CVS Caremark Pain Revisited

CVS Caremark made the local news in my neck of the woods too.

After serious ULE injuries last year and getting off of oxycodone (of my own volition) I was taking librium for nerve damage from an exited ulnar shaft (in just the wrong place) next a large nerve center running to my hand, only with tylenol or ibuprophen swap-overs. Needless to say, this didn't work well so I requested over the phone Tramadol, because I know someone for whom it works quite well. It was granted by the nurse and called in to CVS without a prescription. (not a controlled substance in my state of S.C.)
So after my next doctor visit, he prescribes Tramadol at 1 or 2 every 6 hours and Librium at 1 or 2 every 8 hours with a mere 2 months max in refills. I stretched it out to four months, as I had learned what works for me, being in construction and suffering different levels of pain from various activities. Relaxation after work even becomes a chore then.
Anyway, the nurse last week decided to try and convince me that I was only supposed to take one tramadol per day, even while I held the bottles right before her eyes to show her the dosages prescribed !
So, I had to make another appointment to see the doctor under duress.
After confirming all my prescriptions from CVS for two years back, and that they only print dosages according to the doctor's orders, I returned to see my doctor, who increased my supply by three times, knowing me most of my life and that I don't abuse drugs and would rather not take ANYTHING in the first place. The nurse must have seen the news.
Eiher way, I don't like being blatantly lied to (about) rght out in the lobby, and I think I will change my doctor.

Post Edited (JackLegofAllTrades) : 7/23/2014 11:17:35 AM (GMT-6)

Jack welcome aboard. Thanks so much for making your intro thread. What did the dr have to say about this nurse trying to play dr? I don't blame you for being upset & if you really like your dr its a shame that you feel like you need to change drs. The only concern I have about switching is this; with all the new rules & guidelines that are in place for treating chronic pain patients, just about all PCP have stopped treating chronic pain patients. They do not want the DEA breathing down their necks. It is a whole new ballgame now when it comes to treating chronic pain. If you switch you may very well end up with a dr that will not rx Tramadol & be told no & told to go to a pain mgt dr. Nearly all of us here at this forum are under the care of pain mgt drs. It can take a month or more to get a referral for a pain mgt dr too.

Anyway, I wanted to put that out there so that you don't get blind sided on this. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.

He had posted on an old thread that has been locked & I asked him to make an intro thread. I think that is where the heading came from.

Make sure before leaving the old Dr you know the new one will manage your pain or you could find yourself far worse off.

Welcome by the way to CP!!

Thank you for the kind welcome too, Vickie.
Everyone's posts I have read on other subjects as well indicate that this is a truly supportive group.