How ethical is this

[madlisa]

Hello, I am in southern W.V., my primary doctor of 13 years retired from his practice, I am physically disabled.  I have chronic hep c, diagnosed over a decade and a half ago.  I have Ostheo Arthritus, of which my knee has been replaced, total hysterectomy, the list is long.  My hep c is not contracted from iv use. I have been on several blood pressure medicines, hydrochlorthiazide, vicoprofen, Xanax, motrin 800, for those 13 years.  Since my doctor retired I had to find a new doctor in my area of which I did, he left after 1 yr of which he was replaced by a diff. doctor at the office, I stayed there.  I also have hypo thyroid disease.   Anyway I have been with this replaced doctor for a yr and a half, I had been explaining to him that 2 vicaprofen in a 24 hour period is not sufficient he by the way had taken me off the motrin and changed my Xanax to Ativan.  I also have been on sonata 10 mg for all these yrs.  I was given a urine test which is pretty normal, before I took it I told him that there would prob. not be hydrocodone in it as we had been discussing that I needed more pain relief.  He just shrugged as if it were not a problem.  I received a letter within a week that he could no longer be my physician it stated I failed the urine screen, upon calling the dr's office the nurse said there was no hydrodone in it.  They filled my blood pressure meds but everything else no.  I am having such a difficult time doing without the Ativan, sonata and pain meds etc.  I am really at a loss as to what to do. What can someone in my situation do?    After all these yrs I am in pain and unable to sleep.  Is this dangerous to be whipped off of these meds like this?  

[Tuckamore]

Sorry, I see I didn't really address your questions. Again, I'm sorry.

Was your physician ethical? Well as Phil said, these days physicians don't seem to be overly concerned with being ethical. Is it legal, yes. The fact that you failed a drug test gives him that right. However without any conversation or consul with you, his patient, horrid. There isn't a recourse today.

Is it safe to be "whipped off of these meds"?  It's probably uncomfortable but should be safe. If you have any concerning medical symptoms be sure to seek medical evaluation.... such as an Urgent Care or ED. They will most likely just treat your symptoms and not your pain.

Be sure to begin a search for a new PMP immediately. It'll take some precious time.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck

[Tuckamore]

Hi Madisa,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Community.

Phil is correct. You need to locate a new physician. I don't know the particular laws of your state but most require a PMP treat chronic pain patients. Sadly you may encounter some challenges in locating a new physician with the "failed drug test" on your record. There are ways to challenge it. Most importantly obtain your medical records for the last several years. You'll need them.

I wish you the best and hope you'll keep in touch with us.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[philnoir]

Unfortunately, many physicians are acting without ethical consideration these days.

This may sound flippant, but from experience I know that it is better to find another caring doctor than to get mad.

Best wishes.