Cats x 3
03-23-2005, 06:42 PM
This is my first time posting on this Board. I was just wanting to say Hello and introduce myself. I was also wanting to know what is the "norm" for seeing your PMD?? I see the "nurse" every month which is $36.00. She just checks my BP, weight and asks my pain level then gives me an Rx for Duragesic. Then every 3 months I see the Dr. which is $110.00 and lasts 5 minutes. I do want to mention that the wait to see him is usually 2-3 hours. The nurse is faster but I am still missing work every month.
Please don't get me wrong, I am so thankful to have pain management but the money and time off work is getting to me.
I had a fusion at l4-5 in 1992 and then had to have the hardware removed in 1995 due to scar tissue. Since 1995 I have had no more back surgeries.
I just started pain management a few months ago. Have seen many Dr's that told me to live with it. I have had PT, injections, etc. etc. etc. Anyway hope
to hear from someone soon.
Cat
Please don't get me wrong, I am so thankful to have pain management but the money and time off work is getting to me.
I had a fusion at l4-5 in 1992 and then had to have the hardware removed in 1995 due to scar tissue. Since 1995 I have had no more back surgeries.
I just started pain management a few months ago. Have seen many Dr's that told me to live with it. I have had PT, injections, etc. etc. etc. Anyway hope
to hear from someone soon.
Cat
Sponsor
Director
03-23-2005, 07:06 PM
Cat...2-3 hour wait to see the doc?!! That's incredible. It sounds like the good doctor is extremely overbooked and maybe just a little money hungry! I see my doctor every two months and usually wait for about 15 minutes. I'm on Methadone, so on the months I don't see him, I call and tell them when I'll be in to pick up my script and it's always made out and ready and I get it from the receptionist. My doctor charges $80.00 and he usually spends 10-15 minutes with me.
Cats x 3
03-23-2005, 07:12 PM
Wow Director what a big diff. in our visits. You mean you don't have to pay every month when you pick up your Rx? He told me he can not post date an Rx or give me one with "Do not fill until" written on it and said he has always had his patients come
in monthly. But I guess I am lucky to have my pain under control and should not complain. I am on Duragesic 75 mcg and Norco 10mg for break thru pain.
in monthly. But I guess I am lucky to have my pain under control and should not complain. I am on Duragesic 75 mcg and Norco 10mg for break thru pain.
SheSparkles
03-23-2005, 07:14 PM
[QUOTE=Cats x 3]I see the "nurse" every month which is $36.00. She just checks my BP, weight and asks my pain level then gives me an Rx for Duragesic. Then every 3 months I see the Dr. which is $110.00 and lasts 5 minutes.
Hi Cat,
I see my PCP who writes all my scripts (narcotic and otherwise) every 3 months for 15 minutes. In between visits I just call in and have the girls ask the Dr. to write up my C-2 scripts and they walk them to the pharmacy. I am insured (for the time being) and have low co-pays, but I think your payments are not bad at all. I know many folks in pain who would kill for your situation. Are you on the generic patch yet? How do you like the patch over all? I am on the 100mcg patch q48 hrs and it's changed my life. I have a co-pay for the Dr. but not for the other 2 months.
Sparkles
Hi Cat,
I see my PCP who writes all my scripts (narcotic and otherwise) every 3 months for 15 minutes. In between visits I just call in and have the girls ask the Dr. to write up my C-2 scripts and they walk them to the pharmacy. I am insured (for the time being) and have low co-pays, but I think your payments are not bad at all. I know many folks in pain who would kill for your situation. Are you on the generic patch yet? How do you like the patch over all? I am on the 100mcg patch q48 hrs and it's changed my life. I have a co-pay for the Dr. but not for the other 2 months.
Sparkles
Cats x 3
03-23-2005, 07:24 PM
Hi Sparkles, I love the Patch but have not tried the generic yet. I learned about the generic when I was reading your posts. For some reason, he wrote Name Brand Nec. on my rx last week and I don't know if I can request the generic or not since he wrote that on there. Pain management has also changed my life. I work full time, am a wife and mom to an 8 year old we adopted from China when she was 18 months old. Most days my pain level never gets above a 4. The only problem is, I wish he would let me change the patch every 48 hours but he said NO. He told me it says 72 hours and I was the only patient that it stopped working for at 60 hours. But I don't think I am the only one. Thanks for posting.
Director
03-23-2005, 07:54 PM
Cat...From what I know, your doctor is correct in saying he can't post date. My doctor will not do that either. He has never given me a script with "do not fill until..." on it. When I go in on my "off months" when I do not see the doctor, there is no charge and it is always dated that day. Like I said, I always call a day or two ahead of time and the script is ready and waiting. It's in and out in less than 60 seconds, unless there's someone talking with the receptionist. The one thing I have a real issue over is doctors that will not prescribe for the patient's needs. Just because the patch is suppose to last 72 hours, doesn't mean it will for most people. When I first went on it (I think my doc started me at 50 mcg due to my tolerance) he wrote it for 48 hours. When I went on Oxycontin, he wrote it for every eight hours, not 12 as the manufacture says. I've rarely heard of anyone who gets 12 hours out of Oxy.
