New Prescription

[jimnyc]

I had originally added this to an older thread, but wanted it to get a little more attention, maybe someone can offer ideas on how I can get them to give me this damn prescription. It's simple math. The original tells you how many per day and other dosage info, so you see when about it should run out. The fact that it's a pain medication, and surgery is scheduled, makes it obvious that the patient needs it because of pain....

I don't want to get into an addiction problem, so this may be a blessing in disguise, but it still makes me a little wary of this practice or perhaps the doctor.

The pain medication he prescribed for me is all but gone, maybe enough to get through the night, or early tomorrow if I really stretch it. I honestly did start managing it better so as not to run out quickly or overdo it. My next appointment with my doctor isn't until the 16th, another week. So I called at 10am this morning to find out if he could give me another prescription. The woman on the phone told me she would have his nurse call me back, and that I would have to come in and pick it up as it's a narcotic and can't be called into the pharmacy. I'm cool with that.

But then 5pm comes and still no call, so I followed up with them. Same thing, women says she sees notation. She said the doctor is busy all day and they get to the notifications for refills and new prescriptions later in the day, but she'll have them call me ASAP.

She just calls me. It took them this long to tell me that he is apparently on vacation and they can't help me. I explain to them that I am having surgery with this doctor and he simply didn't prescribe me enough to last to our next appointment let alone the day of surgery. I further explained that he's GOT to have some sort of emergency plans in place for things like this, perhaps referring to another doctor? They weren't very helpful. She just pawned off everything on the doctor, that he left no notes, no anything, and that there is really nothing at all they can do until he returns. Sure, a building with no less than 100 doctors there and not a single one can help with a prescription, based on the circumstances? She claims she will try and get a hold of him tomorrow and get back to me within "24 to 48 hours". I don't think I like this place. Just saying a day or 2 as if it's nothing, while their patient is dealing with all kinds of symptoms that can be helped with medication.

Like I said, I do have a tad left. I'll just cross my fingers that since I remained very polite and understanding throughout, that she can figure something out for me.

[Kathianne]

I had originally added this to an older thread, but wanted it to get a little more attention, maybe someone can offer ideas on how I can get them to give me this damn prescription. It's simple math. The original tells you how many per day and other dosage info, so you see when about it should run out. The fact that it's a pain medication, and surgery is scheduled, makes it obvious that the patient needs it because of pain....

I don't want to get into an addiction problem, so this may be a blessing in disguise, but it still makes me a little wary of this practice or perhaps the doctor.

The pain medication he prescribed for me is all but gone, maybe enough to get through the night, or early tomorrow if I really stretch it. I honestly did start managing it better so as not to run out quickly or overdo it. My next appointment with my doctor isn't until the 16th, another week. So I called at 10am this morning to find out if he could give me another prescription. The woman on the phone told me she would have his nurse call me back, and that I would have to come in and pick it up as it's a narcotic and can't be called into the pharmacy. I'm cool with that.

But then 5pm comes and still no call, so I followed up with them. Same thing, women says she sees notation. She said the doctor is busy all day and they get to the notifications for refills and new prescriptions later in the day, but she'll have them call me ASAP.

She just calls me. It took them this long to tell me that he is apparently on vacation and they can't help me. I explain to them that I am having surgery with this doctor and he simply didn't prescribe me enough to last to our next appointment let alone the day of surgery. I further explained that he's GOT to have some sort of emergency plans in place for things like this, perhaps referring to another doctor? They weren't very helpful. She just pawned off everything on the doctor, that he left no notes, no anything, and that there is really nothing at all they can do until he returns. Sure, a building with no less than 100 doctors there and not a single one can help with a prescription, based on the circumstances? She claims she will try and get a hold of him tomorrow and get back to me within "24 to 48 hours". I don't think I like this place. Just saying a day or 2 as if it's nothing, while their patient is dealing with all kinds of symptoms that can be helped with medication.

Like I said, I do have a tad left. I'll just cross my fingers that since I remained very polite and understanding throughout, that she can figure something out for me.

