What to do if I can't find a doctor who would prescribe Methadone which helped a lot for pain relief after spinal fusion?
Patient: Hi i am 53 year old mail 7 years ago had a bi level spinal fusion the operation consisted of incisions in my stomach ,back and left hip my pain since the surgery has been so bad there are days i cant walk . I was at a pain clinic where for the 6 years i was being treated with 100 mitagram  Fentynal patch and 7-15miligram oxycodone a day it got to the point that i was on so much medication i felt sick but it got to the point the meds were not helping . I decided to wean off of the meds to find alternative medications found a pain doctor that suggested trying 20-30mg of methadone twice a day amazingly it helped greatly and for the last year i have felt better physically and mentally. Now the problem my doctor died suddenly at the end of November 2013 the other doctor in the office filled in for a couple of weeks on December 20th he gave me a prescription for 30 days a week and a half later a got a call saying he did not want to deal with prescribing methadone that i needed to find a new doctor . I found a new doctor who my first visit was Jan 13th new doctor wont prescribe pain meds wants me to go to pain clinic cant get appointment for a consult until the 24th of Jan and have no pain meds . Not sure what to do have been on pain medications for 12 years and I honestly cant find anyone to help or with any advise. Called original doctor today at the advise of new promary care to ask for a two week prescription until pain management what are the doctors obligation to treat me in the interim. Any help would be appreciated . Doctor: Hi,Thank you for posting your query.I have noted your symptoms and it is unfortunate that you are unable to get pain medications from your current doctor and your appointment with pain specialist is a few days later.In the meanwhile, you can request your current doctor to give you a few days of prescription of pain medications.You can also take OTC pain medications.Tramadol and flupirtine are other medications that could help reduce your pain.I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.Wishing you good health,Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)Senior Consultant NeurologistApollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, IndiaClick on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumarMy BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in