[Swatgen27]

Good afternoon everyone,

I have been seeing the same physician since the CRPS started which was roughly 4 plus years. Around two months ago I had an emergency with my CRPS pain being out of control and at that time my doctor referred me to another pain management doctor as she thought it would be better for me there because they can see a patient within 24 hours whereas her office it takes two weeks to be seen even on an emergency basis.
I started at this new clinic and they tested my medication levels and I was informed that my medication levels where fine but that they were not going to be able to take me on as a patient because a minimal amount of cannaboids showed up as well. I did not deny that I occasionaly use that for my insomnia and stated that if I knew that this would put my care in jeapordy I would have just taken the sleeping medicine that was offered to me for the insomnia ( I dont like sleeping medications and have stayed away from them because I dont want my sleep cycle to become dependant on medicine).
This new Dr said that he could still "oversee" my care but could not perscribe my monthly medications and I said well how will that work if you arent finding something else to help with the pain to replace what the medication does. He said that maybe the pain would just disapear..umm yeah right..CRPS just majically disapeers. I said I would discontinue the use of the cannabis and he could re-test me to prove that I had not been using it but he said that he still wouldnt want me as a patient. Now, Im left looking for a new Dr that actually can treat CRPS. I called my old Dr because we have such a great relationship and Im hopeful that she will be able to refer me to someone else but I just wanted to tell everyone so that you dont make the same mistake that I did.
The test he performed proved that my medications are taken correctly as perscribed but that did not matter because of the positive test for cannabis. I just cant believe this has happened and trust me the cannabis does not work for pain management it only provides relaxation and an appitie. Obviously from this point forward I will not be partaking in the use of cannabis but Im scared that now no doctor will want to treat me. Please let this be a lesson to everyone.
Sarah

[birchlake]

Sarah,

Thank you for your post. This is so very unfortunate for doctors to leave you hanging like this.....

Anybody else have this happen to them??

[SandyRI]

So sorry Sarah. Wow. In RI marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes. I have teenagers so I'm just not interested in going there at the moment, but I know that others with RSD in the state do use it and claim that it helps with their pain and especially their spasms.

You may find that some docs are more open minded about your blood test findings than others...don't despair.

Hang in there. There are many chronic pain patients who use pot on a regular basis, and their docs support them.

XOXOX Sandy

[tonkytoy]

Originally Posted by Swatgen27

Good afternoon everyone,

I have been seeing the same physician since the CRPS started which was roughly 4 plus years. Around two months ago I had an emergency with my CRPS pain being out of control and at that time my doctor referred me to another pain management doctor as she thought it would be better for me there because they can see a patient within 24 hours whereas her office it takes two weeks to be seen even on an emergency basis.
I started at this new clinic and they tested my medication levels and I was informed that my medication levels where fine but that they were not going to be able to take me on as a patient because a minimal amount of cannaboids showed up as well. I did not deny that I occasionaly use that for my insomnia and stated that if I knew that this would put my care in jeapordy I would have just taken the sleeping medicine that was offered to me for the insomnia ( I dont like sleeping medications and have stayed away from them because I dont want my sleep cycle to become dependant on medicine).
This new Dr said that he could still "oversee" my care but could not perscribe my monthly medications and I said well how will that work if you arent finding something else to help with the pain to replace what the medication does. He said that maybe the pain would just disapear..umm yeah right..CRPS just majically disapeers. I said I would discontinue the use of the cannabis and he could re-test me to prove that I had not been using it but he said that he still wouldnt want me as a patient. Now, Im left looking for a new Dr that actually can treat CRPS. I called my old Dr because we have such a great relationship and Im hopeful that she will be able to refer me to someone else but I just wanted to tell everyone so that you dont make the same mistake that I did.
The test he performed proved that my medications are taken correctly as perscribed but that did not matter because of the positive test for cannabis. I just cant believe this has happened and trust me the cannabis does not work for pain management it only provides relaxation and an appitie. Obviously from this point forward I will not be partaking in the use of cannabis but Im scared that now no doctor will want to treat me. Please let this be a lesson to everyone.
Sarah

Not myself, but a friend of mine, who also had RSD, was sick on the day of our monthly appts., when the pain meds would be refilled. Seeing he didn't feel or look good, they took a urine test & cannabis showed up & they dropped him, without any referrals. He did find another Dr., but sadly & hate to say, he passed away within 2 months. Finding a little cannabis, when you're always in constant pain, plus reside over 120 miles from the nearest pain center, these doctors need to know the stress & pressure we're always under, spending much of our time trying to find anyway of relief, then just to be dropped, is criminal !!

[Swatgen27]

tonkytoy,
I'm so sorry to hear that your friend passed away. What caused your friend to pass away? If my question is to personal then I apologize. I really hate asking but I want to prevent that from happening to myself. Thank you for sharing and I truly am sorry to hear about your loss.
Sarah

[clarkstar]

your story is horrible, and doctors who respond like that are unthinking idiots. i hope you find a dr who will help you.

this is why i am waiting to get my new prescription of painkillers before i try medical marijuana, i want to make sure my dr is not going to cut me off from the oxycodone, which i really need now. i'm not even sure the mm will help with pain...