Help

[corey4433]

I am going to run out of my pain medication 3 days early due to I have a tooth that has a fracture in it and the nerve is exposedI have tried to call my doctor several times over the week to let her know that I was taking more medication just to try to control the paintoday the doctors office called and said that she said that I shouldn't be out of my medication until a certain date again I asked if she would please call me back I don't know what to do I have never ever ran out of my medication early or ask for an early refill I've been with the same doctor for 4 years I'm hoping when I call her Monday morning to let her know I will be out of my medication that she will have mercy and refill them early I am supposed to have dental surgery done next week so I'm just really scaredI have been taking Tylenol and Advil and rotating it putting heat on my cheek Orajel and nothing is helping the pain

[Tuckamore]

Hi Corey,

I've been on vacation and just saw your update upon my return. Sorry I'm tardy with my reply.

It sounds like you have an awesome Doc! She's a keeper. There are times we must rely on the support staff of our physicians, like the nurses or office managers - to relay messages and offer their support. I've always believed that a medical provider is often only as good as their nurse(s). When you find a great functioning team that share the same goals and extend caring and concern,  we win - everyone wins. Unfortunately the "team" isn't always on the same page. Those "gatekeepers" impose their attitudes and schedules on the patient instead of being an extension of the caring provider that employees them. It sounds like your physician's team is not on the same page - and may be a little power hungry. I'm sorry that happened to you.

The overall outcome for you is awesome. Thanks again for sharing. Please keep in touch and be active in our community.

Regards,
~Tuck

[remar]

So, for a whole week your pain Dr was not getting your messages, only one. And she had no idea about your dental problems. I think that nurse should be reprimanded. Every message that comes in for the Dr should be seen by the Dr. The nurse was not doing her job and in the mean time you were in incredible pain and very stressed.
It might be a good idea to talk to your Dr at your next appointment about what happened. I have to wonder how many other patients have been through the same thing as you but the Dr never got to talk to the patient like you did.
I'm so glad to hear your Dr did refill your meds early so you can now get your tooth taken care of.  

[corey4433]

One more thing like I thought my doctor said she only got a message I called once and had no idea that I was having dental problems when I called the office this morning a nurse said there is Noway she will refill my meds she never even spoke with my doc I ask to talk to office manger explained what was going on she contacted my doc then she finally called me that was very scary I was feeling pretty crappy by 3 today if and when I can come of my meds I will not go cold turk Noway

[corey4433]

just giving everyone a update my doctor finally called me tonight at 6 o'clock I explained the situation to her and yes she did refill my medication and gave me some medication for breakthrough pain I was so thankful thank you everyone for all your good advice

[Tuckamore]

I hear your frustration - and believe me I understand it.  I've thought of doing the same but like fntn I have other medical issues and require too much medical intervention. In my state I'd be labeled an illegal drug user as well as a seeker. Heck they'd probably put me in jail!  That's my luck!

Benadryl helped me when I was reducing opiate meds - but don't take anything without the approval of your Pharmacist. You are on some heavy doses of opiates. Be safe my friend in pain.

I hope you'll find a solution.  Please keep in touch!

Take Care,
~Tuck

[fntn]

Given the opioid fear now days, you should investigate all options. I tried the Marijuana route before my PM and it worked very well, I was amazed. I would stop my current PM plan if not for other issues. Hope you find a good pain free option.

[corey4433]

My husband and me had a long talk I think after I get my dental work done I want off this meds I have had to go up and up and dosage due to tolerance and I'm not happy with how high my dosage is 180,mill.oxy along with other non opiate meds I barley get relief I thought about trying marqauma I so spelled that wrong pot lol never liked it before but I have heard a lot of positive things I'm so stressed over this my dwnist just called I put a call him to him hanhe suggested taking x pain pill unreal told him I have tried to reach my doc all week I just pray my doc calls me Monday morning

[corey4433]

Thanks Tuck I have no back up plan I tried to work today but couldn't my mouth hurts so bad almost as I can't handle the pain I will be out if my meds Monday by afternoon so I pray my doc understand she can call my denist if she wants you can accept someone to sit in horrible pain ER won't do anything since I'm in a pain contract I feel so hopeless I have never ever ran out of my meds or asked to fill early do to the fact I had to take to much I'm ready to just come off these meds try to deal with my pain without opioids put me in a detox so I don't suffer I have very high blood pressure so I would rather go in a detox center

[Tuckamore]

Hi Corey,

Excuse my tardy comments. I am so sorry this is happening. My heart goes out to you!

Sadly I have to agree with fntn. The government became involved in PM and most of our PMPs are frightened. If any of them had compassion the DEA scared it right out of them.

