A pain management doctor may prescribe narcotic medication to a patient who has been diagnosed with chronic pain. Opioids may be an option for long-term pain relief, especially if there is not a surgical solution. Opiate medication can cause serious side effects. These side effects include dizziness, constipation and depression. Tolerance or addiction to opiates is one of the most common problems. Tolerance occurs when the patient’s chronic pain condition does not change but the same dose of pain medication does not provide sufficient pain relief.
Medical marijuana is one of the newest options available in 16 states and the District of Columbia. The use of marijuana for pain relief may be a good option. It may also reduce the need to take high doses of opiates. Opiate medication is not recommended for peripheral neuropathies. These medications do not work well to manage pain, while medical marijuana is very effective for such issues.
Interventional pain management is still possible with medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is not an option for those suffering from a disc herniation, or with a more severe problem. A pain contract is usually signed when patients receive chronic pain medication from a weed doctor Maryland. The contract typically states that the patient will not use illegal drugs while under the doctor’s care. Despite the fact that marijuana is legal in 16 states, it is still illegal under federal law. Most pain doctors conduct drug screenings on their patients. If a patient has a contract and is tested positive for THC the active ingredient in marijuana, can the pain doctor terminate the patient?
The simple answer to the question of whether the doctor can terminate a patient is whether the doctor has the right, but it is not clear whether the decision was appropriate. It is hard to dispute a pain agreement that states that a doctor can terminate a patient if he or she finds out that a drug test has been positive for prescription drugs. The doctor has the right to terminate a patient if they are given the chance to correct their situation by stopping marijuana use and retesting within a few weeks.
The situation is complex from an ethical standpoint. Effective pain management is what patients deserve, and Americans are urging them not to underestimate the importance of this issue. Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of chronic pain conditions, and other conditions like severe nausea or vomiting or cancer. The federal prohibition of marijuana continues to be in effect, and it is placed under the illegal category. This puts doctors in difficult situations. Is it bias to test for THC in patients and not terminate those who are positive?
Because marijuana is considered a medicinal substance, some pain doctors do not consider it illegal. Therefore, screening for marijuana is not performed. The doctor will not be surprised if a patient tells them about their use of marijuana. This is because there is no one right or wrong way for a pain doctor to answer your question. Individualized treatment is required.