Update re: dr devil/oxycotin - Pain Management Message Board

StMishl · 03-25-2005, 12:19 PM

First I cannot thank you all enough for your support. Despite being in huge pain this week, you all have made me feel supportable and un-alone- Reading yourreplies has literally been the difference between curling up in bed and getting up some days.

Today was my appt and I went in loaded for bear. I truely expected to be dismissed by the doctor.

When he asked how I was doing I let him know - terrible.

That I resented being treated like a drug addict, that I was ok without the oxy (as evident by being 1 week cold-turkey off the med) and that if that was what he needed to see - that I could live without it, he'd succeeded, but that I was back to being in constant, severe pain, and was having to chose each day between working, or functioning as a wife/mother. I asked why if I wasn't deemed healed enough to return to work full time, or to begin Phys. Therapy (he'd said at the last appt he wanted me to wait as he was worried beginning PT would stress the already "lose" screw and soft - un fusing bone) why suddenly I should be ok to function with no pain meds. I didn't care he he perscribed oxycontin, morphin, or lighter fluid so long as made me not hurt so badly. I then asked if this was as good as I was to expect my recovery to get- and if so for a referal to pain management, as if he was uncomfortable with perscribing the meds, then perhaps a pain management doctor would be a better choice, because I couldn't live this way.
Somehow I got though that with only a few tears...

He said he was "concerned" that I was on such a high dose of the oxy (I had been taking 20 mg/10mg/20mg) but if it was working and since I had tried being off of it (he had wanted to "see if I still needed" it as sometimes the medicication masks where a "patients pain levels really are"), he'd put me back on it at 10mg every 12 hrs plus vicodin for BT plus soma. PLUS we are finally trying Physical Therapy.

I asked about what happens next month when I need a refill, and he says he will refill it at the same level until I no longer need it. He also wrote the vicodin & the soma with 2 refills on them. I will have new x-rays taken by my next appt. He said we'll wait to see the Pain Clinic until i've tried physical therapy for 1 month.

I am still not comfortable with him, and now am scared because nothing has really changed-- I am going to pick up the oxy because I am in too much pain to not... I know I can go without it, and now i'm obviously going to be on this super low dose... but it does work for me, and anything has to be better then where I am now... I feel like he is just covering his butt !

If a screw is truely loose and moving, what will happen in Physical Therapy? How much worse can it get? Will it help? Any suggestions for what to do next? I am trapped because no other dr will touch me and the only way I can get into pain management is with his "blessing"... so i'm stuck playing his game right???

Sorry for the novel,
-Thank you all, may you have a painfree day

,

Michelle

SheSparkles · 03-25-2005, 12:38 PM

Michelle,
Please answer this one question...why can't you start over with a new primary care Dr.? Then I will go from that answer.
SS

Ladybug46 · 03-25-2005, 02:10 PM

Hi Mischi. bless your heart, sounds like you have really been put through the grinder. hope the meds have kicked in and you are feeling a bit more at ease.

surgicaldisaster · 03-25-2005, 02:13 PM

First off, I am so sorry for what you have had to endure. I am also steamed and baffled by his comment that you are on a high dose of oxy.....he would pass out if he knew what so many of us on this board have/do take. In my opinion you are really on a pretty low dose! All Dr's. are different though...I wish I knew what to suggest for you to do..is it possible to switch Dr's(?) If not, then perhaps pushing at a time when you think he might be most receptive to it to go to a pm Dr. might help. I am sooooo sickened when I hear about what people have to go through...it's NOT right. I had a ppt. with my pm Dr. and got a call in the am that he had to cancel all appts. for the day, would I like to come in Mon.(?)...well NO, I'll be out of meds! They are so great, she said oh, no we would never let that happen....come down today(next hour) and your scripts will be ready and then you let us now when you'd like to see the Dr. and we will fit you in. Now THAT'S being a great pm Dr. You deserve so much more I truly hope you can get the care you need and deserve....thinking of you and please let us know what is happening k? Love, Surg

StMishl · 03-25-2005, 02:29 PM

She Sparkles: Please answer this one question...why can't you start over with a new primary care Dr.? Then I will go from that answer.

Last Thursday when I first ran out of pain meds and I called DD (devil Dr) and learned he'd be gone until Tuesday and then again Wednesday I called MY primary care dr (who is a good "Family" doctor) to ask for help. She said she was unable to write a perscription for the oxy because I was under the care of the "specialist" who had "just" performed the surgery (3 months ago) and she was uncomfortable taking over before I was "healed". She offered (late Tues.) to call in Vicodin (but not oxycontin) - however by that time I had the vicodin from DD. I could go see her, as she has been my doctor for almost 10 years, but she has very clearly stated she is uncomfortable getting involved in the middle of me and DD. I could probably ask either HER or my Rheumatoligist (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis) for a pain doctor referal but am VERY concerned about the fact that that looks, even to me, pretty drug seeking (NOT going to a Pain Dr, but getting the recomendation from my Rheum -when its not RA causing my pain, or from my family dr -"against the wishes" of the surgeon---right???) As evidently DD has "concerns" about my oxy usage, I am really trying to avoid anything that looks like drug seeking behavior, despite my GUT reactive which is to beg for something stronger... again, it doesn't have to be oxy... all I know is I HURT!!!!!

If someone sees where I am making a mistep... PLEASE ADVISE, I just know I feel dirty and sneaky, and as if i've done something wrong... and all I frigging want is to be able to make it through a day without crawling by the evening or being in tears from the pain...

thank you