When a PMP prescribes more opiates than the Guidelines allow - they expose themselves to close government scrutiny. Guidelines really means "law."  What physician that has 12+ years and several hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in their career wants to risk it all for a few opiates? The answer is darn near none! They are being watched from every corner, including the Media.

So maybe a few more tablets a month means little to us - other than better pain management -  humane treatment-  it can mean an entire career to a physician. We might think, but I'm only one patient - but how many other patients have some kind of medical emergency? Add those up over a few months and that PMP may be red flagged by the DEA!

Does it sound like I'm standing up for these seemingly in-compassionate PMPs? I'm not! There are PMPs that stand up for their patients - and do so successfully.  It's knowing how to document well and correctly. It's double crossing every t and over dotting every i that allows a PMP to prescribe more compassionate - to best control chronic pain. Some PMPs just opt to avoid any hint of impropriety. They stay "safe."  In my humble opinion that's probably the reason your PMP chose not to allow you more opiates to cover your new and increased pain.

I wish I had a magic wand to wave and make this nightmare called Chronic Pain better - I don't. If it helps, I suffer under medicated too. My PMP did increase my opiate for one month by one tablet when I had an acute Neuritis Flare. It helped a bit. I took that RX to the Pharmacy I have used for 18 years and they questioned it!! Yes they questioned it! Never have I been red flagged - or warned - or taken more than ordered, Nothing! I've been a model patient. Yet one more tablet threw me into questions and scowls.

Good luck my friend in pain. I hope your PMP will reconsider. Please have a back-up plan if she doesn't.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck

[corey4433]

Doc not on call this weekend so I will call office Monday morning ask please page her

[corey4433]

Doc not on call this weekend so I will call office Monday morning ask please page her

[corey4433]

I was surprised when the nurse told me my doc said no I have a feeling the nurse isn't telling her everything I told her my doc knows I have been having dental problems so I really hope I get a hold of her and she understand and don't drop me for over taking my meds when your mouth hurts so bad that you feel like your gonna pass out what do you do I will get very sick if I run out I have been on these meds a long time and I'm on a fairly high dose of meds I have 4 herniation in my throacic spine that is now flatting my spine

[corey4433]

Thanks for both the response I pray I hwt a hold of her today she understand how much pain I'm in I'm so pose to get my tooth pulled Tuesday but I can't in less she fills my meds early I don't want to be short on meds the dentist said he most likely will have to cut some tooth out did I mention its a wisdom. Tooth wish me luck I didn't get a wink of sleep.again last night my ear my head now is hurting ugh god help me

[Emme80]

*bruxism* , not "brutish" (darn auto-correct)... I just realized that it typed out as "brutish" when I meant bruxism-clenching & grinding teeth- but is is a brutish thing as well, the bruxism, lol.
I do hope you get that fixed up soon.
And perhaps you can get in to see your doctor and sometimes a face to face clears things up. Good luck!

[Emme80]

I have, for 20 years, experienced fractured teeth due to horrible brutish, day&night, with a jaw that's just barely hanging on. I've fractured teeth in my sleep over the years & having the nerve exposed it's just downright horrible!!! Inescapable-to drink, breathe, etc. I never found Oragel or any topical gels to be helpful either. I felt I'd need to put so much on that I'd make me sick (and w/no benefit!) What I can suggest, as I did find helpful, is a product called "Temperin". It's actually meant to use as a temporary filling-very short term meaning, but it DOES help! It's a putty like material-I'd cover the tooth with it as to "cover" the crack and thus, cease exposure of the nerve to air, found, fluids, etc. I can certainly say that helped. Tea Tree (sometimes you can buy it together, the Temperin&tea tree oil, as a set-at any Walgreens/local pharmacy). The tea tree oil is one heck of a punch, but it can help-but the Temperin more so. I would suggest you give it a try until you can have your dental surgery next week. I hope you can find relief w/the Temparin (less than $10).
As for your meds., I'd def. still seeing you can ask kindly speak w/your physician, but I'd start spacing out what you do have left. My Rheumatologist, I remember him saying that he will allow only one "override/early refill" a year...but I've been w/him a little over 2yrs. and have only had one incident-a full on theft- police report included. I went in to see him ASAP, w/whole police incident report, etc. and it was not an issue. Perhaps your Dr. will be understanding, but I'd be prepared&start spacing out now vs. later.)  
Tooth pain like that is wild pain..ugh!!! I feel ya!!

[corey4433]

I hope that's not the case I'm going call in the morning hopefully she is on call its crazy I could see if I just had a flare up in my back this is horrible tooth pain I have never experience pain like this before

[fntn]

Unfortunately there isn't any mercy now days. You are not likely to get additional medications. You will have to adjust the remaining medication that you have left. Brave new world without mercy, compassion or reason.