Legal for PAIN CLINIC to verbally discharge you and refuse Rxs?

Posted by treziesmom @treziesmom, Sep 9, 2020

I have been a patient at a pain clinic for 4 years, getting prescriptions from them for Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 10/325 mg. and 12 hour Morphine 15 mg. each month. I am elderly and ill and have had numerous surgeries. I have never used any drugs socially, and all of my drug tests have been ok. The clinic verbally discharged me about two weeks ago and refuses to give me an appointment to get my Rxs which are due in a few days. I did verbally behave inappropriately at last appointment due to extenuating circumstances and mental health issues. I am terrified and don't know what to do. I can't just quit these meds. Any suggestions?

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@treziesmom I do not think that legally they can take those kind of meds away from you cold turkey. Is there a directer or supervisor you can speak to, Your family doctor may be able to help. Last resort would be legal legality of this.

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@treziesmom I am sorry to hear about your experience with your local Pain Clinic. I can understand being scared about going without the medication you have been on for so long. The best advice I can give is to call the clinic's Patient Affairs or Patient Experience department. Most hospitals and clinics have them.

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It was NOT the Mayo Pain Clinic!!! It was a local Pain Clinic. Thank you.

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@summertime4

@treziesmom I do not think that legally they can take those kind of meds away from you cold turkey. Is there a directer or supervisor you can speak to, Your family doctor may be able to help. Last resort would be legal legality of this.

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thanks summertime 4. i agree but haven't found a lawyer yet and my temporary primary doctor does not prescribe pain meds

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Unfortunately they can discharge you at anytime. That stack of papers they have you sign at the beginning spells out all the rules and regs. Unfortunately the pendulum has swung to where people that need pain meds can't get them. It seems like all Im giving you is bad news for that I am so sorry!!! It gets worse. You are going to go through withdrawal and that is miserable!!! Now for the only good news I can offer is Suboxone. It will stop the withdrawls. Google Suboxone and it should list doctors in your area that prescribe it.Pain Management can prescribe it as well as Psychiatrists. That should at least hold you over until you get this figured out.If that fails you can go to your local methadone clinic. Again I am so sorry I don't have better news. I wish you the best!! Mayo has a Pain Rehab program that teaches you how to handle the pain without meds. You might want to look into it.

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@mutter3

Unfortunately they can discharge you at anytime. That stack of papers they have you sign at the beginning spells out all the rules and regs. Unfortunately the pendulum has swung to where people that need pain meds can't get them. It seems like all Im giving you is bad news for that I am so sorry!!! It gets worse. You are going to go through withdrawal and that is miserable!!! Now for the only good news I can offer is Suboxone. It will stop the withdrawls. Google Suboxone and it should list doctors in your area that prescribe it.Pain Management can prescribe it as well as Psychiatrists. That should at least hold you over until you get this figured out.If that fails you can go to your local methadone clinic. Again I am so sorry I don't have better news. I wish you the best!! Mayo has a Pain Rehab program that teaches you how to handle the pain without meds. You might want to look into it.

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Good to know about the Pain Rehab Clinic at Mayo. I have mysterious back pain. I asked my primary care Dr if he would refer me to a new back specialist who trained at Mayo and he wouldn't. He said I should take Tylenol. I'd like to kick his butt. Time to find a new Dr, I think.

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@ellens Do you need a referral? I am able to call a specialist directly and get an appointment if needed.

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@ellens

Good to know about the Pain Rehab Clinic at Mayo. I have mysterious back pain. I asked my primary care Dr if he would refer me to a new back specialist who trained at Mayo and he wouldn't. He said I should take Tylenol. I'd like to kick his butt. Time to find a new Dr, I think.

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Pain Rehab gets you off the pain meds. You learn new skills to cope with pain rather than meds.

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@mutter3

Pain Rehab gets you off the pain meds. You learn new skills to cope with pain rather than meds.

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Very good to know. Thanks.

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@suzanne2

@ellens Do you need a referral? I am able to call a specialist directly and get an appointment if needed.

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I live in Duluth, MN. The back pain people wanted a referral and I think my rheumatologist may have given me one. I have been staying away from hospitals and Drs so far during the covid crisis. I even went off methotrexate because I was fearful about impairing my immunity. I will check with my rheumatologist whom I contacted about seeing him again after vaccination is available.

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