Help! Single Disabled Mom Wrongfully Kicked Out Of Pain Management (Page 2) (Top voted first)

Ok, this will be lengthy to include all the necessary details but can someone help please? My being able to raise my daughter depends on my necessary medicine. I have no clue where else to turn. I have DDD with 4 herniated as of 2014 MRI, adv & degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine, tarlov cysts, neuropathy and nerve compression so badly that my left leg will give out with little warning. My father and I went to our PM last week, only a few days after unexpectedly burying my oldest sister. I've been a very trustworthy patient of his for four years and my Dad just about one year. Doc puts us both in same room which he's never done before. Doc starts talking to my Dad who is clearly morose & then says to my Dad, I don't like your attitude, which again just answers to his questions in a monotone voice. I explained to dr we just buried my sister, my dad's daughter so he's not doing well. Honest to God, that pos says "So, we all go through stuff". My Dad & I exchanged looks as if to say did he really just say that? Then doc asks how the super-charger script that begins with an N is working & Dad said yes a bit. Then the Dr flat out lies and says yeah I've had patients on that for 6 months and they're down to 1 opiate a day. That's a lie. He only began prescribing them two months ago. My Dad says Doc Ido, I hope but don't see how that's possible. Doc says I'm not going to argue to which my Dad replies I'm having a conversation, not an argument. And he was...if my Dad was wrong I'd have called him on it. So we head out and his daughter the receptionist asks to reschedule, my Dad says he's not coming back and I said I was unsure. Called today to make an appt and I was told I'm no longer a patient. I asked why and she said you released yourself. I said no I didn't, my father did. This is a family run practice so no one to complain to. Oh and they also declined to send my records & said have your new Dr. request them.

My question is I know I can't do anything just because he was a jerk to my Dad, but can I report him for lying about releasing myself thereby avoiding having to prescribe me one last time and for giving me no notice to go find a new Dr before I need my meds refilled? This last appt he was going to force me to continue inj's. suddenly when I haven't had one in a year because they don't work for more than a week on me. Dr got all weirded out a few months ago when his anesthesiologist was busted for supposedly not keeping correct docs & was fined $455k. My Dad thinks it was a set-up from the start...despite being excellent patients who never abused anything, never had dirty U/A, very rarely rescheduled appts and not once missed an appt, proof we're both permanently disabled from SS Disability... he wanted to dump us. Only thing we can figure is doc is or was def up to something sketchy & he knows my Dad is a retired cop and he doesn't want that around. So now my poor father and I are searching for new Dr at worst time. Does anyone know a good PM anywhere in the Chicagoland area who isn't afraid to prescribe, though I'm pretty far S/W of the city in Plainfield? I've tried everything in the world prior to getting on opiates and it is the only thing that has made my pain significantly retreat. I will take a new fancy OTC aspirin if it's strong enough, I just need to function and be in less pain. Custody of my 6 year old daughter depends on this...my life depends on this. How do they not see what this opiate crackdown is doing to legitimate chronic pain sufferers. Anyway, ty for those few who took time to read my novel. If you refer a good PM I would never use your name. Thank you all very much.

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So sorry for what you and your dad are going through! Hang in there!

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Re: Really agitadated right shoulder Oxycontin guy who (# 12)

I totally agree with you to talk, do petitions or whatever anyone can suggest to have us heard. I've even thought about writing the president but like that would really help, not. Point me in the right direction and I dont know for sure but I would think us chronic pain patients who have been on for years and aren't marked with a dr or pharmacy for any red flags, why get punished? By the way, I live in az and our governor is making my mental health dr ask me to chose between the pain pills or clonazepam for anxiety ive been taking for years now at a very small dose of 2 .5 mg a day. So im not going to only be more depressed, I will have no pain relief plus having anxiety over taking my anxiety medication away. Does anyone know of a petition going around to sign? The government are *****s. They freak out so they make pain clinics. You cant be a junkie or abusing when you sign a contract, pill counts, u/a... That was good for the people not abusing so why not leave them alone? I've said this many times, when the politicians show us their 2, 4, maybe 8 year dr license then I might listen.

