My Pain Doctor in WA state Raided, I am without my meds! Help!?!

[frankfooter32]

I live in WA state and my PM doctor was raided last week by the DEA. His office is now closed and I have been seeing him for 3 years now for treatment of my pain in my back, neck and legs due to an accident. I also suffer from chronic pain all over my body. I had an appointment today to fill my 15mg Oxycodones (#120/mo) and his office was closed until further notice. I am in so much pain and have medical insurance thru my work, but have no idea where I can find a doctor in WA state to help me. As I am sure many of you can understand, if I dont get my medication soon, I will be a mess. Can someone please Private Message me a doctor that specializes in pain medicine in WA state (not BS topical treatments) in my area that I can visit soon to help me get my medications? It is so sad that we live in a day and age where we have to go to these extremes to get the help we need with pain, but I am desperate here and could really use some help from you guys to get me set up again with pain medicine. I have tried searching for pain clinics, but am afraid I will go there and be turned away with crap that doesnt work for my intense pains. Will someone please help me? I really appreciate any and all info you guys can give me to narrow my search.
Thanks to all!

[flicka]

Contact the DEA or someone involved in closing his office and tell them you need these meds & ask where should you go to get them. There had to have been some arrangements made to handle legit patients.

[flicka]

Oops! Forget my last post. Looks like your state doesn't care how much pain you are in...
Have you contacted these people? Pain Relief Network (http://www.painreliefnetwork.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2349)

[frankfooter32]

I just added that PRN to my links. Thanks. ;)

I have to say that I had to call over 15 clinics today and none of them provide pain medications (and those are all the ones covered by my health insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield). I found a doctor in Tacoma that takes a $100 cash deposit and is a pain management doctor. I am bringing my empty pill bottles for him to see what my former pain doctor was giving me. I get the impression this new Dr. will get me back to where I was, because his nurse knew the former Dr. and said that this new doctor has taken on some of his former patients as well. So I am hoping this guy gives me what I normally take and doesnt expect an arm and a leg in return each month for a refill. Is that how it normally works at pain management offices? At the raided Dr.'s office, everyone paid $100 cash every month to have their meds filled. Is the pain management clinic the same concept? Is that why I paid $100 for a "deposit"? I read about this new Dr. and it turns out he also prescribes medical marijuana (although I get that from somewhere else) and he wanted cash only. I am assuming these two doctors have a lot in common for practices of medicine.

[skippy13]

100.00 deposit sounds like a drug dealer to me. I never heard of such a thing, and would wonder about the legitimacy of any doctor that operates this way. I can see it if he is actually scheduling you for a legitimate appointment and exam every month, but just to fill a scrip for you? sounds illegal. Probably is.

[jody]

this is interesting. I go to a pain doctor who I must be referred to by my Gp. then he sends his findings to my general practitioner and the Gp writes the scripts every month. why not go to your gp? my pain doctor also is a phisiatrist, has a lot of sci patients. which is the first thing I asked when looking for a pain doctor who prescribed meds. he is going to change what im taking, but at least I have pain management after my pain doctor dumped me because he felt I should see a doctor who treated sci patients. which he did not. he did me a favor by dumping me. Id contact your nearest sci center if you cant find someone on your list. that is what I had to do, and it is working out. because as it turns out, he is the first doc who knows about what I actually feel. not what he read after we met, but from treating lots of other sci patients. the whole paying cash thing seems shady, I'v never had to pay (except the ten bucks co pay)deposits for medication. I have been a gimp for nine years now. and what does the dr have to do with the money for meds anyway? its the pharmacy who you pay for the drugs is'nt it? and he writes the scripts or tells your primary dr what you should take and how much.

[jody]

ps since you are a long time user of this medication, your gp should be able to give you a small script until you can get in to see a pain specialist. must be something less restricted, safer and more effective than oxy anyway so be open minded and prepared for changes after seeing an sci pain doctor.

[David Berg]

I think Jody is onto something. Try to find a physiatrist who has experience with neuropathic pain, and hopefully with SCI, who is willing to help.

