Now what?

hi, once mri done, and it fits the criteria for the consult, get an urgent appt. they have ways of getting ya in if ya play nice. the self discharge tells them to stick it, and they see it as that. no grovelling, maybe a referral stating that the reduction of meds was not sufficient in supporting your pain....hence the self discharge. hope this helps.

Have you tried a t.e.n.s. unit? While it's not a 'cure all', for me, it's a huge help.

Keeping the nerve paths 'occupied' from the stimulation means fewer 'pain' signals can get through.

I bought my unit at my pharmacy for under $90. I use much less medication now.

Might be worth a try if you haven't yet.

Anna, yes you are stuck at this point. I am thinking the PM dr you discharged the odds of him taking you back are not very good. In the meantime, I would look on my insurance plan to see how many PM drs are available that accepts your insurance. You can call & find out what it takes to be seen & how long before an appt is available. If you can get this done, then by the time the PCP has your MRI report you can give her the names of drs on your plan. This will help speed up the process.

A lot of people think MM is the answer, well experience here is they can't afford it as it is expensive & they still need pain medication.

Take care.

I believe pain control is more then a pill. We have to take responsibility for our part in it.. We may hurt but still must do our best with exercise diet and maintaining a daily healthy lifestyle.. Couch potatoes doesn't count.. Takes time to establish new habits that we don't feel in short time.. Progress is essential. Mentall health is essential too for changing old habits.

Anna, I think the PCP ordering the MRI will work in your favor towards getting in with a PM dr. A few months ago I was seen by the NP at my PM drs office. I have a very long history of neck & back problems. I am dealing with a pinched nerve in my neck so I was sent for a CT of the neck. Its been awhile since I have had scans done. I cannot do an MRI because of metal implants. Any way the NP & I were talking about the how things have changed about CPer's getting adequate relief. She was telling me that unless the patient has pretty current scans to document the problem they are not getting pain meds from drs. So, this will hopefully work in your favor.

I do understand why the drs are operating as they are about narcotics. With the prescription monitoring system in place they know what every dr rx's to each patient, how much & how often. They are dealing with being flagged & the potential of even losing their license. The government has taken much of their practice over, someone looking over their shoulder. Although the guidelines are recommendation, they adhere for these very reasons.

Again, I urge you to check with your insurance about PM drs in your area. Many drs have gone to procedures & injections only, I wouldn't risk wasting my time being sent to one of those by your current PCP. The office staff is not going to call a PM dr & ask if they will rx pain meds if the dr feels they are warranted.