tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34503629.post1789257669175206002..comments2023-09-21T01:17:41.561+11:00Comments on Eye on Britain: JRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829082699850674281noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34503629.post-84296312507056235572009-08-04T07:11:17.449+11:302009-08-04T07:11:17.449+11:30"The Government's drug rationing watchdog...<i>"The Government's drug rationing watchdog says "therapeutic" injections of steroids, such as cortisone, which are used to reduce inflammation, should no longer be offered to patients suffering from persistent lower back pain <b>when the cause is not known."</b></i> <br /> <br />I am reminded of migraines. For many years, my mother was told she would grow out of it (started roughly with puberty) and/or it was "all in your mind" (ie, psychosomatic rather than real). She did not even get sympathy until her early forties, when she providentially started seeing a G.P. who himself suffered, after moving to a new area. <br /><br />As far as I know, the cause[s] of migraine remain unknown. But medicines are available that help some - such as one niece, who starts getting recognisable symptoms some two hours in advance and often can stave off a full attack with medicine. Would she be denied this medicine because the cause is unknown? <br /><br />How many other "unknown cause" problems with "known" palliatives/cures will go untreated?John Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00801684602403824157noreply@blogger.com