my wife and pain management

[PromisedLand]

It's a long story but I'll condense it.  My wife had lat flap surgery 3+ years ago for breast reconstruction after breast cancer.  She has been in intense pain ever since.  She's been on vicodin, perc, oxy and now morphine..she was recently (3 months ago referred to a pain clinic who put her on 3 (10's) percs a day.  ON her last visit they did a uriine test which was no problem for her as she had nothing to hide.  He also then moved her up to morphine 2x day which she doesn't like and wants off..talked to the doctor last week about it.  He said "we'll talk about it next appt)...Today she gets a certified letter from the pain mgmt doctor saying he was dropping her..her test came back with no indication of perocet usage and they found traces of dilaudid, which she has taken 1 time in her life, 2 years ago for a migrain (and hated it).  She is now trying to convince this guy of her integrity and point out there must be an error..Of course, no return phone calls and the people she's talked to do not want to believe her.  She is in intesnse pain..she's seen 3 separate plastic surgeons each of which said they couldn't help her..Yesterday we saw one who gave her some hope..he's done over 500 and found that 1% of his patients wind up in her situation, but he believes he can perform a procedure that MAY fix it, either improve it, relieving the pain or making no change.he can't guarantee..but she's gonna try it..

Anyway...and advise on how to deal with this dilaudid thing and the pain clinic..so far after 6 hours, no return calls..she has taken nothing but percocet (and the morphine) with the exception of a shot of demorol for a migrain 3 weeks ago which he new about, and vicodin prescribed by her dentist..which angered the pain guy but they cleared the air on that.

would appreciate any advise/suggestions


Jim

[Tuckamore]

Hi again Jim,

Yes it has become a ping-pong affair. And I am sorry for you and your wife. I would look for another PCP. If my PCP didn't care enough about my well being to help me in this type of situation I would question his compassion and caring about my health in general.

Has your attorney neighbor returned from vacation? I would get him involved ASAP. And in the interim I would waste no time personally contacting the medical board. When we are so obviously left high and dry we must follow all the avenues available to us to make our plight known. If enough of us complain loudly about the treatment of CP victims maybe we'll start getting the proper care and treatment we deserve, instead of being treated like second class citizens and drug seekers.

Keep us posted and hang in there. Take care, Tuck
  

[PromisedLand]

This has really become a ping pong ball..her current pcp says he gave her enough to taper..6 vicdin and 20 clondine...this after 3 months of 10mg per 3-4 times a day and them morphine for 2 weeks from the PM guy.  The PCP says he is not going to give out any more narcotics.  she is to taper off the them until she fnd another pcp...what he
doesn't discuss is "what about the chronic pain she is in"..she has written to the PM that he is responsble for 30 days treatment after discharge with no response.  State medical board next stop.

Jim

[Tuckamore]

Jim,
There is an old saying, "When it rains, it pours" and it certainly is pouring in New Hampshire. I am so sorry about all the issues you are facing at this time. Life is never fair.

I am glad that your PCP is willing to assist your wife. October seems like forever when you are hurting but hopefully she can hang in there until than. Possible her PCP will order her a few pain meds if he knows she will be seen in a pain Management Clinic soon. How is she doing?

Sandee is right, don't quit looking. It may take awhile but someone will help your wife. What a sad state of affairs the USA is in when it comes to helping the victims of CP. I am ashamed that they lack compassion and understanding when so many CP victims must suffer. But that's another story. Keep us posted. I'll say a prayer for your son. Blessings, Tuck

[PromisedLand]

my wife spoke to my PCP last night...he would be glad to be her PCP but reminded her that their practice no longer prescribes narctotics either (excpt under extreme circumstances)..BUT he would try to expedite her into the other pain clinic that said October was the earliest.

He also reminded her that there IS  a 30 day law in New Hampshire and the doctors are required to care for patients they discharge until a new doctor is found.  My wife wrote a rather nice note to her PCP last night..that will be interesting

Jim

[sandee1818]

I am sorry for the horrible things that are happening:(
Have you made arrangements to see another PM, do not give up keep looking and you will find one. I know it is depressing and hard to keep getting turned down but you must forge ahead anyway so you can find the Dr that I am confident that is out there and willing to help.

[PromisedLand]

The Doctor my wife saw today decided against helping her.."too complicated" so she's back where she was.  

My son had an MRI this morning and will have an EEG this afternoon...I'm waiting for my ex or other son to call me, though I'm getting tired of waiting.  (they're in Atlanta, I'm in New Hampshire)...I may fly down there tomorrow..the doc said "he has a brain injury that
"should heal" but I'm not sure that's the whole story.


Jim