Questions on how to deal with large HMO's

[Motowngirl67]

Hello I use to frequent this site and have been out for several months just not able to function due to severe pain.  I have had several epidurals, affiliations, steroid injections, trigger points, and other procedures over the past months trying to control my Chronic Pain.

I have submitted to urine test, blood test, EMG's, MRI's, Sonograms, Classes, PT, and every thing else they have been throwing at me.  I recently (Last November) was switched to Medicare/Kaiser due to being put on LTD/SSDI and I have been through a roller coaster of medical care.  I have been trying to get a doctor to listen to me, I am rushed, passed on, passed over, I BEG for some type of relief, I am lectured by my PCP about narcotic use every time I go in to see her.

The doctors of the CP portion of this huge HMO state they do not write prescriptions but recommend to the PCP what should be prescribed. It was recommended several times but NOT worded correctly to allow me to get what I need. I have pleaded with my PCP stating I am in bed day after day, crying pain, watching life pass me by and I want to participate, I want to have my life back but I am unable to do so due to the pain and limitation it has placed on my body.  Still same answer let me email, yada, yada, back and forth.  I have done every thing asked of my I have paid my co-pays and tried every herbal, alternative, and procedural remedy that was recommended and still no relief.  

So, my first day back on the site and I am looking for advice, assistance, but no judgement please.  How do you talk to these people. How do you make these big HMO's listen to you and meet your needs.  NOTHING I am doing seems to work.

Currently I came to them on up to six Endocets 10/325 per day and 30mg morphine 3 times per day(narcotic), Gabapenten, SOMA, and Clonazepam. I have several herniated disc, Excessive Scar tissue built up from past back  surgeries, spinal stenosis, Migraines, Morton's Nueroma, Bones Spurs, etc, etc, etc....  Just wanted to give a clue of my current situation and medication list.  This has been the same for at least the past year medication wise with no increase or change in meds.  I am maxing what my allowed medication are daily and still in pain to the point I am in tears, and at times vomiting from the pain.  I am asking for an increase in the long acting Morphine and change the endocet to NORCO (decrease) short acting. I am asking to change to SOMA because it isn't working like it should to anything else that might work I don't care. I don't like taking 6- Endocets a day due to the Tylenol and want a more stable relief with the long acting so the short acting can be saved for an emergency.

Really now does that seem like to much to ask?  I really think it is reasonable plus the only reason I am asking for this is because that is what the CP doctor recommended for my situation. By I have been fighting with my PCP for over 3-months now over this.  Now any of you out there with CP issues you know that 3-months is a life time and each month they don't change is another month you have to wait for a new script hoping something will change.

OK I am done thanks for letting me vent...  

[TheMadMan]

Talking with the doctors can be a challenge. Explain the symptoms and see what they recommend and LISTEN. If you have tried that medication, listen to what the doctor has to offer as a replacement. Ask, don't tell!
My last pain management doctor called me to say she 'did not think we would be a good fit together' because I asked her for shots vs. medication. All she would prescribe was morphine. I explained to her that my pancreas was not tolerating the medications and shots helped in the past. 'Please give me a shot', I asked. This apparently was a treat to her.
We had a long phone conversation and she finally agreed to give me shots. (I got her to finally listen to me)
She gave me steroid shots, which I found out later, was leading to osteoporosis and now I can no longer get steroid shots.
I finally went to another pain management doctor with my records and happy with the results of what he is doing.
He is giving me phenol shots which is supposed to calm down the spasms I am experiencing. Will need more shots but at least this is a help.
I did my research to find this new doctor and I get shots in his office without waiting for an appointment for the surgical clinic, like was done with the last doctor. (that took almost a month to get treatment)
This new doctor has experience in sport medicine and understands my pain issues after reading my records. He now has control of my pain management medications and so far I have developed trust with this doctor for reading my records and listening to me.
What a relief!!!!