Dr. Shopping - Pain Management Message Board

MomOf4VA · 03-23-2005, 09:55 AM

Hey People. I have a question that I am having a hard time getting an answer to. I used to see a PMD who was alright, but we parted ways due to the fact that he refused to up my med dose, even after 2 years. He said he didn't want me to become and old lady who had to carry her daily meds around in a wheelbarrow. This caused ME to abuse my oxy. I escalated my dose due to the fact of my tolerance. I told him that I wanted to try a new doctor and he gave me a bottle of methadone and I weaned myself totally off the oxy. 2 weeks ago, I went to a new doctor who diagnosed me right off the bat with Fibro (which I seriously doubt that I have, and TOLD him so). He put me on 8 hydrocodone 10/500's a day. I told him that I thought this was way to much Tylenol and that I wanted to take another LA med. By the way, I discussed all of this with him prior to coming into his office and he said he could help me. I was scheduled to run out of meds early yesterday morning. So, I called his office for refills. LAST THURSDAY. His machine said if you call by 12:00 noon, that your Rx will be FILLED by 4:00. By 5:00 yesterday (TUESDAY) I still had nothing. I was forced to page him on his emergency line at 6:00 last night, when I was starting to get sick. He yelled a little and told me he was with his computer consultant and that I needed to wait till later that night and he would call it in. Needless to say, I have had enough of him. I have ANOTHER appointment with a PMD today. I am starting to feel like I am shopping around for what I want. And I am, in a way. But, I also feel like I have justified reasons. How long do you have to put up with incompetence before you go somewhere else? And I don't want to tell this new Dr today what I have been through, do I? Or will he think I am drug seeking? I don't know what to do. Can someone please give me some advice on when "Dr. Shopping" becomes a BAD thing?

Ladybug46 · 03-23-2005, 10:47 AM

i sincerely hope you get the help you deserve and need.

CancerDad · 03-25-2005, 06:45 AM

Hi Mom of 4:

Sounds to me as though you have had a couple bad experiences with PMD's. Tolerence does build, especially after two years of use. I would think that out of all people, pain management specialits would understand this. Also, I would be leery to take the maximum dose of APAP on a daily basis as if it were a LA med-- it's just not healthy.

Also, keep in mind, most MD's will NEED a dx in order to get you the relief you need for your pain. I was going to say to go with the suggestion of fibro, however, it sounds as though the guy was such an idiot, I wouldn't go back to him either!! I can understand you wanting to find out what the Real Cause of your pain is. What have other doctors diagnosed you with?

I think you have every right to participate in your care, and if you don't have a PMD that you see eye to eye with, find another one. In the mean time, maybe you can get some medication from your GP to tide you over, while you consult with other PMD's to see if you can work with them. You shouldn't have to suffer. BTW-- how is the pain since you weaned yourself off the oxy? Are you currently on the methatdone, or the hydros, or nothing?

God Bless. We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
CDad