Also, I loathe rhetoric of the “no atheists in foxholes/at rock bottom/in any extreme situations. It implies that my atheism is an affectation and a luxury, rather than just what I believe. That kind of dismissive talk probably strengthens my resolve to stay an atheist more than anything: “Oh yeah? I’ll show you!!“)

There *IS* one secular 12-step program I can think of, called Rational Recovery. That would at least get rid of the “higher power” problem, but probably not do much about the other problems you mention, like not bothering to address any of the underlying problems that might lead a person to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs…
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..How *NOT* to Do Superhero Halloween Costumes =-.

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