how do you find a pcp without dr's thinking your dr shooping?

[zackskyler]

how do you look for a doctor to help with pain who understands without thinking your doctor shooping.. which can be a huge problem as I am sure you all know...doctors are a funny lot in this area because of so many abuse problems I often find it necessary to ask friends for meds when my are out early because my dr has a very strict policy of if your out your out of luck no acceptions ............ why does it seem that 1's need for help seems to be a anothers need for caution?...... any suggestions ?      I feal like I am in a no win situation with a massive amount of depression steaming from my issues so much in fact I am not even able to be on interferon teatments due to my depressive state of mind in fear once again of a dr being called to blame if I killed myself. due to the interferons extreme side effects of depression ...man talk about being depreesed ........

[sandee1818]

Donnanraleigh,
Hi, You should post a new question as this is an old post.
It is very hard to find a good doctor that understands pain, don't give up though they do exist.

[donnanraleigh]

I just find it totally dishearting that a PCP absolutely refuses to address my chronic pain issue.  My husband even wen to my appointment with to reassure he Physician I'm not a "drug seeker"  he told me to take ES Tylenol...I have lumbar stenois, fibroymalgia, migraines  etch...All I want is to be out of pain.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Zach:

I feel for you. Your depression runs deeper than chronic pain...Hep C will cause you to have serious depression and pain as well. Doctors just don't understand well enough the effects of Hep C. It is such a new disease that is not fully understood by the medical community. You have to make sure that before you take that journey with the interferon, your completely comfortable with your pain and it is well under control. You also have to be mind set with a good anti-depressant.

Because of the social stigma attached to this hideous disease, Doctors are reluctant to prescribe for fear that your a drug user or seeker. Heck, you have Hep C...What they don't understand is you and your life story. Not all Heppers fit into the same catagory.

Someday, this disease will be more understood and the Docs will realize that your pain is real. Some Docs do understand.....Is it possible to talk with a hepatologist and discuss pain management options with him/her??

I hope you can resolve your pain issues. If you ever need to chat, just send me a pm.

take care and good luck,
Mollyrae

[Ghilly]

I agree with Sandee 100% when she says that if you are running out of your meds too early every month, you need to speak with your doctor about changing your medication regimen.  It doesn't matter which pain management physician you go to, if you run out early, they will not give you more until your 30 days are up.  

If you're running out early, you're obviously titrating your dose upwards on your own.  Does the drug you are taking handle the pain adequately when you increase the dose?  If so, tell your doctor that and ask if he can increase the number of pills he gives you each month so that you can take doses that are adequate to control the pain.

If you are increasing the dose and are still not getting good relief, then you need to have him switch you to a different drug.  Sometimes when you switch to another drug, you don't have to increase the dosage because your body will respond differently to the new drug and you will get better results, at least for a while.  As our conditions worsen, however, it only makes sense that the same dose we've been taking for the last however long is not going to be adequate.

It is VERY frustrating, I agree!  But don't give up!  Keep looking and you will eventually find a doctor who is a good match for you, and when you do, it will be worth all the trouble you're going through now.  Just be careful that along the way you don't get so desperate for relief that you start to do things like going to multiple doctors, and don't ever take a medication that was prescribed for someone else.  If your doctor decides to pop a urine test on you, and you have something in your system that he did not prescribe for you, he'll drop you and you will be in worse shape than you were when you were just running out of pills early.  

[Tuckamore]

What state do you live in?? That is an important part of the equation because different states handle CP patients differently. In Wisconsin for example PMP do not prescribe medications and do not follow PM patients. We are treated by our PCP. PM Clinics are for treatment and sometimes diagnosis but that is it.

Most of us have been were you are. I certainly have and I can relate. My PCP says depression goes along with CP, it's inevitable when you are suffering daily and your life is changing. Often antidepressants can help and frequently a good pain therapist can help you adjust to the changes forced upon those that suffer with CP.

I don't have a great answer to your question. If the physician you see is not prescribing than you are not really doctor shopping. Doctor shopping is when you are obtaining different medication, usually narcotics from multiple or more than one physician. You can search for a physician that you have a good relationship with and one that understands you and your pain. So I think that is the key and how you should approach your search. It may take awhile before you "click" with a medical provider. I see a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) that specializes in internal medicine. Internal Medicine docs are a step above the FP and GP. I selected her because of her speciality. I have too many medical issues to see a FP or GP. An Internal Medicine Physician does not treat pediatrics or OB they specialize in adult medicine and the structure and function of internal organs. When you add the DO to her speciality you add skeletal alignment and skeletal health. She is also young, a newer grad, so she is up on all the latest treatments and approaches. I just got lucky and I am hoping you will also.

Ask your friends who they see, go on line and look at the local medical providers interests and specialities. Ask, ask, and ask again. Good luck to you. Please let us know how your search is going. I will look forward to your progress updates.
Peace, Tuck

[jollyman069]

Sandee gave you the best advice there is..listen to waht she wrote...and do those things and you will find your life is going to be much better

[sandee1818]

Are you seeing a pain management doctor? You need to have a pain management doctor because they understand how depression is a part of chronic pain. Also if your running out of your medications early then you need to speak to your doctor about changing your medication regime. Running out is not doing you ant good as you well know. I would also suggest seeing a pain psychologist to help with your depression, your PM Dr will work with them to control your pain and depression. I can't stress this enough, medications are only a small part of pain management.
Are you having suicidal thoughts, and if so I urge you to get an appointment with your doctor ASAP and have him/her refer you to a pain psychologist to help you also.
Having sufficient pain control and medications is a problem many have and you just need to keep looking for a doctor who will help control your pain sufficiently. It may take awhile but once you find a good doctor it will have been well worth the frustrations. A good PM Dr will work with you to find the best options for you and do what ever he/she can to have you as pain free as possible. Although you will never be totally pain free you can get to a place where it is at least bearable. Keep us posted and let me know if I can help. We are all here to support you in any way we can.
Happy new year!