Cats x 3
03-23-2005, 08:27 PM
Director, I am glad to hear that some of the long acting medications do not last the full time. He made me feel like I was the only one. He started me out at 50mcg and I wanted to change it every 48 hours because it was not lasting the full 72 hours. His solution to the problem was to increase the dosage to 75mcg. OK correct me if I am wrong but how can increasing the dose make it last longer? It still wears off after 60 hours. At least he does believe in break thru meds. I have read here where some Dr's do not give break thru meds. All in all I am very happy with his care. When you suffer for so long, think you are crazy and feel like no one will help, it is a blessing to have someone help you. Maybe it is a good thing he has everyone come in so often. At least everything is documented for the DEA. Thanks for taking the time to post me back Director.
Take care, Cats
Take care, Cats
SheSparkles
03-23-2005, 08:46 PM
[QUOTE=Cats x 3]\ For some reason, he wrote Name Brand Nec. on my rx last week and I don't know if I can request the generic or not since he wrote that on there.<
Nope, sure can't, but no problem if you are insured. If yr Dr. says get the Duragesic well then dang, get the Duragesic lucky dog you...I just hope insurance pays for it..
> mom to an 8 year old we adopted from China when she was 18 months old<
what a lucky little girl and what a lucky new family!
and telling you the patch MUST be effective for 72 hrs. is horsefeathers. Ridiculous. Nonsense. Fiddlesticks. :)
SS
Nope, sure can't, but no problem if you are insured. If yr Dr. says get the Duragesic well then dang, get the Duragesic lucky dog you...I just hope insurance pays for it..
> mom to an 8 year old we adopted from China when she was 18 months old<
what a lucky little girl and what a lucky new family!
and telling you the patch MUST be effective for 72 hrs. is horsefeathers. Ridiculous. Nonsense. Fiddlesticks. :)
SS
Cats x 3
03-23-2005, 09:35 PM
Sparkles, It kind of is a problem. I do have insurance however, my co-pay for 1 months worth of Duragesic is $80.00. I thought the generic would save some money. So you are saying if he wrote name brand I can not get the generic? Oh well I am happy enough with the pain control that it is well worth paying more for it. The generic would have been $15.00. But that is not that big a diff. I guess.
Yes, I am very very lucky to have my little girl. That is why I am glad I finally found some relief. He just looked at me like I sprouted a brand new head when I said it does not last the full 72 hours. But what can you do?? Now my little one does not have to see me go to work and come home and lay on the sofa for hours before I cook. She loves to eat.
I think, for me, the Duragesic patch has worked the best. It is so strange because I don't even know I am wearing it. There are no highs and lows in pain control until the 60 hour mark. But, I use the Norco until I can apply another patch. Good to "type" to ya.
Take care, Cats
Yes, I am very very lucky to have my little girl. That is why I am glad I finally found some relief. He just looked at me like I sprouted a brand new head when I said it does not last the full 72 hours. But what can you do?? Now my little one does not have to see me go to work and come home and lay on the sofa for hours before I cook. She loves to eat.
I think, for me, the Duragesic patch has worked the best. It is so strange because I don't even know I am wearing it. There are no highs and lows in pain control until the 60 hour mark. But, I use the Norco until I can apply another patch. Good to "type" to ya.
Take care, Cats
SheSparkles
03-23-2005, 10:57 PM
[QUOTE=Cats x 3] I do have insurance however, my co-pay for 1 months worth of Duragesic is $80.00. <
Well, seeing as Costco's price on 15 Duragesic is $789.00 I guess $80 is not outrageous but I do not understand why the Dr. ordered brand only. Ask him next time...tell him what you are telling us here. Big diff. ...$15-$80
>So you are saying if he wrote name brand I can not get the generic?<
Sad but true. But to be on Duragesic at all is such a blessing I would almost pay anything I had to...I would go without food since it stops my pain so well.
> She loves to eat.<
I am in rescue....dog rescue for 27 years and the one thing that is almost universal is that when a being must go without appropriate food for a time..be it human or animal...they usually adore eating.
I am delighted for you that the patch is working so well. Do ask about the Sandoz generic...it is practically identical to the Duragesic and it is manufactured by the same co. Almost half the price, too.
Enjoy your daughter :):)
Love to both
Sparkles
Well, seeing as Costco's price on 15 Duragesic is $789.00 I guess $80 is not outrageous but I do not understand why the Dr. ordered brand only. Ask him next time...tell him what you are telling us here. Big diff. ...$15-$80
>So you are saying if he wrote name brand I can not get the generic?<
Sad but true. But to be on Duragesic at all is such a blessing I would almost pay anything I had to...I would go without food since it stops my pain so well.
> She loves to eat.<
I am in rescue....dog rescue for 27 years and the one thing that is almost universal is that when a being must go without appropriate food for a time..be it human or animal...they usually adore eating.
I am delighted for you that the patch is working so well. Do ask about the Sandoz generic...it is practically identical to the Duragesic and it is manufactured by the same co. Almost half the price, too.
Enjoy your daughter :):)
Love to both
Sparkles