Dilemma With 2 Narcotic Scripts From 2 Doctors

Hi all. I have intractable pelvic RSD, peripheral neuropathy, lumbar facet spondylosis. I live in California and am about to have to change insurances at the end of this month. The new insurance has ridiculously high Rx prices. I go to a PM for all my pain meds, but my primary dr has in the past managed them for me. My question is if anyone knows if I get an Rx for the 60mg Oxycontin twice a day like usual from my PM and then my primary to write a script for 40mg 3 times a day and then I can go to 2 totally different pharmacies and fill one with my insurance and the other at another pharmacy and pay with cash, will that flag the DEA and cause my PM to get a notification of "Doctor shopping"? I am just trying to have enough meds to get me through an extra month until my husbands new job let's us get medical coverage?

I had to do this one other time a year ago when the same thing happened with me loosing my job because I could no longer work and I wasn't married yet to get my husbands insurance. The first 2 months I had no problem, but the third and LAST month I was needing to do it to get me enough meds to last me the 3 month waiting period, my husband forgot and filled both scripts under the same insurance but just at 2 different pharmacies instead of paying cash at the second one. My pain doctor found this out and thank God I was able to explain my way out of it and he didn't discharge me as a patient, but now in this situation again, I'm afraid to try it one last time til we are settled with yet another health insurance. I would really appreciate anyone's advise or experience they could share regarding my situation. I truly am not a doctor shopper, I am just afraid to run out of meds and be in massive pain and / or risk getting into trouble.

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REPORT

Yes, if you do that, you will be taking the risk of getting yourself flagged. All narcotics prescriptions are tracked and reported to the government. The last time it happened, your doctor was just nice enough to listen to you and neither they, nor the pharmacy called the governments attention to it. However, the possibility of one of them doing so is always there.

It is also highly possible that the government could find out on their own, since as I said, all controlled substance prescriptions are tracked. In that case, even if your doctor doesn't want to do anything, if they contact him about it, he will be forced to account for it.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Oxycodone/­

If you're already planning to pay cash for one of the prescriptions and not use your insurance on it, there won't be that big of a difference if you wait and get it filled at the proper time to avoid the possibility of getting yourself in trouble.

Are there any other comments or questions?

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My dr. Faxed the pharmacy a script of vicodin and gave me scripts written out with his signature can I fill the written one at a different pharmacy?

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I have had this same thing happen to me and as long as you do not use the same pharmacy (obviously) and you make sure to go to a pharmacy that is unaffiliated with the first (no records kept electronically between them) and you only use insurance on ONE of them I say go for it and if some miraculous way you do get questioned, play dumb, like "I totally forgot my husband was picking the other up for me, he never brought it in the house so I assumed the fax didn't go through and I was here grocery shopping" but my money says you won't even run into this problem as most doc's make a very specific point to FAX or give you the HARD COPY,never both, because of this instance!

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I have a weird situation...i had a script for vicoprofenqty 30 from my doctor...i transferred it to another and filled it paying cash because i changed ins and had a month with no ins..thats why i went to another pharm it was much cheaper...well when i looked at my profile at the original pharm it was showing two new perscriptions on file for vicoprofen...i had never had it filled originally cuz it was too expensive. i called my doc to see if they had called another in...no...i called the cust service line for the first pharm to see if these were active scripts...they are..i now have ins can i fill both one with ins one czsh and not get in trouble...they are the same doc

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When you get a rx filled, Irregardless of the pharmacy or if you pay cash, private insurance or government insurance, the info goes into a date base. The basic info is your name, drs name, name of med, strength, amount, number of refills, directions on the rx, other info may also be included. Your dr & pharmacist can see this info. Depending on the state laws, law enforcement may also be able to see the info automatically, in some states they must have permission. If your state has a PMP it is mandatory that this be used. To find out what the laws are in your state, put your state name AND Prescription Monitoring Program in th search bar.

Missouri is the only state that has Pending Legislation regarding Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) There are a few states that have enacted the program but they aren't operational yet. The other states have up and running PMP.

