Doctors Willing To Prescribe Heavy Pain Medication In Colorado (Page 117)
(Newest replies first)

I have a serious problem. My dr. had two patients start dr. shopping and has decided it is too big of a pain in his butt to continue prescribing, even though I have gotten MRIs and Xrays to prove my problems. I have over a half a dozen herniated discs in my low back, along with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and arthritis in my facet joints. I am currently on5 30mg oxycodone a day for breakthrough and 60mg of methadone for my long lasting meds. I REALLY need a doctor in the Denver, CO area who will not judge me because of my age, thinking I'm just some drug seeker as I TRULY need my meds to function. I am even being placed on disability until I can get my back healed because if something doesn't change I will be in big time pain for the rest of my life. If ANYONE knows of a good doctor that prescribes strong meds willingly in the Denver area please let me know. I am in desperate need of help as I am going to be SCREWED if I cannot find a good doctor. SOMEONE please help me with a doctor!!!!!

REPLY

REPORT

I'm so sorry to hear about Fuzzy. Its just awful and never easy when you lose the nucleus of the family.
My prayers and condolences go to her family. Terrible loss

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Very Chatty,
Thanks for the reply but idk how suboxine got in my post. Must have have been autocheck. I've never been on that. Im on morphine time release and oxy immediate release. Which is a good working comvo for me.

Whats not working is how fast n furious this doc has dropped my meds like a hot rock and has prescribed 600mg ibuprofen 2s/day like that helps. It tears my stomach up and i had an antiinflammatory that worked anyway.

My big concern is reaching out to another doc only to be told im doc shopping. This doc is not a good fit. I like a doc that is more hands on and can provide adjustments in a addition to meds and also get my aprazalam back. That was just effective for my perimenopause as it was for my pain mgmt combination.
I just feel pinned down at the mercy of a doc with no real regard for his patients. If he was any other doc treating one of my boys for allergies for example I would have have cut him lose long ago and read him the riot act on how to treat ppl. I never would tolerate this BS for any other reason then the ever changing current we are all trying to navigate.
Feedback from any of you always welcome.
Thanks for being here.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Omg.......thats just crazy and unfair idk really as wat 2 say except that I wil pray 4 her family and pray that her little girl is loved even more then

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, All... I wanted to let you know that Fuzzy passed away because of a brain bleed. She dealt with AVM for many years and had a few surgeries. Unfortunately, sometimes there is just nothing that can be done. The good news is that she did not suffer.
Her family is in TX so she will be laid to rest there, but there will be a memorial service for her here in Colorado at some point.
Every time I think about this, I cry. It's so da&$&& unfair that her sweet daughter and husband have to be without her.
I hope you all are doing well. Love and hugs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was in in the same position. Back in the 90's they thought large doses of meds were the answer. I was on the same regimen from an ininjury back in the 90's in Florida. I moved to Texas and my doses were increased by a ridiculous amount. A few years ago that dr got into trouble and is now in prison. No doctor would see me for my legitimate issue after this. I had a miserable few years. Ive since moved to another state and the previous doctor's history haunts me. Im judged for being her patient instead of my chronic pain issues. I am currently seeing a doctor that truly seems to care about me as a patient, however the doses that I am currently on is nothing compared to what I was on in Texas. My current doctor tells me that methadone and oxycodone will make me fat and stupid over time. She is suggesting suboxone. I am afraid of change because my current meds help some, just not as much because ive been on them so long. Good luck with your situation. So many people have ruined it for those of us that really need these medications.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Chatty and Rainbow,

First off! Neither of u guys ever say too much. Frankly, I'd rather have more info and ignore parts I already know and someone might not than not enough. So speak ON!!

Secondly, regarding the Suboxone issue. A bumuch of stuff here that I'm not sure u realize. Suboxone is rather an odd duck. For Medicaid and if done as it's supposed to b done, it is considered a "therapy" not a treatment. There r basically different criteria that Medicaid uses when establishing what they pay for and what they dont.

Suboxone has also multiple usages and to make it even more difficult it comes in multiple forms. Traditionally, suboxone was developed as a treatment to take folks off narcotics. Suboxone itself has a narcotic antagonist, which is why induction should be started when u r just starting withdrawal. Narcan, the narcotic antagonist, in a very small dose is present in Suboxone. This can do anything from making u queezy to just reversing the effects of any narcotics. Narcan is the medication given for overdoses, like when u watch tv, someone overdoses, they look barely conscious to becoming awake, wild and crazy. This narcan is in Suboxone in minute dosages. Some doc's actually continue some folks narcotics with suboxone.

