Re: Need advice on how to talk with my dr about a lap and options
From: Kristy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue Aug 22 05:24:21 2006
On the issue of narcotics, Percocet is a Schedule II drug which is why
each time you need a refill the dr has to write a new script. As far as
I know Darvocet is a Schedule III drug which means that the dr can write
for refills on the script. I had this done with my Vicodin at the time
I was getting my meds from my gyn for my chronic pain and even when I've
had my surgeries (4 laps).
With my Pain Management dr that's different and b/c I see her every
month we check to see how I'm doing on my medication and then gives me a
new script b/c that's her policy instead of just assuming.
But in some States some narcotics such as Vicodin, the refills can be
called in to the pharmacy when you run out.
But as I say Vicodin and (Darvocet I think) are Schedule III.
The best one to answer this question about refills on Darvocet without
having to call in every time for you Sabrina is your pharmacist.
They know a lot about the federal guidelines as well as specific laws
related to NY.
If you want to check online you can check the NY State Board of
Medicine's website b/c they may have the info there as well, but for
sure check with the pharmacist.
At Tue, 22 Aug 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>
>I did not have this issue b/c my 2 cysts were so huge. So big in fact
>that as soon as the Dr. inserted the laproscope the cysts burst so he
>had to make an incision. This was good I suppose b/c he found a lot of
>endo that was not visible on the ultrasound. He could at least put the
>laproscope in your belly and take a look around to see what all is in
>there. He did my surgery and then put me on Lupron to "burn" the rest
>of the endo he was unable to remove.
>
>BC pills didn't work for me either. My Dr. explained that some women
>have very persistent cysts that form even when on the pill. Lucky us
>huh? If he will not do the lap I suggest talking to another Dr. You can
>find one that will. I found my Dr. by calling the Dr.'s office and
>talking to a nurse that highly recommended him.
>
>On the narcotics, unfortunately, no refills. B/c it is narcotics the
>Dr. has to call in or write a new prescription everytime. I had to
>call several times to get my percocet so I know what you mean. Have you
>tried taking Anaprox? I took an Anaprox and a Percocet every 4 hours and
>it really helped with the pain. Anaprox is basically like taking 2
>Aleve so if they won't get you a prescription you could just take 2
>Aleve with your Darvacet (they were like tic tacs to me-NOTHING!).
>
>I do know what Megan is saying about the internet. I told my OB for 2
>years I thought I had endo and he acted like I was a hypocondriac
>reading too much junk online thinking I had symptoms I didn't (BUT I
>SURE AS HECK DID!). I think he is the reason I ended up in the ER with
>pelvic pain and an abscess on my right ovary (on top of cysts). I feel
>if he had taken me seriously years ago it could have been taken care of
>before it got out of hand.
>
>Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going for you! :)
>
>~Mollie
>
>At Mon, 21 Aug 2006, Megan wrote:
>>
>>Sabrina,
>>
>>I was turned down five times by five different doctors before I got a
>>lap. It was my experience that many doctors did not want to perform a
>>lap, because they felt they could treat the disease with Lupron and
>>birth control. While I kind of understand their reasoning (it is
>>usually best to avoid surgery at all costs), this was not the best
>>approach for me.
>>
>>It sounds like you have made a very good case for a lap. The only thing
>>I do not suggest is bringing in print outs from websites into the
>>doctor's office. Many of them dismiss internet research. As a
>>librarian, I can understand why they do this even though there are some
>>good websites about Endo on the web. One thing I do suggest is that you
>>contact the Endometriosis Assoication. They do sell a diagnostic kit
>>that will provide information on how to get diagnosed with Endo. You
>>can order it through their website http://www.killercramps.org.
>>
>>Once again, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
>>
>>--
>>Megan
>>
>>At Mon, 21 Aug 2006, Sabrina wrote:
>>>
>>>I have been emailing several people about their experiences with their
>>>drs and endo. Most seem to have had to be aggressive and ask there dr
>>>to do a lap. I have been thinking about the type of conversation to
>>>have with my dr in two weeks. I think I have endo as he has ruled
>>>everything else out. I want some advice as to what ya'll think.
>>>
>>>The last time I was here, we discussed whether or not I wanted children.
>>>If I wanted children, then you said that the only thing you could do was
>>>change the pill again. If I didn't want children, then consider a more
>>>permanent solution to my issues. I do want another child and will be
>>>ttc in the fall of next year. You have ruled out pregnancy, cysts,
>>>fibroid, infection, and pelvic abnormalities. But you have not ruled
>>>out endomentriosis.
>>>
>>>I have done 5 different birth control pills, two different progesterone
>>>pills, darvocet and motrin. The pill isn't working because for some
>>>reason I am still ovulating as confirmed on a US in Jan 06. We looked
>>>at Lupron and the depo shot to stop ovulation, but that was ruled out
>>>due to side effects and not a guarantee that it would take care of my
>>>problem. (I reacted very badly to the pill form of Provera). The only
>>>thing we have not tried is a lap. I would like to try to do this to
>>>rule it in or out.
>>>
>>>After a lap is done, I need a plan to get through the next year. I
>>>dread calling the office and bothering you and the staff and then having
>>>to tell my story to the nurse each time when I call for a fill of
>>>Darvocet (The nurse always ask, did you try a heating pad and motrin,
>>>and my whole life history. (He has me call in each month to let him
>>>know how I am doing, send in a chart, and he orders it). What I would
>>>like to do is to do a continuous bcp (not seasonale) and if I have
>>>breakthrough bleeding, then I breakthrough. I would also like to have
>>>refills so that I don't have to call and bother him. I won't go and use
>>>more than he has prescribed in a day or a month. Can they give refills
>>>on narcotics???
>>>
>>>Once I have my next child and depending on the results of the lap, then
>>>I would be more willing to discuss a permanent solution.
>>>
>>>What do you think? Any advice from those that had to ask for a lap. My
>>>doctor choices are very very limited here. I would still like to keep
>>>him for regular obgyn stuff. But there are not any doctors here other
>>>than other obgyns in the city about 45 minutes away. I could get one
>>>that is worse. I am terrified that he will say no, but as one person
>>>said, it is my right to request a lap. Was anyone ever turned down for
>>>a first time lap? It seems that the people that had to ask for one, were
>>>given it by their dr. I will say that usually my dr is reasonable and
>>>agreeable to things. Though conservative in nature. I figure if he was
>>>willing to cut and doing something permanent then maybe he would be
>>>willing to do a looksie. I am going to print out different webpages
>>>that have all the steps he has been following (which incidentally are
>>>for endo) and bring the paper from the ER that says that pelvic pain
>>>often has to be visualized in the OR to back it up.Most people like him
>>>because he is easy going and easy to get along with. Actually he is the
>>>favorite dr on the obgyn floor at the hospital. His calendar is very
>>>full. I have only heard that one person didn't like him.Ex. It takes
>>>at least 6 months to get an annual exam with my dr because so many like
>>>him. He sees only high risk ob patients or csections, the rest go to
>>>the midwives. He also sees all of the surgery or complicated GYN
>>>problem patients. The other dr in town, everyone is 50/50 on him. Most
>>>say they can leave him.
>>>
>>>I do have to say it sucks that we have to advocate so hard.
>>
--
=====
Kristy :)
http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/Kristysstory.html
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