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pcp sending m to new pain mangemant doc. but left me high and dry!

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Posted 2/15/2013 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
cry  I have several bulging discs in my cpsine, as as well as in me my lumber spine as well. I have very bad fibromyalgia along with degenerative disc disease ans spinal stenosis. serveral years ago I fell off ladder and crushed the boned in my ankle, which are now held together by pins and screws. I've had 3 acl surgeries on my knees! I have fallen and broken my hand and fingers and also torn the rotator cuff and labrium. These are the major ones I could remember!  I am being referred to a pain specialist on this upcoming Tuesday for injections in my neck.  My pcp would not refill and pain meds since I would be seeing this guy a whol week away.  It truly has been the worst experience I have ever had. I have lived with with a non stop headache since tueday (that is when I ran out), I feel as though I have the flu and noo energy. I can't get anything done. Does anyone know any trick for coming off off pain meds cold turkey. I was taking vicaprofen 7.5/325 every 4 hours as needed for pain and hs been taking it for about 8 months.
Posted 2/15/2013 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Im so sorry you are going through this, and just flat out not a good thing to do to a patient.

Here is a link that may have some helpful information for you. You can also use the search feature here on our forum page, and you should find plenty of information on this subject. I'm due in the photography studio here shortly…so I'm a bit short on time. Keep checking here an other members may have some good suggestions as well. Again so sorry!shakehead

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=16&m=2387493

SE
Posted 2/15/2013 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure why your PCP didn't just write you a script for a weeks worth of meds, it doesnt seem very nice to just leave you high and dry like that.

Is your dr aware that you have absolutely no meds?

warm baths/cool showers, crackers, lots of fluids, rest, OTC pain relievers and antinausea meds, and Imodium or something like it if needed is how I would get through it.

Hopefully, if you get WD symptoms, they won't be too terrible. If it was a higher dose or a long acting med the WD could potentially be a lot worse.
Posted 2/16/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Wow that just seems absolutely horrible that the doctor would just cut you off like that and leave you with nothing when your appointment is a week away. I know how bad withdrawals can be and for a doctor to just willingly throw you into them just seems downright cruel. I am so sorry this had to happen to you. Hopefully as Lexi said, they won't be so bad. Of course you shouldn't have to go through them in the first place. Best wishes for you.
Posted 2/16/2013 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
First I dont think I have officially welcomed you to the CP forum and second that seems harsh.

How long have you been seeing this D and there is a very good chance the that if this is a new PM Doc for you that he will not prescribe opiates and therefore your still without pain relief. Add to that they are doing injections and its almost a given they will want you to "wait and see" if they work first I dont have a clue what your PCP was thinking and did you make it clear that you were completely out of the vicoprofen? I dont see why he did not script for at least the week until your appt.

Others have given you some things that will aid in making the W/ds a little easier but everything your experiencing is part of those. Our bodies become accomadated to the narcotics and therefore it reacts when they do not have them.

Its very important that you drink plenty of fluids and try to stay away from the sugary ones like soda,juice and gatorade or something similar is better. You can take the max amt of immodium and it has actually been proven to aid in w/d symptoms at those levels. Warm baths like Lexie said and if it gets too much to handle you can try going to the ER and they can give you clonidine to help get you through the worst of it.

The good news is that vicoprofen with the hydro in it doesnt take as long to leave your system as some of the LA meds so if its been almost a week you should start to feel better real soon.

I would let them the Dr know they left you in a very not so nice place anf it probably wont do much good at this late date but they will have record of you letting them know.

If by chance you did not tell them you were out they may call something in for you or let you pick up a script.

Vickie
Posted 2/16/2013 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
Before getting too upset with your PCP many PM's want new patients off all pain meds for at least several days prior to the initial visit to avoid possible complications and also so they can get an accurate assessment of where and how bad the pain truly is.
Posted 2/16/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding guys, I'm with you I think my PCP is a nut job. Just To yank my pain control and yes he did know I was completely out. His comment to me was that it was only a week bfore I saw the PM and he could take over my pain mainagement! Things are beginning to feel better but this whammy of a headache willnot budge!
Posted 2/16/2013 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...

Sorry this happened:(

Unfortunately as others have said...because you have the new appt. with this PM Dr. in just a few days....it seems that your PCP was thinking your last prescription would get you through until then. By any chance had the PCP been wanting you to find a PM these last months? These days with things getting so strict with controlled substances....a lof of PCP or other non PM Drs. do not want to or won't prescribe any of those type of meds.

I'm hoping that when you say you "ran out" of the meds that you were taking them as prescribed and not a few more each day with the escalating pain. The reason I bring this up is the new PM will look back at your prescribing history of this medication over the last 8 months and will make decisions about his own prescribing on your pain issues as well as making sure you haven't run out early, called in early for prescriptions, gone to the ER/Urgent care to get meds, etc.

Most states now have the Prescription Monitoring Program that tracks your prescriptions by name anywhere in the state and can be accessed easily to see when each prescription is filled and when the next one is picked up.

Now..PLEASE don't think I am trying to say you did anything wrong...just explaining in general how a PM looks at everything with a new patient.

Hopefully you can get rest these next days and the biggest key is staying HYDRATED....When someone goes off medication they can get diarrhea and this can cause dehydration. So this is critical to also help your headache. As well as just eating small meals with complex carbs and protein. Low to no sugar or salt. And obviously no alcohol.

I've gotten so many injections in my neck for my cervical spine issues I've lost count! LOL...They did a good job at helping me so I hope they will help you too.

We are here for you and maybe try to find some things to do this weekend to help take your mind of everything...Watch some of your favorite tv shows or movies. Go for a nice walk outside....Take a nice long bubble bath...

Keep us posted!

Posted 2/17/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Snowbunny, no I didn't accidently run out. last Tuesday is my regular day for refills. So she knew I didn't have any. To make it worse, Icalled her on the phone for the refill and she said no problem. So when I called the pharmacy that afternoon and there was nothing to call in I was beyond angry. I called the dr. back and she had already left but I was able to speak to her nurse andher nurse to told me since I was seeing this pmguy guy injections that she just decided I could wait till then and he could take over my meds.! What a *&^*&. How low.
Posted 2/17/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Oh...that really does stink!:(

I hope that things work out well for you with this new PM!!
Posted 2/17/2013 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Im sorry you are going through this. Most pcp wont refill pain meds they want to cover themselves with the dea cracking down on physicians so thats why pcp sends you to a pm. Gl with the injections. I hope the pm help you out with pain meds as well.
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