2011 30 Mg Oxycodone Shortage (Page 10)
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I am a 51 y/o who lives in Florida, suffering from chronic back pain, and have been prescribed to take up to six 30mg oxycodone tablets a day for over two years by my Pain Management doctor. However, when I went to fill my prescription almost 4 weeks ago, my pharmacy told me their distributor had stopped shipping oxycodone to Florida pharmacies. Since then, I have personally visited about 100 pharmacies but have been unable to find them in stock anywhere. As a former paralegal, I attempted to research the situation, but could only confirm that the DEA has yearly quot on all controlled substances (for oxy's is 98 million grams in 2011). From I gather from the Internet, it appears that the ENTIRE state of FLORIDA is not getting any shipments of oxycodone 30 mg. from distributors, but are other states having this problem as well? Also, can anyone confirm whether (and HOW) the DEA is pressuring distributors to avoid Florida?

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Relief and back on track getting oxycodone 30's....MY BUTT. It really seems to be getting worse, and one of these rude kids working in Walgreen's is getting close to getting a slap. Demeaning SOB's. Been all over lower Pinellas and ain't none nowhere.

Posted by a highly intellegent 60 Y/O sick of being treated like a junkie and living in Mega Pain.

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That is sickning how much proffit per pill they really do make.Meanwhile we have to decide to get our medicine or food.Something has to change.

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how near to tampa is this? my script is written in temple terrace will they fill it/

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its not getting better, its getting worse. im good friends with a pharmacist and i still have a hard time getting them. and the bad part is, he showed me his invoice for his shipment, $0.35 per 30 mg oxycodone.

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Donna K. I contacted you on FB. Nothing else to say :) Everything has been, it's just repetition now. Carl, so believe it or not, Carl has nothing to say! Must be a first. lol

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since you do know the area Trinity has them also but you will pay costly per pill.. is this Clearwater-Largo Rd? where? a bit more land marks or better the road cross road etc.. lol

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Clap! Clap! good for that Pharmacists he's correct in all that he has said.
But there are some Pharmacists that DO judge unfairly even with norco's.. and usually it is the ones that are "fresh" out of school.
well I hope no one gets pissed @The Intelligent Pharmacists" .. he knows better than most of us what has been going on..

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Seeing that I'm not puting in an email address so I won't get any of your replies, it's not worth your time in even responding to anything I say here, so please, keep your hate for your doctor and go b**** them out instead of me. And, just so no one can say anything about me being high and mighty and not knowing anything about what I'm doing to people who are in pain every day of their lives, you might want to know that I've been in pain for every minute of every day of my life that I can remember because of a birth defect. The first thing that I feel when I wake up is pain and so is the last thing. I don't rely on potent medications to releive me of my pain. I do rely upon some medications, but I have never relied upon opioids to do it and there are very valid reasons for that. First of all, I want to say that as a pharmacist, I am taught how the medications work, and how they are supposed to be used appropriately. This includes appropriate dosing, therapy, and medications. When it comes to therapy, there are many guidelines that discuss pain management and the concensus is that you are supposed to have goals of therapy. These goals are to be listed in your chart and are supposed to be the bench mark of how your therapy is working. There isn't just one goal of pain management (to not be in pain). Because, the goal of pain management is to get your pain down until it reaches the minor pain range. If you ever get to the point that you are in no pain, that means that you are over medicated. So ask yourself, what are my goals of therapy? And, have you reached any of them? If not, then you should be penalized for a month by having your pain meds backed off and then upped again the next month to get you on track and understand that fixing the problem will make the treatment work correctly. Next, all treatments are supposed to be individualized and tailored to each patients' needs. No one responds to medications the same way as everyone else, and no two people's problems are the same. So, when you get a prescription from a clinic that has 180 oxycodone 30mg 1 every 4 hours, that just means that the clinic is bogus and that they are treating everyone the same way. First reason being is that if you sleep for more than 4 hours a night, you CANNOT take 6 in a days time. If you do, then you are taking the medication inappropriately. Next, all doctors AND pharmacists were taught the same thing, that 90% of the pain medicaiton should be in a long acting form, with only 10% of the dose in a short acting form. So, that means that if you are taking 30mg oxycodone, you should also be on 300mg oxycontin or equivelant per day. Are you taking that medication too? NO???? OMG. Then your doctor doesn't know anything about the medications they are prescribing. There are also studies out there that will tell you that when you take the medication 6 or more times per day, that it will create dependence very fast and will not lead to any improvement. Where as when you take a long acting one to keep the pain level down and only need 3 or 4 short acting doses per day to deal with spikes of break through pain, the problems that the patients face usually do not change and they can actually show improvement. There are patients out there who get 20mg methadone and 90 norco 10/325 with your same problems and are fine on those strengths. Why aren't you? The answer is because you were never treated appropriately and they were. I also see several patients that have a long acting medication on board but it isn't as potent as their short acting medication. For example, 60mg MS Contin twice per day and 180 oxycodone 30m every 4 horus. Well, to do the numbers here, that 60mg MS Contin is equal to 40mg Oxycodone. Now, when that medication is given out over a 12 hour period, that will be about 3.3mg oxycodone per hour and you're taking 30mg at a time with the immediate release tabltes. Even an idiot can see that 30mg is way more medication and if your body is given a dose of one of these, they will have more of a response to the 30mg than to the 3.3mg. If you're on 180 per month, then you should have your doctor change your therapy and you will probably have better pain relief and an easier time finding your medications. For example, 40mg oxycontin 2 times per day and percocet 10/325 four times per day should give you the same relief. And to note here, the tylenol in the percocet is actually appropriate too because when used in combination with opiates, it has a synergistic effect on the medicaitons (which means that the effect is more than either agent would give on it's own). So, 1+1 would have a result greater than 2. Ask your doctor what synergistic means at your next visit too. If they don't know the word, then I would run and find a new doctor. Oh, and if you want to find a good doctor that will treat you right, then go and see your pharmacist and ask them for some. They will gladly send you in the right direction. If anyone has actually read through this, then they should understand that it's not the pharmacy's or pharmacist's fault that you don't have your medications, it's the doctor's fault. If thye had done things right from the beginning, you wouldn't be in this situation.

