It is the whole opioid issue. The whole world is reacting to the overdoses and addictions by taking them away from everyone, including people who need them for their chronic pain conditions.

If you jump through their hoops, will they then consider prescribing you some/all of your meds back? Does the pain clinic have their own physician who can prescribe? Are they willing to try other meds? For instance, methadone is considered a more safe opioid as it doesn't give the "high" that other meds do (I am using it effectively for my pain management). It isn't commonly used, but it SHOULD be. Buprenephorine (sp?) is another one that is safer, and again - no high. These are meds my pain management specialist was recommending, but they are not used by the mainstream.

However, I have been seeing some articles lately discussing them as options for those who need long term pain relief. Other options are Ketamine infusions (I haven't had that) or other infusions like pamidronate.

It is ridiculous what they are doing to us in the name of the war on opioid addiction.

Thank you for replying first of all I really appreciate it and a quick update, I saw another doctor and he gave me the exact same excuse almost word for word in fact

What happens if I jump through their hoops? I can't even do that because their referral to the pain clinic although saying there is an approximate 64 day wait has no appointment that can be booked and it's been that way since the referral. Called them and awaiting a return call, what do these's GP's expect you to do in the meantime

The impression I got was one of "GP's don't treat pain anymore" which is an issue for me as the pain clinic always seem to push physical treatments such as acupuncture which is great if it works but it doesn't.

About other meds I've told them time and time again that I'm willing to do anything they suggest but all they suggest is the pain clinic...going in circles. I had ketamine infusions privately years ago and they didn't help I'm afraid

Thank you for suggesting those two meds I will mention them in the morning, I'm giving this GP practice one last chance to do the right thing before I go the formal complaint route which includes a lot of specific information that makes them look negligent at best

It's an appointment with a woman so maybe that will help or maybe I'm been sexist. I wish you all the best with your condition, may all of just wake up and let it all have been a nightmare...

Im in the USA and regular GP docs cannot treat pain with opioids anymore....for more than like 3 days.
My RSD was dx years back and I have been with a pain mgt. doctor ever since. My pain levels are very high, too, and for levels like that, here in the USA, it is critical to be in pain management.
I tried the suboxone aka buprenephrine and it was terrible for me.....my pain levels crept up over the course of a few days and I had to RUN back to my pain mgt doc!

I am in the US and I was taking a high dose of oxycodone prescribed by my GP. When the opioid crisis hit, I realized that I had to find another option. I started getting Lidocaine infusions and reducing my oxycodone down by 5 mgs per month. My GP sent out a letter a few months ago stating that he is only allowed to prescribe 90 morphine equivalents, so I am really glad that I had already reduced myself below this level. I have a pain clinic, but they don't prescribe narcotics at all. At least they do the lidocaine. What I have been told is that they want chronic pain patients below 50 morphine equivalents, even CRPS patients. I have friends who are in pain clinics that prescribe high doses still, but those clinics have months waiting periods to get in. It would be good to get on one of those waiting lists. I have decided to try to go off except, keeping a bottle around for when I injure my foot. Reducing a small amount per month has really been helpful. Maybe if you get onto a tapering program they will still prescribe? I know and agree that this is barbaric.