Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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Hi Legit, as always, thank you for thinking of me. I had to re-schedule the appt. because my DD has been having some problems and I wanted to hang by the phone. Granted, I could have taken my cell, but just didn't want to take the chance of her calling while I was in the Dr's office. So, my appt. is now for next Monday which gives me ANOTHER week to stress. LOL
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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Well, my PM doc hasn't helped me at all. I have only seen him four times, but I had gotten meds from my PCP and my rheumatologist before him, so I was already tolerant. He has never listened to me. I have tried to go along with his suggestions, like PT, counseling, a whole bunch of tests but I honestly can't spare any time, if I miss any more work, Im fired. Thats why I went to PM. I really just wanted him to get my meds adjusted and have my PCP take over. That is also what my PCp wanted too.
Anyways Im not going back. This guy put me on 15mgs of methadone 3 times a day. I was still having pain so I asked for something for breakthru. He ignored me. He just kept upping the methadone finally to where I was taking 100mgs a day. My family noticed that I was staggering and slurring my words, and I felt "high" and terrible. When I called and told him what was going on. He had me come in and gave me Oxycontin 20mgs every 12 hours. I told him point blank that the meds wouldn't be enough. When I had my kidney stone, I took 20mgs of percoset at a time every 6 hours. He just said try it and I''ll see you in a month. Well of course once again I started waking up every morning in pain and stiffness. Right back to where I started from (I have fibro and spondylosis of spine)! I was miserable and I think was having methadone withdrawls. I finally came to my senses and went to my PCP, she wondered what the hell kind of doctor would do that. No one would go from such a high dose of methadone to such low dose of oxy with no breakthrough. She told me not to go back, and put me back on the 15mgs of meth 4 times a day with Norco as breakthrough. So be careful and if the doctor dosen't listen to you, get another one. I know what works and my PCP trusts me and will back me up. Actually if anyone in the Seattle area knows of a good PM, please let me know.
Sarah 
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 882
Loc: usa
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Write him a letter & tell him in accordance with HIPAA guidelines, you are requesting a COMPLETE copy of your medical records. He has the right to charge you reasonable copying charges...usually 10 cents a page & $10.00/hr staff time....If he refuses, ask to speak with his HIPAA privacy office & security officer...and tell them if they don't comply within a reasonable time (i'd say 5-7 business days) you'll be filing a complaint with dept of health & human svcs & the state medical board...that should move them...
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1962
Loc: Texas
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This is a good idea and also Jordan you don't have to tell him you're not going back to him. I do hope it works out well for you - all of you - and don't fret!
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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I'm so glad that AFI finally got the help & meds that s/he needs...I haven't been as fortunate yet. I've had migraines for 14 years but in the last few months they have steadily become worse, occuring at least 2x per week with a duration of 24-48 hours per episode with nearly constant vomiting (sorry, guys). My now ex-PCP prescribed 30 Lortab per month & Imitrex, neither of which makes a dent in the pain.
A few weeks ago I started making phone calls to area PM doctors & clinics to see about getting an appointment & further testing. Although I'm self-pay (uninsured), each required a referral from my PCP. I was denied a referral, the reason given that I am obviously an addict. I was absolutely shocked & asked how he could possibly think that as I have only ever received 3 Lortab scripts (he offered, I didn't request them) from him & have never asked for more. His reasoning was that patients only go to PM doctors for one reason - to get strong drugs - and that he is adequately treating my migraines so I have no legitimate reason to go elsewhere.
I managed to self-refer myself to a neurologist who did thorough testing & dx'd me with hypothyroidism & advanced Lyme disease. I had also mentioned to the neurologist that my occasional lower back pain has become more frequent & that the pain radiates down my left leg to my knee. I was sent for cervical & lumbar scans & found out that I also have lumbar radiculopathy. Unfortunately, the neurologist said that I would have to return to my PCP for meds (other than Zanaflex) as he does testing & diagnoses only.
My neurologist sent all test results to my PCP and when I called to make an appointment, having the results to back my claims of agonizing pain, I was told that my PCP would no longer treat me as I had gone behind his back to seek care elsewhere & he didn't want "addicts" as patients. I then requested in writing all of my medical records & was told that it would cost $50 per page & could only be sent to another physician which I know is BS.
I have found a rheumatologist in Manhattan that has special training with Lyme, I'm due for my second appointment tomorrow. The office staff there says I need to sign a records release for them to obtain my records from my PCP but I definitely don't want that happening until I see for myself just what is in those records.
I apologize for this long-winded post but AFI's experience gives me some hope...my only problem thus far is that the cost of doctor visits and the medications prescribed thus far are more than my monthly income. I'm not eligible for Medicaid & none of the Lyme Disease specialists I've researched accept Medicaid anyway. Lyme is not a disease that can be left untreated however so I'm going to have to figure out something.
Take care.
