kicked out of pain clinic

Question

i am parapalegic, from Freidriech's Ataxia, and today i was discharged from my Pain Clinic, VIA REGISTERED MAIL, for getting a 3-day prescription from a hospital for morphine a few weeks ago.My question is if my pain clinic is under any legal obligation to give me a tapered prescription for the morphine Extended Release/oxycodone 10/325mg that the Pain Clinic was giving me? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

backhurtz · Answer

Rockadoodle,
Unfortunately, most pain management contracts clearly spell out that the PATIENT can be called in at any time for a pill count, or random urine screen and that the PATIENT must comply within a set time period. Failure to do so is usually automatic grounds for dismissal.
The ONLY options may be to write a registered, certified letter and contact the office manager, including a report from your surgeon that you are not medically cleared to drive yet.
In the meantime, tapering the meds you have, while trying to find another pm locally is your best option.
Perhaps your primary or surgeon can help with a recommendation.

Bubegirl · Answer

I having been going to the same pain clinic for over two years.  I have a broken tailbone that rebreaks everytime I sit down.  I have been to dr after dr they tell me I need surgery but they won't do it because the risk are to high.  I am in extreme pain .  I got called in for a pill count well I was out and didn't go because some days I had to take more just to be able to move.  I kept telling my drs to help me with this but the wouldn't . Got a certified letter from them giving me the boot.  With a list of other pain clinics to go to.  My questions is what do I tell these other pain clinics.  If I am honest I skipped a pill count I am afraid they won't let me in and if I lie will the find out please help what should I do?

1tnckinpain · Answer

Your story hit me close.  I was in a PMC for 3 years for degenerative back diseases, etcr.  I had 2 tests they say my hydrocodone didnt show up, even tho I had taken it, another time I had oxycodone in my system from surgery -- approved by them (fax confirmation in surgeon's file) and the other day they terminated me saying I had some drug I had not taken.  I asked to be retested due to 3 or 4 patients in and out of the tiny almost closet type testing room.  They denied me even when I offered to pay for it.  I immediately was terminated without seeing a doctor or NP.  My primary doc (who won't prescribe narcotics) called them because I was so upset and they swore they have us "sign the top of urine specimens", which is totally untrue.  I did not know about a rule to write enough meds for 30 days and I walked out in tears.  I do know they won't take me back and my primary is sending me to a new clinic.  I'm terrified the new place won't accept me because I do need the help.  However, seeing how this place is covering their backsides, I feel so helpless to be able to do anything.

I feel for the stories I've read here.  I have had a week from hell since the suprising "drop" from the program that managed my pain and gave me a normal life for 3  years.

If anyone has anything "concrete" on a law where they have to give you 30 days of meds if they drop you in TN, please post on here.  Thanks.

God bless you all.

kritty2011 · Answer

I need some help plz. I have been on PM for over 9 yrs, Without any problems until The day before mothers day ! Someone broke into my house and stole my lockbox some checks ext... I immediately called and made a police report. Then I called my Dr's office, They told my husband there was nothing they could do that for me to take imodium and ibuprofhen until my next visit which was 18 days away ! Or I could go to ER for a pain shot and to have the ER call them. This is what I did and the ER dr said he talked to the clinic and they told him no shot no nothing !! So my husband called them back several times, because I was suffering !! We were finnaly able to talk to the Dr and he told me to come to his office ASAP, I got there and The nurses were really pissed off because we kinda went over their heads to get to the DR. He wrote me some medicine. To get me through till my next visit but it was not what I had been taking for yrs , so I was very sick and in alot of PAIN ! I made it to my next appt and the nurses called me to the back waiting area and would not let anyone come with me ? Then began to scream and yell at me like I was someone off the street, not a patiant who needed this medication !! They would not let me talk to the Dr, Then they told me that because my meds were stolen I had to be put on a ( pill pickup ) where I had to go fill my perscriptions and bring them back to the office where they would hold them and give me 1 week at a time, I tried to explain to them that I could not do this because of where i lived and could i speak to the Dr.It would cost me $10.00 every week ! Plus I live 7 hrs round trip from my clinic, which would be another $50.00 a week for gas, and my normal monthly fee of $100.00 which adds up to $340.00 a month , which I am disabled and only get $680.00> Or they said you can get your meds and VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAW AS A PATIANT. This was in a letter that I signed, That said pill pickup or Voluntarily withdraw.  I tried to get a new Dr  But it took them 3 and a half weeks to send my records and when they got to the new Dr he said he would not treat me ? So I asked for the records they had sent and the first page was a letter dated the same exact day of my withdraw letter, Stating they had terminated me for 4 reasons in my contract , which I can not get a copy of !! Now I have 3 days of medicine and I don't know what to do ?? I live in HS Arkansas if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I will be obtaining an attorney because of the things they did . there was other things in my records that even prove falsifying documents. Plz help me out if you know what I can do ???? Thank you

parksean · Answer

In massachusetts the law states a 30 day supply has to be given upon termination of a pain contract. 30 days to find a new doctor.

discman · Answer

my comment is this that the best position is to be off the drugs before you start the pm program,i did this and then i discharged myself before the program was over, you have to be ahead of the game before it starts.read around the subject ask for the books etc before hand and then you are ready for every thing that comes your way.
cheers discman.

extrmeski · Answer

From what I know about Pain Mgt Doctors, they can kick you out if they don't like the way you look.  Unfortunately they are under a ton of pressure from the feds all the time.  There are fewer and fewer clinics as a result of this pressure, and many good people are leaving the field.  It is a sad state of affairs due to the high levels of abuse of the pain medications.
I got kicked out of one pain mgt center because I came up negative on the urine test, or so they aid, but when I recieved my records from them, all my tests were positive for predicted levels of pain medicine.  The only negative result was for the percocet which was to be taken as needed??  
Most of the time if you communicate with them, let them know what is going on, they will work with you.  In my case the docor I was seeing left the practice and the other doctor and I did not get along.

