Pain Management At The Va

[john999]

I went to pain management appointment today at the VAMC here in Tampa. The upshot is that they decided they are stopping my narcotic medications. The head nurse(not a doctor) just decided that narcotics were inappropriate for my conditions and what I really need is intestinal fortitude and PT. She was a complete blockhead and it was no use pointing out to her over and over that I had been on narcotic meds for years and that giving me 4 weeks to get off them without consulting my primary care doctor or anyone else is fascistic. I told the blockhead that just yesterday I could hardly walk due to the pain in my feet....no response. I already called a private pain management doctor and set up an appointment, but I am burning up with anger at being treated like scum on the VA's shoe. Where else do pain doctors just cut you off your medications without discussion or taking your opinion into account? The VA is trying to push all the pain patients into some kind of pain mangage program either in-patient(hell no) or out-patient. I don't want to participate in anything like that with those clowns. What can I do to just get my pain meds as I did before. I complained about being given only a choice of morphine or methadone, so they cut me off everything. I am pissed, but making plans. I may just stop using the VA system all together. I am sick of being treated like a charity case by these jerks. I have good insurance and I don't need them at all except to document my disabilities. I am P&T so do I even need that?

[william n]

John,,, heres a spin for ya. Went too Bay Pines VHAMC today to p/up Pain Meds from my mailbox at the "on premises" post office. Cool, just decided to go too the local fishing spot there, and took 2 pills, as i've been out for a day. I then parked my car and went fishing. Okkkkk, done fishing go too my car and there is a VA Cop sittin there. He says Mr. xxxxxx how are ya?? i said good u. he says u never changed ur registration from the Domicillary to ur current address did u? I said ya ur right ill do it on Tuesday. Do u have anything on u i need to know about ??? i said no, just fishin ,no lures in my pockets, nothin sharp. My pain pills were in my pocket, as i didnt want too leave them in the car cause i cant lock the doors,broke(electric). He searched me and found the pills, called me a liar and told me to call for a ride as he felt that i might be impaired. WOW !! Sooo much for fishin there again. LOL.. $47.00 for a cab ! Ironically, my appts. are all at the Dunedin Clinic from now on and starting the 23rd of Sept. Now to change my PO Box! The hell with Bay Pines and their BS!! Peace, William

[john999]

When I am driving I never carry pills in my pocket. If you have pills in your pocket the cops assume you have pills in your body. If I have to travel and need to take my pills with me I get my wife to drive. These Good Old Boys with the badges (We don't need no stinkin' badges) just love to bust the veteran who might have a brake light out on a DUI charge.

[purple]

That is so messed up.

[ruby]

I went to pain management appointment today at the VAMC here in Tampa. The upshot is that they decided they are stopping my narcotic medications. The head nurse(not a doctor) just decided that narcotics were inappropriate for my conditions and what I really need is intestinal fortitude and PT. She was a complete blockhead and it was no use pointing out to her over and over that I had been on narcotic meds for years and that giving me 4 weeks to get off them without consulting my primary care doctor or anyone else is fascistic. I told the blockhead that just yesterday I could hardly walk due to the pain in my feet....no response. I already called a private pain management doctor and set up an appointment, but I am burning up with anger at being treated like scum on the VA's shoe. Where else do pain doctors just cut you off your medications without discussion or taking your opinion into account? The VA is trying to push all the pain patients into some kind of pain mangage program either in-patient(hell no) or out-patient. I don't want to participate in anything like that with those clowns. What can I do to just get my pain meds as I did before. I complained about being given only a choice of morphine or methadone, so they cut me off everything. I am pissed, but making plans. I may just stop using the VA system all together. I am sick of being treated like a charity case by these jerks. I have good insurance and I don't need them at all except to document my disabilities. I am P&T so do I even need that?

John,

My sister goes to a very good pain doctor in my opinion. If you need the name let me know. I was kicked out of the pain clinic because "I have too much pain". I can get my primary to give me percocet if I need it and then she wrote it on the DC papers from pain managment. I refused the in-house program too. I don't need to give up my motrin, you morons. (that was all I was taking at the time)

Ruby

[SeattleShay]

I refused treatment at the VA pain clinic, after I finally got an appt, because all they would give me was methadone.

I've been on morphine and dilaudid for pain for the past 6 years with civilian doc (he's ex military) and have never had an abuse problem...but seems the VA is all scared I might abuse dugs

They also wanted me to go through 4 seperate Fridays of viewing videos before "entering" their program.

To be honest with you, I can't afford the gas.

[john999]

Ruby who do you see for pain management. I have seen two doctors in Tampa Dr. Flynn and Dr Raskin. Both are sort of stingy on pain meds. I am fed up with the VA. This nurse at the pain clinic just tells me to sit up straight and rub some cream on my back. I would like to rub some cream on her head. I think it is just an excuse to force us patients into their in-patient or out-patient program where we have to practically live at the VA. I am not driving out there twice a week. I don't even get gas money. I don't like being pushed out of a program designed for people like me, but I don't like dealing with people who think they are God. This is to make room for more Iraq and Afghanistan vets. I see the "Welcome home OIF and OEF vets" signs at my VAMC. No welcome for old Vietnam vets or vets from other wars. Now I will see the podiatrist at the VA today. I have been unimpressed with these student doctors. I will see my primary care doctor, but if that starts to go wrong I won't go back there either. The only one I will continue to see is my shrink. If he retires and they give me a knew doctor who starts to tell me how much better I am I will say goodbye to him also. I really believe we are being driven out of the system by this neglect and the attitude of these doctors and staff. The care I receive is third rate at the VA, I pay for good insurance and I don't need this except to document disabilities and I don't believe I need this as I am TDIU P&T, and they will have to prove I can work which they can't. I guess the only people left at the VA will be the charity cases and those who live a mile away and can live there.