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Re: Kat (# 26)

Hi Kat, do they have medical marijuana in your state? We do here, and I have a card, but my brother used to go to pain management and his doc didn’t care that he was “dirty” for marijuana. It surprised me because NH is a police state, but now they just need to see you have a card if they are worried about it.

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Re: w john (# 21)

I've instructed my family to go after both the Dr's&any gov types legally if I don't survive the heart attack my heart Dr is certain I will have due to being forced to dealing with this pain. If I did survive it I'M GOING FUL FORCE&MAKING AS MUCH NOISE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS I CAN!

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Silverlining (# 30) --

Just trying to lighten things up a little. Is their anyone out there with any idea about a legal suit? To go after these imbeciles in gov't? The gov't has unlimited resources to delay&waste time in a never-ending/losing battle against us. Ironic we are the citizens paying these people to fight us,while we have to try and find anyone in the private sector to represent us pro bono. So, here's my comical (I'm hoping some of you out there will find it comical anyway). The law firm of Dewey Cheethem & Howe would best represent us. I'm referencing the Three Stooges here, for those of you out there not as old as I am. "Do We Cheat Them, and How"? Because, just saying, wouldn't a group of Stooges best be able to fight another group Stooges? I hope some of you out there will be accepting of my attempt at humor. To quote "laughter is the best medicine". Not trying to offend. Just trying to interject something "light" to as many of you out there, as lame as it may be, as I can. Thanks for listening/reading.

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Meathead (# 37) --

It all depends on what you want prescribed, for how long, and lastly where the Doctor is located. A FP will NORMALLY only prescribe a certain level of pain medication. If one is a cancer patient an FP will generally prescribe anything in the pain med line, at least for awhile. If you are not a cancer patient many FP's prescribe a pain med on the lower end of the scale (such as hydrocodone/acetaminopen up to 10mg/325 mg) but they will only do that for so long before they refer you to a PM specialist as they do not want to fade the heat of any long term pain medication supervision.

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Re: w john (# 17)

I was trying to think of reasons that would suddenly make the doctor want to dismiss her and her dad. I know few doctors will prescribe pain medications if a patient tests positive for THC. But, you would be surprised at the patients that think they can get away with THC being in their system and still be prescribed pain medications.

The other reasons could be if her doctor is prescribing high doses of opiates.for his patients. If she is prescribed a benzodiazepine by her psychiatrist that could also be a contributing factor. Her dad indicating the new pain medication was working "a bit" could has also be a contributing factor.

If she and her dad are taking high doses of pain medications. It is highly
doubtful they will be able to find a doctor that will continue to prescribe the high doses.

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Now lets talk about reality: 1) The changes in opioid prescribing are primarily political, not medical; 2) the risk of dying from accidental overdose increases dramatically in opioid doses over 100mg morphine equivalent or when benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, or alcohol are added to the regimen; 3) we live in a relatively socialistic nanny state that wants to protect you from yourself; 4) changes in prescribing are not your doctors fault or that of "Big Pharma;" marijuana was made illegal by the Feds almost 100 years ago for purely political reasons and it will only become legal again for political reasons; 5) 100mg Morphine Equivalent has become the standard of care as has not mixing the above three classes of meds; 6) compassion in a doctor is not determined by whether or not he is willing to prescribe medications that do not follow the new standard of care and thereby jeapordize his license; 7) your doctor has the right to discontinue your care for almost any reason and you have the right to get a new doctor for any reason; 8) if your med regimen does not follow the new guidelines, you best prepare yourself for a new day - it's comin. Sorry.

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Re: Silverlining (# 49)

I understand completely how you feel. Many of the Doctor's do not give a rat's ass about how their patient feels or whether they agree with them. They will do what they want to do. Period. Unfortunately, the politics of this issue is siding with the Doctor's. I can remember when it was possible to have a rational, unimpassioned conversation with your Doctor and they would actually listen to you whether it changed their minds or not. They would not put you into a "group" if you just had a discussion with them. Not today. Many Doctors think that if you even try to discuss their position that must mean you are a "chaser" or some other negative term or name. The reality of where we are and where we think we should be is two different things and the diversity of opinions here is disturbing to say the least. Whatever happened to rational conversation, compassion, and reasonableness?

