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Post by vspindler on Apr 17, 2016 19:08:01 GMT
With my fibro I am on pain meds but far enough down the scale as to not have any issues other than only being able to get a six month prescription instead of a year. But an online friend of mine went to get a prescription filled on the way home from being discharged from the hospital this weekend and the pharmacy asked not only for the script, they wanted to see her discharge papers and the the rest of the paperwork they saw she had in her lap when her husband pulled up to the drive thru (the patient care instructions, etc). They even took photocopies of some.
I have known people in an online support group who have had issues with being treated like drug seekers when going to the ER just because they had a prescription in their records, despite that the ER visit was not due to a pain complaint. Or are being told by their pain management doctors that they are going to have to reduce the meds they are on, even though they finally got the pain to a manageable level. That is assuming they can get a pain management doc to see them at all (which is rather ironic). I know that I see a skewed sample base, but I have heard enough horror stories to be very concerned about how people are going to be caught in the crossfire in the fight against opiate addiction.
I was was just curious if anyone here has had any issues or is concerned about the new pain med recommendations. I suggested my friend talk to the manager of the pharmacy. I also suggested to my local npr station this issue as a show topic when they were looking for programming suggestions.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 17, 2016 19:15:52 GMT
What are the new guidelines? I asked my doctor about possibly getting a few (he's a pain management specialist) for the days when my back IS hurting, not every day. I asked for the lowest dosage and said I would most likely split them in two. One pill makes me extremely sleepy for at least 12 hours and if I do too much moving, I get a migraine, nausea, and throw up. He prescribed me 120 pills! I thought it would only be 30.  I have had bad reactions to loratab and percocet I don't think I'm allergic. I think the correct term is sensitive. p.s. I have no idea if I spelled those right. |
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Post by vspindler on Apr 17, 2016 19:38:24 GMT
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Post by MichyM on Apr 17, 2016 19:40:03 GMT
I see my dr every 3 months for a quick visit to evaluate my meds. He gives me 3 copies of my prescription, one for each month until I see him next. Ive been on pain meds for about 20 years. For me, nothing (so far) has changed regarding my care or ease of refills. <knocks wood>.
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Post by mellyw on Apr 17, 2016 19:53:07 GMT
I haven't. Though I always, always get the "look" when I fill my monthly prescription. I don't enjoy it, but I try to not take it personally. I know a lot of new regulations & societal pressure have been placed on pharmacists. And I realize they don't know me at all & have no idea what my situation is.
I hate that it comes to this, in terms of me needing the pain medication & what drug seekers have caused. I also see a future where a Doctor my not be willing to give me that monthly prescription. My quality of life will be severely effected, but I'm realistic to what's happening within the medical community.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 17, 2016 19:53:36 GMT
I was just reading about that today in the newspaper. I strongly suspect it will probably affect my BFF who has fibromyalgia and deals with chronic pain from that. One thing thing the article mentioned was that the meds have a tendency to actually make the person's pain worse over time instead of better. I wish there was a better long term solution, I know several people who deal with horrible pain day in and day out.  |
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 17, 2016 20:02:29 GMT
I don't know, it still seems very vague. If it's a long term patient, the doctor would know better than to prescribe the lowest possible dose. Couldn't they show the patient history and medical proof like MRI's? I can't see them getting in trouble.
I do like that more states are doing away with paper and calling in the medication directly to the pharmacy.
It doesn't make sense to me that my daughter's adderall prescription HAS to be on paper. I would be perfectly happy if it had to be called into the pharmacy.
There are more people in my state who die from opiate addiction than die in a car accidents, so I'm okay with stricter laws. My cousin has had numerous injuries and does not heal like most people. He has a higher oxycontin prescription and he makes sure he always goes to the same pharmacy so the dosage is not questioned.
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Apr 17, 2016 20:29:21 GMT
Since my doctor won't give me pain meds, no.
I have Fibro. He is the one that diagnosed me. The only thing he prescribes is Tramadol. Unfortunately, it give me horrendous vertigo. So, I have nothing to help in the times I need it. I might be desperate enough for additional pain meds once every 3 months. Doesn't matter. They seriously do not get how much pain I live with because I don't want any more meds. It's only the let-me-die days I need some help.
