Please Help: just no urologists that will prescibe pain meds in this state

[severtt]

I have been diagnosed recently with IC, and none of the urologists in Little Rock, Arkansas that I have contacted will prescibe pain meds. I am in horrible pain. I am currently taking Elmiron, and UTA--Urinary Tract Antiseptic, which helps with the frequently. I will have insurance in three more months, but the problem with obtaining any pain meds will stay the same.

I don't know where the problem lies, but it seems to me to be, besides just palin nutty, morally, professional, and ethically wrong to deny someone who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown some relief.

I haven't even had the time to find a treatment that will work, and I am under a lot of stress since I have a handicapped son, and need to hold on to my job.

Would traveling to another state be a option? Louisiana, where I have relatives, is nothing like Arkansas in the way doctors prescribe pain meds.

The bottom line is that I am afraid of this pain, which is totally unbearable. Today, I had hard chlls, and then broke out into a sweat that drenched my clothes and hair. and I was screaming and crying into a pillow. My family doctor gave me 15 loratab, and I am trying to make them last as long as possible. Their is no board of Urology that I can find.
Is anyone aware of any rights that I might have to counter these doctors who underprescribe pain meds? :tsk:

[windchaser]

i am in the same boat as you I live in Clinton AR and was going to a good uro but pain meds were limited and then he just all of a sudden cut me off, I had a large bill to but he was always reluctant to give pain meds i think I have foune a good gp that will handle my pain control, wish you good luck need help im here.... Chris

[elamar]

I also have the situation that no doctor I've been to will prescribe any sort of narcotic pain relief. That being said, have you tried other alternatives like muscle relaxants? I know for that horrible burning, prosed or urelle can help alot of people (I take utira-c which is the generic of urelle). I also take 2 mg of valium 3 times a day which helps reduce the constant tension in my pelvis. There is also tramadol or ultracet which for me, doesn't get rid of the pain, but does help reduce it. I know how much this sucks when you read about others getting all sorts of pain meds without hesitation. No doctor should have any issues prescribing the above meds - they are not opiates and may just help. I know people say hundreds of times, are you sticking with the diet? Getting a good amount of water? Have you tried any alternative meds? I started taking cantharis which has really reduced my burning sensation. It is fairly cheap and easy to find at whole foods market. Others might be something like marshmallow root capsules or corn silk. You would probably need guidance from a naturalpath type doctor. I'm sorry you are hurting so bad - have been there myself crying in the doctor's office begging for help and being told that I was an addict looking for a fix. It's very humiliating and demoralizing. How can I be an addict if I was never given the drug to begin with?!!! I hope you can find some relief. Good luck to you.

[ICNDonna]

You might want to talk to your doctor about trying one of the antispasmodics to help with your pain. And yes, I will ask if you're following an IC diet --- that is extremely important and can be a huge help.

You might ask for a referral to a pain management specialist. They are specifically trained in their field.

Donna

[lisabar36]

I think you got some great advice already. I am sorry your having problems. I would ask for maybe a non narcotic pain releiver and maybe they will give you that, or a referral for a pain clinic to manage your pain. I know many of my IC docs never prescribed pain meds. I now go to a pain clinic to have my pain managed. I did have one IC doc that also did pain management so he would manage the pain part, but I know many of them do not like to, atleast that I have seen anyway. Good luck. :)

[Kara29]

Just a suggestion, but I would focus all of the healthy energy that you have and put it to moving forward to finding another team of doctors. Sometimes you have to go through a few or many to find what you need for relief. I've seen hunderds of doctors and many of them sucked......at the time I wanted to fight back but as I moved on, I found that after I found the good ones, I forgot about the ones that didn't really help. I couldn't tell you the names of them today if I tried. But I do remember the good ones along the way.

I wonder if you can find anyone through this page. It has some places to find pain doctors..........

From the ICN Pain Page

"FINDING A MEDICAL CAREPROVIDER
Most patients rely on their urologist or primary care provider to provide pain care. However, there are many physicians who are uncomfortable or unwilling to provide prescriptions for pain medications. They may refer their patients to a pain specialist and/or clinic instead. Pain specialists are often anesthesiologists who have received training in managing complex, intractable pain.

When looking for a pain specialist, talk with other patients and/or support group leaders. Ask them who they feel is the most compassionate and educated in treating pain. Many organizations can also provide referrals. Many of their web sites also have searchable member lists, including:"



International Pelvic Pain Society
American Academy of Pain Medicine
American Academy of Pain Management
American Board of Pain Medicine
American Medical Association


You have to go about half way down the page to get to these links.....

http://www.ic-network.com/pain/

Good Luck to you and we are all here for support along the way!

Kara

[amaranthe]

Hello! and :welcome: to the ICN! Alot of us here had the same problems finding a Dr to r/x pain meds. Many here have to go out of state and/or drive a few hours to see a Pain Mgmt Dr. I definately think that you should ask for a referral to a PM Dr.

Also, alot of people who are newly d/xed go thru the same feelings you described (before your post was edited). You definately need to talk to someone about what you are feeling. Many here have been thru it and there are meds that can help. It also helps to find a good counselor to talk over your feelings with. Also, many Psychiatrists are also willing to write pain med r/xes while they help with other things, but if they wont, they will usually know of a PM Dr to refer you to.

Please know that life does get better. You are in the worst part right now, but you have already gone thru the hardest part...getting d/xed. Now that you know what is wrong, though there isnt a cure yet, there is definately help and most everyone here can still enjoy their lives. PLease talk to someone about this, and also keep looking for a PM Dr, even if you have to go out of your area to find one. Believe me, it is worth it! I felt just like you until I finally got my pain managed and depression treated.

