When I was at the E.R. last week the doctor said I've been taking the big bad "OXYCONTIN" the one everybody tries to steal..... But all I have is Oxycodone 5mgs, it's not extended release.....so AM I taking the "bad one" so to speak? And shouldn't he be reprimanded for making me feel guilty about something my DOCTOR prescribed?

Junkies prefer Immediate Release, NOT Time Release/Extended Release. Time Release meds are more effective on pain!!! The doc in the ER can lecture you all he likes. It is what it is...

The type of med is only one factor in determining what is effective. Dosages and directions are are also very important as well.

If all the doctor did was confirm you're taking oxycodone, he really didnt do anything wrong. But if he was giving you stuff for it, accusing you of stealing or of the sort, then yeah he is in the wrong.
He should know the difference between the 2. How did he know your taking oxycodone? There is no way of telling the difference (oxycodone/OxyContin) by a drug test. Your chart would clearly say what specific medication.
It doesn't seem like something to get worked up about, you didn't share in your post that he made you feel uncomfortable or anything. It could have just been a misunderstanding.

Yes, he did make me feel uncomfortable. Like I was a bad person for taking them, when they were prescribed by my doctor. Since this is a fairly new diagnosis, my medications were far from ideal. Having massive flare-ups that the 5mg oxy's and 50mgs of tramadol, and lidocaine patches weren't covering. I can usually control it with that but sometimes it still goes out of control. That Dr. in the ER told me I need to "quit coming to the ER" for pain. I only went under the advisement of BOTH my DR's offices. And yes my meds were in my chart I also told him what I was on and what I had done to try to stop the flare up, but that neither of my DR's could get me in and both of them had said for the ER doctor to call and confirm they advised me to come in. The ER doc basically treated me like a "drug seeker" saying my chart would be red flagged if I "kept it up".

I've been to the ER twice in the 12 years for RSD/CRPS. It should be a matter of absolutely last resort. Your doc should be prescribing you the correct meds. If they're not, then you need to find a different doc, which may mean having to travel to an urban center like Seattle or Portland. WA has the strictest regs in the US about pain meds.

The problem with me going to the Er was in part due to the strictness of medications in Washington. It had to be a last resort. And since this is a new diagnosis things were still in the "trail" period. Yesterday my Doctor put me on Valium 20mgs and Upped the dose of Oxycodone 10mgs and no more Tramadol, GOOD news! I think it's the right combination!!! Finally!!!! with those two meds I can (so far) be fairly pain free!!! I can type, fold clothes even. (though slowly). I am finally starting to be able to do things that I wasn't. I'm still being careful, i don't want to over do it and cause further damage/pain. But I am happy to say, I'm starting to see the light at the end for the time being!! woo hoo

I guess I misunderstood your first post, but the way I read it this time the Lidocaine patches didn't stop your flare, but then your subsequent posts stated you had been out of them for two weeks?

I can completely understand your frustration at the hospital for not providing timely reimbursements for expensive meds. It costs $300 for a pack of 30 patches. Having them in may have kept you from going into a flare. Perhaps, you need to hire an attorney if you haven't already done so, or have the hospital provide certain medications directly.

The problem is that it's risky for an ER doc to prescribe opiates, or to give an injection to someone already being prescribed opiates. If a patient OD's as a result of his care, his medical license could be in jeopardy. In this case, he actually did treat you. In turn, you filed a complaint about the way he spoke to you, which might make your next visit even more difficult. As RSD/CRPS patients, the anecdotal evidence in this forum is that docs are often unprepared and unwilling to treat us in the ER. I'm not saying you don't have the right to go there, but it is likely only a matter of time before you are faced with the reality of receiving no help from an ER doc. He was doing what was expected of him by the medical board in WA, btw.

Please read this link: http://washingtonacep.org/Postings/e...linesfinal.pdf

[QUOTE=LIT LOVE;966126]I guess I misunderstood your first post, but the way I read it this time the Lidocaine patches didn't stop your flare, but then your subsequent posts stated you had been out of them for two weeks?


I probably didn't state it clearly. The patches only help control the flare if I get it on as soon as it starts, sometimes. LOL Each time can be different. I think the muscle relaxer will help with it all as well. I can control it way better having the patches. There are still times when they don't help, either because it's progressed too far or the RSD just decides it "don't need no stinking patches: har har.

I do understand where the doctor was coming from, but I had a list of ALL my medications and does that I was on. I keep a daily log. And it wasn't so much what he said but they WAY he said everything that was offensive. Very disdainful, and condemning. It was not appropriate. That was my problem. Yet again hopefully this new trial will help prevent anything like that in the near future. Living in Eastern Washington, there aren't many clinics that know how to deal with this condition. So my choices are rather limited. But I'll keep my fingers crossed and try not to do anything detrimental!! lol