Tuckamore · Answer

Morphaeus, Sandee asked a good question. And I would suggest that you get your contract out and see what is says about termination.

Jollyman, Of course you would follow the contract. You're just a rule kind of guy.  And I hope others that are on a contract with their PMP are reading these post to learn what not to do. It is so sad to hear all these stories of PMP refusing to treat CP suffers that made an honest mistake or used poor judgement. My heart goes out to them.

As always you all take care, Tuck

jollyman069 · Answer

thank you sandee i dont break mine .. when i had gastric bypass done the hospital in pa. called and got permission from my pain dr. to give me the liquid perecoset for two weeks and the pain dr worked with them very well

sandee1818 · Answer

It depends on the contract you sign. They all are different and can be viewed in different ways according to the laws in your state.

jollyman069 · Answer

does it matter of he signed a contract like i did.. i live in maryland and i got my contract back out to look at it and it seems to me that if i break the contract i can stop seeing me at oncew.. but i am by know means an expert

sandee1818 · Answer

Great advice Jim. I too am wondering why get a script from the ER for a drug your PM is already giving you? Most ER's will not prescribe morphine and when you have previous scripts from another Dr it makes you look guilty. I am certainly not saying you are I am just telling you what the Dr sees.

PromisedLand · Answer

my apologies for being late to the discussion...was unable to get in last night.  I"m so sorry to hear this..yes, unfortunately they do have that right.  Do you have a PCP?  I'd first discuss with him/her.  I do beleive most states have laws against patient abandonment, and are required to help you withdraw from this medication.  Your PCP might be able to discuss with the PM and arrange for some help with tapering.  My wife made the mistake of getting vicodin from her dentist, and addmitted it to her PM who told her she shouldn't have done it but said he would not terminate her..he ran a drug screen and it came back saying she was taking meds she had never taken!

So first, I'd contact your PCP and seek their advise..second, mention to the PM about the 30 day patient abandonment Law..he has to know about it

If I may ask, why did you go to the hospital for the morphine rather than contacting the PM...

please let me know if I can be of further help..I'm working right now and may not be providing you with the best advice.

God Bless.

Jim

sandee1818 · Answer

Hi,
The Dr who was treating you and sent you the registered letter knows that he/she must continue treating you for thirty days or until you find another Dr.
I would make sure the Dr knows you are aware of this and tell them you need an appointment soon as possible. If you need further help please let me know:)

Tuckamore · Answer

Hi Guys,
I have sent one of our members who has just gone through what you are a PM. It may take him a bit but when he reads it he will respond. 
Tuck

Tuckamore · Answer

I am sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately I see this post often. Jollyman is correct, they can hold you to the contract. And Mollyrae is correct, Sandee and Beargizmo will have good information for you. Both should be along shortly.

It is my understanding that there is a patient abandonment law in most states which says they have to treat to for 30 days. They believe that 30 days is sufficient time to locate another physician to continue your care/treatment. 

I wish there was some way that I could send a warning to all patients in Pain Management Programs. I would say:
   1. Never take a prescription from any other source regardless of the circumstances.
   2. Immediately prior to or following  a Drug Screen at the PM Clinic/PMP obtain a   
       second Drug Screen from another reliable source.

Of course that advice is too late for you but if an other PM patient is reading this please heed my post. I wish you the best in your search for a new PMP or a PCP that will take you as a patient. If you explain the circumstance and have an open and honest conversation I believe you will locate a caring and understanding physician. But don't wait, begin your search immediately. If the pain becomes unbearable before you are able to obtain your new appointment date you can visit your local ER. 

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. If Beargizmo does not come along soon I will send him a PM. 

Take care. Tuck

morphaeus · Answer

sorry for the confusion,Brandi wrote the first part of the message and I wrote the 2nd. Brandi is parapalegic and i'm not, and I do take care of the things that she has trouble doing.

jollyman069 · Answer

did you sign  a narcotics contract with the [pain clinic... in my contract it states that if u get a narcotic perscription fronm any other dr hospital with out the pain dr permission u can be discharged at any time

Mollyrae · Answer

Hello morphaeus. Welcome to MH. I am totally confused. In your other post you had mentioned that you were caring for your girlfriend Brandi but in this post you mention that you are a parapalegic. I guess I'm wondering how you are caring for her? Anyway...Sandee or Beargizmo have some great advise on the laws for parient abandonment. Sandee should be along soon and you can PM Beargizmo about his story. Take care and glad your here. Molly

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