Oh bless you dear!I am not looking foward to that. I hate feeling like Im an addict because I need something stronger or whatever. I get the 'look'. Like theyre trying to guess if I am really in that much pain. I just want to slap the lips off their face whent they get all suspicious. I had an incident a while back when I first started taking tramadol.
A rheumy recommended it to my pcp. They wrote me out a rx. I get it filled. The bottle says take 2 tablets 2 to three times a day. Well at this point I was taking 2 tabs. 3x per day. I ran out of pills and called the doc to get a refill. They start freaking out saying well you shouldnt be out already blah blah blah. I want to rip my friggin hair out. So I go in the next morning and I am having major withdrwl symptoms already. This doc comes walkin in with an attitude. Im curled up in the chair sweating and shaking and crying. I tell her what the bottle said she sticks her hand out as if to say ' well where is it then?' I gave her a dirty look and told her I didnt know I was being accused of being a 'drug seeker' and how the hell is it my fault if they screwed up hmmmm? Well we finally got it resolved but I will never forget that. I hate it. Do they think I like being an ever lovin pill popper? For cryin out loud its either take the pills or shrivel up in a corner and go insane from the amount of pain Im in!!!

That doc lied! They were not checking to see if you were taking the meds, they were checking the level of meds in your system to detect abuse. And, a pee test?! Maybe they were checking you for illegals as well. my advice, switch doctors. I worked in a doctors office as a med assistant, so I know they "flag" charts of patients who they feel are drug seekers. I have a feeling you have just been flagged!

OH my goodness! You poor thing. I would be finding a new dr. too!But hey, look on the bright side, hopefully the new dr. will have a better attitude about FM! And be a lot more considerate. Good luck

THE REALLY CRAZY THING....I HAVE ENOUGH PILLS TO KILL A HORSE!! THAT'S HOW CAREFUL I AM WITH MY MEDS. I NEED THEM MOST WHEN IN A FLARE, OTHERWISE I TAKE THEM AT NIGHT WHEN THE PAIN AND MUSCLE CRAMPS KEEP ME FROM RESTING. I FILL THEM MONTHLY WHETHER I AM OUT OR NOT, OTHERWISE THEY MAY TURN AROUND AND SAY I DON'T REALLY NEED THEM IF I DON'T FILL EVERY MONTH. YOU JUST CAN'T WIN WITH THESE IGNORAMUSES! OY VEY!
ABUSING MY MEDS??!! JUST THE FACT THAT I DON'T TAKE THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS! I COULD NEVER FUNCTION IF I WAS ALWAYS TAKING THEM. SO, I SUFFER WITH THE PAIN TO GET THROUGH MY DAY. YEAH, I'M CRAZY. MOST PEOPLE TAKE THE MEDS TO GET THROUGH THEIR DAY. I DON'T LIKE BEING SO TIRED, SO I SUFFER. THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS ALL THE MORE RIDICULOUS.
OH WELL, THANKS FOR THE SINCERE ADVICE AND SUPPORT,
JERI

Gee, you must live in Arkansas. They don't even give pain meds here. Just injections, which I found a little to invasive and dangerous. Good luck in finding a new doctor because that is a problem in Fort Smith. The doctors all seem to be leaving, the word is "if you have a primary, don't lose them!" And there are only 2 rheumatologists here, one has no personality or compassion, and the other one is cherry picking his cases to avoid the fibros and Sjogren's people. I could go to Tulsa, OK but I'm too tired. Good luck, sorry for the rant. Moved here 4 years ago, because my sister brought my mother here after we had been together for 13 years and after a year of hearing my mother cry on the phone daily because of my sister's lack of people skills, I moved here from Florida where they take pain seriously. Patti

THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT THE CLOCKTOWER MEDISYS ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN OZONE PARK QUEENS NEW YORK.
JERI

I'm sorry at how horribly you were treated but I'm not the slightest bit surprised.

Do you mind if I ask if you've ever thought of trying something 'natural' for lack of a better word? I don't mean to be insulting, and am by no means discounting your pain or suffering, just wonder if you've ever read anything on fibro from an orthomolecular medicine point of view. What it is is working with the body's system to repair them using supplements like amino acids and the like.

One thing being used in pain clinics around the country and even by vets is the amino acid DL-phenylalanine. My journal entry from yesterday [10/16/07] deals with the subject and has some links in case you're interested.

What DLPA does is regulate your brain chemistry so your brain can sort out 'important' pain from that it needs to ignore.

