What if your doctor refuses to talk to you?

[pattisun]

I have severe pain and have been taking a number of pain meds for almost ten years now. I also had gastric RNY bypass and this limits what pain meds I can take and I believe it affects how my meds are absorbed and metabolized.

My pain doctors (who just give me steroid shots) do not prescribe meds. They want my primary doctor to do that. I was increased to 50 mcg of Fentanyl with vicodin for breakthrough (my pain doctors suggestion). I went to my doctor every four weeks complaining the Fentanyl patches would not stay on and the side effects were not worth it. I wanted less Fentanyl and weaker vicodin (she had changed me to Norco--wanting me to only take 2 per day). This last visit 2 weeks ago I finally got back on a weaker Fentanyl patch and I am doing much better. I decreased my Norco from 4-5 day down to 3. When I went to refill my RX for Norco my doctor refused it. They will not answer my calls and I guess I no longer have a doctor.

I am fine not taking Vicodin--but I have pain so I did take ibuprofen. I am not supposed to take that because of my bypass surgery.

Anyone get kicked out of their medical group? I am not worried about Vicodin withdrawal I'm sure I can get through that---but what about Fentanyl withdrawal? How to I find a new doctor without looking like some crazed druggie? I think I should never take vicodin again. I've taken all the other types of pain meds (like Ultram and Neurontin, etc.) prior to Vicodin (I refused percoset, Oxy, and morphine-Kadian).

How/where do I find a doctor that will understand my needs and believe that I have no interest in getting "stoned" just would prefer to stay active and have my pain decreased.

[bmdad]

If you are still having quite a bit of pain maybe you could try and get in to your doctor a bit sooner. I would call and let them know how much pain you are in. More than likely the secretary will have a nurse call you back. Just let them know that with the pain you are having December 3rd is just too far out. Ask what you should do in the meantime for pain relief. You could also ask the scheduling department or the secretary to make a note and if anyone else cancels their appointment to give you a call as you need to be seen asap. I also suffer with chronic back pain from scar tissue hitting my sciatic nerve from a previous surgery, spinal stenosis, and arthritis in my back so I know how difficult it can be to live with pain. I pray that you can get in there sooner and get your pain properly controlled. One thing that really does help is to take hot baths as hot as you can stand. It really helps relax the back and the rest of your body. Also ibuprofen does help a bit. Try heat or cold on the areas you are having pain as our bodies react differently to each. Best of luck and hang in there! Let us know how it goes.
Brian

[pattisun]

Hello all---(the lady who's doctor refuses to call me....

It is ME again. I'll recap. There is a pain management group at Univ. Cal. where I get shot full of steriods (yeah, they freak out over some Vicodin but I get shot up with steroids every 10 weeks). I have spinal stenosis and severe nerve impingement down my legs. Plus some other conditions that are painful.

My pain doctors (who don't prescribe because they are short-staffed) decided I should take Fentanyl patch vs. Vicodin. I was at 25 mcg + 12 mcg Fent. patch per day. Doctor raised my Vicodin (I think I had Lortab 750/500) to Norco (1000/500). About two month later the pain doctors decided since I was still taking 3-4 vicodin per day that I should have a stronger patch. They sent my primary doctor an electronic note saying I should increase patch to 50 mcg and not have more than 2 vicodin per day. (I should also note I had gastric bypass surgery and I believe it may affect how I metabolize any pain pills.) OKAY== I hated the 50 mcg patches. One brand would not stay on (my doctor said just tape all over it==not supposed to do that); the other brand was bigger and it stayed on but my upper back broke out in rashes. I visited my doctor each month (my own idea to see her, she only requires I see her every three months) and complained about this. After meeting with the pain doctors (october) specifically for pain medication I explained I wanted OFF the Fentanyl 50 mcg. Their answer was take Kadian three times a day (because of my bypass surgery) and stay on the Vicodin until I get my pain controlled. I saw my current doctor Oct 29 and told her I didn't want to take morphine, it makes me nauseated and I think its a nasty drug for my system (been in the hospital a lot and thats their drug shot of choice).  AND I asked her why is it okay for me to pop morphine three times a day but not Vicodin? She put me on my old Fentanyl 12 + 25 mcg patches. I started on that and have not had problems with the patches staying on and got continuous relief. Since I started the patches Oct. 29 my vicodin use went from 4-5 a day down to 3. She prescribes my Vicodin with 60 and 2 refills. On Monday when I requested a refill on the Norco she must have done the math and got really pissed that I was taking too much Vicodin. (RX says take one tablet every 6 hours) I don't think she believed me that I could not keep the 50 mcg patches on.

