Frequent PMD visits - Pain Management Message Board

Cats x 3 · 03-23-2005, 03:42 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

RetiredDirector · 03-23-2005, 04:06 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, 04:12 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.

SheSparkles · 03-23-2005, 04:14 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

Cats x 3 · 03-23-2005, 04:24 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.