Of course my first retort in mind was, Welcome to Obamacare. That's unfair, you'd have nothing under that. My second thought is that you'd told the doc in forms of the problem you've had with pills and he/she is restricting them. If in serious pain, call again, informing the service that you are going to emergency care if no script is called in.

[Little-Acorn]

Why are you a member of this medical group?

Do you have any other alternatives?

Time to start exploring them.

Stat, as doctors say. Means RFN.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I had originally added this to an older thread, but wanted it to get a little more attention, maybe someone can offer ideas on how I can get them to give me this damn prescription. It's simple math. The original tells you how many per day and other dosage info, so you see when about it should run out. The fact that it's a pain medication, and surgery is scheduled, makes it obvious that the patient needs it because of pain....

I don't want to get into an addiction problem, so this may be a blessing in disguise, but it still makes me a little wary of this practice or perhaps the doctor.

The pain medication he prescribed for me is all but gone, maybe enough to get through the night, or early tomorrow if I really stretch it. I honestly did start managing it better so as not to run out quickly or overdo it. My next appointment with my doctor isn't until the 16th, another week. So I called at 10am this morning to find out if he could give me another prescription. The woman on the phone told me she would have his nurse call me back, and that I would have to come in and pick it up as it's a narcotic and can't be called into the pharmacy. I'm cool with that.

But then 5pm comes and still no call, so I followed up with them. Same thing, women says she sees notation. She said the doctor is busy all day and they get to the notifications for refills and new prescriptions later in the day, but she'll have them call me ASAP.

She just calls me. It took them this long to tell me that he is apparently on vacation and they can't help me. I explain to them that I am having surgery with this doctor and he simply didn't prescribe me enough to last to our next appointment let alone the day of surgery. I further explained that he's GOT to have some sort of emergency plans in place for things like this, perhaps referring to another doctor? They weren't very helpful. She just pawned off everything on the doctor, that he left no notes, no anything, and that there is really nothing at all they can do until he returns. Sure, a building with no less than 100 doctors there and not a single one can help with a prescription, based on the circumstances? She claims she will try and get a hold of him tomorrow and get back to me within "24 to 48 hours". I don't think I like this place. Just saying a day or 2 as if it's nothing, while their patient is dealing with all kinds of symptoms that can be helped with medication.

Like I said, I do have a tad left. I'll just cross my fingers that since I remained very polite and understanding throughout, that she can figure something out for me.

Jim, I suggest calling 'em up again. Explain that the pain is so bad that you are thinking of cutting off your big toe just to make the other pain go away! Do this calmly , then ask politely, can you please help me with additional pain medication.
This worked for my brother about 15 years back when he had a back injury from falling off a scaffold at a construction site. He got his meds no problem. The key is to be sincere and none threatening.
Go for it man. What can it hurt ?-Tyr

[aboutime]

Hate to tell you this jimnyc, but. There is really Only One positive thing you can do, if doctors are unavailable, and you are in extreme pain.
Have someone drive you to the nearest hospital when the pain becomes so unbearable, and use the E.R. entrance or. Dial 911, and tell the operator you are in terrible pain, and need something urgently. Explain what happened with the Doctors.

If they do not provide an ambulance. The only remedy is having someone drive you there IN PAIN. Your Vital Signs will show how much pain you are experiencing.
Otherwise. Unless you can wait to see your Doc. The meds will be exhausted, and you'll need to call 911 in Desperation.

There is no other solutions I can think of except. Near us. We have something called PATIENT FIRST. It is like a clinic that requires payment for the services. But I do believe they have Dr.s there all the time.
Good luck. I know how terrible that pain is. Up to you.

[jimnyc]

Of course my first retort in mind was, Welcome to Obamacare. That's unfair, you'd have nothing under that. My second thought is that you'd told the doc in forms of the problem you've had with pills and he/she is restricting them. If in serious pain, call again, informing the service that you are going to emergency care if no script is called in.

