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My doctor refuses to treat my chronic knee pain

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Posted 12/18/2014 12:10 PM (GMT -5)
I'm in fear everyone, I asked my doctor if I can have a refill on my pain medication and he refused me, I take NorCo tabs to treat my chronic knee pain from a torn meniscus. My doc only gives me 30 pills for THE WHOLE MONTH since winter hit, my chronic pain has flared up more frequently and I used my meds up early, and now my doctor refuses to refill my meds.

One my meds wear off, I scream in intense pain. It's unbearable, please give me advice on what to do, I'm dreading the evening, my meds end at night!
Posted 12/18/2014 12:16 PM (GMT -5)
Unfortunately, you are going to have to manage with other over the counter medications and perhaps some ice or heating pad.
In today's pain management environment, no doctor is going to fill medications early, or allow patients to take the amount of medications they might feel they need, rather than what they are prescribed to take, for any reason.
If the pain had significantly flared up and nothing else was helping, you should have called him for permission to take more or to see what he recommended.
Self medicating is an absolute NO NO when it comes to being given pain medications , and there are not exceptions to that rule. Doctors won't fill early.
I would suggest that you get some gatorade, some espom salts, since they can help to ease the pain, and perhaps some topical pain relieving creams and ointments in the pharmacy to get you through.
Posted 12/18/2014 12:42 PM (GMT -5)
Well, in my prescription bottle it says take 1 tablet by mouth 4 times a day as needed....so I think that gives me permission to take more than 1 if I need to right?, I don't go over 4 pills a day....
Posted 12/18/2014 12:44 PM (GMT -5)
...and what does Gatorade do for chronic pain???, very curious....I also take fish oil pills for joint inflammation, which has helped lower my pain.
Posted 12/18/2014 1:23 PM (GMT -5)
If you take 4 per day that's 120 a month and they only gave you 30. You can take more when it's needed but on day 1 when you took say 2 you're already behind for the month.

You finish them up early and call is a huge flag. In pain management you cannot finish meds early or have meds remaining, it's part of the rules. Most of us are given a 28 day quantity so we are to manage accordingly.

Time for ice, heat, over the counter meds like Alieve and if you have withdrawl it's immodium and cold medicine.
Posted 12/18/2014 1:34 PM (GMT -5)
UPDATE:

Hey everyone, I'm writing to let you all know I received a miracle just now, I called my dr a few hrs ago to ask if I can get a refill, kind of dreading what he would say knowing now that he may not fill my meds early now,his assistant told me she would pass the request to my doc and will call me back.

Well, I was getting ready to see what I can do to handle my pain for the rest of the month if he didn't approve my request when I got a call from him 25 minutes ago, HE REFILLED MY MEDS EARLY!!, praise God!, I get to have relief again, I have to see my doctor tho tomorrow so he can see how I'm doing, but I feel relieved that my anxiety of pain and suffering is over for now.

Let me say to all of you who are experiencing suffering, I am a Christian. I believe in Gods power. I believe he can cure us all from our pain and suffering if we believe in his power.

I did sound doubtful and scared on my first post, I apologize for that, I should have had more faith in God and let him handle my situation. I will do better. But I do want to say if you are facing something that is making you scared. I ask you to call on God and ask him to help resolve your problems and fears, he WILL answer. He just did for me and I am so grateful!, praise God. :)
Posted 12/18/2014 3:28 PM (GMT -5)
I am a Christian and I Know first hand the Power Of Prayer. But, the Lord doesn't force His Will on anyone. If your dr isn't a Pain Management Dr, you need to see one. With the dr only giving you immediate release meds and with the rx directions, he either isn't aware that the pain is severe and constant, he doesn't believe you or he doesn't treat chronic pain. 1 tablet every 4 hrs for a month is 120 tablets. But, since he is only giving you 30 tablets to last 30 days, he seems to be saying that he doesn't think your pain is bad every day. He may or may not continue to give you the pain meds. Have they recommened surgery ? Have they done any diagnstoc tests like an MRI ?
Posted 12/18/2014 6:14 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Joeyman.Welcome to Healing Well.

Do you have a torn meniscus that needs repairing?

If that's the case your Doctor may be wanting you to get it repaired.

I've had 2 arthroscopic surgeries on my Rt. knee for torn menisci.My next surgery will be a knee replacement.