What he will do is up the damn Lyrica. I'm so grateful that it helps as much as it does. However, I am not willing to deal with anymore weight gain.
At this point, I'm ready to nip into the vodka when it gets bad. We aren't drinkers. However, I have vodka in the house from making vanilla.
What do we have to lose with opioids/opiates? I'm already trying to decide if I'm ready for a DNR. Death will be a welcome occurrence.
Lest anyone think I am suicidal...I am fighting tooth and nail for a life. I'm a full-time college student and hope to be able to have a career. The plan is to help people like me. My AA will have a minor in English and I'm an honors student. I'm not giving up. However, I am realistic about what the future may bring.
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Post by BeckyTech on Apr 17, 2016 20:44:34 GMT
One thing thing the article mentioned was that the meds have a tendency to actually make the person's pain worse over time instead of better. That doesn't sound right. What does happen over time is that the medication may not be as effective as it once was as the person's body adjusts. But that is over a period of years, not a couple of months or something. I believe most states, like mine, have a state-wide database that records your dispensed prescriptions for these types of meds. That prevents doctor and pharmacy shopping. No doctor or pharmacy who wants to keep their license will ignore what it says. It will flag your file if you go to too many different pharmacies or doctors in addition to tracking the amount and strength of meds dispensed to you. Over a year ago my pain doctor got in a new PA who wanted to try to find alternatives for me. It was a miserable time, the side-effects were bad or it just wasn't effective. She must have tried about a half-dozen alternatives over a period of a couple/three months (trying to give each one a couple of weeks, but none of them got that far). She finally said they had tried, had the backup to show the feds in case they inquired and we settled back into what works. My doctor bends over backwards monitoring their patients with periodic urine tests and everything to make sure they don't have any abusers as patients. It's my quality of life, I don't overdo it, and I understand having to go through a few extra hoops, but the lawmakers need to also realize there are a whole lot of people who don't abuse and whose quality of life can be impacted by what they legislate. |
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Post by jcm28 on Apr 17, 2016 21:41:46 GMT
I have to see my PCP every three months for my Ambien prescription. I also had to sign a agreement that I wouldn't drive under the influence. I also must have paper prescription and I can only get a 30 day supply. Florida is one of the states with terrible addiction problems.I understand they are trying to crack down on pill mills but it puts such a burden on folks who need controlled meds to simply function.
Janet
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 17, 2016 22:31:48 GMT
One thing thing the article mentioned was that the meds have a tendency to actually make the person's pain worse over time instead of better. That doesn't sound right. What does happen over time is that the medication may not be as effective as it once was as the person's body adjusts. But that is over a period of years, not a couple of months or something. I believe most states, like mine, have a state-wide database that records your dispensed prescriptions for these types of meds. That prevents doctor and pharmacy shopping. No doctor or pharmacy who wants to keep their license will ignore what it says. It will flag your file if you go to too many different pharmacies or doctors in addition to tracking the amount and strength of meds dispensed to you. Over a year ago my pain doctor got in a new PA who wanted to try to find alternatives for me. It was a miserable time, the side-effects were bad or it just wasn't effective. She must have tried about a half-dozen alternatives over a period of a couple/three months (trying to give each one a couple of weeks, but none of them got that far). She finally said they had tried, had the backup to show the feds in case they inquired and we settled back into what works. My doctor bends over backwards monitoring their patients with periodic urine tests and everything to make sure they don't have any abusers as patients. It's my quality of life, I don't overdo it, and I understand having to go through a few extra hoops, but the lawmakers need to also realize there are a whole lot of people who don't abuse and whose quality of life can be impacted by what they legislate. As someone who has to deal with patients EVERY single day with over use of med's and addiction. I know for a fact that pain med's over time lose their effectiveness. I understand people are struggling for a quality of life, etc, but I just feel like there has to be a different way, then of putting these chemicals/med's in to our bodies. I don't know what it is. But in terms of the long term effects of these drugs, it's not good, is all I know. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 17, 2016 23:20:42 GMT
One thing thing the article mentioned was that the meds have a tendency to actually make the person's pain worse over time instead of better. That doesn't sound right. What does happen over time is that the medication may not be as effective as it once was as the person's body adjusts. But that is over a period of years, not a couple of months or something. From the article "Opioid Reliance One of the Great Mistakes in Medical History" by Paul John Scott in my Sunday paper: The bolded part above was what jumped out at me when I was reading the article. Perhaps my use of the word "tendency" in my post was incorrect, I didn't have the newspaper handy at that moment to quote directly, so I did that above. All I know is that for the people I care about who are dealing with chronic pain like that, it's horrible because nothing really gives them long-term relief. I wish they had better options. |
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Post by christine58 on Apr 17, 2016 23:55:54 GMT
Lest anyone think I am suicidal...I am fighting tooth and nail for a life. I'm a full-time college student and hope to be able to have a career. The plan is to help people like me. My AA will have a minor in English and I'm an honors student. I'm not giving up. However, I am realistic about what the future may bring. I'd find a new doctor...you deserve to NOT be in pain. |
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zztop11
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by zztop11 on Apr 18, 2016 0:20:38 GMT
So according to the article in Newsweek it states "The guidelines published this week suggest that physicians prescribe non-opioid painkillers whenever possible, and when patients do need opioids, to prescribe the lowest possible dose."
