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

[sandee1818]

Beargizmo , Hi I will look into the laws in your state for you and get back to you as soon as I can:)



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[PromisedLand]

Sandee...I guess the fact she has her PCP constitues another doctor, but he does not seem to want to do anything to help.  I'm still trying to find more info on patient abandonment.

[PromisedLand]

Thank you Tuckamore...the PCP has refused to offer any more meds.  She's emailed him and requested a call and nothing.  She is pleading her case again and again..if necessary we will go to the ER.  Yes, I understand multiple prescriptions by multiple physicians as does she  (especially now) but that matter appeared to be setlled.

Sandee..I'm in NH..do you know (I can research) if that law applies to New Hampshire..I will suggest calling him and threatening a lawyer..we have one across the street who is out of town but he called us 2 days ago and will talk to us when he returns..I am really worried about her going into withdrawl and most worried about her chronic pain..which is definitely the case.

Thanks again all

Jim

[sandee1818]

The PM Dr HAS to by law treat your wife until she can get another Dr. If he refused to speak with you then threaten him with a patient abandonment suit, He has to treat her for thirty days! Most Dr's want to avoid suits at all cost so maybe if you suggest your talking to your lawyer about his actions and pt abandomnent your wife will get some help!

[Tuckamore]

Jim,
I am so sorry for what you and your wife is going through. I am not here to judge you or your wife and I believe you acted in good faith. I know that many physicians that prescribe morphine also order percocet or vicodin for break through pain so it is doubtful the few pain meds the dentist gave your wife would have caused her any great harm. But all of us have to be careful about getting multiple prescriptions from multiple physicians.
As you said this is a moot point now.

Are you certain your PCP will not offer you more medication until you area able to get into another pain clinic? I would plead my case again and again. Also remember there is ER is your wife's pain becomes unbearable.

I wish you the best of luck in your quest. It is terrible to endure untreated pain let alone add with drawls. Please keep in touch. And take care of you too. Tuck

[PromisedLand]

well, I typed but lost a nice long reply...I don't have time to redo it.  You are correct in
your statements, but, there is an explanation and all had been discussed with the pain doctor and he understood, but retiterated the pain contract and that any prescriptions must come from him..injections (demorol for migraine do not)..

It's all moot now anyway.  He's refused to talk to her, told the PCP to prescribe her 6 vicodin to help with "weening" and Clonidine for withdrawl and that's that.  No answers to her questions "will this follow me in my record", why no review of the original test, etc. and now the wait for another pain clinic is at least a month.  She has withdrawal to look forward to by the weekend if not before.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jim