Typical "induction" of Suboxone therapy is for u to have at least an hour up to 4 hours or so, depends upon both the clinic and what u have taken before or not taken. They give u your initial dose then monitor your bloodpressure, heart rate and such, making sure u don't have any reactions to the medication or such. You are monitored there according to the clinics protocol and how u feel. If u do well, a dosage is established. Again, according to how u do and their protocol, you typically come back frequently until your dosage is established and again, u maybe monitored or it maybe just a verbal update. After the desired dosage is established and u r using it for pain management, u r typically seen once a month. Obviously, if u r taking this medication to decrease narcotic usage or stop narcotic usage, u r some times seen more frequently, titration your dosage and frequency of your dosage is done according to how u r feeling. Although narcotic usage when on Suboxone therapy is discouraged, many doctor's feel the amount of narcan is so small that it doesn't interfere with the meds given with it.

Suboxone also is made without narcan, the narcotic antagonist. Some people, like me have reactions to this part of it. Additionally , sometimes when used for and given for pain treatment, they will choose this option. Many years ago, prior to my cardiac arrest, I was taking four VicOdin a day. I decided to stop using the VicOdin as I didn't feel it was helping and Suboxone was new, my doc thought it might help for pain and it would definately help with not getting withdrawals of something I had been on for four years. So I tried it. Although this doc was certified in Suboxone therapy and I do suggest they have experience with this drug and/or r certified, he didnt do a monitored induction. He sent me home, on a friday afternoon with script in hand and it ended up a mess. Please remember, this was well over ten years ago and prior to me knowing I had a congenital heart issue that didn't allow me to tame many medications. Suboxone comes in a dissolvable strip. I anxiously took my first dosage while feeling s***ty, as I made sure I was in withdrawal and YES! U can get nasty withdrawals from Vicodan! First my hands swelled up, then started my lips, I couldn't set still, I was anxious, pacing, all while hurting like heck. I called my doc, he had me take a valium. He felt "perhaps" I hadn't been in enough withdrawals. I waited until I felt that I was having problems breathing and went to the er. They were horrified as I had a terrible reaction to the narcan. Of course, this was right in the midSt of the beginning of the dea bs and I was looked at like I was an iv heron user. Bottom line of the story, if u r going to start this therapy, don't do it at 4:30 on a friday. I don't mean to scare people as I do have a very rare medical condition that makes even antibiotics dangerous for me. It is a wonderful treatment for both pain relief and tapering off narcotics and I also want folks to know that if u do react to Narcan, the non-narcan medication is available for use. AND there r reactions to this therapy, make sure u get a doctor that knows this medication and can treat u properly. A supervised induction is not only the safest manner but will also insure that u have successful treatment. If u have questions about this therapy, just ask. If I don't know the answer, I can usually find one or direct u to a knowledgable professional that can.

As for my hospital stay. I'm not really sure. I told this years ago but my "pain issues" come from a chiropractor injuring a healthy back. I ended up with piriformis spasms, a totally numb left leg with "failed back" syndrome L4-S-1. After years of learning to walk again, close to 18, we finally have been stable enough the last 2+ years that I cam ride the horses or play golf, infrequently but I can. I have a "syndrome" which I am in a study at the Cleveland Clinic for. It's a combination of "cyclic vomiting" and "prolonged q-t syndrome". Which means I start throwing up, I can't stop, the heart issue is bad. My heart itself is healthy but I can an electrical genetic issue where my heart just goes into arrest without warning. Thus, the cardiac arrest a few years ago. Anyway, last weekend I went into one of my vomiting fits but I don't think it was my typical attack. I think it was caused by food poisoning. The problem when u have the two combined issues is that the medicine to take to stop the vicious cycle is also a medicine I can't take because of my heart. I get caught in the circle because then my electrolytes get out of whack then it again affects my heart. So it's one big toilet and I get caught in the whirlpool. These cyclic cycles can b just an hour or they can b 14 days. I can have one a month or go years without one. They actually believe they r connected by a tiny area of my brain but there is no treatment. The worst part is I can keep nothing down, then I go also into withdrawal, which makes everything worse or it can b Nothing but they can't get an iv because of dehydration . So now I have an iv port and a pacer. Two lovely boob jobs! HaHa! Last weekend I believe was food poisoning but once I start, I can't stop so 5 days in the hospital because my electrolytes wereally so bad. Depending how the cycle goes depends how I feel when I get out. This time I was too tired to even read emails. I have a good job where I work on the computer and typically can keep up, so that's awesome. Many years of training to fall into that! So that's my story. Worth sharing again as my baby was 3 months old when the chiropractor hurt me and he's now 23, so lots of years of treatment and therapy under my belt.