I don't think this is the doctor restricting anything. I think it's more of a mammoth sized office, broken up into locations all over the county, and their methods of communication and records is horrid. A doctor should be reachable 24x7, and when not, there should always be a doctor available for his patients. I'll be patient about it and only do what I really, really have to.


Why are you a member of this medical group?

Do you have any other alternatives?

Time to start exploring them.

Stat, as doctors say. Means RFN.

Insurance reasons is how I found them, and apparently they come highly recommended as the practice is so large, that they have a doctor or specialist for everything. I thought that would be a good thing, like a hospital away from a hospital. I'm finding out that the size of a practice and number of doctors doesn't equate to the best practice. I dunno, I might be jaded by the whole experience and being less than patient as well.


Jim, I suggest calling 'em up again. Explain that the pain is so bad that you are thinking of cutting off your big toe just to make the other pain go away! Do this calmly , then ask politely, can you please help me with additional pain medication.
This worked for my brother about 15 years back when he had a back injury from falling off a scaffold at a construction site. He got his meds no problem. The key is to be sincere and none threatening.
Go for it man. What can it hurt ?-Tyr

That's all I can do. I'll wait half the day tomorrow and see if she calls back. If not, I'll try again and remain polite like you said. The worst case scenario out of all of this is that I suffer for a few weeks with the pain. I'd rather not piss off the man that's going to cut into me! I can maybe talk to my pharmacist, maybe there's something better out there, over the counter, than the extra strength tylenol I was taking. I think it was Mick that recommended the 800mg Motrin, but they were prescription too.


Hate to tell you this jimnyc, but. There is really Only One positive thing you can do, if doctors are unavailable, and you are in extreme pain.
Have someone drive you to the nearest hospital when the pain becomes so unbearable, and use the E.R. entrance or. Dial 911, and tell the operator you are in terrible pain, and need something urgently. Explain what happened with the Doctors.

If they do not provide an ambulance. The only remedy is having someone drive you there IN PAIN. Your Vital Signs will show how much pain you are experiencing.
Otherwise. Unless you can wait to see your Doc. The meds will be exhausted, and you'll need to call 911 in Desperation.

There is no other solutions I can think of except. Near us. We have something called PATIENT FIRST. It is like a clinic that requires payment for the services. But I do believe they have Dr.s there all the time.
Good luck. I know how terrible that pain is. Up to you.

It's not debilitating pain, I mean I can still survive and function, it just won't be pleasant. It's a searing pain from the shoulder, shoulder blade area, then down the arm. When bad, it's bad, and it'll wake you from sleep and make you miserable. But it does lighten up and all I feel is a constant vibrating/tingling feeling running the length of my arm to my fingers. It's not fun, but it's not worth using up the resources of the ER in my opinion. What the pain meds do is change the searing pain that goes down the arm into more of a numbing pain. The first gives you a headache and the 2nd is just an annoyance. The good news is that you only have a week or so of pain after the surgery. and that's from the wounded surgical area, and after that it's smooth sailing. So hopefully around the 4th of next month I'll have it behind me.

[aboutime]

jimnyc: Call me crazy if you like but. Something I totally forgot, but found it very soothing, relaxing, and it eased pain for longer periods before my surgeries was....DON'T LAUGH.

Just climb into your bathtub and make the water as warm as you can stand it. NOT HOT, HOT. But warm enough to make you perspire on your head.

The warmth of the water on your back, and arms....allow them to just float, will amaze you.

If that doesn't at least...ease what you are feeling. At least you might get a good nap.

[jimnyc]

jimnyc: Call me crazy if you like but. Something I totally forgot, but found it very soothing, relaxing, and it eased pain for longer periods before my surgeries was....DON'T LAUGH.

Just climb into your bathtub and make the water as warm as you can stand it. NOT HOT, HOT. But warm enough to make you perspire on your head.

The warmth of the water on your back, and arms....allow them to just float, will amaze you.

If that doesn't at least...ease what you are feeling. At least you might get a good nap.

