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Nammu · Dec 22, 2012, 01:20 AM

I have to say this is one area I hit the jackpot when I was told by the new primary care doctor a couple years ago that they would not prescribe any pain meds. That was a time when I was trying to find a female doctor within decent driving distance on my duel eligible insurance. I was incensed at how I was being treated, by implication as if I was a drug addict because I had two visible areas w/ nerve damage and yet the doctors were acting as if I was seeking drugs. Like you I never had any issues w/ that and I made the pills last longer than they were prescribed for. The part I wasn't understanding was the part Leed talked about, I was SO worried about how the doctors might perceive me that I was not getting adequate pain relief. So the new doc really did me a favor by sending me to the pain specialist.

I was open w/ her about how I felt about being seen as an addict, she was open w/ me about how the rules have pushed them into a legal corner that forces every client to sign a contract in order to get pain treatment. I didn't have to pee every time I saw her but they do more than just test your drug levels, they are also watching your liver and many other functions to make sure the medications are not interacting. I was on both sleeping meds and pain meds during that time they monitored me more carefully. But because they specialize in pain management they could have me on both, but only as long as it was pain that was interfering with my sleep. When pain was no longer a problem but I still had sleeping problems she referred me to a sleep specialist. She was sorry but could not justify giving me the sleep meds any more.

Last time I saw my pain doctor I was worried because the hospital had changed all my meds around and had me on 2 -10/325 percocets every 4 hours and lowered the long acting meds. Thats a lot of Tylenol! She put me on a program to ween off and told me to stop worrying so much. But in a nice way. Despite the peeing and the contract we have a good relationship, shes one of my favorite doctors. I'm now in the process of weening off most of the meds since the surgery was a success. I'll still need to see her for my neck but like yours it doesn't require everyday meds. I kept detailed charts of my pain and the medicine when I started seeing her I don't know if that had anything to do with why she trusts me or if it's something beyond that. I too wish all my doctors would talk to each other. I have a master list of my doctors, the pharmacy(w/ addresses and phone numbers and all that jazz) I use and one of my all meds prescribed and OTC that I keep current and print out and take with me when I see anybody so they all have the same info.

But you and every person on this planet deserves pain relief that works and they deserve to get it without feeling like they have to beg for it or demean themselves in any way. Leed has some great pointers and experience.