So what is wrong with that. If a non-opioid painkiller works great. I would use it. And if a lower dose works, I would take that too. Sounds good. But, I agree with you. I feel like the mainstream public has to pay for some dip--it (pardon me) drug problems. Yes, this gets me very angry. Last year my husband had a 4 level spinal fusion. Lost lots of blood, needed transfusions, stayed in intensive care and then 4 nights more in the hospital. He was released on a Friday. The hospital was about one hour from where we live. By the time we got to the pharmacy to get the prescription, it was past 5 PM. They said that they had to order it and couldn't do that until Monday and it would arrive Tues. So he is supposed to go for 4 nights and days without pain meds. They don't stock it anymore, it has to be special ordered. I was pea livid, I'll tell you. And I hate to say this but I will, this is why I stock pile pills. If I have to go to the doctor, (let's say I broke a toe) and he asks me if I need pain meds for it, I would say yes. Even if I have some at home. I don't abuse them but if I need one, I want to be able to get it. (I have also had a spinal fusion.)
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:20:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 0:30:31 GMT
I have an appointment with pain management on the 27th. The appointment in March nothing had changed. I had pain so bad that I took too many NSAIDs and got bleeding ulcers. I hate having to take narcotics but I am kind of stuck. I have bulging or herniated discs in L4, L5 and S1 and a moderate curve in my lower back. I also have severe endometriosis that seven surgeries hasn't helped. I've tried SO many alternative treatments (everything figured on herbs to oils to SCIO machines and energy work). I also get many migraines a month. It's hard for people to comprehend the pain if they've never had chronic pain.
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Post by BeckyTech on Apr 18, 2016 2:52:11 GMT
From the article "Opioid Reliance One of the Great Mistakes in Medical History" by Paul John Scott in my Sunday paper: ...By 2010, painkillers had become the third-most prescribed class of drugs in the country. By 2012, there were roughly 289 million opioid prescriptions dispensed in the U.S.--roughly a bottle of opioids for every adult in the nation. Prior to that time, these conditions had been treated with Advil and Tylenol; long term use of opioids was known to create tolerance and dependence, the hallmarks of addiction and increasing need. To this day there are no randomized control trials showing that opioids are safe and effective for long-term use. To the contrary, animal and observation studies suggest the drugs actually make pain worse over time, a paradoxical effect known as hyperalgesia."Back pain, neck pain, headache pain, fibromyalgia, there's actually no indication that opioids help those conditions," according to Jeannie Sperry, a pain-management clinician in the Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitiation Center at the Mayo Clinic. "...a fter about 30 days they start making pain worse."The bolded part above was what jumped out at me when I was reading the article. Perhaps my use of the word "tendency" in my post was incorrect, I didn't have the newspaper handy at that moment to quote directly, so I did that above. All I know is that for the people I care about who are dealing with chronic pain like that, it's horrible because nothing really gives them long-term relief. I wish they had better options. Wow, thanks for that info, it's very interesting! To those who talk about alternatives, I've tried a number of non-western medicine things with the encouragement of my doctor. I found one helpful, but only as a supplemental aid, not a replacement. Basically, my doctor is somewhat surprised/pleased that my current level of meds is still effective for me. I do know that a few hospitals are working on a proton-based cure for some forms of CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) that so many people, especially returning service people, suffer from. Short article. I know this has been in the works for years, but have no idea how close they might be. It will be a real breakthrough when they do perfect it and actually eliminate the need for meds for a lot of people. Of course research like that could be in danger if the politicians get too involved. Research like that is funded by endowed chairs, where the hospital or university raises funds to a certain point and then invests the funds. The research is then financed on an ongoing basis by the interest from those funds, so the principal keeps generating funds they can use for research. If the politicians decide to tax the hell out of transactions it could have a material impact on really worthwhile things like medical research. Sorry, don't mean to get political, but it's one of those "unintended consequences" things that could impact everyone. |
