Sounds like it is time to ask the rheumy if she will takeover your pain control, and dump the pain doc.

It is so sad to see so many doctors shying away from helping us. The Justice Departments witch hunt of doctors and patients has to end sooner or later. I hope we all can survive till then.

It is a shame we have to live in fear each moth of what our doctors are going to do next.

Ouch

It's politics and we need to get the laws changed but voting in politicians who are not paid off by big pharma. We need campaign reform. It has nothing to do with us we are just stuck in the middle.

Rant away dear. I don't think he meant that in a bad way. Thinking out loud maybe. keep bugging him. I think the stretching exercise has helped me the most but still need more pain mes!!!!!Trying at the moment to get up courage to call my rhuemy.Can't go there its an 11 hour drive. good luck marilyn

Rant away, so sorry your appointment was so disapppointing. You are in a hard spot thats for sure.

I hate doc visits that are like that! Rant away!

Just a thought: Maybe your doc wasn't being specific enough about tramadol. My doc has me take two week holidays from tramadol roughly every 6 months to a year. I wean myself off very carefully and then wait, and start again. It really makes a difference in how well it works. Since I know he wants me to do that, I can choose when. I usually wait until I'm feeling pretty good, the weather is cooperating and then I wean myself off very slowly. I think the fact that I do that helps keep me from looking like I am drug seeking.

Sometimes doctors don't have good communication skills. But he really should have listened to you. After all, you are the expert when it comes to your body.

One of the ways I deal with the drug seeking problem is to have one of the doctors I have do all the prescribing. I haven't ever been questioned about it. I also only consult with a pain specialist once a year instead of being a regular patient.

But none of that helps you right now. I know you are in pain and wish I could do something more tangible than a note on a forum.

I understand your frustration. I was DX in June '05 & it took me 2 years to get the "Dream Team" of doctors I have right now and the medical help I desperately need.
When we changed insurance this year, it took me 6 months to finally try & find an MD. Why? Because of the fear that I won't be taken seriously. When I made my appt. with this new PA, my first question was "Does he know about fibro and/or does he believe in fibro". He did so I went.
I think the definition of drug seekers are people who are seeing Doctors A, B, & C. They are getting pain med scripts from each of these docs & go to different pharmacies to fill them. And of course, each doc has no knowledge of the other.
This is the hardest part for you...finding that doc that will hopefully have some empathy for you & will prescribe what you need & also back you up.
Don't give up...I know it's hard. God Bless you in your search.
Warm Hugs~~~

This might not be what you want to hear, but I remember reading someone here to thought their neurontin wasn't working. Then he/she got off of it for a couple of days and realized that it was.

That may be where the pain doc was coming from when he said that to you. Might not have been delivered in the right tone, but it might be a possible explanation of intent.

I agree with kabel about what the doctor probably meant and maglet in that going off for awhile does seem to increase the effectiveness of some meds. I know one of my meds I was sure hadn't made any difference. I quit taking it and quickly realized that the improvement had been so gradual that I just hadn't noticed it. Basically I had forgotten how bad it had been. But that doesn't mean you don't need something different now. If you still feel crappy, you need relief, whether it has been working in the past or not, you need something that works NOW. Hugs

Ok I agree here with a few. I am on Lamictal for nerve damage. I take 24+ meds a day and some days don't get them all. I was having bad lower leg pain (that oxy and vicodin wont touch). I went back to neurologist and he suggested I remember to take the lamictal as scribed. He was dead on.

Rant away tho sweetie because even if he is correct he isnt listening to you.

Love & Peace
Raven

24+ meds Raven!?! Good Lord...
Some days it is just too overwhelming to realize what we all have to do to hopefully feel a wee bit "normal"...

Gee but 24+ pills arent nothing ya know cuz I am just milking the government so I can stay home, get stoned and rip my dad off LMBO

My sense of humor has become more warped I do believe.

I agree with callmeouch, you should have your other doc take over.Do look around for another doc if you can't work things out with you rheumy.I think we have all had to deal with the attitude that you are a drug seeker and I won't help you bandwagaon.I hate these docs. I just wish that I could give them even a few hours of my pain, then maybe they will get it.A doctor should know that those of us with cronic pain, get used to our meds even when they are working and need to up our dose to get relief, and or get something else for the pain.
Rant all you want about it, we all understand.
Hugs and prayers

I see what you all are saying. I was off tramadol for a week not too long ago. When I got back on it, it still had the same effect as before. The vicodin stopped working after just a week. So, here I am! Im at the highest dose that he is willing to give me on the tramadol. Ive tried to do stretching and low-impact exercises but it truly kicks my butt. Im layed out for a week after walking too much. Im just frusterated is all....

you've probably been offered this before, but have you ever tried water aerobics? When I was in college I took a water aerobics class and was totally surprised that I actually felt better while doing it. I found out that when you exercise in the water, the water massages your muscles at the same time you are using them so you don't have any pain afterward. If I could find an inexpensive place to go, I would continue to do that cause he really felt good...hugs jilly

That sucks.....I really hope you go to just your rhuemy doc. and tell the other doc to take a hike.
Tam