I am at such a mental loss
 

I really don't know which way to turn and I've possibly done all that I can.

Let me explain... I've been seeing a Pain Management Doctor for the past 3 years. A couple of days ago, I received a letter stating he had closed his office. I did a little research and indeed he has.....

I immediately went into panic mode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I called my primary doc and talked to her ward clerk..... she said that my doc knows many docs and they would get me in with a new doc.

I'm still panicy (sp?) I have another month of refills on my meds so i'm not not super worried but I don't want to get to the point where I run out...I don't want to go through withdrawls....going through them when I was sick was bad enough!!!!!

A huge part of me wants to just give up....but my family has been through so much in the last year, that I just can'do that to them......

Sigh.....
Abbie

Abbie
 

Call your ward clerk at LEAST once a week.

I did some research....

Not only did my doctor close his practice, THE WHOLE PAIN CLINIC CLOSED!!!!!! I searched the other doctor's names that I knew worked for this clinic/hospital and they are ALL GONE from the doctor list!!!!!

I don't know what to expect as there are so few Pain Management Dr.'s in this state. Maybe a Neurologist as RSD really is a Neurological Disorder...

All I can do is keep checking in with my doctor and/or ward clerk and hoping for the best..... If worst comes to worst----I guess there is always the ER.

Scared....
Abbie

You'd think they would send info on other places available for their long time patients/clients.

I wonder if they got closed down due to legal reasons..:confused:

Hang in there and keep looking, I hope something shows up for you.

How awful Abbie! I'm so sorry you are having this stress on top of the dang pain. The squeaky wheel gets the oil....make a LOT of racket!! :hug:

Jo.... I wish they would have but they gave the state's medical board web site or call your insurance or gave the phone number for their rehab place to help you if you are addicted to the medicine. (which I am not... I hate taking the meds I have to take... I take the bare minimum.)

I too wonder if they got closed down due to legal reasons... I do know they were having trouble with some patients "losing meds", "running out of meds before refills are due", or asking for "stronger medicines than were really needed".

I will keep in contact with my doctor until I get in somewhere... I'm sure she doesn't want me getting worse... or going through withdrawl of any of the 3 medicines....not just my pain med.

I am still so scared.
:(
Abbie

Thank you...
Sad thing is... stress makes RSD worse!!!!! I have been in a major flair since Friday!!! I am still taking the pain medicine at the stretched version of my prescription (1 every 3 to 4 hours as needed) so closer to 4 hours.

I am so scared.... Withdrawl is one thing... but after withdrawl having nothing to ease the pain.... is going to be a nightmare... It will most likely make me bedridden... I don't want to live that way....

Have lots of thinking to do....about what to do if no doctor can be found.
:(
Abbie

I can understand being afraid dear friend....I am praying that your dr. will find you the help you so desperately need. Please know that you are loved. :grouphug:

Abbie,
I think the loss of a pain doc and clinic is a fear many of us harbor. This may not hold true for your clinic, but the pain clinic i go to started to really crack down two years ago. My pain doc, whom I respect and don't know what I'd do without, told me that they had been notified that patients now had to get mandatory urine tests every 4-6months. He said it was a DEA regulation.

I know for a fact that the clinic will take people with past drug abuse issues as long as they are upfront about their history and are willing to subject themselves to spot checks.

One of the issues people with pain face is the feeling that they have no control over what is happening to them. When the person you have counted on to be there to help you stop the pain is suddenly gone, that feeling gets worse. Having been through withdrawl, your fears are justified. Don't give up on yourself or the search for a new Dr. I'm sure you have a lot to give pleae hang on.

Sam

Luv u Abbie.

Hold on...

Hi Abbie
 

I so know what it is like to go through withdrawl. Do the research and find that new doctor. don't panic, if the absolute worst happens, keep your pain journal, and the note about your doctor leaving the practice. You can go to the ER in a pinch. Try to find a Physiatrist/pain management person. Are you outside the USA? It will be OK. ginnie:hug::grouphug:

Just wanted to let you that I still do not have a new pain doc.

Went through withdrawls.....no fun!!!!

My psych doc did write a script for my pain meds....she said she was able
to do this as pain & depression often go hand in hand.

I saw my primary doc Friday and she was able to write scripts for all of the meds my pain doc had me on until she can get me into a new pain doc....only problem is... I have to start all over again with low dosages and work my way back up.

If i'm not in with a new pain doc within a month.....heads are gonna roll!!!!

Abbie

Hi Abbie
 

I was driven to pick up your post by a nagging pull in the direction of the general forum index this evening... something I usually do not venture, so... I write to weigh in with CARE and Prayer and Hope you will find solutions to this overwhelming sense of loss. There is an answer, and having already touched base with PCP has been a most positive beginning since they are in the know about folks whose practice embraces the care you need.

Taking up a thought from Jo*Mar, there is a foundation for the notion of thinking "wait a minute, shouldn't there have been a notice of closure of the practice?" Of course, that takes into account the possibility the physicians in the practice will be continuing in practice somewhere else. This takes us into considering the possibility in your state the Medical Board has oversight control of the licensed practitioners, for those who are licensed are probably bound to a code of ethics which does not allow willy nilly leaving an entire practice of patients high and dry, like you, without care and facing an office door which says Closed. If there is yellow police tape across the door, that would say a lot about why no one was informed. If NO TAPE, then the Medical Board may have something to say about the relocation of the practice or the practitioners......

Yes, medical practices to fall apart like other businesses; however, ethical standards often provide mandates for patient or client care and information. It is the case in my profession anyway.....

Even so, I am happy to know you have a supply and open prescription for a refill of your meds "just in case" while you look to secure a new Doc if that is the only answer.

Caring profoundly,
Mark56:grouphug: