I am having loads of trouble with my PM doctor. This is a one-person medical practice, so there are no partners. About a week and a half before my prescriptions ran out, I called to arrange for a refill. At first, I got a terse “he’s not in until tomorrow afternoon, call back then” from the receptionist. Then, for several days, all I got was voice mail. I left several messages but no return call.

The next week, two days before I was out, I started calling again. I finally got someone to talk to me. She took all of the information for my two meds. She said there were quite a few patients without refills, also. The doctor has been “stopping in” but not finishing these scripts. Several calls later, and a day after the script expired, she finally called and said it was ready. When I went to pick them up, she had the Percocet (for breakthrough pain) but not the oxycodone (regular doses for sustained pain management.) Of course, the doctor was not in.

I pled with my PCP’s office to help me out with an “emergency” prescription, but they are refusing. They say I need to deal with the PM office. How can I deal with someone I can’t find? I am quitting this practice. This type of irresponsibility is unforgivable. Of course, I will be filing a formal complaint with the State, but that does not help me now.

I found a few “old” pills in a drawer and have enough for tomorrow, but then I will be out. Off. Cold Turkey. This makes me nervous. I have tried to get an appointment with a different pain management doctor. But “new patient” appointments are at least five weeks out. No consideration for my circumstances. I am on my own until then.

I hate to be pessimistic, but I am really scared about what I have ahead. Has anyone ever had to stop narcotics like oxycodone Cold Turkey? Is there anything I might do to prepare for withdrawal?

Mike

I had to quit all of mine cold turkey. I developed a allergy to all pain meds, but I had been on them for over a year. What I went through were
1. Mood swings!!!
2. Feeling anxious
3. Panic attacks
4. Creepy crawly feelings
5. Did I mention mood swings?
6. I was such a nasty person for about a month, but never knew it.
7. Loss of sleep
8. Feeling wrestles
and a bunch of things like that. It is so tough! I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope you can find someone to help you soon!

I can't believe drs would do this to people....
I hope you do report this - totally irresponsible behavior of this Dr!!
Is it the state medical board that someone would report this type of thing to??

Seems like the office should have had a back up Dr on file to cover this type of situation..

Some ideas might be to -
get full copies or your complete medical file from that drs office - while you look for a new one.
call every Dr office on your ins /area to see if they can see you ASAP??
take file with you -for new Dr to skim through - but don't turn it over to them until you decide the Dr will work out for you..

If you end up going off the meds cold turkey I suppose the severity might depend on the dosages you are on...
best of luck , I hope you can get in somewhere soon.

Jo,

I guess this is really the problem with a "one doctor" clinic. Thanks for the suggestion about the files. It seems like most pain management doctors specialize in back/spine injuries. That is why just picking one out of the phone book or off a TV commercial is not a good idea.

Our state has a licensing board that hears this type of complaint and has a very user-friendly way to file. In the meantime, I discussed this with my rheumatologist, who I really trust, and she is working to help me find someone who knows RSD. I did get an emergency supply of oxycodone, so I will be alright for a couple of weeks.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike I feel so bad for you. this is a horrible situation for anyone to be put in. I always worry what would happen to me if something happened to my PM. Ihave tried to set up a back up system by making sure my primary doctor is aware and symapthetic to my disease and situation. She has filled my scripts once before when I had lost mine. If I did not have my base lilne meds, like you, I would be in the hospital. If I miss mine by 3 hours I go in a full body flare. I am praying for you that you find a reliable doctor and that this does not happen to you again. It helps us all think about how important a back up system is .. thank you for posting your dilema. I hope things work out soon for you. Sincerely CZ

Hi Mike!
I too am so sorry to hear about this! I also loved Jo's post about getting medical files, records. If I were you, I would take them to any close by RSD Dr.Or pain management dr. Simply be a "walk" in and tell them what happened. Well, I wish you nothing but the best, Mike!! Hang on in there and just get you a new PMD and like I said, simply just "Walk in" with medical files and records in hand, of that other crazy mixed up Doc. He sounds like he has so many patients, that he is burned out. ~Love, Desi

I got about a month's worth of the meds a need, and am cutting back "slightly" to stretch them just a little further. (Just in case. ) No ill effects with this so far, so I think I will be okay.

I also discovered, with a little sleuthing, that my PM is having some things going on in his personal life. Not an excuse, but an explanation.

I am starting to do some telephone scrrening and interviewing for various Pain Management clinics in the area to see if there is anyone who knows about RSD/CRPS. They all seem to specialize in spine problems and WC cases.

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

Mike