[playeron24's]

i live in tacoma washington and about a month ago i got in a head on car collision. i was diagnosed with a sprain and fructure in my lumbar and sciatica nerve damage up and down both side of my hip. my doctor refused my refills for my pain medication even though both my physical therypists have recomended they continue the scrpit. this issue has put a hugr hinderance on my life im constantly in pain and my daughter is missing out on an active life with her father ( me ) if any one out there know a good doctor that can help me with this issue it would be greatly appreciated please reply asap thank you soo much and if you could tell me where i can find this clinic that frank footer speaks of that would be awsome!!!!!

nick, tacoma washington

[playeron24's]

a private meesage would be great please im in allot of pain and as you can imagine my whole life is currently on hold any help is much appreciated thanks

[justadildo]

No need to pm...we're all friends here...whatcha need?

[cass]

ok, so i've edited this and most was lost because around 1 a.m. pst, cc backs up or something. i copied it, but all i got back is this. grrr. so am rewriting.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/health/resources/pain.html

wise knows dr. cardenas at UW. maybe he'll chime in. UW is one of biggest rehab places around (although i don't much care for them).

swedish is also well known:

http://www.swedish.org/12652.cfm

Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland has a good pain clinic; i have bc/bs and an out of pocket 100 bucks should be a red flag. i have read of no raids in seattle (ca has had pot raids: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090205/lf_nm_life/us_california_marijuana )
there should be no prob with pain management here; pot is also legal.

i know virginia mason is good:

https://www.virginiamason.org/home/body.cfm?id=871

i have bc/bs. never have had a prob here in WA.

[playeron24's]

thanks for the reply i appreciate it i will give those a try and blog back and let you know

[pezotac]

I am also in wa. most of the places I call tell me before I even make an appointment that the are not treating pain with narcs. I have 3 compressed vers and a broken L3. I just got insurance because I could not stand the pain anymore. Where should I start family practice or ortho do I need a referral ?

[cass]

good luck play. with bc/bs, you should have no prob. and please let me know. i can contact the pain doc at evergreen personally.

pezo, who is your insurance carrier? that determines where you start.

[David Berg]

I am also in wa. most of the places I call tell me before I even make an appointment that the are not treating pain with narcs. I have 3 compressed vers and a broken L3. I just get insurance because I could not stand the pain anymore. Where should I start family practice or ortho do I need a referral ?
Consider trying a physiatrist (rehab doctor) who has experience with SCI.

[pezotac]

My insurance is regence blueshield. I really don't have the money to keep it for a long period of time. I know that it is probably not realistic to think that I will be able to sort this out in a couple of months but that is my goal. Weather I get on some kind of medications or have a surgery. I really feel that when my I broke my back that they should have done more. I was in the hospital for a week then I wore a shell brace for 6 months. I really appreciate all of your help. I will pass it on to others in need once I am able.

[sjean423]

I am assuming these two doctors have a lot in common for practices of medicine.

I think you are right here, and if you start going to this new guy, in a few months you will be in the same situation! If you have to settle for him right now to get things straightened out, I would start looking for a more legitimate sounding pain clinic asap. My doctor sees me once a year for a full checkup, and fills my pain scripts monthly with out an additional office visit or charge.

[fishin'guy]

My gawd, I'm so happy I have a Rheum. who I'vegone to for years and knows i'm a non addicitive personality, so he give me whatever I need in the way of pain pills and Xanax.He understands my pain prob's and doesn't expect me to have to go thru pain just for the sake of it.Good luck,I hope you can find releif.

[dejerine]

pezotac

If you actually have three compressed vertebrae, maybe you should ask an interventional radiologist if he can inject some plastic into the vertebrae. They are known to do that on occasion although of course I have no idea what your stituation is. Maybe you meant compressed discs. Good luck.

[pezotac]

I have heard of those injections and other surgeries that are similar hopefully that will be an option. To clarify I compression fractured 3 of my vertebrae and broke my L3. I have been trying to make it for the past 5 years without medical attention. It has just gotten so bad that is not possible for me. Since I just got my insurance the company said they will not cover anything related to my back for 9 months.

[SCIOT]

Dr. Diana Cardenas left 3 years ago. She is down in Miami now. The clinic you speak of sounds very hokey to me. There are plenty of legit pain clinics in WA St.. I would suggest you start with your GP for starters, and get a referral to a legit clinic for longterm management.
Where do you live? That would be helpful in giving you some suggestions for SCI MD as well.
Take Care,
Pam

[cass]

Pam, what clinic sounds hokey? I guess you mean the OP.

