In regards to your stories on the Poulsbo physician Narinder Duggal, under investigation for medical misconduct:

I have known Dr. Duggal for the last 14 years, and been his patient for at least 12 years. He is one of the few physicians who actually take the time to talk with you about your physical health. And how many physicians have their pharmacy degree along with their medical degree? Not many.

Dr. Duggal has always treated me with respect and understanding, and has helped me more than I could ever say with my Type 1 diabetes and also my pain management. He was never afraid to prescribe the amount of medication that I needed to resolve my chronic pain issues, even though the state has mandated one of the strictest pain management policies in the country and in doing so has scared most physicians away from actually trying to help people with chronic pain.

I always find it very interesting that the people who call themselves pain managers rarely try to alleviate a patient’s pain. They want to look at an MRI or a spine scan, and when they actually see why you are in constant pain, they decide how much pain medication you need to stop your pain. If that amount works, your problem is solved; if that amount does not work, you live with pain.

It is almost impossible any more to find a physician in this state who will prescribe pain medication to someone with a chronic non-cancer pain condition, even if that physician is practicing under the pain management title.

Dr. Narinder Duggal did everything according to the laws of Washington state, and so did I. So now I have no physician willing to treat my pain with the dosage that Dr. Duggal prescribed, and the dosage that actually took my pain away.

What has the state done to help out the pain patients in Dr. Duggal’s care? Nothing.

I find it very interesting that something that is relatively inexpensive and that works in taking your pain away is so difficult to have a physician write a prescription for. The state has helped out the abusers of pain medications, but not the patients whose lives it actually helps.

Dan Nolan
Spokane