Wishing you luck and sending prayers,
Amaranthe

[mayray]

In 1994 when I was diagnosed with IC I was denied pain medication as well. The uros basically just snickered and told me I would have to live with the pain which I did. How I made it through I dont know. I now take elavil which has horrid side effects but helps. The IC diet DID NOTHING FOR ME. I stuck to it religiously for a year and it did not help at all. It may help some people but it definitely is not the answer. I carry a protein in my urine called the APF factor and this is where the problem lies with me. I hope you find help.

[Claredale]

I would definitely agree with Kara, there are alot of doctors in Little Rock. I know one of my mom's friends has chronic pain and he gets his treatment in Conway. I don't know if it is a pain mgmt office or what. There is another IC sufferer that lives in the Conway area and I know her PCP prescribes her pain meds.

The IC diet is certainly worth a try. I am only sensitive to citrus foods, but when I was suffering with 24/7 pain several years ago, I was very careful about what I ate because when my bladder was irritated, which was constantly, I knew very well not to add anything that could possible irritate my bladder. Now that my bladder is doing better, I am able to go back to just no citrus, but believe me if I am having a bad day, I am very careful about what I eat.

[Zygala87]

Hello Severtt. My Urologist and OBGYN will not perscribe pain meds. either. I have been with our family Doctor for many years and had a sit down talk with him. I asked him to help me with the pain and told him about the other Doctors. Maybe because he knows me well and the fact I have a Husband of many years who can watch over me when I'm very down, the Doctor gives me about anything I ask for. My Husband told him I put off taking the pain pills thinking I may not get any more and I'm holding them for a 10 in pain. He told me not to do that and to stay ahead of the pain until the flare is over. Knowing I can get them when necessary makes me relax and I think I need them much less knowing he is there for me. I think I'm trying to say if you can get a good relationship with your family Doctor she/he may understand and help you more. Since every Doctor is different I sure do not know but I'm Praying for you that you find comfort with a Doctor who understands and will help. Hugs, Ziggy

[babygirlh1]

Oh boy, isn't this frustrating? I have had the same issue. I will offer my advice - even though it may not help. I went to a pain management clinic and was able to get pain meds. However, after a couple of months when I talked to my primary care physician about it - she felt comfortable enough to give me the same dose. So, now I don't have to go to the clinic. However, I recently started going to a different clinic for my neck and back pain. That doctor have me Amrix (its not a narcotic) and boy what a difference this has made in my life. Not only does it help my neck and back pain BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS I WAKE UP WITH NO BLADDER BURNING PAIN. :pray:
I am so thankful for this. I forgot what it felt like to wake up pain free. Please keep trying, I know it is tiring and frustrating - but you deserve to feel as well as possible. Good luck!!!

[Claredale]

Babygirlhi, I took Amrix for a short time a few years ago, but my doctor would only give it to me for a short time. It was a muscle relaxer and I had been on Soma and Valium for so long that I wanted to try something different for my burning. It seemed to help some as well. But I had to go back to the Soma and Valium. I your doctor giving to to you for an extended time period?

Thanks, Tracey

Here is the thread. I hope I did this right. I remembered she said her godfather went with her since he was a doctor, so I just did a search for "godfather".
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50980&highlight=godfather

[leelee88]

I am from Louisiana and I have been to 3 UROs and NOT ONE has offered me pain meds! Even when they know I am in severe pain! They all believe in other ways to treat IC. That is if you can even get them to believe IC is real!. I would like to know where you are getting your info from cause if you know of any good UROs in LA I would like to check them out! Sorry you are having to deal with this. So many Drs in the South are just not educated about IC. The only way I have got where I am today is from this board and researching. Also there are other things that can help with your pain that is not narcotics and Drs will prescribed them to you alot faster and that is meds like Elavil and Tofranil and Atarax. MANY ICers have gotten relief from these meds. So you could ask about these. Also have you tried the IC diet? I know that has been the most important thing dealing with my pain! I do hope you can get some relief soon..

[mary124]

I think its pretty much the same all over the U.S.-- The doctors here if they do prescribe pain meds will only give you a few and thats it. My Uro told me to go to a pain specialist and that is what I did, best decision I ever made!!

[Claredale]

I just wanted you to know that my mom is going to find out for me what doctor her neighbor goes to. I will pm you the info when she gives it to me. She says that she believes it is a PCP, not a pain mgnt clinic.

Have you tried to find a uro/gyno or a pelvic pain specialist in your area? I have always been able to get the pain meds I need from them. I currently see a uro/gyn now and I know that he prescribes longer acting meds than I need. I was sitting with a lady at my last appointment that decided to send her prescription of fentenyl patches. They weren't able to get them to her until the next Monday or Tuesday and it was Thursday when I had my appt. She was wearing her last patch which is what prompted me to be bold and ask her what was wrong. She and I were the only ones in the waiting room. She said that she had a chronic bladder disease. She was bawling by then. I asked her if she had IC and she said yes. She couldn't believe I had it too. The nurse called me back, so we didn't get to talk long after that. When I was in the back, I remembered I left my magazine, so I went back into the waiting room. She was trying to give the receptionist her card to give to me. She said that she was given a script for Oxycontin to help her get through until her meds came in. She lives in Mississippi, but had been going to my doctor for several years.

[babygirlh1]

Tracey83,
That is a good question. It almost sounds too good to be true, that I found something that helps so much. I see my primary care physician next month and I will ask her. So far, the pain management doctor has been refilling them (she wrote out a script for a 3 month supply so that I can do it mail order). How long did you stay on it?