Feedback, Please

Good Morning, All; As described in my previous posts, I stopped all medications in late 2004, and became completely "house-bound" as a result. Last Thursday, my disability insurance benefits were finally restored. I broke this five-plus year "curse." I went to my bank, to the grocery store, and even out to enjoy dinner. I can't describe how marvelous it is to have broken through this hellish spell! Here is where I am this morning. I need to get back on some of the medications for the chronic pain, and crippling anxiety/panic disorder. Since I no longer have a regular physician, I would probably have to be seen at the local emergency room. My fear is, that
should I show up looking for anti-anxiety and pain meds., they will assume I'm a common drug addict and toss me out on my ear. As many of you know, this is a realistic concern. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? Imagine; after all this progress, and then should I become overwhelmed again, being back at "square one?" I can't let this happen. I've come too far!

The emergency room is for emergencies.
Their goal is to administer emergency treatment; to admit to the hospital or to stabilize a patient until the patient can see their doctor.
It wouldn't be a place to go to begin long term treatment. At best they my give you medication for that day and then tell you to see your physician.

Do you have a community mental health center? That could be an option, as they have psychiatrists who can prescribe medication.

Now that you have insurance benefits, it is a good time to find a new primary care doctor for all of your health concerns, and especially the chronic pain. A family doctor may prescribe anxiety meds or may prefer that you see a specialist, a psychiatrist for that.

You don't have to arrive in a state of anxiety. Use words to describe what it is like and they will understand.

Thank you for your response. Yes, your absolutely right. I contacted my health insurance providers the same day I had my "approval." They are working on getting me a new P.C.P. Somehow, the fellow they assigned me is in a town a hundred or so miles from me. I am very often in both pain, and an anxiety "crisis." It is exceedingly difficult for me to "reach out" and get help. I'm trying too, to not do "too much, too soon." I'm somehow trying to make up for these last five years all at once. Thank you again, for your sensible reply, I appreciate it.....

Hey Chef,

I can understand your concerns maybe you could ask around to find out who is a good local GP. I'm lucky I've only had 3 doctors in the last 27 years and 2 of those were my family gp and my holiday gp and the new one when I moved 2 years ago. I'm very lucky though that if I go in to see her at least every few months or my partner goes into see her she allows me to phone in for my meds and then they fax them to the pharmacy and then dispence them to me via the local bus driver who drops them off at the local store...she knows that if I had to go in there every month for meds I'd never get any.

But once you have developed a relationship with a GP they will support you. I compromise and take extra panic & anxiety pills on the days I have to go in and I'm almost laughing when I see her and blowing non-existent feathers off my nose...I really do not take well to leaving the house.

I really do hope you find a good GP Chef, they are vital to your recovery please keep us noted on how you go,

Rhian

Hi David!

Good to see you back posting again. Congrats on getting things worked out with your disability and out the door into the world again. You did a great job!

I know in my town, the local hospital has a clinic and they also have a listing of doctors in town who are accepting new patients. It's possible your local e-room will have a listing of doctors taking new patients as well.

In the mean time, to deal with your anxiety levels, you can do a search on grounding skills that may help you get through those times a bit easier. I also find it much easier to write things out that I want to speak to the doctor about. In this way, I don't forget something important. It's oh so easy to forget things once in the office and talking about different topics. Keep the list with you or hand it to your doctor to read, whichever is easier for you. It's good to have something written out as well about your health history (we all need to fill those dang forms out LOL).

Here is a list of articles at PC regarding anxiety/panic disorders - http://psychcentral.com/resources/An...anic/Articles/
Maybe something there will be helpful to you.

Wishing you well and much luck in finding a physician! Take good care David.


sabby

Hi there! I understand the breaking through, and the sense of freedom it gives.

I would do research and see if there are any local pain support groups. You might not wish to join it, but the people who lead it are the ones to contact for resources for medication etc. The people in the group can tell you what doctors are worth seeing, too.

No, no ER, I agree. Hopefully you won't go into a pain flare that requires that. Do you have an urgent care center nearby? They might have a referral for you to a pain doctor.

I'd also look and see if there is a psychologist who specializes in pain management. I couldn't -- I wouldn't be alive without mine.

I wish you well, HistoryChef.

Hi, David,

You assumedly had a regular physician up to five years ago. Your medical records from his/her office should still be in existence somewhere. You have a legal right at least to copies of those records, if not the originals. Get the copies, find another physician, present your records and your story and you won't be treated as badly as you fear. It's true, this will take longer than a quick trip to the ER, but at this moment I can't think of a way around that. I infer from what you say and don't say that your doctor from five years ago is no longer in the area. If he's still there, even if he's not taking on new patients, certainly he should see you on an emergency basis. If he/she was practicing in a multi-doc clinic the easiest thing would be to go there. I hope this helps a bit. The best of luck to you.

Take care.

Do you have any "Doc in a box" urgent care centers like "Patient First" http://www.patientfirst.com/

Urgent Care? Express Care? http://urgentcareofmaine.com/default.aspx (this one's in Waterville but such centers are often "chains" like restaurants).