Bad Doctor
 

I have a BIG problem. I have been seeing this one DR (I will call him DR Z). I have been with him for 4 years on the county insurance program. He was ok to use for normal check up stuff.
I have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis and he has been giving me 5mg of Percocet 3x a day for this for the last 2 years.
Well, I started having some really severe pain in my hands and feet and the tingling and loss of control standing and walking sometimes. He told me that I had PN. He started giving me Gabapentin. The thing is...I asked him if he could adjust my medication because I had been taking the same dosage for 2 years and the pain is so severe that it's not working anymore. Well, he flipped out and started telling me that I am a drug addict and all I want is more drugs. He really freaked me out. Being unfamiliar with this BIG pain medication thing going on, I started doing a lot of research on the internet and I am floored at the amount of controversy about narcotics.
Well, he had me believing that I was a drug addict. I was scared to death so I stopped taking the Percocet and then I found out from some friends and family that what I was getting was nothing. That 5mg 3x a day was no where what I needed.
So, I went back to Dr Z and asked him to please refer me to a neuropathy specialist or a pain specialist. He flipped out again and said that He was my specialist and he was not going to refer me.
He kept saying that all I wanted was more drugs. So I told him to forget about the meds and just refer me so I can take care of this pain somehow and get a second opinion. He is refusing.
I contacted my insurance and filed a complaint and they were really about the same way he was about the whole thing. I understand that there is a big thing going on about the narcotics but what the heck am I suppose to do?
Because it is county insurance, I am sure that they are used to seeing many people that are misusing the narcotics so they are thinking that it is the way everyone is. I feel like I am being discriminated against.
I have changed my diet, I am taking vitamins, I try to exercise. I hurt so bad that I have been thinking about suicide and I told him this.
I called Dr Z's office to make an appt and was told he no longer wanted to see me. I am sooo devastated and I have no idea what Dr to go to. I am not familiar with the Dr's here.
Can some of you that suffer from PN like I do tell me what you are being prescribed? Maybe when I find a new Dr I will have a better understanding to what I should be taking.
Sorry so long winded but I am really desperate. I hurt so bad that my quality of life has went drastically downhill. I have been thinking about suicide alot.
Any help out there?

Please, if you are thinking about suicide, you need to have immediate care... Go to a hospital immediately if you are considering suicide.

I also have fibromyalgia, arthritis and SFN. It is an extremely hard road... But you already know that. I am under the care of several doctors. For pain, I am prescribed vicoden (up to 4/day), morphine slow release (for during the night), Savella and Humira and low-dose prednisone for the arthritis. I was taking neurontin also but cannot tolerate the high dosage required to tame the SFN pain. So, I will probably try another neuroleptic and hope that I can tolerate it.

Nerve pain usually responds better to a drug like neurontin or Lyrica better than it does to the narcotics. Having said that, everyone is different in the amount or type of pain that they have and different medications work differently for each person. It is a tailor-made recipe - what combination of medications work for you, most effectively.

Please don't consider suicide. I know, I have felt very low before because of ongoing pain. I have been ill for 17 years and can no longer work - and many others on this Board have the same story. Having chronic pain can really do a number on your head and make you feel desperate. That is why you have to take charge and find someone to help you...Sounds like you are trying to help yourself with diet and exercise... that's good.

Remember, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. You never asked to be sick.

I would recommend that you get help ASAP. What are your options?


