Tired of proving myself

[Georgie121]

I have been on strong narcotic pain meds for the past 20 years. Every time I see a doctor in an ER I have to prove to them why I am on the meds I am taking. I have Degenrative Disk Disease, Pyriformis Syndrome, and Entrapped Sciatic Nerve, had a broken back in three places, and was in a farming accident in 89 that shattered my pelvis and right leg. I was told I'd never walk again, but after ten years of pushing myself I am now able to walk with elbow crutches about 30 feet without having to sit down.
The point of my post is, I am not an addict, even though I'm sure my body is now addicted to the level of medicines I'm on, and my pain specialist is always telling me that I'm not an addict. I don't abuse my medications, take more than prescribed, nor ask for more early, or give any to friends who may be experiencing pain. I don't sell them either, and I know a lot of people do, which makes it harder for those of us with legitamate need.
My question is this-- Is there any way someone like me can have proof of their conditions and injuries with them when they see a doctor other than their own? I've even had ER doctors take and keep my meds saying I am an addict seeking more meds. When that isn't even the reason I attended the ER in the first place.
I find it humiliating, and upsetting when doctors do this, and I"m wondering if anyone has figured out how to keep this sort of thing, these comments, prejudgements, and such from happening in the first place.
Thanks.

[Sunnyd210]

Georgie- There is a pain management forum too. They might be able to help you better over there most of them are actively taking pain meds now. And I do understand how frustrating it can be.

[stilltrying1965]

thanks rc im glad someone agrees with me

[RC184]

Well said, I could have not said it better myself.

[stilltrying1965]

You say you take the meds with you to prove what you are on so does that not help in any way proving your situation? I congratulate you on not abusing your meds. You obviously get enough to manage your pain,but i am a bit concerned about your pain specialist saying you are not an addict. If your body is addicted then so are you. If we have to take something (especially opiates) to keep functioning and suffer from w/ds if you did not take them then you are addicted to them. I see what your saying about addicts making it harder for you to get your meds but some people are not lucky enough (or cant afford) to have such understanding doctors and pain specialists, like most of the people on this site to have to resort to doing things you wouldnt normally do. I certainly didnt which resulted in my husband and myself having to take heroin to self medicate to ease the pain of undiagnosed very serious illnesses at the time which obviously ended up an addiction, but i would have taken anything at the time to get rid of the excrutiating pain..Addiction is an illness in itself and im sure most people on this site would agree with me on that one.Im not sure if this is the right site for you and please do not take this the wrong way but most of us here are or have been addicts and are trying to help ourselves. I dont think any of us purposely became addicts and i certainly wouldnt have done what i done if i knew what was in front of me. But i think maybe deep down you know you are an addict or you wouldnt have come on this site for help or do you just want the advice from an addict as we are all recovering addicts here or trying to help people recover from addiction and never judge anyone on what they have done to get their drugs. Meanwhile i wish you the best of luck with your pain management and hope there is a way to get your issue resolved. PS Could your doctor or pain specialist not give you something to carry about with you to prove your illnesses so this doesnt keep happening

[RC184]

Well if they are going to take them away I would ask them if they are also going to give me my money back.... I would be p***** if someone who did not know my medical hystory just took it upon themselves to take my meds. If you are in the ER it is for a reason not for them to take your medication away why would you be their in the first place then. I guess that has never happened to me " I hope it never does".

[Georgie121]

You are required to take them with you to show the nurses and doctors when you go to the ER. If you don't, they won't believe you are on what you say you are on.

[Dezdon]

We almost need a medical card to carry around thats recognised by all Dr's that we are legit pain patients. Kinda like the medicinal marijuana cards in California.

[Botcho]

I congratulate you on how far you have come from such a terrible accident. I have a back issue as well, and have been through the mill as far as pain meds go. I need an operation. Well before I get cut open, I wanted to get a second opinion. So to answer your question, your medical records should be on file, or your case histories. When I wanted to get the second opinion, I needed to request that my records be made available for the new physician to review. I had to request a form to release my records from my primary doctor to the new doctor that I wanted to see. When I went to see this new doctor, he had all of my records and history. It is a pain in the butt, but something that doctors are doing these days before treatment. In many cases, they want to start from the beginning, even though you have been down the “been there, done that road”. But each is different.

[RC184]

How do the ER Dr's get a hold of your meds?