Aa
I was just needing some advice on my medication
Hi i have been going to a pain clinic for the past 3 years,last month my dr decides he dosen't take my insurance as a secondary payment.Every time i have went every month i have passed all drug tests and all pill counts,i have at least 2 to 3 injections every month which i was told was too much.I am a 52 year old woman have been disabled for 13 years,i have a degenerative disc disease,post tramatic stress disorder,depression and severve panic attacks.In 2007 my husband shot me with a long colt 45 point blank in my shoulder which busted it up very painful,then he killed himself in front of me with a sawed off shotgun really disturbed me and still does not counting the pain.i have nerves around bullet fragments and a torn rotary cuff,plus my back problems.I went yesterday to see the new dr that my dr that i have been seeing for 3 years sent me to.I have been on fentanyl 50 mg patches,plus percocet tens 4 times a day which last month they wrote them out for just the oxycodone 10 mg.I have been use to taking the other but the pharmacist says it would work better for me,anyway to make a long story short this new dr tells me hes taking me off my pain meds cold turkey,he wrote out my script for my patches and i have to go next week for a nerve injection,I am terrified of being drug sick,can he take me off cold turkey like this,shouldn't he taper me off or something,i have read bad things can really happen when you are withdrawing from pain medications and i don't want to do that i am sick enough without that pain.Anyone out there please i need some advice on what to do.I asked him twice are you sure i won't withdraw from not taking this medicine after taking it for so long,he says no you will be fine.I am scared,i have enough pain medicine for 6 more days i have been breaking them in half anything i can do.Well this is my first time getting on here and asking anyone for help but i sure do need some advice as to what to do.Thanks for reading this and may you have a Blessed day!!!
He said he's going to do nerve injections on me,I don't mind because I been getting some kind of injections since I been going there,every single time I got at least 2 to 6 injections in my neck,back and shoulder even one in my head I thought my eyes were going to pop out he didn't use a xray machine or anything,the Dr that took me off my meds says he will be using a xray machine to see exactly where he's putting it which is a good idea for me.I just can't understand why after 3 years II see this Dr one time and he does this,no concern at all I just don't understand,the nurse was in the room when he said it she said so you want to put her on 5 mg 4 times a day,he said no nothing but the patch,it really surprised me,time will tell but I'm going to ask tomorrow and start looking again I just don't want to be sick,I did find out that the injections I was getting wasn't nerve injections idk what they was but they didn't help me but I went along with it anyway.To tell you the truth I'm scared to death about withdrawal the nurse even agreed with me.God Bless you for being concerned.Thanks so much.
I'm not sure if I missed something. Did your doctor say he was planning on getting you OFF of the patch?
Maybe he just wants you on ONE medication. The "patch" ("fentanyl") is one of the most strongest opiates on the whole planet.
Maybe he wants to get you "regulated" on the patch. And if you need more, maybe he plans on giving you more.
I know everyone in this forum is jumping all over this, but you might find solace/reassurance in that you might simply need to contact your doctor's office tomorrow morning when they open, and have the nurse explain to you what the plan is.
It may very well turn out to be a big relief -- that you have nothing to worry about.
See, the patch is SO strong that doctors almost always UNDER prescribe it to start with (just to be safe). And rather than worrying he's going to take ALL your meds away, maybe he just wants to stabilize you?
I apologize if I midread everything. But, if I didn't misread, then the next step may be for you to call your doctor tomorrow and rather than pester them to "get in right away" to simply ask for his nurse to call you back and "refresh your memory" with what the plan is.
Maybe he just wants you on ONE medication. The "patch" ("fentanyl") is one of the most strongest opiates on the whole planet.
Maybe he wants to get you "regulated" on the patch. And if you need more, maybe he plans on giving you more.
I know everyone in this forum is jumping all over this, but you might find solace/reassurance in that you might simply need to contact your doctor's office tomorrow morning when they open, and have the nurse explain to you what the plan is.
It may very well turn out to be a big relief -- that you have nothing to worry about.
See, the patch is SO strong that doctors almost always UNDER prescribe it to start with (just to be safe). And rather than worrying he's going to take ALL your meds away, maybe he just wants to stabilize you?