Not crazy at all, I've been taking warm/hot baths at not for quite awhile. I started it when I quit smoking solely for relaxation, with lavender candles, and it helped a lot. Then when I got back to the gym, I used hot baths just for soothing the muscles. I also love a sauna or steam room.

[Kathianne]

Not crazy at all, I've been taking warm/hot baths at not for quite awhile. I started it when I quit smoking solely for relaxation, with lavender candles, and it helped a lot. Then when I got back to the gym, I used hot baths just for soothing the muscles. I also love a sauna or steam room.

A much wiser course imo than pain pills, if they can be avoided. Uncomfortable and tingling, isn't worthy imo of pills. I'd deal with. Actually I do daily.

[jimnyc]

A much wiser course imo than pain pills, if they can be avoided. Uncomfortable and tingling, isn't worthy imo of pills. I'd deal with. Actually I do daily.

Yup. And if I can keep it in the area of numbness, tingling and such, I'll be able to deal, and more so with OTC help. But should it hit points where the searing pain shoots the length of the arm, no bath is going to help that! LOL But honestly, I've seen people endure MUCH more than this without pills, so I'll just man up.

[jimnyc]

Another thing, I've been giving some thought as to how fast I am running into this. The first thing patients in a situation like this think to themselves - how do I get rid of this pain as quickly as possible?

I've barely even met this doctor. All told, the time discussing the matter with him is in the minutes. And I'm willing to let him cut into my neck and get close to my spinal cord. Pain will make us make hasty decisions. I'm wondering if I should take a step back, re-evaluate things, make sure this is really what I want as there is sure no turning back after the 28th comes and goes. Have I allowed enough time for the epidural to work? I do a lot of reading, and some say they see results within the first week or 2, while others say it could take 4-6 weeks to see any relief. Pain makes you not want to wait and see.

But then red flags with the office. I've been tossed around between doctors like a hot potato. One hand has no idea what the other is doing. They rush me in and out. They're a little less than kind, but I know they aren't paid to be happy and smiley. Just too many things that have made me uncomfortable, and yet I scream YES to allowing surgery. I don't know. I think one thing when it's getting later into the night, and now I wake in the morning with different thoughts.

[Nukeman]

Not crazy at all, I've been taking warm/hot baths at not for quite awhile. I started it when I quit smoking solely for relaxation, with lavender candles, and it helped a lot. Then when I got back to the gym, I used hot baths just for soothing the muscles. I also love a sauna or steam room.:gay:. Sorry that just smacked of such a gay sounding statement there.. "lavender candles":laugh:... Sorry couldn't help myself.. Now back to your issues with pain. You have to be careful utilizing the ER, they just think you are a drug seeker if you come in and tell them you're in pain, even with a proven medical condition. They will tell you to see your Dr.!!!! Might give you a little bit of something but really NOT worth the expense. Better off going to a RediMed or something like it, much cheaper and better chance of having a PA or NP take care of you and not so jaded:thumb:

[Nukeman]

Another thing, I've been giving some thought as to how fast I am running into this. The first thing patients in a situation like this think to themselves - how do I get rid of this pain as quickly as possible?

I've barely even met this doctor. All told, the time discussing the matter with him is in the minutes. And I'm willing to let him cut into my neck and get close to my spinal cord. Pain will make us make hasty decisions. I'm wondering if I should take a step back, re-evaluate things, make sure this is really what I want as there is sure no turning back after the 28th comes and goes. Have I allowed enough time for the epidural to work? I do a lot of reading, and some say they see results within the first week or 2, while others say it could take 4-6 weeks to see any relief. Pain makes you not want to wait and see.

But then red flags with the office. I've been tossed around between doctors like a hot potato. One hand has no idea what the other is doing. They rush me in and out. They're a little less than kind, but I know they aren't paid to be happy and smiley. Just too many things that have made me uncomfortable, and yet I scream YES to allowing surgery. I don't know. I think one thing when it's getting later into the night, and now I wake in the morning with different thoughts.
Remeber Jim, the Dr. works for YOU not the other way around. You can fire them at any time you wish and can always seek a second and third opinion. In fact I always encourage a second before ANY type of surgery... You have time to make another appointment with another practice.. Always get out of the same office they are usually of the same mindset so they rarely contradict one another..