So after I posted this morning I called the administrators at UCSD. The lady said "no, your doctor is not mad at you"--I asked how does she know? I asked her to go into my chart and read the nasty notes about me. I did cry for a second while I was talking to her---i just feel like I am being punished and I also feel like a big time drug addict. She insisted everything was fine. I KNOW that they called down to my doctors office and let them know I called.

This afternoon I got a message from my nurse who said the doctor does not want me to take 4 Norco a day along with the Fentanyl patch and she'd like to talk to me. BUT no refills are being given. My appointment is not until December 2.

SO...I am just not taking Norco anymore and have been crying and in sometimes severe pain. I guess it may be withdrawal or maybe the patches don't have quite enough pain control. This *****....  THANKS for listening.

[TrayCee]

I stand corrected.

I just read the "patient abandonment law".

However...in the time it takes to find an attornney who is willing to take a malpractice claim, file the papers....you could be dead

[TrayCee]

"Your doctor could be charged with negligent abandonment for ending your care without appropriate referral or transfer to another doctor or clinic. Or he must inform you in writing and must continue to treat you for 30 days while you search for another physician."



this info is INCORRECT.

Dr.'s. can completely discharge you without any notice and for any reason or for no reason.
They have NO legal obligation to treat you or continue treating you.

this is a huge misconception

[bmdad]

I agree with Tuck. I would call and set up a appointment so you can talk to your doctor face to face so you can get answers. What do you mean by they are not answering your calls? Are they not answering or just not returning your calls? I don't see how they could not answer their phone. If you think they are screening their calls dial *67 before their number and your number will not show up on caller id. Are you able to get through at all? Some smaller clinics do sometimes close down for vacations and such at times. Have you tried going to the office in person to talk to a the secretary or nurse there?
Your doctor could be charged with negligent abandonment for ending your care without appropriate referral or transfer to another doctor or clinic. Or he must inform you in writing and must continue to treat you for 30 days while you search for another physician.
Something just doesn't seem right about this. I could see if you were constantly bugging them about trying to get stronger pain meds but for you to ask for a lower dose should make the doctor happy and also a good way to earn his trust by allowing him to know that you are taking them for pain and pain only. It may not hurt to make a appointment at another clinic as a back up plan as you shouldn't go cold turkey off of fentynal. I would only go to another clinic if you know for a fact that your doctor will no longer treat you so you won't get accused of seeking pain meds from more than one doctor which we know isn't the case.
I hope you can get to the bottom of this and please keep us informed!
Best of luck!
Brian

[NoMoMeth4me]

As Tuck so correctly points out, your physician has a moral and more importantly legal obligation to treat you and if releasing you as a patient, to provide you with a valid reason for doing so.

They also have to titrate your meds down and do not as a practice just 'cut you off cold turkey'. This can be very dangerous to the patient for many reasons.

If you have left anything out I'd suggest posting here and in the substance abuse pages as there are 'MANY OTHERS' here who have experinced this very thing.

I'm not saying this because I don't believe you, but as others have rightly pointed out, Dr's will not do this unless they feel it is completely right to do so.

Step one should be requesting a meeting with you Dr to explain your side/case/concerns as this may well be a huge misunderstanding.

Best of luck.

Keep us posted on what happens.

Warm regards.

Brian.