So I was wonder if anyone knew of a family practice doctor that will treat pain. I have been under a doctors care in Ohio for 4 years and been on regular pain meds and he was only a family practice doctor. No pain management needed. No docs here seem to care that Ive been doing well on this plan and have all my records to prove it. They dont seem to care what my last doctor did. Here, thats all Im hearing is NO doctor will give you regular scrips for pain meds. They will refer you to PM. What a crock and a scam it seems. Just more money out of my pocket into theirs.

So I was wonder if anyone knew of a family practice doctor that will treat pain. I have been under a doctors care in Ohio for 4 years and been on regular pain meds and he was only a family practice doctor. No pain management needed. No docs here seem to care that Ive been doing well on this plan and have all my records to prove it. They dont seem to care what my last doctor did. Here, thats all Im hearing is NO doctor will give you regular scrips for pain meds. They will refer you to PM. What a crock and a scam it seems. Just more money out of my pocket into theirs.Actually, I believe it has more to do with the epic high rate of illegal use of pain meds in our area. Blame the abusers and good luck finding relief.

yes it is because of some bad seeds. But Ive had to take random drug tests just to make sure Im taking my meds. Which I think is kinda funny, when I drove a school bus I had to take tests to prove I WASNT taking drugs , now I take tests to prove I am.

yes it is because of some bad seeds. But Ive had to take random drug tests just to make sure Im taking my meds. Which I think is kinda funny, when I drove a school bus I had to take tests to prove I WASNT taking drugs , now I take tests to prove I am.

I feel like a criminal every time I need to purchase Claritin-D and get carded and my driver's license scanned and checked against a federal database. :ohwell:

Actually, I believe it has more to do with the epic high rate of illegal use of pain meds in our area. Blame the abusers and good luck finding relief.
Several months ago I was turning in some old Oxycontin that I'd had from surgery years ago and the guy behind me told me he'd give me a hundred bucks for it, the guy right behind him was a county cop rolling his eyes. I've wondered since then if I'd said yes, who would he have arrested.

So I was wonder if anyone knew of a family practice doctor that will treat pain. I have been under a doctors care in Ohio for 4 years and been on regular pain meds and he was only a family practice doctor. No pain management needed. No docs here seem to care that Ive been doing well on this plan and have all my records to prove it. They dont seem to care what my last doctor did. Here, thats all Im hearing is NO doctor will give you regular scrips for pain meds. They will refer you to PM. What a crock and a scam it seems. Just more money out of my pocket into theirs.

I wouldn't trust a FP doctor that has allowed someone to be on pain medication for the last 5 years. If you are experiencing that much pain for that long, you should be treated by a specialist that deals in pain management. Your liver is probably toast by now. JMHO

[QUOTE=Merlin99;4852419]Several months ago I was turning in some old Oxycontin that I'd had from surgery years ago and the guy behind me told me he'd give me a hundred bucks for it, the guy right behind him was a county cop rolling his eyes. I've wondered since then if I'd said yes, who would he have arrested.[/Q

Im about ready to hit the street for meds. No not really but doctors here dont seem to give a sh!t. I need my meds to keep pain to a minimum and I have records to show but they dont seem interested in whats been working.

I wouldn't trust a FP doctor that has allowed someone to be on pain medication for the last 5 years. If you are experiencing that much pain for that long, you should be treated by a specialist that deals in pain management. Your liver is probably toast by now. JMHO

Ive had regular liver tests and alls well. I asked and doc told me that I was still under what was considered dangerous.

Other than the 2 blown discs in my back, its all arthritis based and nothing they can really do except try and keep me comfortable

[QUOTE=Merlin99;4852419]Several months ago I was turning in some old Oxycontin that I'd had from surgery years ago and the guy behind me told me he'd give me a hundred bucks for it, the guy right behind him was a county cop rolling his eyes. I've wondered since then if I'd said yes, who would he have arrested.[/Q

Im about ready to hit the street for meds. No not really but doctors here dont seem to give a sh!t. I need my meds to keep pain to a minimum and I have records to show but they dont seem interested in whats been working.

after 4+ years, you are addicted to the pain meds. How would you know if something else would work better if you haven't tried it?

