Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 14, Number 3, 2004
Resource Reviews
John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor
A Pained Life: A Chronic Pain Journey
Carol Jay Levy. Xlibris Corp., 2003. Soft cover, 317 pages. ISBN 1-4134-0609-2. $22.99.
This is a very angry and often sad book, in spite of its upbeat ending. The author describes her life with an unusual face pain syndrome that has many of the characteristics of tic douloureux. She describes a painfully dysfunctional family that certainly was unable to help her when she had real needs for them. She tears into some of the most prominent neurosurgeons who attempted to help her but ended up damaging her, one by giving her a numb face, another by giving her a facial paralysis, a third by his arrogance and personal viewpoints about patients who bring suit against physicians. As a neurosurgeon, I was troubled by Ms. Levy’s descriptions of her interactions with many of my colleagues. As a physician, I was troubled by the problems she had finding health care, sometimes because of the lack of financial resources, sometimes by lack of physician concern or knowledge. I also recognize that others may not have seen her situation through the same eyes; the reality of what was said and done is not known to me.
I think that this book has something to say to those of us who treat chronic pain patients. It is one patient’s viewpoint, written tersely and with great emotion. I am not sure it matters how accurately things were described; this is how the patient saw them. Not a book one wants to share with all of one’s patients, but a provocative read for a healthcare provider.
Dr. Loeser is Professor of Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.
Please direct your suggestions for future Resource Reviews to John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor, at jdloeser@u.washington.edu