Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Smith
One reason for this is economy (in the patients favor, for once). Controlled pain meds require periodic visits to check up/monitor. Office visits to PCPs cost less/have lower co-pays than to specialists, and specialists often "cut patients loose" if there's nothing further they can do for them (other than writing more scrips). PCPs also act as coordinators between specialists, so having them write pain scrips is a way of avoiding duplications/doctor shopping.
Doc
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I was relieved to hear that this is not just my experience. I felt rejected by my neurologist when she told me there was no need to continue coming in every year, as if I had somehow been a bad patient. We had a good relationship and I trusted her, also I found her reassuring given the progressive nature of the condition. I left the office that day in tears, barely able to drive the short trip home, and was depressed for weeks. But it does make perfect sense. There is no treatment and she said she would feel like a charlatan for continuing to see me. I am sorry for hijacking the thread, but this comment meant a lot to me.