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The National Campaign To Protect People In Pain

[Last Updated: February 9, 2026]

Mission /About

Educate

This page at the National Campaign is for the moderated narratives of patients, caregivers, and clinicians concerning the damage done by misdirected (indeed fraudulent) Federal and State public health policies that restrict the treatment of severe pain and addiction. As an initial entry in this record, we offer a published narrative based on the experience of Monty Goddard and his wife. Monty is a member of the Speakers Bureau of our National Campaign, and a major contributor in our efforts to challenge State Medical Boards whose restrictive policies on pain control have ruined the lives of millions of patients. See: “My Wife’s Story – How DEA and CDC Guidelines Destroyed Our Golden Years”

Over time, we anticipate building a moderated blog for patients and doctors. The following examples are edited to protect the identities of doctors and patients.

A Horror Story:

My 39-year-old daughter has Crohn's disease and Hereditary Pancreatitis -- all verified by testing. She has been to our local hospital several times. This last experience was the worst ever.

Even though blood tests showed that she was in a severe pancreatic flare, the first two hospitalists in charge of her case refused to give her any pain medication after the initial 100 mcg of fentanyl wore off. So for 16 1/2 hours she was in a room without pain meds, while in severe 10+ pain and constant vomiting.

They also refused to give her a rescue dose of prednisone, even though she has a bracelet that says she has Adrenal Insufficiency. My husband tried and tried to advocate for her but the answer was always "No - we are waiting until all the results from tests and scans are in…"

The second hospitalist actually had her tested for alcohol and street drugs even though we had an explanation written up that we gave him and verbal explanations about her hereditary pancreatitis (she has never had a drop of alcohol in her life) We also explained that even though she has a pain pump it barely works and certainly doesn't cover flare pain. Genetic testing shows that several genetic variants interfere with almost all pain medications -- which make her situation especially difficult.

It was the most traumatic hospital visit she has ever had. A day later when she was able to communicate with me, one of the first things she said was "If this ever happens again you have to find a way to help me kill myself." She wasn't being dramatic and she's not clinically depressed. This was the only solution she could think of after suffering so much.

….We are all traumatized by the experience.

I’m an intractable pain patient.

My pain is caused by Interstitial Cystitis. -- my first diagnosis. I am afraid to campaign publicly because I have been retaliated against. I was abruptly removed from my protocol by Pain Management and pushed toward Suboxone.

I have since been able to find a doctor who is taking care of me. But I am very afraid of being taken off my meds. I have two children and I am a single mother.

My Life Was Derailed By Chronic Pain

After 10 years of university training and a successful career as a research scientist, my life was derailed by chronic pain. For over two decades, I’ve navigated a system in Florida that often feels designed to punish the patient. I’ve been told I was 'too young' for pain, and now, at 66, I feel like an old man of 80.

My journey includes three hip implants, severe cobalt poisoning, other surgeries, and the agony of waking up from surgery to be denied adequate relief.

And I've recently been given a heads-up by my very compassionate and understanding pain management doctor that my prescriptions may have to be reduced in the near future because of these so-called "prescribing guidelines".

These "guidelines" are nothing more than a big stick that the DEA carries around and uses to threaten pain management doctors and pharmacists with the fear of losing their careers and livelihood. And yet the DEA denies what they're doing (of course).

Horrible Pain Treatment

I was up at 1:30 this morning with my CRPS burning out of control. It spread body-wide and feels as if several people were standing around me aiming blow-torches on my flesh…. I've written to healthcare agencies multiple times to please give me a plan that is acceptable to my doctors’ office, so that they'll treat my pain adequately.

Why are you refusing to answer me? Every day in excruciating pain feels like an eternity. You know what the CDC has done is wrong, and yet you refuse to correct it, leaving patients like me hanging on by our fingernails, and begging God to take us.

For Questions or Comments Contact: Red Lawhern or Jonelle Elgaway