TmD1968
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2017
- Messages
- 26
I posted this in the face to face doctor section but thought I’d put it here as it’s probably more relevant.
First off I’ve had chronic pain due to recurring pain after cervical fusion nearly 20 years ago and had been prescribed strong pain meds including fentanyl patch and oral oxy 15 mg 6x a day. In Spring of 2018 new doc I saw in Oregon cut me off patches (cold turkey) and decreased Oxy’s to 4 a day. After so many years on such high doses of opioids looking back I’m glad she did that because I agree I was on much more than necessary.
In September of 2018 I moved to another state and into a new pain clinic and after a number of months was asked by PA to go in for 6 weeks Physical Therapy so Medicare would pay for a new MRI. Due to me being the only person able to work in our home and having just started a new job I wasn’t able to do PT at that time as my schedule changed daily so no idea what my hours would be. Pain Doc stated until I was able to complete PT and get MRI he could no longer prescribe pain meds. Fair enough and at that time June 2019 I was only taking meds extremely sparingly so had quite a few squirreled away.
Fast forward to September and I was having extreme pain flare ups to the point of being in near constant pain. I went in and saw my GP (didn’t ask for pain meds) but felt it was time to try PT and get MRI. After completing PT and getting new MRI was now diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease and referred back to Pain Clinic and to see Neurosurgeon. Called to get into Pain doc but was over month before he could get me in, 2 months for Neuro (argh)! So at that point I’m in serious pain and ask GP for something until I see pain doc. She prescribes 30 days of Tramadol to get me by (better than ibuprofen I guess).
Month later I see Pain Doc that haven’t seen since June, who now says I violated contract because I got Tramadol from GP (oh my goodness)! I say there was nothing else I could due but suffer a whole extra month due to soonest available appointment (what the frick). He also says they will get me in for an injection but must get prior authorization after injection will discuss pain meds.
I wait a month and hear nothing, call leaving messages twice, no call back. Then my insurance is cancelled since I make too much money fair enough but Pain Clinic NEVER tried to get authorization!!! By now it’s January and I’m still miserable, have no insurance, call Pain Clinic to get in and talk to PA and ask what can I do now. Guess what he won’t even see me until I have injection and had them cancel my appointment! I ask why and she says cuz I got Tramadol from GP. I was livid and asked why someone didn’t call me back about injections or try and get authorization, she says I’m sorry I don’t know what happened....
After going through all this I’m disgusted with them and don’t know what to do. I’ve always prided myself on being told what a great patient I am never asking for early fills and always letting other Doctor know exactly what meds I’m on.. Now I’m even afraid to see my GP. Which is why I’m here looking to get out of pain.
First off I’ve had chronic pain due to recurring pain after cervical fusion nearly 20 years ago and had been prescribed strong pain meds including fentanyl patch and oral oxy 15 mg 6x a day. In Spring of 2018 new doc I saw in Oregon cut me off patches (cold turkey) and decreased Oxy’s to 4 a day. After so many years on such high doses of opioids looking back I’m glad she did that because I agree I was on much more than necessary.
In September of 2018 I moved to another state and into a new pain clinic and after a number of months was asked by PA to go in for 6 weeks Physical Therapy so Medicare would pay for a new MRI. Due to me being the only person able to work in our home and having just started a new job I wasn’t able to do PT at that time as my schedule changed daily so no idea what my hours would be. Pain Doc stated until I was able to complete PT and get MRI he could no longer prescribe pain meds. Fair enough and at that time June 2019 I was only taking meds extremely sparingly so had quite a few squirreled away.
Fast forward to September and I was having extreme pain flare ups to the point of being in near constant pain. I went in and saw my GP (didn’t ask for pain meds) but felt it was time to try PT and get MRI. After completing PT and getting new MRI was now diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease and referred back to Pain Clinic and to see Neurosurgeon. Called to get into Pain doc but was over month before he could get me in, 2 months for Neuro (argh)! So at that point I’m in serious pain and ask GP for something until I see pain doc. She prescribes 30 days of Tramadol to get me by (better than ibuprofen I guess).
Month later I see Pain Doc that haven’t seen since June, who now says I violated contract because I got Tramadol from GP (oh my goodness)! I say there was nothing else I could due but suffer a whole extra month due to soonest available appointment (what the frick). He also says they will get me in for an injection but must get prior authorization after injection will discuss pain meds.
I wait a month and hear nothing, call leaving messages twice, no call back. Then my insurance is cancelled since I make too much money fair enough but Pain Clinic NEVER tried to get authorization!!! By now it’s January and I’m still miserable, have no insurance, call Pain Clinic to get in and talk to PA and ask what can I do now. Guess what he won’t even see me until I have injection and had them cancel my appointment! I ask why and she says cuz I got Tramadol from GP. I was livid and asked why someone didn’t call me back about injections or try and get authorization, she says I’m sorry I don’t know what happened....
After going through all this I’m disgusted with them and don’t know what to do. I’ve always prided myself on being told what a great patient I am never asking for early fills and always letting other Doctor know exactly what meds I’m on.. Now I’m even afraid to see my GP. Which is why I’m here looking to get out of pain.
