Looking for some answers

Looking for some answers. Had a severe back injury 3 years ago and been going to drs for pain management and now find out my fusion is not healed. I'm really so depressed I don't want to get out of bed. I don't have a therapist because I recently tried to change PCPs bc my old office was going through major changes and couldn't get me in or fill my meds for 4 mo. It's new clinic flat out states they believe I'm drug seeking and refused to have me as a patient. How dare they judge me. They don't know me and I wasn't asking for pain medication only the medication that was being prescribed by my dr one an antidepressant and the other an anxiety med along with other meds for hormones and migraines. I've only been to 2 doctors and they made me feel like trash. All I can do is cry anymore even more after this incident. I'm so afraid to look for a therapist or psychiatrist as they may think the same. Wy can't someone look for help without being labeled?? Idk anymore. I guess I just need to give up and resign myself to just being sad and depressed all the time.

It's not about being knocked down. It's about how many times we pick ourselves up. Said someone.
But honestly, that's about the key to life. Just keep searching. Things work out in the end, or else it's not the end.

((RealMe))

I'm sorry, but the only thing you can do is go to another clinic.

I can give you some feedback regarding the narcotic pain meds issue. I take them and have done a lot of research.

Narcotic pain relievers now surpass all other drugs (incl heroin, cocaine, etc.) in overdose deaths. It's all over the news and there have been new regulations both at the state and federal levels.

Doctors these days are *very* loathe to prescribe them on an on-going basis, many outright refuse to. Amongst other things, they are afraid of government regulations and law suits due to misuse.

They will be more willing to prescribe anticonsulants that sometimes help with neuropathic pain (incl some types of back pain), such as Neurontin, and give epidural steroid injections.

Have you been to a specialized Pain Clinic, or only PCP's? If you haven't, I would recommend an evaluation at a Pain Clinic, they will know of all of the treatment options available.

FYI, many doctors these days require patients on chronic opioid therapy (long-term narcotic pain meds) to sign a contract stating that they will not sell it, will take it exactly as prescribed, submit to urine tests, will use only one pharmacy, etc. I heard from a friend of mine that his doctor made him sign one of these for his Xanax as well.

I had to sign such a contract, it's the policy of the pain clinic where I'm a patient. I take methadone (yes, for heroin addicts, also severe chronic pain) for a chronic pain condition due to a spinal cord injury. It works and with little side effects, it completely changed my life. But I wasn't prescribed it until I had tried (and failed on) *everything* else.

I hope this information is helpful. Again, I would recommend a full evaluation at a pain clinic. Consider different treatment options (those anticonvulsants do work for some people, as well as the injections, and the antidepressant Cymbalta also works for some), and try not to take personally the 'drug seeking' thing. Keep in mind, too, that the fact that a doctor refuses to prescribe doesn't necessarily mean that they think you're drug-seeking, only that they're scared as cr ** p to prescribe it/it's their policy not to for non-cancer pain, etc. Many doctors will refuse no matter what your history. I think you mentioned taking something for anxiety -as I say, some doctors are also becoming very reluctant to prescribe those.

Chronic pain can cause and seriously worsen depression and anxiety, as I'm sure you know. I hope you can get a therapist soon. And find a doctor who will work with you -as non-judgmentally as possible- to alleviate your pain. So sorry about this, and good luck.

There are psychotherapists who are specialised in meeting patients with chronic pain. And there are antidepressants that are also sometimes useful for pain management - you could ask a psychiatrist about that.

I think the risk of your running into a therapist or psychiatrist who thinks you are just a "drug seeker" is very small. If that should happen, try to keep looking. Mental health professionals know that physical pain affects our mental state.

I am confused; you were going to doctors for pain management and changing your primary care physician for your other stuff it sounds like. I don't know why you were changing your primary care person and/or if you were seeing two sets of doctors or only your old primary care person for the pain meds?

If your back is still having problems, I would make an appointment with a specialist to deal with that problem. If you are going to a clinic for all of your various doctors, or your insurance is in the way or something of that nature, I would sort out that problem independently and get a primary care physician who can help you move forward with your ongoing issues while also being aware of your back issue.

who thinks you are just a "drug seeker" is very small.

Actually, this is unfortunately very common these days, for various reasons, but partly because there are a great deal of drug seekers out there. And these people end up making it very hard for those of us with legitimate severe chronic pain to get the help we need. (I don't tend to judge people for their addictions, but this part of it does make me very angry).

Addiction to these substances is rampant and addicts will do anything to get them. These days where I work, for example, if you go to the ED with severe pain, they won't prescribe as many narcotic pain reliever pills as they used to -just a few pills to tide you over until you follow up with your doctor.

Actually, now that I think about it wantingtherealme, they may have laid the drug-seeker label on you because you changed doctors. Asking for these medications from more than one doctor is a red flag to them. Not saying it's right or fair, but tends to happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultramar who thinks you are just a "drug seeker" is very small. Actually, this is unfortunately very common these days, for various reasons, but partly because there are a great deal of drug seekers out there. And these people end up making it very hard for those of us with legitimate severe chronic pain to get the help we need. (I don't tend to judge people for their addictions, but this part of it does make me very angry). Addiction to these substances is rampant and addicts will do anything to get them. These days where I work, for example, if you go to the ED with severe pain, they won't prescribe as many narcotic pain reliever pills as they used to -just a few pills to tide you over until you follow up with your doctor. Actually, now that I think about it wantingtherealme, they may have laid the drug-seeker label on you because you changed doctors. Asking for these medications from more than one doctor is a red flag to them. Not saying it's right or fair, but tends to happen.

Well, we don't know which part of the world the original poster lives in, so it's impossible for us to say what conditions are like there.

Which is something I should have considered before posting as well - my apologies.

I saw "PCP" instead of "GP" and figured the U.S. (where I'm from) but of course I could be wrong.