Alliance Of States With Prescription Monitoring Programs-
pmpalliance.org/content/state-pmp-websites

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Some doctors will fire you as a patient for taking controlled substances from another doctor or using different pharmacies and some doctors are ok with either as long as you notify them about doing it as long as the controlled substance is not for what the primary doctor is prescribing them for. The main thing is doctors want to be kept in the medication info loop with their patients, it's for the patient's welfare and the doctors liability. In Texas you would have to actually doctor shop, meaning many doctors and pharmacies to set off any alarms. Some doctors monitor pharmacies for your activity, but most are to busy and most pharmacies have all controlled substance activities by you, if you act like a drug seeker they could look you up. The main thing is to make sure all doctors know about each other and that you used a different pharmacy, if you do this there is NO way the state or government can prove you were deceptive in obtaining multiple controlled substances. I was fired once from a pain doctor for taking one pain medication prescription from a dentist after having 2 wisdom teeth removed, but this doctor had been in trouble with the DEA a couple of times and was firing anyone who took ANY pain meds from any doctor for any reason. The doctor I see now thought that was ridiculous and only requires me to keep them in the loop about other doctors and pharmacies.

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Can anyone answer this! If a doctor did surgery on a knee and gave you 5mg percocet for pain, and you get a rx from a different doctor for 30mg roxys will the pharmacy fill it....keep in mind i been regularly getting roxys from this pain management doctor, who dont do knee surgery.....the doc that did the surgery is an orthopedic but didnt write anything but the 5mg perks....im in jersey and laws are tuff here now...is 5mg perks and 30mg roxys considered the same drug?

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The pharmacy may fill it or they may not, it's up to them. BUT,if you have a contract with your pain management dr, or even if you don't you can be fired/discharged by your pain dr. And it will be very hard to find another pain dr or dr that will rx you pain meds, if you can find one at all.

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Hi, i have been in pm now for almost two yrs. I am 26 and was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. I have been on norco 7.5/mg 3x a day for over a yr and was recently upped to 4x aday. I have always taken my meds right and never ran out early. Last december i had uterine prolapse and had to undergo a hysterectomy. My ob gyn and pm doc were both notified about all my scripts and my ob prescribed me percasets with one refill. So i took them for two months while also taking the 5mg norco my pm prescribed me. At my pm appt we talked bout how the percasets were constipating me and other things. I have always passed all of my u.a's and my pill counts. Now last monday i had two broken molars extracted, and notified the dentist that i was in pm and on norco. He prescribed me 20 5mg hydrocodone anyway. So i figured it was alright to fill it since im only supposed to take my norco four x a day and for my back(they already dont give me complete relief). Well i dropped it off at my reg pharmacy bc i have a contract that says i must use aame pharmacy, they said come back. When i did i was told that even though the dentist authorized it i could not fill it, so i called my pm n asked what was going on? They said i breached the contract and not to do that again, to inform them next time before i had work done. I went n today to pm to get my refill and was told i am discharged bc of that prescription and two others(which had to be the percasets from ob gyn a yr ago, that they knew about!) I am more than a little upset! I have always been very honest and was not trying to decieve anyone! Now i feel stupid for telling the truth! I have an appt with my family doc tomorrow to discuss what happened. My ? Is am i going to have trouble getting my meds now and finding another doctor? And any advice for me on how to handle my family doc tomorrow without making myself look like a "drug seeker"?

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I understand your predicament and concerns, but what you're doing IS considered to be "doctor shopping" and the state or feds could charge you with a crime. I've been a chronic pain suffer for 25 years from an epidural abcess. The control substances they give us is a privilege not a right. If you get caught with multiple oxycontin prescriptions from multiple doctors using multiple pharmacies you will pay a bigger price than you could imagine. You'll wind up with no meds, being arrested and doctors not wanting to see you.I hope you don't get caught...

