Pain management dr issues

[2oldfordrama]

Hi all, went to see my dr last week. I have done everything he has asked for carpel tunnel and extreme back pain. Injections, non narcotic meds, stretching, therapy and so on. I get a script for oxycodone and I saw the nurse practitioner who told me if I dont get an MRI not to bother coming back! My insurance lapsed 2 weeks ago and I can't afford to pay out of pocket. Not sure what to do so I was looking to see if anyone had any advise? I wish they would have asked in the last 6 months I have been seeing them! It is called pain "management" to manage pain. I have tests proving I have severe nerve damage and at some point will need surgery, so I have been going to manage my pain. Now I don't knOw what will happen? Give me these drugs my body will get sick from not having, but then say don't bother to come back? Please post if u have any ideas? Txs so much and sorry so long

[cajunbulldog]

I would look for a place to get a Mri as it is only way they will continue.Otherwise you may have to either taper off the drugs or go to a new doctor.

[Jazie]

Did you tell the nurse practitioner that your insurance elapsed or the Dr? I would hope (I know assumption is bad) that they would understand the circumstance or maybe refer you to a clinic that will do it for low cost. I know where I live the hospital system I use even though I have insurance, does perform MRI's and many other tests cheaply for those without insurance now if prescribed by a practicing physician if he has rights to that hospital system. I know some have had to pay nothing.

I wish you the best in this dilemma as it certainly is wrong in my book after you have followed all the therapies.

I would ask your Dr if he has any affiliation to services such as this.

[Jolie]

@2oldfordrama, I'm not sure if this is the law in all states, but hospitals cannot refuse you ER care because you don't have insurance. I'm pretty sure they have to give discounted prices, etc. Go in and complain of really bad pain or something that would warrant an MRI if possible. Normally, I wouldn't advise this kind of behavior, but desperate times...

What are the expecting see on the MRI. They are not the end all be all. I have had several and noting shows up for my back pain, but it doesn't mean it's not there.

Also, do you see a doctor in addition the the NP? I would ask to speak him/her or someone else at the clinic. It could be one grumpy, judgmental witch.

[2oldfordrama]

Txs so much everyone. Jolie, I do think she was being rude. U are right about them not showing everything. I do have all of my emg's for my hands so that should be enough to show I'm not making pain up. My husband also see's this dr, which is how I ended up using him. He also had his MRI before and now they want one of this knee and was told the same thing! He was is an motorcycle accident that almost killed him and had therapy and countless X-rays, nerve blocks and rotator cuff surgery. Complained about his knee and now won't see him w/o MRI? Not sure why they r being this way. It's so frustrating! Good luck to all w pain issues! This is why so many end up getting this from op and the streets! They should take a better loom at the real reason people go to dealers, other that to get a buzz!

[Keith K Stone]

With the shortage of dr's in relation to the ratio of patients, it is difficult to find a dr. accepting new patients where I live. The medical profession is well aware of this fact and use it to their advantage. These days if you don't follow a dr's instructions. They will drop you like a hot potato. Maybe if you explain you currently have no insurance it can be postponed to a later date, until you acquire new medical insurance, while in the mean time still be willing treating your pain issues.

[Jolie]

@2oldfordrama, I take it from your post since you didn't say you could, that there isn't anyone in the clinic you could use to go over the NP's head and still get treated. Are there any other doctors you can go to? free clinics? or health clinics that do a day of free care?

Did you and your husband make it very clear that you were not on insurance and could not afford an MRI? Does the state you live in require all persons to be insured? Mind those, there is an state run insurance program that varies according to income.

I hope you don't mind me asking and feel free to not answer anything I ask, but are you employed? Your husband? Is there a way to purchase cheap insurance through employer if so? Are you unemployed? I am unemployed despite having a friggin JD and 4 years of legal assistant experience *cough* not bitter at all *cough cough* (too much experience to not be a lawyer, need to pass the bar to be one, awful). Anyways, the state pays for 80% of my health insurance.

No matter what, get a hold of your medical records. This may cost you. Some doctors charge $3 where others charge over $50 (may be because it was a request from a law office - I worked in personal injury and had to request clients records), I've only had to get them from my dr for personal use once and it was $3.50 for the copy machine costs.
That way you won't have to start from scratch if you go somewhere else. Make sure you get your husbands or he gets them as well.

