Isn't it Grand when they make you feel like a criminal? I've taken one more than one doctor to task for this kind of behavior. I would not be shamed for wanting to be out of pain, I just wasn't having it. I didn't care how unpopular it made me with doctors. Those with a heart and a set of balls cared and took care of me. I don't know if they would do the same thing today with the changing situation around drugs. They can't control the attics so they beat up on the pain patients. That makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

@parus, so sorry you are treated like that. They just lump everyone together with the drug abusers, not right! I was laid off last year and have ended up on our Health Care market place which basically is not coverage unless I want to pay and so of course my pain doctor is not accepting the insurance. I have gone to him twice since laid off but that is not doable for the long term. I have been looking for someone new. When I signed up for the insurance there were several pain management docs on the insurance but of course now there is no one... go figure. I needed some refills on my meds, including my pain meds so I went to my primary care (have had her for 20 yrs.) and I was lucky she was able to refill them for me but she can't do the trigger point injections or my cervical facet joint injections so am suffering some and still looking to see if I can find a new pain doc. I am afraid that anyone new will not want to provide the medication though and that I will have to jump through hoops to get to even see the doc. Wish you better days ahead.

@lyssia We do keep trying even when we may not feel like doing so. I have a couple of grand children that need a grandma that leave them with happy, positive memories. My children's father died before my son's wife was pregnant. I try to be both. I know how disappointing not having a father see his grand children.
Some days are better than others. Coming here I learn as well as feeling support and encouragement. Only place I have found that is healthy and well organized.
Yes, many times things do get lumped together. I am not adept at being assertive. Still learning. I hope things work out for you with finding another doctor.

Parus. Well I thot it was just me. We cannot ask for pain need without feeling ashamed like we are drug addicts.

@parus

Have you told your doctor the specifics about your depression or any other mental health issues? If (s)he has information that you haven't given directly, the assumption is that they learned about it from someone else. If that is the case, it's a serious Hippa violation. I understand that every time I see a doctor, I fill out a form listing all of my meds, and a doctor can surmise that we're being treated for depression, etc. Sometimes I don't feel comfortable with a new doctor knowing about my antidepressants, but they might need to know about them if they're going to prescribe something. Even so, if a new doctor does prescribe something, and I haven't revealed any psychotropics or mental health issues, I can easily go online to find out if the new prescription might be contraindicated, given my other meds, or I can learn if there are any concerning interactions. (I do that with every medication I take.) I found a good website to see interactions and side effects of my meds. http://www.mediguard.com.

Hippa regulations can be a pain, but they do protect our privacy, at least theoretically.

Talking about this with you has made me decide to pay more attention to what I tell my doctors.

Jim

Hi Paris I also check my new med for side effects as well as interactions I use Drug.com they are both good

One thing helps is Tapping I had lots of pain today tapped about 4times and my pain went from a 10- to 3 try it if you haven't Tapping.com

@jimhd Since the doctors I am seeing are all in the same health system they share information-even the therapist I was seeing. Things I did not want known and I mentioned this to her on last visit. She was not aware that everyone-even nurses can see my chart. I was horrified when I check my portal and saw this information at the top of my medical chart. These were things from long ago and did not need to be in my medical chart. So embarrassing. She removed the info-too late as once it is out there it does not go a way. I have not attempted suicide since 1995. How far will I get with this info from so long ago...doubtful very far. I mentioned this to the therapist when I saw notes from a visit even though it was in my email. She told me I was over reacting and that the notes were only visible to me...WRONG! She now knows differently-some damning past history that I have moved on from. I think this is bordering on a Hippa violation and believe me not going there again. So no, that therapist can no longer be of help. Struggling at not being terrified. All of that was so long ago. So the PTSD is giving me fits. IWhat I say to a therapist about the past ought not to be revealed in my medical records. I am old and my life is pretty much over and I do far better...trust no one is what I now know. Her ignorance is not her fault nor mine. I hope this therapist learned something-I know I did. PTSD makes things unrealistic i suppose.

Parus. My doctor gave me Morphine. I wanted off. He was the one who gave me the drug, but it HE that wrote on my chart. I too was furious. He was covering his butt.

@parus

It is a violation of HIPPA for a clinic or group to share patient information with others in the group. The only way they can legally see it is if you give a specific person written permission to get access. My therapist can't get information from other doctors in his group unless I give him direct written permission. He kinda came unglued when I told him what was going on with you. My pcp can't access my mental health records without the same written permission from me. If that's happening with your doctors, you have solid ground for a huge HIPPA violation lawsuit. Totally unethical and illegal.

Jim