Methadone legal or not? - Pain Management Message Board

Brian73 · 12-02-2007, 01:09 AM

I have been receiving methadone for my back pain for approx.15 years.I received a call from my doctors secretary last weak saying that he can no longer write for that type of medicine.Without any type of referal to another doctor.About 3 years ago the same exact thing happened with another doctor of mine.What is the situation with all of this.I do not use any street drugs or alcahol and have been on this medication for years.Problem being that i am haveing a hard time finding another DR. as they act very funny when i tell them the medication i am on.If it is legal why is this happening?The entire situation makes little sence to me.Thank you for any help or comments someone can give....

barbie62 · 12-02-2007, 02:21 AM

Hi Brian, I am having the same issues. I moved to a new state and need to find a doctor to give me my meds, Methadone is one of them. When I explain to them what kind of care I need they have all said we don't take people who are on that. My other PM did not have a problem he is the one that started me on it. I am now on rations because I do not want to run out before I find a doctor. Anyone that has any insight for Brian and me?
Thanks,
Barbara

trowftd3 · 12-02-2007, 03:34 AM

Barbara,
[removed] What is the cause of your pain?
What treatments have you done other than pain meds?
I'm hoping that you brought your medical records with you when you moved. Then you can show a potential doctor everything that you've tried...what worked and what didn't work. I'm sure there are docs in the wonderful state of Washington that can help you. Your new doctor may want you to try a few treatments or medications that he thinks may help. I do know a couple of people who take methadone for cp so someone in WA is prescribing it!

Have you found a new gp/family doc/internal medicine/primary care doctor?
Maybe this doctor will be the one to take care of you medications.
Good luck and keep us posted.~Mush

Shoreline · 12-02-2007, 05:49 AM

Hi brian, The dea or any medical board wouldn't tell a doc he can't prescribe any more of one particlualr drug like methadone. If he has been sanctioned he may have lost the abilty to prescribe all C-11 or he may simplybe going the the process of an audit and every C-2 he writes is being scrutinized. When it comes to a docs livelyhood, Given the choice of not prescribing clas 11's or not practicing medecine at all, I think most will choice the first and avoid the C-11's if the have been investigated, warned or sanctioned. I would bet most of his patients got a similar call and the doc is backing out of treating severe chronic pain with C-11's for one reason or another.
Good luck, Dave

barbie62 · 12-03-2007, 01:33 AM

Trow, Thanks for the response. First, No I did not get all of my records. I am in the process of doing that now. Also my last PM dr is going to write a letter on my behalf. Basically stating diagnoses, prognosis, past treatment and current treatment. At least I hope he is. He has an office that does not return phone calls. I have failed back syndrome, RSD in right leg and foot starting on left side and mulitiple buldging discs in neck that are effecting my arms and hands. So I am being medically managed with meds.
I have had many different types of injections for back and rsd. None for neck. I have not had any thing good that has come from anything that I have had done. My body takes alot of meds to work. After my last surgery to remove scar tissue, the anesthesioligst said that I was given 2 times the amount of a 250lb man and it was not working.
[removed]. So I am close to may cities. I am looking into the UW pain clinic but I have to send them records and they decide if they want to see you. I also do not have insurance or money right now. That is also an issue with getting narcotics and paying cash.
Sorry to ramble but I am very frustrated. I fell on Friday and needed to go to get checked and couldn't because I don't have insurance. I am afraid that I damaged my back not to mention that my legs are getting weak. This is the 3rd time I have fallen in 10 days.
Here I am rambling, any help you can offer would be great.
Barbara