Pain Management Contract

I receive generic Percocet from my Primary Care Physician and have been receiving this medication for several years to lessen pain from degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis in all three areas of the spine. I was also recently informed that I have arthritis in both shoulders and I suspect I probably have it in one or both knees as well. In the past I have signed the pain management contracts with this doctor and at least once every year or two they do a urine test to be sure I am compliant. I understand the contract and the urine screens, but I have a question regarding the contract. When I called for a refill/new prescription today they called back to inform me that I can come in and pick up the prescription but that I have to sign a pain management contract. I know I have signed these things at least three or four times in the last five years. Is it common practice to sign a new contract annually or at some other regular time interval? I am not sure why I need to sign this thing yet again when I have always been compliant with the required procedures spelled out in their contract. Thank you for any input regarding how often doctors need patients to sign the same contract over and over and over.

REPLY

REPORT

Zellie, first, how did you come up with"Zellie" ? If you don't wish to say, that's just fine.

Anyway, about your question as to contract....though not technically in pain management, it is probably nothing more than an update. Nothing nefarious. Just keeps you reminded that you have agreed to certain terms, for the sake of treatment. I am treated by primary care and believe me, that is my preference. If I had to sign every 3 months I would, just to keep it that way. I don't blame you for asking, because it does seem our acceptance of office policy does not seem to need to be reiterated so often.But again, whatever it takes to avoid intervention by a pain management specialist is worth it to me. I go in tomorrow, have avoided any type of over the counter med that could possibly skew a urinalysis. Normally, I will take benadryl for sleep. Won't even do that for a few weeks before UA, because it is notorious for showing up as a benzo, though truly, I've never taken one. I want nothing more than to keep pain care within the office of primary care, due to expectations and easily broken contracts due to no fault of our own.... benadryl, cold remedies, sleep aids.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

This is totally common. If you read around a bit you'll see that most people are being forced to go to doctors that specialize in pain management. You've got it easy bub. You're lucky your primary physician hasn't cut you off completely as so many other's i've read about have.

It has nothing to do with you, per se. It has to do with the "opioid epidemic" and CDC/FDA guidelines. They're going after anyone who takes opioids. They don't care if you really need them and are compliant. They're lumping people with legitimate pain together with people who abuse these drugs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: JMJ (# 1)

I had a beagle named Zelda and I used to call her my little Zelliebean. So when I had to pick online names years ago I went with her nickname as a tribute to her.

Thank you for your answer. I don't mind resigning the contract, but just wondered if it is common procedure.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Mason (# 2)

Thank you for your answer. My doctor is close to 90 years old so I will probably be left hung out to dry when he retires or passes away. He has a son in the same practice in his 50's or 60's so maybe I can switch to him and hope he treats patients similar to his father.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Zelliebean (# 3)

Ahhh, I see. I was thinking it was tribute to someone. So, it was your dog! I like that. The name Zellie, not used now, but was around the turn of the century, 19th that is.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

JMJ (# 4) --

She was a really sweet little beagle, has been gone since 2002, and also another, T-Bone, who came after Zelda and has been gone since 2013. I have another beagle, Copper, and two other dogs (not beagles) now, but beagles have my heart always and Copper is my favorite even though I know we are not supposed to have a favorite.

I picked up an RX today and signed their new 3 page contract, used to be 1 single page, plus they decided to give me a urine test while I was there - the whole thing was a really creepy scenario and I did not like the assembly line feature they have added to the process. I did not pay attention to the RX when they finally gave it to me after I signed the contract and handed them the urine bottle, took it to pharmacy, and then looked at it when I got into the car. There were 60 pills instead of the usual 90 and instructions to take every 10 - 12 hours as needed for pain instead of every 8 hours as needed for pain. The pharmacy is a joke so I figured they screwed up the RX and called the doctor's office when I got home to ask how many pills should be in the RX. The clerk answered that he has cut everyone back to 60 pills now, so that explains why one rather buzzed-looking dude in the office was complaining about his RX when the MA handed it to him. I just figured he was complaining about not being given the right amount of pills when he was looking peeved while I was reading my contract, but I guess he was trying to figure out how he was going to function on reduced medication. So at my next actual appointment I plan to ask the doctor to reduce my dosage to a lower strength and wean me off the medication. I figure I better do this before the government says nobody will get controlled pain medication ever again - I think it is headed in that direction, and I honestly think they have changed the generics for percocet to have very little pain relief and plenty of unpleasant side effects (Rhodes and Camber come to mind). Of course this is just my opinion, but each new generic I get seems less effective than the one before it and I think this is all part of the master plan. I am tired of playing this stupid game so I plan to just QUIT!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: zelliebean (# 6)

Yep. So says many, about the government weaning everyone down, then off. Does this mean we never needed it in the first place????? Funny, our doctors found us to be in chronic pain and chose to treat it! Treat what? If we don't need it now, what were treating us for in the first place? I think you are absolutely right. Won't be long before very few will be allowed receive pain relief. We all need a plan in place.

About the meds. It's not in our heads. And for many, it's not even a tolerance issue. Generics ARE weaker. Lucky for the pharmaceutical companies. Cost them less to produce, they charge the same or more. Lucky us, NOT, we get less, pay more, get sick on the new formulations, are forced to go thru withdrawal, all because it has been decided, we are not truly in pain. At least, nothing that shots, therapy and a wee bit of surgery can't help. Why is this happening? Because abusers are dying. Guess what? That's not gonna stop. But at least we will all be off our meds.There's that!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Is it worthwhile to appeal a non compliance dicharge ? My doctor refusedto allow me an explainationtoa very odd occuranc...

1 REPLY

Does anyone know of a doctor in and around the Baton Rouge Louisiana area that will prescribe pain meds that takes Medic...

287 REPLIES

I just moved to Nashville and need a Dr. to continue writing my Oxycodone 30mg 4/day. I have medical records & MRI s...

170 REPLIES

Seeking a pain medicine doctor who will prescribe pain meds along the lines of Oxycodone/Roxicodone 30mgs in Philadelphi...

157 REPLIES

I have taken methadone for about 9 yrs. and other pain medicines before that. I have chronic pain post polio syndrome, D...

102 REPLIES

I have Sciatica, Spondeliosis, Degenerative Disc Disease and Fibromyalgia in both my hips & legs, I have had 3 sets ...

91 REPLIES

I am new to the Philly area... Actually live in Delaware County but less than 5 miles from SW Philly... I am trying to f...

61 REPLIES

Does anyone know of any primary care physicians in the Shreveport/Bossier City/Haughton/Minden area that do pain managem...

47 REPLIES

I have acute anxiety/panic attacks. My pain mgmnt Dr used to prescribe Ativan along with hydrocodone up till 2016 as the...

34 REPLIES

I need a dr in the Philadelphia area who will prescribe Methadone for chronic pain. ## Hello, There are actually quite a...

31 REPLIES