I've been on oxycontin for about a year, and I have some of the same concerns about whether my doctor will continue refilling it. He has given me no trouble and I've always used it responsibly, so I have no reason to worry, but I know that there are concerns about these types of meds. I do, however, think that doctors should have a responsibility to take patients off of addictive meds responsibly - and that includes replacing them with something if there is pain that needs to be controlled and also weaning them off gradually, because chances are that physical dependency has developed and just quitting taking them is going to result in some unpleasant symptoms.

No, it is unacceptable to not refill your pain meds. But how long has it been since your last appointment? Doctors will begin to do this if they think you should come back in. Why they cannot call, and say, 'Hey, you need to come back in.' is beyond me, but they don't.

If you have been seeing him, and that was all he gave you, make an appointment with him and discuss it. Actually, either way, you need an appointment so you can talk to him face to face, and come up with a treatment plan.

I don't think that he is weaning you off...he just wants you to come in. Be plain spoken about your continued need, and point out, if you need to, your responsible behavior thus far. But I don't think it wil be a problem...just go to that visit soon!

I had missed one appt recently, mind you the one and only in 2 years of seeing him and completely by accident. When I called they re-scheduled for 6 mos. later. A long story short I had been kicked off my Orencia infusion with a 2 mo delay on starting injections during a bad flair I called for a re-fill on pain meds and a script for Prednisone although they filled a 2 wk script for pain meds no steroids?! 2 weeks later I called again for a re-fill they did but with many questions. I told her if he needed to see me get me in on a cancellation... No comment! I'm looking for a new rheumy but he's the only one in town so I'll have to travel. Sorry long winded

I agree with what the others have said. It does kinda sound like he's being snarky at you for missing that appt. If they refuse, ask that they at least taper you so you don't go through withdrawal. Stopping the prescription suddenly is a very irresponsible thing for the office to do.

There's a big difference between addiction and dependency. If you're an adult and haven't had problems with addiction, it's likely you won't. Addiction involves using them more than prescribed, taking a higher dose than you're supposed to, refilling earlier than you should, trying to get them on the street, using illegal drugs, etc. If you've been on them 2 years without these issues, you're not 'addicted'.

Dependence simply means your body has grown used to them and you will need to taper down to stop taking them. Opiates do this, it's nothing to be ashamed of. When people look down their noses at you because you have to have them, they're simply showing their ignorance. I've read about cancer patients in hospice having relatives lecture them about 'getting addicted'! Like dying people will suddenly start visiting a crack house because they dared to take their prescribed medications!!

I would definitely be a squeaky wheel on this one. Keep on top of your doctor's office so they understand this issue needs immediate attention - 6 months isn't quick enough.

Well, working in the medical field and having RA and being in pain a lot of the time even with biologic and DMards, I can see both sides of the token. We need our pain meds when we need them, but on the other hand, the doctor does not want their patients to become addicted or worse yet overdose. I am on Tramadol, but a few years ago when my pain requirements went up, my rheumatologist sent me to a pain management doctor. After assessment he bumped me up to Nucemta which works well for severe pain. I left one Rheumatologist a while back as he thought I only needed Motrin and I had to tell him what to prescribe for myself.

I have a tramadol prescription that I use-taking only one in the am to get going (I don't like to take them later in the day). This is a timely topic for me because the prescription is about gone, and I am wondering what the doc will say. Since she prescribed it for 2 two times a day the meds having lasted a lot longer than originally thought, but she gave them to me during one of my many med stoppages (after the methotrexate had to be stopped b/c of liver issues). I don't know if they will refill them again or not so I am trying to go without them every other day to see how I do. That way I can at least tell them--yes I definitely need them or no I'm ok without them. I just started that this week. Seems to me like you need a different doc. We only have one locally as well so I know how tough that can be. The last thing a person wants to do who has RA is travel a long distance to see a doctor especially until you get your meds straightened out because you go alot until then.

I also had to stop Mtx because of side affects. I do understand the medical and Dr side of the issues with pain meds. However it's the way this office is handling things, I think it's the new nurse practitioner even when I was forced off of IV Orencia I had to play phone tag with the office and never spoke to her about it, went to my Appt to find my treatments were canceled the message I got was there is a change in your meds. The lack of communication is very frustrating. Any way I'm gonna find a new doc I feel we all pay good money and deserve a level of personal care! Also gonna taper off the Opiates until I get a new Doc, I did go a long time without them in the beginning because I didn't really want to play this game with pain meds. Thanks for the advice folks. Hopes for a "Good Day" to all

I'm sorry you're going through this. It really does sound like your doctor is being a jerk, or at least someone in the office is. Good luck finding a new doctor, and getting yourself off of the pain meds if that's what you want to do - I know that I couldn't make it without mine at the moment, but I also hope to get there at some point.

It is my responsibility to take my pain medication appropriately. It is when people abuse their meds that we all get lumped together.

Exactly! my post thought was going to be that it becomes a quality of life issue, no matter if it's RA or if your in hospice we all deserve to be comfortable! I as a responsible adult choose not to live in pain daily and I'm sure I'm not the most pleasant person to be around when I am. I could fully understand if I were abusing the system like I'm sure a lot of people do. But I never have! We'll see where it goes I'm not opposed to switching Dr's at this point guess I never felt like I connected with him on any level as it seems he's overloaded with patients.

You are absolutely right, it is a quality of life issue. If your doc doesn' t get that he or she is in the wrong business.

Absolutely agree with sharonouch!
Are you completely out? You can't just stop taking as u will suffer withdrawal. Have your RA dr refer u to a pain management specialist.
Sorry this is happening to u.
Xoxo MLC.

I'm almost out, luckily I called my primary to get a referral to a new Rheumy, got an appt today they've always been good about that and I get along with him very well. Gonna explain it to him and get it figured out. As far as the other doc. I'm not gonna deal with that office any longer obviously my missing an appt has upset them and I will not essentially beg for treatment! They seem to busy to deal with me usually takes a day to even get a return phoned call!

Yeah, I think they have office politics situation. Your doctor may or may not be aware of the situation, although he should know there's a power play going on.
I'm trying a different Neuro at the neurology office I swore I would not go back too, because I need to see someone and find out what's going on, whether I continue to go to him depends on how the office, nurse, and doctor treat me. I will most likely will have to explain my issues with the clinic to the doctor.
One of my sister-in-laws is a rn, and she admits that the receptionist decided who gets to see the doctor or not. Calling and leaving messages with the nurse sometimes helps, but if they are too hard to see, or deal with, you have to dump them. And if you let them know that you have issues with their office, they label you as a difficult patient!
Hope you can find a better one.

It sounds like you need a rheumy for many reasons. Better luck with the next one!

Narcotics are getting to be a bigger problem. I live in a state that has just decided that we have a big problem with prescription drug abuse. (Yeah, guys, did you finally notice some of the news stories about armed robberies at pharmacies?)

There are new laws about prescribing and filling prescriptions for these drugs, and more coming. I know that more than one local doctor has lost the ability to prescribe narcotics or had to fend off lawsuits. The abusers are making it hard for people who genuinely need these drugs. Doctors and pharmacists are getting caught in the crossfire. I'm afraid it won't get any simpler to get narcotic pain medication, no matter how badly you need it.