Need a new DR

[coach423]

My wife needs to find a new cronic pain doctor who prescribes methadone since she has been taken for the last 3 years and  Sound Family Medicine abrutly cut her off 5 days ago

[mellie4]

It's surprising to me that they'd drop your wife so abruptly over a billing error.  I would think they would/should continue to see you while that's being worked out.  I have had trouble with my insurance paying for certain procedures and my pain clinic will still see me (and actually will still give me the procedures in question) while things are being worked out.

As far as the new doctor, will he see her if you are able to obtain her records?  I know sometimes it can take time to get records together but they should be able to do it within a week.  (I've had 9 surgeries and countless procedures and my records are extremely lengthy.  When I requested them for an insurance exam, I was able to pick them up in less than a week.)

In the meantime, how is your wife doing without having her methadone?  Or does she still have some of her prescription left?  I hate the thought of her having to deal with withdrawals due to something like a billing error!!

But I think the fact that her doctor dropped her in the manner that he did, she definitely needs to find a new pain management doctor who is dedicated to giving her proper care.  Please let us know how she's doing.

[coach423]

My wife has been under a pain management contract fior 2 years and followed her contract exactly as stated. She was cut off due to a billing error. I found a Dr for her but the referal sent did not have her injury,treatment or medication on it so the new Dr wouldnt take her.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Coach,

Welcome to the Pain Management Community. I am sorry to hear about your wife's situation, how very frightening!! I am not sure what your are asking.  Can you please be more specific? We'd like to offer our assistance if possible.

Please know that we do not recommend specific physicians on our site. Mellie and Aarons have offered some suggestions for you.

Have you goggled PMPs in your area? Does she have a PCP that can suggest a new PMP? Does it have to be Methadone??? ... and if so why?

My heart goes out to both of you as you will be at her side if she begins the process of withdrawal. Some ER Physicians offer a short supply of pain opiate medications, it depends on the state, the situation and the Physician.  Chronic pain is not considered a medical emergency but severe withdrawal can be viewed as one.

I'll watch for additional information from you. It sounds like you are a supportive and concerned husband.... your wife will need you in the days, probably weeks ahead. Again, more information will be helpful.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[mellie4]

Why was your wife abruptly cut off?  Did she have a pain contract?  First thing would be to start looking for a new pain management doctor.  (I'm assuming that she was taking the methadone for pain management, is that correct?)  It can often take quite a while, depending on where you live, to find a new pain management doctor.  And you should get her records so you can see if there's anything in the records that are incorrect that might prevent another pain doctor to see her.

Patients are usually cut off abruptly if they violate their pain contract in any way.  This could be something from something coming up in a test they gave her or it could be if she took another medication from another doctor.

Does your wife have any methadone at home to hold withdrawals at bay while she's searching for a new doctor?  Methadone has a very long half-life and the withdrawals are quite unpleasant.  I would suggest you get a plan in place in case she goes into withdrawal.  What dose of methadone had she been taking?  She was on it for several years so the withdrawal can last a while.

If she does go into withdrawal, she (and you) need to be prepared.  Dehydration can make all symptoms worse and can be dangerous in and of itself.  The ER is an option if she is feeling really ill, though I know our local ER will not prescribe any narcotics for anyone (pain patient or addict.)  The most they'll give is a little Ativan.  My ER will give a narcotic in an IV ONLY IF they can speak with the pain doctor who is prescribing the meds.

You can find help with the withdrawal symptoms on the Substance Abuse Forum.  There are people there that have experience with methadone withdrawal that can give you information and in addition, you can look up either the Thomas Recipe or the Amino Acid Protocol.  Both of those give suggestions on how to be more comfortable with withdrawal symptoms.  I only suggest this because if your wife cannot find another doctor to prescribe her medications, she could be very uncomfortable.

I think if you give some additional information, you may get more answers.  If we knew why your wife was on methadone, how much she had been on, why the doctor dropped her so abruptly, we could make better suggestions.  Please keep posting and let us know how things are and if you're able to find a new doctor.  The weekend is coming up and unless your wife has medication at home, you could be looking at her going into withdrawal.

[6aarons]

Id find another dr...Go to ER for the pain med, they will give you that or a pain med then they can give u a list of drs to see that can help u

[6aarons]

If shes been on methadone, she is usually prescribed that to come off pain killers, xuch as percocet 10 or morphine pills...Ive takn everything but Not methadone...I know ppl who r on it though