in pain and insulted

[chronicaccused]

I am in upstate N.Y. and have been seeing my doctor for over 15 years, we had a great relationship. I have rheumatoid arthritis, osteo arthritis, bursitis and other health issues. When i was asked to sign the contract for pain meds, i did, no problem. Then the law was passed that i had to pick up my prescription monthly and have a urine test. My Dr. has two offices, so when i had to pick up scripts on a day he wasn't at the office closer to my house, I would see another associate for the script, because it was just a weigh in and blood pressure etc. After about 6 months, I went to pick up my script, and everyone was acting cold and kept me waiting for a long time, the rude Dr. i saw told me i had to take another urine test, ( i just did a week before) and she would leave my scripts at he desk, I went to the desk, right next to the waiting room with other patients, they weren't there. I asked the receptionist for them, and 3 or 4 nurses gathered around me, and told me my urine test came back negative, and i couldn't have any pain med.  I was embarrassed and outraged, because it must be wrong. I left and called Dr.s main office, and told the receptionist, who knows me what happened, she said can you come here and get them? I said ok, and drove 20 miles to the office. I was called in by someone i never seen, walked to an office way back where she said we couldn't be overheard, and proceeded to ask me if i was selling my pills. I said of course not, why would you think that? OMG! she said my Dr. would be in to see me in a few minutes, I waited for 45, no Dr. finally i peered down the hall to see if they forgot me, and my Dr, was walking down the hall. He walked right past me without a word. The woman who talked to me came back and said we have to wait for the results of the urine test you just had, and we'll call you. I said it must be wrong, take a blood test, she said no. I said has this ever happened to anyone but me? she said no. She then gave me my script of another narcotic that i take regularly, but not the hydrocodone, and said I will call you tomorrow. No one called me two days later i called, and she said the results weren't in yet. It was friday, and a holiday weekend, no meds, in pain.  Tuesday i had an appt. with my rheumatologist and explained everything, and was told he couldn't prescribe me pain meds  either.  I went home and got on the internet to look for answers, and found this sight, along with a year old article that my first Dr. was on a probation period for three years for some misconduct about patient records.  No one told me  what i could do. Do i find another Dr? what about the  contract i signed? will it look like i am Dr. shopping? Is that on my record so another Dr. won't treat me? A week passed, no meds. no call back, nothing. I am in tears, in pain, and humiliated, Can someone help? Thank you, and sorry this was so long.

[marycarmel]

Well your doctor likely thinks you already broke your contract.  And your doctor, imo, is abandoning you.  ERs won't always help but you can try and you can be honest.  Be honest with your new doctor, too.  Kep us poated on what's going on.

[chronicaccused]

I also don't know if i can go to a pain clinic or E.R.                    because i signed that contract saying i would not seek medication elsewhere. I asked that question, the receptionist said the nurse would call, but she never did, like  other times i called to ask what my                               options were,  so i will ask my new Dr. when i see him.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

[chronicaccused]

This is my primary care Dr. I have been seeing him over 15 years.  

[marycarmel]

First, put in writing the request for a copy of your records. They may charge you a fee.  Also, write a letter explaining your version of this  and ask to have it put in your medical record.  Maybe yourrimary care will cover your medicatiojns until you get in with a new doctor.  Not long ago I had a failed drug screen.  No clue why as their testing protocol is bery secured, actually never saw anything like it.  Urine tests are very often wrong.  I asked for a blood test and he said no.  I'm on some other meds for other health issues andd not certain if that could have been a problem.  I told my doctor I'm not sure what went wrong with the test, but it was up to him to figure that out.  I also calleed my primary care and met with her and she was very supportive.  I told the pain doctor that I considered us to be a team and work togethee.  If he wasn't able to do that, I said I would be happy to find a new pain doctor.  I don't trust him 100%.  We are all at the mercy of faulty urine samples and doxtors who are under scrutiny.  I agree with the others about going to the ER if necessary.  If you look into this, you will find this is not an uncomon  problem.

[chronicaccused]

I found a new Dr. the earliest i can get an appointment is in two weeks, and i have to go sign so my records can be sent to him. I think my urine test was tampered with, because my Dr. is on a probation period, and cannot write prescriptions, Since i had to go every month to get a new script, i always had to see another Dr. I thought because he was booked, or on vacation. Each time i was questioned about why am i taking this or that, and i shouldn't be on something...or this is the last time i'm giving you this.  So i think they made it so i couldn't get it. They didn't even know me, but would always try to change my medication.  I can't prove it of course, but there is no other explanation. Still haven't heard from anyone, and no explanation of what choices i had, or that i am no longer a patient.

[omhome]

yeah! what beth said.......

[CaoMoo]

Not weighing in on the most of it. But I went to a urologist for a long time that had a large practice. eventually I started getting treated as meat with a number. I didnt want to but I left them to go to a doctor in the next town with a much smaller practice. I am treated so much more personally and if I have an eruption of pain I can usually come in the next or same day instead of waiting a week like the other place. Sometimes doctors take patients for granted when they get big, or have seen them for a long time. It might be worth looking for a new doctor.