Hope you get some relief and hopefully you and your Doctor can come to a good decision regarding your knee.

Rick
Posted 12/18/2014 6:38 PM (GMT -5)
You've already gotten a bunch of great replies.

I'm so glad I saw a good orthopedic surgeon and got my meniscus repaired. It's lasted for almost 5 years with nearly no pain, still no need for more surgery.

I have managed before and after surgery with a simple steroid injection in the knee, just had another one yesterday - 10 months since the last one. The surgeon gives me the shots.

Pain docs mostly treat spine-related problems, but I'm sure they could give you meds for the knee. I'm not sure whether they do knee injections, but any doc, even a GP, can.
Posted 12/18/2014 8:44 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Joey & welcome to the forum. Have you been seen yet by a specialist for your knee? If not you need to get your dr to get you referred to one. A torn meniscus is common with knee injuries & can be fixed by doing arthroscopic surgery. I have had several repaired over the years.

As someone else mentioned here with everything being so strict concerning pain medication the sooner you can get your knee fixed the better because your primary care dr will not rx this pain medication very long at all. If the dr only gives you another 30 pills, I suggest taking them as sparingly as possible because there is a good chance he will not give you another script.

Take care.
Posted 12/18/2014 11:20 PM (GMT -5)

Mercy&Grace said...
I am a Christian and I Know first hand the Power Of Prayer. But, the Lord doesn't force His Will on anyone. If your dr isn't a Pain Management Dr, you need to see one. With the dr only giving you immediate release meds and with the rx directions, he either isn't aware that the pain is severe and constant, he doesn't believe you or he doesn't treat chronic pain. 1 tablet every 4 hrs for a month is 120 tablets. But, since he is only giving you 30 tablets to last 30 days, he seems to be saying that he doesn't think your pain is bad every day. He may or may not continue to give you the pain meds. Have they recommened surgery ? Have they done any diagnstoc tests like an MRI ?

I am going to have my knee torn meniscus thingy operated on next month, I was supposed to have it done 20 days ago, but my brother had to have my mom watch his children for 2 weeks because he and his wife needed to do a business trip.

I should tell you that I am a handicap, I can't walk, I'm in a wheelchair, this torn meniscus thing developed recently, after I do the surgery, I need to have someone take care of my needs as I am going to be recovering. I've had an MRI done and it does show a tear. My doctor is very understanding, he understands the pain I'm in.
Posted 12/18/2014 11:24 PM (GMT -5)

tidalmouse said...
Hey Joeyman.Welcome to Healing Well.

Do you have a torn meniscus that needs repairing?

If that's the case your Doctor may be wanting you to get it repaired.

I've had 2 arthroscopic surgeries on my Rt. knee for torn menisci.My next surgery will be a knee replacement.

Hope you get some relief and hopefully you and your Doctor can come to a good decision regarding your knee.

Rick

Yes, I do have a torn meniscus, my doctor has been informed by me that I will have surgery to repair it next month. I do hope I get relief soon. I have no idea how I'm going to feel after this, I pray that my suffering won't last long, it's in God's hands.
Posted 12/18/2014 11:28 PM (GMT -5)

Alcie said...
You've already gotten a bunch of great replies.

I'm so glad I saw a good orthopedic surgeon and got my meniscus repaired. It's lasted for almost 5 years with nearly no pain, still no need for more surgery.

I have managed before and after surgery with a simple steroid injection in the knee, just had another one yesterday - 10 months since the last one. The surgeon gives me the shots.

Pain docs mostly treat spine-related problems, but I'm sure they could give you meds for the knee. I'm not sure whether they do knee injections, but any doc, even a GP, can.

I have gotten 2 steroid injections to try to Alieve my pain, at first I didn't know I had a torn meniscus, my orthopedic doctor tried different kinds of treatments on my leg and knee, when he found out none on those treatments gave mr long term relief, he concluded that I must have a tear somewhere in my knee, he was right.
Posted 12/18/2014 11:30 PM (GMT -5)
It's good that your Mom can help you after the surgery. As others have said, this is a very common surgery. Having an understanding dr is a Blessing.
Posted 12/18/2014 11:38 PM (GMT -5)

straydog said...
Hi Joey & welcome to the forum. Have you been seen yet by a specialist for your knee? If not you need to get your dr to get you referred to one. A torn meniscus is common with knee injuries & can be fixed by doing arthroscopic surgery. I have had several repaired over the years.

