Referred to YET another Dr. but wondering about previous Dr's lack of morals

It is considered unethical but I do not believe it is illegal for a doctor to "termimate" a patient in this manner.  I would ask the doctor who "terminated" you as his patient to put his reasons in writing.  He will not want to do this.  But by asking him to state his reasons, it may be a way for you to get him to continue your care until you can be seen by another Pain Management doctor. 

He may have been "flagged" by the DEA or is afraid he might be.  He may be eliminating patients from his practice who are higher doses of pain medication to protect himself from a DEA inspection.  

Sadly, pain management in the USA is well behind that of other countries due to doctors fear of being questioned and or/charged and fined by the DEA.  This fear by the doctors causes patients to live in pain unnecessarily.  It is very sad.

Hi Kat,I am Jo.A 57 year old disabled wife.I have unfortunately had the same thing happen to me.I worked at Mayo Clinic for 7 years and I have seen just about everything.When I became disabled I asked to see what insurance I could get and what doctor would write my maintenance meds.Well of course I was scared to death.I worked with a psychiatrist and we became friends.He saw me for 11 months before he would write something stronger than Lortab.As I look back I laugh at the thought of having to depend on something like Lortab.I have a narcotic contract with a very well known pain mang doctor now.He is wonderful.He is kind and compassionate.I don't know if we can use names so for this I better check the rules.Well I had my new primary doctor consultation about 11 years ago.And asked would she be comfortable writing my meds.She said that she was not pro-narcotics but since I brought so much documented medical history she didn't have a problem with it.

     She got cancer and was out for a while.Every month I was afraid I wouldn't get my rx.After about a year she left there and I agreed with her reasons.I asked her if she thought the new doctor would write my scripts she said no.Well we kind of treaded water for a couple of months when I found another doctor in the practice who would write my rx.Then he left and I found out that his wife would take his place so that made me feel better knowing that atleast for a few months I would be covered until I could figure something else out.Then comes a new doctor who is the boss.And my little doctor was going to have a baby.I asked her if he would write my rx for me.She said she needed something in writing from the former psychiatrist so that she could have back up just in case he didn't want to.She constantly reassured me that when she had her baby he would write them for me.I had a funny feeling so I took my husband with me and he wouldn't write 2 of my rx.I said you cant do that.I will end up in the hospital from improper detox.He looked me dead in the eye and said I can do anything I wish to do I am a doctor and that is that.I was shaking and crying.Didn't know what to do.Luckily I was still seeing my psychiatrist and told him what happened.He said well didn't he receive my letter.I told him yes but he said he was a doctor and could do anything he wanted to.So he wrote them for me while I changed my insurance to go back to my original primary.And my original pain mang doctor.If I back up a little bit,I was calling also to say I am going to run out of my meds before the appt you changed on me.I will now not have enough to last to the appt date.He would not come to the phone.He wouldn't do anything.But the people who stand in between you and the doctor are more commonly known as the gate keepers.I have come to a crossroads in my life where my medications aren't working anymore.I feel as though they just run right through me.I have been having what is called a neuro burn.This kills the nerve that is sending the pain message to the brain.Now you said you got some injections.But I am curious.Did he put you to sleep to do this.My doctor does.He is so compassionate.My insurance pays all but $100 dollars.And I have prescriptions that cost more than that.His theory is why cause you more pain by doing this to you awake.I agree.I go to a one day surgical facility.My heart goes out to you.You know medication is kind of like an appetite.Some days you just aren't hungry.And some days you eat all day long and can't get enough to eat.I think my pain is that way.Why should I take 2 pills every day when some days are 3 pill days and maybe I might have a 1 pill day.Our pain isn't day to day.It is hour to hour.I have gone out the door feeling ok just to turn the car around and come back home.I do not know what the answer is for you.But the American Pain Foundation is a good resource for giving you names of doctors in your area or you could call your insurance co. and ask for doctors who would write your rx.Maybe you have already done all of these things.But I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.I am sending ten thousand angels your way.I will pray for your problem to be solved.And I am so sorry you have to go throught this.I truly am.Keep in touch.Jo

Hi Kat,

I tried doing a little research for you.  Try this web address:

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?ID=64B8-9.013

Florida rules are similar to Oklahoma's.  This comes from our Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision:

Inappropriate pain treatment may result from physicians' lack of knowledge about pain management.  Fears of investigation or sanction by federal, state and local agencies may also result in inappropriate treatment of pain.  Appropriate pain management is the treating physician's responsibility.  As such, the Board will consider the inappropriate treatment of pain to be a departure from standards of practice and will investigate such allegations, recognizing that some types of pain cannot be completely relieved, and taking into account whether the treatment is appropriate for the diagnosis.