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Re: pamelaQ (# 54)

that's exactly what's happening! I actually went head 2 head with my P.M. the order day because he basically said that his life is more important than those who need these meds. I told him even if he lost his licence at least he would still be able to get outta bed in the morning to find another job, go back to school, play with his kids or just go grocery shopping. I and many others can't so much as get outta bed in the morning due to no meds let alone go to school, work a job, etc. He flat out admitted that Dr's are only concerned about their "survival"&nothing else! Why can't they just give anyone on opiates a bottle of Narcan nasal spray&explain how to use it&what the signs of o.d. are? Have all those on opiate meds sign a waver stating if they O.D. it's NOT the Dr's fault&they agree that they cannot sue if they O.D.? They have you sign a waver like that for most operations, so why not this?

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Re: pamelaQ (# 54)

Censorship is alive and well on this website. I posted back previously that I was asking you to PROVE two statements that you made about my posts. (1) you stated that I posted that you were "crazy". (2) YOU posted that I stated that "all opioid users were criminals". Neither of these statements I made. If you can't quote me ACCURATELY then don't quote me at all. There is more than enough evidence to PROVE that a Doctor or PM center can do as they please. NOT as a patient thinks they can or should do. Read post #55 for further evidence of these Doctors doing as they please. The muscle is being put on these Doctors by the government, the DEA and mostly the public. Their idea of what is the proper rate to titrate down on is up to them. NOT the patient. I could care less HOW the so called "Big Pharma" got started. It is NOT germane to where we are today. We are where we are. If you think you are "knowingly" being left in a critical state because the Doctor or PM center does not agree with your interpretation of how you should be treated then you have two choices. Go to another Doctor or go to the ER. I don't like the position we are in no more than anyone else but thinking we can force a Doctor or PM center into a course of action that they do not want to take is just pure pie in the sky. Again, read response #55. Also, if you think a Doctor is out of line a complaint can be filed against the Doctor with the State agency that regulates Physicians in your State.

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Silverlining (# 55) --

I'm truly sorry for your situation in all of this, it's like so many others, it was like mine. The only thing I can say is hang in there, stand firm with your doctors, work with them (we don't have a choice) and pray for better health. I know that sounds inadequate but there are some positives on the other side of not being on pain meds. For one your brain is working at full capacity and secondly you would be surprised at just how high your pain tolerance has become. I was shocked! I live with pain everyday and my quality of life is low to mid-moderate so to speak. I don't drive much but that too is starting to improve. On a another note, I love having my full capacity to think, (reflex not so slow). I now check, recheck and recheck everything a physician tells me. As for prescriptions I look up side effects, if there is withdrawal, if there is pending litigation, etc. It varies from patient to patient but I personally feel that "treatments and medications" should be given full disclosure prior to administration of and as you said a waiver should the patient so wish to proceed. Kind of like purchasing a house or obtaining a CarFax. Once your in your in but at least let patients know the pitfalls up front and don't give "off label medical hardware" when they are paying for the brand. This will prevent all these legal suits that are now all over the TV. I just keep praying that something positive will break open soon. If you want to keep up with the new guidelines and changes you need to keep checking with the CDC.gov and CMS as these agencies rule the roost so to speak. Good Luck and Have a Nice Day!

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Re: pamelaQ (# 13)

No they do not HAVE to give you a 30 day supply. Hate to inform you. But you are giving false info.

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Re: pamelaQ (# 58)

Oh i always had an extreme pain tolerance. I've gotten root canals, dealt with breaking both bones in my wrist&dislocation of my elbow, even my hips&upper leg bones deteriorating and dissolving in my body all without meds. I had a pain Dr that couldn't believe my pain threshold so he did some tests on me finding a few interesting things that made sense to this threshold. Basically pain that would cause most to go to the hospital is mild to me, so if I'm complaining it's extreme. I've been off meds before&I still couldn't focus thanks to the pain, actually can't even stand on my own two legs thanks to the surgeons screwing me up in the 1st ops. I can't even get them fixed so far. If i had my choice, if get the problem fixed instead of having the bandaid, but sadly I can't get that done. I'm alive but not living&just pray I could go back to having some form life again.... one way or the other. That's what politicians and dr.s forget. I actually went head to head with my Dr the other day&tried to explain but he just said "Well if someone o.d.'s them i could lose my licence, then how would i work?" I took him "That's exactly why many need meds. To be able to go to work, earn a paycheck, care for their kids, etc. So those who were irresponsible are causing everyone to in essence lose their lives as well?" He just smiled&said "well yeah cuz I gotta feed my family&need my licence so..." I just hope there's some kinda solution soon! Although I'm certain there won't be.