As someone else mentioned here with everything being so strict concerning pain medication the sooner you can get your knee fixed the better because your primary care dr will not rx this pain medication very long at all. If the dr only gives you another 30 pills, I suggest taking them as sparingly as possible because there is a good chance he will not give you another script.

Take care.

I am so grateful I have a doctor that understands me, when I first began feeling this discomfort, I thought I injured myself, and when the pain DIDNT go away on itself, I started to panic.

I kept taking tylonol over and over, almost overdosing myself, I began having sudden chest pain, I then started to get panic attacks and anxiety. All this made me very scared, it's here where I fell down on my knees and asked God to help me, because I felt like I was going to die from a heart attack., that's When God led me to get my leg checked by an orthopedic doctor, and wham, Torn Meniscus discovered.

I now take NorCo for my pain, I told my doctor that I don't want to keep taking meds because I'm afraid to turn into an addict, he knows my concerns, the NorCo pills are great on my pain, would I like to keep taking them?, yes, to take my pain away, but I know I won't be on this forever, this is where my real test of my faith in God will go forth. I have to be prepared for it, with God's help, I will get through this.
Posted 12/19/2014 3:13 AM (GMT -5)
Welcome Joey and I'm a bit late to this party but as a post 6 repairs for meniscus tears I just wanted to say the sooner you get it fixed the better you will be. Pain wise and future health of your knee as well. A small tear left unrepaired can lead to a hyperextended tear that's much more complicated to fix and could land you in line for knee replacement down the road. Do expect that post op they will stop writing the norco at some point so they can get a accurate account of whether the repair was successful or not.
Posted 12/19/2014 4:00 AM (GMT -5)
I'm very glad for you it worked out! Pain mgmt is insanely trying these days. If you're not seeing a pain doc then find one. And possibly don't stick with the 1st one you see. I have been very fortunate to find 2 incredible pain docs here in AZ. I saw the first for about 2 years and then found another closer to home. Both happened to know about Crohn's disease firsthand which was hugely important in my case being its not a "typical" chronic pain issue and a lot of docs (even my highly respected gi) refuse to treat the pain. As long as I follow the rules, pass the drug tests and see him regularly I am in good hands. He even writes me multiple Rx's now so I don't have to see him every month. If I am having a particularly bad month he's been 100% on board filling my ER meds early. My ir meds will not be and I know that. I travel quite a bit for work so a lot of times I know I'm going to be away during refill date. He has always been accomadating with allowing me to fill early. I know in this day and age he's a small miracle. My point is that when you look for a doc find a well respected pain doc not a pill mill which may seem tempting to some but I 100% guarantee you that taking more than necessary will lead to hell. Yes I said that purposely being that you're religious. Pain meds are nothing to mess with. Withdrawal and addiction will end your life as you know it. Make sure your doc really pays attention to you and your symptoms. Ask a lot of questions and follow the rules! Good luck and sorry for my verbose response. It just seemed important. Take care!
Posted 12/19/2014 7:43 AM (GMT -5)
Y

mtgman said...
I'm very glad for you it worked out! Pain mgmt is insanely trying these days. If you're not seeing a pain doc then find one. And possibly don't stick with the 1st one you see. I have been very fortunate to find 2 incredible pain docs here in AZ. I saw the first for about 2 years and then found another closer to home. Both happened to know about Crohn's disease firsthand which was hugely important in my case being its not a "typical" chronic pain issue and a lot of docs (even my highly respected gi) refuse to treat the pain. As long as I follow the rules, pass the drug tests and see him regularly I am in good hands. He even writes me multiple Rx's now so I don't have to see him every month. If I am having a particularly bad month he's been 100% on board filling my ER meds early. My ir meds will not be and I know that. I travel quite a bit for work so a lot of times I know I'm going to be away during refill date. He has always been accomadating with allowing me to fill early. I know in this day and age he's a small miracle. My point is that when you look for a doc find a well respected pain doc not a pill mill which may seem tempting to some but I 100% guarantee you that taking more than necessary will lead to hell. Yes I said that purposely being that you're religious. Pain meds are nothing to mess with. Withdrawal and addiction will end your life as you know it. Make sure your doc really pays attention to you and your symptoms. Ask a lot of questions and follow the rules! Good luck and sorry for my verbose response. It just seemed important. Take care!

