Shopping for a new neurologist
 

I've had the same neurologist for 25 yrs. Early Feb. his assistant calls me & says he's retiring due to health concerns & that another doc is taking his place, and this other doc will NOT continue to write my prescriptions for hydrocodone & diazepam. The call came 2 weeks before my hydrocodone prescription expired. The assistant goes on to say that I should seek the services of a pain management clinic for the hydrocodone, but she didn't say what I should do aboutt the diazepam--I take for muscle spasms--the kind that cause me to randomly throw the TV remote across the room, or "punch" myself in the face as I curl up in the fetal position to go to sleep. Yeah, really bad spasms. This call came out of the clear blue sky, after 25 yrs of being a model patient. Never once did I ask for an early refill for anything. I never even "asked" for the hydrocodone. The doc prescribed it based strictly on an MRI Report way back in 2011 (C5, C6, & C7 of my neck have DJD). Yes, I've been taking the hydrocodone since 2011, and now my neurologist is retiring, but no one on his staff of over 50 other neurologists is willing to continue to write it forr me. Actually, several of these "other" docs have written the hydrocodone (and other meds) for me on the occasions when my doc was out sick or on vacation or whatever. Hmmm. They'll agree with my docs treatment and cover for him when he's healthy and working, but now that he's sick and retiring, they suddenly disagree with his treatment and refuse to prescribe meds I've been taking for 10 yrs.
They've done this without any specific explanation as to “why". I expect they’re under no legal obligation. Ethically, however, I can say that something doesn’t feel quite right. So, I did some reading. I found that the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services says that “But once a patient is on opioids for a prolonged duration, any abrupt change in the patient’s regimen may put the patient at risk of harm and should include a thorough, deliberative case review and discussion with the patient. The HHS Guide provides advice to clinicians who are contemplating or initiating a change in opioid dosage.” (ref 01). It goes on to state that “Care must be a patient-centered experience. We need to treat people with compassion, and emphasize personalized care tailored to the specific circumstances and unique needs of each patient,” said Adm. Brett P. Giroir, M.D., assistant secretary for health.” (ref. 01).
So, I go to a pain management clinic. What a "racket" that turned out to be. Yes, I had to sign the same federal documents that I signed with my own neurologist. No biggy there. Trouble is, the first thing the doc there says is that "we're going to have to wean you off the diazepam entirely." Then, she says you're going to have to come in for physical therapy 3 times per week if you want to get your pain meds. I'm thinking to myself--if I could actually show up "on time" 3 days per week for physical therapy, I'd be"employable", not on disability, and I wouldn't even be here now listening to this ridiculousness. Apparently, this lady simply didn't "understand" that someone who has had Parkinson's disease for 25 years isn't exactly tripping the live fantastic. I didn't even bother to try telling her about my sedentary lifestyle, and how my daily routine consisted of taking meds on time, maybe doing some light house-work, walking the dog, and checking the mail-box. I just went home, called her front desk, and had them forward my medical records to another nearby neurologist. So, now I guess I'm shopping for a new neurologist. Big fun.
Any advice? Many thanks.

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your neurologist and what happened at the pain management. I had a similar experience. But, I wasn't taking diazepam. I was on alprozolam. My physician didn't retire. He just quit prescribing opiods all together. It was due to the government stepping in and telling him he could no longer prescribe the medications he was prescribing. He felt if he couldn't treat and take clare of his patients the way he had been doing for several years, he would stop prescribing those meds. Not long after that I learned the government is telling all physicians that prescribe opiods to not prescribe benzodiazepines too. Data has shown many cases where there was a drug overdose is not necessarily because someone took more than what had bern prescribed to them. It was the mixture of the opiods and benzodiazepines.
Case example my doctor gave to me is Whitney Houston. My advice is to seek a new physician and ask if somerhing else can be used instead, such as, zanaflex or Flexiril. I hope this info helps.

Best wishes,


Diamond Tiger<3

OP: There are so many ways to control/manage pain. The last thing I would take are the addicting opiods...and all their side effects...they are massive bandaids. I had a couple hard surgeries and could not wait to get off the hard pain drugs. And I've learned too to live with pain, meditation and mantras can do some good.

Caroline,

I understand you have a more natural way of managing your pain and health. What may work for you doesn't work for everyone else. I'm still young and live a very active lifestyle. If I still want to throw a bowling ball and use a pool cue this is how I handle it. It would be different if I was much older and lived a sedentary lifedtyle. Then I could see that being a possibility. If I'm going to be in pain, I at least want to enjoy my life while I can. Now, I'm going to be silly for a minute...you know there is a saying, "Die young and leave a good looking coffin." Lol If the side effects take me young, so be it.
Besides, my mantras are permanently broke. A brain surgeon cut out a portion of my brain. As the another saying is, "You have some screws loose." I guess I fall into that category too. Lol
Forgive me, I'm being funny but serious at the same time. I appreciate your thoughts. Maybe we have tried your way and it didn't work for us is all I'm trying to say.

Best wishrs,

Diamond Tiger<3