[jimnyc]

:gay:. Sorry that just smacked of such a gay sounding statement there.. "lavender candles":laugh:... Sorry couldn't help myself.. Now back to your issues with pain. You have to be careful utilizing the ER, they just think you are a drug seeker if you come in and tell them you're in pain, even with a proven medical condition. They will tell you to see your Dr.!!!! Might give you a little bit of something but really NOT worth the expense. Better off going to a RediMed or something like it, much cheaper and better chance of having a PA or NP take care of you and not so jaded:thumb:

My sister in law is the one who recommended the lavender, said it had relaxing effects to it. I told her the same thing, that it sounded rather gay! LOL

I won't be going to the ER, the pain would have to be debilitating for me to have to resort to that. And if I ever did go there, it wouldn't be for medication. Like you said, that screams drug seeker, and it'll cost me $2k for those drugs!

[jimnyc]

Remeber Jim, the Dr. works for YOU not the other way around. You can fire them at any time you wish and can always seek a second and third opinion. In fact I always encourage a second before ANY type of surgery... You have time to make another appointment with another practice.. Always get out of the same office they are usually of the same mindset so they rarely contradict one another..

The part making me nervous now is the Xrays and MRI, which were both done within their practice. I'm sure they'll give me a hard time getting full records if I want to go elsewhere and I certainly don't want to get another MRI. They'll probably charge a decent fee to give me my records, which is lawful. And if I have this many problems with them regarding communication now, because they are so large of a practice, I have a feeling it would take forever to get copies of my records.

[Nukeman]

The part making me nervous now is the Xrays and MRI, which were both done within their practice. I'm sure they'll give me a hard time getting full records if I want to go elsewhere and I certainly don't want to get another MRI. They'll probably charge a decent fee to give me my records, which is lawful. And if I have this many problems with them regarding communication now, because they are so large of a practice, I have a feeling it would take forever to get copies of my records.
Those are YOUR records YOU paid for them if they have an issue givning those to you just tell them they can talk to your lawyer about not giving you YOUR information and they will jump right to it.

They really should just hand them over to you and not bat an eye about it. It will either be in CD or film form, more than likely just a CD that you can put in ANY computer because it will also come with a viewer on the CD....

Should not be ANY fee for the films YOU already payed for, now repeat copies start to cost but original/first copies do not!!!!

[jimnyc]

Those are YOUR records YOU paid for them if they have an issue givning those to you just tell them they can talk to your lawyer about not giving you YOUR information and they will jump right to it.

They really should just hand them over to you and not bat an eye about it. It will either be in CD or film form, more than likely just a CD that you can put in ANY computer because it will also come with a viewer on the CD....

Should not be ANY fee for the films YOU already payed for, now repeat copies start to cost but original/first copies do not!!!!

If it comes to that, I hope you're right, and I know you are more informed on this subject than others. "IF" it were to come to that, I would call politely of course, and then perhaps just visit and wait until they produce the records. I don't want to get ahead of myself right now though. I'm not even sure what I want to do, other than make the pain disappear. You know about epidurals, don't you? Do you know how long they take to take full effect? Maybe I can ultimately get past this without further need for pain medications or surgery?

[Nukeman]

If it comes to that, I hope you're right, and I know you are more informed on this subject than others. "IF" it were to come to that, I would call politely of course, and then perhaps just visit and wait until they produce the records. I don't want to get ahead of myself right now though. I'm not even sure what I want to do, other than make the pain disappear. You know about epidurals, don't you? Do you know how long they take to take full effect? Maybe I can ultimately get past this without further need for pain medications or surgery?It does very from person to person, also with how deep they seated the medication and what type of issue you are having. Keep in mind if the epidural medications does not reach the nerve causing the pain you will never get relief.. sometimes you have to repeat the procedure. I would say if you aren't feeling any different by 3 weeks it probably is NOT working, now if you are starting to feel "better" I would give it a little while but as soon as the feeling stops getting better or stagnates that will be as good as its going to get... Only you can be the judge of what you feel and how or if it is working..

