Opinions Please...

[Tripleberry]

I am in the process of registering to be a caregiver for a family member. He had colon cancer a few years ago, beat it and is now suffering from Neuropathy from the 8 months of Chemo treatment. We set an appointment with a MM Clinic for last Saturday, he had an appt with his regular physician the day before. We set the appt with the clinic just in case his regular doc would not fill out the paperwork, which turned out to be the case. His physician does not recommend MM to anyone for any reason. After scraping up $100 to send to the state we will be sending in our paperwork tomorrow.

Being a caregiver I want to make sure I am doing everything in compliance with the state laws so I need some opinions - Do you think it would be wise to have any future patients that want to designate me as their caregiver to 1) See their regular doctor 2) Ask them to fill out the forms and if their doc refuses 3) Have the patient try to get a written statement from said Physician stating that he will not fill out the paperwork. 4) Then go to a MM Clinic to see a doc that is compassionate and not scared to fill out the recommendation?

I ask this because so many are just going to Clinics and getting their recommendations without even having any paperwork in hand, I seen several on Saturday. I would not be happy to find out a Patient I am providing for got his/her card revoked because they didnt do things by the letter. What do you think?

[Guest Medicinal Patient]

My advice would be to not even discuss using Medical Marijuana with your Doc. I do think its important to have a open dialogue with your doc. However, not when in regards to Med MJ. Unless you have a sense of how your doc feels about it. Some members here have got immediately dumped by their primary doc as well as pain clinics at the mere mention of Med MJ. Leaving them cut off of their narcotic pain meds to go thru potentially fatal withdrawals being cut off cold turkey. Also, keep in mind that your Doc writes up chart notes for your file after every visit. Having med MJ in your chart notes will follow you to your next doc and could prevent them from accepting you as a patient, or taking away other options for pain management ie vicodin etc. There is a chance your doc could be receptive to the idea and sure it would save you a few bucks. But the cons outweigh the pros by a mile as far as I am concerned. Those chart notes can come back to haunt you in many ways. And I don't think you can have them removed. Meaning 20yrs from now its still a part of your health history that you use Med MJ. Good Luck!

[michiganmedclones]

I think a personal interview is more than acceptable. I have a patient who is my stepdad, and unfortunatly he does not have health insurance. He did not have documentation but recieved doctor certification from a walk in clinic after an on site evaluation. Just becasue someone used a clinic doesn't mean they are not legitimate. After 5 minutes you will beable to tell who the patients are and who are in it to resell your medication or abuse it.

[+JuztBudz]

If your patient is in a pain clinic situation and could lose their pain meds by discussing this issue, have a back up pain clinic in mind to get their pain meds from. Of course, I recommend that every patient should discuss this with their doctor. How are we ever to convince our doctors of the efficacy of this medicine.? I worked with my personal physician and he agreed to sign my recommends. I had been talking to him about cannabis for nearly 20 years and he saw that this was definately a therapy that could work for me. I explained the law to him, told him I would be using vaporizers, edibles and tinctures for my treatment regimine. When we were done talking (actually I dropped off a 6 page letter to him) he stated that he felt that if he were to refuse my request that he might be in violation of the MMMAct by not signing my recommendation. Nothing in the letter threatened such action in any manner, it was just his own conclusion. So, I paid the cost of an office visit ($40) for his signature. I have always been honest with him and all my other doctors (specialists) about my cannabis use. It has been a part of my pain management for decades and anything that could effect one's health should be discussed with any and all doctors you visit.

Fear of reprisal is of course something that you have to be aware of, however, it is YOUR health that is involved here. If you allow fear to rule your life, that is a choice that you alone can make. How long will you live that way though? Don't think that that fear isn't effecting your health, because it is. I don't understand the mindset of many of you, as this is a fact of life in Michigan today and for the future. This law isn't going to fade away! The MDCH is recieving thousands of recommendations monthly. Time to put fear away and start to live in a state of freedom and free speech...Peace and Respect to all of you, Go For The Gold...j.b.

[Tripleberry]

I think a personal interview is more than acceptable. I have a patient who is my stepdad, and unfortunatly he does not have health insurance. He did not have documentation but recieved doctor certification from a walk in clinic after an on site evaluation. Just becasue someone used a clinic doesn't mean they are not legitimate. After 5 minutes you will beable to tell who the patients are and who are in it to resell your medication or abuse it.

 

 

Ok, so was it that he had no documentation with him at the clinic or no history at all with a family doctor? Both?

[lkline300]

I would recommend a clinic where follow up visits are encouraged. Those who's DR's won't sign should build a relationship with their mm Doctors. ( more than just 1 cert visit per year ) This will protect both you & the doctor.

[Tripleberry]

I would recommend a clinic where follow up visits are encouraged. Those who's DR's won't sign should build a relationship with their mm Doctors. ( more than just 1 cert visit per year ) This will protect both you & the doctor.

 

 

That makes perfect sense, Thank You!