I went to see pain doc this morning for refills and he told me that he would not rx for opiods anymore because I ran out out of vicodin(I take for breakthrough pain) 5 days early. I have one dose of Kadian left and Lyrica. I ran out early because after going to the ER, calling him at 7am the next day(he was out of town and office was closed) and going to see an ENT dr. after that I was having terrible jaw, ear, and neck pain. That was pretty much all I could do besides ice and such. the ENT doc diagnosed with me TMJ. I tried to talk to him about it, even bringing my mom with me so he would know the agony I was in and she is a nurse who helps me with my meds, but he was pretty much being an ***. So anyone know what to do now??? Also I called the office and told his nurse last Thursday every thing that had been going on, and even brought in all the paper work from every thing I had done-completely on the up and up and still got screwed-Please help me.
Kristi
I'm really sorry for your hassle and your's is not the first story of this very same thing, that I've heard happening.
Do you have a pain contract? and what does it say to do in this situation?
I've not personally dealt with the ER since my original pain breakdown, but I have on occaision had advise nurses direct me to take additional meds for 3-5 days after a fall, I've told them I only get a certain amount of meds per month, that I may run out early and had to find out the hard way that even though an advise nurse had directed me to do so, that I'm not allowed to make any changes in my dosage without direct consultation with my doctor. At the time I was not in possession of a copy of my own pain contract and for future situations, I've made sure that I have an updated copy at all times now and I do not take any advice from a nurse, unless the words come out of my doctors mouth.
I'm not sure what the procedures are at your current medical clinic, but you might want to check over your contract and go in & discuss this with your doctor. Or maybe you need to contact the head doctor in your medical offices?? Im sure your mom could probably advise you better than I, but I really hope you can get some help with this soon.
When the situation happened with me, I assumed that the nurse talked to my doctor about it, that was not the case. Even when my pain doctor changes my dosage of meds, I have to wait until I talk to my primary care doctor before I make the change, as he's the doctor who actually writes & fills my scripts. It took awhile for me to get to an understanding of all I had to do in order to make sure I was taking meds the way the guy who prescribes them has directed me and your situation just sounds like a misunderstanding in the process.
I would write him a letter and tell him exactly what happened too. He may of been frustrated, busy or angry at first and not really listended to your story acurately. I hate for you to be in the position and hope your can find a resolutions quickly.
Wishing you well, please let us know how you make out. I'm so sorry for your frustration and warrented fear & confusion
Take Care
Betty
I wanted to add one more comment
I in no way blame the nurse I talked to, for giving me the advice she did. I don't think that I explained my situation or my contract with her either. So I am not blaming nurses for this situation, I've just learned to make sure I explain my situation and my contract with the nurse too.
I did not want any nurses to take my comment as blaming a nurse for my confusion & not properly making sure they understood my situation.
I personally would find a new clininc if your doctor will not even listen to your explanations. Most pain contracts state that you must obtain permission before upping your dose due to an exception. My husband had the same experience. He broke his hand while being treated for chronic back pain. He called the admin to let them know that he would need to take more pain meds than usual due to the injury. When he went to see the doctor, the doctor was very unprofessional. He argued with my husband as he was coming out of versaid after a rhyzotomy.
This is a great doctor who must havd had a bad or trying day. I feel for the docs too. There are quite a few drug seekers who lie and betray trust and I think they get paranoid sometimes. If after a cool down and revisiting the issue with more informaiton they still act that way? I say find a new doc.
Betty Boop too,
You sure seem to know ALOt about pain and lower back pain. Im interested if you have any info for me? ive been dealing with my pain (chronic pain by far) for mroe than 3 yrs. No injurys, no nothing. Its like i just woke up this way or something. Had surgery, it failed. I acually had 14 different typs of injections and have took almost every medication in the book. I took myself off pain meds since they didnt work anyway, and i have a tens unit (nerve stimualter) which helps a bit, at least takes the edge off. Any advice? my docs are great, i dont have a surgeon right now, b/c i didnt agree with what the last one said, but what do i do??!! they say its never going to get better, only worse as years go on, and im only 24!!!!!!!! i dont want to go through surgery but i dont want to go through this pain for the rest of my life either....oh ive been so depressed from this i cant even tell you. Its horrible. Im at my witts end i dont know what to do anymore.
