PLEASE, Someone HELP!!!!!!!

[Emp7172]

I'm a Northeast Ohio(specifically the Youngstown/Akron/Cleveland area) resident living daily in absolute HELL!!!!  I have been, up till a month ago been being treated by an amazing doctor for my many pain management issues as well as my depression & high blood pressure.  Unfortunately, my doctor has since left the practice I attend to move to the Dayton area which is 4-5 hours from where I live.  The practice has brought in another pain"specialist"(& I use that term lightly)because he does not treat the same way my other doctor did.  For those of you not aware, Ohio has recently changed some of their prescription laws making it extremely difficult for doctors to prescribe strong opiod meds to patients.  In fact, the state is trying to make it so, unless the doctor is specifically trained as a pain specialist practicing out of a pain clinic, they cannot prescribe opiods, especially extended release like Oxycontin & Opana ER.  Sometimes even weaker meds.  It has gotten to the point that doctors are leaving the field or even retiring all together out of fear from the DEA & other state agencies.  I am a 38 yr. old male who has had 7 knee surgeries(both knees need replaced, but cannot get done yet due to age because I will face multiple replacements), have had 2 complete shoulder reconstructions & have 2 ruptured disks in my back.  I have been on extended release & immediate release(for breakthrough pain) for over 3 years now with amazing results.  I have been living a normal, productive life...up till a month ago, again, because my doctor moved.  The physician who has since taken over in place of him not only treats patients in different manners, but also does not prescribe extended release & stronger pain meds & I quote "out of fear to possibly getting in trouble with the state due to the new laws.". He, without ANY regard for my health, the dosages I have been on for so long or the fact that I have been doing wonderful on the meds...again, for years or said he would not even gradually lower the doses for safety purposes once I run out of the meds I have been on, is going to discontinue them & put me only on a immediate release pain med.  The level of which is nowhere near what I have been on.  I must add, I have only received scripts ONLY from this clinic for years, from the SAME physician & I have NEVER failed a drug test, been released from any type of care & have been NOTHING but a MODEL PATIENT.  The new physician told me he would treat me this only this drastically different way but I was free to look elsewhere if I needed to further the care I have been receiveing for so long.  He even had the audacity to tell me that I could try to find the new prescribing physician & also stay with him to get injections.  Which I find assinine, because why would I pay 2 different doctors of the same field to treat me?  I was speechless.  Oh, I also have been on the Lidoderm patch as well.  Another crushing disappointment & worry is the fact that I also am & have been on a patient assistance program that completely pays for my pain meds & lidocaine patches for 100% free!!!!  Considering I do not have insurance, this has been a Miracle & Godsend.  There is absolutely NO WAY I could EVER afford to pay for those meds.  Also considering how hard it is to be approved & selected for these programs, this would be a sin to not to be able to take full advantage of them.  I have not left the practice I have been at even though this new doctor will not treat me sufficiently because of only 1 reason.  I CANNOT find a doctor to further my treatment that I have received for so many years.  The physicians I have tried to see also seem "afraid" of prescribing the stronger pain meds I have been on like extended release or any at all.  I cannot tell you how terrified I am to go back to the miserable life I was living a few years ago.  Please, I am imploring ANYONE reading this, if you can help me in ANY WAY, please do.  I could exchange contact info...if you are a physician or someone who knows of a physician or physicians who you know cod help me, see me.  Thank you so much for anyone who replies to me.  God Bless.

[shellycemt]

start tomorrow calling ll medical facilities dont give yur name u dont want them to think ur dr shopping but u are u first ask is there a dr in ur facility that is in pain mang and so on and if u cant fine a primary care doc that writes pain then u do have 1 dr who treats ur ur body health test ect and one facility u go 1 time a month for pain medication in a pain clinic gogle pain clinics in your area and start calling ask for ur med records so u can bring them in may take a week to  get them nd show the dr what uv been on and how bad u r hell fix u up i have faith do IT!

[rileygirl1980]

I actually live in Dayton. It sounds like you were very pleased with your doctor until he moved down my way. Would you mind giving me his name? I am looking for a trustoworthy, understanding doctor in my area. Thank  you and I hope you were able to get your situation resolved!

[Tuckamore]

Hi Emp,

Welcome to the Pan iManagement Forum. I am so glad that you have found us!

I am so sorry this has happened to you. I am also very saddened  and angry by the laws the DEA seems compelled to institute because of the massive abuse of prescription pain medications. We, the Chronic Pain patients suffer because of the abuse of others and we are powerless.

That said there are Pain Management Physician (PMP) that practice in Pain Management Clinics in most states. These Physicians are trained to treat Chronic Pain (CP). They are able to prescribe, treat and follow CP patients. Most of these PMP "get it"  and treat their patients appropriately. Maybe your state has not caught up to the changes in the laws and legal ways to prescribe for and manage their CP patients.    

Keep searching for a Physician trained in the treatment of CP. I know how frustrating it is to search for a new Physician, especially when you are in our situation. I am sorry that I am not familar with your state or it's laws. Maybe we have a member residing in your state that has faced a similar situation.

I'll try to do some searching for you. I also encourage you to use your search engine to do the same.  Is your current Physician not able to refer you to a PMP?  I would talk to him again and remind him you are HIS patient.

Best of Luck and Please keep in touch. Let us know how you are doing. My Heart goes out to you.

Wishing you the Best,
~Tuck