I apologize if I midread everything. But, if I didn't misread, then the next step may be for you to call your doctor tomorrow and rather than pester them to "get in right away" to simply ask for his nurse to call you back and "refresh your memory" with what the plan is.
I'd begin searching for a new PMP before you even return to your current PMP. As Phil said it sounds like this guy is an interventional pain doc. If too that is true, as I too suspect - he's not going to RX more opiates.
Yes Remar I have said that we'd end up in jail if we let our pets suffer and did nothing for them - knowing Phil's background, he may have said it also.
It never ceases to amaze me that our pets often get better or more humane treatment then we humans. Hey, don't get me wrong, animals should not have to suffer either - I'm not saying that. It just seems that if it's illegal (in some form) to allow an animal to suffer - it should be illegal to allow a human to suffer. Makes me so angry.
But it's Sunday and I should be nice. :0)
Yes Remar I have said that we'd end up in jail if we let our pets suffer and did nothing for them - knowing Phil's background, he may have said it also.
It never ceases to amaze me that our pets often get better or more humane treatment then we humans. Hey, don't get me wrong, animals should not have to suffer either - I'm not saying that. It just seems that if it's illegal (in some form) to allow an animal to suffer - it should be illegal to allow a human to suffer. Makes me so angry.
But it's Sunday and I should be nice. :0)
I found this site and I am blessed to have people like you all to confide in.God will get us thru this I'm hoping soon,I can already feel the difference in breaking them in half.GOD WILL NOT PUT MORE ON US THAN WE CAN BARE BUT SOMETIMES IT SURE FEELS LIKE IT.
Thank you so much,I am going to ask him again,first time I ever seen him and he does this to me,I just don't understand but I'm going to be nice and firm,if he doesn't do it I'm going to ask for my records and find me something else another Dr,I've never had this problem my whole time of going.Thank you very much and may you have a Blessed Day!!!!
I think it was Tuck who said, if we let our pets be in pain or not be treated if they're hurt we can go to jail. Please let me know if it was you that said this Tuck.
How is it that some Drs will let their patients suffer and be in so much pain needlessly.
Lakota, please demand to know why your Dr feels the need to take you off of your short acting medication. Tuck and Phil are long time and very knowledgeable members here and they don't see the need for this. None of us do. To me, it's just inhumane. If there's a problem with how much medication he's prescribing to his patients then he should recommend another Dr who will take care of you properly. It could boil down to the shots though. I've never had them but I've heard from several of our members here that they can be quite expensive, meaning more money for the Dr.
Can you do some research tomorrow for pain Drs? If you find any that have good ratings and except your insurance you can start making calls on Monday.
I'm so glad you came to Medhelp and the pain forum. I really don't think you will find more caring and knowledgeable people anywhere else. I don't know what I would do without my friends here always being so supportive, giving me great advice and being so caring.
How is it that some Drs will let their patients suffer and be in so much pain needlessly.
Lakota, please demand to know why your Dr feels the need to take you off of your short acting medication. Tuck and Phil are long time and very knowledgeable members here and they don't see the need for this. None of us do. To me, it's just inhumane. If there's a problem with how much medication he's prescribing to his patients then he should recommend another Dr who will take care of you properly. It could boil down to the shots though. I've never had them but I've heard from several of our members here that they can be quite expensive, meaning more money for the Dr.
Can you do some research tomorrow for pain Drs? If you find any that have good ratings and except your insurance you can start making calls on Monday.
I'm so glad you came to Medhelp and the pain forum. I really don't think you will find more caring and knowledgeable people anywhere else. I don't know what I would do without my friends here always being so supportive, giving me great advice and being so caring.
I'm going to have to be,because I'm already feeling it where I'm breaking them in half,not taking anything unless I can't take it anymore and if I wait until it's that bad it takes so long just to try to get out of pain because you don't.thanks again and May you have a Blessed Day!!!! Appreciate everything from everyone on here.
There you go. It's unanimous - find another PMP, asap.
- And please keep us posted.
Thanks,
~Tuck
- And please keep us posted.
Thanks,
~Tuck
You have a different kind of pain doctor, who does not believe in the treatment of your pain with opioid analgesics.
We have a name for interventional pain docs who don't use opioids -- "shot jocks."
