Freedom of Information Update - Pain Management Message Board

Sorespine · 03-04-2009, 12:31 AM

I received two things today, one being a letter from the pain center that was treating me, and the other, a mass pile of paper - copies of my notes from consultations at the medical center I was at when I first injured my back.

Firstly the letter says "your application will be dealt with as soon as possible, but no later than 11 April (ie: within 45 days of receipt) when a decision will be made and forwarded to you" - what decision has to be made I'm not sure. I thought it was freedom of information not freedom if we want you to have it.

The notes are more complicated. I was in for back pain months before my gardening episode, which I remembered as the time I injured myself. I'd forgotten the gym episode where I rendered myself unable to move. This was over a year before the gardening, and then there was nearly three weeks between the gardening and the day I presented crying and screaming and was unable to be treated without a shot of pethidine first.

What I have gathered, though I need much more information still, is that I was given pain medication and it was increased several times, more added, large prescriptions given, until it was gathered that I was not responding to this alone. They were cutting the use because of this, as far as these new notes read.

I'm still not sure, as there are a few vital notes missing, and I do need those to make an educated guess as to what has happened. I just wish somebody would tell me. At least now I know that it wasn't because of suspected doctor shopping, and that I was definately only seeing one medical center at a time.

Executor · 03-04-2009, 09:31 AM

I'm sorry for what has happened to you. As you've experienced first hand, there is not much wiggle room in PM for any type of mistake.

It's good that you got your records because they appear to show a long history of pain. This shows that you have a legitimate problem. The "notes" and records you've requested are whatever the Doc / nurses wrote down and recorded at each visit. I would expect them to be all over the board....Sometimes, good info, and others, random notes and wordings....All depends on how thorough the medical person was that particular day.

In terms of your dismissal, I would think it would be contained in the notes at the end of your records, or your most recent visit(s). You obviously did something that was against the rules or in contrary to what they expect. You may not find a lot of detail, but rather a simple statement. One's records aren't like a "journal" where there is lots of detail. Some Docs do, but most don't.

I would take my records with me to another Doc and see if someone else will accept you and be very honest in terms of what happened. You have a right to be treated for pain. However, I would expect the next provider to keep a close watch over you.

Best of luck.

Regards,

Ex