Your statement "I need" should tell you all you know. I'm not trying to sound rude, but you NEED detox and a good pain management doctor that can try to assist you with other options. I'm just telling you the truth. Sorry.

I had a family member that "needed" pain meds. After being nearly comotose for 2 years on pain meds, she is now off of them and doing better.

Other than the 2 blown discs in my back, its all arthritis based and nothing they can really do except try and keep me comfortable

My mother is 79 years old and rittled with arthritis/heriated disc/degenerative disc disease/ diabetes/ heart disease/ etc. Shall I continue??

She can handle everyday life.

I'm sorry, but you need help. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Thanks everyone for your input. I am not taking enough to be addicted, doctor made sure of that. And Im happy for anyone that can stand the pain, Im not them and I dont think anyone should have to suffer. and yes I will be referred to PManagment. Obviously no other way to do it here.

I agree that you are probably addicted to the pain medication and you are probably taking it now just to feel normal. Chances are, the pain could be treated with something non-narcotic and you would get results.

I would look into checking yourself into a detox program. Prescription pills are a big problem in Maryland right now. No doctor will give them to you... long-term use of heavy narcotics isnt recommended anyway...

Get well soon. :yay: Hope you can come off the pills

I also have degenerative disc disease with arthritis and a bulging disc in my back. :yay: I know pain. I take the pain killers when ABSOLUTELY necessary and have had the same bottle for 8 months.

You may look into something non-narcotic like tramadol...

I am not taking enough to be addicted, doctor made sure of that.

I bet you a paycheck you can't go cold turkey and not have signs of withdrawl. And I'm not talking pain. I'm talking withdrawl symptoms.

It has been my experience that GP's will often refer patients to PM's who are on numerous meds. A good, trustworthy PM doc will generally drop patients down to one med in a higher dose rthat than a bunch of diff ones. Unfortunately, there are just as many that pump people up with drugs and continue to write scripts when the person is clearly in trouble. But thats the world we live in now. Narcotics really ought to be last resort meds, not handed out like tic tacs like they are now.

there are alternate forms of pain relief that I have a keen interest in and recomend to my family members vs narcotics. seen them ruin way too many lives. My great aunt opted for medical marijuana to ease her cancer pain rather than narcotics. Other family members have had success withNSAIDS, yoga, meditation, swimming, etc and have been able to get their narcotic usage to a minimum. I wish more docs would push that.


AS to the OP's question, a good reputable PM doc is probably your best bet. They are able to find the right dosage and delivery system to control pain with the least amount of interference with life, thats a good thing. Gps too many times just hand over scripts without considering the person, their lifestyle, or their dosage level, delivery system, or type of pain.

good luck.

I also have degenerative disc disease with arthritis and a bulging disc in my back. :yay: I know pain. I take the pain killers when ABSOLUTELY necessary and have had the same bottle for 8 months.

You may look into something non-narcotic like tramadol...

This isn't any better.
Tramadol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol)

Physical dependence and withdrawal

Long-term use of high doses of Tramadol may be associated with physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome.[35] Tramadol causes typical opiate-like withdrawal symptoms as well as atypical withdrawal symptoms including seizures. The atypical withdrawal symptoms are probably related to tramadol's effect on serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake. Symptoms may include those of SSRI discontinuation syndrome, such as anxiety, depression, anguish, severe mood swings, aggressiveness, brain "zaps", electric-shock-like sensations throughout the body, paresthesias, sweating, palpitations, restless legs syndrome, sneezing, insomnia, vivid dreams or nightmares, micropsia and/or macropsia, tremors, and headache among others. In most cases, tramadol withdrawal will set in 12–20 hours after the last dose, but this can vary. Tramadol withdrawal lasts longer than that of other opioids; seven days or more of acute withdrawal symptoms can occur as opposed to typically three or four days for other codeine analogues. It is recommended that patients physically dependent on pain killers take their medication regularly to prevent onset of withdrawal symptoms and this is particularly relevant to tramadol because of its SSRI and SNRI properties, and, when the time comes to discontinue their tramadol, to do so gradually over a period of time that will vary according to the individual patient and dose and length of time on the drug.[36][37][38][39]
Psychological dependence and recreational use

Some controversy regarding the abuse potential of tramadol exists. Grünenthal has promoted it as having a lower risk of opioid dependence than traditional opioids, claiming little evidence of such dependence in clinical trials (which is true; Grünenthal never claimed it to be non-addictive). They offer the theory that, since the M1 metabolite is the principal agonist at μ-opioid receptors, the delayed agonist activity reduces abuse liability. The norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor effects may also play a role in reducing dependence.

