Without a paddle... or physician

I have been told by my PMP that she will no longer prescribe any Opiate Pain Medicine after establishing the relationship for years.
Her scripts last month, fell on the 19th and then the scripts this month fall on the 24 & 25. (I take two).
When I called to address the issue the nurse had assumed I ran out an that I took to many. When in reality there was just a lapse in prescribing dates. So just like that I am off pain medicine after a long time needing them and she prescribed Xanax and Clonidine ro help me through withdrawal.
The withdrawals are horrible and I'm in excruciating pain.
What do I do now? Do I be insistent with my doctor about the mistake or do I find another one?
My GP said he won't help since I "breached contract" with the PMP and the ER (which I HAD to go to because of pain) wouldn't even give me as much as motrin.
I feel up ****'s creek without a paddle.
Please, any advice would be tremendously helpful.

Welcome to the forum. First why the lapse in dates and if this was done via a office visit and I assume it was since you have to pick them up every month now,did you not bring it up at that time? Knowing that January's 31 days was going to make a thirty day supply written the previous 19th due the 18th? You would have been out on the 19th when you called so I am not sure I understand this. The exception would be of course if they were written as prn and not scheduled therefore they don't intend for you to take them everyday and you should have not been out if you weren't. PM Drs who prescribe opiates on a as needed basis expect patients to let them know if they're requiring the as needed meds on a regular basis since regulations suggest short action meds need to be switched for long acting one's in chronic pain conditions.

If you were in fact on a as needed basis and had meds remaining at the point of misunderstanding I would went immediately to the office to show that there had been a misunderstanding or communication issue.

If you were in fact on a schedule med then the office is wrong but getting one to reverse the decision is nearly impossible unless they will actually get you in a face to face with the Dr to plead your case and you better be ready to prove what your stating,and usually once this has happened they won't give you a appointment and a letter of discharge from the practice is generally already on its way.

With the confusion of this situation,the fact you went to the ER and attempted to be treated for something your already being treated for and under contract is enough in itself to get you discharged before the med problems. They're assuming that you were likely already out of meds when you went there and you gave weight to that when you called.

Its a bad situation but like Roc said your lucky they helped you with withdrawal symptoms most don't get that.

In hindsight if you know your short for the month its better to cut back and spread them out to have something at least every day then to continue taking the prescribed amount and finding you have days with no meds.

This will go in your record and likely follow you for years to come making finding a new PM Dr virtually impossible.

Good luck and this was a difficult lesson

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Vickie
CHRONIC PAIN MODERATOR


When something bad happens to you, you can let it destroy you, let it define you, or you can let it strengthen you.

I'm in a similar situation.My PMD dismissed me 2 weeks after a total knee replacement.I won't go into the reason.

I went from Dilaudid and Morphine to 2 Norco 10 mg a day from my PCP.

Terrible withdrawals.

I'm having trouble getting another PMD and am thinking about getting on Suboxone because just feeling horrible is over-riding any pain I have at this point.

I hope things work out for the both of us.

Take care and God Bless.

Rick

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54 yr old male.SSDI since 2010.Bulges at L5-S1,L5-L4,L4-L3,L3-L2.Spinal Stenosus,DDD,Arthritis,Rt. Knee Replacement in 2015,Pain Management Patient.

tidalmouse, will you have any problems with your pain dr prescribing your pain meds again since you went to the Suboxone dr ? Also I have seen where people have reported not being able to find a dr that will treat their pain after being given Suboxone for it because other drs think they are addicts without even looking at their medical records. Have you had this problem ? I am assuming that like some things to do with chronic pain management that a lot depends on where you live.