donnell8
02-29-2008, 06:18 PM
I am in a lot of trouble and can't afford to be mid-semester. I have been dealing with these symptoms since around 2000 but they have just recently gotten a lot worse (to where I had to take an INC in all 4 of my classes last semester). Please let me know if you can help me in finding a doctor in the PA-NJ-NY area. Thank you.
Hi XXXX,
I am obviously new to these boards. I have recently run into quite a dilemma but I just read one of your posts and was praying you could help. I am a young man (26) and have been recently seeing a doctor my professor recommended for some chronic pain I’ve been having for about 6 or 7 years now. Without typing every single detail, I have been dealing with a marked increase in the pain in my neck for a couple of months now. The doctor has been prescribing 10mg Endocet. More than a month ago when I last saw him he asked me how much I was taking. I told him the truth which was 6-8 a day. I also said that I thought that that may be too much and so he asked me how many hours I am up a day. Being a chemistry major, I am often up for 16, 17+ hours a day so he told me that the amount was okay. Therein lays the key to the story. He was writing 100 at a time and so a couple of weeks later I left a letter requesting him to write another refill as I still needed to get my second MRI done and I also asked him if he could write for Roxicodone (15mg) instead of Endocet because the Roxicodone was 50% less(I don’t have insurance). Two days went by and I didn’t hear anything from him and I knew I would run out (which I stated in the letter) over the weekend. I had never gone through withdrawal before but had been reading up on the medication and possible side-effects (as a chemistry student I am certainly interested in what I am putting into my body and the mechanism behind how it works)and needless to say I was terribly freighted at the symptoms I was facing. Friday came along and he didn’t call so I called in the early afternoon and was told to wait for a call back to no avail. I then called about a half-hour before the office called and was told the doc would be working after hours to catch up and that I would be getting a phone call from him. I waited until 6 pm and then decided to page him because at this point I was beginning to develop a really bad feeling at what was about to happen. I didn’t get a call back. I then tried one last time at around 9 p.m. This time I got a call back from the doc. The doctor was upset was and telling me how he thought I was “overusing the meds” and not following his instructions (even though it said I could take 1-2 every four hours as needed). So the doc wrote the prescription but I had to wait the entire weekend to pick it up because they were closed and he chose to ignore how sick I was about to become. I got the prescription, filled it, and got my MRI done the following week (this week) like I told him I would. I still have yet to hear back from the office regarding the results of the MRI. However, I just opened a letter last night stating that he has dropped me as a patient from his practice citing “taking too many narcotic pain medications” as his reason and he urged me to find a doctor as soon as possible. He also prescribes Adderall for my ADD. So he has left me stranded facing withdrawal from two medications (thankfully I have an extra script for the Adderall) without any warning. I know you don’t know me or if you can trust me but I am in a really sticky situation here and was hoping you could recommend a doctor that may be sympathetic to my story. I have never been turned away from any other doctors. I have lived with the pain for a long time but it has just recently begun to interfere with my life (i.e. my studies). Even a doctor that will at least wean me off the medications would be fine at this point. I just really do not want to go through that agony again as the pain is bad enough. I apologize for the length as well as for the immediate request of a favor from someone you don’t even know. Thanks for your time.
