Don't understand my doctor

[Hurtingnow]

Hi, I've been reading some of these posts for awhile but have never posted. I'm thinking maybe someone can help with my situation? I've been with my doctor for almost 15 years. When I first started seeing him I was diagnosed with siatica, and a bulging disc. He started me on oxycontin. I see him just about every month. This month when I went in he said, you cant be on pain medication for ever. I agreed it's not a good idea. He did give me my prescriptions and pretty much said that was going to be it! I started to think about it after I left. Isn't my body dependent on oxycontin after 15 years? Is this usual for a doctor to do?

[onamission]

your GP should refer you to the pain clinic at the hospital. I attend a pain clinic and have spine blocks for the pain and I have had radio frequency where they zap the nerve these are done in theatre on a day surgery.

Your GP can manage pain for a short while but after that you need the hospital hope this helps good luck

[Hurtingnow in reply to onamission]

I was thinking about going to a pain clinic. Yes, I'm sure they can help me with the pain. I just totally feel like I'm on my own. Thanks for responding!

[QuietMouse2]

That's exactly what I asked about the other day when I joined! As one of the other posters said that there seems to be a changing consensus to try and lessen, or in both our cases, to stop them completely dead.

I've been taking Longtec and Lynlor (40mgs and 20mgs respectively) for a good few years now and I was re-referred to Ortho yet again as even with the pain meds, I was becoming more isolated and not able to go very far without planning it like a military mission and subsequently paying for going out, for several days afterwards.

Mine wasn't initially stopped by my GP, but the Dr at the pain clinic and the GP took their orders from this pain Dr. After a phone consultation today, my GP has allowed me to take a Longtec and another one tomorrow morning and then he's going to call me later on.

Needless to say, that I'm not comfortable at all right now. I can only hope that you can get a more understanding GP sooner rather than later.

I'm wondering why we are being taken off of the meds? Do they think that we will suddenly be cured of the pain, throw away our sticks, crutches or wheelchairs and be able to take an aerobics class or do a marathon?

Were you offered any alternative pain meds? Or even alternative therapies? I'm one of the lucky ones who don't get the withdrawal symptoms (apart from the pain coming back in full force). But my heart goes out to you, I really know what you're going through right now, simply because I'm currently going through this too.

Please take care, and I hope that your GP has a change of mind.

[Hurtingnow in reply to QuietMouse2]

Thanks so much for your response and understanding! That's what the weird part is I wasn't offered anything at all! I can understand if he wanted to ween me off, or give me an alternative, or even tell me what to do as far as another doctor! He gave me my full prescription and he also gave me just one more prescription of my other maintenance meds. Like he totally cut me off of everything! It's just kind of scarey. I figured all just go to a pain clinic and try and find another doctor? I've already started to ween myself off of the pain meds. So far im okay. I just can't believe they can do that! I've never abused my meds and always have done what's expected. I just don't know how my body is going to respond? I'm in a good amount of pain now..I guess I'll definitely know what my pain level will be! As a patient I did my part. I just think he should do his! Thanks so much for your response I'm really sorry that this is happening to you! Doesn't seem right!

[Hidden]

Many GPs and others in US are being pressured to stop prescribing narcotics. My state has a new law pending that GPs can only give a prescription to a new patient for 7 days, and then certain requirements must be met prior to any further prescriptions. So get on the waiting list for a top notch pain clinic. A full-service clinic should offer you all sorts of non-narcotic alternatives, along with whatever prescriptions you need to be reasonably comfortable and have at least some quality of life. Good luck!

[katieoxo60]

Interesting post, I have been on medication for pain including self medicating for years, on opiates for long time too but no suggestion of pain clinic but I feel people should have this option for a more general veiw of treatment options rather than just an individual doctors opinion. Some alternative options might be cheaper than the drugs and more effective who knows if you are never given the option to try.

[cyberbarn]

This move away from pain medications isn't just because of the problems in America but because medical has moved on. Many drugs that control pain were meant to be used in end stage cancer and for some reason people (doctors and patients) assumed that it was okay for them to be used in other kinds of pain too.

But what they have found is that it doesn't actually work that way. Did anyone see Chris Van Tulleken's documentary The Doctor That Gave Up Drugs?

bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07w532p

He took someone who was on lots of painkillers but was still in pain sometimes and took her off everything. Only she thought she was being gradually withdrawn. She didn't realise that all the tablets they gave her were placebo. she tracked her pain and she thought she knew which days were placebo and which weren't. After she realised that her daily levels of pain weren't related to the drugs she was taking, they actually weren't working that well, so there was no point in using them.

She went on to control her pain other ways and was much happier for it.

I saw a lecture by the pain specialist that Chris interviews in the programme. This isn't about saving money as such, it is about not wasting money on drugs that aren't actually working for people. It is also about patient safety. All drugs carry risks and we shouldn't be taking them if they are not working well.

If you don't have a GP or pain specialist to help you then watch the programme and get tips from that to do it yourself.

[johnsmith]

See your pharmacist and ask for their advice. A drug you have been on for a long time should be reduced slowly.

You probably have grounds for complaint to NHS England.

"This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away." This is what it says in the website below.

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-2798...

[Hurtingnow in reply to johnsmith]

Thanks so much for the idea! I'm going to talk to my pharmacist..