Ortho won't prescribe pain medication

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#1 Post by **CNickyD** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:37 am

Long-time lurker here:

I got my braces in March. For the first 2 or 3 days after treatment, I'm in terrible pain, because my teeth are very protruded and have a lot of movement to do. It's also my theory that, because I have longer-than-average teeth & roots, this process is just harder for me than most people. Anyway, until now I've been surviving on leftover Vicodin I had from oral surgery. I take no more than 4 pills at most for each adjustment period.

I cannot take NSAIDS (internal bleeding), so Tylenol is the only pain medicine I can use for anything. But I don't want to risk overdosing by taking more than allowed, and I know 2 otc pills isn't enough for the worst of my pain.

So I've asked my orthodontist if he would also prescribe something. If he doesn't want to give Vicodin, then even Tylenol 3 would be ok. He agreed when we first talked about it, but now he refuses, and I'm angry enough to want to switch practices.

Is it so unusual to use rx pain meds right after an adjustment??? I just strongly feel that in 2007, it's ridiculous to be in pain for anything, when there are so many safe drugs to give relief. I'm not asking for a month's worth! 10 pills would last for almost 3 adjustments!!!

#2 Post by **QKate** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:40 am

Perhaps you could calmly explain to him why your pain is more severe than other peoples', and that you really want to be as comfortable as possile. If that doesn't work, maybe another dentist or a doctor may be more sympathetic.

#3 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:56 am

I had a talk with my OS, who is also my brother and he agreed that Rx painkillers would be fine since I'm no longer a teen and the pain would/could be more substantial. Your ortho should know that the process isn't pain-free for everyone. Maybe you can schedule a time to sit down and talk to them.

#4 Post by **CNickyD** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:00 pm

Thanks. I don't seem calm now, but believe me, I was when we first discussed this. I told him every word I told you, as well as the other doctor in his practice. That was over 6 months ago, which is another reason I'm so angry now - He says he never agreed to give me the Tylenol 3, which he did.

I'd pretty much decided to switch practices - I just wanted to be sure I wasn't being unreasonable first!

P.S. - I also asked my PCP for the script, since the ortho was reluctant (after our first conversation). She refused to do it. Said "The dentist should be able to prescribe it." Well, if the dentist won't, then what?

#5 Post by **ilovemacs** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:11 pm

Please try and talk to someone else besides the dentists, like an assistant or someone, they may be more willing to help. Good Luck!!

#6 Post by **CNickyD** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:01 pm

I've done that too, right down to the receptionists!

I've complained (politely) to everyone that'll listen.

#7 Post by **rsprouse** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:13 pm

ilovemacs wrote:Please try and talk to someone else besides the dentists, like an assistant or someone, they may be more willing to help. Good Luck!!

I doubt the assistant or anyone else in the office has a DEA number to prescribe prescription medication other than the Doc. That being said, I don't think I know many ortho's that keep a DEA registration active. It is a few hundred bucks a year and ortho's really have no need 99.9% of the time to prescribe anything. Just my $0.02.

Best,
Rory

#8 Post by **CNickyD** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:41 pm

Thanks, but he and his partner made their positions very clear today. The only reason I was given for not getting the script was "It's not usual in orthodontia."

I didn't mention that I finally got a script from them for (10) Tylenol-3, but was pointedly told to make that last for the rest of my treatment - 1.5 years! I just laughed. Doctors are so concerned about rx abuse (and their liability) that they won't treat the people that genuinely need it. And that just infuriates me.

#9 Post by **rsprouse** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:15 pm

CNickyD wrote: ...Doctors are so concerned about rx abuse (and their liability) that they won't treat the people that genuinely need it. And that just infuriates me.

That's not the Doctor's fault IMHO. That is the current system and I won't say anything further about it. In their defense, most patients can deal with orthodontic "pain" with standard OTC analgesics. Your case seems to be the exception. I would be skeptical of a patients seeking narcotics for orthodontic pain. And the hard stance is just something that happens with experience dealing with drug seekers. Unfortunately there are cases where those in genuine need feel uncomfortable or receive brash behavior. A few bad apples spoil the bunch, you can thank the bad folks out there for your experience.

Regards,
Rory

#10 Post by **CNickyD** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:19 pm

"drug seeker": That's the term I was looking for! It'd be one thing if I were asking for 30 pills with 4 refills. I told them 10 or 12 is enough to get me through 3 adjustments. If they can still think I'm "drug seeking", then I think that's absurdly cautious and makes them ineffective to treat me (not to mention downright insulting).

#11 Post by **KikiloSugilo** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:18 pm

CNicky, I have found myself in your situation many a time. My orthodontist is completely un-sympathetic to the fact that I feel a great amount of pain following some of my adjustments, sometimes exacerbated my night teeth grinding. His recommendation is always to take some OTC pain meds which never do the trick, so I often relied on meds I had remaining from oral surgery. When I ran out, and the ortho still wouldn't give me a script for something stronger I went to regular MD, explained the situation to him and he prescribed Vicodin. So you may want to give a regular doc a try.

#12 Post by **platinum** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:33 pm

That's weird!
I have been suprised how easy it is to get hardcore painkillers and other meds from doctors. I just inform them what i want. I dont have a history of drug abuse, but it seems that doctors really dish out medicines.
I got for my tooth removal 15 Vicodins with 1 refill. I used 8 and was thinking to get the refill for future use, but i was too lazy to get to pharmacy.

I have had quite bad pain after adjustments and normal painkillers do not help too much. I found that chewing a gum lessenes the pain a lot. I get nauseous from painkillers so I prefer chewing gum.