New here, need advice desperately! Please help

[QueenOfSorrow]

Well, long story short, I'm disabled and have had one doctor for all my ailments for the past 7 years or so....
I've been on four serious prescriptions for these 7 years as well,
Morphine
Norco
Xanax
Zofran

Well, I went to call my doctor to set up our regular every three month check up and med refill appointment and guess what!?
My doctor got into some trouble and lost his medical license!!!!!!!!!

Now I have NO DOCTOR and NO REFILLS....period!!!

I have tried myself to stop my meds and I went into such horrific withdrawal I had seizures! My doctor said never try that again and I've never tried to stop or ween myself off since then, I just figured I will need these meds the rest of my life for the chronic pain and nausea and anxiety that comes wth my condition, etc...

Now....I'm trying to go to a doctor that my doctors office referred me to and they said they will NOT fill my refills until I'm established there....months from now...
Ok, I've been calling Doctors offices and been trying to explain how scared I am and I'm seriously panicking and scared for my health here and absolutely NO ONE can help. Please....what can I do?????
I don't have great insurance either, I'm disabled and on Medicare, so they already treat me like a leper when I try to make a new doctors appointment somewhere.....

I'm seriously having panic attacks over this.....my year has been HORRIBLE already!  :-( help

[remar]

As always, great advice. I hope this poster does come back to read what you've written so they know what steps to take.

[philnoir]

I've read your comment and understand the fear and frustration you are experiencing.

The term you are looking for is "medication management." You'd to best to find pain doctors in your area, and explain your situation to their gatekeeper. For instance.

"I've been a patient of Dr. So and So for so many years. Last month I learned that he lost his license to prescribe and I'm between a rock and a hard place. I've been maintained on pain medication for x number of years, and I'm looking for a new doctor to manage my medication."

You'll then hear a lot of info about how their program is mutlimodal, and you'll have to participate in PT, interventional therapies, etc. Just agree.

When you get into to see the doctor, explain your problem.

One way to see how certain doctors deal with medication is to look at the services offered on their website. Look for "medication management." Another thing to look for is a sample controlled substance agreement.

Is there a university hospital pain center near you -- this is another good bet for medical treatment of pain.

As a last resort, the ProPublica.com website contains a database of Medicare prescribers, on which you can search for physicians in your area that prescribe opioid or narcotic medications. It requires a bit of internet savvy, but many patients have found a new doctor this way.

Best wishes.

[remar]

Can I ask if you have your medical records from your last pain Dr.? You will need those records because a new pain specialist will require them.
Research Drs in your area. It will, or should say, what their services are. Some Drs will only do physical therapy or injections and others will do those things and prescribe medications when needed.
You can't waste your time making an appointment with a Dr that only does physical therapy or injections. You have to find a Dr or clinic that will also prescribe medications.
Make sure you have your medical records. I hope this is possible considering your Dr got in to trouble. They may have taken all of his medical records.
Do get on the computer and start going down the list of pain management Drs in your area. There should be a place on their page that tells what services they do.
Was this your family Dr that referred you to someone else? If so, you need to see your family Dr again and explain that this new place will not be prescribing medication until you're an established patient. They might be able to prescribe your medications until you are an established patient. Hopefully they will help you. If they will  then you have to be very careful with what you do have left. Cut them in half. It might be unpleasant but it may also keep from having a seizure.

[QueenOfSorrow]

Thank you for the replies but I still haven't gotten any help from these doctors, all they want to see is a drug addict, not someone who is disabled and in constant pain.....I can't afford any more doctors and no referrals:-(
If I was on Medicare maybe someone would give a **** but they don't....First Do No Harm?
What a crock of ****. I'm sorry but....it's the truth.

[aranger]

I agree with Jerry's post. I've been in Pain Management for many years now and the one thing I've learned over the years is to never bring up medications especially by name (like "Can I try Oxycontin", etc). If you're at a Dr's office especially one that specializes in Pain Managment, they will suggest the medication. This is what they do, and in fact the Dr feels like this is what he is suppose to do with his training and experience.

But calling around or going in asking for meds even though you need them, is a fast way to get labeled as a drug seeker. Not trying to be rude, just have seen this happen many times at my Dr's office with new patients.

As the previous post said, go to your appt and explain your conditions, but don't bring up meds or even act like you need them. More than likely the Dr will suggest meds to reduce your pain. You may have to start with something weaker or a quanity lower than you were used to until you establish trust and a relationship with that Dr.

Best of luck!

[jerry_all19]

You want an answer fast, right? Well I don't have time to make my response all nice and flowery, so I'll get right to the point, please forgive any bluntness in advance.

Calling around to doctors in a panic that you need narcotics is not going to be fruitful -- you'll be the "nutty lady calling for drugs," so you have to be calm and STRATEGIZE. And, hope the doctors you've called already forget your voice and won't recognize you.

You want to CALMLY make your appointment and DON'T MENTION PILLS OVER THE PHONE. Did I say "don't mention pills over the phone?" Don't mention pills over the phone!

You're gonna show up at your NEW doctor WITH a significant other/friend/relative/spouse, BOTH of you looking presentable, I'm talking SUIT and DRESS, looking like respectable professional types.

AND you're gonna explain that your old doctor moved on (DON'T mention trouble for goddsakes!) and you're looking for a doctor with a GOOD reputation (put THEM in the hot seat), who you can permanently establish your loyalty with (again, reminding you NOT TO BREATHE A WORD ABOUT DRUGS!)

The new doc is gonna sit with you and look over your chart, blah blah blah, and EVENTUALLY the conversation will shift to medication. You are GOING TO PLAY DUMB and be like "oh, yes, yes," and then CHANGE THE SUBJECT to something else, how nice it is their office is close by, etc., -- THE POINT IS to make it look like you're NOT freaking out about your pills.

Bottom line -- after a few minutes, when your doc realizes you're not sitting there drooling for narcs, he will very, very likely bring it up HIMSELF and say, "we better continue the meds you have been taking because we don't want you to go into withdrawals," and you are going to say "Okay, whatever you wish, you're the doc" (even though you're jumping for joy inside).

So there, get my drift? I'm taking your post at face value, that you are legitimate, etc., and just want to make clear this post is NOT meant to "tell you what to do" or even be "advice," but, rather, a "strategy" to consider if you wish to continue your very, very serious meds!