One of the main theories of fibro that I truly believe is that the neurotransmitters in our brains are out of wack resulting in all the truly crazy and insane symptoms that make us look like fools. One of the main neurotransmitters, serotonin, is usually low and is why they put us on antidepressants. The problem with long-term antidepressant use is that they don't help the brain produce fresh serotonin, they just prevent what's there from being reabsorbed. Sooner or later you're running on fumes as the meds become less and less effective.

When serotonin is low, the pain neurotransmitter Substance P skyrockets as serotonin is needed to keep it in check. Excess substance P is why things like wearing a bra is often excuriatingly painful for someone with fibro. A 'normal' person who isn't deficient in serotonin doesn't even notice such things as their brain is doing it's job in filtering out stimuli that shouldn't be preceived as painful.

Back to the DLPA. I've been taking various amino acids to regulate my brain chemistry for about 6 weeks now and have noticed my pain level has decreased. That's saying something as the barometric pressure has been extremely low and in past years days like this meant nothing but pain and agony.

Well, enough pontificating. Hope I didn't offend you.

I TOTALLY GET WHERE YOUR AT AND I'M SO THANKFUL THAT YOU PASS ON THIS INFO FOR US,SO WE WON'T BE SUPRISED WHEN IT COMES OUR TURN TO STEP UP TO THE TOILET.... IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ALL OF US ONE DAY B/C OF THIS DISEASE THAT LIVES IN US. FEELS LIKE YOU'RE A SECOND CLASS PERSON AND YOU CAN'T BE TRUSTED...HOW MUCH WISER WE WILL BE B/C OF THE HELL YOU WENT THRU TODAY....THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU....LOVE...HELEN

Jer, i am so sorry you were put thru this. I so agree, u would think they would be checking to see if you were becoming addicted to it, but taking it? lol I believe another member here just went thru this exact thing a month or so ago.
It is so so hard now days to find a good doc, esp. for fibro but do not give up. You will find one.
I just wanted to add that i went the natural route for years, i payed mucko bucks, out of pocket, had to use my charge card, my insurance would not pay for any of these meds because i didnt need a script for them, even after doc fought with them they still wouldnt pay for them.
I have to say to u again, do not give up, u will find a doc, just hang in there for now. my meds get me thru each day. i wasted so much $ on the natural meds, and took 15-20 a day and they did nothing for my pain. If u do go that route please research each and everyone. Just be careful if you try that route. I had some bad side affects also. I have only found that very few benefit from the all natural meds. Im so glad it works for some but for as bad as the fibro pain gets i will take my chances and stay on my narcotics. they truly help.
There are more and more docs out there that are becoming more familiar with fibro.
Is your doc a general practicioner? have u seen a neuro or rheumo?
I see a rheumo and he is awesome. I couldnt get out of bed without my meds.
I know how frustrating it is.
hang in there.

I would have refused. It doesn't even sound legal. What a horrible thing to have happened to you. They should be ashamed.

Just keep in mind that it is most probably the drug companies and the DEA that prevent good policy around pain medication. The DEA is afraid they will lose power and jobs whereas the drug companies want to corner the market for expensive pain medications with drugs that kill you and are generally not helpful at the least. Opiates are cheap, any drug company can sell them and they work with minimal side effects except for addition which can be managed. It's a political nightmare and we are stuck in the middle.

I agreed to prove them wrong, unless of course it was to show there was nothing much in my system, then they could say..."Aha!! You are not taking your meds"!!!!
I too have taken antidepressants for yrs, did not even help much as anti depressants! I take fish oil and vitamins.
Funny thing is, my brother has been taking pain meds for yrs (the "big guns"), and has never been subjected to this. I must admit, I was at the end of my rope by the time she came in the office, so there was no stopping my arguments! I felt it was about time! lol
Thank you all for your continued advice and support!
Warmly,
Jeri

I've found in my past experiences,some dr.s do this kinda crap to cover their own a$$e$.They don't wanna get caught over prescribing!But for cryin out loud if they've treated you this long for this same crap you'd THINK they'd know you a little better!Definitely find a new doc.!

WHAT'S EVEN MORE AMAZING IS THAT I WAS DIAGNOSED IN '96 AND ONLY JUST THIS YEAR STARTED GETTING SCRIPTS FOR CODEINE!
GIVE ME A BREAK!
JERI

Listen to this one where insurance companies and the powers that be are concerned. Annual enrollment for health insurance for hospital employees. All employees are now required to take four tests: blood pressure three attempts given topass, don't stroke out), body mass index (gastric by pass anyone?), cholesteral (get your oatmeal daily), and tobacco (must test negative). Monthly insurance premium will be based on test results and become effective the first of the year.