Hi. I've got a painful condition in my left heel. It's an insertional Achilles tendinopathy. My primary care physician sent me for a consult at an orthopedic clinic because he though I probably needed surgery on it. I've got this big bump on the back of my left heel.

Well, the orthopedic surgeon was in no hurry to do surgery for this. He put me on Indocin (indomethacin), which to my amazement completely relieved the pain. That was a godsend because I had been limping on the left foot and was not able to keep up with my normal routine.

Now the two doctors are telling me opposite things. My PCP says that I should not be on this medication on an on-going basis. He says it will ruin my kidneys and cause me to fall and break a bone. The surgeon says that, since my general health is very good, I can take this med on an on-going basis. He specifically said, "It's a good long-term care solution." He said there is no reason to do surgery, if this med relieves the pain this well.

My PCP is refusing to reorder the med for me. I called the orthopedic clinic today. The surgeon had his nurse tell me that he will not order the med on an on-going basis . . . that he leaves that to the judgement of the PCP.

I feel like it's wrong for the PCP to refuse me this medication that a specialist has recommended as being fine for me to take. I am really upset right now.

Anyone ever hear of doctors being afraid to keep patients on Indocin? Has anyone ever taken it for an extended period of time? I might change doctors over this. It would mean getting my healthcare through a whole different system. I think my PCP is not looking at the big picture. I need to be able to walk comfortably. Anyone know of Indocin being all that dangerous?