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Post by gryroagain on Apr 18, 2016 3:26:27 GMT
I worry about my mom, who has had 3 failed neck surgeries after car accidents 30 years ago. She is relatively young (almost 70), healthy, vibrant- and in excruciating pain most of the time without heavy duty pain Meds. She takes oxycontin? I think? At doses that would flatten me, but she is unaffected except she can function. Without it, she is a cripple almost. She worries about changing insurance and having to switch doctors in the future, or pharmacy changes, or anything that could affect her access to pain Meds because she can't function without them. For her, she is totally addicted and could not just stop taking it, but there is also no other choice at this point because nothing has worked surgery, therapy wise. She has tried literally everything over the years, but unless she cuts off her head it won't change.
Suggesting she take Tylenol is so laughable. I think part of the problem may be that 30-50 years ago people with these kind of accidents and injuries didn't live long, surgical care was not as advanced and the people didn't recover fully ever to get to the point they would live years after in chronic pain. So no, you didn't have people needing opiods for years because they didn't live years to need them.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:20:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 4:00:55 GMT
I've been on mega-dosages of aspirin my whole life until about 2001 when a neurologist told me to get off of it or I'd have no stomach left. I had a bad accident when I was 13 and was left in severe, daily, chronic pain since then. Without any meds, I'd wake up with a pain level at about 8 or 9. This isn't rebound. This is real. I've tried different pain meds via my PCP and then last January she had to refer me to a Pain Management Center because my Rx was being "flagged" (watched). It was/is Fioricet. I found out that any doctor giving Rx's for narcotics, opiods or addictive meds had to show their records and have everything looked over. They no longer wanted to go through that paperwork, so they forward you to a Pain Management Center.
I was going every month. The initially ask you about your medical history to ascertain that you have pain. My case was easy enough to prove. They have you do blood/urine tests every 3 months to make sure you're not taking anything else OR selling your Rx for something more serious. You have to sign papers with the Pain Mgmt doctors, verifying that you won't sell your drugs and you're on the up and up about it. Fine......... This was costing me $40/mo because he was a specialist. There was no point in going since I was on the same Rx every month, so I asked if I could cut back to every 3 months and just get refills. It was approved. Yeah!
Recently, I got a letter from my Medicare insurance company (Humana), suggesting that I switch to Tylenol vs. my Fioricet. Yeah, as if that would work!!!!! I called them immediately, explaining why I needed the meds, and they took 4 days to get back to me and tell me that my Rx was approved, but only 30 pills per month. I was taking 180 pills/month (6/day). They're absolutely necessary. I can't function without them. Even with them, I still go into bed-ridden-mode sometimes. I did get approved for the 180 pills per month with much persistence on my end. You have to keep on top of them and stress the seriousness.
Strangely enough, they care more about those pills than the morphine or percocet that they give out for my rescue Rx. I can't understand that. I just keep everything as a backup, even if it doesn't work and I have to switch it out the next month for something else. Right now I'm on the Fioricet and Maxalt as my rescue Rx. I don't think I have to worry about approval again for 1 more year.
