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February 9, 2012 - 4:46am
Frustrating pain Dr appointment
I walked into the pain clinic today and about fell thru the floor. Not one seat available, people standing everywhere. Totally out of character for this office. Grumpy people everywhere. Just not my normal visit. I finally get called back for my appointment. Drug screen again, no problem, never is for me. Then comes the fun part. The NP walks into the room and tells me they are not going to fill my opana because I am ahead on my meds. I get my script filled on the 6th every month. Never before or after. The 6th of every month. I told her yes I did just fill my script on the 6th because that is the day of the month that it is due. She demands to know how I got ahead. I tried to explain to her that my appointment in the pain clinic is every 27 days. So They give me scripts every 27 days. After being a patient for over a year yes I am ahead almost a month. I told her I understood not refilling the Opana if they want me to get back on track but here is where I have the problem.She scheduled my next appointment for March 7th to get me back on track. So I asked her if she was going to write a script for one day because if I come in on the 7th Ill be out. She actually screamed at the top of her lungs she wasnt filling the script period. I was speechless. I mean yelled very loudly. So loud a medical assistant came in.The Np storms out of the room and the MA after finding out what the issue was told me to call the office and they would see that I received a script for 2 pills. She tells me to go to the waiting room and they will be bring out the rest of the scripts to me after the Dr signs them. Here comes the NP again opens the door and says Susan we wont be filling your meds at all, you have Vicodin in your system ( this is in front of the whole waiting room) My response to that was Ummm yes I do, your Dr told me to take them in place of the percocet when I had a abcessed tooth earlier in the month, You obviously did not read my file. She slams the door. 10 minutes later here comes the MA with my scripts minus the Opana. I realize we all have bad days but this was over the top. I changed my next appointment with the DR only. I refuse to see a NP again. I havve my pain pump trial the 22nd and I pray it works for me because I am so tired of jumping thru hoops for this place.
Susan
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5 cervical surgeries in 10 years and 2 lumbar
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Sounds like the NP needs a new career. No need to treat anyone at all like that. This is so very sad.
3 level 360 degree lumbar fusion (L3-S1) starting with eight-hour surgery to place hardware, discs could not be removed from the back due to scar tissue, so four days later, they went in from the front to complete the job. November 2008
You are very, very, patient! I don't know how people manage to keep quiet when they are treated so disrespectfully and rudely! That is embarrassing for them to act like that and to say that to you in front of other patients rather than privately! I would be sending the doctor a note in the mail because perhaps he doesn't even know she treats his patients so rudely. That is insane! You are a much better person than I and obviously much more in control - I know how I would have responded to that and it wouldn't have been nearly as nice! Hopefully this honery jerk does remember she is going to write a script for 2 pills before your next visit then! By the way - may I ask how long you have been on Opana and how you like it, what strength do you take, and how many hours does it seem to last for you? I recently started it (2 months ago) and it seems ok, but depending on days when the weather is bad, the pain spikes thru anyway. I take the 15ml twice a day and some days it works just fine, but other days it just doesn't seem too. What are your experiences with it if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks - Marion
First of all, yes she most certainly violated the HIPAA law which is all about patient privacy. I'm a nurse and this is one thing that is drilled into everyone's head the moment they are employed by the health system. So when you write that nasty letter to the doctor, be sure and quote the violation. Just google HIPAA and you'll find all kinds of stuff on it.
Here's one link that explains it: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html
And here's information on filing a complaint: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html
Worst case scenario for the pain clinic is that they have to undergo a formal compliance review and if they find that your complaint is valid, they can slap the clinic with an $11,000 fine. I would be willing to bet that the NP straightens up her act real quick if her employer suddenly gets the heat turned up on them because of her bad behavior. There is also a rule that prevents retaliation on you should you file a complaint.
Now onto what happened....that really stinks. It's not fair and I'm so sick and tired of people with legitimate pain issues being treated as common junkies on the street. Problem is, the junkies are what has caused the situation to get as bad as it is for real pain patients.
Hang in there.
Multilevel degenerative disc disease; spondylosis; levoscoliosis; SI joint dysfunction
March 2006-bilateral acute radiculopathy with bone spurs at C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 with 50% cord compression at C5-C6-no surgery yet, but it's coming!
August 2008- bilateral laminectomy at L5-S1; October 2008- diagnosed with spinal infection; I&D surgery and PICC placed for IV antibiotics January 2010- spinal infection returned; another PICC placed and more IV antibiotics (total of 7 mths IV antibiotics)
November 2010- Posterolateral fusion at L5-S1
I think the only reason I didnt blow up was because she left me speechless. I work in the healthcare field and I was floored by her behavior. I see the main Dr the 22nd when I have my pain pump trial and I will discuss the issue with him then. This NP is also the same person that scheduled a MRI for me and ordered the wrong test. She ordered a thoracic and I needed a cervical. That ended up costing me a 1000. deductible. I can guarantee I will never be scheduled with her again. Mouse as far as the Opana goes, I do or should I say I did very well with it. I take 20mg twice a day with oxycodone up to 3x for break-thru pain, The Opana seems to work for about 10hrs for me. Ive been on this dose now for about a year and it is starting to not work as well, instead of upping my meds we decided to give the pain pump a try. I am scheduled for a trial on the 22nd. I pray it works for me. My pain lately has been thru the roof. I dont know if it is the weather or what but it sure has been kicking my butt. Ive been trying to work full time and stay productive but if the pump doesnt work for me Im afraid I am going to have to make some changes.
Susan
5 cervical surgeries in 10 years and 2 lumbar
Hi Susan
WOW!!!!!!!! unreal!!! I am so sorry you went through all this
I just got done making a long post about how horrible our PC are around here (state of Pa).
