Community Chat

[Irshgrl31201]

On 8/3/2014 RINGER said:

On 8/2/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:

48 to 72 hours is standard time concerning prescription refills and requests. All of my doctors messages have that stated in the voice mail. I rarely have to call them for anything because I make sure I keep up on that just in case it does take a while for them to get back to me.

It looks like you may have to bite the bullet and take the vicoden until he calls one in for you.

Why didn't you ask him for this non opioid medicine when you were last in there? I mean you know you will have times that you will have pain so even if you weren't in pain when you last talked to him you should try to anticipate it, I know that can't always happen but since you discussed that med during your last visit, why didn't you just ask for it then. It is our responsibility as patients too to be proactive and not wait until the last minute.

May I ask what med it is that you are looking for? Is there a reason you don't want to take the med he already prescribed for you?

I think Noel had good advice with the 2 tylenol and 2 NSAIDS. At least give it a try if you are determined not to use the hydrocodone. He gave you the hydrocodone (vicodin) for a reason, so why not use it?

I presently take Prednisone and methotrexate (5 pills one time a week) and that is it. When I was in his office he said next visit he will do a blood draw (think he wants to make sure the polymyalgia has not turned into RA which is fine. When I saw him less than 10 days ago, he gave me 2 shots in the office and I figured that would take care of things and he did talk to me (at my request) what other meds was he considering knowing my past 3 surgeries and very little left of my colon (removed anus, rectum, and colon) so medicines have to be geared toward not aggravating my digestive tract. I wanted him to and WILL NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE AGAIN--GIVE ME A PRESCRIPTION THAT ADDRESSES THE INABILITY TO USE MY ARM (cannot get a bra on, can't hold a saucer in my hand without it hurting) and I could NOT cut meat the other day it hurt so bad. I want him to give me either Arava or Azulfidine (which I think is good since I had colitis/crohns) and that would help eleviate movement in my arm that makes me wince...I never know for sure what movement will precipitate a sudden pain that just about brings me to my knees.

YES I CAN TAKE VICODIN which I have BUT as I have tried to explain, it is not just the pain it is being able to USE MY ARM NORMALLY where there must be a lot of inflammation.

As of today, I am doing fairly well and think the weather (have osteoarthritis too) and a host of other health issues--diabetes, COPD, hypertension, polymyalgia and thankfully the crohns/colitis is in check after the 3 surgeries and I pray with all my heart that doesn't return as I nearly died with those surgeries (dropped 30 pounds--could not eat, diarrhea, vomiting, in ICU 2 weeks, blood transfusions, so those 3 years were a nightmare.

Again to those of you who think I think I am the only patient you couldn't be more WRONG!! I also must say however, with my other doctors, I get PROMPT calls, etc., so these doctors have thrown me a curve but NOW I KNOW HOW BEST TO DEAL WITH THEM after this go around.

I can't believe I put myself into such a position but truly believed the double shot would be the answer--I AM VERY PROACTIVE but boy I messed up on that visit--one thing about me--I LEARNED AND TRUST ME I WILL HAVE MEDS ON HAND TO NEVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN!!

Ringer, so sorry you are having to go through this. I too have Crohns and I have had multiple surgeries and only have about 10% of my colon remaining. I was on Humira, Methotrexate and a few other immuno suppressants.

I also cannot take NSAIDS because of my Crohns. Perhaps your doctor can prescribe some steroids to help with the inflammation. I usually really hate taking steroids because I get the worst side effects from it but it isn't too bad if I am on them for only a week or two.

You poor thing, you are dealing with COPD, RA and Crohns? I am so sorry you have to deal with all of that.

You will be in my thoughts and I hope you get to talk to your Dr first thing Monday morning. Call them right away if you can.

Take care of yourself.

[Irshgrl31201]

Sorry, just noticed you were already on a steroid.

[glb613]

On 8/2/2014 RINGER said:

On 8/2/2014 happy housewife said:

I would say if this doctor has already given you a Rx for vicodin you do not have an emergency situation at all, that would require he make an exception to his normal practice for you. You are not his only patient - what do you think he is going to order for you that would be better than Vicodin?

The vicodin was given 2 months ago after having an MRI and him saying I had one of the worst looking backs he has ever seen and wanted me to get an epidural. I told him no the the epidural as would use that ONLY if I needed it and had had shots in the past some of which took, and some did not. He prescribed the vicodin for the leg that I could hardly move but thankfully worked itself out.

I was hoping he would order A MEDICATION THAT WAS PRIMARILY FOR POLYMYALGIA WHCH WE DISCUSSED IN HIS OFFICE! I DO not WANT to use any NARCOTICs UNLESS I HAVE TO. Thus the call (remember I just saw him 4 days ago and was injected with prednisone and maybe methotrexate?) which helped for 4 days and then I was miserable and could not hold a saucer in my left hand and trying to put on a bra was a joke.

I totally agree I AM NOT HIS ONLY PATIENT but had I not had a heart to heart with him on how hard it was to get feedback from his office or him and no prescription, really ticked me off. We will see if he calls Monday, but this is NOT OVER YET AND I LOOKED all over our area for another set of RA specialist and the only other ones are in an area we just cannot drive to easily--when you live in the DC burbs, the traffic is a nightmare and we are in our mid 70's and can't do like we used to!

What do you consider a "have to" reason for pain medication. I don't feel sorry for you. You have the means to control your pain until the doctor gets back to you and you choose not to do it.

[Tinkrbl44]

Oh for Heaven's sakes .... most people have a little supply of first aid and different products .... bandaids, antiseptic spray, pain reliever, meds for vomiting, etc etc .... you get the idea.

If you are subject to unusual pain or flare ups, then you should also have a little "stash" of meds in case of an "emergency".