Mere

Thank you so much for your concern. Right now my only option is to change Doctors which I am going to do. But, my concern is that all these Doctors are County Doctors and they just seem to not care. I just want one of them to refer me to a specialist and to give me the combination of meds that I need. Right now I hurt so bad and my poor husband tries so hard but he just doesn't understand.
I am so depressed. I know that eventually I will get it resolved but how can a Doctor be that way and treat people so badly? It's awful!
I just want to be able to do some everyday things. I can't do anything. I either hurt or I am dizzy or tired or sleepy. I know some of that is from being depressed but my Dr would not even give me anything for that. He said that I needed to get over it and that a lot of people live with it and I can to.
I went to the ER once and all they did was tell me to go home and take a hot shower and follow up with my Dr. I explained about my Dr and I could tell by his face that he thought I was there for drugs.
People has mis-used these medications so bad that honest people are looked at as criminals. It's awful!
Anyway, thank you for your concern and I am sure that I will get it straightened out at some point but I need something now because I hurt so bad.
The other day my hip and leg hurt so bad that I could not even walk or sit. That was the day I went to the ER. My husband was terrified. So was I.
I have to use a cane sometimes. My worse time is at night and in the mornings. I am not sleeping good, I am depressed and I hurt. I just want a Dr that is going to save me.
Geez, I am really long winded today. Thank you for the hug, I needed it and HUGS back.
:hug:

Where are you located?
 

You say county doctors--is this a state insurance plan?

If so, there should be advocates withing th eprogram that you can contact to try and get a proper referral, especially as your condition is not acute, and such long-term conditions should be documented. And you have a right to a copy of all your medical records to make sure they are accurate.

Exactly!
 

GET COPIES of ALL your Med Records!!

I get so peeeved when I hear of these situations!! :eek:
GET all your records, because as it stands right now, this is your only advocate. By the sounds of your posts, you could certainly have grounds to file a formal complaint.... NO DOCTOR can deprive a patient of medical care!
If he doesn't want to treat you, he cannot refuse to refer you elsewhere and keep you captive in limbo!

Get those records, girl! Stand your ground! Don't be argumentive about the drugs (that will not look good) but you are being refused medical attention and SUICIDAL to boot!!! This is absolute negligence to the extreme!!!

.....Please! Don't let this get the best of you! Don't give Up!!
You're gonna have to fight for your rights and this Dr "Z"ero needs a swift kick up the .........

omg this ticks me off

It is a county program. I contacted them and they stated to me that the Doctor HAS to refer me. I did ask them for a copy of my medical records but they want to charge a $1.00 per page and that wold cost me a fortune. I can't afford it. Right now I am out of work and can't work and I am in the middle of filing for SSI. But, it is paused because my Dr will not fill it out. I'm telling you, he is evil.
I did file an official complaint on him with the insurance. Apparently I am not the only one.
I will start seeing a new Dr at the end of July. But, until then I have no one. I thought of seeing a specialist and pay out of my pocket. My sister goes to a specialist that only cost her $50.00 a month but the thing is in order to see him you have to pay $550 up front for the first visit and you have to bring an MRI (why I don't know).
Also, the SSI wants my testing results so I asked my Dr to send me for an EMT (not sure what it is called) for the PN. He refused. I explained to him that I needed the testing to file for SSI and he told me that I did not qualify for SSI and he was not going to support that.
But yet, he diagnosed me with Neuropathy but won't send me for testing. What if I really don't have it and it is something else?

I did state to him "OK, then forget about the medications, just send me to a specialist or tell me what I can do". He said that all I can do is take the Gabapentin and thats it. I told him that it made me dizzy and sleepy and he said that was part of the side effects. So, I asked him if he could give me something for the depression and he said no. So, I asked him what else could I do, like with my diet or vitamins. He said he did not know. He is a first class jerk, believe me. I did a internet search on him and found out that he has had 2 DUI's and he served 30 days in jail for it last Xmas. My husband got in our car and was going there to tell him off and I had to stop him.
I wish I knew who to write to about him and get his license taken away. I would do it.
Anyway...it does no good to go on about him because I can't change that. I can only hope that the new DR is a god send.

Where do you live?
 

I have had issues w/ various docs I've seen but none has, in effect, fired me as a patient. That is outrageous.

The last difficulty I had was with a doctor who kept promising to send me blood test results over a 5 month period. In desperation I called the NYS Office of Professional Medical Conduct who advised me to send him a registered letter stating that I was writing on their say-so. Lo and behold, the results magically appeared within 2 days.

