Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Oh, how I missed the runaround....

Ok, so when I found out I was expecting last fall, medicaid was more than happy to cover me (they cover childbearing, but not long-term disease). Unforunately the Internal Med doc that I saw couldn't see me while I was on Medicaid, and the pain management doc said he couldn't do anything for me while I was pregnant, so come back after the baby was born.

So whilst I was carrying the Tootlebug, my OB prescribed my Enbrel and hydrocodone, since he was the only doc I could see, or that would see me.

Flash forward to two months post-stork, and I'm in one of the most terrible flares I've had in a long, long time. Taking the occasional hydrocodone just isn't doing it anymore, so I went in to see the pain doc.

Now, my OB had given me an Rx for Norco 1-2 tabs every 4 hours as needed, and just said that he wasn't comfortable treating my pain, as that's not his position, and I totally respect that. But when I went into the PM doc, I figured he'd understand that the Norco wasn't "doing it", since I was on so many meds before I had Zach, all of which he had prescribed. Well I guess not, because he wrote an Rx for the Norco @ 1 tablet twice a day (!!!) and told me that he wasn't comfortable prescribing more than that, and that unless I see both a general practitioner and a rheumatologist in the next month, he couldn't treat me again.

So now I have less pain medicine than I did a week ago, and have to find two doctors that can see me (that I can afford to see) in the next month, and have no insurance to help in this adventure. I have one more month of Enbrel, and then I'll be out of luck there, too, if I don't have somebody who's willing to prescribe it.

I was having so much pain (even with all of my meds) last year that I had to quit working. So you can imagine how good I'm feeling now, mid-flare with hardly any meds and a twelve 1/2 pound baby to care for... Ugh.

Oh, how I missed this neverending quest to be treated like a human...

Oh Chelle. I wish you could get some relief. I also wish I were there to help you with the baby. Sometimes I long for a baby around again. (Just not for very long):o) Our grands are all from 10 - 18.

I hope you find some good drs. and some pain relief.
Rest every time you can.

Possi

My oh My, the runaround.....the medical field should be ashamed of themselves. If you had the meds before and they helped, what is the deal? They think your pain changes even though you have other things in your life going on?

Doctors.......doctors........can't live with out them and can't shoot them.

I pray and hope that you get pain relief for yourself soon as unfortunately (I am a firm believer) the baby will begin to feel your mental pain soon enough!

Take care and good luck

Denise
Richmond, VA

Oh Sweetie,

This is the one thing that really ticks me off!!!!

I dont understand why Drs. cant understand the pain we go thru.

That is why I left my Rhumatologist, he treated me for 13 years shot cortisone in every joint, treated me in the hospital and all he would give me was hydrocodone...so i quit seeing him and I told him why I wasnt coming back.

I think the only thing that saved me mentally at the time is our family Dr. and I have had a relationship patient/Dr for the last 8 years and he knew how much pain I was in. He prescribed me oxycodone/fentanyl patches.

That is why I have said my Immunologist has saved my life. For the first time besides my family Dr. he actually listens to me and I have been honest with him and told him if I dont get some BIG pain control I can not function. Now we did start with oxycodone 5 mg, then 25mg fentanyl patches, then 37.5 ultracets,now I am on 20mg percocet and 50mg fentanyl patches...he wants me on fentanyl patches 24 hours a day and then the percocet as needed. I finally found someone who believes me and is willing to help me.

I have no idea what direction you need to go in. I can see why your OB doesnt want to prescribe pain meds anymore, but your family Dr. or a PAIN MANAGEMENT DR. that is what he is there for.

Let me do some thinking about this and get back to you,

Lisa

,Chelle

I hope this all comes out well for you and you can get some pain relief - it is hard enough without the baby to take care of - I have a feeling hormones defintly influence pain and how much you feel and at theis point postpartum you are just raging with hormones

good luck

Kylie

Hugs, and more hugs.

I wish I had the answer for you. You must be so frustrated right now. I hate that the medical profession has gotten to be big business instead of a people business. I hope you find the help you need.

Hi Chelle,

Sorry to hear about the runaround, hoping and praying you can find some answers.

Tim

Thanks all. The thing that kills me is that the pain doc actually prescribed a lower dose of meds than the OB was willing to. That's just wrong.

*sigh*

I left a message for a local rheumie asking if he'd take me as a cash paying patient (because I'm rich you know). That was yesterday... haven't heard yet.

Oh Chelle,

I know what you mean. I have been very fortunate to have really good insurance the past 2 years. But before that was just medicaid and just trying to find a doctor that will accept it was tough enough. Then (especially in this town) making them understand that just because you are on medicaid doesn't mean you are a drug seeker is another chore. My good insurance may end for me next month. Which scares me. The reconstructive surgery that I was hoping to have may no longer be a possibility for me if I have to go strictly on medicaid again. Most plastic surgeons won't accept it. And there is no way I will ever be able to afford that surgery. Luckily I know my GP and my oncologist will still keep me. But I have known people who were seeing a doctor for years. Then when they had to go on medicaid, their doctors told them they could no longer see them. That is so sad.
I wish you all the best and hope you can get into see a doc that will be able to help you soon.

hugs
Pam