Nurse Jared does Nurse Advocacy

11/09/2025

Part of my dream when I decided to start doing nurse advocacy was to speak out for the forgotten chronic pain patients. I’m no fool. I 100% believe that opioid medication can be dangerous. However, we now have patients that have a legitimate diagnosis that deserve to be treated with pain medication, however, they cannot obtain that medication due to strict guidelines. The pendulum has swung too far to the left and our patient suffering and even hitting the street which is leading to the inadvertent death via overdose or sometimes even committing su***de because they are no longer able to obtain pain RXs. These medication’s have been around for over 2000 years and when it comes to their mechanism of action, it really is quite simple. I believe that doctors can be upfront before writing an initial opioid script, explaining the risk versus benefits of this class of medication, explaining the difference between tolerance and substance use disorder, explaining that no early refills will be allowed and that it would be the patient’s complete responsibility to keep up with her medication. Furthermore, there are also tools that will help Physician assess patients likelihood to become addicted or misuse their medication. It’s time to stop punishing the chronic pain patient. 

Gabapentin has no FDA indication for chronic pain treatment. Orthopedic surgeons who performed surgery and then refused to treat pain caused by that surgery except with Tylenol should be found negligent. No, not every patient needs pain medication after surgery. The Takeaway here is that everybody is different. Some do and some do not.

Thoughts?

08/18/2025

https://www.prb.org/resources/todays-research-on-aging-44-more-than-a-feeling-how-social-connection-protects-health-in-later-life/

Older adults’ social ties are more important for physical and mental health than previously thought, new research shows.

08/17/2025

One population of patients that needs our support more than ever, is our GERIATRIC population. Recently, I received a call from a past patient that has been on a sleeping medicine for years. Same dose. No abuse. No misuse. For reasons that do not matter, she had to change family medicine physicians. This physician made her sign a contract meant for C2 medication, required monthly visits, as well as monthly urine drug screens. Furthermore, her dose was cut by 50%. WHY?
Some of you may be thinking that this isn’t a big deal. If she wants the medicine, do what you have to do right? Wrong.
Thankfully, the patient was not harmed physically by the 50% dose cut, however, the same cannot be said for her mental health. Until I intervened, the Patient had not slept in seven days, was very anxious and was pretty close to a psychotic break. No sleep for that amount of time can wreak havoc on your mental health. She is establishing care with a new primary care physician in a few days and hopefully this new physician will understand that she’s been on this medication for a very long time, at the same dose, has had no harmful side effects and prescribe the medication that this patient needs for quality life.

As a nurse advocate, this is just an example of what I do for my patients. I also help them navigate the healthcare system, ensure that they have services they need for any type of assistance they may require, etc. If you find yourself struggling with the healthcare system or you have a loved one that you are watching struggle with the healthcare system, send me a direct message and let me help you. I keep my services affordable so that you are not dipping into your budget too much to get help that you need.