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Hi my name is cindy and I go too a pm and a orthopedic dr this month i went to fill my script for diliuds bt the pharmacy told me they cannot fill because I go to two diff doc for pain the other med is for perk 10 what should I do drop one doc talk to my doc

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You're very lucky the pharmacy didn't call the police and turn you in for doctor shopping, which is a felony. But to get back to your original question, you didn't specify the amounts of hydromorphone (dose in mg and frequency taken) or 10/325mg oxycodone/acetaminophen "percocet 10" (frequency taken). Everybodies opiate receptors in their brains are a little different, meaning one opiate based drug may work better on pain perception than another even though said drug is supposed to be more potent. The hydromorphone is more powerful than oxycodone, but that doesn't mean it will work better on your pain perception. Only "YOU" can judge what works best on your own pain situation. I was wondering too why you're not on a time released opiate like oxycontin, mscontin or opana, unless cost is a factor. Alot of doctors these days seem to only want to prescribe the more tamper resistant time released opiates for long-term use. I hope that since you are now aware that pharmacies in your state are all using a controlled substance database. That you won't try filling multiple controlled substance prescriptions again, next time you might get arrested. I wish you luck with your pain management issues and hope you find a doctor that isn't afraid to do what's necessary to manage your pain situation.

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can the coast guard find out what prescriptions I receive if I don't claim them on my app?

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Anyone trying to fill more than one Rx of the same controlled substance at different pharmacies (regardless of whether the same doc signed both Rx's or not) is asking for trouble. Many states have a Prescription Monitoring Program in place now. The pharmacist at Pharmacy #1 will enter your Rx info - Say OxyContin 20mg. Then you get a second Rx somewhere for OxyContin 20mg. Even if you take the second prescription to another pharmacy - even a pharmacy without any association to the first pharmacy at all - the pharmacist at Pharmacy #2 will get a red flag that you've already filled a prescription at another pharmacy for that medication. Doesn't matter if you fill the first Rx at CVS and the second Rx at Walgreens - in many states, the state's database of prescriptions for controlled substances will show wherever you go to have the Rx filled in that state. BUT, if you got a prescription for OxyContin 20mg and a prescription for OxyContin 30mg, you can get away with filling both prescriptions at different pharmacies. The way that the drug is identified by the Prescription Monitoring Program is through what is known as the NDC (National Drug Code) number. EVERY product is assigned an NDC number - and if the dose of the pill is different, then a different NDC number has been assigned.

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I have a problem. My Dr got in trouble with the dea for writing too many narcotics out. He wrote them out to anyone that walked in the door and was well known for doing that. I have Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome, osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. About 4 years ago, he put me on 5/500 hydrocodone. Then he sent me to a pain clinic and she put me on 10/325 hydrocodone. After my brother died, I was depressed and crying at my appt. with my regular Dr and he asked me what the pain clinic dr had me on so I showed him my bottle. He said well I can write that for you so he did and continued to until he got into trouble. When I went to him and he told me he could no longer write me out pain meds he suggested I go to a pain clinic again. I did not want to go to the one I went to before, long story that is irrelevant to the issue at hand. Long story short, my regular Dr wrote me a rx for 60 to wean me off the meds. I still had one refill left on the 180 pills a month he was giving me.so I held onto the rx he gave me. Meanwhile I went to a Neurologist who put me on amitriptylene. I tried them and they made me swell up all over especially in my knees where my osteoarthritis is the worst so I stopped taking them. I made another appt with my regular Dr and told him what was going on. He wrote me another rx for 60 more. I showed him I still had the first one he gave me and he said take this one also and get them filled when you can and they should last until you can get in with the pain clinic. Two weeks went by before I was contacted by the pain clinic. The soonest they could see me was 12/24/13 by this time I had already had one of the two rx filled so I still had one. I called the Dr's office to let them know I still have one rx for 60 but that wouldnt be enough to last until my appt on the 24th so they called a rx in for me for 60. Remember I still had the rx for 60 and I told them this,.That would have given me enough but now they will not fill this last one for me. I took it to the drugstore and the pharmacist said she would have to call the Dr's office and see what was going on. So now I have 3 weeks and no meds. I thought I wouldnt have any problems getting it filled since my Dr had wrote it out for me but they want to make it difficult for me and tell me I cannot get it filled now?? Any suggestions? Please don't bash me I am already going through enough hell right now being in pain and terrified of getting pill sick. Thanks.

