Posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 13:28:17
In reply to Bipolar diagnosis and pain meds.., posted by Spriggy on March 24, 2005, at 10:54:27
probably... probably the prohibition isn't limited to pain meds but to anything considered to have any abuse potential including benzos, stimulants, and, of course, narcotics. maybe it's because drug and alcohol abuse are closely related to mood disorders.
i've run into the problem from opposite sides. on one extreme, i've had doctors who have shoved prescriptions for every imaginable controlled substance at me, regardless of my diagnosis. these are usually my regular doctors who probably find it easier to work with me when i'm mellowed out. i've been on sleeping pills and high-dose benzos for two years, high-dose stimulants, and until recently, vicodin and percocet. i feel lucky to have avoided serious addictions.
on the other end of the spectrum, i run across doctors who give me dirty looks of disapproval and treat me like a junkie because of my prescription meds. they assume the worst of me and the worst effects from the drugs, and if they had the power to yank them, they would in a second.
i've stopped thinking about who is right. like it or not, i'm comfortable now with the drugs, and i don't want to go off of them. but i think you're right-- unless you first establish a relationship with a doctor over time, they're unlikely to give you something like vicodin at the first appointment. it's only (1) if they have known you for awhile and know you're really in pain that they'll give you a script, or (2) if they're tired of your moaning and have to keep working with you through it that they'll cough up some pain meds. once you've gotten a prescription for a chronic condition, though, it's a lot easier to get new doctors to prescribe. i've had to switch doctors a lot in the past few years, and if i say to the new dr, "well, dr. x had me on 60mg of adderall," and dr. x is willing to explain herself, then i usually get my supply extended. i guess pain meds are harder to get because they're usually prescribed for short-term pain and any attempt to go in and get more from someone new is seen as drug-seeking.
anyway, i hope your pain eases up.
poster:CareBear04
thread:474932
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475000.html