Just follow up on it asap. Call and speak to the insurance company. They have approval dept's to speak to and even if you get denied, you can still turn it around, but these days it has to be a pretty serious reason for needing the meds. It STINKS that stupid people abuse meds and make it hard for the rest of us, who have to rely on these drugs in order to function.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 4:12:05 GMT
Since my doctor won't give me pain meds, no. I have Fibro. He is the one that diagnosed me. The only thing he prescribes is Tramadol. Unfortunately, it give me horrendous vertigo. So, I have nothing to help in the times I need it. I might be desperate enough for additional pain meds once every 3 months. Doesn't matter. They seriously do not get how much pain I live with because I don't want any more meds. It's only the let-me-die days I need some help. What he will do is up the damn Lyrica. I'm so grateful that it helps as much as it does. However, I am not willing to deal with anymore weight gain. At this point, I'm ready to nip into the vodka when it gets bad. We aren't drinkers. However, I have vodka in the house from making vanilla. What do we have to lose with opioids/opiates? I'm already trying to decide if I'm ready for a DNR. Death will be a welcome occurrence. Lest anyone think I am suicidal...I am fighting tooth and nail for a life. I'm a full-time college student and hope to be able to have a career. The plan is to help people like me. My AA will have a minor in English and I'm an honors student. I'm not giving up. However, I am realistic about what the future may bring. Ms. Knit: I'm so sorry you're going through this. I've dealt with horrific pain daily since 1974 when I endured a bad accident. Back then they told you to "take an aspirin if you're in pain". That's it!!!!!!! I just dealt with it, stayed in bed, threw up... stopped my life if I had to, until I found a doctor in 2001 to give me real meds (Maxalt). I was on Tramadol and it was horrible for me too! I have a list of meds that they tried on me and many of them had horrible side effects until I tried Fioricet and it worked for me. It is a serious Rx--it has bulalb/caff/codeine/tylenol in it. It's not a strong Rx, but I'm on 6 pills/day. It enables me to function. I do hope that you find the right meds to help you function. I've never felt like wanting my life to be over because of my pain. I do sometimes think of the seriousness of medications and wonder what will happen to my body down the road. But I have to live in the present because I can't get out of bed some days and will always need help. I hope you get help-you deserve to live a fulfilled life. Keep trying different meds until you get on the right Rx to help you! Good luck. |
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Post by scrapsuzy on Apr 18, 2016 7:25:46 GMT
Since I can't take most opoids, no, it doesn't effect me, yet. I have health conditions that contra-indicate using NSAIDS or Tylenol. I have to have massive doses of Benadryl (like 100mg) to take anything with codeine/codone, get tachycardia & the itching with morphine, and even taking Dilaudid or Fentanyl requires a dose of Benadryl. Demoral doesn't make me itch, but I have to take Phenergan with it so as to not get sick.
Oh, and I have been dealing with chronic pain from Fibromyalgia for 20 years. Now am facing a liver transplant, and am truly terrified about what will be able to be done for pain control.
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Post by gryroagain on Apr 18, 2016 10:16:00 GMT
Scrapsuzy, I too have opiod allergies (sensitivity may be the right word but when you are barfing and covered in an itchy rash the distinction is not so important!) and knock on wood am very healthy, save dental issues. When those crop up, i do need serious pain relief and the pool gets smaller every time. I wish I knew why- some antibiotics too I am now allergic to, and I am very healthy so it's rare I am even given them (uti mostly) but over the years drug after drug does this to me, making the pool of available drugs small. It's so weird, if I was chronically sick and on lots of medication my whole life I could see it happening, but I am in great health.
I have no allergies to food, environment, pets, etc. But each time I take an antibiotic or pain med more than once I am a sick, hive covered, itchy mess. Even in good health, by my age I am running out of options- last uti I got sulfa Meds, which many are allergic to so next time...who the hell knows. I don't give it much thought normally, because when I do it frightens me a bit!
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taysmommy03
Shy Member
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Post by taysmommy03 on Apr 18, 2016 11:05:50 GMT
I haven't gotten my meds refilled for this month yet, so I don't know if I will have any issues. I hope that I won't, I have been fairly lucky so far. My doctor and pharmacy are great. *knocks on wood* My doctor has asked that I try to cut back on my break through pain meds, but that is it. (And I have been trying.)
Stuff like this scares me. I am dependant on my pain meds. Without them I would have no quality of life.
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Post by Linda on Apr 18, 2016 14:15:19 GMT
I don't take pain meds regularly (thankfully) but all the doctor's offices I've been in lately have signs up that they don't prescribe pain meds and will refer to a pain management clinic if needed.
