Chronic Pain Management Md In North Alabama (Top voted first)

Does anyone have recommendations of any doctors who will actually manage your pain in North Alabama (Gadsden to Huntsville area)? I have been on pain management for greater than 10 years, always been compliant with my treatment plan, never failed a drug panel, have LOTS of documentation showing my problems but yet NO ONE wants to truly manage my pain. In the past it seems as if I am placed on a regimen that finally works then all the sudden the MD or NP says that due to DEA they can no longer prescribe meds as I have been taking (that they started me on mind you) and they drop my doses drastically??? During the 10+ years I have only saw 2 pain management MD's so I do not doctor shop, etc..after a significant cut (3 -60mg Oxycontin's, 3 -30mg Roxicodone PRN BTP, Soma PRN to 2 - 60mg Oxycontin, NO PRN's and added 1 Flexiril at HS) I even reluctantly changed MD's in order to try epidurals. After 3 epidurals and 2 trips to ER because of forming blood clots in my legs, I stopped the epidurals and literally had to challenge MD not to discharge me because I wasn't able to get the epidurals anymore??? Since being with the current 'pain management doc' I have had 3 additional cut's or changes in meds due to supposed DEA. I have been in healthcare for MANY years and I just do not nor will not ever understand the rationale of punishing those of us who are obedient because of those who are not? Anyway, does anyone have recommendations of someone in North Alabama who cares about their patient and not totally about the DEA? Thanks and God Bless!

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All I hear is false information on this particular page for pain medication and it's all such BS! There is no one size fits all for pain medicines. Tolerance vs pain in each patient is totally different. Just because the medication is supposed to last 12 hours? Doesn't mean it does. Do you think it has a timer in it? Everyone has a different metabolism. That is just not true for many people. Especially for those who have been in PM for several years. Everyone should have a break through med also. Percocet isn't always strong enough. All this false information and plain fear of the DEA. It's ruining lives. When are patients and doctors alike going to start standing up for rights to have PAIN treated properly? Steroid injections are not FDA approved so I hope anyone subjecting themselves to these are aware of the dangers of Archnoiditis! Google this. Alabama sounds as though there aren't decent doctors in the whole state and that is really sad considering so many of the population is manufacturing and hard work.

A little tip for those who believe one size fits all? Ask the doctor or pharmacist if they will reduce your BP meds, antidepressants, or your diabetes medicines? Ask them if those chronic conditions can be managed on less medications? There is NO difference! Patients are being brainwashed and they are allowing doctors to be brainwashed too. So stupid!

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i am not a doctor, but a patient that has a good pain management doc here in OK.. i just wanted to tell you my doctor, told me the highest dose you can have of Oxyicontin is 2 80mg a day, and for break through i can have a percocet. What i saw on yours, was you had too much oxy, and possibly overmedicated, so they were probably concerned when they saw.... i am very ill and in a wheelchair also I am 43 yrs old, and overweight and very ill with a lot of dis-eases and sicknesses, lupus, diabetes, fibromyalgia, blood clots, liver and spleen being attacked by the lupus, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, scolioscious, and painful fingers and ankles and knees and shoulders from joint pain are most of my problems, not all just most.. so i think it is a good idea not to take too much meds, and i hope you get better, you will be in my thoughts and prayers...elizabeth, {edited for privacy} if you want to talk to me..

