Dr. Shopping

[pattysi]

I have a question regarding dr. shopping. I see my neurologitsy every three months all prescriptions are totally needed .I have a lot of problems, pinched nerve in my neck,and also a pinched nerve in my lower spine,nerve damage due to broken ribs from when I fell down the stairs, also broke my right wrist and right shoulder. both breaks required surgery. I have a7" plate in my wrist and 7" titanium rod in my shoulder.Also have spinal desease.Now to get to my question,I went to see my primary care doc because I had a bad case of bronchotis (sp?). When I went back for a follow up (she knows what meds I take) I mentioned that I was out of my percocet and she could tell that I was in severe pain that day.So she gave me a script for a lower dose then I usually take .  I actually asked her if this was consider dr. shopping and she never really gave me a good answer.She did tell me (I live in NY) that ther will be a new computer installed in every dr's office and they will be able to check if anyone looking for pain meds has been dr. shopping. This is the very first time I have done this. Do you think I will have a problem and be considered a dr. shopper. I am going to mu nuer. next week and plan on tell her about the script from the other dr.The only probem with telling her is will she then write my regular script with the right dose ? Thanks in advane for any help or advice you can give me.
patty  

[pattysi]

Yes. i do take them as prescribed. The percs are only for breakthrough pain. I was due to go t o my dr. the following week. She only gives then to me every three months. So I truly had a very bad time during the month of May. The damn weather here in the city killed me plus just doingnormal everyday things (cleaning. etc ). So ran out a little early. by the way when i take the percs. Idon't take the regularr pain meds.Anyway, I see my neurologist on Tues. and iam not sure if i should tell her. I have been seeing her for 12 yrs. and respect her greatly so I don't want to get either her or I into trouble. So, what do think will I have a problem.? I know in Aug. the state is going on line with a very sophiscated computer system which will be installed in all dr.s offices so they can check if they are indeed dealing with a dr. shopper. I have only did this one time.. So what do you think?

[dominosarah]

Are you taking the meds as prescribed?  

[marycarmel]

If you ran out of meds early, you should have called the doctor who was prescribing fhem about shat to do.  Did you run out because your pain wasn' well xontrolled or because you took more because your're addicted?  Years ago it wouldn't likely have been noticed if you got meds crom more than one doctor.  But the way things are now, with the prescription drug epidemic, everything has changed.  You should only be getting meds crom one person.  If you eed more' you have to get it from the doctor who's treating your pain.

  Anyone wo is being treated for chronic pain needs to find out what your doctor wants you to do when something causes you to be seen by another doctor.  Everyone should do this from Day 1 and doctors should spell out any rules he has.  If I need to see my dentist for something that requires additional pain medication, my pain doctor leaves it to the dentist as to what to prescribe but I always call him if there is a script given.  If I have to have a surgery, my pain doctor talks with the surgeon but my pain doctor prescribes my post surgery medications.

[waterLilly7]

Hey Patti,
I don't know about the Dr. Shopping, but I know  you are heading down a very ugly road. There are other ways to manage pain and I suggest you look into them before your life is destroyed.
Please seek out other methods for your pain other than narcotics. Once off the narcotics nearly everyone realizes that the narcotics were actually giving pain after a while rather than helping it.

I wish you luck,
Lily