I wish I can see a pain specialist, I've looked for some and found 2 near my home, both do not accept medicaid, I only receive $721 a month in SSI income, they tell me a visit to a pain specialist can cost $250 a visit, I don't have that kind of money. I really wish I did...:(
Posted 12/19/2014 10:13 AM (GMT -5)
Hey Joeyman.My 1st knee surgery was in 82' when they had just started Arthroscopic Procedures.I had a lot of swelling and pain before and after that surgery.The rehab from that was about 3 months.

The last I had was in 2009.I was limping around with a walking cast the next day.

My Pain Management Doctor doesn't except Medicaid.I have Medicare.1st visit without Insurance would have been $250.Monthly visits would be $110 without coverage.

I see people paying it.I also hear them tell Patients that they can't have their Medication until they clear their balances.

I hope you can find the right Doctor for you.It took me 5 years and a couple of not so good Doctors to find a Doctor that I'm going to stay with as long as She and I are both around.

I wish you the best.

God Bless,

Rick
Posted 12/19/2014 11:34 AM (GMT -5)
Joey if you would please do not use the quote in your posts, it takes up a great deal of space that the administrator has to pay for. We all do what we can to help keep the costs down in order to keep Healing Well free to us members.

I would urge you to ask your dr to refer you to a knee specialist to have your knee fixed. Tears are an easy surgery. It is great that your dr is compassionate but the the bottom line is he will not keep scripting a narcotic on a long term basis for something that can easily be repaired.

Pain mgt drs are very expensive no doubt. If you are only having problems relating to this knee problem a pain mgt dr would not be of much benefit to you as he would refer you to a surgeon to get the knee fixed.

Take care.
Posted 12/19/2014 11:54 AM (GMT -5)
I have worked with those on Medicaid. I know how difficlut it can be to get proper treatment. Pain Management is for those who have chronic pain due to conditions that won't improve. I don't think the short time frame and with your surgery being scheduled that pain managment would even take you.

Even though your state Medicaid doesn't cover Pain Management. If you need pain management, don't expect your regular drs to provide it. In other words, if you have Medicaid and Pain Management isn't covered, you will more than likely have to live in pain. I know someone now who is getting ready to be homeless because Medicaid in their state doesn't cover pain managment and they can't live with the pain any longer. They can't afford to pay thei rent and also pay pain management. More and more state Medicaid's are stopping covering pain managment.
Posted 12/19/2014 12:22 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry for using the reply quote thingy, I was using it to respond indivially to the ones talking with me.

And if people living in severe chronic pain commit suicide to stop their suffering, it's those who are in control of regulating pain man agent that are at fault, more people are going to commit suicide because their pain is unbearable. Thanks to the FDA.😁
Posted 12/19/2014 12:37 PM (GMT -5)
When it comes to Medicaid, it is the state government that only cares about saving money. On the other hand, some would argue that is their job.
Posted 12/19/2014 3:25 PM (GMT -5)
It's a 2 edged sword tho I guess, there are a whole bunch of people abusing drugs like NorCo just to get high, it's those loony birds that really mess things up for us, they take drugs for wrong reasons and congress and medicaid have to punish us ALL for their actions.

I really hope God cures me as well as everyone that is suffering fron chronic pain, I myself have an extreme low tolerance of pain. I can't take it for very long. If it comes to that point where I can no longer get the meds I need before getting operated on my knee, because medicaid or my doctor stops me from getting pain relief, then that's where I would ask God to mercifully take me back home with him, I don't condone suicide, but if I ask God to take me home that THAT way would be acceptable. Hmmmm...
Posted 12/19/2014 4:26 PM (GMT -5)
Well Joey,let's just hope it doesn't come to either of us having to make a choice like that.

I've basically come to terms with the fact that I'll be taking strong Pain Meds every day for the rest of my life.

At present,I'm taking Morphine ER and IR daily.

Hope you get yourself as well as you can and hopefully the Doctors will keep you out of pain.

Keep us posted on your knee and whatever else is going on.

Good health,Low Pain,and God Bless,

Rick
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