My rheumatologist does not prescribe narcotics. All attempts to manage pain with lyrica, Cymbalta, flexeril, and pt have failed.
She just looks at me with a dumb look on her face these days and shrugs her shoulders.
How do I get a pain management doctor? I’m guessing that’s a specialty in itself?
yes pain management is a speciality now, you can ask your rheumy to recommend one, or ask your primary for a recommendation or even close friends are great sources sometimes. You can also ask your insurance provider if you have a ppo or hmo. I hope you find a good one.
Yes it is. I sort of know how you feel. I have been on morphine for pain for 5 years prescribed by my pcp. My rheumy doesn’t prescribe them either. Recently my pcp of 10 years left the practice and I was assigned to the head of the department, the evil witch of the east. Now she is refusing to give me my medicine because she said she doesn’t want to follow someone on narcotics, like I’m some kind of drug addict. She is referring me to pain management. I did find my old doctor and will be transferring to her as soon as she is set with the insurance companies. Then I’m dumpimg Maleficent. It took a long time to find a pain med that worked and didn’t make me nauseated. I hope you can get the help you need for your pain.
My rheumatologist still gives pain medication. I guess I'm fortunate because I read where so many do not. He does takes blood tests to be sure the person is not abusing them though and keeps records. I'm just starting my pain medicine so I guess I will be going through this.
My pcp gives me Norco, but think that is coming to an end. My rheumy does not prescribe pain meds. She referred to a pain management specialist. Will call Monday and make app't. This is so stupid. Because of people abusing pain meds, we are forced to pay the price. Believe me, I wish I did not have to take meds for pain....I wish I didn't have pain....however, I have pain. I need pain meds to cope. So, find a pain management specialist....either thru referral or recommendation of a friend. Remember, the first pain med doc you see may not be the one for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you are not fully satisfied with the answers, find another pain med doc. Good luck and God bless.
I’m just frustrated. Another doctor, another appt, another copay…
This is what I don’t understand. My pcp did blood and urine tests and had me sign agreements and I have to come in for visits every so often just for the pain meds check-up. It’s this new idiot md that has decided to not do the narcotics thing. I don’t understand the issue. I have never misused them, always followed the doctor’s orders. She said at my last visit that she was under the impression I only took the pain meds while in a flare. Um, I have more than Lupus that causes pain,like neuropathy and sjogren’s. I take the morphine like it was prescribed, take one pill every twelve hours. Am I an adict? I have real pain every day, even with the pain meds! Am I only supposed to take it during a flare? Can someone else chime in. Sorry Steinfadt1, I don’t mean to hijack your thread.
Even Tramadol is narcotic now so it is a urine test to get that another dr visit and copay. I believe for pain management you need a referral from the rheumatologist or for most of them in florida. Good luck I hope you find something that helps
You can call your local hospital. Almost every hospital has a pain clinic or at least one they deal with regularly. That way you will know it is a reputable pain clinic that will understand your situation. Best of luck.
I am new to Lupus and any time I discuss pain management with my Rheumatologist she makes it seem like I don't have any options, which is frustrating. Saw my GP on Friday and discussed pain management options with him. He suggested I try a low dose of Celebrex. He said it should help with the joint pain and neuropathy pain from the lupus and well as the fibro pain I have. Will be starting tomorrow. I am cautiously hopeful and optimistic about it. Just glad that the GP at least offered me some options. If you haven't talked to your GP yet might me a good place to start, mine was very helpful. Good luck and keep us posted on how things go.
They do blood and urine tests to monitor abuse on top of everything else? Ugh… I’m just frustrated with it all. No one should have to bear this type of pain when there are meds to help. I know some people abuse the drugs, but those of us who aren’t abusers are sure left in sorry shape.
Here in florida its almost impossible to get pain meds, let alone an appointment to see a pain management doctor, they are about the only ones that can prescribe narcotic medications, too much abuse by others spoiled it for those of us that really need it. your primary has to refer you to pain management, then they screen you to see if you're an acceptable candidate for their practice, review all your medical records including those for mental health problems, once you go through all that they will call and give you an appointment about 4-6 weeks out, then if you get the prescription you have to find a pharmacy that has the medication, a lot of them don't carry certain ones, then 30 days you go back to the pain clinic pee in a cup, if its clean you'll get another prescription, oh and your appointment might be for 10am you consider yourself lucky you got out by 2pm this time, always over booked I quit pain management a couple of years ago, I now realize I really need to go back to it, but all the bs you have to go through now makes me wonder if buying an ounce of cannabis wouldn't be easier and work just as well.
Omg! That’s horrible! I’m sorry.
hopeful said:
Here in florida its almost impossible to get pain meds, let alone an appointment to see a pain management doctor, they are about the only ones that can prescribe narcotic medications, too much abuse by others spoiled it for those of us that really need it. your primary has to refer you to pain management, then they screen you to see if you're an acceptable candidate for their practice, review all your medical records including those for mental health problems, once you go through all that they will call and give you an appointment about 4-6 weeks out, then if you get the prescription you have to find a pharmacy that has the medication, a lot of them don't carry certain ones, then 30 days you go back to the pain clinic pee in a cup, if its clean you'll get another prescription, oh and your appointment might be for 10am you consider yourself lucky you got out by 2pm this time, always over booked I quit pain management a couple of years ago, I now realize I really need to go back to it, but all the bs you have to go through now makes me wonder if buying an ounce of cannabis wouldn't be easier and work just as well.
I live in south florida and am fortunate enough to have a rheumatologist that writes all my pain medication prescriptions but im well aware of the tough laws passed in my state in order to try to regain some control over the opiate epidemic… I was on tramadol in the beginning several months of illnesses when it was just diffused tenosynovitis and joint inflammation but by the beginning of last year my tendons started tearing and my cartilage was rapidly disappearing,especially in hips and below … Thankfully every spontaneous jury showed up clear as day on my MRIs so there was no question I was in tremendous pain and I just wanted to walk, not feel high and not have to always be in a wheelchair. I have also seen a pain management/anesthesiologist to try an injection in my worst knee… honestly if I could manage with just injections , antinflammtories and joint creams I would!I really hate having to wear a fentanyl patch along with other narcotics and useing a walker to take the the edge off my bone, joints and tendons disintegrating but it is wast it is. Im not terminal like my dear friend with ALS so there still hope!!
This is just wrong. People who live with chronic pain have basic human rights.
I live in Australia so can't really help you there. I believe a big group of people should hire a good Lawyer and make a class action suit against the Doctor's who refuse to help people in chronic pain.
It is a well known fact that NSAIDS are responsible for thousands of deaths in the USA. There is a lot of information available that supports the use of narcotics over NSAIDS in long term use.
You can access the American Medical Board and view their directive to Doctors on prescribing opiates.
It would take a bit of work to gather all the information but it would be worth it. In a class action suit the legal cost could be shared between many people so it could be afforded.
It's also tough here in Australia but if you have a genuine need with supportive evidence the Drugs of Dependence Unit goes with the Doctors opinion, not their own. That is of course if you have not been Doctor shopping.
Think about it, you could start a 'revolution for a solution' (Lol) to Doctor's breaching Code of Conduct. Check C.O.C for Doctors out. They are causing you harm because not getting respite from a high level of pain causes more health issues for you, like adrenal imbalance. Their pledge is 'Do No Harm'. It is wrong, wrong, wrong. What do they make narcotics for then? When taken for pain they do not give you a high. You are not a criminal who sells or injects so there is no reason not to prescribe to you.
Best wishes
Kittyhorse