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Lovepink
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AFI
Member
Reged: 04/05/02
Posts: 122
Loc: West Coast
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lovepink, I'm sorry you're having these problems getting treated for your pain. My Doc also told me I was an addict, when I found this out I had a MRI to prove to him that the pain was real! After a long talk with him he, OK'ed that I see a pain clinic, as he no longer wanted to be resposable for giving me narcotics. He reffered me to the pain clinic just IMHO to get me off his back! I would get all your medical records (the ones that talk about your pain), X-ray's, anything that shows your pain is real. Take them to a new Doc and tell him/her how the pain is chronic and tell him/her how a friend told you about a local pain clinic, and that you are very intrested in getting your life back. There are understanding Docs out there, just a little hard to find sometimes. But once you're in with the pain clinic, they ARE THE MOST UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO PAIN. No longer will they think that you are an addict. They are there to help. They have seen what chronic pain does to peoples lives. lovepink, I know you will find an understanding Doctor. I was in the same bind as you, and now my pain is being treated, and my life is coming back. Best of luck to you, and everybody else who is trying to get their pain treated, without being called an addict. You can blame the media for Doctors who come across a paitent who is on a narcotic, and look at them like they are a junkie! Let me know how it ends up. And like I said, best wishes to you and everyone else. -AFI
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chevygal
Veteran
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 504
Loc: Way down south
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Quote:
My Doc also told me I was an addict, when I found this out I had a MRI to prove to him that the pain was real! After a long talk with him he, OK'ed that I see a pain clinic, as he no longer wanted to be resposable for giving me narcotics.
Why is it that these doctors get ugly with you and call you a druggie when they do not want to prescibe for you any more. Why can't they just tell ya that they do not want to keep writing scripts because of certain laws and that you should go to a pain clinic where they are trained to treat people in pain. No.... they have to get crappy and call names and write things in your chart to make sure you are miserable for the rest of your life. I wonder if they are so miserable themselves that they feel as though they ought to make you miserable too. If they would just refer you to someone else, without getting into labeling someone just because "they" think you do not need something, they would be rid of the patient but the patient would not get the short end of the stick. Wishful thinking, I guess!
chevygal
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1962
Loc: Texas
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LP - I'm so sorry for what you're going through Lyme is very serious and you need to be treated with long term antibiotics and depending on how advanced you are possible intravenous antibiotics ASAP. I think I have mentioned to you previously that my neighbor was diagnosed with Lyme Disease - initially she started taking mass doses of Doxycycline but eventually was switched to IV - but her case was very, very advanced to the point she had permanent neurological damage. I can't believe these darn doctors. I hope and pray your appointment goes well.
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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LP, you know I'm here for you. I don't know much about Lyme, but just wanted you to know that I'll do anything I can to help if you need me. Hang in there (don't you hate it when people say that and you feel as if your world is falling apart) and don't let any of those docs give you any kee-rap at all!!
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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chevygal
Veteran
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 504
Loc: Way down south
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Quote:
a neurologist who did thorough testing & dx'd me with hypothyroidism & advanced Lyme disease. I had also mentioned to the neurologist that my occasional lower back pain has become more frequent & that the pain radiates down my left leg to my knee. I was sent for cervical & lumbar scans & found out that I also have lumbar radiculopathy. Unfortunately, the neurologist said that I would have to return to my PCP for meds (other than Zanaflex) as he does testing & diagnoses only.
I had to post again lp as I vented about the doctors and didn't even mention the fact that you are suffering, sorry . I just can not understand how, when you have been diagnosed, that they can not treat you. And then act like they just don't care. It is a good thing that you got yourself to someone who found the lyme's. I know that can be very serious. You would think the neuro guy would have at least been willing to do "something" for you while you ae waiting to see someone else. It baffles me. I do hope things good with the rheumy doc, and this guy can help with the pain you have and take care of the lyme disease.
I apologize for being insensitive in my other post and going off on a vent about doctors when you are suffering. This is the reason I don't go to them anymore unless I absolutly have to. And it just makes me so angry. In your case you have diagnosis' of some serious stuff and your doc still refuses to treat you. I would slash his tires and put sugar in his gas tank, and then I would wish I was the service guy he had to go to to get his car fixed. 
Good luck to you with this new doctor 
chevygal
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Lisa1967
Member
Reged: 10/29/02
Posts: 123
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Hey LP,
I'm sorry your dr's are being such insensitive jerks 
I tried to PM you,but,well,I'm a puter dummy,and didnt know how.Please,PM ME-if you are willing to travel outside the city area(about 2hrs) I know of a wonderful pain clinic,the staff is great,and the dr's are VERY compassionate& understanding.I have to travle about 45min. each way every month to see them,but it's worth it to have dr's you know care about you,and your pain needs I have been going there for over 6 yrs now.They know me,they know my kids,and(GASP) they treat me like a human being!!!!
PM me,hun,and I will give you their number,k?
Lisa
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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Thank you to everyone who wrote posts of support - they are truly appreciated. I had some success with my appointment today...was scripted 2 different antibiotics that I must take 4 times per day orally but I will get blood tests every 3-4 weeks to make sure this regimen is aggressive enough. Thankfully I was given a three week supply of one of my antibiotic scripts as it would have cost me in excess of $300 to have filled, being uninsured.
