looking for another PM doctor

[peace1103]

Over the last 5 yrs I have had 3 PM doctors! Not by choice. 1st one was gone on the same day of appointment. no notice. all patients had to find another doctor that day as none had meds. Since I was taking opiates I had difficulty finding another doctor. the 2nd doctor took me off those meds and every week I had to go in while taking a different and lower dose med. he left private practice (many are now) referring all patients to another PM Clinic. He wrote the script but never addressed my concerns about increasing pains in other areas of my body. no MMR's or xrays blood work etc. trying to locate another doctor I was told (threatened) if I did it would be "doctor shopping"! this new PM clinic is worse than the last. changing appointments without calling. If you can not take that date it is considered refusing to take the appointment regardless of conflict with another doctor appointment. In addition, the clinic again threatens to drop you as a patient, although no violation of contract, if you insist the appointment offered is a conflict. You may wait for hours to see the doctor. If you have a complaint about the meds and the side effects or lack of help, the appointment ends, a review of your records is needed, and possibly rescheduled. I wish that were all, if you have a cold and take an antihistamine and it shows in your UA they can and sometimes do, cancel your contract. they were charging $22.50 as a co payment regardless of the insurance then suddenly stopped. when asked why they stated they could drop you as a patient (constant threats) if you were unhappy about it. No not unhappy I am not paying a co payment just wanted to know why they said they were never supposed to take a co-payment from me after doing so for a year! were they refunding the money.  EEEEK  wrong question! I watched several patients become non patients because they asked the same question. I was rescued by an 80 yr old who woman who pulled me away whispering that asking any questions will make them drop you as a patient. It takes several weeks or maybe months to find another doctor, especially if you take opiates as I do. Most doctors insist on prescribing morphine and fentanyl patches. I have an allergic reaction or become violently ill. nauseous vomiting etc. thus no longer prescribed. how do you find a PM doctor without being considered doctor shopping, or insistence on prescribing meds you can not take?

[trixy71]

Hi, I was just wondering if you've had your appointment with the new doctor yet and how did it go? Thinking about you.

[peace1103]

Yes. I appreciate the response and will adhere to the advice given. That's been my problem as I stated before. the treat of doctor shopping. what I didn't know was that there are so many challenges PM doctors and pharmacies are facing with so many abuses of Pain meds. lack of monitoring by pharmacies and DEA. some new things have been instituted but the few abusers have made it very difficult for those of us that do not. One of the meds I take is high on the list of pain meds they want to stop. I have had to change pharmacies 4 times in the last 6 yrs! mostly in the last 2 yrs!  only to find out this year several of those pharmacies were charged with selling drugs out the backdoor and no they are not the small time pharmacies. paid their millions and continued to do what they were doing so that now they cant even get pain meds or most pain meds which in my case was what I take. instead of telling me that they continued to tell me that the manufacturer no longer made them or they were on backlog. jeez...in the meantime I catch h.e.l.l. because my script wasn't filled on time!

[peace1103]

thank you for your response. I did get a new doctors appointment. I didn't tell the other doctor but was truly upset when I was told I had to take a pseudo chem test. I asked what was it for and was told it was to determine if I had diabetes etc.  I told them that would be a DNA test and that couldn't be determined without my express permission which I have said I will not take a DNA test.  she insisted it was not a DNA test. when I got home I researched it and it is A DNA TEST!!!  exactly what they denied they were giving.  just changed the name of the test.

I will be very happy when I meet the new doctor and yes I hope to find out prior to my next appointment if he is the doctor for me.  surgery is the only thing that has been offered me for about 5 yrs.  I don't want another surgery at all.  I can walk. the odds were 50/50 I would be able to walk after surgery. not hobble but not be paralyzed from the neck down. I will take the 50 to walk now!  the idea to send the letter canceling the contract hadn't yet taken form. thank you for the idea and I WILL do so when I am sure what I am getting is better than what I have.

[philnoir]

Basically, you fill your monthly Rx only from one doctor. When you get a new script from a doc who agrees to take your case, then you notify the old doctors office of the new arrangement, and cancel your contract.

However, if you try to refill early, you may find that your pharmacy won't refill the new script if they believe you are under contract to multiple doctors. The PPMP programs (pain pill monitoring programs) instituted by big brother and your pharmacy is designed to prevent this situation, which is known as doctor shopping.

So, get the new script, then cancel the old contract before you fill that new script. Also, make sure you new doc is aware of your situation.

[trixy71]

Its considered doctor shopping when you get scripts for pain from more than one doctor at the same time, you have every right to change doctors if you are not happy with their care. But what you do is find a new doctor, make an appointment, talk with them, find out there plan for you. Don't ask for a script just see if they are a good fit for you. Many real pain doctors won't give you a script on the first appointment anyway. Then write a letter to your current doctor stating that you are no longer in need of his services and you are cancelling your contract, keep it short and sweet, no details are required. Send this return receipt so you know they received it and keep a copy for yourself and give it to your new doctor at the second appointment so that he is aware that you ended the contract. And then move forward with the new doctor. I would just make sure you find a reputable doctor and have all of your test results and things to prove that you are in need of the meds, AND be willing to try other methods that they may prescribe for you. THe doctor you are with now sounds like a quack and I would run as fast as i could away from that one. Good luck to you.