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Been using the same dr for a year and mainly the same pharmacy. Prescription is norco 7.5. Started seeing diffrent dr and last week he called in a prescription for 10mg. pharmacy filled it n didnt say nething. Well my orifinal dr called in norco prescription to same place the othe day called pharmacy n they said I couldnt get it till tuesday. Im worried if I call bout it they will notice n call cops I dont want to go to jail am I just worried.

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If you are not honest with your doctors, then you could be getting zero prescriptions. It will make your DR very angry.

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Doctor shop all you want. You pay the bill.

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so u r gonna dumb enough to try it again? u wont b able to talk ur way out of it a second time being your 1st time is on record with dea! that is just plain dumb! u need to go to a dr that will medicate u for all your problems! its people like you who make the drug laws tougher for the ones of us that really do it legally! i cant believe u r even dumb enough to put it on the internet that u r breaking the law like that!

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i alsp have fybromyalgia from head to toe, had a 5 level fusion in my neck ,3 level fusion in my back, arthritis from head to toe,i have a nureo stimulator implant that is giving me immense pain,i have had 8 failed back surgeries i am on lyrica for the fybro it helps some, 50mg oxymorphine 3x's a day and percosets 3 -325/10 mg and zanaflex 4mg 2-3x's a day and still have a lot of pain but i settle for what i am getting instead of getting scripts and holding onto them and getting more scripts. my meds r due at different times of the month when my dr.gives me a script i directly take it to the pharmacy and they fill it when it comes due. if u r gonna run out your dr. could give u enough juet to get u to the 24th. that is soley up to him. good luck, Really if that is all the meds u r on and u r only taking them and not buying off the street i doubt u dont have much to worry bout being pill sick

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Re: Mark (# 240)

Thank u I considered it and went with it was too much of a risk and just didn't do it thank u all for Ur input

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Re: Brich (# 239)

The PMP aka prescription monitoring program in your state that is connected to every pharmacy computer in every state will probably flag 2 hydrocodone prescriptions that are despenced so close to each other and then again nothing may happen, but if it does you can bet the dentist and neurologist will not prescribe narcotics to you ever again if you get flagged! They'll both say you should have told us about the others prescription. They'll cover themselves, you can bet on that as a fact if it gets flagged!
It's your life and if you weren't concerned you wouldn't be on here asking questions!
I'd say air on the side of caution, but that's me!
You and I both know that the pharmacy Nazis are out in full force, so why risk getting flagged and just be upfront. Both doctors will say they asked you if you were getting pain medications from another doctor. Whether they did or not is irrelevant because they will cover themselves like I said before. If you get flagged the doctors will burn you!
Protect yourself!

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Re: Mark (# 238)


I have signed no contract with either so is it really necessary to discuss this with either?

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Re: Brich (# 237)

Possibly... You need to be up front with both doctors asap so it doesn't look like your doctor shopping even though you're probably justified with the dental procedure being done with extra medication. They're just getting really ridiculous in this whole Nazi opiate mentality these days... Years back no one would've even thought twice about these 2 prescriptions because they're independent of each other completely for different reasons, but today you're a drug seeker until proven innocent... Get a head of it before you get flagged. If you signed any type of medication agreement with the neurologist you'll have to contact them asap to let them know about the dentist and if you signed anything with the dentist you'll need to contact them!

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Re: TAD (# 33)

Ok so I saw my neurologist on Feb 2nd, 2018 and they prescribed me 90 5mg hydrocodone, and my dentist prescribed me 20 10 mg hydrocodone, and I was gonna get it filled tomorrow which is Feb 12th, 2018. Will this red flag me?

