Re: How to Ask?
- From: "Juba" <juba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 12:50:41 -0800
CatNipped wrote:
I'm seeing my PM doctor next Tuesday. Last visit she told me that I
was "taking enough pain medicine to kill a horse" and flatly refused
to give me more even though what I have is not working (15mg of
Oxycodone every 3 hours).
Aside from going to another doctor (and starting the process all over
again), is there some way to convince my doctor that I really do need
more medication? She did try putting me on Kadian, but that made me
really ill.
Thanks!
I don't think there are any strategies that work well because doctors
will typically only prescribe pain meds to their comfort level rather
than yours. It's quite clear from what your Doc has said that she has
reached her limit. You're probably better off finding a new doctor. Your
reason is simple and very reasonable -- inadequate pain management.
But if you want to give it a try, the best thing to do is to discuss how
your pain affects your ability to lead a normal life, how it limits your
ability to do for yourself, and how your inability to function normally
puts a burden on your entire family. Make up a list before you go, but
don't read to her from your list.
Since pain is a subjective thing, it's easy for a doctor to dismiss your
complaints about excessive pain as you being a whiner, or
hypersensitive, or being unwilling to live with any pain. When you put
it in terms of the actual impact your pain has on your quality of life,
they have to address that in a meaningful way.
Also, you can try pointing out that with opiates high dosages are not
dangerous as long the dosage is built up slowly over time. That one
probably won't work though because it directly challenges the validity
of what she said.
I'd start with the lifestyle issues and then if/when she raises the
"kill a horse" objection again, go for the "high dosages are not
dangerous if built up to slowly" argument.
Also, many doctors are associated with hospitals that have a "Patient's
Bill of Rights" that often includes adequate pain management. That might
give you some leverage as well. Remind her of the "Bill of Rights" if
one exists, and if she won't budge you can try complaining to higher
authority. They might refer you to a better doctor.
Whatever you do, don't get emotional because doctors are used to
ignoring that and in a case like this she may think you're just trying
to use emotional blackmail. Be confident, but not confrontational.
Good luck.
--
Juba
www.masterjuba.com
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: How to Ask?
- From: CatNipped
- Re: How to Ask?
- References:
- How to Ask?
- From: CatNipped
- How to Ask?
- Prev by Date: How to Ask?
- Next by Date: Re: How to Ask?
- Previous by thread: How to Ask?
- Next by thread: Re: How to Ask?
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
