I plan to go and hope to receive the same medications I was on for the last year plus. I know there is a new Doctor in the house, but do not know his name and probably won't post it anyway. But I will post my experience and opinion and PM anyone who wants with specifics. I'll be able to report back next week.

I just don't like the way everyone on here is worried about "the law". Lets be honest here... the reason most of us are on here is because the current laws have us in a situation that has made our life less than enjoyable. A doctor that plays it safe and cowers to the DEA is not your advocate and you sure don't need to come here to find one of those. Look in the phone book. Most of us are looking for a Doctor with the balls to treat us for what we need, give us meds sufficient to make a difference, and see us again next month. Dr. Gatell did that and that is why the "authorities" had problems with him. Screw the authorities and the nanny state that they perpetuate. I want to be treated so I can have the quality of life I think I deserve with a treatment I agree on. If some of you don't like the price, the procedure, the drug, the quirks or whatever - just leave and go somewhere else. As long as I agree I am not getting ripped off. And if I don't agree, nobody can make me.

Where was everyone worried about proper procedure and protocol and morals when the NROP's were thriving and when the online pharmacies were doing phone consults? They were in front of there computers ordering. So come on people - get off the soap box. Lets help each other find relief, not criticize the people who provide it. It's still your money and you only have to spend it when you want to. And I don't mean this as a personal attack on anyone - just a reality check.

Here is to a pain free and happy life for us all!

i don't know if you were specifically replying to me, but as I was saying I did not think it was a big deal and believed that he probably knew about it anyway. It was probably his decision. And as long as my script was right and he knew it, then I would never have had a problem with it.

painstaking,
I was only referring to you in that I would report my experience because I know you and at least one other person is interested in knowing. The rest was just blowing off steam at a couple of the posts where the posters are so righteously concerned about the legalities of things.

birdtruck

Birdtuck very well said!

Very nicely put BIRDTUCK!! I've been thinking about that for years!! We need to help eachother just find that pain relief and not sit and critize!! I just wish we all could get on the band wagon and fight for this change the laws.. I mean it seems like there startin to be a lot more lax with the marijuanna laws I wonder if it would filter down and they'll start being a little bit better with pain medication.. It'd be nice!!

You bet it would be nice. I wish there were some activist groups that had some clout that we could all join. It would be worth getting involved and even donating to. I know there are some small groups advocating for pain relief rights, but I don't think they carry much weight. If anyone knows, please share.
My appointment is this next week and I am hoping for the best.
But we do really need to stop being judgmental with other members here. Just be honest about why we are all here. We get enough criticism and judgment from useless doctors and pharmacists who think their allegiance is to the DEA or local Sheriff instead of the customer who pays their salary. I hope everyone finds the relief they need and if we are in a position to help one another we ought to.

Bird... you have an appt with Dr Gatell next week? I would be curious how that goes and how his new office is.
Thanks

Dr Gatell saved my life!!!
After 20+ years of pain following a cerebral aneurysm (described as migraines by neuros), and most recently after 7 months with NO treatment at all because I did not want to deal with a new doctor and all the "funny" looks we get when we try to explain our pain, I finally found Dr. Gatell in February. I had not worked in 6 years and was spending 4-5 days in the bed. I wrote an email explaining my situation and he got me in right away, the next day!!

In the office, he spent over an hour listening to me and telling me to relax over and over, that he would not judge and he would make sure my pain was controlled. I was all wound up, speaking quickly and laughing nervously like I do when I'm very nervous. He eventually settled me down and got the whole long history out of me, got my records from previous doctors and prescribed the meds that have drastically improved my quality of life. He is "quirky" as some have said but NEVER have I felt like the small piece of dirt that other doctors have treated me as. Anyway, what physician/specialist have you seen that didn't, in some way, act quirky?

As for Maggie, his assistant, she has NEVER written my scripts. Each visit I am required to complete a questionnaire about my pain levels, pain frequency and effect of meds. The new board-certified pain physician (the Indian doctor referred to in previous posts) is reviewing the records, making the decisions and handling RXs. Maggie simply hands them to you at the front desk and collects your payment. Nothing about this is illegal or corrupt in any way.

If not for these people taking care of me I would not able to be out job-hunting, shopping and doing those things that I missed for years while I laid around in major pain. I cannot be critical of Dr. Gatell or the way his practice is run right now. I think he's doing all he can to make sure the patients are taken care of while he works through his own personal problems. No other doctor I've ever seen would take time to get someone in to handle their patients for any extended period of time. They would simply drop you, take care of themselves and start over again later- So kudos to him for making sure we can be treated while he works through whatever....HIS business and I really don't care what it is!!!

This post is not directed to anyone in particular. I know nothing about this doctor, so I am just speaking generaly. Most of us know how hard it is to find a doctor that will fully treat pain. Many doctors either under prescribe or don't prescribe narcotics at all. This is blamed on all kinds of reasons; fear of the DEA, fear of lawsuites, mountains of paperwork and so on. Whatever the motivation, the fact that finding a doctor to prescribe narcotics is difficult, to say the least,is obvious to those of us in chronic pain. Whenever a doctor is found that will prescribe, there always seem to be a list of problems that develope. The doctor has disciplinay problems. The doctor has many complaints. The doctor's motivation is called into question. I'm not sure why this is, but I have a theory. Either the doctor was in some kind of trouble; financialy, ethically or legally and has been "forced" into prescribing narcotics. Most of us know of doctors that have followed this pattern (one has even decided to change their sex and advertise like Toys-R-Us :)). These are the ones that make the news and end up in jail. The other kind of doctor seems to be actually compationate and treats pain dispite the threat of prosecution and persecution. They go out of their way to follow ever rule, keep proper documentaion and stay active in the care of their patients. Many of these doctors still find themselves in trouble. Why? I believe it is because when it becomes known that these doctors prescribe narcotics, not only do people in chronic pain seek them out, those that abuse drugs do as well. This leads to trouble for the doctor no matter what they do. They are either duped by these drug seeking scumbags and end up in trouble when someone ODs or is caught selling their drugs or they identify the druggies and cut them off. The druggy then becomes angry that they can't "score" off this doctor and start trouble by complaining to anybody who will listen about how unethical this doctor is. It really seems like a no win situation for doctors that care. Patients need to help those doctors that help them by defending their reputation and by being responsible with the medication that many need to live.