Be prepared .... it's a simple concept that anyone can grasp.

[RINGER]

On 8/3/2014 glb613 said:

On 8/2/2014 RINGER said:

On 8/2/2014 happy housewife said:

I would say if this doctor has already given you a Rx for vicodin you do not have an emergency situation at all, that would require he make an exception to his normal practice for you. You are not his only patient - what do you think he is going to order for you that would be better than Vicodin?

The vicodin was given 2 months ago after having an MRI and him saying I had one of the worst looking backs he has ever seen and wanted me to get an epidural. I told him no the the epidural as would use that ONLY if I needed it and had had shots in the past some of which took, and some did not. He prescribed the vicodin for the leg that I could hardly move but thankfully worked itself out.

I was hoping he would order A MEDICATION THAT WAS PRIMARILY FOR POLYMYALGIA WHCH WE DISCUSSED IN HIS OFFICE! I DO not WANT to use any NARCOTICs UNLESS I HAVE TO. Thus the call (remember I just saw him 4 days ago and was injected with prednisone and maybe methotrexate?) which helped for 4 days and then I was miserable and could not hold a saucer in my left hand and trying to put on a bra was a joke.

I totally agree I AM NOT HIS ONLY PATIENT but had I not had a heart to heart with him on how hard it was to get feedback from his office or him and no prescription, really ticked me off. We will see if he calls Monday, but this is NOT OVER YET AND I LOOKED all over our area for another set of RA specialist and the only other ones are in an area we just cannot drive to easily--when you live in the DC burbs, the traffic is a nightmare and we are in our mid 70's and can't do like we used to!

What do you consider a "have to" reason for pain medication. I don't feel sorry for you. You have the means to control your pain until the doctor gets back to you and you choose not to do it.

I am not looking for anyone's sympathy most especially yours and I find your snarky response beyond rude and uncalled for and I do NOT owe you any further explanation as to my decision and health issues -- END OF THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU!

[glb613]

On 8/3/2014 RINGER said:

On 8/3/2014 glb613 said:

On 8/2/2014 RINGER said:

On 8/2/2014 happy housewife said:

I would say if this doctor has already given you a Rx for vicodin you do not have an emergency situation at all, that would require he make an exception to his normal practice for you. You are not his only patient - what do you think he is going to order for you that would be better than Vicodin?

The vicodin was given 2 months ago after having an MRI and him saying I had one of the worst looking backs he has ever seen and wanted me to get an epidural. I told him no the the epidural as would use that ONLY if I needed it and had had shots in the past some of which took, and some did not. He prescribed the vicodin for the leg that I could hardly move but thankfully worked itself out.

I was hoping he would order A MEDICATION THAT WAS PRIMARILY FOR POLYMYALGIA WHCH WE DISCUSSED IN HIS OFFICE! I DO not WANT to use any NARCOTICs UNLESS I HAVE TO. Thus the call (remember I just saw him 4 days ago and was injected with prednisone and maybe methotrexate?) which helped for 4 days and then I was miserable and could not hold a saucer in my left hand and trying to put on a bra was a joke.

I totally agree I AM NOT HIS ONLY PATIENT but had I not had a heart to heart with him on how hard it was to get feedback from his office or him and no prescription, really ticked me off. We will see if he calls Monday, but this is NOT OVER YET AND I LOOKED all over our area for another set of RA specialist and the only other ones are in an area we just cannot drive to easily--when you live in the DC burbs, the traffic is a nightmare and we are in our mid 70's and can't do like we used to!

What do you consider a "have to" reason for pain medication. I don't feel sorry for you. You have the means to control your pain until the doctor gets back to you and you choose not to do it.

I am not looking for anyone's sympathy most especially yours and I find your snarky response beyond rude and uncalled for and I do NOT owe you any further explanation as to my decision and health issues -- END OF THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU!

When you put it out there on a public message board, expect responses. If this is how you act with your doctor, no wonder he takes days to return your call.

[NoelSeven]

On 8/3/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:

Oh for Heaven's sakes .... most people have a little supply of first aid and different products .... bandaids, antiseptic spray, pain reliever, meds for vomiting, etc etc .... you get the idea.

If you are subject to unusual pain or flare ups, then you should also have a little "stash" of meds in case of an "emergency".

Be prepared .... it's a simple concept that anyone can grasp.

No, it's not that simple. Pain meds are not handed out like Band-Aids. And what works for a person at one point in time, may not work the next time.

You don't know what you're talking about.

[RedTop]

Pain medication is much harder to obtain from physicians in this area, It will be given if the medical condition warrants, but type and quantity are more controlled than ever before. My daughter had minor surgery recently and was given Tylenol 3 for her pain, and only enough to medicate from discharge until her recheck appointment on Monday morning. The prescription was done electronically from the doctors office to the pharmacy, which is a great way to eliminate tampering and fraud. My orthopedic surgeon always asked about my pain, but prescribed only what I needed after my knee surgery. I had 7 pills left after I stopped taking the medication. All physicians need to be held more accountable for prescription drug use with their patients, in order to stop the level of abuse. I think your doctor acted appropriately and to the standard as my own doctor would have done for me.

[NoelSeven]

It's a new day and most doctors know pain control is crucial. A patient in pain is going to be physically worse off, that's certainly true for SLE patients.

It's not a good thing to hand out Tylenol for major problems, and imo it means the MD got stuck in time decades ago.

Sure, they have to be careful about misuse, but there are people who need help and should get it.

[LilacTree]

RA docs hate their specialty. There's nothing they can do for most of their patients, so they just prescribe meds. They are the absolute worst as far as "caring." They do not care.

I've had RA for ten years and have had at least eight RA docs. I don't even go to an RA doc anymore.