Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

what happens if a doctor dismisses u?

Hi there im a chronic pain patient n was seeing a pain dr. When i first started seeing him he had me on 90 vicodin a day.  My uncle whos an abuser of medication stole 70 of my vicodin out of my purse! I filed a police report n gave it to my doctor. Then he put me on percoset. Just a few weeks ago the dr dropped me out of the blue. Said he did a map on me n i had went to the er a few times n got vicodin and that i also got midrin which was a narcotic. I spoke with him n told him i didnt know if i went to the er n got meds i was supposed to tell him. I also had no idea that midrin was a narcotic. He then said he would continue treating me.  He had me fill out a bunch of questions last month when i saw him. Then on new years eve i was trying to get a hold of him because the percoset wasnt working like it used too. The on call doctor told me to double on my percoset n neurotin. I did that n it made me sick. I tried to get a hold of my pain dr again to ask him for help n see if he did the spinaal cord stimulator so that i could do the trial of it n get off of the meds n instead he dropped me as a paitent! I found a new doctor but they want some of my records n im not sure what to tell this doctor now? I need help i dont want to live my life in pain til i die.....thanks everyone sincerley a desprate patient in pain :) ps im NOT an abuser or addicted to drugs or any sort
9 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
655875 tn?1295695107
Hi Heather.  I believe you need to be honest and up front with the doctors.  Make sure if you have a pain contract to keep a copy for your own records and read it over once in a while for a reminder.  They are really specific on what the rules are.

Another thing is to have your medicines locked up in a safe and let no one else have access to this safe.  Your medications are your responsibilty.  They will not be able to be recovered if stolen.  If you run short, then have a drug screen, you will have no meds in your system and that is grounds for a dismissal also.  From what I've read, you've had them stolen twice from the same person.  You need to tell your uncle in the future that they are giving you a non narcotic medication, so there is no temptation for him to steal your meds in the future.  I think it is just awful that a family member would let you suffer due to their own selfish needs.  Doctors will not believe you when you tell them your meds have been stolen, especially if it happens more then once by the same person.

From my experience the new pain management usually will obtain records of films and their reports.  However, it could be different where you are.

I hope you are able to get the help you need.  Please make sure you keep better tabs of your meds.  If you can't lock them up, find a very good hiding place.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi there sandee well i googled it but cant find anything? at least for my state of michigan...god this is soooooooo frustrating i hope someone as far as docs go can help me.......thanks hun....:)
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
He can be be charged with paitent abandoment. The laws are different in each state. Google Pt abandoment laws for your state and see what you find. If you need help let me know:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i dont know if that is the case? i tried googleing it to see if he has to give me a thirty day supply but cant find any answer to this? i live in michigan so im not sure but i will call him to see if he will do this. Chances r he wont....oh well thanks though n have a great weekend :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you all for the great advice. It is VERY much appreciated. Yes im gonna get all my medical records from my first pm dr. He has the police report. Im an honest person n hate taking the drugs. I have tried everything n its just getting worse. My uncle is the one who lost the trust with my first doctor for me in the begining by stealing my medication. From then on he was a jerk. Yes i did mean a month for the 90 vicodin. lol i would be dead if i took that many in a day. He just kept telling me over n over that ihave a surgeical problem n stuff n kept asking me if i saw the surgeon. I did see a surgeon but im waiting on my lawyer to get premier mri to do the new mris on my neck n back so i can properly be evaluated to see if i need surgery. I have ALOT of medical/healthh problems n dont trust doctors very much. Me n this pm dr didnt click. He tried alot of stuff as far as epidural injections but didnt try much with medications. he stopped at the percoset. I dont understand why i have to suffer like this? i know we all are. Im gonna call monday n see if he will give me a months worth of percoset or at least enough til i see the new dr on the 18th. I cant go inot withdrawl while i have my 3yr old daughter. Im scared. I lock my medication in a safe now because my uncle stole some of my pills again but i didnt notice it until xmas eve! so now they r lockes in a safe with a key. I guess i dont understand how someone can get addicted to popping pain pills or any kind of pills? i hate taking them n just want my life back. thanks so very much everyone....if anyone would like to talk to me u r MORE then welcome....iknow this site makes me feel better to know that im NOT alone in the suffering with this pain. have a great weekend:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with Tuckamore's suggestion to get your medical records in advance of seeing a new doctor. The new doctor probably will request them anyway. The new doctor will probably not help you without finding out for sure what happened with your original doctor anyway. Get the records, make copies of them, give a set to the new doctor, and keep a set for yourself.
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hello Heather,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us but sorry to hear about your uncontrolled pain the problems you have experienced with your PMP.

Seano and Geminigirl have offered some good suggestions. I have a few thoughts to add. In my opinion you should request a copy of all your medical records from your former PMP. Read them. You'll than know what they contain and the questions or concerns that may be asked by the new PMP. You can prepare yourself better and may be more comfortable going into a new PM Clinic. They are your records and you have a right to them. I encourage everyone to do this. Just tell your new PMP exactly what happened. You may want to write down the dates and details as to not forget them or miss something during the initial visit.

Be sure to have a copy of the police report. If you no longer have it I would suggest that you obtain a new one. And I beleive Seano is correct. Most states have a patient abandonment law which dictates that they must provide you with a thirty day supply of medications upon discharge.

In my opinion it is extremely important to have a good patient-doctor relationship. One that is built on honesty and trust. It can take awhile before this happens or as in my case it was an immediate good match. And you should not forget that just because one physician is great for one patient that he/she will be great for all patients. We don't all see the same hairstylist or have the same friends. In my opinion to you need to "click" with your physician. There has to be a type of chemistry. It may be that this never existed between yourself and your former PMP. He may, in the long run have done you a favor by dismissing you. I am hopeful that your new PMP will be a better fit for you.

I know that I am very fortunate. I have an exceptional relationship with my physician. After my last visit the patient that was to follow me cancelled. My physician (of six years) spent 40 minutes just talking with me as if we were old friends. I wish that everyone.

Best of luck to you. I hope you will keep us updated. We will look forward to your posts. And please feel free to respond to other posts and be active on our forum. We all learn from one another.

Take Care,
Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think when  doctor "dismisses" you, he/she must give you a thirty day supply of the medications that were prescribed. You then have 30 days to find a new doctor. If you have a primary care doctor, he/she can help you by refering you to a new doctor,and hopefully filling your prescriptions needed if a new doctor isn't found in 30 days.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First of all, I do hope you meant to say your doc had you on 90 vicodin a MONTH instead of a DAY.

I would be totally upfront and honest with your new doctor - show him/her the police report from your meds being stolen and make sure they know about you attempting to contact your doctor and what the on-call doc told you to try.  The more you can document to the new doc, the better off you'll be.

Quite a few pain mgmt docs will have their patients sign paperwork stating they will keep their pain doc informed as to any and all meds they are prescribed - even those they get if they have to go to the ER -- so it's not unusual for your original doc to have you sign some paperwork and answer some questions.  They are protecting themselves as well as you with this practice.  A new doc may be a little more leary about prescribing a larger quanitity of pain meds until they get to know the patient, so don't be surprised or upset if instead of prescribing a month's worth of pain meds at once they only prescribed about 10-15 days' worth for a while.  I know this is a pain in the neck to have happen, but eventually, the doc will get to know you and know your pain levels and that you are not abusing the medications and should be able to then prescribe you a full month's worth at once.

Another thing to document and show your new doctor is any other treatment options you have tried such as physical therapy, ice, heat, massage, etc.  It shows them that you are willing to try other things to alleviate your pain other than just medication.  

Best of luck and I hope you get some relief soon!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches