http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42437555/ns/health-health_care/Lynn this was a very good article. I have had to sign one of these with my RD and have mixed feelings about it. I know me and know that I would never doctor shop or misuse my meds but on the other hand, he at the time, didn't know me. What continues to amaze me is how the people in the news that get busted with hundreds of these pills. How and where do they get them when I had such a hard time and I needed them. To me, just my opinion, it is like signing a prenup before you get married-it kinda puts a little wedge in the relationship at the very beginning... love my pain management dr. I've been seeing him for about 7yrs now. He's seen me through many surgeries and hospitalizations. When I've been inpatient, he comes by just to say hi. I signed a pain contract that first visit. See no problem with that.
I'm thinking there may be more to that woman's story. My dr. has told me many times that if I visit the ER for an acute problem, I can take whatever is prescribed. He just wants a phone call the next day. Er drs have been very helpful as well. I am upfront about having signed a pain contract. The drs have offered to call my pain dr and leave a message stating that I disclosed the contract.
I have a good relationship with him. I've never run out of meds early or "lost" a prescription. I am not required to use one pharmacy but VA is a state with a database for narcotics. No matter where I fill, my history pops up. Whenever I've had a surgery, he has talked to the surgeon beforehand about how pain control will be handled.
Longterm use of pain meds does require responsibility and trust. I have seen how abusive some patients can be with the staff at the clinic. Usually it happens when a patient runs out of meds early. I kinda figure that if a person has enough energy and the ablility to throw a temper tantrum, they probably don't need the meds. I have heard patients just go off on my dr and the others in the practice when the prescription isn't what they want. One lady starting screaming at the nurse that driving all this way for tylenol was a waste of her fu*&*^% time. She kicked a chair on the way out...classy
At one time only pain management doctors and pain clinics had patients sign a contract. I wonder why all of a sudden other doctors are requiring a contract from their patients; possibly to retain patients and not have to refer out, to be able to offer patients treatment that they've been reluctant to prescribe before, because of govt. dictates, why? I have mixed feelings about it but if my RD requires a contract then I'll sign one, but I want her to prescribe something other than Tramadol.!!!!! Lindy