Hi XXXX,
I am obviously new to these boards. I have recently run into quite a dilemma but I just read one of your posts and was praying you could help. I am a young man (26) and have been recently seeing a doctor my professor recommended for some chronic pain I’ve been having for about 6 or 7 years now. Without typing every single detail, I have been dealing with a marked increase in the pain in my neck for a couple of months now. The doctor has been prescribing 10mg Endocet. More than a month ago when I last saw him he asked me how much I was taking. I told him the truth which was 6-8 a day. I also said that I thought that that may be too much and so he asked me how many hours I am up a day. Being a chemistry major, I am often up for 16, 17+ hours a day so he told me that the amount was okay. Therein lays the key to the story. He was writing 100 at a time and so a couple of weeks later I left a letter requesting him to write another refill as I still needed to get my second MRI done and I also asked him if he could write for Roxicodone (15mg) instead of Endocet because the Roxicodone was 50% less(I don’t have insurance). Two days went by and I didn’t hear anything from him and I knew I would run out (which I stated in the letter) over the weekend. I had never gone through withdrawal before but had been reading up on the medication and possible side-effects (as a chemistry student I am certainly interested in what I am putting into my body and the mechanism behind how it works)and needless to say I was terribly freighted at the symptoms I was facing. Friday came along and he didn’t call so I called in the early afternoon and was told to wait for a call back to no avail. I then called about a half-hour before the office called and was told the doc would be working after hours to catch up and that I would be getting a phone call from him. I waited until 6 pm and then decided to page him because at this point I was beginning to develop a really bad feeling at what was about to happen. I didn’t get a call back. I then tried one last time at around 9 p.m. This time I got a call back from the doc. The doctor was upset was and telling me how he thought I was “overusing the meds” and not following his instructions (even though it said I could take 1-2 every four hours as needed). So the doc wrote the prescription but I had to wait the entire weekend to pick it up because they were closed and he chose to ignore how sick I was about to become. I got the prescription, filled it, and got my MRI done the following week (this week) like I told him I would. I still have yet to hear back from the office regarding the results of the MRI. However, I just opened a letter last night stating that he has dropped me as a patient from his practice citing “taking too many narcotic pain medications” as his reason and he urged me to find a doctor as soon as possible. He also prescribes Adderall for my ADD. So he has left me stranded facing withdrawal from two medications (thankfully I have an extra script for the Adderall) without any warning. I know you don’t know me or if you can trust me but I am in a really sticky situation here and was hoping you could recommend a doctor that may be sympathetic to my story. I have never been turned away from any other doctors. I have lived with the pain for a long time but it has just recently begun to interfere with my life (i.e. my studies). Even a doctor that will at least wean me off the medications would be fine at this point. I just really do not want to go through that agony again as the pain is bad enough. I apologize for the length as well as for the immediate request of a favor from someone you don’t even know. Thanks for your time.
Sponsor
ozzybug
02-29-2008, 06:43 PM
I'm really sorry your doctor dropped you that way Donnell. I know we say this alot on the boards, but still, I am sorry.
Is this doctor a pain management doctor, or is he your primary cary physician? Also, unless I missed it, how long has this doctor been prescribing the meds? If he is a PM doctor you are seeing, did your PCP refer you to him? I ask because if this is the case, then I recommend you get in touch with your PCP as soon as possible and explain what happened to him. Maybe he will be able to take care of your meds until you can get in with another PM. I also have to ask if your request for a refill was for an early refill? If your doctor thinks you are requesting early refills, then that would explain why you got that letter. It could be this is a misunderstanding as well. Either way, I know you are truly in a bad spot right now.
If this is not the case, then I can only recommend doing everything in your power to find another doctor. I know you are already doing that, so, I probably didn't need to say that. (Sorry) Maybe someone here will be able to help.
One thing you can do is start by checking with your local hospitals. Many of them have a list of providers in the different specailties. You may be able to find something there. Many PM doctors require a referral from another doctor before they will make an appointment for a new patient, so try and get a referral from your PCP as soon as possible.
Please keep checking back. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, but wanted you to know we are here for you.
Is this doctor a pain management doctor, or is he your primary cary physician? Also, unless I missed it, how long has this doctor been prescribing the meds? If he is a PM doctor you are seeing, did your PCP refer you to him? I ask because if this is the case, then I recommend you get in touch with your PCP as soon as possible and explain what happened to him. Maybe he will be able to take care of your meds until you can get in with another PM. I also have to ask if your request for a refill was for an early refill? If your doctor thinks you are requesting early refills, then that would explain why you got that letter. It could be this is a misunderstanding as well. Either way, I know you are truly in a bad spot right now.
If this is not the case, then I can only recommend doing everything in your power to find another doctor. I know you are already doing that, so, I probably didn't need to say that. (Sorry) Maybe someone here will be able to help.
One thing you can do is start by checking with your local hospitals. Many of them have a list of providers in the different specailties. You may be able to find something there. Many PM doctors require a referral from another doctor before they will make an appointment for a new patient, so try and get a referral from your PCP as soon as possible.
