Free clinics and fibro

[only_bridget]

Hi guys ~
I was just wondering if anyone on here has had to deal with a free clinic or some kind of charitable medical aid to get help for fibromyalgia. Basically I'm at the point where it looks like I'll not be able to have insurance pretty soon and I'm currently on the fentanyl patch, vicodin and gabapentin. I know that I can most likely get free or discounted medicine through the manufacturers assistance programs - my question is, will I even be able to get these prescriptions? I know in my state they have a program for free appts with specialists so hopefully I can still see a specialist but I'm worried that because this is through a free clinic that they'll just assume I'm a drug seeker. I know as it is (with insurance for a few more weeks) I'm having a heck of a time finding a pain mgmt doc. I'm worried I'm going to run out of meds at the end of this month and then end up in the ER with withdrawal symptoms and pain from fibro and my other pain condition (medullary sponge kidney). Any advice or experience info on this would be great.
Thanks,
Bridget

[ayla1987]

I know there are lots of reasons for doctors' prescribing practices, and I know that there lots of natural remedies for all kinds of things. My problem is that I get so confused when I start trying to understand about all those things that you listed!!! For the life of me, it just doesn't make sense! It seems to open up all kinds of other cans of worms for me! :(  It's funny, because I know it makes plenty of sense to a lot of other people.

I try to stay as active as possible too, but between feeling as bad as I do some days and not having opportunities to get out of the house and do things, my life just isn't very conducive to the healthiest lifestyle possible. I really really miss having the active and full life that I had just a couple of years ago. I live in a very small trailer in the middle of nowhere, and I hardly get the chance to even get out and shop. For that matter, I don't have the money to shop. I get to go buy only the things we have to have, and very little extra. But otherwise, hopefully one day all of this will start to make more sense to me! Thanks a lot for your info! :)

[TheLightSeeker]

Gabapentin is not classified as a narcotic, however it has sedative
action. Also this action can be increased by the intake of alcohol,
cannabis, opioids,benzods,antihistamines and other drugs.
There are a lot of rules, checks and balances in place regarding the
business of prescribing drugs. Things that we do not see on from our side as
patients,consumers and users.
There are many affordable natural alternatives you may want to look into.
1.Malic acid
2. EVCO
3.Muscle Ezze
4. Omega-3
5. Valerian Root
6. MgCl-Magnesium Oil-Transdermal
7. MSM
8. Sympathetic low current Electrotherapy
9. DMSO
10. Hypnotherapy/Meditation
Not in any particular order of importance.
Also proper diet and activity will make a huge difference!
I know many fibro sufferers who are almost symptom free from following
a very low carb diet, daily activity, like swimming or walking and some of the above 10 suggestions.
Please do a search for any ones you're interested in, or pm me for more specifics.
Blessings to all.
Niko

[only_bridget]

Well I went to see my old rheumatologist that had originally referred me to my last pain doc. She of course couldn't help me (because narcotics are EVIL! - joking - but for real, she wouldn't prescribe them) so she offered two options given my situation:

1) a colleague of her that takes self pay and will probably help me (I'm faxing them my records tomorrow - it was too late today)

OR

2) I go to a detox clinic before the end of the month and my insurance runs out and hope for the best after I get off narcotics

*Sigh*

[geminigirl1963]

You may also want to contact your local Social Services Department - even if you don't qualify for any state medical assistance (doesn't hurt to apply anyway just to check) - they may have a listing of different doctors who may be able to help - some of the docs on the listing may even use a sliding scale for their fees based on your income.

If/whenever you do find another doctor, I'd also suggest taking all your records/documentation from your current doctor to the new one - having that documentation of what tests have been done, what the findings have been, what meds have been tried, etc., not only will help cut down on the "drug seeking" idea (defnitely NOT saying you or anyone else is drug seeking, only that unfortunately some doctors do think that about many patients, especially those that they do not know well), but also hopefully elminate the new doc wanting to repeat unnecessary tests that have already been done - saving both time and money.

If you're not able to find a PM doc before you would be running out of meds - which actually may be difficult, not only due to lack of insurance, but also because it usually takes quite a while to get an appointment with them - do you have a primary care doc who would be willing to continue your meds until you can find another PM doc and get an appointment?  If you don't currently have a PCP (primary care physician), I'd strongly suggest you actually start there in your search for a doctor, as many of the pain mgmt docs do require a referral from your primary care doc.  Your primary care doc may also be able to assist you in finding a PM doc who is willing to take on a new cash paying patient.

Best of luck!

[only_bridget]

Thank you ayla1987 :)

But I'm sorry that happened to you with your doc turning against you. I hate how docs can go against you like that - they took an oath to help and then they let stupid things affect the way they treat you. Reading your story, I'm thinking in your case it might help to (if you haven't already) get a copy of the records from your other doc visit (from when the reg doc was out) and bring it with you to your next regular doc visit. Also, when docs think you're going to multiple docs for meds that is when they start getting nasty (learned that the hard way more than once - long story - had to get a second opinion). You can also offer to submit to a drug test - my old pain doc required one periodically so you may already being doing this but if not, it might help clear up the misconception. Good luck because not having access to necessary medicine is definitely disconcerting. Can I just soapbox here for a sec and say our society is MESSED UP - that folks with legitimate need for medicine can't get help because of the demonization of pain medicine. Even Gabapentin? It's not even a narcotic! Sorry - that just burns my butter.

I still have insurance for a few more wks so I'm going to see what I can do to at least get a pain doc that I can self pay if nothing else works out. And hopefully I can get on a patient assistance program for my more essential meds. *crossing fingers*

[ayla1987]

Yes, I have to go to a free clinic too. I have visited another doctor in the area when the free clinic doctor was out for an extended period of time of several weeks, but it was $100 a visit, and I had to return every month, which I couldn't do. He was the doctor who put me on gabapentin, which was a lifesaver for me! But, for some reason, when I returned to my free clinic doctor, now he doesn't want to prescribe any of the meds he was giving me to start with, and acts agitated at even the thought of it. I'm very annoyed by this, because I've talked to him about prescribing only one of those meds, and the other ones, I haven't even mentioned, due to the great work the gabapentin is doing for me (that and the fact that my gut tells me that he wouldn't co-operate in that anymore anyway - like you, I don't want, and can't afford, to be labeled a drug-seeker). I truly think this doctor's own prejudices is at work here, rather than what is in my best interest. And he is the doctor who first recognized that I may have fibromyalgia! I didn't even know what it was! The deeper levels of my pain have been addressed, but I do still suffer on a daily basis of all kinds of achiness, stiffness, and fatigue - just not at the same levels as before. I'm not disabled anymore, but I'm absolutely still seriously hindered in much of my daytime activities - and I pay for it at night and the next morning. I struggle with serious depression and anxiety, both of which have become more acute the past few weeks with no treatment. My husband has not made this any easier lately either. So, I feel like I'm catching it on all sides. Better than it was, but not near about what it should be. Oh, I meant to mention, my free doctor did get me in a patient prescription program for the gabapentin, which I'm very grateful for! However, I don't have the option of seeing a specialist in the free clinic system in Alabama, where I live without the usual fees. Good luck to you!