[Suzie Q]

I am also in wa. most of the places I call tell me before I even make an appointment that the are not treating pain with narcs. I have 3 compressed vers and a broken L3. I just got insurance because I could not stand the pain anymore. Where should I start family practice or ortho do I need a referral ?

I just ask my reg. doctor. She sets up appts for me (or her nurse). I just recently had to go to a pain mgmt center because my spinal surgeon (who i got drugs thru) isnt in my new insurance coverage system. That place is a nightmare! Anyways,,,thats another story.. If they dont treat with narcs i would say they are in it for the money from my experience. I went to a spinal doc that just wanted to give me epidurals and cortisone shots all the time,. Lots more money in that than a piece of paper for a script. Then my old insurance busted him on giving me more than 3 a year in my neck..I am rambling again,. lol So now i am looking for a different place again. I told my doc and she is fixing me up with another place. Dont be complacent with shoddy service, get what you need and deserve. :p

[Swing]

I'm from WA same as well in the same area as you guys and I'm looking desperatly for an understanding doctor as well. I'm tired of doctors only treating you in one specific way without listening to your input as well. Seriously if any of you guys find someone please PM me!

[Sue Pendleton]

a private meesage would be great please im in allot of pain and as you can imagine my whole life is currently on hold any help is much appreciated thanks

Since this just happened a month ago and you are continueing in PT why not ask your PCP for a referel to a pain specialist? What were you taking?

[Robertaamsbary]

I just added that PRN to my links. Thanks. ;)

I have to say that I had to call over 15 clinics today and none of them provide pain medications (and those are all the ones covered by my health insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield). I found a doctor in Tacoma that takes a $100 cash deposit and is a pain management doctor. I am bringing my empty pill bottles for him to see what my former pain doctor was giving me. I get the impression this new Dr. will get me back to where I was, because his nurse knew the former Dr. and said that this new doctor has taken on some of his former patients as well. So I am hoping this guy gives me what I normally take and doesnt expect an arm and a leg in return each month for a refill. Is that how it normally works at pain management offices? At the raided Dr.'s office, everyone paid $100 cash every month to have their meds filled. Is the pain management clinic the same concept? Is that why I paid $100 for a "deposit"? I read about this new Dr. and it turns out he also prescribes medical marijuana (although I get that from somewhere else) and he wanted cash only. I am assuming these two doctors have a lot in common for practices of medicine.
I too am a former patient of the raided clinic and I have been having trouble finding someone also. I was hoping that you could share the information on the dr that you are seeing now. I need my meds also. I have been struggling with this for a week. My appointment was for today, but as we knwo it is difficult to get there. Please help if you can.

[Swing]

frankfooter ain't comin back I've been trying to talk to him so I could get a decent pain management doctor too guess I"m just gunna hafta get a referral

[chronicpainpt]

Frankfooter 32 I am going through the exact same thing right now. I have tried calling as far as Canada to find a doctor. The current treatment plan that I have worked out with my former doctor is working well so I don;t really want to change it much. Spinal taps, steroid injections and tens units or not the route of treatment I am looking for, and unfortunately that is what most of the Dr.s would like to incorporate. If you have any information on the Dr that you are seeing or can point me in a positive direction I would really appreciate it. I am terrified and afraid of the possible set back I may be facing if I don't find a doctor soon. Thank you for your time in advance.

[jgrant27]

Just FYI - Cardenas left the UW awhile back to work at Miami Project.


wise knows dr. cardenas at UW. maybe he'll chime in. UW is one of biggest rehab places around (although i don't much care for them).

[snorp]

Been involved in the PM world for over 10 years. I don't see where the 100.00 is all that out of the norm. I pay 40.00 co-pay and insurance takes care of the rest. On a rush basis, the doc may be protecting himself because the insurance takes 2-3 months to realize. Most doctors don't give meds on the first visit, regardless. The feds pose as patiences and try to nail an understanding doc who doesn't do his homework. Quite the risk. So other than your med bottles, I'd arrive with all the records you can get. Sorry for your situation. Been through simular situations. Most important is you've got to control your temper. Any temper will get you an invitation to the door.

Good luck.