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Re: pamelaQ (# 64)

Sounds like I'm in the same boat as you. only my Dr is weaning me terribly fast! Over 3 weeks only! I also am a positive thinker, my mom always reminded me in any situation there's that silver.. just gotta find&focus on it and all will work out as it's supposed to. I just fought way to hard for to many years now to have this take me out! But it does get aggravating as my fiancee and i were getting ready to find a house, start our lives together and now it's all, including regular day to day normal activities all put on hold because I can't get outta bed most days. Plus we're now having 2nd thoughts on a house due to the high possibility of me having a heart attack or stroke. I'd like to see my Dr or one of the many politicians out the live like I'm forced to.... then we'll see how against being medicated they will remain!

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Re: w john (# 51)

This is more a general comment than specific to yours. I am noticing that in this forum pts are using the term "compassion" to described being given the amount and kind of meds they want. That's not accurate of fair. Regulatory agencies have begun to place grave sanctions and hassles on prescribers who prescribe more than 100mg Morphine Equivalent, or allow pts on opioids to also take benzo's. this is not the doctor's fault, nor is it the fault of big pharma. This is a political process. How quickly your are tapered from your meds does not have to be dependent on your side effects. One could argue that if you have severe side effects to tapering, you should go through a rapid detox in hospital. I've been a pain psychologist for 35 years, so I know the drill.

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Re: TIM (# 69)

I have been saying exactly the same thing. Patients are NOT allowed to decide unilaterally what they will be prescribed, how much, and how fast they will titrate down. I have gotten much blow back from people saying "this isn't right or compassionate". Okay, maybe but. That has nothing to do with how you will be treated. I am glad there is a person on this thread that says basically the same thing as I have been saying for weeks that has many years of experience in the field.

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Re: w john (# 55)

Ive been in the methadone program for a year now and was at pain management before for about 7 yrs and i would just like to say thanks. I hear all this complaining over and over and no one says how it really is. What these people don't realize is this is not a given right to be placed on these meds and the doctors have to lookout for themselves because they cant lose there livelihood just to satisfy a patients addiction. Because lets face it thats what these meds do!!!! And before anyone says it i do understand that pain is hard to deal with and these meds are needed but you still do get addicted to them ive been there. And also they need to ask themselves would you give up your great high paying job just to satisfy another person with what they think they need or are supposed to be given the answer is HELL NO and if it isn't there lying. So of course there doctor thinks there life is more important than theres because thats what everyone believe weather they want to or not. By putting your doc in a position that he could lose his livelihood is putting your life ahead of his.

PS Its because these people feel like they are intitaled to what they think is necessary is one of the reason that things are the way they are.

Anyway thank you for stating the simple FACTS if you dont like it stop or find a different doc!!!!!

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Re: w john (# 78)

OMG! YOU and I agree on something WOW! No matter what level of "tapering" the patient is going to go through withdrawls. Been there, done that and thankfully my Dr. worked with me on the 15% -20% tapering. At first, they went for 40-50 and it was way to painful, but the lower tapering still painful but tolerable. Your body is accustom to the medication at a particular time and sensation much like cigarettes , alcohol or even coffee. It is unfortunate about the withdrawl symptoms and the pain for PM patient's but like you said until a "Happy Medium" is reached it is the here and now the other side of that reality is that we have pain patient's in panic mode and some doctors in panic mode of this is what I'm told to do. The "compromise" needs to come sooner than later.

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Re: Lynn (# 1)

Thank you very much for your reply Lynn. I appreciate it!

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