Please keep checking back. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, but wanted you to know we are here for you.
brianpain33
02-29-2008, 07:03 PM
I can't believe that doctors are doing this but I know that many PM docs are very strict when it comes to patients calling them. Of course they don't understand what it is like to go through withdrawl. It is not fun I can attest to that. If it looks like you are faced with no meds for awhile I would titrate down as fast as possible. It is definitely better than going cold turkey. I believe you said you were able to get final script right? You need to go down as fast as possible so you don't end up going through horrendous withdrawal. If you are at the point where you are coming up to being completely out of meds then you may have no choice but to go through a detox at a hospital. At least they would be able to monitor you and give you medications that would make the withdrawals not as bad. You then might actually be able to start on something called Suboxone which is normally used for addicts that have pain but could be used in your sitution. It is a narcotic medication that is a "partial antagonist" meaning that you really can't get high off of it. The only drawback is that the pain relieving properties only go up to a certain point. So once the medication is increased to a certain dose, any increase in dose after that would not result in any additional pain relieving properties. However, I know that it would be better than nothing. Also, you actually have to be in withdrawal, I believe for 24 hours, before they can start the Suboxone. If you don't do this you would be thrown into major withdrawal and become violently sick. I would open up the phone book and look for hospitals and possible referral agencies for detox.
Brian
Brian
donnell8
02-29-2008, 07:10 PM
I'm really sorry your doctor dropped you that way Donnell. I know we say this alot on the boards, but still, I am sorry.
Is this doctor a pain management doctor, or is he your primary cary physician? Also, unless I missed it, how long has this doctor been prescribing the meds? If he is a PM doctor you are seeing, did your PCP refer you to him? I ask because if this is the case, then I recommend you get in touch with your PCP as soon as possible and explain what happened to him. Maybe he will be able to take care of your meds until you can get in with another PM. I also have to ask if your request for a refill was for an early refill? If your doctor thinks you are requesting early refills, then that would explain why you got that letter. It could be this is a misunderstanding as well. Either way, I know you are truly in a bad spot right now.
If this is not the case, then I can only recommend doing everything in your power to find another doctor. I know you are already doing that, so, I probably didn't need to say that. (Sorry) Maybe someone here will be able to help.
One thing you can do is start by checking with your local hospitals. Many of them have a list of providers in the different specailties. You may be able to find something there. Many PM doctors require a referral from another doctor before they will make an appointment for a new patient, so try and get a referral from your PCP as soon as possible.
Please keep checking back. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, but wanted you to know we are here for you.
Thank you so much for your comforting words. I honestly do appreciate it and feel a little bit more at ease. Seriously thank you.
Okay, I'm going to school in a town far away from my home so this doctor is a new doctor recommended by my advisor/professor. My advisor/professor is someone I do research for and so he has gotten to know me very well and even wrote a letter to this doc attesting to the veracity of my character. The doc had been writing the medication for the last 3-4 months. Like I said in the above story, I told him the truth about the amount of medication I was taking and he specifically said it was okay to be taking that much. I'm really upset because if he had told me to take less I would've listened. As far as asking for refills early, they were all requested on time. The message was left about 3-4 days ahead of time like he asked me to do. But that was another thing he was upset about. The friday that I called asking for the refill when he got upset with me, he told me I didn't give him enough advanced notice and so it was my own fault that I would have to spend the entire weekend going through withdrawal symptoms. I just don't understand why he is doing this. I have so much work to do and barely enough time to do it. I don't have time to search for a sympathetic doctor so that I can tell him the true story without getting kicked out of his office. And if I get sick again next week, my grades aren't going to survive as I have a week of tests the following week. All of these things my last doctor was aware of (He commented on my quantum chemistry book the last time I was there) and he is still doing this. It's really unnecessary. If there is anything else you wanted to know that I didn't address please just let me know or anyone that can help me the same thing applies. I am really scared about getting sick again as I couldn't do anything when it happened to me. But allow me to extend my gratitude once again for such comforting sentiments. I really do appreciate it.
Is this doctor a pain management doctor, or is he your primary cary physician? Also, unless I missed it, how long has this doctor been prescribing the meds? If he is a PM doctor you are seeing, did your PCP refer you to him? I ask because if this is the case, then I recommend you get in touch with your PCP as soon as possible and explain what happened to him. Maybe he will be able to take care of your meds until you can get in with another PM. I also have to ask if your request for a refill was for an early refill? If your doctor thinks you are requesting early refills, then that would explain why you got that letter. It could be this is a misunderstanding as well. Either way, I know you are truly in a bad spot right now.
