Advance Directives

Your article, "Get It In Writing: Advance Directives Give You Control Over Your Health Care" (September/October 2009) brought back memories.

On April 14, 1984, while in upstate New York, I made a life-or-death decision about my father. He and I had a difficult relationship and had not spoken in 15 years.

I received a phone call from a physician at Georgetown Medical Center in Washington, D.C., telling me that my 83-year-old father had a massive stroke, was in a deep coma, and that as the oldest child I needed to make a decision about whether to place him on a hospital code. The doctor suggested I call my brother and sister. My sister, a registered nurse, said emphatically not to code Dad. My brother would make no commitment.

I prayed for guidance, called the doctor, and told him I decided no code. He said I made the right decision. My father died three days later on April 17, 1984, my 57th birthday. I resolved never to place my children in that situation.

Now, residing in an assisted-living facility and with multiple health problems (including Parkinson's) I compiled a booklet containing five articles: Virginia Advance Directive, Virginia Do Not Resuscitate Order, Intent to Donate (my body to a medical school), Power of Attorney, and Will. I hope I have covered all the bases. - Virginia M. Kenny, Newport News, VA

Facing Down Stigma

In the September/October 2009 issue of Neurology Now, Dr. Brey wrote, "If there are any myths you would like to dispel or ways that someone you know has positively dealt with stigma associated with medical illness, please let us know."

I am amazed at how many people—physicians included—do not know the difference between "addiction" and "physical dependency" in reference to the use of pain-relieving medications. In my opinion, the whole class of drugs containing opioids has been given a bad name, and too many doctors label and stigmatize chronic pain patients as "drug seekers" without any evidence. They fear misuse to such an extent that many patients suffer from acute and/or chronic pain without appropriate intervention. - Eric A. Sleith III, LPCC, NCC, ACS, Licensed & Board Certified Counselor

CORRECTION: The article "Is Fibromyalgia Real?" (September/October 2009) mistakenly states that milnacipran is approved for depression.