Is this same PC going to be the ones who do your pain Pump?
If you don't mind when you are ready to do your PP trial would you please make a thread and update it so others can follow you?
I think Pat is the only one who has a PP thread going. It has a TON of info in it and is very very helpful.
I know I and I am sure others would benefit from following someone through all the stages of a PP.
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 full herniations. Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, DDD, scoliosis. Knees, hips & spine have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs. Age 50 - Here to find & offer support. *Had bilateral knee replacement surgery done March 15th, 2011
I am so sorry to hear you were treated so rudly.
But on the other hand I was thrilled to hear you are soon having your pump trial. I too pray it works for you.
Chances are very good that it will. And please do keep us updated. I believe MsHD has a great idea to start your own thread. There are plenty of people here would like to learn more about them.
Hugssss
Patsy W
I am not a Doctor but I do watch House and Doc Martin on TV.
Never give up HOPE..June 18,2010 I had a pain pump implant....I now free of pain.
My thoughts and opinions are just that, my thoughts and my opinions, based on my experiances.
Wow that's some nasty NP I wonder if they should do a drug screen on her? Sounds like she didn't even read your file about the Vicodan or she wouldn't have done that and even so to say it out loud to the whole room.
I know you can choose not to see her again and it's for the best to see the Dr. next time. I'm sure it isn't the first time she's been like this. I hope the SCS works for you and keep us posted about the trial. Take care. Charry
Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. DDD of lumbar spine with sciatica to left hip,leg and foot. L4-L5 posterior disc bulge with prominent facets, L5-S1 prominent facets with a posterior osteocartilaginous bar. Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing Neck-reverse Lordosis of c-spine C6-C7 with impingement, numb hand and sore outer elbow. Keep the faith.
Like I said my trial is the 22nd at 10;30. I was told not to take any pain meds 48hrs prior to the trial. Ill be a mess and am not looking forward to that at all. I went ahead and scheduled a vacation for that week at work because with no pain meds I am really going to struggle. The hospital were it will be done had sent a message to my Dr to see if we can change the 48hrs to 24 hrs. That would be more manageable for me. Ill make a thread as post as I go to let everyone know of my journey.
Susan
5 cervical surgeries in 10 years and 2 lumbar
Well i would of told the NP. Listen you biatch you worried about me having vicodine in my system when i am having a morphine pain pump trial here soon ?then you need your head looked at,
Pain pump is saved for severe pain cases which confirms to most that pain medication oraly is not doing the job so even having the extra vicodine in your system is no big deal,
I think that would of shut her up because she would of looked like a fool in front of all the other people in the room,
I had the pain pump trial myself but i had spinal leak for 7 days of the trial without a blood patch that should of been done to stop the leak,
Best of luck with your trial, And if by some chance you feel you have leak as i did with bad migrain make sure they do something about it right away so you can get the full affect of the trial as it was ment to be,
Good luck,
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
I am speechless reading your post! Like someone else mentioned, she clearly violated HIPAA by talking about your meds and case in front of every single patient that was there, so if I was you I would do something about it. Yes, everyone has bad days, but NO ONE has the right to treat a patient badly, you are in chronic pain, you already have bad days every single day, you do not need the aggravation! I hope that you take this with the Doctor when you see him next month, her behavior was unexcusable, and you did not deserve that.
On a side note, this is why I will not pick a PM Doc that uses an ARNP or PA in his office, if he is so busy that he can not see me personally, then maybe is time for me to find a new Doc... I've read too many stories of ARNP's and PA's treating people in pain badly, and making them feel like drug seekers, I hope that you can sort this out with your Doc. Take care,
Enid
5 lumbar spinal surgeries (07, 08, 09) including a multi-level/360 fusion and 4 Laminectomies due to fail surgery syndrome and complications. ACDF C5-6 in March of 2010. Right tibia repaired with titanium and screws due to a terrible ankle fracture in Sept. of 2011. Cancer survivor, and mother to 4 human children that are grown and gone, and one 4 legged one.
I've had over 20 surgeries in my life time, including a Thorocotomy to remove part of my left lung (Cancer). I am currently on Fentanyl patch 100 Mcg's, with Dilaudid for break through pain, I had a Spinal Cord Stimulator installed in June of 2008, and it has helped me with my neuropathic pain, but not my mechanical one. I am hoping to get an intrathecal pain pump some time this year, I just moved to the central part of my State, so I am seeing a new PM Doc. I have been on social security disability since my failed lumbar fusions. I am Social Worker,and mostly worked with HIV/AIDS patients and their families. I know that God has a plan for me, but he forgot to send me the memo!
***I am NOT a Doctor, Nurse or medical professional, so whatever advice I give, I give from the heart; so personal experiences,stories, annecdotes, etc. that I might mention here, are based on MY personal experiences, and are not meant to be taken as "Gospel". ALWAYS consult with your Doctor, he knows you best!!"
" Been positive or negative are habits of thoughts that have a very strong influence in life"
Susan when I read the 48 hrs without meds my eyes bulge out & my mouth dropped lol But SERIOUSLY I would be screaming my head off by then. 24 hrs I might be able to deal with. I hope they change yours.
On that same note PLEASE make sure that the meds your on are OK to stop cold turkey.
I am on the Fentanyl Patch (75 mg) and was told to never stop it cold.
When you start your new thread I will be signing up
Alex - why no blood patch??? So you no longer have PP as of the leak?
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 full herniations. Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, DDD, scoliosis. Knees, hips & spine have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs. Age 50 - Here to find & offer support. *Had bilateral knee replacement surgery done March 15th, 2011