Okay...so in October I got a letter from my pain management doc that said he is no longer going to be seeing any patients and a list of referrals. I did a bit of research on the internet to see which of those have dealt specifically with RSD and picked one out. Called in October to make an appointment and I was told that they needed to get permission from work comp before I could even SCHEDULE an appointment. Went a month hearing NOTHING and in the mean time the pharmacy told me that they could no longer fill my perscription because my doc isn't taking patients anymore. So I tried again. Got a call a week and a half ago saying that work comp will not approve the appointment. Just like them to wait until the last possible second to say no, not return phone calls, and leave me in a horrible situation.

Spoke to my lawyer and he said make the appointment with my regular insurance and then we will take them to court for reimbursement after the appeal is completed on my case (I was awarded a significant amount by the judge in my case and work comp is appealing...despite the fact that the judge stated very clearly in the award that they offered "not one iota of evidence to contradict" anything). My lawyer thinks that this is why they are not returning calls and so forth.

Well...I am out of medication now. No Lyrica, tramadol, meloxicam, or doxepin. One 2 more lidoderm patches left. The earliest appointment that I could make was for this Friday. I have 2 more shifts at work before then and I think I will be needed to use crutches just to get in to work...which will still be incredibly painful. The pain is so intense right not and I am just frigging ANGRY that this situation even exists. I should not be in this amount of pain right now. I can't even think straight, the pain is so bad, and I am trying so hard not to get too stressed out because I know that will only make it worse.

With my medication I am usually at a 6 on the pain scale. Now...I am at a 9/10...barely able to function. I don't want to call off work...don't want to antagonize them in the slightest...but if I can't handle it I will have to. I hate that they make me feel bad in this sort of situation. I put myself through so much physical pain every day just to do my job...and then they put me in this situation in the first week of December (not like it's busy or anything in retail). Not that it would be okay any time of the year...but it just makes me feel guilty that I can't do what I need and want to do.

I know that what I need to do is not worry about it. Not worry about all the things that won't get done at work and just relax and take care of myself until Friday. It will be a hellish 5 days (did I mention my birthday is Wednesday day...happy birthday to me right) but what sort of damage will I cause myself by trying to do more than I should?

Just needed to vent this out and get it off my mind. Helps me destress and calm down...which I desperately need right now.

Very sorry to hear about your pain and situation! What a crazy situation to be in the first place, I feel for you. Maybe you should consider the emergency room. I realize it's not ideal but you may have no choice. It may help hold you over until an appointment with the doc.

Did you tell the drs office it was a bit of an emergency?
Like -Rx ran out
{due to wc stalling on approvals & such? But that might be too much info though for a new drs office...}

Sometimes you can also ask to be called if any cancellations happen.

Catra,
I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. I hope you keep your faith!

This is the fear of probably most of us on this board, what if something 'happens to my doctor?'

My doctor had a small heart attack a couple years ago, and he advised me to get a 'family' doctor, since he's the only doctor I've used for about 20 years. Even if he were to retire, I'd freak out.
When you make calls, I don't know, it may be better to have someone do it, or have some of your records that you can email or fax. They always put their 'ears up' for drug seekers. It's not our fault. But, is what it is.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Pete

So sorry youre in this situation. Two things, have you tried to get ahold of your old doctor at all? Most doctors are booked way in advance so maybe its possible that hes still seeing the last of his patients and if so he may be able to write you scripts that you need. Also, try going into the er room. Ask the dr right off the bat, what do you know about rsd? If he doesnt seem like he knows much tell him to get a nurologist down there because thats the type of issue it is and they can also prescribe you medications as well as get you pout of the pain youre in at that time. Dont know if this will help you or not but maybe its something?

Hi Catra,

What an awful situation !

Have you tried contacting your primary physician ? I know when my pain soars, so does my blood pressure. That might make your primary take notice. Even if your primary is reluctant to prescribe the narcotics, they might at least be open to writing for the Lyrica, Lidoderm patches, doxepin, and meloxicam.

Is Lyrica like Neurontin in that you are supposed to taper off it or risk seizures ? I would think your primary physician would want to address that.

Best of luck

Dear Catra

This is an outrage! if those people had a moment of your pain, they would be screaming for help. Your primary care is supposed to fill in the gaps when things like this happen. Call him immediately and tell his recp. that you have an emergency and must speak to him now. I often will go and sit in my drs office and make them see me. You dont have to suffer like this. Please call him and let us know what happens.
blessings
Lori

Primary care doc wasn't much help...he's not my favorite but he's the doctor I've had my entire life and aside from yearly physicals I rarely see him. Even for those I try to schedule with his physicians assistant because she is much better at listening and diagnosing as far as I am concerned. But she's out right now on maternity leave so that's out.

And I tried to get the scripts from my old doc and he extended them last month...but that was the last time which is why I am out now. So I'm torn between waiting until Friday and going to the ER where they may or may not be able to help. The ER is exensive though and I don't really want to deal with the future stress of those bills. So I guess my pain is on me if I decide to wait...just wish I wasn't put in this situation to begin with. If it gets much worse then I will go to the ER...but as long as I don't have to do anything I should be able to make it until Friday.

Thanks for the support and the ideas.

If this is the new dr you're seeing on Friday - it might be good to have at least some of your other records to show that you have been under care and what the previous dr has rx'd.
Just to show that you have been regularly going for care and to prove with paperwork the reason for meds needed etc.
I'm sure they can't/won't just take you word for it for legal & safety reasons.

I am very sorry to hear this Catra

Please go to the ER with your medical notes, they will give you a few days of meds to get you through. You need a new primary care doc right away! Get someone that will take care of you. Ask your friends who might have a good doctor for you to build a new relationship with. I had to do the same thing. I ahd a dr for 19 years. i figured he cared about me ect. whenever i needed pain help during my last year, he was a jerk. i didnt have a diagnosis and he was acting like i was a drug addict. finally i called around and found a new primary care. when i presented the idea to him that i might have RSD he said i think your right! and he changed all my meds and i have been mostly pain free when im sitting in bed, before i was still in too much pain. now when i move i still have pain but i think i always will because i have internal rsd and my stomach is swollen, that hurts when i move, so does my herniated disc. My primary is managing my pain right now because i didnt like the treatment from the pain management clinics i had gone to.

Please go to the ER, its hurting me thinking of you suffering dear, i truly mean it, and you have to go to work on top of being in pain, its not worth it. Friday is TOO far away!
Blessings
Lori