Rarely, dependence may occur after as little as three months of use at the maximum dose—generally depicted at 400 mg per day. However, both physicians and health authorities generally consider dependence liability relatively low. Thus, tramadol is classified as a Schedule 4 Prescription Only Medicine in Australia, and been rescheduled in Sweden rather than as a Schedule 8 Controlled Drug like opioids.[40] Similarly, unlike opioid analgesics, tramadol is not currently scheduled as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. However, it is scheduled in certain states.[41] Nevertheless, the prescribing information for Ultram warns that tramadol "may induce psychological and physical dependence of the morphine-type". Using tramadol as recreational drug may also be preferred because it is one of the only opioids that is often not screened for by standard urine drug-tests.

Dependence on tramadol has been reported to be a major social problem in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas government has attempted to cut off supplies of the drug, and in April 2010 burnt 2 million tablets which had been intercepted while being smuggled into the territory.[42]

Because of the possibility of convulsions at high doses for some users, recreational use can be very dangerous.[43] However, via agonism of μ opioid receptors, Tramadol can produce effects similar to those of other opioids (codeine and other weak opioids). Due to tramadol's much lower affinity for this receptor, these are not nearly as intense as with the opiates per se. Tramadol can cause a higher incidence of nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite compared with opiates, which could deter abuse.[44] Tramadol can alleviate withdrawal symptoms from opiates, and it is much easier to control its usage than for street drugs.[45] It may also have large effect on sleeping patterns and high doses may cause insomnia. (Especially for those on methadone, both for maintenance and recreation. Though there is no scientific proof tramadol lessens effects of opiates or is a mixed agonist-antagonist, some people get the impression it is, while someone else might benefit being prescribed both for pain and breakthrough pain.)

Mh, lots of 'internet doctors' here who know exactly what an individual whom they have never met needs or doesn't need.

To the OP:

It sounds like what your FP was doing falls into the area of pain management. He had you on drug screens, not to prove that you were taking what he prescribed but to ensure that you didn't take anything beyond what he/she wrote for you. The only way you will get long term narcotics around here is by seing someone who does pain management. The feds and the state controlled drugs division look over everyones shoulder, so the only docs who are willing to deal with this scrutiny are the full time pain management types.

Just as a hint, talking about 'what you need' in terms of narcs will make healthcare providers suspicious of your motives in a hurry. So, find a pain management doc, stick with the plan he/she puts you on rather than going from doc to doc lamenting that nobody is willing to just write scripts for you.

Might have to get a morphinne pump inserrted in me. Shoulh be fun

This isn't any better.
Tramadol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol)

Physical dependence and withdrawal

Long-term use of high doses of Tramadol may be associated with physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome.[35] Tramadol causes typical opiate-like withdrawal symptoms as well as atypical withdrawal symptoms including seizures. The atypical withdrawal symptoms are probably related to tramadol's effect on serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake. Symptoms may include those of SSRI discontinuation syndrome, such as anxiety, depression, anguish, severe mood swings, aggressiveness, brain "zaps", electric-shock-like sensations throughout the body, paresthesias, sweating, palpitations, restless legs syndrome, sneezing, insomnia, vivid dreams or nightmares, micropsia and/or macropsia, tremors, and headache among others. In most cases, tramadol withdrawal will set in 12–20 hours after the last dose, but this can vary. Tramadol withdrawal lasts longer than that of other opioids; seven days or more of acute withdrawal symptoms can occur as opposed to typically three or four days for other codeine analogues. It is recommended that patients physically dependent on pain killers take their medication regularly to prevent onset of withdrawal symptoms and this is particularly relevant to tramadol because of its SSRI and SNRI properties, and, when the time comes to discontinue their tramadol, to do so gradually over a period of time that will vary according to the individual patient and dose and length of time on the drug.[36][37][38][39]
Psychological dependence and recreational use

