Help! My doc left town and no one will fill my Fentanyl without my records!

[courtdale]

I have two herniated disks and have been seeing this doc for the past 14 years. He's had me on ALL kinds of meds for the pain but I only take the Fentanyl patches so I can teach and be a mom. All of a sudden, he shut his doors and left with my records! I am on my last patch (50s) and no doctor will treat me without my files! What do I do? I cannot teach high school while going through this withdrawal! I know legally he's supposed to release the files but what if he doesn't? Will I find someone to fill this drug and in the next two days?!

[lipsie]

Please anyone with advice. I am in a mess! I was having issues with my Fentnyl Patches falling off even with tape, called and spoke to a nurse  last week. She told me to go ahead use them, as they fell off, save them in a bag, put a new one on and to come in on Wednesday (that's when my bus transport would have been able to take me then) and I'd see the main doctor. I said I wanted to get off of them, try something different because I was just having too many issues with them staying on and my skin (I have the sensitive skin thing going on too). Anyhow, she said that would be the case. When I got there Wednesday the doctor was rude and said he was busy and could not help me, only give me tape. Well by this time I had ONE patch left to use only! I started crying, he said to sit. A few moments later I am brought in only for a urine test. So now, I am going to facing withdrawl with nothing! I don't even have anything left hanging around. I am so screwed! What do I do? How bad is withdrawl from Fentanyl? I am on the 50's. Do I somehow get to a ER? And hell, tell them that same screwed up story, yet its the whole darned truth? Oh man please help. Thanks so much! Sheila

[Tuckamore]

Thanks for the update.

Ultram is another name for Tramadol. Tramadol works much like morphine but as of yet it is not classified as a narcotic. It is an effective pain reliever for some ppl but a far cry from fentanyl. There is a lot you should understand about this medication. Withdrawal, for some ppl can be horrific also.

Clonidine is prescribed for hypertension. However it is used off-label for nicotine, alcohol, and opiate withdrawal symptoms, to name a few. It is not a pain reliever but should help you through.

I am glad to hear that you found a PMP. I hope they will work with you to control your pain. And good for you for being so assertive in obtaining your medical records. You were brave and sis the right thing. Your correct. How many others will not be as assertive?

Sixteen pages after 14 years? I'm sure you know there is a lot more to be had. You just received the most recent records. There is a file room somewhere that has not been accessed. Only you can determine how important those 14 years of medical records are for you now and in the future. They cannot be replaced. You do have a right to all of your medical records.
Best of luck and please continue to let us know how you are doing.
Tuck  

[Mollyrae]

PS- I do not know anything about the Ultram or the Clonodine (sp) sorry. PLease look the information up on the web. It will give you all the info you need on medications

[Mollyrae]

You must have gone to other places that have treated you like a Hospital, had tests done independently of the clinic....Most MRI's are done off site. If your Clinic does have an MRI on site then the Clinic is big enough so that other Doctor practice in the building.

You need to go to these places that I have mentioned and tell them what has happened. All places that have treated you WILL keep a record of the treatment.

In the mean time...and like the others have said, go to the ER and explain the situation. They will know if the Doctor left town. It is a part of their business. There is always a way to get some of the records.

You MUST start the hunt. Use the suggestions I have listed.

Please take care,
Molly

[courtdale]

Okay, so I'm going to drop from the 50s to the 25s tomorrow morning. The new doc gave me Ultram for the breakthrough pain and a rx for clonidine. She was really vague about how to use it, though. "When you feel the withdrawal effects set in". I'm familiar with those on the third day of the patch but I hate pills and probably won't take the ultram. Any help here?

[courtdale]

I drove to my old doc's office and ducked under the "DO NOT CROSS/DR. C IS NO LONGER IN PRACTICE/STAFF ONLY" sign and knocked on the door. I heard voices inside but the windows were blacked out. All phone numbers were disconnected, too. A doc from across the hall said I couldnt'be there and I said, Oh, I was just on the phone with Debbie (his sec) and she knows I'm here. That doc went around back and repeated what I said and Debbie said, I haven't spoken with any patients today! Luckily she looked out the window and recognized me. Head down, she apologized and let me in. I got 16 pages (of my14 years worth of files) and left. I should have said much more but I got what I came for. I feel bad for those who won't get their files because the phoes are down and there are signs up saying GO AWAY. I found a pain management doc who saw me yesterday and I'm on my way to weaning off the fentanyl. I don't want to go through this ever again! Thanks for all the support!

[Tuckamore]

Hello Courtdale,

I am sorry to hear about your predicament. When a physician or clinic ceases practice, for any reason they are required my law to provide you with your medical record. Those records belong to you, not the physician.

Federal law now requires health care providers to give you access to your medical records. The new rule is part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Additionally if you were ever in the hospital they will have your a portion of your medical records, including dictations and orders from your physician. If you've been their recently your medication orders should be fairly current.

Contact your state’s Department of Health and they should help you obtain your medical records. It may take a bit of time to don't delay.  Again your former physician must give you access to your medical files.

Sandee's idea is good one concerning gathering all the medical paperwork you have. The ER in the hospital that your physician had practicing privileges may be more helpful than another and especially with that info in hand. However they may not it will depend on their policies and the physician.

Good luck to you. Please let us know how this turns out. We will be interested in hearing from you.

Good luck and take care,
Tuck

[sandee1818]

I forgot to mention too that you can go back to where you had your MRI and get a copy of them or the report also.

[sandee1818]

Take all the paper work you may have as well as your empty presciption bottles/packages and go to your local ER. they probably know your doctor has left and in the mean time call his office until you get someone because legally he has to get your records to you or another doctor.
Also if you have a PCP he/she may be able to help you and even refer you to another PM doctor.

[nick30]

If you explain yourself nicely in the ER they might help you get an apt with another PM doc. they did that once for me. be sure to take your old meds/boxes whatever. any paperwork you may have.
are there any other doctors that practice in the same place as your previous dr? they would obviously know that he's gone and taken your files so they may also be able to help.
I wish there was more i could say but unfortunately whenever this happens the most likely outcome is pain.
good idea to post in the PM forum though, this happens to almost everyone at some point. I only just woke up, i'm freezing and my brain isn't yet functioning properly.
best of luck

nick

[courtdale]

Yeah, it's impossible to get a refill. The doc can't even call it in. I've been calling around all day and I can't find ANYONE, primary care physician or pain management specialist, who will see me without my files! What do people do when they move and don't have files to transfer?

[mchiurazzi]

just call the pharamacy you normally go to and tell them you need your script refilled even if it said no refills, they will verify that its okay to refil then refill it. i used to do this all the time when i was using id call a week after i got a new script for 30 and get another one! damn addict behavior! lol

[outotown]

If worse comes to worse go to the er they my give you some pain meds that will help for a few days and give you some time to get things straightened up. Also as Theeagle said if you have any prior meds they will help keep you from w/d. Good luck I wish you the best

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Worst case scenario is that you may go to the ER ........  Do you still have any of the ALL kinds of things left?  You may use the previously prescribed meds to get you through. Dont know what you might have, but with a fentanyl RX you should have a couple other scripts prior - not many give you the patch right away.  As Sarah observed .... you may contact his staff and try to find out whats going on. It does sound like the ball is currently in your court.....talk to people - your pharmacist could possibly help... contact his Nurse....And as a last measure you might contact your local medical association.  Good luck to you - - this shouldnt be your job - but it is where you are

[dominosarah]

Sorry to hear about what happened. Can you call his nurse?  You might want to post this on the pain management forum also.........sara