[Rose76]

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?

[healingme4me]

That sounds painful, never mind, finding a sense of relief, to have your two doctors on completely different opinions.

I hope you get some feedback of anyone that's had experience, with this med.

I haven't, just wanted to send some ((((hugs)))) to you.

[Rose76]

Thanks very much, healing. It is very upsetting to have one doctor unwilling to accept the successful treatment recommended by another doctor.

[geis]

Is switching to another PCP an option? I know in some cases it's not, but if it is, it might be worth considering. It's a pain in the butt to start over with a new doc, but it might be worth it to find someone who will work with you on managing your pain.

[Rose76]

That's what I'm considering now, geis. It might be best achieved by switching to another healthcare system. I have until Dec. 7, which is not too far away. This isn't the first issue I've had with this doctor. Maybe it's past time that I moved on to another provider. There's no guarantee that some other prospective PCP might not do the same thing . . . . . prescribe a med for awhile, then suddenly discontinue. I feel demoralized and very depressed about this.

[SDarbo]

I have taken indomethacin for pleurisy. When I had a second occurrence of pleurisy many years later I asked a nurse practitioner for indomethacin again (on account of its having been quick and immediate relief the previous time). She flat out refused on the basis that in her estimation the risk/benefit profile of indomethicin didn't warrant using it. She mentioned its high tendency to cause GI distress. She didn't go into kidney risk.

[Rose76]

Thank you very much, SDarbo, for sharing your experience. It's interesting to me that you found it so effective. I have Vicodin (hydrocodone/tylenol) available, but even that did not help me as wonderfully as the indomethacin did.

I have heard of the risk for GI ulcers and perforation, which is sure something to worry about. In my case, the doctor has only mentioned the danger of ruining kidneys and that it can make you as risk for falling. (I guess it can cause dizziness and fatigue.)