does this office have a seperate imaging dept in their office? If so just walk in there and tell them you need a copy of your flms, they should hand a CD over in a few minutes.. Never hurts to have a record of your films anyway...:coffee:

[jimnyc]

It does very from person to person, also with how deep they seated the medication and what type of issue you are having. Keep in mind if the epidural medications does not reach the nerve causing the pain you will never get relief.. sometimes you have to repeat the procedure. I would say if you aren't feeling any different by 3 weeks it probably is NOT working, now if you are starting to feel "better" I would give it a little while but as soon as the feeling stops getting better or stagnates that will be as good as its going to get... Only you can be the judge of what you feel and how or if it is working..

does this office have a seperate imaging dept in their office? If so just walk in there and tell them you need a copy of your flms, they should hand a CD over in a few minutes.. Never hurts to have a record of your films anyway...:coffee:

The first few days were painful as a result of the epidural itself, lots of pain in the area where the needle went in. Then it did feel like some pain was subsiding, but since then has been a roller coaster. The tingling/numbness has increased 500% and is vibrating in my arm almost non-stop. The worst of the pain went away for awhile, but has returned, but only in spurts. A lot of prior pain feels like it went away, but now I have other pains that weren't there before. So it has had an effect but how much is hard to say. Maybe another shot will be in my best interest. It hurts like a bastard and is expensive as hell, but it might be better than surgery. The downside, is having to deal with the pain until I see whether or not it helps, and might end up back right where I am now, having to make a decision.

[Nukeman]

The first few days were painful as a result of the epidural itself, lots of pain in the area where the needle went in. Then it did feel like some pain was subsiding, but since then has been a roller coaster. The tingling/numbness has increased 500% and is vibrating in my arm almost non-stop. The worst of the pain went away for awhile, but has returned, but only in spurts. A lot of prior pain feels like it went away, but now I have other pains that weren't there before. So it has had an effect but how much is hard to say. Maybe another shot will be in my best interest. It hurts like a bastard and is expensive as hell, but it might be better than surgery. The downside, is having to deal with the pain until I see whether or not it helps, and might end up back right where I am now, having to make a decision.
So what are you surgical options at this time, are they looking at doing a fusion in your c-spine?? If so I would say from people I know who have had this procedure ALL ahve been of the mindset of "man I wish I had done that earlier because it was almost instant pain relief". Just anecdotal stories, like I said only you know how you feel.

The bad thing about nerves is that given the chance they will find alternate paths to send signals, thats why your pain is in "different" places than original. It's your body saying that there is something wrong and if i can't go this path it will send a signal along another nerve root.... That is why some people have to have a few epidurals to deaden the whole area to prevent the other nerves from picking up the signals....

[jimnyc]

So what are you surgical options at this time, are they looking at doing a fusion in your c-spine?? If so I would say from people I know who have had this procedure ALL ahve been of the mindset of "man I wish I had done that earlier because it was almost instant pain relief". Just anecdotal stories, like I said only you know how you feel.

The bad thing about nerves is that given the chance they will find alternate paths to send signals, thats why your pain is in "different" places than original. It's your body saying that there is something wrong and if i can't go this path it will send a signal along another nerve root.... That is why some people have to have a few epidurals to deaden the whole area to prevent the other nerves from picking up the signals....

Yes, and I've had one performed before, and it was like instant relief and it never returned, which is why I went along with this one so quickly. They want to perform a cervical fusion on C5-C6. There is a 98% success rate or in that area. The last time I had this done I had suffered for about 6 months, thinking it was a torn muscle or similar and that I had to deal with it and work it out. Then I went to a chiropractor who ended up sending me for an MRI, and then sending me to a orthopedic spinal surgeon. The process from there was like another 2 weeks and I was in for surgery and never had a problem again. So I was hoping this one would go as smoothly, but no such luck.