I do know that when I have needed pain meds in the recent past (post dental surgery for instance) - it's been difficult to get them. I'm allergic to tylenol (hives and wheezing) and the base level of pain meds above ibuprofen often seem to be tylenol+ something else and I get treated like I'm drug seeking because I can't take those and need to go up one level to something like Tramadol. I can't imagine what it might be like if I had a chronic condition and needed more than the 5 pills they prescribed me last time (of which I only took 2 - the darn things knock me out for 12+ hours each)
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Post by Linda on Apr 18, 2016 14:19:18 GMT
Scrapsuzy, I too have opiod allergies (sensitivity may be the right word but when you are barfing and covered in an itchy rash the distinction is not so important!) and knock on wood am very healthy, save dental issues. When those crop up, i do need serious pain relief and the pool gets smaller every time. I wish I knew why- some antibiotics too I am now allergic to, and I am very healthy so it's rare I am even given them (uti mostly) but over the years drug after drug does this to me, making the pool of available drugs small. It's so weird, if I was chronically sick and on lots of medication my whole life I could see it happening, but I am in great health. I have no allergies to food, environment, pets, etc. But each time I take an antibiotic or pain med more than once I am a sick, hive covered, itchy mess. Even in good health, by my age I am running out of options- last uti I got sulfa Meds, which many are allergic to so next time...who the hell knows. I don't give it much thought normally, because when I do it frightens me a bit! I have anitibiotic allergies also - allergic to pencillan, sulfa, and cephalosphorins - anaphylactic reactions. I had pneumonia last month and the first antibiotic they gave me had me vomiting SO much, I had to call and ask for something else. But the pool of options is shrinking fast and while I rarely need an antibiotic (dental infections or pneumonia usually are my culprits), it scares me everytime I take one because the wrong one and I could be dead - I will NEVER take an antibiotic when I'm alone, ever. |
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Post by mellyw on Apr 18, 2016 16:39:30 GMT
Have any of you considered medical marijuana if it's legal in your state? I have 4 of the 30 something conditions the state of Illinois will consider for medical marijuana. I have never in my life done illegal drugs, so I have no idea how it will help me or not. But the thought of something natural, that's regulated intrigues me.
I'm going to get a top denture done soon (already have a bottom one). My dental issues hve caused a nasty case of Trigeminal Neuralgia (it's lovely nickname is suicide disease, just to give a hint of how ugly it is to have). Anytime I have teeth issues, it flares up, so I've made the decision to get rid of the cause. My hope is that will take away 2 medications I need to control it, & the monthly pain medication can be cut back.
So I'm working any angle I can, but I can't do anything about the other chronic conditions. The 4 that would qualify me for medical marijuana, Rheumtoid Arthritis, Sjogrens Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis & Fibromyalgia, can only be managed.
Ugh, I know there is no good answer. I want to be selfish & say screw those addicted people, but I live in this society too & know burying my head to the *whole* situation won't work. It's just terribly frustrating, the 5 conditions I mentioned in this post are just the start of medical problems. There's literally not a spot on my body that something hasn't gone wrong from head (brain tumor when I was 5) to my feet, rheumatoid & osteoarthritis causing damage.
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Post by shevy on Apr 18, 2016 17:34:28 GMT
Yes. I've been. And because I don't want to get cut off of what I do have, I'm afraid to push it. So I live in pain.
