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Pain Management refusing to treat me.

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 7/31/2014 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I got into a car accident last February and have been undergoing treatments since then. I was in pain management and getting treated very well by my doctor. I have a very bad herniated disc in my lower back that causes extreme chronic pain in my back and my legs. I also have fibromyalgia as well. I was dropped from pain management in the beginning because Medicaid changed my insurance without telling me, so I had to go see another PCP to get referred again. Might I add that I'm being referred back to the same clinic, just a different location. I haven't had medication for weeks since they changed my insurance, and I've been suffering for weeks on end crying my eyes out and not sleeping at all. I had my first appt with pain management today and now they're refusing to treat me and not giving me pain medication because I'm 18 years old which makes no since to me at all. They only told me what everyone has been telling me. That I need surgery. Not a single doctor is even trying to help me. I have a paper that states that I need pain management and surgery due to how bad the disc is. I don't know what I can do at this point. I feel I'm going to end up in the hospital because I just can't stand it anymore. But hey won't help me either. Does anyone know what I could possibly do here?
Posted 7/31/2014 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Where do you live? Medicaid might be different in various states. Are you also trying to see a surgeon?

Welcome to the Forum!
Posted 7/31/2014 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Abilene! But it has nothing to do with my insurance. I live in Florida though. My insurance has been fixed and everything and I got put on United Healthcare, which tbh, I think is crap, but it's working. But yes, I'm also trying to see a surgeon. I was told two weeks ago, along with the referral to my pain management, was the referral to a surgeon. My PCP is apparently just not trying to send me to a surgeon starting tomorrow. I just don't know what to do with this current situation. I don't know why the doc would be refusing to give me any medications.
Posted 7/31/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the chronic pain forum. Sorry to read what is going on with the pain mgt group. Unfortunately, no one can force this group to see & treat you. A dr has the right to not to see a patient. We see this all the time with young people like yourself with drs refusing to give a young person pain medication. Usually they tell the patient we don't want you starting on narcotics as young as you are because you will end up building up such a tolerance to them that later on in life nothing will work for you when you need it. This is their standard answer. What reason were you given?

It is doubtful your PCP will give you anything because they don't usually treat CP patients any longer because of the rules & guidelines they have to deal with. Things have changed a great deal in the past year or so when it comes to drs & chronic pain patients. I am not saying this is all right, its just the way things are these days.

I hope you can get in to see the surgeon soon. Take care.
Posted 7/31/2014 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Since you have Medicaid and also your young age, your options are very limited. You can either pay out of pocket or you may be able to receive something for pain if you schedule the surgery. But, I will warn you that if you schedule the surgery & you are lucky enough to get somethin for the pain until then, if you cancel the surgery, getting anymore pain meds will be highly doubtful.

Senator Charles Grassley in Washington D.C. has sent letters to states for the past few yrs asking how they were dealing with Medicaid Providers who were high prescribers of pain meds and certain other meds. Due to this, it is extrememly difficult to be treated for chronic non cancer related pain.

You also may want to get a copy if your medical records from the first pain clinic and see exactly what they have written in your medical records, if anything, about why you stopped coming. It is possible that the second clinic may believe you're a drug seeker because you're going to another location. With you also changing PCP's that could rasie red flags to the second pain clininc as well. The info they have access to says nothing about you having to change PCP's becasue Medicaid changed your health plan. Also since you're managed to go without pain meds for weeks, they may feel that you really don't need it.
Posted 8/2/2014 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, I am also 18 and have totally different kind of pain but I am soooo in the same kind of position as you. I understand their whole idea about not wanting to begin a young persons life on narcotics, but me and you understand more than they did that a life in pain as a young person sucks just as much. I am always having to leave concerts early and can't even go to the store without serious leg pain after standing for like, 10 minutes. My friends live totally different lives than me because they aren't in pain. I totally get the frustration, because they say okay, we will not give you pain medication... and we don't really have any other suggestions. Or maybe every doctor you go to just keeps saying "Go ask another doctor." Unfortunately, I'm kind of going through the same thing right now and I haven't come to the end yet, so I can't offer you advice based on my solved experience, because I am still in the same thing.

I would however, suggest trying out different doctors. It's amazing how different it is going to a doctor who understands the situation and is going to work, no matter what, to get you to be without pain. It feels impossible to keep waiting for doctors you hope will help, and then they don't. I would say that a compassionate doctor who will at least talk to you and listen to what is going on and try and find a solution is the best thing to look for. Because we are young is a good reason to TRY and avoid giving painkillers to, but being young is not a good reason to live in pain. It feels like the people deciding these morals and guidelines about pain medicine are not people who have ever tried to live with being in pain all the time.

I seriously hope this gets better for you. I really understand your frustration. Good luck!
Posted 8/2/2014 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry y'all are being treated that way.I was 40 when I 1st sought help and even then felt like a few Dr.'s thought I was too young.

1st off don't go to a Surgeon unless you want surgery.

But don't give up on finding a good Doctor that will treat you as an individual rather than an age.

I imagine it is frustrating.Just be honest with them.

Rick
Posted 8/2/2014 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Keep fighting. I know it's exhausting when you hurt as well, but there are drs that can help you. I was in pain management at a very young age, but had meds at very low doses and my parents were in charge.
There are drs willing to treat younger patients, but unfortunately, it often comes down to "proof". Unfortunately, everyone's body heals differently from injury. I'm lucky in the fact that drs are more willing to treat a disease than an injury in many cases. But if you hurt, you hurt.

I would definitely request records from you other drs and see when they have written. Sometimes what they say is not what is written in the records. This could affect how others drs treat you. If you feel surgery is the best option, keep that appointment and maybe that dr will help.

I'm sorry you are in such pain. Growing up in pain is no fun. Hopefully you'll find a compassionate surgeon who will look past your age.
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