If this is not the case, then I can only recommend doing everything in your power to find another doctor. I know you are already doing that, so, I probably didn't need to say that. (Sorry) Maybe someone here will be able to help.
One thing you can do is start by checking with your local hospitals. Many of them have a list of providers in the different specailties. You may be able to find something there. Many PM doctors require a referral from another doctor before they will make an appointment for a new patient, so try and get a referral from your PCP as soon as possible.
Please keep checking back. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, but wanted you to know we are here for you.
Thank you so much for your comforting words. I honestly do appreciate it and feel a little bit more at ease. Seriously thank you.
Okay, I'm going to school in a town far away from my home so this doctor is a new doctor recommended by my advisor/professor. My advisor/professor is someone I do research for and so he has gotten to know me very well and even wrote a letter to this doc attesting to the veracity of my character. The doc had been writing the medication for the last 3-4 months. Like I said in the above story, I told him the truth about the amount of medication I was taking and he specifically said it was okay to be taking that much. I'm really upset because if he had told me to take less I would've listened. As far as asking for refills early, they were all requested on time. The message was left about 3-4 days ahead of time like he asked me to do. But that was another thing he was upset about. The friday that I called asking for the refill when he got upset with me, he told me I didn't give him enough advanced notice and so it was my own fault that I would have to spend the entire weekend going through withdrawal symptoms. I just don't understand why he is doing this. I have so much work to do and barely enough time to do it. I don't have time to search for a sympathetic doctor so that I can tell him the true story without getting kicked out of his office. And if I get sick again next week, my grades aren't going to survive as I have a week of tests the following week. All of these things my last doctor was aware of (He commented on my quantum chemistry book the last time I was there) and he is still doing this. It's really unnecessary. If there is anything else you wanted to know that I didn't address please just let me know or anyone that can help me the same thing applies. I am really scared about getting sick again as I couldn't do anything when it happened to me. But allow me to extend my gratitude once again for such comforting sentiments. I really do appreciate it.
donnell8
02-29-2008, 07:21 PM
I can't believe that doctors are doing this but I know that many PM docs are very strict when it comes to patients calling them. Of course they don't understand what it is like to go through withdrawl. It is not fun I can attest to that. If it looks like you are faced with no meds for awhile I would titrate down as fast as possible. It is definitely better than going cold turkey. I believe you said you were able to get final script right? You need to go down as fast as possible so you don't end up going through horrendous withdrawal. If you are at the point where you are coming up to being completely out of meds then you may have no choice but to go through a detox at a hospital. At least they would be able to monitor you and give you medications that would make the withdrawals not as bad. You then might actually be able to start on something called Suboxone which is normally used for addicts that have pain but could be used in your sitution. It is a narcotic medication that is a "partial antagonist" meaning that you really can't get high off of it. The only drawback is that the pain relieving properties only go up to a certain point. So once the medication is increased to a certain dose, any increase in dose after that would not result in any additional pain relieving properties. However, I know that it would be better than nothing. Also, you actually have to be in withdrawal, I believe for 24 hours, before they can start the Suboxone. If you don't do this you would be thrown into major withdrawal and become violently sick. I would open up the phone book and look for hospitals and possible referral agencies for detox.
Brian
Yes he wrote another script without letting me know he was releasing me as a patient! I got the letter the following(current)week. I don't understand what I even did wrong. Every time he has asked me to do something I've done it. My options are limited as I don't have insurance which is really why I think this is happening. I don't think he sees an end off in the near future and so it's easier to just let me go. He could've done it in a much more professional way though. Thanks so much for your advice.
Brian
Yes he wrote another script without letting me know he was releasing me as a patient! I got the letter the following(current)week. I don't understand what I even did wrong. Every time he has asked me to do something I've done it. My options are limited as I don't have insurance which is really why I think this is happening. I don't think he sees an end off in the near future and so it's easier to just let me go. He could've done it in a much more professional way though. Thanks so much for your advice.