Please help - can't find doctor

[only_bridget]

I suffer from chronic pain from constant kidney stones and fibromyalgia. My pain doc closed his practice in November and I've spent the last 2 months trying to find a pain doc who will treat me but have been completely unsuccessful - and this is after going to over 15 doctors/practices. I've been on the fentanyl patch for almost 5 yrs and take vicodin for breakthrough pain. Right now I'm on the 25 mcg/hr patch and I'm on my last one (will be out of meds in 3 days - 7 tops including my remaining vicodin). Add to that the fact that my insurance runs out tomorrow and I'm poor and unemployed and yeah - big mess. What I want to know is - are there any tips for detoxing at home? I have some sleeping pills and muscle relaxers (leftover from when my doc prescribed them but I never really liked getting knocked out so I barely took them). I don't want to start up a new chemical dependence but I figure they can help during the worst of the detox. I'm also on Gabapentin and have a full month's supply (I take 300mg, 3 times a day). Hopefully that will help. I also have supplements and over the counter meds - like potassium, magnesium, multi-vitamins, and lots of stomach meds. If it gets really bad I'll go to the ER. I've also been to the county run substance abuse center for advice but they just said I need to find a doctor and I shouldn't be getting off meds if I can help it. Which is great but I'm running out of time and money quickly. Any suggestions?

[achilles2]

With all your problems with kidney stones has anyone checked your parathyroid? Also they are finding out that people with fibro have a higher chance of being T3 resistant so you might also want to get a full thyroid work up with checking Free T3, Free T4, TSH, and thyroid antibodies. Also recommend a thyroid ultrasound.

Here is some info on the parathyroid:
http://parathyroid.com/parathyroid-symptoms.htm

I hope this helps,
achilles2

[Tuckamore]

Thanks So Much for the Update!!... And Good News!!!

Kidney stones are so very painful. I've had many! The last one I had occurred on a Friday night of a 3-day weekend. They told me the stone was too large to pass. They wouldn't do surgery on a long weekend so they gave me some Big Dog meds & scheduled my surgery for Tuesday.

Monday night I passed a 7 millimeters stone!!!! It was worse than the delivery of my 10 lb son. .... but I passed it, so you may also.  

Delighted your dad has agreed to pay for your insurance. I am sure you will repay him. He didn't have to do that and it's very kind of him. Not all father's would of... or could have done so.

Please keep us updated. I wish you the very best and will look forward to hearing from you.

Peace,
~Tuck

[only_bridget]

Thx guys - had several changes since my last post. Woke up yesterday (last day of insurance) with sharper than usual kidney pain... got myself to my urologist and sure enough, I have a huge unpassable kidney stone that requires surgery (it could shut off my kidney or just cause immense pain forever without surgery). I now have meds to help with that pain but it's not as strong so I'll have some withdrawal on top of this hardcore kidney pain so that kinda *****... but the good news is, my dad (who now has evidence of an actual visible by x-ray condition that requires surgery) is springing for insurance. Turns out I can get continuance coverage without prescription coverage - but at least it's something, even if it's crazy expensive. So thankfully I can get surgery. Now I just have to get through all this with weaker pain meds - gonna be tough but at least I have some help.

Still will have to find a doc - but I'll have to wait until I can function again to do that. I actually did try the county health dept on Monday - he suggested I go to my kidney doctor (nephrologist) - but between that and the pain yesterday it made me think I should try my urologist and it's a darn good thing I did!

Thx all for your support :)

[Texas50881234]

Try calling the county health dept number in ur area. They might could recommend a dr nut u will more than likely not be able to afford to stay on the patches mine were $200 with no insurance.  Maybe u could be switched to something cheaper. Good luck and let us know how u are doing.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Bridget,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am so sorry to hear about your situation, my heart goes out to you.

I know you are not an addict.... and you are always Welcome here... However our Substance Abuse or Rehab Forums may offer you more suggestions.

Here's one link: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Alcohol-Drug-Rehab/show/1232

I encourage you to copy and past your post there. They've been there and can offer helpful suggestions.

More or as importantly I hope you will be able to locate proper Pain Management. I do know how difficult that can be.... but don't give up. Keep searching. Life is simply too short to struggle through it with uncontrolled pain.

I agree with the county run facility. You should not be in this horrendous situation.  So again, keep searching. Maybe the county facility has suggestions that will help you locate a PMP. It's very unfortunate that your last treating physician left you high and dry. He should have referred you and other patients to physicians that will continue your care. Thoughtless!!

I won't suggest any products because I just don't have the personal experience... but again our Substance Abuse and/or our Addiction Rehab Forums should have much more information for you.

I wish you well and hope that you will keep in touch with us. We're here to support you.... so if you just need to vent feel free to do so.

Peace,
~Tuck

[marycarmel]

Your retired pain doc couldn't recommend anyone else?  I'm not sure what area you're in but if you're not too far from a big city you could check out some teaching hospitals and/or hospitals that perform a lot of surgeries.  My pain management doctors are have office space inside the hospital I've had my surgeries at.  What about your primary care doctor?  My primary care doctor does do pain management medications, though only up to a certain dosage.

If you can't find a pain management doctor before you run out of meds, you could also ask your primary care doctor for Clonidine.  It's a older-type blood pressure medication and many doctors use it to help with withdrawal (and pain.)  Some people say it cuts withdrawals in half.

I have heard some people say Gabapentin helps with withdrawal but I didn't find that to be the case for me.  Maybe because I was taking it for a long time for nerve pain.

The Substance Abuse Forum has lots of great things to try for withdrawal.  Among them:  hot soaks in the tub/shower as many as needed and with Epsom Salts if possible.  Clonidine if your doctor will prescribe it.  A product called Restful Legs made by Hydlands for the restless leg feelings.  Keeping well hydrated.   There's a lot more but I can't remember them at the moment.

Also what plan do you have in place to deal with your chronic pain?