Also, Julz, can you please update? I just realized your condition is identical, and you are in the same situation as I. I also share your feelings on the other forms of "treatment" so it would be beneficial for me to know whether or not they made it right w/ you.

Can anyone tell me the initial start up cost for this group?

The F2F is $284.00 for any drugbuyers.com member. If you happen to be a VIP member, there is I believe a $35.00 discount off that fee too.

You must mention this on the phone when you call to make arrangements.

The monthly refills are $119.00 -- $99.00 if you happen to be a VIP member.

I could be wrong but I believe that makes NNCIP the most reasonably priced of the current F2F services.

Call them to discuss. They'll be happy to go over all the details with no obligation.

NNCIP are good, honest people, but as with all the services your experience will depend on the quality of the Doctor on your "coast".

Good luck!

patient2all

I just called there and someone is supposed to call me back. The lady I spoke to is very nice so this could be a good sign:) And the price is pretty good. The lady also said that they have a doctor in Tampa, FL. where I live--YAY!!! I will keep you guys posted.

okay nevermind--they don't have a doctor there just yet but she says hopefully soon.

Can anyone tell me when you can order refills. Is it 20, 22 or 25 days. The dr. I use only uses a mail order place and it often takes 5 or more days to get here.

it doesn't hurt to send in your request early . the dr i use thruogh them only deals with nncip referals on thursday and friday so i send in my request early to make sure i'm on the schedule. they will forward it to the dr at the appropriate time and then it is up to the dr to rescript in time for you to get your 30 day supply . if the dr you're using only uses a mail order service( glad mine doesn't do that ) then tha dr. should be able to take into account for the lag time .

NNCIP is a great service and a great company. My emails are always returned within the day and every time I've called someone has answered. Make sure you research the doctor you're visiting. The doctor I saw was an "interventional pain specialist" who showed up on the web as being a spine/back pain doctor and gave me an antidepressant for my visceral pain. He never should have approved the appointment in the first place. So please please please do your research and make sure that the doctor in your area is compassionate and treats all pain!!!

That being said, my prescription was written on a pad in the office to take to whichever pharmacy I wanted. I really liked that because it takes the whole shadow pharmacy completely out of the equation. NNCIP's business model is here to stay, but I wish my doctor had been more understanding of what it's like to live with chronic pain.

So jasmine did you get a 'semi-decent script'?

I read another of your posts and replied to you about the Chicago doctor.

Sounds like a bunch of B.S. to me.

Tee~

No, the only script I got was for Nortriptyline. I was honestly floored given my records and past. I have been prescribed painkillers by my doctor in the past year and have excellent records. My condition is well documented. I felt like he made up his mind ahead of time and just wanted the $$$. Like I said, he is an interventional pain doctor, which means he specializes in procedures like epidurals and other injections. So I'm sure that had something to do with it.

What I find really odd is that he made the appointment in the first place. I feel like he really took advantage of the service NNCIP provides, which is not NNCIP's fault. All they do is set you up with a doctor. They have nothing to do with what goes on during the appointment or the pharmacy-I was handed a paper script. It's a completely legitimate enterprise. It's too bad the doctor they contracted with thinks tricyclic antidepressants, which have terrible and long lasting side-effects, are better for treating severe pain than painkillers.

Has anyone seen the Dr. in McLean VA? Im gonna sign up, and that is where i have to go for my F2F. Just wondering if there are any experiences with this Dr.. Looking at what to expect from my visit. Im pretty nervious as im sure mostly everyone is when seeing a new Dr..

Not sure if this is off topic...

but when exactly do they tell you the dr's name. I had one OCS tell me in an initial email and another told me they will reveal the name after I pay. Once I've paid I'm locked in and research is a moot point. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

The OCS I used didn't tell me until after I paid.

I still did the research, but didn't find much on him. It didn't seem like the doctor would be a good choice, but turned out great! I'm glad I went, so you can't always know ahead of time. I know there are just as many out there that were NOT happy with their F2F.

I think as long as you have a documented chronic condition, and you were previously prescribed the med you are "asking" for, you should be OK.

Anyone used them recently?

I hope that my posting here is OK - I don't use NNCIP (admin - please delete if not appropriate).

From reading, I think the motto - your results may vary is applicable.

