Progress with my local doctor?

For everything and anything else not covered in the other RLS sections.
yawny
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:20 pm

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by yawny »

Rustsmith wrote:…I just wish that there was some way to get the message to a larger market audience so that we can start to counter some of the misinformation and foolishness being peddled by the major media outlets and the politicians. They make a BIG deal about opioid deaths, but completely ignore deaths due to alcohol and tobacco because those products pay big dollar taxes and advertising.


I’m not media savvy at all, but can’t help but think that someone here, or a family member or friend, knows how to navigate getting our message out there to a broader audience. Anyone? Maybe there are non-profits that help with these sorts of campaigns?

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6476
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by Rustsmith »

One of the Foundation board members is a PR expert and has been working with them. The problem is that the Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity and that type of non-profit is prohibited from getting involved in politics. So, they are doing what they can, like the advocacy program that we can all join, having the medical advisors publish the Mayo paper, the sponsoring the RLS registry at MassGeneral that will collect info that can be used at the CDC and sponsoring the research at NIH that lead to the adenosine paper.

Individually, we can join the advocacy project and join the registry. I decided to take it a step further and contact one of my local TV stations. I simply left a message on the website for their investigative reporter team that suggested that the opioid crisis was hurting local patients. I also mentioned that I would be happy to be interviewed. Since I have experience addressing large audiences, I was perfectly comfortable talking to the camera, which I understand would not be the case for many people. If that would make you nervous, write a letter to the editor of the paper or suggest that one of the paper's reporters come by for an interview. Their reporters are always looking for a new slant to ongoing news, as long as it doesn't conflict too much with any of their major advertiser's interests.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6476
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by Rustsmith »

Final update on this thread. I met with the Nurse Practitioner at my new doctor's office for the second time today. He will be my primary care provider since he can write prescriptions for opioids. When I first met with him last month, I left a copy of the Mayo Clinic publication on using opioids for RLS. When I arrived at the office this morning, I first met with a young woman who is a nurse practitioner student. She asked what refills that I needed and I said that I needed a methadone refill for my RLS. She asked if I had recently left a paper on that subject, which I had. At that point she said that my new PCP had given it to her to read and that I was "her hero". It seems that she has mild RLS and really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about it. And obviously my new PCP had also taken the time to read the report since he required is student to read it.

So, sharing this type of literature with your PCP really can make a difference as long as they are willing to learn.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

Polar Bear
Moderator
Posts: 8798
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:34 pm
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by Polar Bear »

It is heartening to hear that your PCP and the nurse are understanding and willing.
Betty
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation

ViewsAskew
Moderator
Posts: 16570
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by ViewsAskew »

Wow - wish I could clone them and their attitudes!

And, such good fortune for you. So glad to hear it.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

yawny
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:20 pm

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by yawny »

Makes me happy to hear things like this...so Awesome!

debbluebird
Posts: 2386
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 3:27 pm

Re: Progress with my local doctor?

Post by debbluebird »

Wonderful news.

Post Reply