Pain Management Contracts ?

How many people here have had to sign these contracts ?
I have to sign one at my next appointment and am the type
of person that is leery at the thought of signing anything
called a contract...I am only 32 so I guess it is for my and
their benefit but, I am still leery of it.

I try to manage my pain just by staying active, since this
helps me focus on whatever my goal is but, at the same time
I guess it also compounds my problems which usually set
in at night for the worse, though I have learned to live with
lack of sleep some how, and even manage to block out all
real feelings of pain through mind over matter for long
periods of time but, the doctors seem to think that I am in
un repairable shape " LOL " and want to make me stay on
their orders

What do you guys think of these contracts ?

Is he prescribing Narcotic Pain meds for you? I've heard of people with chronic pain receiving pain meds that sign an agreement with their doctor, because narcotics can be extremely
addictive.

Other than that that I never have heard anything of what your speaking about?

Maybe you can give a lil more info....that would help.

????

I know how ya feel coral chronic pain is very debilitating.
Hang in there....

pain contracts came about in order to protect doctors from the DEA. Some doctors at pain clinics and in other specialties have been arrested and their practice suspended because they prescribed more medication than the DEA thought they should. These decisions were made by agents who are not even doctors.

Yes, they prescribe narcotics and feel I need long term treatment, I think , I have more information being emailed to me on Monday, since I requested that I understand completly what it was before signing

I will have to have random drug screens also which is not a problem.

I think another concern he had was my blood pressure
which has been consistantly high, I quess from pain

I'll know more next week

Here's a couple typical sorts of contracts:

http://www.compassionandsupport.org/...t_contract.pdf

http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/pdfs/pain.pdf

Some states have laws requiring use of a contract, some don't but doctors in that state might use a contract anyway.

Here's what doctor's in Oregon consider: http://www.ohsu.edu/ahec/pain/painmanual.html

About three years ago my daughter was under pain management care and had to sign a contract. They explained to her that she was not to seek pain medication through any other place except them. However there were circumstances that was allowed. In my area there is a problem with people going from ER to ER, doctor to doctor, getting pain meds. This has slowed them down considerably.

thanks all

My pain contract is as above. A promise not to get any other narcotics for any reason w/out speaking with pain doc first. I refused cough syrup because of this and was later told it would have been okay and to later tell them but I want the integrity of never having anything else in my system w/out permission.

Most neurologists that are pain specialists have a form along with all the rest of them, that require you to get your meds ONLY from them. I've never given any doctor that control over me, personally. If they can't trust me, I can't trust them

wish it were that easy here.

as do I, I am only 32 so they seem to take that into account more than anything, I don't feel it is a trust issue as much as a covering their butt issue

I have already been on Vicoden for quit a while, so I quess they want to switch to something else, I told them I would be receptive to whatever they think works, though I do study and proceed with caution before I take anything

Well, if the only doctor who will give you anything requires a contract, then sign it. Good pain management might also include for YOU to keep track of your pain, and your medicating. If you go into the doctor with a booklet of your taking the medicine as prescribed plus the notations of when you did such and such activity and had breakthrough pain, then the doctor might be more open to increasing your medication for those times, you know?

If the doctor sees you taking this as a serious, sincere effort to reduce your pain, they might overlook what they think they see as drug seeking behavior.

be well

I don't think they look at it as such (drug seeking), they said that it is standard protocol for them to do so with anyone who requires long term pain managment

Just about any doctor would prescribe to me but, if they are going to do it for the " long term ", I think almost all of them around here require it, from what I have learned from research and talking with others, there have been doctors who have been in alot of trouble over writing scripts

In some states I have heard it is law.

I recieved a email outlining their protocol, since I requested that I completely understand it before signing, no problems that I can see

I don't think they see my efforts as not being sincer or serious, since I have never requested anything, and have only followed their regimen " as needed "

I have never thought of keeping a booklet, I may start, but I usually don't take as much as I probably should, and rely on staying active to keep my mind off of it, but this increases my blood pressure, which they have pointed out to be a problem, and as I age the problems become compounded and I quess the mind over matter does not work as well as it once did

I work 10 hour days 4 days a week in a physical job, then work all weekend on my own, or others projects, I seem to never stop working, or playing with the kids, and my body just does not hold up as it once did

I did not request my medication be increased, they are just preparing for long term treatment, since there is nothing else they can do

I have never actually ran out of medication between visits, since I use them as sparingly as possible, none the less after time, people build up a tolerence to whatever

Taking less medication than you really need, and is prescribed is not a good solution, in the long run either. Do read up on some of the articles available about chronic pain management, I think you'll be surprised with some of the information.

I think that is what they are trying to say also, and why they are prescribing a stronger medication ( I think ) so that I don't have to take as many pills as they have me on now (3)....I actually hate taking pills....

I'll know more after thursday

I will do some reading, I never really have givin much thought to it before they mentioned this

Yes you are correct about this 100%,these agents aren't even M.D.'S,WHAT THE HELL DO THEY KNOW ABOUT PERSCRIBING MEDICATIONS?! As far as I'm concerned it's the over zealousness of the whole "Just say no to drugs" thing gone amok,meanwhile people with cronic pain issues suffer.

I agree with what you said. In my state, Oregon, the contracts have become required, as are periodic drug tests-which I don't like because I feel I'm being labeled as a problem when I'm only seeking pain relief. I've been on the same pain meds since 1997&my doc refuses to give me anything stronger&is satisfied when I say that my pain is only relieved 50% all of the time. It affects what I can do&when my back goes out due to sciatica-watch out!-I'm usually down for a week with that&am given additional Vicodin for a brief period&sometimes some very painful injections in my neck&back that make me cry to the point that my doc has asked if I want to continue the injections when I get sciatica. I just want to be able to walk&not be in so much pain that I can hardly stand it. I've requested physical therapy&have been refused it this year. Don't know why&doc isn't very forthcoming. He's a very serious person. But, I just grin&bear it&accept that I have a continuing chronic pain problem that can't be relieved except w/carefully monitored meds. Sigh.

I have been seeing a pain management practice for over 4 years now and every month am required signing a form of how my pain is, if I have seen any other practitioner for anything and why, also the final portion of the contract is that if we test you for drugs today will we find only your prescribed medications in your system, in no why?

Many ppl are going to the pmangement then not taking the meds or abusing them or selling them, so a few or just one can jeprodize a clinics entire practice. The random drug screens not only look for illegal substances, but check to see and monitor my levels of the narcotic meds that they prescribe me month to month, if there not in my system, then where would they be.

I have had numerous MRI's CTscans, Tests, and have seen neurologists, neurosurgeons and other specialist to rule out other options to correct the source of the chronic pain which to date narcotic pain meds are my only option x2 neurosurgeons along with inoperable conditions in my neck and spine. I do not have a problem signing those forms, in fact it helps me realize by signing I know I have nothing to hide and subsides my own doubts of them thinking I am a drug seeker paranoia.

The Pain Management Practices prescribe exclusivly almost narcotics and are under close watch. When regular doctors are not willing to in general risk all which comes along with prescribing pain narcotic medications.

I had a tooth extracted two days ago, and understood it was my need to contact pm prior to the dental surgery for pain control of the post op, as it is the speciality. I just wanted to share what it is for me to go to Pain Management each month. Without Pain Management I would not have my Electric Wheelchair, or be able to live in my own apartment, as I would require round the clock nursing care to administer the narcotics.

I am sure all pain mgmnt clinics are different, I am just greatful for the one I go to. I am allowed to recieve meds from other doctors as long as it is not for the control of pain.

best wishes sorry for going on and on krzykris101