how docter do ween me off perx

[jimgreg]

I've been on Percocet's 10/325 3 a day passt 4 yrs.for chronic lower lumbar pain. Other pain narcotics prior to these..ok im on medicare.my new plan doesn't pay for pain doctors..I see my doctor for my script..ok so I have to tell him I wont be coming there anymore..w


what can he give me to wean me down so I wont be so sick from WD,S and im only going to be seeing him just 1 time in December. how would this work? I just found it out. More less I wont get my ruglar script when I see hi,,could you explain how this will work..I wont have any pain meds till I find a pain doc that's in the network. Its going to suck if I have to  CT THESE!!  I did methadone jumped off from 5 mgs OMG OMG  thanks

[Tuckamore]

Hello Jim,

Welcome to our Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear about your pain and at situation. Did your post get moved here? I didn't see it yesterday. Sorry if I missed it.

First my friend in pain, Medicare will and does cover visits to a PMP (Pain Management Physician). So let's talk about that for a minute. In addition to basic Medicare one needs supplement plans, a Medigap or Advantage. In Advantage plans you actually give up your Medicare and take an insurance plan for Medicare eligible ppl. They dictate which physicians you can see - hence it's my guess that's the plan you've chosen. Those plans are often less expensive - but they have greater control over your health care options - like which physicians you can consult.

If you select a Medigap plan you can see any physician that accepts Medicare. Medigap works along side your original Medicare helping to pay Medicare covered expenses that are not paid for by Medicare due to deductibles and coinsurance.

You have several more weeks to change a supplement during this open enrollment time. Again the choices are a Medigap or an Advantage Plan. If you select the Medigap you will not have to give up your PMP - provided he/she accepts Medicare.

Your real questions was how will you withdraw from an opiate. It's tough but it can be done. Ask your current PMP about a taper which will help decrease the withdrawal SX (symptoms). There are also medications they can prescribe to ease those SX. It's still going to be tough. Exercise, activity like walking, warm baths in Epsom salts and healthy eating can be beneficial.  

Small amounts of acetaminophen is not going to destroy your liver - though there are acceptations.Consult your Doc.  The FDA has offered guidelines of the amount of acetaminophen that is safe on a daily basis. Stay within those guidelines or better yet stay far below them. The FDA has set the recommended maximum for adults at 4,000 milligrams per day.  Most medical providers never order over 325mg per dose/per tablet.

If you decide to stay with your new insurance what will you do for pain management? Can you tolerate your pain without opiate therapy? All things I encourage you to consider. We're here to help.

If you chose to go off opiates which will result in withdraw SX I encourage you to post on our Addiction Substance Abuse Forum. No - I am not suggesting you have an addiction or abuse problem - but for withdrawal SX I can't think of a better place to go for support and suggestions than our Substance Abuse Forum. It's where I would go if I were facing withdrawals.

Here's the link:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse

If you have additional questions please feel free to ask. We're here to offer our support and information.

Good Luck,
~Tuck

[Serpent40]

you need to do a taper and the Dr. should help you and give you instructions. I'm kind of shocked he didn't have you on percocet without the Yylenol...They have Roxicodone in 10mg without the Tylenol, I used them for years. I'm also surprised medicare wont pay for that Dr. unless he doesnt  accept medicare? I been on medicare for over 10 years....but who knows. I do know right now until around dec 7th you can switch plans if that helps any. We are at the right time of the year to change plans. I dont know what mg per day you are on but if you are willing to share that I can give you a suggestion at best how to taper.
best of luck!

[Dee1956]

Hi my husband sees a pain doctor, he has regular medicare  and it pays for part of the visit we pay for the rest.  Did something change with medicare?

Caregiver is right the tylenol is not good for you.  For long term pain maintenance you need something else.

I am sorry for your pain.  I recently had sever elumbar pain, had to have surgery so I can understand the pain.

I hope your doctor can help you.

[caregiver222]

The problem is not the narcotic. You need to get off the percs as of yesterday because of kidney/liver damage. I don't know where to start with this. You need to have a long talk with your new doctor.