Hi all, long time lurker but have never posted (although have often thought about it). Bit of a back story here...
DP herniated a disc (L4/L5) in his spine in May 2013. He was given painkillers and told he wouldn't need an MRI unless the pain persisted for months. He was on tramadol, codeine phosphate, nefopam and gabapentin. He never went over the allocated dosage and always requested new medication when he had fully ran out (ie. not going back asking for more after 4 days as if he were addicted). Despite being in agony daily (he cried from the pain frequently) he wasn't given an MRI until October 2013.
May 2014 he underwent operation for this herniated disc. He enjoyed around 6 months pain free before it started to creep back in. Although sore, it wasn't unbearable. It become gradually worse and over the last 8 months his pain has been worse than ever before. He attended his GP to ask for medication (that he was taking in 2012) but was told she couldn't give him anything until he was given an MRI although she did sign him off work. He was given an MRI in December which showed multiple herniated discs (all at lumbar level) and that his previous L4/L5 herniated had now ruptured and spread bilaterally, affecting both sides of his body (pain down both legs, hips, glutes and ribs). He can barely walk without breaking a sweat and wincing in pain. After receiving these results the GP agreed it was very severe and referred him to a surgeon and gave him a prescription of codeine phosphate. He thanked her and assumed that while he was waiting to see his surgeon he would continue to take this medication.
This was not the case. Today he returned to see GP to request more codeine (he was given 60 pills 3 weeks ago, you can take up to 6 per day). He was denied this. The GP who saw him FELT his back muscles and said he should take an anti-inflammatory. DP said he couldnt as he they made him throw up (despite taking omeprazole too). GP told DP that there wasn't anything else he could do and he wasn't allowed to give out opiate based medication. DP told reception this and asked if he could see another GP. Reception told DP that the GP he saw is indeed allowed to prescribe pain killers, he just didn't feel necessary. DP was told to phone NHS 24 if he felt his pain was so severe.
I am fuming. Not only has he taken multiple painkillers responsibly for over a year, this was when his condition wasn't as bad as it is now. He is at the stage now where he cries because of the pain. He has wet the bed on more than one occasion because he has crowding of the cauda equina nerves (which I believe are linked to bladder and bowel?). He is still signed off work and waiting to see surgeon on the 2nd of Feb.
I want to take this further but unsure who to contact, AIBU to want to complain to someone about this? I have asked to speak to practice manager but was told he was not in until Monday and when I mentioned my DP's name they said 'in that case he has already been told what to do".
I don't want to believe it is a race issue but my DP is mixed race (half Scottish half Caribbean) and for comfort he will wear jogging bottoms some days instead of a suit or jeans to see doctor. He asked a GP previously if this was an issue and she said 'it doesn't help.' 
I don't believe that any form of appearance should be taken into consideration when helping a patient. I have never been in a situation like this before and I am not one to complain about things but this feels so unjust and I feel there must be someone I can write to about this? My MSP or the GMC? I must mention, I am a white female and currently on a repeat prescription from the same GP surgery for an opiate-based painkiller for a hip condition, which although will require surgery at some point, is not as serious as my DP's condition. They have no issue giving me a repeat prescription for this. AIBU?
Thank you all
Sorry for the length