Opioid Availability: one Patient’s Perspective

A cry for help from a patient in south India with advanced gastric cancer.

"I have been suffering from severe stomach pain for the last two years. I cannot bear this pain anymore. Is there any one who can relieve me from this pain?"

I come from Vangara village in the Khammam District. I have been suffering from cancer for two years. It gives me severe stomach pain. I visited several doctors in the hope of getting relief from the pain, but nothing helped – not even the medicines they gave me. There is no improvement in my condition. I would like to be free of this pain. I feel very frustrated and depressed. I don’t know what is happening to me. I cannot carry out my day-to-day activities or go to work. I have become dependent on others. My children and husband are worried. We are poor. Unless all of us work, we cannot manage. Without money we cannot eat. What is to become of me ? Why is my pain not improving?

When I could not bear the pain any more I attempted suicide. I thought that at least then my family would not have to suffer any more. Unfortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful and I was taken to hospital. My family had to find 7000 rupees for my treatment. They had no money and had to take a loan at a 24% interest rate. But some good came from it, because the doctor who was treating me suggested that I go to MNJ Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad. When I visited the city hospital, the doctors said I was very weak and could not be treated for my illness. But they did ask me to meet doctor Amma and sir. I cannot thank these two doctors enough. I ask God to bless them. Since they started treating me I have had some relief. There is pain, but it is considerably less. The only problem is that I have to travel a long distance to collect the medicine. I am supposed to visit the hospital twice a month, a long and difficult journey which costs 1500 rupees. That means I end up spending 3000 rupees per month. How can I afford this ? From where will I get the money ? I asked the doctor to give me medicine for a month but he refused. He said that there are many patients like me, who come from long distances to get pain medicine, but he is not permitted give the medicine for a month for a reason I do not understand. The medicine is available only in the MNJ hospital. I asked the doctor to help me get the medicine from a government hospital near my village. He said that he will send my request to the minister.

I am waiting for the day when I don’t have to travel such a long distance to get my medicine; the day I can get my pain medicine in my village. I will be eternally grateful to anyone who can help me in this.

Compiled by Gayatri Palat, INCTR PAX and
Indian Palliative Care Network (IPCN),
D. Priya Kumari, Volunteer and Durga Prasad,
Department of Palliative Care
MNJ Institute of Oncology and RCC, Hyderabad, India