Todd E Painton, MD

I have great respect for Dr. Painton and was consistently professional with his recommendations. I was his patient for 7 years with no issues. When I first met him and he became my primary care doctor I felt that I had finally met someone who listens. I received a letter from Ascension saying I used harsh language and was not compliant with my appointments. This letter appeared generic with no names or signatures. My contact to Dr. Painton were professional with greetings and endings like "thank you for taking time to read my message" and such. You won't get anywhere with your doctor if you are impolite. Ascension is not the greatest when it comes to getting medical care. I want my story out there for others before choosing Ascension. First. Poor contact. Unlike Theda, you cannot leave a msg with the doctors nurse. Instead a stranger takes down your message and sends it to your nurse. No msg triage. A personal example. 2018 I was discharged from hospital & needed a refill asap.… Ascension called me about my discharge asking if I needed anything. I told them the urgent refill request. This was 9am Friday, the nurse stated she would get this to my doctor asap. Nothing until 4:25pm. By now I had to have my mom calling because I was having panic attacks about fear of no refill. Refill sent in around 5pm. We were never able to get transferred to Paintons nurse about urgency. They seem to frown on direct contact with the the patient directly talking to the doctors nurse. Second. Ascension states allow up to 72 hours for refills. Another example of delayed assistance. Theda would take care of my refills same day, unless requested late in the day handle next day. Ascension deems this appropriate time for the doctor to assess medical needs. This is unacceptable. It should never take a refill request so long for a medication I've been taking for years. Third and the big issue. 2021 I fractured my spine. I went to the ER and helped me greatly. They did their part and discharged me. They prescribed me strong painkillers due to the amount of pain I was in. The discharge papers stated to NOT return to the ER (my guess limit exposure to covid). Even the ER doctor told me my primary care doctor is to take over and I don't come back to the ER. I needed to set up a appointment with Dr. Painton immediately. Next day I immediately called Ascension. Earliest Dr. Painton could see me was 3 WEEKS out. I told them this was regarding a ER discharge for fractured spine. The best they could do was set me up with a doctor who would be a stranger to my medical history. I accepted, what else could I do? The doctor I saw was amazing/caring. She sent my referral to neuroscience to take over treatment. She was understanding of the pain I was in. The ER provided 3 day supply, she refilled it for 7 days hoping neuroscience would see me by then. This pain - I needed help from my mom with nearly everything. To get in/out of bed, to get dressed, stairs, etc. The best I could do was sit still in bed to lower the pain. Impossible to get sleep. There were nights I CRIED in bed PRAYING to fall asleep. I was in tears multiple times in the early weeks from pain. I tried everything. $125 on ice packs on Amazon. Pharmacist recommend lidocaine cream. I bought cream and patches. The pain medication reduced it greatly. Without the pain medication I was basically bed ridden. Neuroscience couldn't see me til 3 days I would run out of meds. I contacted Dr. Painton. He REFUSED to refill. He deemed it unnecessary and even stated "Percocet (oxycodone) will be a medication off the market." He lowered me to vicodin. I felt no relief. I was miserable and became bed ridden. I understand that doctors are worried all the time about their licenses prescribing opiates. I asked to see Dr. Painton if he needed to see me for that kind of prescription. Absolutely no support. My messages were a little rude but remained professional. My attitude was greatly affected by the pain I was in. I took my meds as prescribed. I did not abuse medication. But he refused. I have never been so miserable from pain. I felt Dr. Painton abandoned his oath and abandoned me. Dr. Painton told me to go back to the ER. This was against the instructions by the ER who days to not return. I saw neuroscience who saw how miserable I was and agreed it was unacceptable to treat my pain like that. They put me back on the stronger meds. I was able to function again. I could work. But still only 50% better. Dr. Painton felt heavily that oxycodone and vicodin are the same strengths in medication. That's what he told me via messages. I was proof that there is a huge difference in relief compared to the two medixaruibs All of this was the catalyst for Dr. Painton to kick me out. This was the first time I've ever felt abandoned by my doctor. I'm saddened to lose him as my primary.