Montana Becomes Ground Zero in the Opioid Debate
http://nationalpainreport.com/montana-becomes-ground-zero-in-the-opioid-debate-8825459.html
Little did I know that in my search of relief from a wicked cold, I had wandered into ground zero of the Montana version of the War on Opioids.
A couple of minutes later, Dr. Mark Ibsen walked into the room. I mentioned I had read the article, told him about National Pain Report and a passionate discussion about pain patients and pain medication began.
He did also treat my cold — which I recovered from pretty quickly.
Ibsen is the kind of person you often meet in Montana, where I lived for 15 years. He’s smart and iconoclastic — the hardy independent type that seems attracted to Big Sky country. In fact, one of his hobbies is mushing— you know with dogs — and he’s even tried the Iditarod in Alaska.
Ibsen’s independence has him in trouble with the Montana Board of Medical Examiners (read here), which is looking into his pain medication prescribing history.
For Ibsen, it’s a fight he is picking consciously.
Filed under: General Problems
Dr. Ibsen is the real deal. You won’t find a more compassionate, engaged, “ready to listen” human being in this profession. He is willing to look at cutting edge technology to treat patients. He does not profess to have all the answers but he will do the research! Best Dr. Around who stands beside his patients!
Thank You Dr. Ibsen
I commend Dr Mark for standing up to those who have no clue what chronic pain patients live with daily. This fight is directed at all the wrong people and their methods will only make the suacide rate go up and the true addicts will just move onto other drugs like heroine which is on the rise drastically. Thanks for standing up for the patient Dr Mark.
I wish more Drs had the caring and compassion that this man does! There are true chronic pain patients who are suffering because of the BS of the small minded fools that have NO CLUE what it’s like to live every day with true pain! We are not the addicts! We would just like a somewhat quality of life like we use to have before chronic pain stole it from us!! Go after the illegal drug pushers and leave the compassionate well meaning Drs alone! What is this world coming to! It’s a very sad day in America wake up people!
Thank for posting that Steve, Dr. Ibsen is the kind of doctor who treat anyone who walks thru his clinic door. He is committed to his Patients Healing and Wellbeing first and foremost regardless of what brings them thru the door. A doctor that is a real asset to his community.