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..percocet is better than 'nothing'..or even oxy 15mg? But morphine will do the trick same as oxy if you know what i mean. some folks are getting dilaudids(sp?)

now.. we have to call the pharmacists 2 weeks in advance to remind her to order the meds. in case they do not come in the 1st week..

I was told the 80 mg oxy have some type of "weird" stuff like plastic LOl (it's not),,even if you can cut them into or crush them they jell up..but if you can get those they are time-release for all day..

again seriously if you can get someone to drive you around to as many RX's as possible it could take 6 hrs more OR less in a day it will be worth to you once you find the "One" Pharmacy that will take care of you..

get off the beaten road away from where 'everyone' goes.. or if you have to take a taxi or a car service think of the money compared to the aggravation every month!
havr you noticed.. not as many news articles etc about people dying of overdosing on oxy's..
well i hope your Dr. did give you methadone (the break thru pain) to "maintain" if you don't get your oxy's filled right away..

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Donna I really appreciate the kind words. I can tell from your compassion, that you are a sweetheart. I wish I could share your optimism. I've been dealing with this crap for almost four years. I was actually down in Florida in October visiting friends, when my back started really acting up, traveling didn't help it. I spent hours on the phone when I was in Florida trying to get some help. Since I was from out of state, no one could see me. But you're right, they all told me to drive to Georgia. So I guess all the people that made millions dispensing pills, have simply picked up and moved to Georgia. Literally some of the pain clinics I called in Florida went directly to Georgia. Even though they were local Florida numbers, they were forwarded directly to their new Georgia branches. So the Sranan continues on to the next state. Pain clinics in a perfect world is a noble undertaking, it's the junkies that are the one's ruining it. They can be craftier than you think. I finally got the medical treatment I needed out here in Cali. Just to find out that the pharmacies have nothing in stock right now. The strongest dosage my pharmacy had was 10mg percocet, which is like children's Tylenol once you're on oxy's. I'm losing my mind : (

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@JH. Today is better than yesterday? right? well tomorrow will be better than today.. I Promise you :)

you're right it does suck.. imo, most people that have had back surgeries,have a life time of some type of pain even when the weather changes.
It really pisses me off when the Pill Mills took over on every corner it seemed and addicts from different states came to FL for an easy script.
The Legal Drug Dealer Doctors made millions of dollars

The New Law IS working here.. no more Dr. Shopping thank goodness, the Pharmacies and Doctors are linked and they "have" to use the system that the DEA and FL, Govt. set up..like other states have..

Now hopefully it's over~pretty much~ in FL and I've read that the Pill Mills have moved North to Georgia,Tenn, KY.. and wherever else ..anywhere but here in Central Florida I say!
You hang there JH I promise it does get better and you will find a pharmacy that won't give you such a hassle..

like I said before it took my hubby 2-3 months before we found a pharmacists that is decent.we are 50y/o and he has been with the same Doctor and Walgreens for over 10years. you would think they would've seen that right? nope.. Hubby still got hassled..I really think they were scared of losing their licences. by spring/summer Florida will be an after thought and other states will have the problems we had for several months.

