What do I do now? Moving to Florida.

[Vokes777]

Hello, I am moving from Southern California to Northwest Florida next week. I have been seeing a pm doc for over a year now for chronic shoulder, back, leg and foot pain caused by working on a cutter machine for over ten years. The doctor called it repetitive motion injuries. Well my dilemma is that I am on 1 Tramadol 4 times a day and 1 Norco 2 times a day. I have been on this regimen for over a year. Florida laws I heard are so strict that it will be next to impossible to find a pm clinic or doc that will prescribe those meds to me. What can I do? Does anyone have any ideas? I imagine I will have to go through some bad withdrawals. Thanks to all.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Vokes,

Plz excuse my tardy response. I just "saw" your post. Welcome!

I live in northwest FL. You're correct. It's tough here. This area - along with southern FL - was once filled with what was known as "Pill Mills". This was known as the place to come for a "fix". Sad!!!

What happened here was the state - and DEA- stepped in to close these Clinics that prescribed huge amounts of opiates willy-nilly. Most anyone could get any opiate for any condition, real or imagined - if they had the money. Who had the money"?  You guessed it - dealers and abusers. Deaths from overdose rose significantly through out the southern states and addiction to prescription was rampant. In 2010 the government began to close the Pill Mills, charges and convictions were levity. They came down hard on the legally operated PM Clinics - and scrutiny remains strong and regulations are tight.  

I agree that was a good thing. However, sadly these Pill Mills with their  dealers and abusers ruined opiate pain management therapy for we honest and real Chronic Pain patients. You can still find a PMP that prescribes opiates - but they are far and few between. According to my first PMP some PM Clinics are "hit" every 8-12 weeks by the the government for inspections. These inspections cost the clinic several thousands of dollars. The effect has been that many PMP became Interventional Medicine PMP. That simply means "Shot Jock" - lots of costly procedures - rather they are effective or not - and few if any opiate RXs.

If you send me a PM (Message) I will discuss this in more detail with you.

Some hints. Make sure you bring at least a year of your medical records and a print out from your pharmacy to verify your prescriptions. Bring any current MRIs or imaging that you have had to verify your pain producing condition. Bring the actual disc of the imaging. Bring an introduction letter from your PMP, explaining your HX (history) in detail, what tests, treatments, procedures, etc have been done in the past and include your prognosis. Be prepared to wait 3-8 weeks to consult a PMP - depending on which PM Clinic you select. You may require a referral. In some instances they will accept the Introduction Letter from your former PMP. No matter where you may be relocating this recommendation and will make your transition smoother. You'll need good and plentiful documentation when relocating or changing Physicians - for pain management or routine medical care.    

I live along the Forgotten Coast. The Beaches are sugar white and the Gulf is awesome with various hues of blues and emerald green. This area's beauty is often breathtaking. I find it peaceful and emotionally healing here. The ppl are some of the most friendly and kind I have ever met. Road rage does not exist in my area. Bring your smile, kindness and warmth and you'll fit right in.

I wish you the very best. I hope you are still monitoring this site - and I look forward to hearing from you.

Take Care,
~Tuck