Methadone doctors.

[Kneepainyoyo]

I have been on methadone for over a year now. I got methadone for severe knee pain. I got on the clinic because I work construction and I had no insurance and I just couldn't afford any doctors. But now I have insurance and I can not find a doctor. So anyone ppppplllleeeeaaasssseeee help:(

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome,

I'm sorry to hear about your pain and the difficultly you are having locating someone to prescribe Methadone for you.

Several years ago - maybe 6-8 - Methadone was thought to be a "safe" alternative for physicians to order for pain rather than the usual opiates. That quickly dissolved when the DEA and general government became involved in pain management and our health care delivery system.

Physicians are required to have more education and continuing education when prescribing opiates. It's even tougher - with more requirements - for physicians that are allowed to RX Methadone.  That's the issue. However the government is the issue in most of our health care issues today.

I can only suggest that you find a PMP that will treat you pain. Obviously you will be forced to change the opiate that is currently controlling your pain. I do understand that when we "find" an opiate that is effective in controlling our pain we like to stick with it. Sadly we don't always have a choice.

The good news is that you have insurance and there should be another opiate that will be effective. I've had to "bounce" to whatever my current PMP wanted to prescribe for me - not with what worked the best. I hear you - and many of us hear you!

I hope you'll find a PM Clinic that will work to find you an alternative, effective opiate.  Please let us know how you are doing - and what has been successful.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[Oppe1]

Asking the clinic to refer you is pointless! They will never give up the names of doctors that are willing to prescribe Methadone. The reason is that if they did you wouldn't go there and pay their ridiculous prices. Ill tell you if anyone is looking to invest in a business Methadone clinic is the way to go! Get the Methadone for dirt cheap then charge the patients an obscene amount if money. Sorry its an observation. those of you who have seen the way of the clinics know what I am talking about!

[namnam46]

Hi Kneepainyoyo.  :)

First, let me tell you I'm glad you have found the PM ( Pain Management ) Forum here on MH ( MedHelp ).  

Unfortunately, as you have discovered, it's very difficult to find a Doctor that will order Methadone for patients anymore.  A lot will depend on where you live.  The first thing that comes to mind is there any reason that you can't continue to go to the clinic for your Methadone or, at least, ask them to refer you to a Doctor that will continue your Methadone treatment?  It seems that might be the easiest way to go about it but I don't know what all you've already tried.  Can you give a few more details of what you've tried already?  :) I hope that this will help you in some way.  

Looking forward to your updates and hope everything works out for you.
                                  ........       Sherry   :)