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Have you tried ( Medicine Shoppes)???Chain of Pharmacy.They have them but have quadrupled in price.Sucks because they really help for break through pain when the time released isnt enough.Good luck

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@ Donna s Thanks for the kind words. Not that I'm happy that you've dealt with the same crap, but it feels good that I'm not alone. If that makes sense. Take care, and tell your husband to hang tough : )

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WOW!!! This sounds crazy. Well let me help you all. As of 2012 There are 206 different meds that are in supply and demand.
Opiates just so happens to be at the top. thanks to the pill mills in FL. "Yes Florida has f***ed it up for all of the country". Due to 700,000 out a state visits in 1 year. (2011)
since 2008 Florida has had over 600 million pills dispensed. So the DEA has had a strict policy stating that, as of 2012 Florida pharms will no longer be aloud to give out med's (narcotics) due to the overwhelming demand of such drugs.
Some of the stories i have read points to very bad addictions. Please seek help asap Before you die.
So 2012 the system will be up and running in full swing through out the country. every doc/pharm will record everything. "Oh thank Obama care also" Yep IF you all ever read it then 2012 will truly suck. But 2013 is going to be great cause all these new drugs will come out (non-narcotic) pain relievers too help out everyone. SO if you abuse these pain meds then pat yourself on the back for f***ing the real people with real pain.
cocaine, heroin and Ecstasy < put these drugs together and Oxycontin and oxycodeine addiction is way worst. so there another reason for the shortage they want us all to go back to the drugs that was worth more money then a pill thats not makes $890 billion dollars verses $657 billion with the 3 drugs i mention....Wow

Peace love and respect to all MAy you get you drugs to help you all.

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Emergency express pharmacy In largo gets a shipment twice a day of 8 bottles of each oxycodone they need if they run out if they have four they get four shipped it's off of largo road go there I don't have a problem giving it out cus they never run out their a brand new pharmacy and not on the Internet but their right off of largo road where the burger king is I'n the shopping plaza with the grocery store with the muffler shop accross the street their right there

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@Mike that was months ago.. go back to the regular Walgreens you went to the most or the Pharmacists you dealt with the most.
Shipments have been coming in quite regularly for a couple of months now. the panic has died down and the legit patients are now getting their meds.
But if you only get oxy's that could be a tuffy!! and also maybe get your quantity reduced a bit.210 and under..i was told..
Pharmacists are being picky and judgmental on whom they dispense t. we even had one a Pharmacists tell my hubby that "I have the meds but I refuse to give them to you!!" WTH??? But the month b4 he did fill 4 scripts.. been with walgreens for over 10years!! Also there was a young Cancer patient that was having a hard time also with the same Pharmacists
Good Luck!

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Donna I have been having troubling with the Walgreens in Pinellas county. I used the same one for over a year and all the sudden in Dec and again in Jan they didn't have it. I could really use someone to point me in the right direction of finding a Pharmacy that has my meds. I get oxycodone 30's and 30mg mscontin by the way.

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@JH no offense taken :).. my hubby has had 2 back surgeries the last was 1995 here in FL and "luckily" he only has "drop foot" he can't bend his foot from nerve damage.. as he walks so it 'flops' (not that noticeable)he still gets around pretty good though. he should have a 3rd back surgery but I don't think he will take the chance now and he is working again!
we also go to Walgreens we have a RX Discount Card(printed over the net) what we have said over the phone is" IF i drive to you will it be worth it?" which means If they say yes come on down..means they will fill it or no and they won't fill it.
My hubby has 1/2 sleeve tattoos and a long pig tail down his back so yea we know how belittling and judgmental the Pharmacists can be and are!
Eventually you WILL find a good Pharmacists that will fill your scripts with no hassles like we did.it took a few months though.
Hang in there.. it will be all be good in the long run and you will be able to maintain your pain that you have with the meds, which maybe or maybe not you will have to have for life unless you find an alternative,like acupuncture maybe.. you will know by your own body and mind what you need to do..

Think Positive I know its hard but that is what these forums can be used for also a "Sounding Board" if you have no one you feel that is "hearing" you
good luck

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@Donna S K. I appreciate the encouraging words. My injury was work related, and has cost me everything in my life, including my automobiles. I have been without a car for 3 1/2 years. I don't have the resources to drive to ten pharmacies, plus I can only fill my prescriptions at walgreens due to the nature of the billing process. I'm just tapped out. I'm only 32 years old, my best years are passing me by. Just got approved for my second back surgery, and I'm taking it. So sick of living like a second class citizen who needs narcotics. Every body loves to take their shots at. Even the lowliest of hospital employees. F*** 'em all!!! Again, sorry if I offended. They're all miserable, mindless worker bees. The healthcare in this country is broken. And I'm so sick of them habitually letting me down, and making me jump through hoops. It's easier to get the medication I need on the streets. Hopefully, I'll get to the point where I don't need them. They're poison!! They make your hair fall out, they age you, and god only knows what else. I'm spent. I just don't have the spirit to battle the bureaucracy of it anymore. 90% of the time I weather the storm by myself, paralyzed with pain in my bed.

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@Junkie Hater sorry you have to go through all this crap! we have all been through this one way or another.. all I can tell you is don't waste your time calling Pharmacies,, you have to walk in before they will tell you most of the time "No" ..you might have to drive a few miles but you Will find a pharmacy that does carry them.
It is slowly getting better, the panic is dying down a bit and the shipments are coming in weekly..I have found that if you go to a Pharmacy that isn't as popular like say on a main road or a mom & pop pharmacy you might have a better chance of getting your oxy's filled.. If you live in Pinellas Co..I know a couple of Pharmacies that are getting their supplies in now.. Good Luck

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