UK 's John Semmons dealt with this for years and did n't know options were available . While U.S. doctors are also supposed to consider alternatives to medication , many are swayed by insistent patients , says Dr. Anthony Ordman , who runs the long-term pain clinic at London 's Royal Free Hospital that he founded in 1997 . US doctors are reluctant to use painkillers , especially opiates . Even drugs sold over the counter are restricted in use there . But the differences between the United States and UK may be blurring .
UK 's John Semmons dealt with this for years and did n't know options were available . US doctors are reluctant to use painkillers , especially opiates . Even drugs sold over the counter are restricted in use there . But the differences between the United States and UK may be blurring .