Anna enters Dr. Gavril’s office at the Périgueux hospital center, in Dordogne. This 46-year-old woman can’t stop massaging her neck. She has suffered from osteoarthritis in several parts of her body for ten years. and comes for his first consultation at the pain center. This is a service specializing in the treatment of chronic pain. On the occasion of the world pain relief day this Monday, October 21, this patient testifies.
“I don’t remember what it’s like not to be in pain anymore. It’s like being stabbed 24 hours a day,” describes Anna. His pain, first in his neck, quickly spread: lumbar, jaw, hips, knees.
“I’m desperate”
The resident of Dordogne says she feels more and more pain every year. “In ten years, what will I be? In a wheelchair? A plant? I’m desperate”, she sighs. But the hardest part is almost what’s going on in your head, psychological pain. Anna can’t do what she loves, or work.
“I don’t know what to do with my life anymore. At my age, it depresses me, I feel useless”testifies the 46-year-old Périgourdine. She explains that she can no longer do physical work. And that medications affect his concentration and memorypreventing him from being effective in a job “intellectual”. “It’s horrible, my life is hell”summarizes Anna.
A last hope?
The patient sits at the desk of Dr. Iona Gavril, and looks at her with hopeful eyes. Before, Anna consulted a lotgeneral practitioners, rheumatologists, etc. “Some told me to do stretching, yoga. Others that there is nothing more to do, but I know there are solutions”convinces the forty-year-old who hopes to find doctors “more open-minded” at the pain center. She would particularly like to turn to alternative medicine.
In front of her, Dr. Iona Gavril, in a white coat, assures her: “I’m going to see how I can help you, offer you ways to live a little better with your problems”. This anesthesiologist trained ten years ago in chronic pain. She has been the head of the department for three years. “When we have tried everything, and we cannot find solutions, there is no miracle. But we have suggestions for living better with pain.” Anna could, for example, be followed psychologically, have physiotherapy sessionsor even be advised on medications.
Four months to get an appointment
For the specialist, chronic pain should be more discussed and developed. “I think it’s extremely important to have a structure in any hospital.” declares the one who also does two consultations per month in Sarlat. Dr. Iona Gavril emphasizes the impact of her pain on the psychological and professional lives of her patients. According to its figures, 28% are in social isolation, 24% incapacitated for work.
She also calls for additional resources so that there are more doctors and psychologists to care for patients. The demand is increasingly strong: 1000 patients per year according to her. The waiting time is four months to get an appointment. It must be said that the first consultation lasts 1h30, in order to get to know the patient well.