Very wise post tjt, I agree, and honestly I think his motivations lie with the latter point. I think any of his problems are personal in nature and not related to his practice. But I would say his few legal or board issues lie in the fact that he was duped by druggies or dealers. I think since then he has reformed his practice, so I would say stay away unless you have a legit medical issue! He prob does not just write scripts.

tjt - yes, you've said it quite concisely and accurately (IMHO).

Bird - yes, during the NROP days, people took advantage of the ease and cheap (compared to the present), but it was still a "gray area" then. Probably rationalizing, but since there was not a specific law against it, people utilized those services.

That has changed. Now there is a specific law stating the requirements. No gray area. It is not a matter of hypocrisy but a matter of the facts. It sucks. Yes, I agree.

When someone (like myself) states it is illegal, it is because it is. Without a F2F. I am never being judgmental - au contraire (I've got no place to be that way, lol), but just trying to be helpful. I have done enough blatantly illegal things in my life, that I would never judge someone else. The nightmare teenager of the century, lol.

I truly hope we all can obtain the care we deserve. I have had a poster criticize me because I get pain meds from my doc. Yes, I do, but I must walk a fine line. I don't ask for dose increases (even tho it's been over 5 years), always go the accepted amount of days, etc.

I never want to come off as judgmental. I don't believe in that. Noone has the right to judge another. If you are "perfect", OK, but that ain't ever going to be true.

Group hug, Rain

Well if you accepted 12 scripts I would think that's the type of people you like,yeah? Furthermore,you came in here accusing this doctor and his staff of unethical behavior,you wnet so far as to delve into his private life and even accused him of receiving a DUI,without any proof besides your word. Where's Dr. Gatell's side of the story? From what you've posted I'm inclined to believe Maggie.
Man,not only do these doctors have to deal with the DEA,but disgruntled patients who smear their names all over internet websites. I can fully understand why he retired. Keep up the good work,Samples. Too bad there's not a website for doctors to post threads about staying away from you

There is a person in the thread on a doctor that is facing some legal troubles who seems like the one here. All was fine and dandy when they were obtaining their prescriptions but along the way the patient felt wronged and turned up in the anonymous form of the Internet tough guy/trouble shooter of justice and posted a ton of negative information.

It's too bad that people don't just move on from their negative experience and use the information to better educate themsleves in future dealings.

To those who are interested I went in to Dr Gatell's office this week for my appointment. He is still not in the practice but there is talk he may return. I personally hope he does despite all the negatives on the board, he did care and I know you can talk to his patients and they all love him and will tell you their own story of the difference he has made in their pain management. Ditto for me.

Anyway, the current substitute is keeping people on the same regimens that Dr. G had them on. For me, this is way more than anyone else would ever give me and I am really grateful to not have to live in pain. If anyone is interested, PM me.

And I stand by my statement that Maggie is a trooper. She is keeping this practice open by bringing in interim doctors to help the patients until something permanent is established. She cares as well because I can tell you she is jumping thru hoops to keep us (the patients) from having to go into withdrawal, and from having to suffer with pain.

Seems like the long term plan is to bring in another Pain Management Physician that currently has a small practice to operate a satellite facility here. Maggie will be able to keep the practice open with these two doctors and I think Dr. Gatell will return at some point. If not, seems like the new arrangement will work out good for all involved.

I did not get "ripped off" and at no point felt like I was in an unethical or dangerous situation. I think the only ones mad are the addicts who got kicked out for not following the Rules. We don't want them in there anyway. I am standing up for Dr. Gatell, for Maggie and for the practice. They have courage and are helping people. How many people have the likes of "Samples" helped with their ridiculous rants. If you have any more questions, PM me as I don't think we should be smearing this practice all over the board. They are there to help those who need help and you will get much more value than any of the F2F services being advertised in this area. Cost is more reasonable too!

birdtruck

Bird, I am glad your experience was a positive one. I hope it continues to be.

I think others have reservations about this doc. Maybe a little research? I, personally, have no idea. But it bothers me a little that he has resorted to hypnosis. That doesn't mean anything in and of itself, but I wonder.

As to Maggie - none of know her and it is better to keep our judgments to ourselves. They are "under the gun" so to speak. Must comply with the law in addition to treating patients.

May you get the treatment you surely deserve. Must go, don't feel well.

Rain.

If the end result one is seeking is a pain free life, then hypnosis (assuming that it works) is very good, but it has been my experience that real pain is real pain. L4 and L5 trouble, tooth (temporary as it may be) or amputation must be dealt with in an effective manner.
I have heard withdrawal from sub is easier than others, but have never experienced it. Methadone, however, is a real [censored], that lasts a real long time.

It is always sad to me when a doc that is understanding goes down due to political or societal pressure. Socrates prescribed opium and cannabis for migraines, and it seems that he may have been onto something.
As far as NSAID treatment for headaches, I use Naprox as a preventative measure every morning. When that does not work, I try to use a 15 mg oxycodone medication. There also is a oxy-ibu med that would be really useful for migraines.