CAN'T FIND PUMP PAIN MGT DOCTOR

[injurednurse]

Why, if I have a valid release from contract from my former pain management doctor who put in my pain pumps, 1st in 2001 and 2nd in 2008, then shut the pump off when I was having significant morphine toxcicity problems without doing a complete review of my history and current status. I was concerned for my safety and want to have another doctor manage my care. A neurosurgeon I saw on referral is of the opinion that because of the complexity of my spinal disease that the pain pump is the most effective means for satifactory pain relief. I'm in a catch-22 situation. No pain management doctor will take me on as a new patient as long as I have the former doctor's implanted pump in me, even though it is probably not functional because of the way it was turned off. Was not filled with saline and allow to run, but just stopped. And I can find no one to remove the pump until a pain mgt doctor says it is not functional.
I have exhausted all the pain doctors within a 200 mile radius of my home who take my insurance.
Where can I go or who can I contact to find out how I can get out of this loop?

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry that you are faced with so many challenges and pain. You seem to be in an awful "loop" and I am sorry but I haven't any good answers for you.

I assume you cannot return to the PMP that originally implanted the pump. I understand that you were concerned for your safety but you may be forced to return to the PMP and at least have the pump activated or removed. Is that possible?

Others should post with their suggestions. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Best of luck. I am hopeful that you find a workable solution to this issues.

Take Care,
Tuck  

[injurednurse]

I have consider going back to my former PMP but I can't even get them to send me copies of my records. I've called at least once a month since April requesting at least the last 2 years of my office records and including that I will be happy to pay their usual and customary fee for providing them.
It is difficult for me to sit and type any length of times. In addition to my back problems I have severe repetitive injury osteoarthritis in my right hand, elbow and shoulder.
I went to the Pennsylvania Ethics section of the Bureau of Occupational Affairs and according to their information it is a breach of ethics to not provide a patient with their records. Unfortunately, as I said because of the typing, it is taking me forever to complete the complaint form. I don't think having a complaint filed against them will make them any more eager to take me back. I just feel trapped without any control over my health care choice. If my original doctor had only taken a half hours time to discuss with me all the complications and other drugs used in the pump options instead of just passing off the job to a new hire doctor with no experience, I wouldn't be in this situation.
The troubling part is why the other doctors won't accept me as a patient. I have always been followed the rules for the narcotics, yet after they have review my records, they just say they can't help me. My primary care doctor finally did get the one MD to agree, but then again when he found out it was me, he said he would not see me unless I had the pump that my first doctor implanted. I did speak with a lawyer and according to what was said as it stands my former PMP did meet the standard of care and is not liable just because he turned off the pump. However, I think if another PMP accepted me, he would have to state that the whole series of events were poorly managed and then he may have to act like a witness for me. Something I guess they don't want to get involved in. I just can't think of any other reason??