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Moving and need to find a new doctor who will provide pain meds
I am looking for suggestions on how to find a doctor who will prescribe the pain patches that help me the most? I have used them for years and they provide relief some of the time, other wise I have pain 24/7. I know from this site that finding a doctor to write strong pain medicine will be hard. Right now I plan to keep contact with my old doctor and drive the 160 miles one way to see him as long as I can or until I find someone locally who will write the prescriptions. My current doctor does not know any doctors in my new area and I will still be in the same state (Illinois). Getting the prescriptions filled will be another problem I am anticipating as I usually use the same pharmacy each time. I usually need refills once a month and currently I go pick them up at my doctors office. I tried having them mailed to me once and I never got the prescription even though they mailed them to my correct address which is a PO Box at a small town post office.
My current though is to go to a pain clinic in my new area and ask them about any doctors taking new pain patients?
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Hello @19lin,
Pain medications and prescriptions for such are definitely a hot, and touchy subject, right now. I understand your concerns. Moving is stressful enough on its own without adding the added element of finding new medical staff to the chaos. If you don't mind me asking, even though your current doctor does not know of anyone specific in your new area, is it not still possible for him or her to give you a referral when you find a new practice or physician? Physician referrals are a strong way to get yourself new appointments and carry over care from a previous provider.
When you said you tried having your pain meds mailed to you but they never came, are we to assume that they were stolen at some point in the process? If so, that is awful.
@19lin A few months ago I moved to a different state. In Virginia I was prescribed Vicodin which does not touch the pain I have from degenerative disc disease-DDD,spinal stenosis and bulging disc. I made an appointment with a pain management group where I now live. I met with my new doctor armed with copies of my medical records. After a complete exam and discussion of my goals to treat pain, I am now prescribed a stronger, longer acting drug.
I made a list to help me in my search for a new doctor. I started with my insurance company for physicians in my plan. I considered the distance of the office from my home, the number of doctors in the practice, office hours. Remember to go in to any new doctor with a list of your medicines and your medical records.
I hope this helps you!
Jen
@sandytoes14 Thanks for the ideas. I always keep a list of my medicines with plus my do not resuscitate order for any doctor I see and in case of emergencies. But I will take my most current records and a list of all medical problems as you suggested. It sounds like things worked out well for you, I hope I will be as lucky and be able to keep my current pain medicine. Thanks again. 19lin
Sandy, my name is Marie (Marield65) and have chronic pain from arthritis and back surgeries. What are you on now that works better for you because Vicodin only sometimes takes the edge off the pain and I have to lie down and another day is lost.
Thanks!Marie
I have RA and scoliosis and live with chronic pain. I go to pain clinic where I get steroid shots in my spine ( helps for 30 days or so) and I take Hydrocodone / acidomiphine four times a day.
Some days u can still shop for groceries with a lot of pain I don't know what else I could benefit from
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1 Reaction@marield65 thats how I was with Vicodin. I had to choose which hour Of the day I would like to have some relief. Would It be before I attempted grocery shopping or after? My answer varied with the way I felt. Vicodin is a sort acting narcotic. I now take Percoset 10/325 1 tablet every 6 hours. Combining this with a TENS unit or lidocaine patches and Baclofen ( muscle relaxer) 2x day help .
We all do what we can to get by!
Jen
I have the same problem. Moved 200 miles away from my Dr. I now am forced to drive 400 miles round trip once a month just to pick up my refills. Its so frustrating not being able to find local help. Every primary care doc here refuses to take a new patient if they are on any narcotic pain medicine. The only pain Dr. Up here has a 3 month wait to get in and that's only after he gets a referral from your current Dr.