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I also live in the NE Alabama area and have had problems with this also. I have been living with chronic pain for almost 8 years now since the birth of my second child, and have since gone through a few different doctors. Initially it took over two years to have my then insurance approve an MRI (I just turned 41 and strongly believe that my age prevented me from getting the initial care I needed). I spent those two years with a chiro who many times helped my pain tenfold, but we didn't know exactly what was causing it because all I had at that point were x rays and they didn't show much. I went through Lordex and electro stun. I thought they crippled me he first session of Lordex..my legs collapsed and he pain was unreal, it after some stretches, some exercises and adjustment in the table I walked out feeling pretty good; but always hurt within a few days at most. I finally got in to a doctor that was recommended to me who could prescribe pain meds and he pushed for the MRI and insurance finally agreed. The results were 2 bulging discs, one ruptured disc, DDD, arthritis, am annular tear and a few other issues that I can't recall right now; also I eventually developed severe lumbar radiculopathy in my left leg and thought I'd go insane. I was bed bound in agony for over a month 2 different times. I was finally put on Lortab 10 when my dr got my MRI results and started at 60 per month, the following visit he bumped me to 90 then 120/mo. I was also put on flexeril, meloxicam, and finally neurontin, in conjunction with the Prozac because I got seriously depressed ..and because it became difficult to sleep I was also put on ambien. During all this my significant other switched jobs and I lost my insurance and had to apply for Medicaid, but my doc didn't take Medicaid; so I had my first change of physician. The doctor I ended up with was a nut job who did up to 6 steroid inj's. in my back in her cruddy little office and also did acupuncture on me...they helped short term but it always ended up the same within a week or two. She was unable to write pain meds due to some past issues so it ended up that the best thing she did for me was to refer me to the Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants who immediately dropped my dose of pain meds and started me on lumbar epidurals. Once the new insurance kicked in I tried unsuccessfully to get back in with my old doctor, but he wasn't confident he could treat my issues. It was a pain to commute monthly for script refills and then also fit in the epidurals every three months, but the epidurals helped much longer than the other inj's. I had gotten. I was told that the other inj's. were way too much and I wasn't to get them anymore. I found another local doctor who ended up being pretty useless other than writing all my meds so I didn't have to travel as much. He did re-up my dosage to the 120 though. The guy made a point of checking my back(butt crack shot) EVERY single visit although there was nothing that the naked eye could see on me. That went on for a few years and in that timeframe I had been hospitalized for emotional issues and he drastically cut my pain meds for fear I'd try to harm myself with them; then about 4 months ago his license to write pain medicine was yanked and I was in the same boat. Back I went to the TVPC only this time they began urine evaluations. I semi frequently smoke marijuana to help with stress and anxiety which developed pre hospitalization. The pot helped me to get off of Ativan that he had put me on for over a year, and it also helps with stomach pains that I often get. Once the TVPC realized I smoked they told me I couldn't fail another U/A or I'd be cut off my meds entirely and they cut my dosages to 60. I understand that it's technically illegal, but we all know it's harmless and in fact helpful more often than not. So now I'm looking to find a new gp who can and will write pain meds (it's nearly impossible here nowadays) all these addicts who beg pulls off unscrupulous doctors have helped to create this situation for people who genuinely suffer with pain. I'm tired of my neurologists assistant who conducts office visits looking down his nose at me and scolding me for seeking herbal means of medicating. It's a hell of a lot better than being hooked on benzos tho I never was because I practice pretty strict control of my meds...even prescribed doses of Ativan will lead to addiction. Today I attempted to call around outside my county for a doctor and I'm hopeful that I found one who can help me. TVPC is a good place for the most part....their ability is wonderful, it's just not where I want to have to gent pain medicine from though...I'd prefer them just for my epidurals strictly. I know this was rather long winded and I apologize if I've blathered on too long; I hope you find a doctor or facility that can help you get some relief. If you're interested though, my neurologists name is Morris Scherlis and he is awesome. The TVPC/spine and neuro center is in Huntsville across from the hospital. The doctor I inquired about today is Dr. Youngblood and he is located somewhere in Guntersville. Best wishes to you!!

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Hi Tracy ~ I read your reply and my heart goes out to you. I know personally how difficult it is to find someone who will truly manage your pain. I have been on pain management for over 12 years and only been to 3 different clinics. I am not a doctor shopper but I had to change from my first one because of relocation and the second one due to closing now the third one the so called doctor skipped out without warning!!! I am desperately trying to find a doctor in North Alabama. How did things go with Dr. Youngblood? Do you have any suggestions on a pain management doctor if not him? Thanks in advance!!

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Tracy ~ I appreciate your info and hope you are doing better. How did things go with the new MD - although probably not new now being that post was a year ago? I am back trying to find a PM specialist again as my last one skipped out on the entire practice!!! We were in formed via a letter in the mail without notice....cruel and absolute zero care or concern for his patients!! So now I am trying to another PM MD. If you or anyone else has recommendations PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know ASAP.
Thanks again....be blessed - Jillian

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I am very sorry that you are in pain and having such problems getting it properly controlled.

However, if you did find a doctor that didn't care about the DEA and just prescribed, it wouldn't last long and you'd be looking for a new one very soon. They cannot go against the regulations, or they risk losing their license to practice medicine.

Unless you have intractable pain due to a terminal illness, such as stage 4 cancer, they can only prescribe the daily limit of any medication you are taking and not anything over that, anymore. And new doctors are going to be very reluctant to take on new patients needing narcotics. I really wish I had better news for you, but I don't. Everyone in the U.S. is currently dealing with these same issues.

Does anyone know of a good doctor in that area that may help?

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