PLEASE HELP ME I DONT WANT TO LOSE IT!!!!

[angel55]

Im new here I was surfing and I was lead here, this is my story, Iwill try and make it brief I have been on percocet for 17 yrs and ativan as well, 7;25 8 10  DAY AND ATIVAN  2MG A DAY YRS AGO I had a bad back injury the dr. then deemed me total diabled, I dont know if any of you rember the steffe plates well the where never fda approved they had a program on dateline years ago, anyway the dr put them in me it got worse so they took them out, my husband had a very seriuos accident on the job he lost most of his hand and had 2 heart attacks , Im afraid, my Dr. now said he is no longer going to give me pain medicene he said Im addicted I was forced to go back to work yrs ago and that was one reason and my pain is bad  I took the pills, Im afraid because he is leaving me cold Ihe has given me these drugs for 17 yrs.. please I do know I have to be addicted and I am but for him just to abanded me Im lost and afraid.So he was to set up pain mgt for me and he never sent the paper work, and when I went ther she was not very nice yelling she never would perscibe ativan with perc and she didnt belive for 17 yrs, my husbaand also in pain mgt at the time was getting extra pills for me then they told him he had diffeent pain meds in his urine so they discharched him from ther, I think she was mad at him and tok it out on me, and maybe Im worng, we our good people with a addiction for so much pain we escaped to pills for the most part I know this, all I want is help, Im afraid I waont be able to work with the pain and how can my de. just say no, shouldent he help me with somthing rehab I dont even know Im so upset, Im sorry Im so ashamed , I have let this get out of hand, Im a mother and grandmother, I have so much to live for but I dont know how to live without the pills, and I doont think I can handle the pain, it is real and bad. I pray someone  reads this and can help me. thankGOD FOR ALL OF U WHEN I READ YOUR STORIES IM READIN MY LIFE GOD BLESS ANGEL55

[thumper101]

hey someone on here told mr abiut naabt.org...you need to check it out...it is `a dr referal sytem that has huge data base of drs. that are for getting off the meds ..
it is the drs like summer was talking about

[Summer123]

If you can just get enough meds to taper, you can do it!  I was on pain meds for 12 years (just been off going on my 3rd day).  I tapered down for several weeks and today is Day 3.  I know my pain management dr. had me sign a contract that they could terminate me at any time.  I know the do random drug testing (mainly to find out if you have the correct meds) and if you are taking something different than what you told them, they can cut you off.  Again, if you can't get to a doctor right away, go to the ER and tell them you need help getting off the meds you were on for 17 years.  They should be able to give you enough meds to get you to your pain management doctor appointment.  Can't guarantee a pain management will take you.  If they don't, there are doctors called Addictionologists out there that may be able to help you.  Good luck.

[uvlvrebel]

...not a lawyer, just real adept at English usage and from what I had read, the language of the law left it open for either.  Stating, (and i am paraphrasing) if a person is found to have a habit then a Dr. could terminate the relationship, ONLY after #1: providing care for 30 days following a formal written notice, and #2: not having the patient ASK for help with the addiction- if the pt. asked for help with the addiction the rules changed. Nowhere did it mention a "pain mgmt contract"- althought I know about them- as I was found to be in violation of mine.  It seems that if you exhibit addict behavior it gives a Doc grounds to terminate you and they would rather do that then suggest to you that you have a problem and treat it.  If they can make it to that magic 30 day mark without a pt. admitting they have a problem, well then, they have succesfully passed that "liability" date. Again, not a lawyer, just good at picking apart language to see it for what it is.

[NautyOne]

I am wondering.  If a doctor claims that you are abusing your drugs, and find you in violation of the pain management contract.........Isn't that enough for them to terminate legally????

Nauty.............

[uvlvrebel]

I think you can pull up online your state's Medical Board guidelines that Doc's ust follow.   I did for my s#itty state and discovered that my doc's that cut me off were in violation of "patient abandonment" and "refusing to treat"- just never pursued it. after a few days c/t I realized that they probably "did me a favor"- BUT, I was not "on" the narcotics for 17 yrs.  this fact MUST come into play here.  And if I remember correctly, (although this next research info was done "under the influence"- so someone correct me, please): it violates HIPPA to refuse to treat your addiction by the same Dr. that hooked you.  Yeah, I think a lawyer would be interested.  Maybe Uphill could offer up a legalese perspective...

[NautyOne]

Holy cow !  The same Doctor for 17 yrs.  What a Jerk !!!!  I agree with nogie1717  I don't know how far you will get with that, but its worth a try.  That is so scary to me that doc's do this without a conscience, but they do have their a$$es covered with that contract.  If they found other meds in his system than what he has prescribed, then I guess it is legal, but from a moral stand point........very sad.  I would look into suboxone for you and your hubby.......17 years on meds. would make you a pretty good candidate i believe.  I wish you all the best.

Nauty...................  

[nogie1717]

I would consult an attorney.  If you were on for 17 years, a doctor cannot just cut a person off.  Also, if they did not send the info to your pain doc, it shows negligence.  Some people need narcotics to function and it sounds like you qualify.  
In the mean time, I agree with angie- Find a new doc.  Be completely honest and BE SURE to get your medical records from your old clinic, so your new doc can review them.  Until then stay strong and keep us posted.

Luke

[Lotsatrout]

I'd have to say that angie is right...  Your body has to be VERY dependent after 17 years of using pain meds.  If you're ready to quit it's not going to be easy for a little while.  In fact I'd have to guess that after 17 years it's going to be quite tough whether you taper or go Cold Turkey.  Do you have any kind of surplus that you can taper down with?  Personally, I can't taper.  If I have em', I eat em'.  At some point someone who is familiar with a drug called Suboxone will probably chime in.  It's a drug that is used to help people get off of pain meds without the withdrawl symptoms.  I personally don't know much about it so I'll let someone else fill you in.

Trout

[thumper101]

Hey girl..you are making the first step by reachung out and asking for help...drs. are amzing arent they  (ha hah aha)  yea right...i to have been on pain med for over 15 years..i just found this web site too about 5 days ago and am realy doing better, mainly because of the wonderful people in this site...i was taking up to 65 norco 10/325.a day..and now since saturday i  am tapering down to about 30-40 a day ... alot happened since i got on this site  my husband found out..long story..i dont think i am a good person to give advise yet (trying to quit myseld) but hang in there and keep posting there are some awesome people in her that are so willing to help...i realy hope you get better and find a dr that you can work with and trust...i too have had sooo many problems with drs, you kinda lose faith...but there are those out there that truely take their othe and abide by it...best of luck to you...God Blesss you,
thumper101

[angie269]

Man, I am so sorry about everything!  It sounds like your Dr. is an idiot!  Can you look in the phone book and find a new Dr??  Take a deep breath and know God is with you and so are we!  Yes I know all about pain, I also know Im not sure how bad my pain even is.  Ive been on pain meds for 5 yrs.  I am so ready to be off of them then I can ***** my pain!  You are going to make it yes you have to be terribly addicted to the meds.  Do you have enough to tapper off of them??  Dont be ashamed you Im sure are a wonderful person:)  We all have a story!  Write me back and tell me more