My advice to you is to contact the state agency that oversees physicians' professional conduct and set forth the facts you outlined in your post. His treatment of you is unreasonable/irresponsible and violates his oath to "do no harm." He cannot fire you because he is frustrated by your condition. You can fire him but once he undertakes to treat you he must follow through with your care which includes referrals to suitable docs.

The fact that you have coverage via county doctors does not negate his ethical obligation to you.

Yes, you are completely right about him.. so it's time to move on...Do you have access to a rheumatologist that perhaps believes in and treats fibromyalgia? Most dr's do not want to prescribe anything for pain unless they can establish a long-term relationship with you. Rheumatologists are used to establishing long-term relationships with their patients. I have been seeing my rheumatologist for about eight years now. He prescribes my pain meds and arthritis meds. He knows me and trusts me. That is key...

I know things seem terrible right now. You will feel better down the road... I am sure of it. Hang in there. :hug:

Mere

Hi well I am sorry you are being treated this way. I have seen many doctors but am on no narcotics though I have seen a few pain management doctors but they were for procedures. A few thoughts the apt you have in July starting today I would call everyday to see if cancelation. For me I have insurance but all office visits are not covered. The only time I had to pay up front was through a small private office. Any hospital based neuro or pain doc I was billed. I may not be the case for you but that could give you time to at least pay and some will work out a payment schedule. May I ask what state you live? The current doctor if you call and state that if you don't get the referal for another opinion you will file a complaint through the medical board I think or what ever hospital he has rights at maybe he would. I would not see this doctor. Most of the ones I have seen have known I may go for another opinion and seem fine with it. I would not see one who did not. I can relate to lack of sleep. I sleep but a few hours right now a night and like today have been up since 2am. Can you see a psychiatrist to help with meds for that and also the depression. For me though it did not take away my physical pain it as helped with my mental outlook overall. Not to say I am cheery but some progress. Sending painfree thoughts.

Neuro Dr?
 

How do I find a hospital based neuro dr? Should I call around? I don't even care about the meds, I just want to see someone that is going to care.

He may be working under a limited license due to the DUIs ...hence no control DEA permissions!

Here is a link to most of the state licensing boards. Look him up in your state and see if he even has a license anymore. DUI in my state will revoke MY license if I had a DUI..that is. They are very strict nowadays. I know a guy who had a DUI and was put in jail for it, and he lost his license and had to do 1000 hrs with supervision like an intern. He was not a doctor, but I think the same rules apply. Check your state's health code, and you may see the same thing.

http://www.clearhq.org/Default.aspx?pageId=481835

He may not be referring you because he is NOT LEGAL to do so.
He may be seeing patients with a revoked medical license!
He may have had his control prescribing license revoked and that is why he can no longer give you Percocet.

Some doctors engage in fraud big time, and this one may be too.
What you saw may only be the tip of a huge iceberg of problems, including drug diversion and unethical use by himself!

Just wanted to add...a good doctor will not care if you are on "county insurance". My son has state insurance in Michigan, and he has found some really good doctors. Research online the doctors you can see through your insurance, then research each one individually, looking for remarks from patients.

Everything on the county or state level takes time, it's all that red tape they deal with...of course, they spend a lot more time playing with the tape than actually doing their jobs.

Good luck!

In the area you live is there a well known hospital? I would call the neurology department an explain what you are looking for. When I was looking for a new doctor many here suggested a teaching hospital since they are more educated and up to date so if there is one in your area that would be a good one to call.

With every insurance plan, you have a right to change doctors
and you have a right to a second opinion.
If necessary, call Legal Aid and have them contact
either your ins co or your doc (or both),
and threaten them with whatever your state law says you can do.
The teaching hospital is an excellent idea- look for one with a large neuro dept, and as a bonus find out if they do research in neuropathic pain. That's your best bet, and I'd wager that
the 'county' plan accepts local hospitals' billing.
Ask for a list of acceptable hospitals in your area & plan. Work from there.

Yes!!
 

You are getting FANTASTIC advice here! very caring folks!!
And BRAVO MrsD(etective):) ! I bet you are 100% correct!

