Doctor Terminated Pain Medications Without Follow-Up Care

[yama]

My question involves medical malpractice in the state of:

I would like to sue for malpractice invollving my doctor for prescribing norco 10/325 for 4 to 5 months then just suddenly cutting me off and telling me to go check-in at another substance abuse center... THe point is I was sick due to the fact I missed a couple days and I realize I had formed a habit. I clearly showed track I was helping myself by trying to limit my doses to 4 and 3 by day.

He just send me out without treating my side-effects from withdrawal to go to a chemical dep clinic.

How I sue him for this? I will contact a malpratice lawyer and go into a much more detail explanation and history of emails I sent to doctor.

What are some solid advice you have for me I could use in court?

TRuly,
Yama

[Dogmatique]

How many were prescribed, and how many were you actually taking?

[yama]

4 a day 100 pills totalling 460 pills from April to today. Problem: I sent to get 10, 24, 10 totalling 3 diffrent urgent cares... But that shouldn't have have me stopped on the spot. He left me, my wife, and two babies out of the office without a refill and to top it off I was in pain due to withdrawal symptoms. He should have given me a plan: Say "with your wife's help I will give you this refill to help you but keep your goals towards reducing your usage bacause I am not plannning on refilling after this or the next." So prepare yourself and be prepared for this withdawal and plan on taking a couple weeks or at least a week off from work. Because withdrawal is not easy."

THis jerk just sad to me I broke his contract and I got a few pills from somewhere else and I am addict. I will not prescribe to you because I have a license. Go to the chemical dependency medical center and tell them to help you.

Went there and they presribed vicodin, Hydoxyzin, TRiaphisomething, and some other mucle spasm rellaxant. AFter using them all due to unbearable effects I decided to trash them all after a dsy and helf of using them... I'd rather go through with a couple drinks, which I do not use freq.

[Dogmatique]

4 a day 100 pills totalling 460 pills from April to today. Problem: I sent to get 10, 24, 10 totalling 3 diffrent urgent cares... But that shouldn't have have me stopped on the spot. He left me, my wife, and two babies out of the office without a refill and to top it off I was in pain due to withdrawal symptoms. He should have given me a plan: Say "with your wife's help I will give you this refill to help you but keep your goals towards reducing your usage bacause I am not plannning on refilling after this or the next." So prepare yourself and be prepared for this withdawal and plan on taking a couple weeks or at least a week off from work. Because withdrawal is not easy."

THis jerk just sad to me I broke his contract and I got a few pills from somewhere else and I am addict. I will not prescribe to you because I have a license. Go to the chemical dependency medical center and tell them to help you.

Went there and they presribed vicodin, Hydoxyzin, TRiaphisomething, and some other mucle spasm rellaxant. AFter using them all due to unbearable effects I decided to trash them all after a dsy and helf of using them... I'd rather go through with a couple drinks, which I do not use freq.

The doctor actually did the responsible thing by sending you to dependency clinic - you were exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.

You have no case.

[yama]

without a formal warning?

[Dogmatique]

What kind of warning did you need? You knew you were seeking more of the medication outside of your physician's directions, yes?

Also, how were you damaged?

[cyjeff]

Are you honestly prepared to state in open court that you made illegal drug buys for controlled substances?

[lealea1005]

without a formal warning?

You admit you broke the contract with your Physician. That's all the warning needed. You obtained additional narcotics from a different source (Urgent Care x3).

I'd rather go through with a couple drinks, which I do not use freq.

Alcohol and narcotics should not be taken together.....regardles of rationalizing the frequency.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I would like to sue for malpractice invollving my doctor for prescribing norco 10/325 for 4 to 5 months then just suddenly cutting me off...

You didn't follow the instruction to identify your state but, other issues aside and even accepting that you went through withdrawal, I don't know of any state in which the damages from going through withdrawal would justify the immense cost of bringing a malpractice lawsuit.

...and telling me to go check-in at another substance abuse center.

You were receiving your medication through a substance abuse center? Then it would not be unreasonable for your doctor to assume that you knew the rules. If you mean that your doctor told you that due to your actions you needed to continue your treatment through a doctor or clinic specialized in substance abuse and dependency, and gave you a referral, why didn't you go?

THe point is I was sick due to the fact I missed a couple days and I realize I had formed a habit.

"Formed a habit" is language of addiction, not dependency. Anybody who is on long-term opiates is going to become physically dependent. I would be surprised if your doctor didn't explain that to you, although I expect the information was on the inserts with your medication (that nobody seems to read).

He just send me out without treating my side-effects from withdrawal to go to a chemical dep clinic.

And again, you didn't go there because... ?

THis jerk just sad to me I broke his contract and I got a few pills from somewhere else and I am addict. I will not prescribe to you because I have a license. Go to the chemical dependency medical center and tell them to help you.

Did he have a contract with you? Did he give you the talk about not losing your pills, keeping them secure, not going to other providers for medication, and telling his office about any trips to the ER that result in your being prescribed pain medication?

Doctors who are prescribing long-term pain medication should make it clear to their patients that there are safety and legal issues involved, both for the patient and doctor, and that certain behaviors are not compatible with continued treatment. I suspect that some don't, because it's probably uncomfortable, but they should.