Pain Management Community

Greetings,

The response to your one error in 13 years is absurd, sadly typical and exemplifies what most of us with chronic pain are forced to deal with. Hypocrocy and lack of empathy is rampant in our society. I've been dealing with severe chronic pain for 28 years and have had to face several experiences such as yours.

Years ago I was traveling and my flight was cancelled by storm one day before I usually called for my scrip. Because I was leaving the hotel at 6am for the flight, it would have been impossible for me to call during office hours, I called ONE day early and explained exactly why. I got home to a message that the Dr. wanted to see me ASAP. When I did he booted me from his care because I called a day early. I have friends that know this Dr. well and it's no secret that he is a heavy drinker. He's got his I guess.

He did refer me to a "Pain Clinic" that was a two hour drive. The Nurse Practitioner (ther was NO MD on staff) very nearly killed me. I was on 80-mg of Methadone, I intended telling my previous Dr. that it wasn't controlling the pain and was effecting my work because it made me shake. I told this to my new "Specialist" and he said "you're not on a high enough of a dose." I had to repeat myself and threw in "are you even listening to me - If 80mg makes me shake, what will more do?

After VERY briefly thinking about it, he took me off Methadone completely - from 80mg of it he gave me script for 5mg Vicatin. I asked if I would be ill from the change and he said "oh no, they're very similar." I'm a musician and that night was the only time in 26 years I had to leave a gig - I fell off my stool, started vomiting in the parking lot and have never in my life been so ill for 4 days.

Ironically, I discovered (by miracle) that a man I'd known for over two years was, unkown to me, a D.O. His wife had won a guitar raffled at an event I'd hosted before my trip. I called to tell her and he answered. Amazingly he said "I've been wanting to talk with you, it was obvious you were in great pain that night, I asked the owner and he told me what had happened to you." I still didn't realize he was a Dr. until he asked me what my treatment was. I told him what had happened - he was shocked and told me to see him ASAP.

After I told him in detail what the Dr. and clinic had done he had his nurse call and report it to the Board Of Health. "That could have killed you" he said. The idiot that drastically changed my script soon lost his license.

I've related this to warn you of so-called "Pain" experts. I've since learned the majority of pain "Specialists" / "Clinics" in the US have no Dr.'s, only Nurse Practitioners. You're obviously in dire need of a new approach when your Dr.'s drastically change your meds. as you've described. Having my pain managed by my primary care Dr. has improved my quality of living.

I strongly suggest that you ask friends and search the web for a D.O. near you. They often are willing to accept you as a new patient and will address your overall health - not just the pain. The quality of my life has improved beyond measure since fortune led me to my primary care giver.

Some are reluctant to tackle chronic pain patients, however chances are you can find one who will. You will notice far more empathy for your well being than from any other Dr.'s. Be very leary of "Pain Clinics" who will not even give a script without a a $150 visit. In my opinion they are nothing more legal drug dealers who profit from creating and profiting from addictions.

I sincerely wish you the best in finding help from someone who "understands" what chronic pain is all about and hope this info is of some use to you.

Peace & Best Regards,
Jeff

Thank you Jeff. I'm currently trying to set up an appt with a new Pain mgmt doc. I found out the one ive been seeing the past 6 months thats undermedicating me is like a sports injury doctor, in a comlpex with orthopaedics, etc, and he just handles the "pain mgmt" part. But the one im hoping to see soon, is a board certified pain mgmt doc, and I think an anesthiesia doc too.
I'm going to bring him the past 18 month printout of the Methadone doses Ive been on, and he'll see the drastic drop when I went to this current incompetant. I'll also bring my Orthopaedic docs report, and my old Pain mgmt doctors letter. (In 2003 I was found Fully Favorable for permanent disabilty)
I had 3 doctors write on my behalf, and I still have those letters. I'll also ask him to call my old Staten Island, NY doc (the one i was seeing 13 yrs), and hopefully this guy will give me the dosage my body's tolerance requires..Thanks again.