Do you have a PCP you can explain the situation to, who could temporarily script your medication? Same for your husband?

Don't forgot to look at doctors in your state even if they are a drive that may be free clinic or reduced fee. Be proactive.

As a last resort, you can turn to the internet. I assume you can't afford to order narcotics online because they are ridiculously priced. However, I saw a thread here for a face-to-face doctor online through video chat. Here is the thread, which doesn't say much: Online Doctors

Here is the "clinic": Home Page

It could be promising, who knows?

Was this post or my last post helpful? *hint hint* thumbs up? *hint hint*

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 17 minutes after the last post:*

Forgot to mention, do you know any lawyers? does your town have a lawyer referral service? or just get out the phone book and find a medical malpractice dr. the vast majority of attorneys will give you a free consultation whether in person or over the phone (try to do in person so you can get materials from them) and explain your situation, they may be able to suggest what you can do to get the care you need.

[Stevo1]

Txs so much everyone. Jolie, I do think she was being rude. U are right about them not showing everything. I do have all of my emg's for my hands so that should be enough to show I'm not making pain up. My husband also see's this dr, which is how I ended up using him. He also had his MRI before and now they want one of this knee and was told the same thing! He was is an motorcycle accident that almost killed him and had therapy and countless X-rays, nerve blocks and rotator cuff surgery. Complained about his knee and now won't see him w/o MRI? Not sure why they r being this way. It's so frustrating! Good luck to all w pain issues! This is why so many end up getting this from op and the streets! They should take a better loom at the real reason people go to dealers, other that to get a buzz!

The American Pain Foundation has a Doctor Locating Service ...Maybe they have some compassionate Doc's in your area? Check it out Finding Care It can't hurt.

[intolt]

Hmm...maybe it's the cynic in me, but since you don't have insurance, could this be a way for the doctor to get rid of you? I could see this as an end-run around any liability on their part.

[Neely]

Greetings, All. First of all, 2OldForDrama, I'm sorry to hear about the issues you've had. It is so frustrating when dr's don't listen, especially when you tell them your insurance issues, etc. How long have you seen this doctor? If you want to stay with this Doc, I'd suggest having a quite frank discussion with them. Otherwise, think about Stevo1's suggestion about finding a compassionate doctor. I hope things work out for you. Keep up posted.

[2oldfordrama]

Wow! Txs so much everyone for ur suggestions! I have a great family dr who referee me to him so that may be a possibility. I did call the secretary who I'm pretty cool w and asked her to ask the main dr we see if it could be held off. Have yet to hear back...sigh. I am in the process of applying for state insurance, however u need to be 3 months w/o it to be approved, which I think is ridiculous! Never though of them trying to end our seeing them due to no ins, but the way things are these days it wouldn't be a shock! I actually know someone who ownes a stand up MRI phacility so I'm looking into that road also. I've worked every weekend for 7 yrs to have ins for my family( hubby is self emPloyed) but I had a 4th child 9 months ago and it just was not doable anymore. The hospital I was working for actually has a program u can get xrays and mri's done at no cost. surprise; surprise, we make to much money to qualify but not enough to purdahs ins! Such a merry go round! Will keep u all posted on this and thank u for all the great suggestions!

[Muzzie]

@2oldfordrama, I'm not sure if this is the law in all states, but hospitals cannot refuse you ER care because you don't have insurance. I'm pretty sure they have to give discounted prices, etc. Go in and complain of really bad pain or something that would warrant an MRI if possible. Normally, I wouldn't advise this kind of behavior, but desperate times...

What are the expecting see on the MRI. They are not the end all be all. I have had several and noting shows up for my back pain, but it doesn't mean it's not there.

Also, do you see a doctor in addition the the NP? I would ask to speak him/her or someone else at the clinic. It could be one grumpy, judgmental witch.

