Question about pain management

[Turin_C3PO]

Okay, so my dad as well as 1000 patients go into one pain management doctors office to receive help. 700 of these people, including my Father, are dependent physically on opiates. My dad has two hip replacements as well as severe neck issues and rheumatoid arthritis, so he take about 30 mg hydrocodone a day

Anyway, this doctor quit out of nowhere due to stress and left no tapering plans or 30 days of extra medication, nothing. He's leaving 700 people out in the cold with zero warning. They're all going to have to suffer severe withdrawal for the next months, not to mention the return of their pain, full force. The other doctors in town are refusing to see these pain patients to properly taper them off or hold them over until a new pain doctor comes around.

Is this type of behavior legal? I know it's unethical. We're only a town of 10,000 so with 700 of our citizens in full blown hell (opiate withdrawal) I expect to see suicides rise, theft and burglary increase (to buy pain pills off the street), etc.

Any advice for my dad?

[Hoyt]

1. Wow, sorry. Does your dad have a primary care physician? I'd see them and explain situation, if so.

Try his orhtopaedist/rheumatologist, or whoever last treated hip, neck, or RA issues. Hope things work out fast. There are some docs and other health professionals who contribute here and will hopefully chime in.

[Francis Booth]

2. Wow, that doctor certainly did not act in an ethical manner. But the government and DEA

Last edited Tue May 17, 2016, 05:21 AM - Edit history (1)

are putting so much pressure on providers that many of them are just saying 'Fuck it' and will not prescribe opiates, even for terminal cancer patients. My own Primary Care doctor will not even discuss them, but thankfully we have a good pain management center nearby that still sees patients and prescribes them when medically appropriate.

I've been on opiates for chronic back pain for about 4 years. I've never increased my dosage, or shown up early asking for refills. Nevertheless, as of 1/1/2016, I have to piss in a cup every month at refill time. They test for about a dozen substances, and the monthly bill for the testing is $2800, which insurance is paying for so far.

In your dads case, I'd go to the nearest emergency room and explain the situation. It could take weeks or months to get an appointment with another pain specialist, and his need is urgent. They may be able to get him on a withdrawal plan using Suboxone. Unfortunately, anyone, and I mean anyone, who shows up looking for opiates is treated the same way - like an scumbag lowlife weak-willed piece of shit. I have 2 nurses in my extended family, and you should hear the way they speak about people who are seeking drugs! They'd show more compassion for a mass murderer with a hernia, but opiates? Nope - get lost buddy, go some where else with your problem. They actually laugh and compare stories about how many pieces of shit they sent home for drug seeking. The brain-washing of the medical community is really taking hold. In their mind, anyone who comes in with abdominal pain, or back pain, is a useless junkie not worth the time of day. But I still think an ER is his best shot. He might find a sympathetic staffer who would be willing to listen to him and help him.

This war in opioids, like all our other wars, is going to have lots of casualties. Many people like me who haven't abused their meds in any way, and who are able to live a somewhat normal life with pain treatment, are going to suffer needlessly because some faceless bureaucrat has decided that all opiates usage is always bad... I know before I got on a pain management program, my life was a living hell with unbearable pain 24/7. Opiates literally saved my life, as I was seriously beginning to consider blowing my brains out to stop the pain.

[mrmpa]

3. Welcome to DU...........

and welcome to the hell of chronic pain. I, like you have been on hydrocodone. I've been on it for 8 years. I take 2 a day, have never requested extras, gone early to fill the script, etc. I see my doctor about every 3 months. Fortunately I do not have to pee in a cup. That is weird.

[Francis Booth]

9. Thank you. I expect things are going to get a

lot worse before they get better. My state has been leading the charge in making life miserable for the legit opiate patient. Already, we have to show up for our monthly prescription refill in person. Got the flu? Too bad. Car troubles? Too bad. Out of town on business? Too bad. For me it's a 2 hour round trip with another 2-4 hours waiting to get in to see the doctor for an interview, during which time we establish that my lumbar discs did not magically regenerate. Every month the doctor has to write up an evaluation and a justification for continuing the meds. One of the pain clinic doctors has bailed out of Massachusetts, in large part because the State is getting between him and his patients.

Now there's talk of limiting a drug supply to 3 days.

[Avalux]

4. Here's a link to an opioid tapering protocol.

https://www.nhms.org/sites/default/files/Pdfs/Safely_Tapering_Opioids.pdf

Even though I'm posting this, I strongly encourage you and your dad to find another physician before doing anything. Share this document with them so they can monitor the tapering off just in case issues arise.

I'm really sorry that doc left your dad and other patients in a really horrible situation.

[Fla Dem]

5. I would also suggest what Hoyt said. Reach out to your PCP and the other docs he's been a patient

with. If nothing else they may be able to refer him to someone who CAN help him. Good luck to you and your Dad.

[irisblue]

6. I think this is patient abandonment.

Last edited Tue May 17, 2016, 05:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Think about calling the local & state medical associations to report him; he may never want to work as an MD again & maybe he leaves your state to go elsewhere. Ask them as well for advice on getting another MD asap. I'm sorry your dad is getting jerked around.

[Laffy Kat]

8. It is. That's what I was going to post, patient abandonment. nt

[intrepidity]

7. What process is in place if, for example, a physician dies?

What happens to patients then? Surely there must be a plan for something like this, isn't there?? WTF kind of world have we created?

Completely insane. Please let us know what happens.