Help! I'm moving to a new state and need help finding a new doctor before I need refills on my meds

By jellybean Friday, December 28, 2007

- A
- A
- A

Although I read the forum, I've never contributed. I'm moving to a new state and neither of my doctors could recommend anyone. I take 3 different narcotics plus a host of other meds. I'm going to have to find someone fast so I won't go into withdrawal. I did that once under the doctor's supervision and it was awful. I also had a silent heart attack that they found later when I had another one small one. Beside the migraine, I struggle with occipital neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia. I have been a challenge to my poor neurologist who told me today he didn't know what to do with me anymore. I have been to 7 pain clinics and was recently turned down by number 8 because I'm on Medicare and Medicaid. They don't see poor people. So any suggestions anyone has will be greatly appretiated.

Comments (7) | Add comment

nutcracker1

12/28/07 11:55pm

Welcome!

First, take a look at this list:

Migraine and Headache specialists

And one of the doctors on the list may have a suggestion, too, if you can't get in to one of them in a timely manner.

I hope you will join us over on the discussion forum for additional info and support. Click on Migraine Forums under the orange Manage bar, and register over there. Registration for the forums is separate from registration for this page. We would love to have you.

12/29/07 12:42am

Can you get your current neurologist or other doctors you see to recommend and if needed provide a referral to a suitable neurologist and doctor in the new area/state you are moving to?

Cindy

12/29/07 12:55am

Would your current doctor being willing to provide even a family practice or internal medicine doctor with a clear list of your medications and what they are used for so he/she could prescribe them to you until you fine a local specialist? The family practice or internal medicine doctor might also be able to help direct you to a neurlogist in the area that would be a good fit for you.

Some hospitals have physician finder services that might be of help to you also. The first doctor you go to might not be the perfect fit, but it would get you started with someone right away at least.

Good luck with your move and search for a new doctor.

Cindy

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

12/29/07 2:02pm

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

It is tough enough moving to another state without the added pressure of Migraine disease.

When I moved to another state, I had a frank conversation with my neurologist before I moved. We talked about the fact that I did not have a new doctor yet and what would I do for my medications. I was on narcotics at that time too. He agreed to prescribe one months worth of medication after I moved. This made me find another doctor before, or fairly quickly after I moved. It may be more difficult with Medicare/Medicaid but there are doctors who accept them. We just need to do a bit of digging to find them. Of course that is not easy when we are in daily pain. We have a list of patient recommend Migraine specialists you can see by clicking HERE.

When we take certain OTC and prescription medications (including opioids) more then 2-3 days a week we can create MOH. This painful headache can be avoided by stopping the offending medication cold turkey, which may mean some withdrawal symptoms. MOH is a problem because any preventive medication for Migraine we take while in MOH, will not work.

Thank you for creating a SharePost. SharePosts are a form of blogging, and there are many things you can do with them. You can share an experience, suggest something that's helped you, use SharePosts as a Migraine and headache journal, and many other things.

We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE.

Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information on the main page of our site, MyMigraineConnection.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.

Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

PS: If you receive this message from more than one of us, please excuse the overlap. Thanks!

jellybean

12/29/07 8:28pm

Thanks to all of you who tried to help. Unfortunately neither my neurologist or primary could help with a refferal and being on Medicare/Medicaid they can't post-date prescriptions. I'll check the nearest hospital to see if they have a referral service. Then of course there's always the phone book. It'll work out somehow, I hope. If you have any more ideas I'd be glad to hear them

themigrainegirl

12/31/07 8:46pm

Hi there,

I understand that your current doctor can't postdate prescriptions, but what if you look up the location and phone number of a pharmacy that will be near your new home? If you don't have a new doctor by the time you're in need of a refill, your old doctor can call the new pharmacy and request the prescription. You'll be able to pick it up right when you need it.

All you'll have to do is:

1. Ask your doctor if this plan is feasible (it should be--seems wrong to discontinue your care while you look for a new doctor!).

2. Find a new pharmacy soon--a national chain that matches prices is especially good. (Hint: Walgreens does NOT match prices!!!) A yellowpages.com search or a google search will be pretty straightforward.

3. Call your old doctor at least 4-5 days BEFORE you need your prescription refill. Provide your full name, drug you need refilled & dosage, and the new pharmacy name & phone number.

4. The doctor's office should call the pharmacy directly and make an order for one month more of your prescription drugs. That'll give you a little more time to find new health providers.

Don't mess around with withdrawl! Good luck to you, and take care.

shellycares

8/26/09 8:35pm

To what city are you moving?

Help! I'm moving to a new state and need help finding a new doctor before I need refills on my meds

Ask a Question