If this cornball Dr is as he appears then you would be doing a big favor to the medical arena.....because the mental anguish that this type of treatment can cause it outlandish!! I would have ended up curled up in a fetal position in my horses pole barn!!! :eek:
Your husband sounds angry enough, let HIM do the talking! You don't need this mental anguish on top of what you are dealing with.
This doctor without a doubt needs to answer to someone!
PLEASE have your husband (or you) call the medical Legal Aid as Nide suggested!! If for no other reason, do it for the sorry soul who will be his next unknowing victim!!!

Truly Caring
Rae
:hug:

You ARE getting good advice...and there ARE things -
 

YOU CAN DO!
Nide44's advice is spot on!
Also Mrs. D's. And, all others.
Further check out if your county courthouse is on line IF there have been any lawsuits about him in either a civil, criminal sense... IF there are? Some mite be 'squashed' because they were settled out of court-Legal aid could help you here.
Next- how to find a good neuro? Any medical school hospitals anywhere near you? Go to their web sites and see what docs are in the neurology dept... Most of the time their bios are very short-and out of date. So do a web of say: Joe Smith, MD Neurology and see what pops up-you mite find out what papers he's done or participated in research on-which can tell you LOTS [even if not about PN treatments] but how he THINKS in a particular group setting. Then find out IF he's got a private practice and see what his web site offers. Next? Go to the 'stickies' and look at Liza Jane's web site [click on the blue+you're there]-and use this paper on PN as a guideline:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/poncelet.html I have to say this doc IS the PITS! As bad as one of mine, long gone -thank you!
NEXT call the 'county' and gently complain that this doc 'apparently refuses' fill out any disability forms and has dropped me as a patient as he will not make any more appointments with you. Going to the county could be his carrot to fill out the paperwork-but, don't expect glowing or astute comments-just be forewards. Ask the doctor for a written explanation for dropping you and set a DATE he must get it to you or you may have to persue legal measures, which you would hate to do. Nice='honey catches more flies than vinegar'.
Next, go armed with CASH and change [about $50] and arrive at the docs office and ask for copies, tell them you will wait. Get those papers in your paws ALL of them ASAP. Or key things could get lost.
Do NOT I repeat DO NOT! Bad mouth this guy in any way until you've gotten what you want from him, have a lawyer and have gotten a disability award. Once given? You'd likely have established with a doc who's re-evaluated you and has proof w/test results about your PN. Once you get your award? [I pray that you will!] And it can take a loong time, THEN complain to the county and state medical boards and show them your proof w/bad doc versus good doc evaluations.
I truly wish I could do more for you! But, I am here and you are there. Ask questions here and good people can and do help! :hug::hug::hug:'s - j
Think of it as WAR on Jerks?

.....or you may have to persue legal measures, which you would hate to do...

Don't be surprised if this rolls off his back, as another 'legal measure' added to those he already has, is just a 'drop in the ocean', to him.
But you may get results if he has broken the law, an existing one,
regarding proper ethical medical practices, and your lawyer threatens
with pursuing it to the Medical Board........that may get results.

Update
 

I wanted to give all you an update that has given me such great advice. My Disability Attorney has paid for my medical records. So, I have those now. I spoke with my County Insurance rep and she told me that I can get a referral through them and not the Dr. So, she is working on getting me to a neurologist.

So, I am moving along a little bit. There is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you so much to all of you that are helping me know what to do. I do not know what I would have done without you.

That is GREAT!
 

Congratulations. Doctors can be powerful? But some abuse that 'privilege'. That's why I encouraged you to go 'tippy toe-ing' about him. Because IF you have to file for disability? All sorts of revenge could go into the 'medical history forms'. My standard line is and always will be: "We didn't communicate very well at all." Leave it at that until loong after.
We do suffer from such folks, and I truly wish they could be 're-educated' somehow. Not likely? But it's a small hope -NOT that I'd truly wish ANY neuropathy on ANYONE! - Just brings a small smile during my bad moments.
Keep working at it and don't give up! - j