[allentgamer]

Well it has been 8 days without any meds, and the first few days were a living he##. But it is getting better day by day.

Not sure if I want to go on pain meds anymore after this, would hate to have to do it again. The way all the doctors are now, it is a forgone conclusion it would happen again too.

Ada your totally right, Doctors can do whatever they want, and they could easily help people if they wanted. Im finding it is all about the $$$.

Well anyways gonna go nurse this headache, everyone be well!

[fmichael]

Dear Allen -

This may be cold comfort, but I wonder whether or not your physician is in violation of California Health and Safety Code Sec. 124960(k):

The patient's physician may refuse to prescribe opiate
medication for a patient who requests the treatment for severe
chronic intractable pain. However, that physician shall inform the
patient that there are physicians who specialize in the treatment of
severe chronic intractable pain with methods that include the use of
opiates.

You might want to call his nurse and demand a referral to another pain physician who will prescribe opiate medication, pursuant to Sec. 124960(k), hopefully someone who also accepts MediCal reimbursment.

Thinking of you in any event,

Mike

[moonstar]

i am so sorry they are being so cruel... this is not legal for them to do!!!! it is almost lethal!!!! i was off most of my meds for about 3 months not so long ago and i fully understand what you are going thru...please keep on fighting them.. we can not let them win....i am sending you as much strength as i can to help see you thru your nightmare...peace to you----linda

Hey Allen,

Boy, what a trooper you are! This doc strikes me as completely unprofessional. In one way it may prove to be good thing - going off meds is, after all, a goal for all of us - but we never do it because we're forced to. Well done for enduring the "cold turkey" - it can't be good to make the body go through that unaided.

But you will need something, we all have bad flares and breakthrough pain, so I just hope you can get to another doc ASAP....hang in there, old friend (there's a lot more I could say, but I won't, what has happened to you makes me furious!)

all the best

[Jomar]

Is the RSD pain worse or the withdrawal pains?

I wonder how long it takes for the meds and residual effects to clear out of the system?

It's a rough way to have to do it - but I guess eventually you will have a baseline of your pain level.
I hope you can follow up afterwards which ever way is best for you.

[dreambeliever128]

Allen,
I would start looking for another PM Dr. and get your records personally from this Dr. so you won't have to wait for another Dr. to get them. Hand carry them in with you.

Also, I don't remember if you have been on Methadone but I swear by it. I am on a very low dosage but I do know that if I don't take it my pain level is unbearable. I have tried a lot of meds and none of them touched my pain and the side effects were bad also. The only side effect that I notice if I get to high on dosage is being tired and sweating. I'm sure there might be more if you are on an ungodly amount also but it seems to me like it does a good job for me at a low dosage.

Gigglebabe uses it too, she could tell you how it does on her. It is getting to be the pain med of choice and I think it's because it doesn't do the things to people that Vicoden and Oxycontin does.

I have see what they do by 4 of my friends in this area. I think that is why Drs. are so reluctant to give them out. They are two meds that are used by real drug addicts and I believe that some Drs. are afraid that the wrong people will get a hold of them.

It is very hard to find a good PM Dr. I see a pattern of that on the forum here and the friends I have around here. As I told you I saw 3 or 4 before I finally asked my PCP if he would take care of my pain management.

The government has put such a fear of God into the Drs. that they don't want to get in trouble and it seems too easy for them to do.

Don't give up on trying to find the right Dr. to take care of you. You cannot go without pain meds. I honestly don't believe that. When all of your meds are out of your system you will most likely be in a mess with the pain levels being unbearable.

I think too, that the Drs. are seeing so many drug seekers coming through their office that they can't seperate the good from the bad. We pay for what the druggies do.

Something else you might want to do if you don't already have a PCP find one so that he can give you referrals and make sure that the PM Dr. knows that you keep your PCP in the loop so that he knows you are not Dr. shopping for drugs. They were talking about that on the Today show just yesterday.

AS I SAID, DON't GIVE UP on finding a good PM Dr. You need one.

Ada

[allentgamer]

The pain where the RSD is, hurts worse than anywhere else on my body. I will let ya know how Im doing as I go.

Im still lookin for the right Primary doc, as they really dont like what I have, and turn me away so far. 5 down and who knows how many to go.

Thanks Mike I will check into that, I would have never seen that. I would hang out longer but my eyes are hurtin units. Can barely see the screen yet LOL.

Will get back at all of ya soon.
love ya all!

[moonstar]

hi allen...i have been thinking of you alot the last week..trying to send you some of the strength i have left..hope it's helping...
i can't believe that your dr didn't give you another dr that understood what you are going thru..it is so hard to find one dr to believe you but to have to start all again and build up the trust from another takes too damn long..you should not have to suffer!!! the cleaning out of your body is all well and good but this disease is not in your head..you should not be denied the treatments that you need to at least help you to cope with some of all the pain you are in..have you talked to a lawyer about the legal issues of your dr refusing to treat you? maybe just a free consultation to know your rights? wish i could get you a doggie-bag to help see you thru the nightmare...but am still sending you my thoughts and prayers...peace*****linda****

[dreambeliever128]

How are you feeling? I have been worried about you. I know when you are not on any meds it is very painful. As I told you, what little I'm on keeps the edge off for me.

When you call Drs. offices do you ask the office staff if they deal with cronic pain patients. That might be a good ideal rather then waste your time going to them only to find out. As I told you we have some here that won't take patients with certain illnesses.

I can't believe how hard it is for you to find someone in Cal. But then again I guess it doesn't matter where you are, no matter how big the city it happens. I have went through that being close to CO. Springs and Denver. I still couldn't find a decent PM Dr.

Good luck in your search and I do hope you find that help soon.
Ada

[Curious]

just wanted you to know i was thinking about you allen. i hope and pray you have gotten relief from some of the pain.

gentle (((hugs)))