Pharmacy Frustration

Why do Doctors prescribe pain meds before even knowing what the problem is or assessing someone for abuse? We have a horrible problem with addiction to pain killers, and over and over I see how it happens. Recently my husband went to the Doctor for back pain. Before even getting the x-rays back, he came home with muscle relaxers and vicodin! He is a "ism" which of course poses a problem, but the doctor also gave him a speech on addiction. The x-rays came back as arthritis, and the beginnings of degenerative disk issues. I was also given instructions for physical therepy, of which he won't do, but what he will do is take the pills that won't fix the problem, but do create problems. He's been back to the pharmacy a couple times, but refuses to do anything else. I also has a female have had procedures done, that you would think would constitute pain meds, but never received even a aspirin. Is it a male thing? Would the doctor not want to ask if he's done the other suggestions before getting more pills? This is also not the first time he has been to the doctor for other things with the same result-coming home with a bag of pills. I know many other people who have had their lives ruined over prescription drugs, and I am sure I'm seeing just a small window of how it happens. I'm sorry- but there is way too much prescribing, before the diagnosis has even come in. Why?

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

I appreciate your comments-- but at the same time, speaking as a recovering opiate addict, I have the responsibility to avoid taking narcotics from doctors!  Your husband drove to the doctor, he held out his hand and grabbed the script, he went to the pharmacy, he opened the vial, and he put a pill in his mouth and swallowed.  My addiction is as bad as anyone's, and I know that it is MY responsibility to keep myself healthy and clean.  

I agree that docs often are fast to medicate-- but if you read comments from others you will hear the opposite complaint as well.  As a pain clinic doc (I have lots of hats) I can tell you that sometimes there is no 'winning';  it can be difficult to tell the patient who is asking for pain pills for one reason from the patient who is asking for the other reason.  

But again, staying clean is all about our own personal responsibility.  I cannot change the world of pain docs, and expect every one of them to keep me safe and always do just the right thing.  I am the person who has the power-- not them.  Does your husband tell every doc he sees, before opening his mouth about anything else, that he is an opiate addict and therefor he cannot have any opiates?  Does he refuse to see docs who don't honor that request?  Does he refuse to accept scripts for narcotics?

My question for him, before blaming anyone else, is, Why not?

[NautyOne]

I recently posted something regarding this...........all I can say is .......I  agree.  It's a vicious circle.............my doctors did the same thing to me.  I was on them for months before "I" had to ask for a MRI .....then the ball rolled when they found the problem.  But, I agree.  I don't understand why they just put me on the meds to shut me up without a diagnosis..........he may have other options, but "no" just pass out the vicodin and keep refilling and then you get addicted/dependent and have to suffer the repercussions getting off them..........grrrrrrr

nauty