Pain should be assessed and treated promptly and the quantity and frequency of doses should be adjusted according to the intensity, duration of the pain and treatment outcomes.  Physicians should recognize that tolerance and physical dependence are normal consequences of sustained use of opioid analgesics and are not the same as addiction.

Physicians should not fear disciplinary action from the Board for ordering, prescribing, dispensing or administering controlled substances, including opioid analgesics, for a legitimate medical purpose and in the course of professional practice. 

With regards to your doctor just "dumping" you..the Oklahoma Board states:

Once a physician undertakes treatment of a patient, he or she has a continuing legal duty to treat that patient until the need for his or her services is at an end or until the physician/patient relationship is terminated lawfully.  Physicians who improperly terminate a physician/patient relationship risk both civil lawsuits and charges of unprofessional conduct for patient abandonment.

A physician must exercise reasonable and ordinary care in determining when the physician's services are no longer needed.  Generally speaking, a physician must continue to provide services as long as the case requires it.

Unlike a patient, who may lawfully terminate the physician/patient relationship at any time, a physician may withdraw before the need for his or her services is at an end ONLY after giving the patient prior notice.  That notice must afford the patient ample opportunity to secure another equally competent physician prior to the withdrawal.

Try plugging into your search engine: physicians abandoning their patients in florida.  Or maybe physicians terminating a patient in florida, and see what comes up.  Hopefully you can find out that way.  I hope this helps.  Abby

I have been there and done that only I was on a Fentinyl path.  The withdrawals were the worst thing I have ever been thru and I was alone.  I'm still trying after 7 years to find a doctor that cares and can see that I'm using the narcotics to the letter and I don't even get high, I just don't have pain!  And I know what you are talking about at the Emergency rooms!!!  I need help too!  If you received any emails please let me know, I can't live like this any more!

Thanks.

Jackie

HE might me another type of doctor, as in rheumotologist, orthopedic, neurologist, sleep specialist, psychiatrist plus pain management. Don't think the worse until you get it confirmed that he would rather you go to a different "pain" management doctor. He is treating you but may not have the nerve to suggest you get more or a different type of help. Could be he is unethical too and treating you when you "need" a different kind of help.

Try to find a "Pain Management Doctor" and you won't have any further problems or shouldn't have.  I have 2 friends who were having problems with their GP's prescribing med's. At my request they got into pain management and are doing great.  Not pain free, but under control and liveable. I have been with a PMD for 7 years now and bless the day I found her. I spent almost 25 years prior to that on a roller coaster ride of Rx and over the counter medication.

How rude!!  Get another doctor for sure!!  This is not even ethical!

I have had chronic pain for over 12 years. I have seen many doctors that just do not want to deal with me! My first Pain specialist actually sent me to another one for drug detox. I went to him, but, when I was in the office I had him call my one doctor that has been with me from the beginning. I do that know with all new doctors.

I know that when he first looked at me he agreed with the first doctor, after, he took care of me and only after 6 months together is he finally seeing the light that is my problem.

Just go to another DR. and hopefully have another DR call him or bring health info. Once they have made up there mind about you or you seem to be a difficult case(as I am) don't go back. FORGET about that dr. and get help.

Hi Kat, I too have had pain management Dr's that were very unprofessional as well as being very mean and self-centered. One told me that my pain was resistant to opiate's. He wanted to take me off all med's for a few months to see if I was in agony or not. Then he might treat me, but probably not. Who is he to play God and tell me I am not worth treating.  Well I left that doctor and went to another one. When I first started going to him I was still employed and a single mother of 2 teenage boys. Well I got very sick and almost died. Needless to say, I had to go on state aid. The entire time I was working the doc was surprised that I was still working. After seeing this dr about 4yrs now, he got on his high horse with me. I was trying to tell him about a coma I was in, and they had to take me to the hospital. I had my son come in with me so he could explain what I couldn't. First he jumped on my son and then came at me. He said that I should be grateful that he was my doctor and how highly trained he is. He stated that he could be making alot of money teaching or giving seminars instead of treating me because I was on state. He was a rude sob to say the least. You are not alone. Some of these guys forget that if it wasn't for people like us, they wouldn't have a job. Never mind a career. Don't let them knock you down. You deserve the help. If the shoe was on the other foot, I am sure they would be singing another tune. He told me to get another dr if I wanted to. Well, I decided not to take him up on that. When I went back to see him again, I stroked his ego and he was smiling up a storm. I got what I wanted and he didn't even know that I had done it.  Hope this helps you some. Just remember they are people too and they need to be reminded of that once in a while. Take care, Pam