[Oakdalecowboy]

I'm a 47 yr. old male with a ruptured disc at L4-L5, and I had a fusion done in 95 at L5-S1. I have extreme back pain everyday and find it hard to get around. In 2002 I was hospitalized for contaminated water that has ruined my stomach. I was taking vicoden before this happened but my family doctor said I could not take it any more because of my stomach. He then put my on fentaly patches. I've been on them for over 2 years, and he is now denying filling my perscription after all this time. My back doctor does not write triplicates for this medication and has been trying to contact my doctor about not stopping the patches since it will put me through extreme withdrawls but he refuse to return or take his calls. What recourse do I have if any to get him to continue to write the prescription until I have back surgery in the next two months. I feel this is very unethical of him and wonder what I can do. Any information or feedback would be of great help. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

Dave

[nutkitten]

Hi, I am on Duragesic 75. As far as I know, abruptly stopping the patch can be harmful to your health and since your dr. refuses to wean you off as is the medically sound thing to do, perhaps you should try contacting the AMA. In the meantime, since your other dr. does not have a triplicate pad, he could at least prescribe other non-triplicate opiates at a dosage perhaps comparable to the fentanyl so that you don't have withdrawls. That is about my only suggestion. I would like to know how this gets solved, ok. I worry about when the time comes that my Dr. decides I no longer need the patch!

Tracy

[mpvt]

methadone is an exellant long term pain killer for chronic pain patients.It might be an option for you......Dave