Michigan: Hello, I am 57 years old and am disabled due to an elevator accident at work about 13 years ago.
I was treated the day of my injury, treated in the days following by my family doctor , an M.D., received numerous x-rays, an MRI and have been evaluated by the governments own doctors to validate my claim. I also was awarded my disability by a Federal Judge who heard my case. All parties agree that I am permanently disabled.
My doctor and I discussed my options and there were only two of them. One option was surgery, which my doctor strongly advised against, stating that the outcome had a 97% chance of making my pain worse. The second option was to prescribe muscle relaxers, steroids and painkillers to help reduce my suffering. We both agreed on painkillers and muscle relaxants as a long term solution so that I might continue to have some quality of life. I have been prescribed pain medication for years and I have followed every prescriptions directions and have taken them responsibly. I have never overdosed, mixed them with alcohol or asked for more than I was prescribed. My problem is my family doctor has taken a emergency medical leave and has abandoned me without finding another doctor to treat me. Her office tells me that they have no idea when she is coming back and referred me to numerous doctors who according to them were "set to handle her patients". The first doctor was 120 miles round trip for me only to find out that he wouldn't even see me because "he does not prescribe pain medication". Not only that but he also doesn't accept my insurance. His office gave me a list of numbers to call for other doctors who could help me. The first number was a lawn and garden center. the second was disconnected. The third was a private phone number to an unknown male and the 4th was to rally's, a restaurant chain. When I called my family doctors office back the next day, they had no excuse for what happened. They gave me a list of 3 other doctors "who would help me". the first doctor didn't take my insurance. the second did not accept new patients and the third would only see me with my doctors prior approval and would not be able to see me for 3 months. My insurance company, Meridian, is unable to locate a doctor as the ones they have suggested do not give out any painkillers due to the new CDC Guidelines. It has been over 2 months now since I have been seen by a doctor. I have had to go to the emergency room for a 2 day supply of medicine at a cost of $90.00. I have been in unbearable pain, unable to walk, fallen down twice and cannot get any sleep because of the medication withdrawals. I have gained at least 20 pounds because all i do is eat to try and take my mind off of my pain but to no avail. Isn't my doctor obligated to find someone else who will treat me or is it legal for her to just abandon me? Everywhere I call for help I hear about some new law that prevents doctors from being able to prescribe painkillers, but my understanding is that there is no law, only a recommendation guideline handed out by the CDC to reduce the amount of painkillers being given. Please help me with some advice as to what my rights are. Thank You.
I was treated the day of my injury, treated in the days following by my family doctor , an M.D., received numerous x-rays, an MRI and have been evaluated by the governments own doctors to validate my claim. I also was awarded my disability by a Federal Judge who heard my case. All parties agree that I am permanently disabled.
My doctor and I discussed my options and there were only two of them. One option was surgery, which my doctor strongly advised against, stating that the outcome had a 97% chance of making my pain worse. The second option was to prescribe muscle relaxers, steroids and painkillers to help reduce my suffering. We both agreed on painkillers and muscle relaxants as a long term solution so that I might continue to have some quality of life. I have been prescribed pain medication for years and I have followed every prescriptions directions and have taken them responsibly. I have never overdosed, mixed them with alcohol or asked for more than I was prescribed. My problem is my family doctor has taken a emergency medical leave and has abandoned me without finding another doctor to treat me. Her office tells me that they have no idea when she is coming back and referred me to numerous doctors who according to them were "set to handle her patients". The first doctor was 120 miles round trip for me only to find out that he wouldn't even see me because "he does not prescribe pain medication". Not only that but he also doesn't accept my insurance. His office gave me a list of numbers to call for other doctors who could help me. The first number was a lawn and garden center. the second was disconnected. The third was a private phone number to an unknown male and the 4th was to rally's, a restaurant chain. When I called my family doctors office back the next day, they had no excuse for what happened. They gave me a list of 3 other doctors "who would help me". the first doctor didn't take my insurance. the second did not accept new patients and the third would only see me with my doctors prior approval and would not be able to see me for 3 months. My insurance company, Meridian, is unable to locate a doctor as the ones they have suggested do not give out any painkillers due to the new CDC Guidelines. It has been over 2 months now since I have been seen by a doctor. I have had to go to the emergency room for a 2 day supply of medicine at a cost of $90.00. I have been in unbearable pain, unable to walk, fallen down twice and cannot get any sleep because of the medication withdrawals. I have gained at least 20 pounds because all i do is eat to try and take my mind off of my pain but to no avail. Isn't my doctor obligated to find someone else who will treat me or is it legal for her to just abandon me? Everywhere I call for help I hear about some new law that prevents doctors from being able to prescribe painkillers, but my understanding is that there is no law, only a recommendation guideline handed out by the CDC to reduce the amount of painkillers being given. Please help me with some advice as to what my rights are. Thank You.