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Re: Beth In WA (# 232)

Just my 2 cents on this ridiculous situation we chronic pain sufferers find ourselves in these days... Basically we the patient have to stay on top of all our medications in our possession! The doctor can mess up, the pharmacist can mess up, BUT it doesn't matter because in the end we the defenseless patients are held to a higher standard. We're the ones who will be punished! Playing stupid isn't a defense to knowing the truth. You know what's right or wrong by today's ruthless standards! The days of having extra medication to fall back on because your pain situation got worse are over, nobody cares! Going to the emergency room will more than likely get you labeled drug seeker especially if it happens several times. The only way you could get me to go to an emergency room these days is if I were unconscious because the only thing that hasn't been stolen from me is my dignity and I'm not about to let some emergency room goofball treat me like a drug addict! We have to keep track of exactly when our fill dates are for our medications. Don't let 29 days overlap too much because then you'll have extra pills and a state prescription monitoring program may flag you. Stay on top of when your fill dates should be. Doctors can make mistakes, but you're the one who will pay for it! If you think I'm being ridiculous, it's only going to get worse and if you don't watch out for yourself no one else is going to.

About 6 years ago where I live there was a pain management doctor who was prescribing all their patients a 30 day supply every 28 days (not my doctor) they did this for many years. Needless to say this doctor got in trouble with the DEA, DPS and the Texas medical board after a new prescription monitoring program caught this occurring. Basically, all of the patients got an extra prescription a year. The doctor lost narcotic prescribing permission for just 1 year and paid a small fine, BUT the patients were the ones who ultimately paid the price! They all got blacklisted and for some it took many years to straighten it out! I think we all know that once a federal, state or local government starts something that it's almost impossible to stop it! Here's an example of that... This is also a prime example of WE the patient must and have to stay on top of our prescription fill dates everytime! It's your pain medication(s) that could be and are in jeopardy. This is a privilege getting these narcotic medications and not a right, treat it like that and you're already ahead of the situation!

When I see a new entry on this thread of Dilemma With 2 Narcotic Scripts it just amazes me that in this day and time someone doesn't know what's right or wrong about possessing 2 narcotic prescriptions or trying to see if there's a way to excuse it away... It reminds me of the old saying ignorance is no excuse of the law and if you play with fire you'll get burned... Ultimately if you have to ask...that's your common sense telling you DON'T DO IT!

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Re: Beth In WA (# 232)

If he honestly filled them unknowingly and you knew he shouldn’t have, you should have the full prescription. I think your only hope of not being dismissed by your pain doctor is to explain what happened and bring the full unused prescription with you to your appointment. If you used that medication knowing you shouldn’t have and don’t have the full prescription to show and turn, then I agree with the other poster, when your doctor sees that you filled them through the prescription monitoring system you will be dismissed and go through hell ever finding another PM doctor to prescribe to you. Best of luck.

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Re: Beth In WA (# 232)

Your doctor will know what was filled, where, who wrote it, how many, the directions, etc by looking your profile up on your states Prescription Monitoring Program.

Be prepared for your pain doctor to dismiss you. And for it to be difficult to impossible to find another doctor that will manage your pain. If you are extremely luck these things won't happen. But, be prepared for them.

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I am taking Tylenol 4 and still have a 2 week supply left. Went to PM and they are about to call in 7.5 hydrocodone. Can I fill it now since it's a different medicine that is stronger?

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Slightly freaked out and worried... I am currently a pain management patient- I live in Washington State- my pain doctor prescribes me two 5mg Percocet a day for 28 days. Last week for the first time in my life I had to have an emergency root canal because I had a horrible tooth infection spring up out of nowhere. So incredibly painful. My dentist gave me a prsx for 12 Vicodin, which my husband filled unknowingly to me. And he used a different pharmacy (right next to my dentist) than I get my Percocet filled at. Will my pain management doctor be notified? Should I tell her? I don’t know what I should do.

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