it happened in one day...He said I want you to go to pain managment, and they didnt send out my rx thurs for it to be here in time. Talked to them this am they said they are sending it out today, but he will only write 2 more. And it wont get here when I need it.

Please do go for that second opinion. You do need another opinion. My first surgery was at C6-7. I was told if I didn't do it, I risked being paralized. And I too had a risk that could happen "with" the surgery. All of my neck problems were NOT addressed that first surgery as I did NOT go for a second opinion. I was so much in pain I just wanted to get it over with. I didn't know I had any more problems in my neck, but I degenerated through the next 6 years. That is why I am telling you to seek out another opinion. I had to have it re-done, and the rest of them C3-7 fused 21 months ago. I had the domino effect, as the ones the new neruo surgeon addressed were damaged at the beginning of this whole ordeal. Having multipal disiplines involved is a good idea. Yes a pain specialist I had! During this whole process I had pain killers and still do to a lesser degree. You need to find a pain specialist willing to treat you while you go through all this. Is is not fair or moral to leave you in continuous pain while you seek solutions. A good pain specialist may even help direct you on who to go to!. My pain specialist did a Katamine infusion. at that time he was able to see through his screen just what was happening to my cervical spine. It was he that got me to the best neruo surgeon in these parts. He told me he could not control the pain without further surgery, so I got several opinions, and did go through with it. I got GOOD results. No perfect by any means but a whole lot better. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Living in that kind of pain is torture, keep trying to find the help that you need. where are you located? all my best, ginnie

The doctor will do as he thinks best, and if you aren't happy with that then discuss it, and if need be change doctors.
He would be aware of the process for weaning off drugs, but you will have to ask him what he has in mind. He would be guilty of some sort of medical breach if he didn't advise you on this. But what you do then.....?
I think you need to have a good chat about that, and also about what he thinks you might get from pain management.
Pain management is not about coping with no medication as seems to be a common view.
Rather, it is a way of looking at your whole picture and seeing where improvements can be made.
This would include physical activity, diet, attitude, stress and so on.
Nothing to fear and may well, as it did me, put you on the right path.

thanks...I am in MD. I have made an appt for a pain dr on fri and I have another one Im calling as I want to have a few that I check out vefore I decide who to go to. Thnks for all the info, I appreciate it, it doesnt make it better, but does help to know Im not the only one suffering, not that I would wish this on anyone and am sorry you are dealing with this as well! Ill keep you posted!

I would think that they can prescribe what they think is best. It's just his advice. You don't have to take it.
He should know what the risks are. You can also look them up yourself.
Other doctors may well have a different approach.
Medicine is not a science, it's an art, so treatment, attitudes and training will all vary.
That's why you must take control over it all.
Ask questions, research your problems, get different opinions.

Hi HMarie,

Regarding your refill, if it cannot reach you in time, can you go and pick it up? In some locations, doctors can instruct pharmacies to fill an emergency supply of just a few days until the regular prescription gets to you.

I have never met, nor do I know, any chronic pain patient who wants to be on pain meds long term, much less for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, in some cases, it's the best/only alternative that will allow those patients an acceptable/reasonable quality of life.

Surgery is no guarantee of an end to pain. The lucky ones see some improvement, but many patients whose surgeries have been successful are, and will still be, on pain medications for the forseeable future. By all means, get multiple opinions, and ask lots of questions!

Pain management involves many more therapies than medications, but medications are helpful in controlling the pain until other methods can be found/tried - if possible.

You are not alone in your dilemma or your journey; there are many many people here and elsewhere in similar situations helping each other along the way. We're all here to help each other through it.

Doc

to simply dismiss you is "abandonment of care" and its against the rules. If your MD wants you to see pain management he must call and help you set up the appointment as most clinics wont allow you to call and let yourself in.

Set up an appointment to speak to your MD. Express your fears that while you know he too must be frustrated, you are worried that he will simply walk away from you before either finding a way to make it better, or referring you over to someone who can be of more help. Ask him to please agree to continue to help you until either of those conditions is met. Most MDs will see you trying to find ways to make it better, and be willing to help.

We live in a time when folks MD shop, hop and then sell their pills, and move on to the next MD and this has led to an air of distrust between MD and patient. If you speak honestly with your MD and let him know that you see you have reached the end of the road with him, but are afraid of being dumped before you can get to the next stop, he should work with you. If he dumps you, doesnt refill your meds, you can go to the ER, and ask for a referral as well, and get a small amount of pain help. If the MD works for the hospital you can contact a patient advocate and ask that the hospital provide assistance to you to get you onto the next step while speaking to the MD about dropping you without leading you to the next step. Even if the MD feels you are drug shopping, or mentally ill, he should not just stop seeing you. he should refer you.

I hope you feel better.

How are you? Did your doctor get you to another specialist?. I was thinking about you this morning. I hope you are OK, and in a better direction. ginnie

Unfortunately this happens all too often - for many different reasons. Doctors simply stop writing prescriptions - especially for narcotics or things like valium or sleep meds....

I would find a pain mgmt doctor ASAP. Even if this current doctor continues to write you prescriptions eventually you will get cut off or if lucky weaned off. Most times they just cut you off.

I think your doctor is saying that he/she will no longer write prescriptions for pain meds - most doctors that are not in the field of pain mgmt are afraid of writing prescriptions for narcotics on a continual basis....lots of laws that could cause them to lose their licenses to practice medicine....

You need to get to a pain mgmt specialist immediately - not matter what the cost or what it takes - no excuses here especially if you have chronic pain and need pain meds to function - pain mgmt will help you. Do it NOW.

I will be praying for you!

K from WIS

Hello,

I am in a similar situation where surgery is not an option, and I feel the need to provide a calming influence here because I too have experienced the panic you are in at the moment.

Another opinion is always an option for you and can sometimes clear up any confusion of lack of clarity your family doctor has created.

Secondly, don't fear pain management, these are professionals that do more than teach you how to deal with pain, so you can get off of meds. Getting meds isn't always an option, as chronic pain needs to be relieved but these professional can help you understand how to function in society, as a family member, as a worker, as an employer, as a mother or father, while experiencing pain. It truly is a process of self relfection and understanding that everyperson with an injury should go through, and the medications you are on won't need to keep doubling because your need for them wont be as frequent thus, your body wont have the time or ability to adjust to them requiring a stronger dose for relief.

Im sure your professional hasn't left you in the wind, call the pain management clinic, or call your doctors office and get a refferal, if this hasn't already been done, and make an appt. As for emergency room vistits, doctors unfortuneately are victims of several cons by addicts without pain, and have become leery and in some cases have instituted rules for not giving out prescriptions in the emerg setting. They feel the backlog slows the need for real patients to be seen.

So to sum up, yes you have to act quickly, but you do have options, and your options are only limited by the effort you put forth to solve your problems. Remember whats important in your life, and fight to keep it safe, and don't lose hope, there are many good professionals that will help you through this process for free when you feel there is no light to drive towards in the dark tunnel of chronic pain.

mike