Re: Bad Story - thanks Robin

August 4, 2003

Thanks robin for validating my venting.

Unfortunately, I do not have another doctor, at all. The only one

remotely in that position is my surgeon from three years ago. I

did email him a few days ago to ask if he is still " officially " my

doctor, seeing that so much time has gone by, but I haven't

heard back from him yet (he may be on vacation). I am thinking

about making an urgent visit with him to at least get his opinion

and maybe his help with getting me in to see someone else. I

am told that I have a referral to the pain clinic but have yet to hear

from them (it has been over two months since the paperwork

went through) and I have been encouraged by a coworker to get

an emergency appointment with them.

The worst part is that I feel that I need help, and need it soon, but

that I have no where to go, no one that I can ask. And here I sit in

the middle of a tertiary care, level one trauma center and there is

NO ONE that can help me!

Your pain guy sounds nice, and I was wondering if you could tell

me how I will know if I have one as nice. Was it an immediate

rapport? Was it the way he believed you and was willing to work

with you? Did he spend a lot of time with you? What should I

expect when / if I schedule my appointment with them? I am

aware of the addiction / tolerance difference and have long been

an advocate in allowing patients to get the meds that they need

regardless of the social stigma attached. I am afraid though that

I will encounter a pain doc that still has old-fashioned ideas

regarding this and that I will be stuck. The policy here is that you

cannot doctor shop. That once you have established a

relationship you have to maintain it unless something major is

interferring - personality clashes or disagreement about

treatment doesn't cut it usually. And my insurance limits me to

this institution: 100% pay only if you use our docs otherwise only

70% of " reasonable " charges are reimbursed and the insurance

company decides what is " reasonable " . (heaven help you if you

break a leg rock climbing in Colorado!)

I wish you luck with your progress and thank you again for the

helpful words of encouragement.

laurie

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