Hello Kimberly
I'm not sure how, but I must of missed your post reply message or something, so sorry for the delay.
I don't really think I know anymore than most others who've been dealing in pain for the past 6 or more years, but thank you any way.
Have you tried any alternative therapies like message, chiropractor, etc. I'm not sure, as you did not mention what your films show in your spine and exactly what type of surgery they did, but there are a great deal of chiropractors who would possibly give you some advise or help too.
I've found many message therapy techniques as beneficial for reducing the intensity of the pain, so since you not really wanting to be on meds, etc. Then I think Message therapy is worth a try. Have you considered acupuncture or even reflexology. Many alternative therapies can be very helpful in dealing with chronic pain and I support trying any of these that may hold off surgery (if that's what you want to do) and can help you to deal with your pain in a positive manner.
I've found with my own situation, that I have to use multiply treatments for me to keep any type of control of my own situation.
Let me know how your doing & take Care of your self.
I always find it sad to hear a young person having to deal with this type of pain, so I hope you can find some alternatives to help you along your journey of pain treatments.
Betty
Thank you Betty Boop,
I just feel like i have to take everyday as it comes, some days im ok, some days im just not. Ya, for awhile there i felt like this was SO unfair that i have to go through all this and im only 23! ive had this back pain for about 5 yrs now, and yes, ive tried it all. 3 different chiro's, massage therpy acually hurt me....ive always been VERY curious about acupunture although im not sure if it would work at this point. My tens unit helps in the fact that it numbs up my back and if i wear it long enough it will numb it up so much that i cant even feel my hand touch my low back. I had l3-4 and l5 surgery in Aug of 2006 they did whats called an IDET procedure im not sure if you know what it is, you should look it up on the internet if your interested b/c i dont even know how to explain it!!! its a less invasive (but very expensive!) procedure where they use a needle and go through a catheter type thing and he sucked all the juice around my discs and what not. I dont know, thought it would help, wore a brace for 7weeks that was HORRIBLE and he said once i took the brace off id notice a difference and dont get me wrong, i did!!! and then that feeling was GONE. so i felt like i was back at square one. Like i said the TENS unit helps, but i need more help. i want someone else to see in the seattle area that can give me some good advice. Ya know? someone to think up some different thoughts about whats going on with me and why it seems to be getting so much worse. :( did you say you have a list of good doc's to see in the seattle area? what area are you in? just wondering..... either way someone HELP!!! lol...some days i feel like im going out of my mind, other days i do better......?? its so weird how fast it can change. I guess thats just the way it works.
Unfortunately, with most pain meds, the doctor can't refill them early. The "pain police" keep a close eye on narcotics and more than a few docs have been in trouble for being kind. Not to mention that insurance won't pay for a refill unless enough time has lapsed. It's really a mess, I know. I take methadone, morphine, fentanyl pain patches, Xanax, plus other meds for other problems. I can't get any of those filled until the 30th day. And, for some reason, both docs & pharmacists keep forgetting about those nasty 31 day months and make you wait an extra day.
I try very hard to save back at least a couple or more throughout the month when I think I can go without it, so I have a spare if something happens. I wish you the best of luck. But please, remember, that pain disrupts your life if you are 23 or 53. It doesn't hurt one bit less just because you are middle aged. Nothing is worse than having my beautiful 3 yr old granddaughter say, "Nanny, can you pick me up?"
Try and keep your emotions at a calm level as well. My pain triples when I let myself get upset.
Hang in there, okay?? Char