Finding a new PM Dr while still at old one (will he fire me?)

I am currently at a PM dr, but I made the mistake of telling him I got sober in 2007, so he won't give me anything stronger than Suboxone because he thinks I'll just abuse it (NOT TRUE!). Suboxone just doesn't work for me (I'm on the max dose), but he won't budge. So, I picked up my medical records from my current pain Dr and I plan on sending them to a new one. If I give my records to the new PM Dr that I'm looking into, will they call my current one for any reason? If my current dr finds out he'll probably drop me out of spite. I need to secure a new one before I drop the old one.

Welcome to the forum. I guess it depends on where you live. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with revealing your sobriety but please don't let it keep you from remaining honest. I've been sober since 1995 and am always open with my doctors as well as my dentist. That being said, I also tell them ALL of the pain fighting methods I use in order to use as little of the prescription medication as possible since I understand that it is a slippery slope and many sober people end up relapsing from problems related to pain relief.

It may help to point out that you are engaging a Pain Management Doctor services because you don't want to fool yourself into thinking you can manage your pain by yourself! (See 'pertinent idea "A"). When you see the new doctor, don't 'complain' that the previous doctor wouldn't give you anything other than suboxone (very dangerous for people in recovery in my opinion from working with others) rather explain that you are looking for a partner in pain management that will help you explore your pain relief options. Be open to suggestions of P.T., tens unit, exersizes, etc. Let the doctor know what helps and what doesn't.

I told my new P.M. that I respect that he specializes in pain management but I am an 'expert' on my body, my pain. We are partners in this endeavor. So far, things are going well. I hope this new doctor works out well for you.

I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties. Have you checked out the Lyme forum here?

You said in another thread that you are taking benzos, opiates, muscle relaxers, anti depressants, etc to help manage you pain. You need to be aware that very few pain managements drs will prescribe benzos and opiates any longer. It is highly unlikely that a new dr will start out prescribing you what you have been taking. There is no way of knowing what they will prescribe you in the future or how much. Are you taking Soma ? If you are, that is another drug that pain drs rarely prescribe any longer when the patient is taking opiates.

It may or may not take a while to find a pain dr that will treat you because of your addiction history. I understand that you have been sober since 2007. But, pain managements drs look at the fact that you have a history of addiction.

I don't take the benzos religiously, only a couple days a week - I'm not physically addicted to them. They barely even help, so I don't care if I have to stop taking them. I called the new Dr's office and asked them if they tell my old Dr when I come in for an appt. (sounds incredibly sketchy) and they do. I also ask if the old Dr usually fires the patients, she said she can't speak on behalf of my Dr - their clinic is so ****ing helpful already! God I am sick of relying on Drs to live, having to suck at their tit so they won't fire me. Death is preferable to this miserable crap. Pardon my French.