Strange Pain Management Doc Policy? - Pain Management Message Board

painaway · 12-06-2007, 08:32 PM

Hey Everybody...Hope you are all having a pain-free evening! Ok, I have my first visit with the PM doc next week. (First of all, it was hard even getting an appointment, as they don't make them until they've received all records.) Anyway, I got a call from the receptionist, and she scheduled my appointment, and then she said something like, "On the first visit, you will have a urine drug screen, a complete history workup, and you'll need to bring any medication you're taking in the original bottles. Also, our doctors never prescribe medication on the first visit." WHAT? Is that normal? I just said, "Ok." Is it because they need to get the results from the drug screen first? Good thing my PCP is prescribing until the new guy takes over! Right now, I'm taking 5 or 6 Lortab 10mg each day (for the past couple of years). Is it a far stretch to think he'll let me stay on this dosage?? Thanks for listening...
God bless.

brianpain33 · 12-06-2007, 08:44 PM

I would also recommend that you get a pharmacy printout from each pharmacy that you have been to the last 6 months and take that with you. That will give them an idea about what medications you have been taking and that you are not getting more narcotic medications than you say you are taking and that you have not been getting refills earlier than you are supposed to.

I would definitely think that they want to get the results back from the urine analysis before they prescribe anything. One, they want to see that you are not taking anythin illegal. Another thing is that they can check to see what you are taking and that you are actually taking it. I would think that the doctor would probably switch you to something long acting concerning medication and get you off the hydrocodone. Just my thoughts.

Brian

painaway · 12-06-2007, 08:47 PM

BP, thanks for your reply! I'm willing to do whatever works. I'll have to admit, though, I'm a little scared to quit the hydrocodone. I'm sure it won't be bad if I have something to replace it with to control the pain.