You agree to get all your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy, and you agree to allow the doctor and pharmacist to share information about you. When people abuse drugs, they often try to get prescriptions from multiple doctors and then fill them at different pharmacies. Because prescriptions are now entered into computers often with interconnected databases, this practice is currently much more difficult to get away with.
Consequently, if you sign an agreement with your physician, be sure you only shop at one pharmacy. You agree that lost, stolen or destroyed medications will not be replaced. If this stipulation is part of your pain management contract, be sure you safeguard your medications at all times. Make sure no one else has access to your medications. Ideally, opioid medications should be kept under lock and key.
There are some agreements that allow a doctor to use his own discretion if your medication is stolen and you file a police report. But remember, he usually is not required to replace the stolen medication. So you will be forced to do without pain medication until your prescription can be renewed. You agree not to request nor take pain medications from other healthcare providers. Even if you visit the dentist or the emergency room, these doctors cannot prescribe pain medications for you.
And, if they do, you will be violating your pain management agreement. Only your pain management doctor can prescribe pain medications. And pain management contracts typically require you to make all other healthcare providers aware of your agreement. As a result, if other doctors want to prescribe medications for your injury or after oral surgery, they will need to go through your pain management doctor.
Due to the drug tests you are taking, your pain management doctor will be able to tell if you have taken something that he has not prescribed. You don't take medications prescribed by other physicians without talking with your pain management doctor first. Generally, doctors who use these contracts say they are an effective way to let patients know what to expect while under their care.
They also believe the contracts let patients know how to use the medications safely, including how to store them at home. But critics of the agreements worry that the contracts undermine the patient-doctor relationship. For instance, they are concerned that the contracts put those suffering from chronic pain at the mercy of the provider.
They maintain that those with chronic pain are already vulnerable and that the agreement shifts the balance of power in favor of the doctor, leaving the patient disempowered and at risk. Another concern is that the contracts are often worded in a way that is offensive to patients, which in turn creates animosity between the doctor and the patient. Meanwhile, some patients feel as though they were treated like drug addicts despite the fact that they have always used their medications responsibly.
If you are asked to sign a pain management agreement, it is essential that you understand every detail of what you are signing. This way, you will be able to abide by all the rules and stipulations spelled out in the contract. If you do not understand something, be sure to ask. Remember, failing to follow all the terms of the agreement can have dire consequences.
For instance, if you do not follow the agreement or do something that is forbidden, your doctor may refuse to prescribe any additional pain medications for you. You also could be dismissed as a patient.
And if you are dismissed, it can be much harder to find another doctor to take you as a patient and treat your condition. Be sure you carefully read every word of the agreement before you sign it. Who do I call for a prescription refill? Will my pain doctor act as my primary care physician? Am I going to get a cortisone shot? Do you offer detox? Where can I find a pain support group? Do you need a referral for pain management?
Should I drive myself to my pain management appointment? What happens at the first pain management appointment? Will I be treated on the first visit to a pain management clinic?
Only qualified physicians in detoxification may perform treatment for narcotic substances. Links to organizations that may be helpful if you are affected by pain conditions and disorders American Pain Foundation National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain American Pain Society Where can I find a pain support group? Pain Management Treatment Facility Locations. Pain Management Patient Success Stories. Lee's Story - Back Pain.
Marjorie's Story. Stay Connected. Charities specialising in specific conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, may also offer more targeted pain management advice. Some of these organisations run helplines and self-help groups, where you can talk to and meet other people with long-term pain.
If you find you're having difficulty managing your pain, ask the GP for a referral to a specialist pain clinic. Pain clinics offer a wide range of treatments and support. They aim to support you in developing self-help skills to control and relieve your pain. Some people receiving treatment at a pain clinic may be offered a pain management programme PMP. The aim of a PMP is to improve your quality of life, despite your pain, rather than reducing your pain. PMPs are usually delivered through a series of group sessions with other people with persistent pain, in a friendly environment.
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