Your best bet is to find another pain doc, quickly.
Is there a local university hospital with a pain clinic? Call them, and ask about their doctor's philosophies in treating pain with opioids. You can tell your story about being treated for years with opioids with success, and being transferred to a doc who doesn't want to prescribe, but use injections, instead.
Another strategy is to search for a local pain doc on the internet. Look at their website. Docs who use opioids usually have a sample controlled substance agreement on their site. Also, I have found that the pain docs most likely to use opioids in their choice of treatment modalities are those with the DABPM speciality. This means an MD with a diplomate from the American Board of Pain Management.
You may feel a mild discomfort as your body adjusts to the new dose, but you will not have severe withdrawal symptoms if you're still being maintained with 50ug of transdermal fentanyl. Losing the 40mg of oxycodone/day is equivalent to losing about 20% of your total opiood dose -- it can be uncomfortable, but not miserable.
Move quickly -- find a new doc.
We have a name for interventional pain docs who don't use opioids -- "shot jocks."
Your best bet is to find another pain doc, quickly.
Is there a local university hospital with a pain clinic? Call them, and ask about their doctor's philosophies in treating pain with opioids. You can tell your story about being treated for years with opioids with success, and being transferred to a doc who doesn't want to prescribe, but use injections, instead.
Another strategy is to search for a local pain doc on the internet. Look at their website. Docs who use opioids usually have a sample controlled substance agreement on their site. Also, I have found that the pain docs most likely to use opioids in their choice of treatment modalities are those with the DABPM speciality. This means an MD with a diplomate from the American Board of Pain Management.
You may feel a mild discomfort as your body adjusts to the new dose, but you will not have severe withdrawal symptoms if you're still being maintained with 50ug of transdermal fentanyl. Losing the 40mg of oxycodone/day is equivalent to losing about 20% of your total opiood dose -- it can be uncomfortable, but not miserable.
Move quickly -- find a new doc.
Thank you for your response and kind words!
Be assertive my friend in pain - and find another PMP.
Blessings to you also!
Be assertive my friend in pain - and find another PMP.
Blessings to you also!
Thanks so much for your time helping me get thru this,yes he doesn't know what he's doing in my opinion he doesn't know what pain is and I trust them enough to give me injections.smh God please help me thru this and show me the way.Hope you have a Blessed Day!!!
Hi Lakota,
Please excuse my tardy response and Welcome. I've had a horrendous pain flare of late.
Oh my dear - you have been through more than anyone should ever have to experience. My heart goes out to you! I am so very sorry. I don't know how you had the strength to survive - not just the physical injuries but the mental anguish you must have endured - and continue to endure. I have PTS too. I know what it can do to us!
First of all - find yourself a different PMP. He sounds like he has very little if any compassion for chronic pain patients.
I had a brand new PMP for a short time when I returned to my home state, (my mom was dying). He said the new thinking is to have the LA opiate (Fentanyl Patch) at a high enough dosage that you do not need the SA (Percocets). I was only "allowed" 2 SA opiates per day but he was going to DC that eventually. He also would not allow 2 different opiates - so the LA had to be the same as the SA. I was so "sick" on his regime I was suicidal. Anyway my point is your PMP appears to be going with the "new thinking". Find yourself a new one.
Don't be concerned about the withdrawals (w/d). When I returned to the state I had been living (following my mom's passing) I found a different PMP than I had before I left the state. He (with my consent) took me off the LA opiate and the SA med (same drug). He returned me to what I was initially taking some years ago, a much less potent opiate. I had one, yes one nite of restlessness and one day of anxiety. I had no other w/d symptoms. I did have a Diazepam that I took about midnight that certainly helped - but that was it.
I posted a question on our Substance Abuse Forum asking why I had no w/d. Some ppl said it was because I had that smaller dose opiate other ppl said I was just lucky. I did it all at once, no tapering of the LA or the SA opiate. I just started the new less potent opiate in the morning.
So I don't think you'll have w/d - but be prepared for a little short time of anxiety. If you do and you have something ordered for anxiety I'd take it. More importantly I truly do think you should find another PMP.
