Race Against Pain Coming to Indiana

Inspirational Pain Survivor Turned Race Car Driver Promotes Educational Initiative Devoted to People in Chronic Pain

INDIANAPOLIS, July 3 -- The Race Against Pain is coming to Indianapolis this weekend when Mike Roman competes in the Indianapolis Grand Prix event of the Sports Car Club of America at the O'Reilly Race Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Roman and his Race Against Pain car will be at the track beginning Friday, July 6th for testing and qualifying before the race on Sunday morning, July 8th. Roman has competed in eight SCCA events this summer, with two victories and top eight finishes in all but one event.

What makes Roman different? His story is much more than a sports event. It's a testament to the human spirit, and the ability of a man to win the race against chronic, debilitating pain.

Thirteen years ago, Roman was an energetic orthopedic surgical assistant. In 1994, he injured his knee playing basketball. He underwent a 'routine' surgery and afterward, an infection set in that the team of physicians couldn't bring under control. A subsequent series of surgeries-a staggering 33 in all-could not save his leg, which was amputated in late in 1995.

"I fought very hard to save my leg. When I realized that I was going to have an amputation, I thought at least my life could get back to some semblance of order," recalls Roman, a native of Chicago who now lives in St. Louis. "I was wrong. My life became worse after the amputation."

After his leg was removed, Roman suffered from phantom limb pain, which is very common to amputees. Three "revisions" (a surgical shortening of the stump) were also performed. The pain only worsened. Like many people with chronic pain, he took powerful prescription drugs to treat the pain and eventually became addicted to morphine and other pain medications.

After a decade of debilitating pain that rendered him unable to work and led to drug addiction, Roman met a St. Louis pain specialist who implanted him with a revolutionary spinal cord stimulator device. Now he is finally free of pain and pursuing his dream of racing in the Indianapolis 500. Roman's efforts offer hope of a normal life to thousands of people who suffer from chronic pain.

"Now that I have my life back, I am using my new profile as a race car driver to talk with doctors and patients about the alternatives to living with chronic pain in every city where I race. We are beginning what we hope will be a national dialogue on pain," Roman says enthusiastically.

He is looking forward to sharing his story with pain patients and local physicians at the track.

On Monday, Roman will be featured at a discussion with local health reporters on the treatment of pain at Community Hospital East (1500 North Ritter Ave. Indianapolis, In. 46219). The event, which is scheduled to begin at the hospital at 10:30 a.m., will also feature Dr. John Swofford, an area pain specialist. Community Hospital East has a pain management program at the hospital.

"We are pleased that the Race Against Pain is coming to Indianapolis. There are a number of ways to treat pain that occurs when nerves are injured, cut or damaged. Modalities used can range from oral medications to more aggressive techniques such as spinal cord stimulation. Every patient is different and requires an individual pain treatment plan," added Dr. Swofford.

In addition, Roman will discuss his story with local pain patients and doctors in the Indianapolis area on Monday night, July 9 at the Omni Hotel in Indianapolis beginning at 6 pm.

Roman is encouraging people living with chronic pain and their families to visit an educational website aptly called http://www.raceagainstpain.com/. On the website, chronic pain sufferers and their families can find a local pain specialist and share their experiences with other victims of chronic pain.

Pain Is a Major Healthcare Concern

An estimated three million people suffer from chronic pain so severe that they can't work. It is further estimated that over 50 million people suffer from chronic pain due to back, leg and hip problems, chemotherapy, amputation, diabetes, facial nerve problems, HIV infections, multiple sclerosis, shingles and spine surgery.

Iraqi War Veterans

Many veterans returning from the Iraq War are suffering from chronic pain from various causes. "These brave soldiers will often require caring pain specialists," said Kevin Coleman, M.D. Dr. Coleman is the St. Louis pain specialist who treated Mike Roman with a spinal cord stimulator.