HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

whining again...

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/25/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
My question is similar to that of Praying for Real Relief's quesstion about talking to PM drs without sounding like you are seeking. Ive been dealing with DDD and RA for 8 years now. I have been on so many meds over the years I probably cant even remember them all. I already know what works and what doesnt, and some drs seem to get offended if you try to talk to them...intelligently. Even my PCP seemed to get offended when I told her what meds work for me for acid reflux when medicaid didnt cover nexium. She gave me the typical dose of prevacid, and she knows that doesnt work for me bc she gave it to me b4 and had to switch it to nexium. Rediculous. Anyway, I shouldnt have to start over just because I couldnt afford a dr for 2 years, should I? I feel like that is what is going to happen.

Maybe it doesnt matter anyway. As I read through all of your posts and see the pain you guys are in with all your meds and PTs and such, and I remember that when I had all of those things, I still had incredible amounts of pain. It seems like the best you can hope for is to be able to sit comfortably, and god forbid you ever want to do anything that requires standing or walking - or anything besides reclining in the easy chair. I dont know, I guess I just have a bad attitude. I dont have the strength  or the energy to get my hopes up that things can be better...WAIT! Thats exactly it... I am tired of sitting comfortably. I want the magic whatever-it-takes to make this gone and thats just not going to happen. So it is very hard for me to get excited about once again going on the rollercoaster of meds=more pain=more meds.

Sorry this post is so scattered, Im just tired and dont know how much longer I can do this. I have to pick a plan with medicaid, and I will do this on monday and as soon as this Medi-pass takes effect (Ive gotten different reports of how long this takes) I will call the neuro/PM dr. Hopefully this will be really soon bc my PCP only gave me 25mg of Elavil to get through until then. WEAK!!!

Hope everyone is doing OK, and thanks in advance for your responses. By the way, what exactly is Dr shopping?

Posted 10/25/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
In the negative....doctor shopping is going from doctor to doctor looking for one, two or more who will hook you up with pain meds basically with no or few questions asked.


I think if you were to take a poll on here the single biggest headache each of us has had or still have is in finding a doctor or doctors that we can work with, who will work with us, in managing our pain and improving the quality of our life. Sometimes to get there it means laying down the law with our current doctors about what we want, what we expect and other times it is finding a new doctor.


When you see a doctor there is nothing wrong with saying I have tried this med at this dose and that med at that dose and so on and letting the doctor know what worked, what didn't work, and which ones you may have had problems on. When you get done with your history let your doctor know that you are willing to try anything new or even revisit a past treatment at a different level. Also let the doctor know what you ultimately want from treatment in both the short and long term.

It is often those who go in and say things like "Morphine is the only thing I can take for my pain and I need 30 mg tablets and 200 of them a month just to get by" that set themselves up for problems.
Posted 10/25/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Pixie,
You're not whining! Just venting some of the same feelings most of us have at one point or another in this never-ending process. Jim's post really answers your questions and I don't think there's anything I could add to that.

I will just say that the emotional struggles are part of all of this. It shouldn't be this hard, but it is, at least for many of us. And I think many of our doctors just don't understand what it does to us emotionally, and to the quality of our lives to have to be challenged by so much of this so frequently.

Since you've been without a doctor for 2 years, I'd suggest you either get your own medical records from past doctors (they may charge you) or just sign releases at your next appointment with your doctor to get past records which should support what you are saying re: past meds prescribed.

I think PCP's only have so much expertise, and I hope you can maybe see a GI speciliast somewhere along the line for the acid reflux. I've found out the hard way that it can be just more than a little heartburn, and I never would have known that without having the heartburn checked sort of as a casual thing before my insurance ran out in June. And nexium is the only one that works for me.

The pharmaceutical company that makes it (Astro Zeneca -sp?) does have a discount program and you may be able to at least get the nexium at low cost, and maybe even no cost. I'm getting mine right now at no cost because of my low income. Try going to pparx.org and doing a little research.

Good luck!