I really appreciate you guys not just offering but after knowing u also so long, I know u mean it! It means the world to me! As u know, sometimes pain equals loneliness. I don't feel alone anymore and that's a big deal! Plus, it gives hope to others. I hope in resharing it will help others to share, as if we understand, we can help!

Happy Mother's Day to all for I don't know anyone here who hasn't "mothered" someone! I truly love u all!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank You Tammy just called them in Wheatridge and is Sunday but they are still i existence it appears! I will let you know how it works I was a FDNY Fire fighter on 9-11 and broke my neck when Bldg, 2 came down on us and fight horrible pain with metal in neck both Knees and my Right thumb was re-attached aznd live with pain 24-7 I pray they help! Have all the pics and x-rays etc. God Bless You Tanman 33

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have horrible news: Fuzzy, as you all know her, passed away. I don't have any details... I just happened to go to her FB page because I haven't heard from her today. Please pray for her husband and daughter. I will let you know more when I find anything out. My heart is broken...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

rainbow, Thanks for the info. I have found a very good Doc that I am seeing now, if anyone is looking for a good Doc try MCNP in north or south Aurora or Rocky Mountain Clinic in Aurora. keep in mind that they will ask you to take a test to make sure that you are taking the meds the way you should, also that you are not take any street meds. if this is what the clinics are doing now then do it. as long as they are helping you with your pain and sleep. it works for me. Thanks

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey JaneyGirl are u feeling better and wat were u in tha hospital 4

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Janey, I'm so sorry to hear you had to spend time in the Hellspital. How can anyone ever rest when they're always in there waking you up and taking you here and there. I totally feel ya! I'm glad you're home, and if you need anything please let me know. Susie has my email, but you are welcome to request it too or get it from her or Cindy. Thank you for your kind words. I never know if I'm too wordy or not, but hopefully when I do reply the person gets help.

I have no idea why medicade patients are pushed towards suboxone, probably a cost, potential abuse, limited doctors to oversee thing. Once on it, even if you wanted a beer and your doctor said ok to 1, it'll likely just give you a headache. Your brain really really doesn't process anything feel good the same. Hot sauce doesn't even make endorphens (sp) kick in anymore. Unlike opiates that still lets others come to the party. Sad but true.

I hope you guys find treatment that works for you as opposed to being forced onto something that doesn't work. I didn't choose suboxone, but it does help my pain so I save my complaints for whomever ate the last of the nutella.