[tdtme]

im in washington also and cant find a doctor willing to prescribe pain medicine for my condition. Anyone out there know of a doctor that will take care of me? Thank you

[sweetgirlwhitish]

No one seems to be posting a name of a doctor that will write a script for pain meds. Some people just dont understand people in real pain which is really sad. I mean what are the medications out there for. if someone knows of a doctor that will prescribe pain meds please write it or pm me. Thanks so much for your help.

[TheDuder]

This is an odd thread, all these people from Washington posting in the same thread and knowing the same raided doctor. Sounds like he may have been one of those shady doctors who hands out Narc scripts for cash.

Either way, as others stated, i think almost all pain doctors only take patients after getting referred to by a patients primary doctor.

That's how it worked for me. I'm a quad and for many years i dealt with almost daily foot pain, but i never did anything about it. Well, i had a surgery for my bad acid reflux and they gave me Roxicet to take home for the pain. By fluke, i noticed that it helped dull some of my foot pain. I told my primary doctor about this and he referred me to a pain management doctor in the hospital. He evaluated me and had me try 5mg tablets of Oxycodone, with a max of six per day. It's helped quite a bit with my foot pain, but i go out of my way to never exceed my limit even on bad day where taking more might help. I don't want to become big time addicted to Oxycodone and he's careful to try and make sure none of his patients are abusing it.

If you just call a pain clinic asking for Narcs right away without getting referred from a primary doctor, i think they'll be leery.

[alandlynn]

I would sure like to know what doctor was raided. I have an idea, but there are other doctors in that spot.
Thank you
Lynn:confused:

[Coleen]

I'm also from Tacoma, and if you have medicaid, you need a referral from your PCP. When I had Blue Cross, I went to a surgeon in Seattle for my neck surgery to fix my bulging disks, but was offered no rehab or anything else. I had to learn to walk again - yep, had a hard time with it prior to surgery, but as I said, the Blue Cross allowed me to go see a specialist without a referral.
As for the $100 "deposit" - RUN (or roll) LIKE THE WIND! You'll be in the same boat you're in right now in no time flat - that's not an acceptible practice, and the DEA is really harsh here in Wa. Please check into Virginia Mason in Seattle, then the UofW - paying all that cash must be hard on your wallet, it would be mine. Good luck

[jbpara]

Until I read this article two years ago in the Seattle Times I wondered why it has become increasingly more difficult to find MDs who will prescribe pain meds since I moved up to Washington state to retire; I only wondered what would happen next:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003715474_opioid21m.html (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003715474_opioid21m.html)

Now I hear about this raid and worry that soon I may have to move back to California, where although it was still a hassle, I was able to find compassionate docs who would treat pain. But I fear that Washington state may be fighting an influx of abusers and is making life impossible for patients who have real pain problems. This is the news on the clinic closed in Tacoma:

http://www.komonews.com/news/37757099.html#IDComment14075886 (http://www.komonews.com/news/37757099.html#IDComment14075886)

My low dose of MS Contin 30mg bid hasn't changed for ten years, and I am virtually tolerant, yet no pain clinics are taking new patients in the state with the above news article. The low re-imbursement rates in Washingon state are a contributing factor as well.
If I had known that Washington state was so hard on pain control prescribers I would never have moved here. Now I don't know what to do. Neither did Craig Hospital during my re-eval in May this year. After 33 years of this pain I'm thinking suicide is my only option, since there doesn't seem to be any understanding or concern about chronic pain patients in this state. I just woke up with a nightmare, and my legs were spasming worse than ever and the pain at the ten level. Maybe I've overextended my stay here on the planet.

[David Berg]

jb, have you tried any pain meds other than narcotics? I'm just wondering if you're dealing with neuropathic pain to any extent, where narcotics really aren't effective and you have to try other avenues.

[dejerine]

Considering the adverse reports coming out on long term use of acetominophen, and hence Norco, or Vicodin, I think the fibromyalgia patient in the article may be in worse shape than she thinks. It is not only finding a doctor. It may turn out to be finding a narcotic which does not contain acetominophen.

It is surely too bad that some abuse opioids, because when they do, it becomes much harder for those who really need it to purchase it at a reasonable cost. I was given IV opiates at my first bigtime pain clinic, in VERY HIGH doses, and it did absolutely nothing for my central pain. I have not taken any opiates since. I am not very big on opiates anyway since they make me nauseated. After my last two spine surgeries, I preferred to just tough it out, rather than take pain meds. My central pain was bad enough without my being nauseated as well. Plus, I didn't want to vomit and possibly interfere with success of the bone fusion in my neck. If I can live with CP, I can certainly endure postoperative pain which is peanuts compared to CP.

