Hi

I went to my pain clinic today. First visit in six months. The issues: recurring pain in my back and abdomen (LLQ)

I have been going through the usual hoops of course, including an upcoming MRI.
Here's the deal: when I started experiencing pain, I asked my doc for pain meds. He told me "I think that is appropriate now" and told me what he was willing to prescribe. I chose Percocet. Then, when I ran out the pain was back, so I asked for a refill. His replacement at the center said no problem.
Next I went to a gastroenterologist. I was very compliant and he suggested all kinds of actions and procedures, to which I was compliant. WithOUT asking for pain meds (being very careful not to) he suddenly lapses into a discussion of why narcotics in particular would not be a good idea (all I new is they worked and I was able to get out the door again, or out of bed that matter). I had NO idea why a doc would preemptively bring up pain meds when I had no intention of asking. I even complied to him sending me for a colonoscopy. (Which turned out fine btw)
Next, I was having back issues. Not made up issues to get meds, but real issues with rock hard tense back muscles to prove that my backbone was in pain. First round I got sent home with NSAIDS and Flexeril (did not help). When I went back to my doc, he preemptively brought up pain meds again, and how bad they are for me. Also he sent me to physiotherapy and to a neurologist. I complied and am working out daily. BTW yes I am very much overweight, the neurologist was amused to remark that "your pants seem to be fitting very snugly on your waist". He also wanted to know which sexual positions hurt the most (coulnd't he have asked which other everyday positions hurt the most??) and he asked me EXACTLY what car I drive ????? WTF.

Then this so-called pain management doctor asks me specifically what works, and he brings up the Percocet. He asks me how I funtion and what else helps. He seemed to be very helpful and agreed pain management helped me give me back a life (Yes I KNOW they are not supposed to do that or whatever). But he agreed I could move again and possibly go out looking for a job again. Yes I am one of those lazy bastards. The back pain and ab. pain are just wearing me thin.
So then he just pats me on the stomach and says "you know you are too heavy" and "have a good evening" and let me leave empty handed (not that I was going to accept drugs from more than one prescriber, but the gesture would have been nice.

So now I am sitting here thinking, "wow, three docs bring up pain meds which I am afraid to do now" But normally I am in more pain than Tylenol can handle, I go to the doctor, I ask for something about the pain. I come from Europe and did not grow up with the slightest notion that opiates were used to help with pain.

So today I go to the pain clinic and tell them everything, including that, yes, I am looking for pain meds, but only to the extent that I want SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN. Then the doc finally sees me, and I finally get to look at my medical chart from my pcp.
It says there, " i think X is a drugseeker". At least twice, and it says "he thinks narcotics are the only medication for pain" Oh it also mentions twice that he believes my pain is real.

Hours later I am still reeling from this news. My whole record poisoned, and every doc lures me into this talk about narcotics, getting me to talk about how well they have worked for me, while I am in the dark about the fact that they have been warned that I am a drugseeker. The idea that I am a drugseeker takes a front seat compared to my pain probs in the file, even though he believes my pain complaints are real.

BTW the pain doc is a good guy and STILL gave me meds, because he said "oh I don't have a problem giving you something for the pain" But my PCP has tainted my record, and all doctors focus on that and my weight, rather than being concerned about my pain.

So what can I do?? I am a drug seeker in that I want help. I don't deserve this and it taints the way docs see me. So it's extra hard to get help, plus they amuse themselves jerking me around, knowing they are not going to help me. I am doing everything to help the pain, and I am very compliant in that I take all my pills and do my exercises.

Do I have a legal complaint? I am not a drugseeker, and have not asked doctors about it, and still they feel the need to warn me about narcotics, based on my PCP's tirade. BTW I took my wife to the doc last time, and this drug seeking stuff really is Bullshit. He also never looks me in the eye even once. This guy is not trustworthy and I feel something should be done.
I have NO qualms going to the DEA even, telling them, look I am in pain, I was looking for help with pain because 3200 mg of IB doesn't help, but my doctor is afraid of losing his licence.

I am so frustrated and above all angry. I trusted my doctor and was willing to cooperate. He labelled me something I am not (in the sense he believes.)

ANY help, any suggestions? I am really hard up for some ideas, and I can't let him get away with this, I won't. Thanks very very much for reading through all of this. I know my spelling and my English have suffered a bit under the stress, even though I am an English major..

Red.