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Post by momstime on Apr 18, 2016 20:48:11 GMT
I feel like the mainstream public has to pay for some dip--it (pardon me) drug problems. Yes, this gets me very angry. Last year my husband had a 4 level spinal fusion. Lost lots of blood, needed transfusions, stayed in intensive care and then 4 nights more in the hospital. He was released on a Friday. The hospital was about one hour from where we live. By the time we got to the pharmacy to get the prescription, it was past 5 PM. They said that they had to order it and couldn't do that until Monday and it would arrive Tues. So he is supposed to go for 4 nights and days without pain meds. They don't stock it anymore, it has to be special ordered. I was pea livid, I'll tell you. And I hate to say this but I will, this is why I stock pile pills. If I have to go to the doctor, (let's say I broke a toe) and he asks me if I need pain meds for it, I would say yes. Even if I have some at home. I don't abuse them but if I need one, I want to be able to get it. (I have also had a spinal fusion.) You do realize that oxycontin is actually synthetic heroin, right? And that people who claim to be "dependent" on their Oxy are actually addicted to it. Try to go 48 hour without a pill and see if you go into withdrawal in the exact same way a heroin addict does...and then PLEASE stop judging addicts! How do you think all these dip--it drug problems came to be? They are a bunch of people just like you who take opiates daily until one day they are either cut off from their doctor, can no longer afford the pills or a variety of other reasons that lead them to start using street heroin. It's cheap. It's easy to get. And, most importantly, it is the same damn stuff. Wake up and follow the money. There is money to be made on the pharmaceutical side. There is money to be made on the recovery side. Follow the money. Big pharma will kill you if you let it. And no, I'm not just being dramatic. |
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Post by katiekaty on Apr 18, 2016 22:25:48 GMT
There are hospitals that are going opiod free. They are no longer dispensing Vicodin/Norco in ER or prescribing them on discharge. Dilaudid, Demerol, Fentanyl and Morphine are also on the hit lists. Working in PACU, we are receiving new guidelines from the national anesthesia and nursing organizations regarding post surgical pain relief also in regards to these drugs and Vicodin/Norco. I have seen an increase in prescription strength Ibuprofen and Tylenol #3. It's been months since I have seen a post surgical discharge with a Vicodin prescription for pain on discharge. Doctors hate the triplicate scripts. And the headaches involved in keeping up with filing all the necessary paperwork to go with them. And monitoring for refills and lab tests for refills.
When we do see one, the patient always asks which pharmacy to go to fill it, because the pharmacies they go to are always out. Big flag to us nurses. We just tell them to keep trying, we can't help with that issue. Pharmacies are also limited to the amounts they can dispense in total in a period of time, and how much can be dispensed to an individual in a period of time. There is a tracking system. It sounds like a big deal and it sounds like Big Pharma etc and government trying to control lives, but what is happening is to control the amount a person should reasonably have to prevent death. Drug companies and pharmacies that dispense have been sued. The government has been sued. Doctor have been sued. Narcotics and other pain medications impair judgement. Do you really know when you have had enough just because it doesn't seem to be working? Is it unreasonable that laws need to be placed to protect the people from themselves??? And doctors, drug companies and pharmacies need some protection also.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:20:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 22:38:21 GMT
I don't take pain meds regularly (thankfully) but all the doctor's offices I've been in lately have signs up that they don't prescribe pain meds and will refer to a pain management clinic if needed. I do know that when I have needed pain meds in the recent past (post dental surgery for instance) - it's been difficult to get them. I'm allergic to tylenol (hives and wheezing) and the base level of pain meds above ibuprofen often seem to be tylenol+ something else and I get treated like I'm drug seeking because I can't take those and need to go up one level to something like Tramadol. I can't imagine what it might be like if I had a chronic condition and needed more than the 5 pills they prescribed me last time (of which I only took 2 - the darn things knock me out for 12+ hours each) Linda: That's my life. Chronic, severe pain, every single day since the day of my accident in 1974. I live with it and honestly don't think too much about it. But now that I'm older (55), everything I put in my mouth to combat that pain or to deal with side effects of those pain meds, has come to hit me in the face. So I'm faced with my initial pain situation, and now have COPD, GERD, diverticulosis, asthma, and a bunch of "regular older people" situations (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid issues, need of estrogen, need for sleep meds..........). Tramadol was actually a horror for me. A few Rx's were! Even though my Fioricet is in the opiate category, it's still pretty mild. I *am* on 6 pills per day, which is appropriate for my weight, but it's the MAXIMUM that anyone should have. They continually ask me why and I remind them. It's all cool. I'm really trying to find the right meds to combat the pain with the least side effects. It's a battle, but I pretend to be fine every day! |
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:20:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 22:42:14 GMT
I'm on Tramadol and have been for the past 9 months. I am supposed to take up to 4 times a day and then I have to go back and see her every three months. Because it is considered a Narcotic she can't write a script with any more refills than that. I only take it when the pain is bad and I am feeling like I'm about to go into a serious flare. So I take it maybe 1 week out of a month and only up to 2 a day. I don't think it's a medicine that is known to become addictive, but I certainly don't want to find out the hard way. I would rather just take it when I absolutely need it.
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I have had bad reactions to loratab and percocet I don't think I'm allergic. I think the correct term is sensitive.
