İMarilyn Kerr 1998-2001

Open Letter to My Doctor

This is just a venting session for me, so please bear with me and just let me get it out.....The title of this posting is what prompted this after a return visit from my doctor this morning.....To make a long story short, I've been on percocet for a medically legitimate reason (I see no need to go into that right now) for the past 6 months and the doc is writing a prescription for 2 per day, as needed.....well, with the pain coming and going like it is, 2 does not even touch it now.....but, I try to make the medication last as long as possible (translation: I try not to take more than I absolutely have to) and sometimes I need a refill before the month has passed...She (the doc) seems to feel that as long as she only writes 2 per day she and I both are safe...well, today she informs me that she's going to either not write any more or if she does it will not exceed 60 per month...now that may seem like an awful lot to someone who has not been getting any, but I've built up a tolerance and been able to get them so far, so no problem as far as I could see...now to my gripe...her reason for not writing any more; she's afraid of losing her license....she informed me in no uncertain terms that even though she knows that I need them and need more than 60, perhaps, she is not going to risk her license for anyone...what the Hell happened to doctors caring about their patient's welfare, good health, pain relief, holistic medicine and all that.....I can understand any health professional not wanting to lose their money making ability (license) but it has gotten to the point that doctors are so scared of the DEA it totally controls the care a patient gets if narcotics are involved at all....I thought that if a patient has exhibited a genuine need for this kind of medication (I have a file a foot thick that documents all the other meds that have been tried and did not work over the past year) then the physician was justified in writing what they thought the patient needed, up to a reasonable point, of course......I've read all these posts on this ng and others where doctors were terrified of the DEA but I never really related because I had a "standup" doctor who was not intimidated by big brother....it's a royal crock when a government agency can control the degree of care that a patient gets simply by holding that power of license revocation over a physician's head and the doctors simply bow down to it....I could go on and on but won't ......I just wanted to get that out...I don't know what I'm going to do now.....I've never had to go doctor hunting and don't really plan to now....I honestly don't know if I can taper off to two per day without medical help or not...and that's another thing I could get on my soapbox about...she gets me hooked on these things which is both her fault and mine, then snatches the rug out from under me that way because all of a sudden she has the DEA shakes......it's so unfair and so totally against what I see as the oath that she and all the rest took when they became doctors....again, enough....I'm going to go lie down and get rid of this headache with one of the very few percocets that I have left and try and figure out what the Hell to do when the pain comes tomorrow and all I have for relief is M&M's....thanks for listening (reading) and everyone have a happy, pain free day........"disgusted"....

Addendum

my own personal situation has worsened since I posted...my doctor now refuses to write any prescription for percocet which was what she had me on...her response again "two or three of those per day is ridiculous"....if she only knew what chronic pain will do and you know that the relief is there and she refuses to provide it because she "is not going to lose her license" because of someone's need....it's very depressing and only serves to worsen the headaches and depression that come when no relief in the form of medication is available.....I've been on this medication for over one year and she has provided most of it...enough of my whining....I'll be glad to talk with you more, if you like, about my situation....it really helps me to be able to talk with someone else who can relate (vent, I guess is a better word)....Thanks for writing......Sincerely, Van

April 20, 2001

Dr. Conway:

A brief note regarding your impressions noted at our neurological consultation in your office on January 29, 2001.

Regrettably, your comments are pedantic and of the predictably condescending tone of a doctor who does not know what is wrong with his patient, probably doesn't care, and, for whatever reason, chooses then to declare that the ailment is imaginary.

It is extraordinary that in one half-hour examination you decide there is nothing organically wrong. One would question just how progressive your medical education was. I was referred to you by Dr. Michael Rossi, my cardiologist, who is among the most distinguished and capable doctors in the United States. He was confident that you would "get to the bottom of this." Sadly, and surprisingly, my appointment with you appeared to be of no use whatsoever.

Please do at least review your notation that "no previous studies are available for comparison purposes." Three (3) copies of previous CT scan reports were forwarded to you as requested, but perhaps you had my records confused with a different patient? If not, you should certainly address this matter with your office staff.

I presume that most people are aware of their bodies sufficiently to know when they become disabled. In light of this, it is my practice to assert a "zero tolerance" policy toward those doctors who, when they can not come up with any practical suggestions, lamely suggest their patient see a psychiatrist. While I certainly hold the mental health profession in the highest regard, in this case you are incorrect and insulting, time-wasting and tiresome. I cannot recommend you as someone I would use again. I do hope you are able to serve your future patients better.

Mildred A. Blair