I was also scripted one bottle per week of Stadol NS for my migraines - it doesn't relieve the migraines for me but it will abort them. My doctor said he doesn't like to prescribe short acting narcotics for chronic pain (my back) so was scripted 30 mg. tabs of morphine sulfate "to start with" with instructions to take 1 or 2 every 8 hours as needed. With my tolerance I will probably need more but I realize how fortunate I am to have even gotten that as we're so painfully aware how many doctors have opiate-phobia.
Thanks again.
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Lovepink
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Reel_X_4U
Enthusiast
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 255
Loc: Queens, New York City
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Lovepink, I've never "REELLY" noticed opiate phobia in the NYC area, just as long you provide the records that accomodate narcotic use), but I've definitely noticed "BENZO" phobia, most docs want a "PSYCHE" "EVALUATION", not because they care about your anxiety, but just to have as documentation for their records. If you can't provide an evaluation, then they start with the SSRIs, SNRIs, and the tricyclics scripts to build a history of anti-depressant use, you wait a couple months, and you then finally get the "BENZO" script. And it all boils down to the fact that "Tylenol #3" and/or "VICODIN" can be written on a regular white script, which (if you think about it) are not "REELLY" monitored at all (if you look at the number of scripts written daily) it would be impossible to monitor all these thousands of scripts. But on the other hand if it requires a "TRIPLICATE" like a benzo or a strong narcotic, that's where I sense their phobia, cuz those are monitored by the state and federal government. Can't "REELLY" blame them, but I've discovered ways of persuading a doc to write a script for a "BENZO" on the first trip. I can talk-the-talk (Humor with a little mixture of sympathy for my anxious state) and walk-the-walk (mimic(ing) the physical symptoms, like paying him a visit after a "REEL" vigorous cardio workout) will do the trick. If nothing else, I'll just cross the border and either go to "Conneticut" or "New Jersey", just wish New York would change their ruling and allow benzos to be written on regular scripts. Hope you feel better "LOVEPINK"!!, I've tried "Stadol NS" (good painkiller and quick-acting). Kewl!!
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Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
I've dreamt of things that never were, and say "WHY NOT"!!
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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OK, Im going to be changing pain docs and I don't know what to do. My old PM is a wacko, my PCP dosent' want me to see him and wants me to see the doc that is affiliated with the hospital she is with. She says he is great, but I have talked to a few of his patients and they don't like his bedside manner and is very stingy when it comes to meds. However, I really want to see the PM doc that used to practice out of the same office as my current PM doc. Do you guys think this will create a conflict? They didn't have a practice together, just shared office space. I have heard great things about him and he is close to home. I just wonder if my current PM is going to be mad if I ask him to send my records over to his old partner.
Sarah
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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Hi Sarah - ugh, what a predicament. The way I see it (and of course this is JMHO) you have three options if you really want to see your PM doc's former partner:
1. Rather than having your records sent directly to your new PM doc, request them directly & hand deliver them to your PM doc of choice - after making a copy for yourself, of course. This way would negate any potential discomfort as your current PM doc won't know to whom the records are eventually going as well as giving you the opportunity to look over your records.
2. Just bite the bullet & have the current PM doc send the records to his former partner's office. Your request for your records to be released is normally done through the secretarial staff so you wouldn't have to personally deal with any anger your PM doc may have. Any display of anger on his part would be very unprofessional anyway.
3. Make an appointment with the new PM doc and have his staff request your records after signing a release. This way you'll never have to get personally involved with any record-related issues from your soon to be former PM doc.
If it were me, I'd go with #1, just so I had a copy of my records for the future. As an aside, if your current PM doc gets angry, he'll be your ex-doctor anyway so you won't have to deal with it.
I wish you the very best of luck.
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Lovepink
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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I had my first appointment at a Pain Management clinic yesterday. Nothing really to write home about. Just many many tests prescribed, then I assume we'll get on with a treatment plan. The Dr. was the most UNtalkative doc I've ever been to. I don't know if this is how is always is or if it was because he was busy scanning through my med records. If this is how he always is, I may have to give some thought to a new one. I'm just not going to make a 'rush to judgement' (LOVE that saying, LOL) until I've seen him several times. That is all I have to report on my experience.
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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Actually, running many (needed) tests is the sign of a thorough PMD...I know I didn't get my much-needed, stronger pain meds until my initial tests were complete. When is your next appointment? Perhaps you could write down a list of questions you have about treatment options, your dx, & anything else you want to ask him. If you want, give me a call & we'll both put a comprehensive list together. Then when you go, refer to your list...if this PMD seems to be hurrying you or not addressing your concerns it may be time to look around some more.
You may just have to come visit me with your records & test results & meet my doctor. 
Hugs,
Diana
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Lovepink
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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Is he cute?? LOL j/k Actually he didn't really seem to be rushing me out of there, so that's a good thing. Like you said, hopefully he's just very thorough yet quiet. I will definitely take you up on the offer for help putting together a list. I always have a million things in mind to ask, but forget them all once I get there. Thanks!
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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