This all points to the need for a way to measure pain. I have not seen any efforts to study this, beyond the hopelessly vague 1-10 rating scale, pretentiously called the "analog" scale for measuring pain.

There are MANY indications now for functional MRI. Dr. House even had an episode last season (season three) where he used it. However, I have yet to see anyone with central pain whose pain has been studied with fMRI. This is unfortunate, since if anyone SHOULD be so studied, it is those with central pain.

[Coleen]

jb, please see a counselor about thoughts of suicide - been there, tried that - in Wa it's sad if you kill yourself, it's a crime to not complete the job (anyway, the cops get in on it) there's other options besides narcotics & opiates - they can help bring the pain to a tolerable evel, and unfortunatly, that's about all we can ask or hope for right now. My prayers are with you.

[jbpara]

In summary, neuropathic pain is a very common and unsolved problem. In Germany, one study alone identified over a quarter million people who have neuropathic and suggested that this population is not being adequately cared for. Several studies provided some insight into why tricyclic antidepressant drugs are toxic and how amitriptyline may slow gastric emptying........ Finally, the field of central pain management is beginning to understand and accept the use of opioid therapies for neuropathic pain.

Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Disorder: A Review of Recent Studies
By wiseyoung

Neuropathic Pain: A Review of Recent Publications
by Wise Young, PhD MD
W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience
Rutgers University, 604 Allison Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08852-8082
15 December 2008

[jbpara]

Dear Rev: please don't patronize me; I've been a pharmacist for over 35 years who has tried all medications, and other modalities. I am not having a problem with my prescriptions, including an opiate, but only posted the links to clarify a previous question about Washington state narcotic prescribing issues. I've been in pain 33 years after being shot by a robber in my pharmacy, and am well aware of end of life issues and advanced care directives. I am retired for ten years now, after losing my employment after the neurosurgeon who removed the bullet in my spine in '75 tried an unsuccessful second laminectomy ten years ago, and prescribed MS Contin. I applied for a DREZ lesion but was not a candidate because of such a high injury for a para.

[jbpara]

Please do not be so quick to repeat the claim that opiates do not have a place in the treatment of SCI neuropathic pain. Many of us with long-term injuries have had to listen to this DEA-fueled propaganda, and now that a recent review article has documented that there is both a place in first-line therapy and as an adjunct, there is no need to make people with new injuries suffer from chronic pain as us old-timers were forced to do. At least I have temporary relief, and perhaps if it were not so difficult to get prescribed could get beyond breakthrough pain days. Unfortunately, MS Contin does not last 12 hours, and an increase in dosing intervals would probably reduce these horrible pain episodes. jb


Wise Young: Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Disorder: A Review of Recent Studies

Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Disorder: A Review of Recent Studies
By wiseyoung

Neuropathic Pain: A Review of Recent Publications
by Wise Young, PhD MD
W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience
Rutgers University, 604 Allison Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08852-8082
15 December 2008

A case for opioid therapy of neuropathic pain. Allen [9] made a plea for rationale multiple drug therapy of neuropathic pain, pointing out that opioids will never replace tricyclic antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs as the first line therapy for neuropathic pain but that opioids are now full established as effective second- and third-line therapies. In 2006, Dobecki, et al. [9] pointed out that neuropathic pain is a very common condition, affecting nearly 1.5% of the U.S. population. The US FDA has approved five medications for neuropathic pain, including gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, 5% lidocaine patch, and carbamazepine. Other agents with proven efficacy in multiple randomized placebo-controlled trials include opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, venlafaxine, and tramadol. All the these agents have been recommended as first-line therapies for neuropathic pain. So, the field has moved in the last few years, from a budding recognition that some drugs may work for neuropathic pain to formal acknowledgment that they are first-line therapies.

[dejerine]

jbpara

I know I am just going to make you angry, because you are already angry and may probably think I am coming down on the side of those who won't free up opiates where they would be helpful. I am glad MS Contin helped you. I am very sorry to hear you were shot in the spine and you have been through some terrible experiences. I also respect the profession of pharmacy. They are very smart individuals. I am not against anyone taking anything that helps. I have cited Ron Melzack's article in Scientific American on the principle that people in severe pain do not become addicted to opiates.

