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.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Pattisun,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am very surprised that the clinic is just refuses to return your phone calls. When a physician dismisses you they must give you notice, not simply just quit returning your calls.

Who answers the phone? Certainly they can provide you with some answers. Make an appointment so you may discuss the physicians refusal to refill your RX in person. If they refuse your request for an appointment there is a patient abandonment law that protects you from this very thing. You might want to bring up that fact if they refuse to see you.  

Did you sign a pain management contract with the PCP?  If you are reducing your intake of narcotics why would the PCP refuse to refill your RX?

I agree that something is missing in the information you have provided or I am just plain stupid. We are not here to judge you. Help us try to help you by providing additional information. We can offer better suggestions if we have a better understanding of your situation. I will look forward to your next post.

Best of luck to you,
Tuck

[broknbck]

are you leaving anything out? it doesn't sound right.
a lot of doctors who perscribe pain meds will make you sign a contract to only get meds only from them. if you break it, they let you go.

this is very poor behavior for a doctor to leave you high and dry on the fentanyl patches. they are not suppose to be stopped all of a sudden.

[dominosarah]

You might want to post this in the Pain Management forum.  They are a good bunch of people there and will be able to give you some suggestions......all the best      sara