Some controversy regarding the abuse potential of tramadol exists. Grünenthal has promoted it as having a lower risk of opioid dependence than traditional opioids, claiming little evidence of such dependence in clinical trials (which is true; Grünenthal never claimed it to be non-addictive). They offer the theory that, since the M1 metabolite is the principal agonist at μ-opioid receptors, the delayed agonist activity reduces abuse liability. The norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor effects may also play a role in reducing dependence.

Rarely, dependence may occur after as little as three months of use at the maximum dose—generally depicted at 400 mg per day. However, both physicians and health authorities generally consider dependence liability relatively low. Thus, tramadol is classified as a Schedule 4 Prescription Only Medicine in Australia, and been rescheduled in Sweden rather than as a Schedule 8 Controlled Drug like opioids.[40] Similarly, unlike opioid analgesics, tramadol is not currently scheduled as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. However, it is scheduled in certain states.[41] Nevertheless, the prescribing information for Ultram warns that tramadol "may induce psychological and physical dependence of the morphine-type". Using tramadol as recreational drug may also be preferred because it is one of the only opioids that is often not screened for by standard urine drug-tests.

Dependence on tramadol has been reported to be a major social problem in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas government has attempted to cut off supplies of the drug, and in April 2010 burnt 2 million tablets which had been intercepted while being smuggled into the territory.[42]

Because of the possibility of convulsions at high doses for some users, recreational use can be very dangerous.[43] However, via agonism of μ opioid receptors, Tramadol can produce effects similar to those of other opioids (codeine and other weak opioids). Due to tramadol's much lower affinity for this receptor, these are not nearly as intense as with the opiates per se. Tramadol can cause a higher incidence of nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite compared with opiates, which could deter abuse.[44] Tramadol can alleviate withdrawal symptoms from opiates, and it is much easier to control its usage than for street drugs.[45] It may also have large effect on sleeping patterns and high doses may cause insomnia. (Especially for those on methadone, both for maintenance and recreation. Though there is no scientific proof tramadol lessens effects of opiates or is a mixed agonist-antagonist, some people get the impression it is, while someone else might benefit being prescribed both for pain and breakthrough pain.)

Ok... I stand corrected. :coffee: try getting off all meds :yay:

My doctor put me on Cymbalta for pain. I specifically asked for non-narcotic medication. Cymbalta is non-narcotic and non-addictive and I was told there are several other meds out there now that are the same way - non-narcotic. I think perhaps if you ask for non-narcotic drugs and you may find your pain relief without having to see additional doctors. You should consider the new chemistry and technology that's out there and the progress that's been made with medication. They are called analgesic and block the pain receptors in your brain. They don't give you a "high" and you are able to function quite well on them.

Other than the 2 blown discs in my back, its all arthritis based and nothing they can really do except try and keep me comfortable

baileydog, I feel your pain. My partner has had lower back pain for 12 yrs. the result of a rear-end collision cause by a dentist talking on his cell phone. Surgery is not an option. He is a young man and fortunately his primary care team work with him and seem to understand grasp the concept of “pain management” via medication. I wish you well.

My mother is 79 years old and rittled with arthritis/heriated disc/degenerative disc disease/ diabetes/ heart disease/ etc. Shall I continue??

She can handle everyday life.

I'm sorry, but you need help. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Everyone has different types of pain and conditions and thresholds and occupations that play in to to these things. Pain meds in all of their forms may be needed long term. What's the alternative? Surgery. That unravels a whole new problem that often makes things worse and is much more expensive.

Caffeine,Nicotine, alcohol, anti-depressants (to name a few) all have withdraw symptoms and dependency issues. All have a place in treatment.

Elderly patients have conditions and issues that make pain meds not so suitable like frail bones if they fall.

Everyone has different types of pain and conditions and thresholds and occupations that play in to to these things. Pain meds in all of their forms may be needed long term. What's the alternative? Surgery. That unravels a whole new problem that often makes things worse and is much more expensive.

