With prescription narcotic addiction on the rise, one can't blame emergency room doctors for being too cautious. It's easy for any person to walk in pretending to be a chronic pain patient when in truth, all that he really wants are narcotics to feed his addiction. It's understandable for ER doctors to pause and hesitate. At first glance, there is no way of knowing if a person is telling the truth about his chronic pain since pain is not a condition that can be seen.
In some states, emergency rooms have drug monitoring programs which is a database of patients and their medical histories. It can also be used to view all of the prescriptions of the patient. This quick look-up can help the ER doctor decide whether or not you can have the medications. In other states though, ER doctors have no choice but to rely on their instincts. And sometimes, they get it wrong. That is why an ER doctor might first ask a lot of questions about your condition before he finally decides to give you medication or not.
If you're suffering from chronic pain and have an immediate need for prescription narcotics, going to a hospital emergency room might be your only option. But whenever you go to an emergency room asking for controlled drugs, don't go empty-handed. Be prepared to be investigated and questioned and don't be offended if the ER doctors doubt you. More importantly, don't get into a fight with the ER staff as it won't do you any good. People who are genuinely suffering from chronic pain can easily show the ER doctor that they're telling the truth. All they have to do is to bring proof.
When you go to the emergency room, make sure that you introduce yourself calmly, explain your condition and tell them your doctor's name. It is important to bring your doctor's diagnosis with the current prescribed treatment and show it to the ER doctor so that he can be properly apprised of your ailment. If the diagnosis does not contain the name and number of your doctor, bring his card or write down his number so that the ER doctor can call him to check and verify. Also, list down all your medications and show it to the ER doctor as well. Better yet, you can also bring your prescription medication bottles. You can also choose to bring your medical record that contains information which shows your condition and your prescribed treatments.
All these evidence will help all of you avoid stress and tension. All uncertainties and doubts will be eliminated and set aside. By bringing these things, one can avoid getting into heated arguments with the ER staff. It is not uncommon for some patients lose their cool especially when the pain starts to become more unbearable. Living with chronic pain is indeed not easy. But thinking and keeping ahead can help you manage your life more effectively.
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