NNCIP is an excellent referral service from what I deduce. BUT, they have no control over the doctor's treatment plan, which is altogether proper. And any doctor worth his or her salt isn't going to be "governed" by non-medically licensed individuals.

So, essentially, when you see the doc they will understand the reason for your appointment, but they hold the ability to treat according to their judgement. This may be satisfactory. . . or not.

I believe there is a learning curve for F2F. It is not the same as before and never will be. BUT, I sincerely believe if your condition warrants it, and medication for pain have produced quality of life without negative effects - most patients will be treated with medication (and not tricyclics).

I wish everyone the best of luck in finding a doctor your can develop a good relationship with.

do they have a doctor in south florida specifically broward palm beach or miami-dade? please let me know promptly.

Also another question, since I just lost my health insurace upon doing so I cant afford to see my docs and continue my 3rd full year of psychical therapy, which is making my condition worse.
I have been scripted the right sch II's for a long period of time, firstly by my pcp, than by my neurologist(PM DOC)

My medical records has it clearly written im a CP patient.

Are these doctors capable to write schII's if the medical documentation and the exams from the doc thats conducting the F2F agree my conditions warrant treatment as such?

Any help is appreciated.

Good question. I've wondered the same thing. Since these doctors are licensed MD's, they should be able to. The main problem is you have to have a paper script (doc can't call it in) and no refills are allowed.

As each F2F has said it is entirely up to the Doctor. Now as far as scripts go, it again depends on the law of the state. as far as what you get if your lucky you will be given lortabs 60 if even luckier 90 but again it depends on the Doctor. again it depends on the state as to how or what is written and also what can and cannot be called in. the mailing of the script kind of turns me off. it also depends on the state if they fill out of state our county or state borders. I say do the research and ask questions. call them. do not let them blow you off. your paying a lot of money for a service. some have the attitude questions are a bother, who cares it is your money. best of luck to you

The Main Problem here is that a lot of Pharms in Florida will not fill C2 Scripts for out of State patients ....Unless you have an address in FL or you have a FL ID or Drivers License.

I have a question that I hope someone can help/answer:
If you are a member of NNCIP and you are going in for surgery, are you required to inform your doctor ( w/NNCIP) before the surgery?

I would think so! But more Importantly ....You had Better tell the Anesthesiologist and your Surgeon, what Meds you are on!!

Local or General? Are you going under? If so, I'd be completly upfront with the anesthesiologist on exactly what your taking. By the way, those people (generalization) are some of the most drug abusers around...

Why would you not tell your doctor you're going into surgery in the first place?

Call CS and ask. No one is more responsive and professional than NNCIP CS.

When I had a 3 day surgical procedure this summmer, everyone there knew about it. Of course I don't shut up The Doctor was against the idea of the surgery but gradually seems to have 'come around'.

-----

Now don't take any of this as medical advice, I'm no Doctor -- I missed out on med school due to a technicality: They wanted people with high school diplomas.

The anesthesiologist didn't blink or offer any comments about the hydro. OTOH, because of the way my Muscular Dystrophy often affects my movements, he got some bug in him that I was "drunk" and called for a taxi to take me to another division of the hospital for a blood screen. Had to re-schedule me, etc....

The Muscular Dystrophy has nothing to do with my use of NNCIP, BTW.

----

IMO, keep everyone in the loop. That's the way it's been for me. Drs. know about the NNCIP Doc, he knows about them, etc.

Post-Sx as long as there was no legal overlap, "emergency" Rx's weren't an issue. In fact when a 2nd "emergency Rx" was issued, the NNCIP Doc called the pharmacy and got the count from them, called me and said he'd 'top' that since I was in pain. Topped it by a bit anyway....

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BTW, I'm seeing another surgeon Monday! NNCIP quickly faxed me all the records their Doctor kept - 31 pages. I was impressed by how much detail he kept as it often didn't seem he was paying much attention to me. No mention of NNCIP on the records except for their Doctor's penchant to write "telemedical phone consult" on some of the pages reporting what was said during monthly calls.

Good luck!

patient2all

Hi, Patient. Hope this Sunday is treating you well.

I had a feeling (altho you may have stated it B4) that you had MD. Terrible disease. Your prognosis? No answer needed if not wanted.

