I was in a car accident 3 years ago. I have 2 herniated discs in my neck and have an RX of Oxycodone. Originally I tried to get by on 2 (5mg) pills per day, (the prescription was for 1-2 tabs 4 times a day. After several months I found that I was not able to adjust and continue to do the tasks required in life. over the next few months I adjusted my dosage to 4 5mg tabs per day. until I was able to function fairly normally and complete tasks that my life required.
My doctor feels that this is to much and wants me to remain at 3 tabs per day, he is insistent and I simply disagree with him. I don't feel I have any issue with abuse. Am I doctor shopping if I seek another doctors opinion on this?
As a side note, some days when the pain is worse than normal I may take 5, other days I may only take 2 or 3. very rarely less or more than those numbers.
How do you define doctor shopping?
Question posted by mrhoffy on 12 Feb 2013
Last updated on 14 February 2013
5 Answers
Thank you all for your input, I have seen a pain management doc, and he basically just wanted me to get injections, he did not give me a RX at all. I will look into a different doctor, it is sad because my current doc has been my family doc for most of my adult life, he has even delivered two of my children...
Can your family doctor manage your medications? That's what I do. I see a spine specialist through my local pain management group for all non-pharmaceutical pain management options, and my PCP manages all my medications, including my pain medications, and my spine specialist is aware of this and all the medications I'm on. The only medications my PCP doesn't manage is my Vyvanse (because it's a psychiatric medication, and my PCP leaves the mental health clinic I go to to managing any psychiatric medications I may take, though he's totally aware of all prescriptions I get from other doctors), and the topical medications I have for my psoriasis from my dermatologist (who my PCP referred me to). I make sure that all of my doctors are aware of all my medications and which doctor prescribes what medications. This also helps doctors develop trust in you.
My family doc is the one who currently manages my pain meds. which is the biggest reason I have not already looked else where for a second opinion...
Thanks for your input.
Well that is quite disappointing. I think the only option you really have as far as finding a new doctor to manage your pain medication/treatment without it just "looking like" doctor shopping is seeing a pain specialist. Hopefully you can find a pain management clinic/specialist in your area that's not just all about spinal injections, as that seems to be rather popular now (though they're finding that they're not really effective for those with long-term chronic pain). I guess all you can do from here is call around to all the pain specialists and ask them first what kind of treatments they offer before even thinking of making an appointment. I personally don't think it could hurt to also ask if there's any doctors at each place who prescribes medications, since they're not going to know who you are, but I could be wrong here, as I've not had to do this. I really hope the best of luck for you.
Also, if you ARE able to find a pain specialist who would be open to considering prescribing medications for their patients and does for current ones, if you get in to see them and they agree to see you as a patient and prescribe you pain medication, you'll want to make your family doctor aware of this ASAP, just so they're aware, and so it doesn't seem like you're getting 2 prescriptions from 2 doctors without their knowledge (aka doctor shopping).
I am not 100% positive, but I don't think the Pain Management clinic in my area prescribe pain meds. It is so frustrating. I know why they do it, but because some people abuse the drugs in question, people like me that need it and are very careful with it are punished.
My big mistake was being honest to begin with, if I would have just taken the prescription that was originally offered I would have a surplus and not have to be concerned about running out at the end of the month.
Anther instance of punishing the innocent while the guilty continue to get what they want...
Sorry, just ranting a bit...
Thanks for your contribution...
I totally get you about being honest to a fault! That's actually gotten me in trouble quite a bit, particularly when dealing with Social Services! Maybe if you keep your doctor aware of your pain levels and lack of proper control he'll eventually agree to give you that extra pill each day. Sometimes your best bet is just being diligent.
Kaismama is right on! Dr shopping is getting multiple prescriptions for the same kind of medicine from several docs at the same time. Ask your Dr to refer you to a pain management Dr. This is a pretty low dose. If your doctor prescribing is a PCP or general practitioner, he may be uncomfortable prescribing more because of DEA oversight. The DEA has all the Drs freaked out about prescribing opiates right now. Pain management docs have a little more leaway as far as prescribing higher doses of opioids. With chronic pain, you would likely do better on a long acting drug to take daily by the clock rather than a short acting drug as needed. With a long acting drug, you keep ahead of the pain rather than chasing it. This gives you much better pain control and better quality of life. Often along with a long acting drug they may give you an "as needed" short acting drug to use for breakthrough pain but the majority of your pain control should come from your long acting drug.
you are only doctor shopping if you go to one or more doctor , and do not let one doctor know about the other doctor, so you can get more pills than you are allowed. catspaw1955
As stated, doctor shopping is when you get prescriptions for pain (or other types, sometimes) medications from several doctors simultaneously. It is NOT doctor shopping if you decide to go to another doctor for a second opinion though. In fact, in your case, I suggest you DO get a second opinion, as you're on a rather low dose of pain medication, even taking 4 pills a day. See about getting in to see a pain management doctor if you're not already seeing one, or perhaps see another pain management doctor. Herniated discs can be quite painful, and if you need to take 4 5mg pills, instead of 3, a day just to function, then you should be allowed to take that one extra pill a day. Considering your history since your initial injury, I think it's proof that you're very responsible with taking your pain medication and would likely cause little to no problems with any prescribing doctor.
Oh lord your doc is way off. You are taking a very low dose of it for having been on it for 3 yrs. It is normal to need the dose increased over time. I would just find a different doc, then drop the first one. Doctor shopping is when you go to several at a time and get scripts from each.
Related topics
oxycodone, chronic pain, herniated disc, doctor, prescription, accident
Further information
- Oxycodone uses and safety info
- Oxycodone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Oxycodone (detailed)
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