However, I once again hope that we will be specific about neuropathic pain. Central pain is a very small percentage of those with neuropathic pain. Diabetes is by far the largest group, but that is PERIPHERAL neuropathic pain. The cord is excitatory. Therefore, one would expect that peripheral neuropathic pain would respond because opiates quiet the cord. However, the brain is INHIBITORY. Therefore anything that inhibits an inhibitor may cause disinhibition. Disinhibition means that if you quiet the inhibitory part of the central nervous system, there is a possibility that the pain will not be helped and may even get worse.


Hence, my earlier post that we have to write and think specifically.

I personally spent a large amount of money to try to get help, any help, for severe burning dysesthetic central pain over my body. Part of this was to be given IV opiates. This trial went to extremely high levels, such that anesthesia had to be on hand to prevent my death since they were pushing it so hard. It was kind of an experiment at one of the leading university pain centers. I felt NO RELIEF whatsoever from opiates. What I experienced is valid for me. My experience may spare someone the broken heart who is hoping for relief and finds that opiates do not help.

On the other hand, if dosages are at the right level, since opiates may sedate a person, there is a potential that sedation will help the pain, including central pain. It did not do this for me, but I am convinced that for some, it does have this effect. However, there is fair evidence that other drugs may be better sedatives.

I believe in access to pain meds for whoever needs it. I think these matters are best left to the judgment of pain doctors. However, my belief in that principle does not change the fact that nearly everyone, from S Weir Mitchell during the Civil war to Dejerine in 1905, to Riddoch in 1940down to the present has come to the conclusion that opiates don't cut it for severe central pain. This position is also the position at the NIH. Frederick Lenz at Johns Hopkins has postulated this may be due to disinhibition. One leading author on the effectiveness of opiates at high doses, who was at Harvard, felt he was getting some results for a time, but I notice that his recent articles do not follow the same line of thinking. Therefore, there must be balance in these posts. I believe opiates do help peripheral neuropathic pain. I only wish they had done more for CENTRAL neuropathic pain in my case.

Post SCI pain frequently includes pain which is normal pain. Of course opiates are helpful for that kind of pain and should be available. Post SCI pain is not an exact synonym for central pain. You mention that you were hoping for a DREZ. There is a little argument about this, but the kind of pain for which DREZ is done is commonly considered to be peripheral neuropathic pain. Therefore, one would expect MS Contin to help you. Since the dorsal root ganglion cell bodies are OUTSIDE the cord, the anatomists I have talked to feel it is peripheral nerve injury pain, although it seems there would be a little crossover, since it would be likely that if the dorsal root ganglion is injured, there might be some injury to the cord proper.

However, when we talk about the brain inhibiting or modifying pain, at cord level, we are mostly talking about interneurons, which are CORD structures, which come down from the brain to inhibit signal mostly. I am unaware of anyone who thinks interneurons have cell bodies in the DRG. However, DRG science seems to change almost monthly, so I may be wrong about that.

"At level" pain falls into the same category. Strictly speaking it should be predominantly peripheral, but some have very severe at level pain, mixed with lesser pains from lower down, which are central pain. I am not sure what you call that. The DREZ is not a recommended procedure for pure central pain that I am aware of. You remember the editor of New Mobility who had the DREZ for central pain but did not have a good outcome.

[Coleen]

JB,
I'm sorry if you felt I was patronizing you - I didn't intend that at all. I won't post again.

[maryonwheels46]

I would hate it if it happened to my pain DR but it never would. I've been useing him for 15 years. He has lost a lot of business because he is strict. He caught his patients abusing, selling or the big one, going to other Dr's for pain meds. That's a no no for a pain Dr.
I do and know many sci people that take valium. One friend takes one in the morning and one at night. I take a 10mg at night to calm down my legs and to help me fall a sleep.
My GP will not give out a lot of pain meds every month. He will send you to a pain Dr.
There are a lot of Dr's around here in Louisiana and Texas that are getting busted. Mostly for oxicotin. There are so many people that have nothing wrong with them that are hooked on pain meds. It's crazy.
Mary