am broke, no insurance, am in pain - will ER give me pain meds? - Pain Management Message Board

Sera2003 · 08-28-2003, 02:43 PM

I've been seeing a pain specialist for Fibro and he said that he no longer can prescribe without seeing me. I lost my medical insurance and he's way too expensive. I just now called and left a message to see if he could rx at least 20 till next week when I see a PCAP doctor. If he doesn't, you think ER will? thx - sera

hottrodd · 08-28-2003, 02:48 PM

Hi,

What kind of meds are you on? I think the ER will unlikely give you pain meds, but really depends what they are. Your going to go in there sounding like a drug seeker, even though, most likely your not.

I'm sorry to hear that your in pain, it's really no fun. I am sure someone with more insight then myself will be along shortly to add to this. In the meantime what is the med? I doubt if they will give anything besides a one time shot, codiene 3, or vicodin 5/500

Hottrodd

------------------
* 27 years old, male
*Chronic upper back pain for about 6 years, recently getting really bad, really stiff in the morning takes forever to get going, lasts all day everyday.
*Crackling sounds from rib cage area across upper and middle back when stretching.
* Pain, tightness and burning all day long, usually ranges from a 4 through 9 depending on the day and how my body wants to react. Usually it's at least a 6/7 all day recently, used to be an annoying 3/4 all day, which I lived with but hated.
*Problem areas are mainly around breastbone area of chest, across shoulder blades, dead center upper back, upper shoulders and back of neck. Feels as if it's muscles and bones/joints, possibly ribs.
*Muscles spasms, had a couple that were severe enough to go to ER, felt like I was having a heart attack, pain radiated through upper back to chest area.
*Taking Vicodin 5/500 Soma 350 and Celebrex 200, which also helps somewhat but not to where I am not bothered by the pain, burning, tightness ect..
*Chiropractic 3 years, PT on and off again, all of which produces results that do not last for more than the day I have them.
*Can't remember any trauma I had that would have caused all this. Don't understand how it's getting worse.
*Can't really do anything, lifting, heavy physical ect.. Try and walk and stretch when I can.
*Still undiagnosed and waiting

Sera2003 · 08-28-2003, 02:52 PM

vicodin es for fibromyalgia. I can take the empty bottle with doctors name on it so they'll know I'm not a drug seeker. I would hate to sit in Urgent care for four hours for nothing.

HikingFan · 08-28-2003, 03:15 PM

I would try the ER and be completely honest, bring all your medical info with you, ie, Dr.s name and location, any diagnosis charts (your old doctor is obligated to give you your record and charts), and a prescription summary from your pharmacy showing what you take, and for how long.

If you do this, you should be able to get something. If you don't have records to show them, or a pharmacy print out, they won't. They see way too many drug-seekers to just take your word for it. If you at least have your chart, and a phone number of the pharmacy so they can verify your last prescription, that might even be enough. But if you don't have at least that, they will send you away.

Legally, your doc has to give you your chart when you leave his/her office. YOu've paid for those visits, and are entitled to the proof so you can get continued medical care.

Let us know how it goes, and good luck!

SAra

MaryT · 08-28-2003, 04:57 PM

Hi, Sera,

If you are broke and have no insurance, how are you going to pay for the ER visit? It costs several hundred dollars just to walk through the door of an ER. Chances are they won't prescribe anything for you you anyway, as they will not consider chronic pain from an ongoing problem an "emergency."

You might try an "urgent care" type facility. However, you are rights that you might sit there forever and not get anything as most of them will not prescribe opioids for any reason, even if you bring your records with you.

This is one of those sitations that really s***s for us chronic painers. Your best bet may be a walk-in type clinic. Is the "PCAP" a primary care physician that you already have an appointment with next week? Is there any chance you can get in earlier? Can you call them and ask them what they suggest?

I'm sorry I can't think of anything better for you to try. I do hope your former PM doc does give you a break and prescribes enough to hold you over until next week.

Best wishes.