The Tylenol scare is reminder: We're leaving people in pain with too few options

What do pregnant women with high fevers and people with severe chronic pain have in common? Increasingly, both are being told to “tough it out.”

The recent Tylenol-autism scare has dominated headlines , casting doubt on the only medication long considered safe for pregnant women.

This comes as no news to people living with chronic pain; they’ve gradually seen their options shrink to nearly zero as opioids are restricted, Tylenol is ineffective and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often become unsafe with prolonged use.

In both cases, the message is the same: Relief is off the table.

Pregnant women in need of relief from fever or discomfort are asking themselves: “If Tylenol is harmful to my baby, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen are also off-limits, then what am I supposed t