Please keep in touch. I hope you'll be active in our community - and I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon dear heart.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Please excuse my tardy response and Welcome. I've had a horrendous pain flare of late.
Oh my dear - you have been through more than anyone should ever have to experience. My heart goes out to you! I am so very sorry. I don't know how you had the strength to survive - not just the physical injuries but the mental anguish you must have endured - and continue to endure. I have PTS too. I know what it can do to us!
First of all - find yourself a different PMP. He sounds like he has very little if any compassion for chronic pain patients.
I had a brand new PMP for a short time when I returned to my home state, (my mom was dying). He said the new thinking is to have the LA opiate (Fentanyl Patch) at a high enough dosage that you do not need the SA (Percocets). I was only "allowed" 2 SA opiates per day but he was going to DC that eventually. He also would not allow 2 different opiates - so the LA had to be the same as the SA. I was so "sick" on his regime I was suicidal. Anyway my point is your PMP appears to be going with the "new thinking". Find yourself a new one.
Don't be concerned about the withdrawals (w/d). When I returned to the state I had been living (following my mom's passing) I found a different PMP than I had before I left the state. He (with my consent) took me off the LA opiate and the SA med (same drug). He returned me to what I was initially taking some years ago, a much less potent opiate. I had one, yes one nite of restlessness and one day of anxiety. I had no other w/d symptoms. I did have a Diazepam that I took about midnight that certainly helped - but that was it.
I posted a question on our Substance Abuse Forum asking why I had no w/d. Some ppl said it was because I had that smaller dose opiate other ppl said I was just lucky. I did it all at once, no tapering of the LA or the SA opiate. I just started the new less potent opiate in the morning.
So I don't think you'll have w/d - but be prepared for a little short time of anxiety. If you do and you have something ordered for anxiety I'd take it. More importantly I truly do think you should find another PMP.
Please keep in touch. I hope you'll be active in our community - and I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon dear heart.
Take Care,
~Tuck
No he didn't give me a reason he just said I was on alot of medication,I asked him twice before I left was he sure I would not withdrawal he said no.I just went along with it hoping it would change,I have 5 days supply left I'm breaking them in half and believe it or not in two days I already feel the difference.Thanks for being concerned I go back on the 11for injections I'm going to ask again,he kept me on my patches I have always passed my drug test and counts,I think he should at least taper me off of them,if not I hope I can find me another Dr quick because they make you sign a paper that you will not see another Dr. For pain medication.
With you still having the patch I think you're a/d will also be very mild. I was on about 60 mg at one point a day of oxycodone/OxyContin and I put on a 12 mcg patch and had no withdrawal
thanks so much,i have been doing my best i am pretty strong until it gets me down and i don't want to get that far down anymore,i have been thru alot and everytime i hurt in my shoulder i relive everything,but with prayers and God i will make it. Thanks for everything
Hopefully with you still being on the patch your withdrawals will be very mild. I'm so sorry your having to deal with this issue on top of everything else you've been through. Sending lots of prayers your way! It'll be okay, just hang in there. Take care...
Yes he left me on the patches,the pills were for break thru pain is what the other Dr told me for the whole time I have been on them,it makes me so upset all these people getting stuff and selling them,I have never did that always passed my drug test and always have the correct amount.I'm just scared
Thanks so much I need someone to talk to,yes he kept me on my patches but no more pills,he is new there and I am scared of being sick with this,I hurt every day of my life,the other Dr wanted to put a battery pack in me and I kept saying no.I am breaking my pills in half now but when they are gone I don't know what to do,I asked him twice are you sure I will not withdrawal he says you will be fine,remember he's fresh out of school,he wants to do a nerve block on my shoulder I will try anything if it will help but I have been on this medicine a long time and I have talked to pharmacist and other drs about this they say he should taper me off which is fine with me.Thanks to you all you just don't know how much it means to me to have someone to talk to about this.I haven't seen this Dr but one time and he just did it his own nurse said that wasn't right he should taper me off.idk may you all have a Blessed Day.
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Did your Dr even give you a reason for taking you off of your break through meds? It's very common to have these when you're on a long acting med like the Fentanyl patch. It sounds like this Dr needs to learn a great deal more about pain and pain medications.
Would it be possible for you to see a different Dr?