Have a good weekend y'all

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Rainbow,

I couldn't agree with u more. I tried going through Medicaid for my pain management and all they would pay for is suboxone therapy. I can't take it for medical issues and had some luck with them reimbursing me last year but not this year. I know the medicaid rules have changed but I can't find anywhere anything that could change this and I'm still looking. As I said, they did cover some last year and that was due to me not being medically to take suboxone. I'm talking to them next week about approving some oral surgery, I'm also going to inquire into what other options r available as many pain patients r medicaid due to the nature of the beast. Denver used to have a pain clinic but they were mostly treating with methadone. University of Colorado also had a clinic which was actually pretty good but I haven't used them in quite some time. If u Google pain management+doctors+medicaid+Denver area, there r a few doc's that take medicaid. Many of them are out of date but in calling their listed numbers I was able to find a doc that at least got a friend started in treatment. It seems to b hit or miss, as I've tried this many times but recently some doc's r creeping back into pain management. Most r primary care doc's but we were able to find my friend a doc in the Aurora area. The other place for folks to try is the ER or Nurse Help Line at I think it's called South Suburban Hospital. The hospital off Mississippi from 225. They keep changing their name. I have been able to place a couple of clients through their system. If someone has to go to the ER, they have Patient Advocates that have referrals, the nurse help line has also been able to give me names if u don't need ER care. I do have to say, I haven't mentioned using this system before as it wasn't consistent before, it depended on the staff that was on as to how much help u have gotten and it's been a bit more consistent lately. Give them a call, as I said, it is hit or miss and u may have to call several times before u find someone but I have been able to get help. The Urgent Clinic on Arapahoe and Jordan are also associated with this hospital, I haven't used them but theit main hospital said depending on your physical issues they have been able to place patient's with specialists. If I have someone who ends up going there, I'll report this possible option to the group. Remember most hospitals have nurse help lines. I've used this hospital because it was the closest that could help folks in this area but give the nurse lines in your area a call. They may have u go into an ER for proper evaluation and to refer u to the right doc but they have lists of doc's within their system that could help. Many of the "fancier" hospitals don't seem to b as helpful but the tried and true older institutions r helpful, like the one off Mississippi, St Anthony's, DG, University, Pres/St Luke's and such. Try to pick larger and well established hospitals, some actually have pain doc's on staff plus the larger hospitals tend to b used to all types of insurance. I don't usually mention this method because it does take time and homework. Most of the folks here need to get in last week and it's not an option. But if u have a doc and r looking for someplace that can take your insurance and have the time to do research, it's a good method to finding any type of doc. The staff tends to recommend staff that they have found to b compassionate to them or seen them with patient's, so u usually don't get names of bad doc's. Plus remember not just pain management doc's treat pain. Specialists for certain diseases or conditions also will treat pain when associated with these and may know specific treatments for a disease that pain doc's wouldn't know of. Any more u have to b creative when it comes to medicine in general anymore. U need help just to manage any treatment anymore. If anyone needs help, just ask.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

As to the doctor shopping, also make sure you give a complete list of meds to the second doctor. If you disclose all meds and treatments, it's not dr shopping.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Phoenix- regarding issues with docs accusing you of doc shopping - get a WRITTEN REFERRAL every single time - from Teresa or whoever your current doc is . If you happen upon a new doc that you want a second opinion from- call your present docs office to issue a written referral for THAT SPECIFIC DOCTOR- every time you seek out a second opinion

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Phoenix and texmex u could try Kaiser or try Denver health clinics. I know Lowery helps with pain meds. idk all Lowery rules but if u call their clinics just ask if they do pain management contracts. BRING ANY RECORDS OR PROOF OF WAT U NEED MEDS 4, that's at any new dr u will see.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Why do we as medicaid ppl have to do suboxone????

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Phoenix....I think we do as medicaide patients get treated like crap I think feel and believe its bull crap ONLY MEDICAID PATIENT'S at sum dr office only get suboxone....2 me it seems like are pain ain't real and we dnt need real pain meds its there sum kind of hot line person we can call and talk bout this wit cuz they are discriminating us our rights cuz they are nt giving us the same help as they wld say like they give non medicaid ppl...it shldnt matter if u pay cash or medicaid are pain is real we deserved real meds this having medicaid on suboxone to block us from tha pain and high feeling thats sayin we are not real ppl wit real pain

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Chatty,

Great response back to the gal who needed help. Didn't feel the need to respond because your answer was so thorough and knowledgable. U consistently give thoughtful and well collected info. I haven't tried the chat yet. I spent the last five days in the hospital, non-pain related medical issues. It almost takes days out of the hospital to recover from their "care". I was so sick I didn't even pick up my phone. Mowing the front yard the day after getting out probably wasn't a good idea. It was pretty obvious from my last post about reporting missing meds that I wasn't feeling well. A wee bit reactive yet it does anger me that we all live in fear, even when we r wronged, that we question ourselves about reporting wrongs. I do however encourage everyone to take one big step and sign the petition so we don't have to live in fear. I do have to say that the difference in maintaining my pain management was tangible. I didn't feel like a " bad person" when I told them what my daily medications were.