[Beth5555]

Definitely get your records.  Tell them that you want to see your records, personally.  After you find a new doc, they will have to send copies to that doc anyway.  But you can have a copy of your records yourself.  I think it's HIPPA that provides for this situation, and HIPPA is a federal law.  They have to provide you your records.  I have no idea why your medical care professionals are acting in such a fashion, but it's not ok.  I know how scary it is these days to be on narcs, and seemingly at the whim of doctors or nurses who don't seem to want to understand the situation - but stand strong.  After all - they prescribed the medication!  (I've had the experience of doctors asking me "Why did your old doctor put you on methadone!" - with great suspicion.  I've always said - I don't know - it seemed to be a medical decision on her part.  I mean, really - how should I know? They should ask her.)  Did you get a chance to go online to check out your doc's medical license status?  Get your records, and get a new doc.  When you see the new doc, just tell them what happened.

[shinty]

I had a negative test twice in the last 4 months! The first time it happened my doctor wrote it off as a defective urine test cup (he uses these new instant read test cups, new to the office I mean). The second time it happened I was asked if i was even taking my medications. I was put "on probation', meaning i had to see him in 2 weeks instead of the usual once a month. Everything has been fine since then, and I'm now back on monthly visits. I'm just dreading the day my urine does come back negative again. I'm in the process of seeing my PCP to explain all this nonsense, and see if he will be willing to "take over" my pain medication regime, or send me to someone else that will. I think it's terrible what happened to you, and how it happened. Not calling you back, etc. is just plain unprofessional. It's illegal for them to keep your records from you. As Omhome said, "they are your records", and that's certainly true. You must now just find another doctor. Will your PCP help you in the meantime? It's time to become "a squeaky wheel that gets the grease". You have to advocate for your self, and go to the ER even, if you have to. Maybe the ER can refer you to a pain specialist, or will after you show up there in pain enough times. it's not fair what happened to you, and possibly not legal. Find out what the laws are in your state. In Massachusetts you are given a final 30 day prescription when you are terminated, or discharged as a patient (at least your supposed to get one). I feel really badly for you.
      shinty

[omhome]

i don't know about  your state but in california they have to give you your records. find out . They are "your" records!    om

[chronicaccused]

Thank you for your replies, The urine test is one that i have to have every three months so they can detect the medication in my system to make sure i'm taking it. I also take a lot of other meds.They said the test three months ago showed it, but the last one didn't. I don't know why it didn't show up, i take it. What they are accusing me of is selling it or giving it away. The doctor who walked by and didn't say anything was the same Dr. i have seen for over 15 years. I was not told to find another doctor, or what i can do now. I called again to ask about my records, they said a nurse would call me back, she didn't, I called again and was told i need to find a doctor first, then they will fax my records to the new Dr. I do not want to see him anymore, because my trust is gone, but i don't know how long it will take to find another Dr. and I'm afraid another Dr. will not want to see me if they wrote on my records their assumption.

[omhome]

so weird-----beth they are accusing him of NOT taking the meds and selling them it looks like! Not taking them! Not!........And they act weird to him......
Like he is the scum of the earth and he is not taking anything! I don't know C but it blows my mind. I can see why you are confused by their behavior to you.
     It's almost like a comedy skit where C--you go in and try to convince them that you are taking the meds. Hell---tell them you are taking them exactly as directed.  I think a bunch of us now are in fear of the next test we have to take! No joke!  Good luck C----let us know what happens. Ok?
omhome

[Beth5555]

Hi - I have to agree with omhome.  This sounds like you got in the middle of something that has nothing to do with you, but got you messed up anyway. First, call the office and request your records.  They have to provide them - but may charge you a copy fee.  Find out what they're talking about, because it doesn't sound at all clear.  Another thing to do is look on your state website, and check out your problematic doc's license.  Does he have complaints, and have they been substantiated?  If his record is clear, then get an asap appointment, and try to clear up the mess.  It doesn't sound like they're explaining themselves at all well.  You're entitled to know what they're accusing you of.  So far, it looks like they're accusing you of failing a urine test.  What was the urine test for?  What were the chances of a mistake?  If they can't talk to you in a coherent fashion - move on.  Get another doc, and explain the situation as best as possible.  Go to the ER if necessary - be strong and advocate for yourself with the staff.    Don't worry about doctor shopping just yet.  Take care of yourself, and demand answers.  Sometimes medical professionals have some strange viewpoints about narcotics.  It's really rather puritan.  I do understand that the feds are putting heavy pressure on practitioners to keep close track of their narc scripts, but it sounds like they're over the line.

[omhome]

hello there and this is a real toughy!
First it might be a good idea to just stop spending any more energy on thinking about what happened---why it happened---how it was a "bad" test---etc. Narrow down that focus to finding another doctor. What do you have to do---make a list.. Number one is probably to get your records---or copy.
     Now what i am saying is under the impression that the dr who ignored and walked past you is the same one that you say you had a "good" 15yr relationship with. If the same then i would try hard to get in touch and see them asap. Stay calm and have a conversation. If you end up liking what you hear---and get the script---problem solved for the moment.
     If you did not like what you heard or just can't trust that dr anymore then------you have your records and you look for another doctor.
     If during the interim you are in such pain you are in tears i would go to the emergency room. It will document the pain you are in and you might get lucky. Never know.
     Just some ideas for you----i am sure you will get help from the group.

om