Caffeine,Nicotine, alcohol, anti-depressants (to name a few) all have withdraw symptoms and dependency issues. All have a place in treatment.

Elderly patients have conditions and issues that make pain meds not so suitable like frail bones if they fall.

I didn't mean to come off sounding so harsh to the OP. I realize everyone is different and I am not against someone using narcotics for pain relief. I have a hard time with someone using narcotics for pain relief for long term use. I have fresh wounds from a family member that was treated with pain meds for so long they became addicted and it took over their life. The whole world centered around when it was time to medicate. I think many people who use narcotics long term, even if they are prescribed, don't realize they ARE infact addicted to them. They are in denial, and resist any attempts to control their pain by other means because they "need" their pain medicine.

Just be careful folks. That's all I'm saying. If you are on long term narcotics, please keep an open mind to other alternatives to manage your pain.

Mh, lots of 'internet doctors' here who know exactly what an individual whom they have never met needs or doesn't need.

To the OP:

It sounds like what your FP was doing falls into the area of pain management. He had you on drug screens, not to prove that you were taking what he prescribed but to ensure that you didn't take anything beyond what he/she wrote for you. The only way you will get long term narcotics around here is by seing someone who does pain management. The feds and the state controlled drugs division look over everyones shoulder, so the only docs who are willing to deal with this scrutiny are the full time pain management types.

Just as a hint, talking about 'what you need' in terms of narcs will make healthcare providers suspicious of your motives in a hurry. So, find a pain management doc, stick with the plan he/she puts you on rather than going from doc to doc lamenting that nobody is willing to just write scripts for you.

I agree with you; the OP was asking for some advice from the locals and the next thing you know, all the web doctors/pyschiatrists start diagnosing her as dependent on meds. She may very well be. But, that dependency may very well be real. I had a hip surgery gone wrong and am in constant pain everyday of my life. After being told the only solution is to go through the surgery again, and risk losing the use of my hip forever, I too opted for pain meds. And if I have to take them the rest of my life, than so be it.

yes it is because of some bad seeds. But Ive had to take random drug tests just to make sure Im taking my meds. Which I think is kinda funny, when I drove a school bus I had to take tests to prove I WASNT taking drugs , now I take tests to prove I am.
They want to make sure you aren't selling them!!

I'd be willing to bet most people on this forum wouldn't want to go to a Primary Care Providers office if they prescribed narcotics.

How so ?


I don't think there is a single thing that can ruin a practice sooner these days than the word on the street being one can get pain medication there.

That may be the case if someone becomes the local 'candyman' and hands out scripts indiscriminately. Places that do so tend to get over-run by the local druggies who end up displacing legit patients.
However, if a primary care office did noninvasive pain management the correct way (pain contracts, drug testing, pharmacy audits), I dont see why this would be anything but an asset to the office and the local community. The reality is, pain patients are emotionally draining, high litigation and tend to draw the attention of the controlled drug division, so few pcps are willing to deal with the risk.

Just go to one of the 'Lyme doctors' :whistle:

Maybe a dumb question, but how do the authorities find out about what doctors prescribe what medicine? Do they audit the pharmacies and get doctor names?

Maybe a dumb question, but how do the authorities find out about what doctors prescribe what medicine? Do they audit the pharmacies and get doctor names?

Yes.

The prescribing patterns for narcotics are monitored, by the state and the DEA.

I think most GP are not qualified to prescribe long term pain or anxiety medication. It should be done with the consultation of some sort of specialist in their field. Imo

Chronic pain is determined by emotions, scientists believe - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wirecopy/9368065/Chronic-pain-is-determined-by-emotions-scientists-believe.html)


The emotional state of the brain can explain why different individuals do not respond the same way to similar injuries, say scientists.

Some recover fully while others remain in constant pain.

Brain scan studies showed for the first time how chronic pain emerges as a result of an emotional response to an injury.

The process involves interaction between two brain regions, the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.

Lead scientist Professor Vania Apakarian, from Northwestern University in Chicago, US, said: ''The injury itself is not enough to explain the ongoing pain. It has to do with the injury combined with the state of the brain.''