900 pound gorilla in the room. Access to qualified doctor.

[Greenleaf360]

I follow two Facebook groups reserved for RLS. The people presenting there cannot get access to a doctor who will prescribe opioids(methadone). This is unacceptable. There needs to be a trained qualified doctor within 3 hours of every patient. How do we fix this?

[Rustsmith]

There are several things that you can do to help.

1. Educate all of your doctors (especially your GP and Neurologist) about the proper way to treat RLS by sharing technical papers such as the ones listed below. Take the approach of handing them the paper and say something like, I thought you might be interested in this.
2. Get involved in the Foundation's advocacy effort. Often a doctor will refuse to prescribe opioids because they are afraid of getting into trouble with the DEA. So, we need to educate our legislators to get them to stop passing legislation that makes it difficult for doctors and pharmacies to handle these critical meds. These efforts are especially important in states where state regulations make it even more difficult than just the federal rules.
3. If you have a good doctor who understand RLS and will prescribe opioids, share the name. The Foundation has a list and the private FB groups probably have one too.

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... X/fulltext
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext

[debbluebird]

My pain Doctor had me wean off of methadone. She was afraid that if she was gone, I wouldn't be able to find a Doctor who would prescribe it. Then there are two major pharmacies here that won't fill opioid prescriptions.

[Polar Bear]

I wonder, Is this won't fill an opioid prescription at all, or won't fill it if it is for rls?

[Greenleaf360]

Rustsmith, thanks for the response. I have copy of the mayo paper and post it several times daily at facebook

Debbluebird: your experience is exactly what i am concerned about. I dont understand cutting your supply because doc might faulter at future date. By cutting your access he is failing you now.

[Polar Bear]

"""I dont understand cutting your supply because doc might faulter at future date. By cutting your access he is failing you now."""
I agree with this comment of Greenleaf360.
It appears to be causing suffering now ..... just to avoid it being caused in the future.
So it's definitely happening now, whereas if we wait until the future it only 'might' happen.

Or is the doctor trying to be constructive in trying to help debbluebird come off her methadone in a controlled and sustainable fashion (even though it is needed) where in the future another doctor may not be so understanding?