Methadone Uses

Question by mason112277: Patient rights concerning methadone for chronic pain treatment?
Recently I had called my Dr.s office in order that we might discuss my levels of pain, among other doctor/patient issues. But when I talked to her nurse and explained that I wanted to touch base with my doctor, I was given the runaround. After calling several times after that incident, I was told that my doctor is now dropping me from their palliative care treatment, they will no longer be treating me – they told me it was because of a phone call which I had made to them earlier, yet when I questioned them on that, they backpedaled, saying that it wasn’t due to the phone call but due to a failed drug test over 6 months earlier. My doctor had told me in no uncertain terms that if I were to smoke pot, it would not hinder my dosing or our doctor/patient relationship. I believe that they are dropping me because I threatened to go to the medical board after their terrible service in treating me. Several days later, the nurse gave my mother my last 30 day script of medicine ( I never signed a release though, so that was a violation of patient confidentiality ) and told her that I would no longer be receiving treatment. So far they’ve refused to refer me to another doctor who would be able to care for me, and I’m running out of ideas here.

I need my medication, I need my treatment. Ever since this new nurse started working in the office, my treatment has been consistently bad; oftentimes inexcusable. Frankly, I’m on my last legs here, and I’m wondering if someone here could suggest to me my next course of action. Go to the medical board, seek out an attorney, request help from NAMA? What should I do now?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Meds – 880mg methadone per day & 64mg dilaudid per day. Ergo, I can’t just go to any old doctor. Need palliative care, I’m terminally ill and have chronic pain.

Best answer:

Answer by Mike
Go to another doctor.

You do not need to be referred. If you are on insurance, find one that is on the Preferred Providers list of your insurance. I would check with your insurance for this list and ask them what it takes to switch primary care physicians.

Answer by Nick K
its such a tossup, cause alot of attorneys will not even touch doctor related suits because they are so fragile, and alot of work…you do need your meds, but i dont know if you should put the effort in pursuing justice in this matter, i would just go find treatment elsewhere. all the time and effort you would put into this might be pointless without alot of money and nothing better to do. id say go get help somewhere else and just move foward. plus all the stress you are gonna go through just with presenting a case and alot of money will be wasted. just go get the help somewhere else IMO

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