PaLady
Posted 10/25/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jim and PAlady! Sometimes I feel like Im in this dark hole, even with help this has controlled every part of my life. I will definately check out that web site bc nexium is the only thing that works for me too. The only thing is that I thought the dr had to do some stuff to help you get these programs for help with meds, and shes not into doing any extra work, or listening to any thing, or giving out info. She just blows you off and writes refferals...pushing the problem off to someone else. My next appt isnt for 3 months, but I will call the office and see if I can just come in to sign release forms after I finally get an appt with PM... I just assumed they automatically sent the medical records, since its kind of important for the specialist to know whats been going on. I also have my latest MRIs which are about 2 years old. I also have a printout of the last nerve damage testing that was done, and I will take those with me.

I really appreciate your support, your eyes, and advice. I know it gets difficult for my hubby, as patient and understanding as he is im sure its hard to listen to the same crap over and over when I need to vent. Im lucky that I found you guys and cant tell you what your posts mean to me.
Posted 10/25/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
PAlady, I just checked out that website you gave me, and found out that you cant have any insurance to qualify, including medicaid. That really sucks. Maybe the answer is to see a GI spec, maybe they can get an override from medicaid. First, though, I will focus on PM. Next is Rummy. Then Mental Health...Athough, thinking about it, maybe I should put psychologist after PM. My PCP said one thing at a time, bc she said shes having trouble getting people into specialists due to medicaid not paying enough. And my asthma has been out of control lately and im on Advair, proair, and singulair. I may need a specialist for that too. This is too much, no wonder I gave up a few years ago...
Posted 10/26/2009 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
What you want is not unreasonable!  I hope you can get some help soon.  Keep us posted.  Why are you wanting to see a neuro? 
Posted 10/26/2009 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Pixie,
Yes, it's hard getting into specialists once you have Medicaid or even other insurance for low income individuals - like I've got. I'm not eligible for Medicaid, but I think I'm getting a conversion policy from BC/BS that's for low income individuals, but the PM's locally don't accept it. The benefits are pretty limited anyway. So yes, you'll probaby have trouble finding specialists, but you might have a better chance at hospital outpatient clinics. The waiting time is longer, but you might be able to get into some specialists that way.

I'd suggest going directly to the Astro-Zeneca website. I know when I still had my insurance they gave me a discount card which helped with the co-pay. But if Medicaid doesn't cover nexium, you may be able to see if Astro-Zeneca has some type of program to cover that. It takes some hunting around on your part, but I've found it paid off in the long run. And Astro-Zeneca was actually the easier of the applications as far as the doctor goes. I fiiled out the application, and just needed to attach the prescription. They send them right to my house. Some of my other meds have to go through the physician's office, which was really a pain. But better than not being able to get them. The insurance policy I hope to have has no Rx coverage at all.

Anyway, good luck with everything! Glad we could help - at least with support!

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 10/26/2009 12:58 AM (GMT 0)

 

 

Speaking of meds for Acid Reflux....I went to my PCP and he can't even write me anything until I have a Endoscopy...Even though I'd had one a few years ago...even had that dreaded 24 hr. Ph test...the one where they shove a tube down through your nose and into your stomach and it's attached to a computer that you have to push a button every time you have an episode....

 

So, I can't have anything and it sux....of course I know all that I have to do is have the scopy thing done...but I can't do it right now...long story...

 

So, as far as asking about some pain meds in an intelligent manner?  It doesn't matter if you know what you're talking about or not....The PM Docs don't like it...go figure.

 

I just bring up some things that I read on here... Yes, the HW forum is full of info. that I bring up when I go....I just say:  "Ya know, I read about Opana ER on this website forum I go to and they said that it works better then most other meds that have been tried".  "And, I found out that my TennCare has it on their Preferred Drug List". 

 

That seems to make it better...not like I'm looking for something....but just asking questions instead....Maybe if you do it that way it would be ok.....

 

WE know how we are effected better then anyone...even our Docs..so why shouldn't they listen to us?

 

Me.

Posted 10/26/2009 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
To Gretchen, I need a neuro bc I have lots of nerve damage in my arms and legs. This particular neuro is also a PM specialist. So this way I get both in one shot.

I just called to pick my plan with medicaid, I chose medipass since both the PCP and the neuro take it, and they said that it will not take effect until Dec. 1. Im pretty sure that the neuro wont see me until then. Typical. Im on hold with them right now...

They totally just said that they will take my straight medicaid for my first visit, since I will have medipass the following month, and I have an appt. Thurs at 12:00. Im so excited that my hands are shaking! I will let you guys know what happens
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply