u/AI-Ruinseverything

My care has been split between two major facilities; I have been seeing the same pain clinic for more than five years, without issue. That whole time I was seeing one provider,occasionally when not available I have met with 3 other doctors and two NP’s that they worked with. 8 months ago they left the practice for another place out of state. I started seeing the new doctor, they switched my meds to 28 instead of the standard 30. I started having prescriptions not be filled on time, pharmacy said it was insurance issues because of the fill date. So I would spend 2-3 days with out my pain medications. During that time no withdrawal symptoms, just excruciating pain. So I asked my doctor to please help me fix this issue. I told the dr the pharmacy says it’s the way the prescription is written, the dr got defensive and I tried to just politely say “ I don’t what this issue is, but if going back to the 30 day supply will fix it, can we do that?”

After that appointment I noticed that uncomplicated opioid dependence was added to my chart and that’s when they attached a do not fill order until this date, which is a day after it should be filled. I have tried writing letters in my chart to discuss removing it, 3 in total but the Dr does not read messages. I have been too scared to bring it up again in person because if this pain contract.

My doctors at the first facility have all started to treat me different, shorter appointments, not listening and my care has been differ now and they are recommending treatments based on this diagnosis like starting cbt for pain and lucyemera and buprenorphine. My pain doctor keeps pushing nerve blocks and injections with these meds. Has talked about reducing my pain dose. So everytime I go in I fear it’s the day she takes it away.

The first facility is where I see my Neurologist, primary, pain, ophthalmologist, ent, GI, podiatrist, rheumatologist and endocrinologist. The second one I see my ortho surgeon, urologist, physical therapist.

The one saving grace was the second facility didn’t have that in my charts and I was treated good, like an actual patient. The doctors actually took the time to listen to me and address the issues. I was scheduled for surgery on my forearm, the doctor wanted to prescribe more pain medication for breakthrough pain. I said “ I can’t have you write any additional pain medication and do not want any, I have a pain contract that I adhere too.” Well they called my pain doctor and transferred my records. I had a OnQ catheter pain pump installed (lasts 3 days) and they wrote an additional pain prescription to take (20 day supply) I refused to pick it up. After undergoing the surgery and being sent home, they called a day later, I said the pain ball didn’t appear to be working, they said it most likely was and they would check up on me tomorrow. They called the following day and I again told them that the ball doesn’t appear to be working “it’s the same size” that’s when they suggested I come in tomorrow, Friday (which would be day 3) since I am seeing my urologist in the same building and they would inspect it, fix it and reinstall it if necessary. I said ok. Then about an hour later they called and said “it doesn’t make sense to come in. Since we planned on removing it then. We will call you Friday night to walk you through removing the catheter.

I went to my urologist and it was the first time he was late, over an hour (usually always on time) was really short with me, didn’t give me a chance to discuss anything and just said see you in six months. This was night and day, compared to my last visit when he took his time with me answered all my questions and told me “ don’t worry we will figure this out together”.

The ortho team never called back to check on me or to help me remove the catheter. I am scared now, because I feel like no matter what I say, like my pain is worse (not mentioning it for purpose of getting more pain medication, but because I am worried and want to make sure everything is ok), the site where the catheter was is welted, red and I feel a burning pain there.

I just feel so disappointed, scared, let down and lost.

I was so hopeful, the doctors at the second facility for the first time actually listened to me and gave me some hope. Now I feel like that is gone. I just don’t know if I can fix it or what to do.

I feel like I am a prisoner to my pain doctor. I am afraid to speak up out of fear that my pain meds will be taken away and my future care will be made worse.

Anyone else going through this? Went through this? How’d it work out for you.