Yes, yes, yes. The scientists go in with very good intent. It's a small world and It's entirely possible I've met you in our work life. We scientists want results. We care, deeply about our patients. Carry on doing what you're doing, and if you're ever in sweden, give me a shout.

But they are pure love and joy to own. I think of myself as a cat person, but hoooo boy. That spaniel made me want a dog. Alas my job is too intense for me to really take care of a pooch.

I'm so happy to hear you say that. I live for my job. When I was an academic I strove to understand disease. Now I devote my time to developing new drugs. I know pharma gets a bad press, but we on the front line genuinely care.

We need BETTER meds, not just stronger meds. We need pinpoint precision meds. Meds that just target pain. Meds that dont make people high. Meds that just hone in on the correct recpetors, and turn off the pain. There are tantalising hints from the primary research. there are some venoms that look like good…

hehe. yeah. lovely dogs. thick as bricks. My one couldn't fetch. ran after it, picked it up...looked confused then just carried on looking adorable. I miss my spaniel running buddy a lot. Sigh.. that's what happens when you emigrate :(

Yes. Sadly, you are correct. I really think they should hire a scientist though.

Ahh! sorry for your loss but YAY to new corgis. They are just so full of character. And I love spaniels. When I lived in the UK I pinched a friend's spaniel 5 days a week to have an excuse to go out running round the hills near Edinburgh. He was (is!) such a lovely dumb-but-loving pooch. Could never quite train him to…

No such thing as "just" diabetes! I am so sorry about your mum..that's really just awful. I'm glad she's being treated with something appropriate. I, like many others, have those with mental and physical illnesses in my family and I truly appreciate the trauma these conditions cause their sufferers, and their…

ooouch. Sounds horrid. I had a smash. A horrible, horrible smash (I'll not be more specific as it's googleable and I like my privacy.) I got mashed. My leg got so badly hurt that the knee joint was just..urgh.. all ripped apart. The pain was incredible. I now realise what people mean when they say they see stars.…

That's terrible. I live in Sweden (I'm a Brit, I moved here a wee while back) and I just can't imagine having a chronic condition in the US (don't get me wrong, big fan of you guys as a beacon of liberty, etc, I do like America, not bashing you as a country!) But here... yes, OK so I pay 50% tax (uuuhhh) but for that…

It nags along in the background, but I'm OK. It could have been a lot worse, I was really very lucky.

And yes, the PSH thing is tragic, but it's not OK to associate chronic pain sufferers with that. Different thing entirely. I can imagine that would make me want to rage.

Chronic pain is a terrible thing. I was unlucky enough to have a very nasty physical injury a few years back that lead to about 9 months of intense pain. It was a terrible time, and it's made me very consious of those who have to suffer in perpetuity. We (I say we, I mean the medical/scientific drug developement…

Good point. yes, pain meds are powerfully addictive. I was prescribed them a few years back after a nasty accident and I could feel the physical craving. Thankfully I'm not a very addictive susceptible person, and I deliberately stopped taking them. Unfortunately, that meant I had to deal with the pain. And it was bad…

yes, that's absolutely my point..there are ways of formulating a drug that make it so much harder to abuse. They seem not to have done this and I am floored by it. Love your username.

Depressingly, I am not surprised. Those of us who work in clinical research, on the frontline, as scientists and clinicians, working with patients, developing the drugs...are genuinely interested in helping human health. I love my job. I am part of a team, getting really valuable drugs to folks who need them. The…

Well thank you. And I am very, very sorry to hear of your mother's illness, diabetes is a very difficult illness to live with. My father has diabetes, and he is very lucky to keep it in check with a very strict diet. he's actually slightly underweight now, and his bloodwork is excellent. I can tell you all about how…

Well hello! I work in CNS drug development right now, but I spent the last few years over in oncology (twilight zone music cue..) Yeah, I agree - I am very, very surprised this wasn't taken to comittee. Perhaps because it's a reformulation of an existing compound? I dunno. Best of luck to you - I miss my onco days!

Civilised Internet Discourse! I warmly shake your virtual hand, Ms-or-monsieuer knievel. Your point was very valid - we do have plenty of opioids. Most formulations of those opioids are mixed with paracetamol (acetominophen) as well, and so can't be taken in large doses without serious liver damage. Chronic pain is…

I keep offering myself... scientist, currently working in clinical research... no luck ;)