Yes, complete honesty is what is required. A patient will always fare better that way. Altho - I have to say, I didn't tell my doc that I was using YPM. So, take my comments under consideration. I could have got BT meds from him, had I only asked. Hitting myself on the head, lol.

I have come to believe that if a patient is up front, there are better outcomes. I am a slow learner.

OK, I am going to read the paper. Love ya, Patient.

Thanks for the responses... but I guess what I'm trying to say is this:

My procedure will be done as an outpatient and I will have an auxzillary block. I don't want to receive pain medication from my surgeon because I am a member of NNCIP>
My question is it NNCIPs procedure to inform them of any surgery?? I've checked the website & there is nothing that would indicate I should or have to. But I don't want my NNCIP doctor to think for a moment I broke the Rules. I live in Ill. so there is no way I would consider filling a script from ANY other doctor. Here in Ill. it is VERY strict! I just want to do right.
BTW I tried CS and they will get back to me. Just thought I would seek the advice of the board.
Thanks everyone

Layla,

NNCIP is likely the top F2F IMO. Even though we've had our civilized differences from time to time, NNCIP has been exceedingly professional and accomodating to me. My guess is the PAR that you spoke with had never been hit with that question before and wants to check with the Director to make sure you get accurate info.

I think you're sweating it a bit much as far as NNCIP's reaction, though do keep them in the loop.

By some eerie co-incidence, both my surgeon and my NNCIP Doctor called in an emergency Rx for me after a Steroid injection made my pain flare up like mad. The NNCIP Doctor simply said to call the surgeon and cancel his Rx since the NNCIP Doctor felt he was giving me a more generous Rx. It was -- by a hair

Only my Pharmacy humiliated me over the matter.


patient2all

Oops, now I'm OT for a minute.

Thanks, PNW.

Muscular Dystrophy is an umbrella term covering about 50 different disorders if not more.

Indeed many forms are tragically debilitating.

I'm lucky. It ain't so bad for me. I have Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis where 'periodic' is the key word. I consider it more of a nuisance (big nuisance sometimes!) and lose the use of an arm, leg or once, my body from the neck down for anywhere from a few days to a few months. The disease in itself don't hurt. Also causes some odd neuro quriks. It's very rare (3,000 in US) and confuses Doctors often.

Prognosis: Get used to it, try to avoid episodes -- find your 'triggers'

I wouldn't trade it for a lot of other problems people suffer through.

I consider it a secondary issue healthwise.

OTOH, unrelated spinal problems have plagued me for several years with unrelenting 24/7 pain that leaves me able to do little -- very little (;

I admire your attitude in the face of CP, PNW. Me, I'm a PITA

patient2all

Patient - the health goddess has been unkind to you too, eh? I'd say "curse her" but then she'd give me something else lol.

The heart is a muscle - right? So, does it affect your heart? I'm prying, I know. And apologize if not appreciated.

My attitude goes all over the place. I work on it. It's life, right? As far as we know, this is it. Some days it is more work than others. As you undoubtedly know.

Thank you for the compliment - means more than you realize. May your Monday be the very best.

Hugs. (Gentle ones - for us both)

First I'd like to say thank you to Patient, Steveo and PNW for their help!

For those of you using NNCIP and have surgery scheduled in the near future, here is some info:

I called customer service ( they are all wonderful and extremely helpful ) The women
I spoke to was not sure if my doctor needed to be informed.
She said maybe I should email my doctor just to be on the safe side. So, NNCIP does not have a rule or procedure in place for surgeries.

So, I emailed my doctor and here is what she said:
Inform the surgeon that I have pain medication.
If the surgeon is giving me something other than pain medication, take it. I guess that was a given, but I'm glad I emailed NNCIP and called CS.

I hope this has been helpful information

Layla - you are doing it right. Informing all your service providers. How can they help you otherwise?

The info you provided will be a great help to others. I thank you. Must have taken some courage. We CPers who use online services tend to "hide" it.

I hope your surgery goes well and is successful. I have to say this - when you have surgery, sometimes the meds that you have been prescribed will not be enough. Increased pain, over and above your normal painful levels. I always kept my docs informed of the meds I was taking, the procedure, and I most times got extra. I don't know if this an option for you, but I would ask the doc for sure. A just in case scenario. One must be careful (as you have been), but it sounds like you have built trust and an honest conversation would not be out of line.

I wish you well!