They actually made sure I received all my regular meds and questioned me every few hours if my medication was keeping me comfortable. That's a huge difference from a year ago when I had pneumonia, truly hurt more than norma and was treated like I was a leper. I can't help but think our speaking out has somewhat swung the pendulum a little. Much more a feeling of acceptance rather than judgement. For them to consistently making sure I was comfortable was open, free feeling and I was even asked if I needed medication to get me through to my next pain appointment. So have faith everyone. Strides, no matter how small are being made. As long as we r moving forward, to me it represents we r making progress!!! Bottom line??? Keep the faith!!! Keep together, approach our issues with educated and versed responses, write all representatives, congressmen and even Mr Obama!! Together we do make a statement and it is showing. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and stay warm!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

So anyone get live chat to work? I got in and waited and then got a message saying there is no proctor or presenter and so I left. That was about 20 after for me. I thought it was a chat not a goto meeting (not a fan of that format for this). What about everyone else?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I can't answer all of your concerns, but I will say that I see Hasselkus at Aurora RMIM, I have never dealt with a Teresa, but I did ask if they had one that worked there and was told yes. They seemed puzzled by my question so I left it there. Now part of me seeing Dr. H is that he doesn't write anything else for me and I had to drop from 32mg a day to 24mg (2, 12-3 sublingual a day). The 24mg per day is a FDA guideline and honestly the drop was hard but every once in a while it's important to know your true pain level and you can't do that without a reduction or complete removal. Imo. Anyway, I digress, I went to him under an emergency situation and he has been kind enough to extend treatment until I'm ready to ween off (hopefully this summer). He is NOT a pain management doc.

So I have been looking for a pain management doctor and a shrink or someone who is both because of breakthrough pain and Paxil adjustments. I told Dr. H why and he said well at 20-24mg of suboxone your receptors are so full that nothing is going to help. I explained to him that is what my former PM doctor said and that's why we tried a stimulant (ritalin) to help and OMGosh does it help. Well, bad news is that that Dr retired, the next one left practice to one that refuses suboxone patients, and the 3rd had a medical emergency that forced him to close his practice. My current pcp agreed to write 1/4th the strength of my dose as he isn't on board with the ritalin and it's his license on the line, fair enough. Dr. H, said he understood and then we talked about my weight...the only Dr in my life that seems to really care as opposed to being offended by my weight.

As for insurance RMIM takes my Medicare, and the sign on the window says that they take medicad too. Their rules are different though for suboxone. You get enough for 1 week and you see the dr every week for 4-6 weeks. I didn't have to do that...as in my case is PM and not abuse recovery treatment. I had to come back in 10 days and now every month and they give U/A's every single time. It's been a joy working with him and every one for the most part had been really nice. I haven't had any bias about my insurance but I have Medicare and a policy like you'd get from work that's really good as I have LTD insurance so that could matter. I know that if you're on medicade they want you on suboxone, unless you are going to pay out of pocket. If you are going to look for a 2nd or 5th opinion tell the doctor you're in contract with FIRST always. If you don't they are well within their right to release you. Plus you usually have to fill out a release of medical information just to see a new doctor for opinions so naturally they can and will talk to each other. Best bet is to be candid, transparent and proactive. Good luck with your search keep us posted!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am in need of a new doctor in my area that is not going to blow me off when I am a new patient with a history of takin...

46 REPLIES

Hi everyone. I currently suffer from severe chronic pain. I have multiple conditions one of them being chronic renal col...

32 REPLIES

Can you tell me about any doctors who can prescribe Vicodin ## You'll get a much better response if you post back an...

4347 REPLIES

I have mouth cancer that is very painfull and have been taking opioids/pain meds for many years. My tolerance is extreme...

287 REPLIES

I need to find a Dr. To write a Rx. For hydrocodin for chronic back pain, where can I find one in Southern Louisiana? ##...

263 REPLIES

Does anyone know of a good PCP in the Columbus Ohio area willing to prescribe Norcos for pain of the middle to lower bac...

145 REPLIES

My doctor had a stoke and was prescribing me 30 mg a day of methadone for a chronic pain syndrome..I am a 51 yr old that...

78 REPLIES

Buldging disk in lower back and also broke my L2 vertebrae in 2006 pain is intolerable ## Hello, Tamtam! How are you? Du...

34 REPLIES

Hi I am trying to find a doctor in the Rochester, NY area that will prescribe hydrocodone or oxycodone. I am even willin...

26 REPLIES

I have been seen by the lexington va for 2 years now with constant back pain. I've had shots and therapy for the pai...

21 REPLIES