Pain Management Shreveport

Updated

Does anyone know of any primary care physicians in the Shreveport/Bossier City/Haughton/Minden area that do pain management? I have been going to a pain management doctor here in Shreveport for about 6 years now, but it is just getting to expensive. He refuses to to go any higher on my dosage of Oxycontin, which is 30 mg 3 times a day. And he will not give me anything for break through pain. I am on Medicaid so I have to pay him out of pocket. Medicaid pays for 60 of my oxy's, but I have to pay for the other 30. If I knew of a primary care physician that accepts does some pain management and also accepts medicaid it would be a really big help. I'd really appreciate anyone that could help me out and answer this. Thank you.

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1

There aren't any PCP's who do Pain Management for Medicaid patients, that I know of. As you already know Louisiana Medicaid will not pay for any form of chronic pain management. Due to studies that show that those on Medicaid are more likely to abuse or divert pain meds, the pressure has been on to not prescribe these meds to Medicaid patients for chronic pain.

You do need to get a copy of your medical records from your pain management dr. Any new dr that treats you for your pain will want to get copies of those records. Remember if you want to change your health plan, you have until the end of May. Be sure and verify that a dr accepts Medicaid and don't just go by what the health plans says or has on their website.

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2

Just wanted to say thank you BL, for the reply to my question. I'm going in to see my current PCP in the morning to talk this over with him and see if there's anything we can come up with. He knows me quite well and he also knows that I am not just looking for pain meds to abuse them. Hopefully, I'll be able to find someone. Thanks again.

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3

Hello, Robyn! How are you?

What hasn't been mentioned here is that a PCP cannot provide you with such medications for pain management. New regulations were put in place last year that require anyone needing narcotics for long-term, ongoing pain management to see a specialist. Thus, that is your only option.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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4

Thanks for answering my question, Verwon. I went to see my current PCP and he basically told me the same thing. He ordered some x-rays for my neck a few weeks ago and he said I was all messed up so he is pretty sure he will be able to get me into the Spine Institute. So I am hoping they will be able to do something. Possibly some injections or something like that. My back is in pretty bad shape to and I'm really scared to have surgery. Again, thank you.

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5

I'm sorry but there are no new laws that state only pain management drs can treat chronic pain. I wish someone who give the federal or state laws when they reference this stuff. Robyn, Louisiana Medicaid won't pay for IV's for chronic pain. I hope your pcp can get you into the Spine Institute. I thought you were looking for a place that accepted Medicaid, Louisiana Spine Institute doesn't nor do their Pain drs there. Doesn't University Heath (Old LSU-HSC) have a pain management clinic ? Although Medicaid won't pay for that either. The only thing Louisiana Medicaid will pay for is the initial appointment, after that it is up to you to pay for it.

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6

Louisiana Medicaid won't pay for injections. The Spine Institute nor the pain drs associated with it accept Louisiana Medicaid only. They only accept Medicaid when you also have Medicare. University Health (Old LSU-HSC) has a pain management clinic. But, the only things Medicaid pays for is the initial visit, after that it is $50.

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7

I would appreciate it is someone can give the reference to federal and state laws where it states only a pain managment dr can write rxs for pain meds.

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8

Robyn, were you able to find a dr ? If you were would you please share their name or their location.

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9

Hi Marti,
No, from what I've been told I'm pretty much SOL in finding a primary care physician to act as my pain management doctor. For now I will continue to see Dr. Tanga in Shreveport. He's okay, but he refuses to go up on my dosage and he won't give me anything for breakthrough pain. I need a doctor that will listen to me and work with me and if I need more meds give it to me.

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10

Robyn, Thanks ! You are in a really difficult situation. I seriously doubt a new pcp will start off prescribing you the same meds and amount you're on now. A new dr will start with the mildest meds and at the lowest dosages, usually. Is it that your pcp won't prescribe pain meds at all or that he won't prescribe what works for you ? I assume you pcp accepts medicaid. I really don't know what those on medicaid are suppose to do to manage their chronic pain. What is really sad is that there are alot of people on SSI in Louisiana who receive Medicaid. That means that for many, they are receiving SSI because they have a painful and debilitating condition that is severe enough that they can't work. Kinda makes you wonder how many of those would be able to go back to work if their pain was managed.

You may want to get a copy of your medical records from both drs, just so you will know what another dr will be reading, if you're able to find one.

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11

I went to LSU pain clinic in 12/12 & was discharged by previous Dr from Texarkana. I actually had to go to my original Dr in Baton Rouge getting order for MRI. When I went to LSU, my back was bad. LSU told me they only gave pain medicine/treatment if pt has spinal tumors/cancer. If they have changed since please let me know. Currently seeing Dr who doesn't take M/C & Medicaid. Need neurological eval for surgery. Thanks

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12

No, it hasn't changed. Louisiana Medicaid will not pay for Pain Management for chronic pain. If you need a neuro evaluation, call your health plan and ask if they have any neurologists on their plan. If your plan is a Shared Saving Plan, you can see any dr who accepts Medicaid. If your plan is Pre-Paid, the dr must be part of your plan.