So true on the MRI thing. I just had another MRI done by my Oncologist because of severe back pain and it really didn't show anything. I had massive radiation done 20 years ago in that area and he was not taking any chances. Even though it did not show any thing acute, he still scripts me plenty of pain meds for the month, as I have nothing to hide as I have jumped through all the hoops to prove my pain, including all blood, urine and script history. If you have legit pain, be consistent and persistent in your complaints, be HONEST about the pain and explain to them just what you did to us here on how exactly you have been managing your pain. Its hard to do research and try to find a dr. in your situation when you are hurting, and I am sorry for that. But keep making noise and don't let anyone tell you that "you should not be in pain" or "too bad you don't have insurance" Good luck to you, keep us posted. A lot of us have been there! Hugs, Muzzie

[Nickel]

@2oldfordrama I agree with the posters who suggest persistence. Keep talking to the doctors, secretaries, their children, their pets. Tell them you simply can't afford an MRI. Tell them how you are looking for alternatives and ask them for their suggestions. When they give them, and if you have tried it, let them know. (Sounds like you've tried a lot already.) Professional people love to give advice and love to talk about their profession. Let them know you're really trying to find a solution. I will chime in about being HONEST. They will pick up on that pretty quick. So many are in a defensive posture, afraid of getting scammed. Scammers usually just move on so show that you aren't going anywhere. Also, don't take what the nurse practitioner's said as the last word either. As has been mentioned, see if you can go over his/her head.

That said, I'm finding more and more that doctors are ordering MRIs more frequently. I'm still paying one off from over a year ago and I have insurance, just not enough.... (By the way, you can often negotiate a payment plan if worse comes to worst. But that sucks.)

[2oldfordrama]

i did speak with the office and the dr i normally see told me to come in on my next appointment and will will discuss it. he seems ok...made me cry once cause he treated me like a seeker, but i think when he saw me whith my baby and realized i have a hard time holding for picking her up cause im losing function in my right hand and elbow he backed off. will let you know how its goes. not till july

[Torr]

I hate these pain management doctors. They act that way because they deal with so many addicts and crack heads that they treat us normal people trying to seek legitimate help with our pain like crap. Don't bother coming back is not professional at all and is so not the way to run a practice.

[cajunbulldog]

I thank the good lord and my primary doctor for not having to deal with outpatient pain management. When I had surgery at the Va hospital in Houston my anesthesiologist made sure I was pain free. I left the Hospital after cutting on me with some Hydrcodone so even they don't like to prescribe outpatient pain relief except at pain clinic.

[butchergirl]

I have found that the whole drug system in the US with respect to doctors prescribing is totally hypocritical. My psychatrist (sp) is nothing more than a drug pusher. Need more Xanax? No problem. Need more Ambien? Here you go. But when I have legitimate pain (in my case it's my back), the doctors think I'm an addict seeking a high - even when I go to the ER.

[2oldfordrama]

Intolt- wanted to letyou know i think u hit it on the head when u u said due to no ins they may want to be done w me. Well they no longer will be perscribing for me due to my order from india which must have had some methadone in it! Dr said it was a breech of tbeir contract and since i am doing " recreational drugs and have no ins" he wil, no longe be seeing me or myhusband! I was so humiliated! I knew i was going to test positive for something cause i got so sick just never thought they would throw me out! The fact he made quite a few comments about no ins and and not being able to do injections made me even more upset. Obviously they just awant to make money off injections and coukd care less if im in pain or go thru withdrawl now tbat tbey wont see me. Now wnat am i to do? How do i tell another dr i was kicked out and expect not to e seen as a junkie! So wishing i never went down this road and just popped more motrin. Today is my birthday and what a nice present lol! I need someone to make me laugh.....

[MayreeAngel]

I've also had experience with being treated like crap. My F2F required a neurologist checkup once a year, when I went the Dr. says I just called you in a prescription. I said no you didn't, I'm not asking for one. He said, yes I called you in pain med yesterday. Not me! I would never ask for pain med by phone. I know thats not done. I DO have a common name but I did NOT ask for meds! All I wanted was to be cleared by the neurologist & he "dismissed" me & told me I had a problem! I was so rattled by this. He never even tried to clear things up. Just got rid of me. Sad shape our medical system is in.

[anonymous2011]

yeah i agree it does seem like most doctors are willing to prescribe xanax b4 they will hydos. i will admit hydros are my favorite but i know for a fact i wouldnt ever get addicted to hydros....xanax for sure. i go it to the doctor in a hour for some chronic neck and back pain im not sure how it happened...the only thing i can come up with is the wreck i had a while back...'yes doctor i will gladly accept 90 hydros'!