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13

Well then you are LUCKY. I have advanced DDD, herniated disc, severe spondylosis, with an osteophytic bar, ruptured disc, nerve impingment- 8 total discs involved! i am in unbearable pain, and go to Tango,,and all he'll give me is ONE 10mg lortab a day! It's inhumane the amount of suffering I do a day. I'll willing to pay cash, cause I have NO medicaid, health ins. and am on Free-care at LSU (*University Health now) but they have no pain mgt. Clinic. If your doctor accepts cash, please have mercy on me and let me know who you go to- i will not say you sent me. *i don't even like what you take,,it's too strong for me. I just wanted 10 mg more a day, but i think former drug addicts go there or something,,cause it's run like a methadone clinic if you get my meaning. I've had this condition for many years now,,and am JUST now seeking pain relief. I am NOT a drug seeker & don't appreciate being treated like one at this clinic cause that's all that seems to go there. I appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks.

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14

VEronica , even if you had Medicaid, in Louisiana it won't pay for Pain Management. There is or use to be a Pain Mangement Clinic at LSU (now University) but I'm not sure if they still have it. Even if you were on Medicaid, you still had to pay at LSU in the Pain Managment Clinic. The dr you're talking about if the only one I've heard of that will accept cash. By the way, even if you had Medicaid, in Louisiana it would not pay for more than 720 Lortab within a year.

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15

My primary care doc sent me to the Spine Institute on 1500 Line Avenue, I use Dr. Letchuman, he will give you an MRI to diagnose your problem and give you the medication you need, I am on hydrocodone, but he will give you whatever you need for your pain. They accept my Medicare as payment, I do have a secondary insurance to pick up the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay, I assume that Medicaid will do the same.

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16

Nick, No medicaid won't do the same. If you have only Louisiana Medicaid no pain dr or pain clinic will accept it, including the Spine Institute, Dr. Letchuman or any other pain dr there. If you have Medicare & Medicaid, that it accepted. It is accepted because Medicare is the primary insirance and Medicaid is the secondary. Medicare will pay for pain management and for pain drs, Louisiana Medicaid will not.

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17

Robyn, I was wondering if you've been able to find anyone or if you're still seeing Dr Tanga ? I was also wondering about how much he charges. And if he is as rude to his patients as the online reviews indicate ? Isn't he the only pain doctor that accepts cash in the area ?

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18

I have been reading about the problems with pain management in Louisiana and I feel so angry and horrified that the state would allow people to suffer like you are doing. I personally would go to another state to live. Come to WA state. People on SSI and medicaid are not treated like unwanted dogs here. My medicaid plan pays for whatever my pain clinic submits to them. I am presently on Elago ER and 4mg. dilaudid. It is expensive. I could never afford even the co-pays if I had to. I get $483.00 a month from SSI. They took 1/3 of my SSI check because I rent a room from a family member which costs me $400.00 a month. I so appreciate the medical care I am receiving right now. Even if I had regular insurance, which I did 5 years ago the plans are so awful now that I would not be able to afford going to a pain clinc. My heart goes out to you. Our pain clinic here only makes you come in every three months. Your prescriptions are for 3 months and predated. So no monthly visits. I have suffered through many awful ordeals with doctors over the years. I just can not imagine what you all have to deal with. Someone really needs to contact the state legislature and change things.

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19

Being here NOW, if you pay for your share of living expenses and have receipts, and no other income, you should be able to receive the full federal amount of $721 in SSI.

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20

Can anyone tell me if Dr Tanga and Dr. Letchuman do inj's.? Do they prescribe extended release and break through tablets ? Trying to decide which one to see. Thanks.

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47

Your lucky to have a doc that will give you those period

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46

Re: Robyn (# 9) Expand Referenced Message

Hey, I'm about to see tanga. Will he make me take a U/A on the first visit?

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45

Who do you see? I need a pain management doc that will help me!!

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44

sissy, you need to see a pain management dr. Louisiana is expanding Medicaid on July 1, 2016, but it does not pay for pain management drs.

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43

Hello, I have a bad back. Lsu is not helping me at all. I have pain all the time. I have no ins at this time. Is there in anyone in Shreveport that can help me ? This pain in my back, legs, hips are getting worst. I am at the point were it is so hard for too cook, clean and etc.. I hope someone can help me. My back is has been bad for 5 or 6 years, no help and the pain is getting worst and so is my back

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42

that is my blanket answer...get out of Shreveport ...the whole State is a joke.. has never cared about its people and never will. God Bless...you will need it.

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41

Paul, that is something that is very risky. You have no idea what future laws and state policy's may be. If for any reason you can't be treated for opiate addiction you won't be able to get regular pain management. But it is up to each person to decide if it is worth the risk.

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40

I've stopped going to pain management clinics 10 years ago. I originally went to get off the opiates to stop the extreme withdrawal symptoms. But then I soon found out that it completely got rid of my notorious pain

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39

Amica, many regular drs don't do chronic pain management any longer, but it is up to each individual Dr. Now days most chronic pain patients that need Schedule II meds have to go to pain management drs.

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38

I really don't think doctors want to write scripts for Oxus anymore now that the people out there that have abused this med they have changed the med so you can't crush them anymore and they gel up if you do so thanks to those abusers people with chronic pain have a hard time to get their doctor to write them or they WILL send you to pain management to prescribe you something and decide what and how much they think would be good for you

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