Dilemma With 2 Narcotic Scripts From 2 Doctors (Page 9)

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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BL yes I get up at night to take them as the pain is too much to handle where it wakes me from my sleep the bottle said take one tablet by mouth every 4-6hrs as needed for pain which comes to what you originally said would only last me 10 days I guess I will attempt to find a pharmacy a non organization pharmacy! This sucks that one bad seeds mess it up for everyone that truly needs it! Had my back went out on me before I filled my rx last week I would've had the dr just write the Percocet for more quantity then I wouldn't be in this situation!!

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I've been getting vyvanse for the past six months, get them filled every twenty eight days. Last month I got them on the 8th I left my script with pharmacy on the 2nd called on the 6th asked if it was ready, they told me not till 7th. Called to check if it was ready the pharmist told me it was to soon insurance would not pay until 8th and he also said I should have a stock pile extra from getting other months early. Why would he say that and what right does he have telling me that. I'm thinking of switching pharmacy because they are very rude to other customers

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Tamtam, If the prescription is a 30 day supply and you always get it filled at 28 days its obvious you have a number of tablets left. It sounds more like your insurance company than the pharmacist
ADHD meds are widely abused and due to that there is a push on to be sure someone doesn't have more than a few days extra, if that much.

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I saw Dr. Famous in California the past 5 years. Due to new regulations in state it is highly difficult if anything to get your normal medications.

Your pharmacies in Cali are only allowed one wholesaler. You probably note many shut down who do pain meds when empty. Also Oxycontin due to Jerry Brown is a problem drug and the stringent double checks on this means no do not do this at all and never in the future.

Now in California you must see a PM specialist. This original post is 4 years old.

Peace out.

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I agree with u Jane,wtf do u wanna risk having to go thru withdrawal and maybe move to using street drugs,it's 2016,you can't beat the computer,and yes people who abuse their meds are ruining it for people in real pain,like veterans with real injury and pain,not some disc herniation

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I get my pain Meds from the VA. With the new laws in place I only receive a 28 day supply. My problem with the VA is I never get my refill on time. I went to a PM dr and got a RX for my Meds. Will I get in trouble if I continue getting Meds from the VA? One problem with the VA is if you stop getting your RX filled then you need there help later you have to go through BS to get back with them.

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CC , you may end up not beign able to get pain meds from VA or the private sector. When you sign a pain contract you agree to not get pain meds from any other dr except that dr. VA and the private sector will know about the prescription through the Prescription Monitoring Programs Database in your state. That is a database with all of the pain medications and often other medications, that you have gotten filled in that state. It lists your name, the drs name, where the meds were dispensed, the name of the med, the milligram, how many tablets, the directions, how long the meds should last you, etc.

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CC sooner than later the computerized data base with all your filled controlled substance prescriptions is going to catch up to you like an anchor around your neck. They can charge you with a Felony and you won't be prescribed anything by any doctor as you will be on your state's blacklist. You are literally playing with fire! I don't know what the statute of limitations is for prosecution, but they can come back and charge you if they so desire.
I just now saw on the news that Obama is going after Opiate abuse as one of his top priorities with his time left in office... People doctor shopping, which is basically what you're doing are a top priority to catch them.

If you are having problems with the VA and are running out of your narcotic pain medications before you're getting your next refill. I might suggest taking less medicine like one pill less a day and build up a small surplus for a short period. Taking one less pill a day building a safety net is alot better than having NO medicine and better than going to jail for doctor shopping and get blacklisted!
Becareful because Obama is fixing to severely crack down on anyone not following the law concerning opiates...

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Thanks for the info. I think I'll just let the VA Know I will be getting my Meds from my PM dr. I don't want to raise any flags.
The problem with the VA is they send the Meds by USPS and if your not home it's a extra trip to the post office. Also it's a pain to order your Meds.
I'm Really disappointed in the DEA and the VA when this change was made.
I'm Lucky and can handle my pain for a cpl of days. I just feel for the older vets that are having issues.

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This isn't President Obama or the DEA. The pain contracts are suggested guidelines and carry no legal weight. If you're receiving pain meds from one dr and they are lasting long enough, you need to talk to your dr. There is no reason for anyone to be going to two different drs for pain meds, unless the drs are aware of it and agree to it. It looks like the person is either abusing the pain meds or is selling them.

The law states that a dr can write 3-30 day Schedule II prescriptions at one visit with different fill dates on them.

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My pharmacy charged me 3 times the amount for my prescription than the previous person. They said it was none of my business take it or do without. I take 2 pills a day for my back. One in the morning one at night. Can they do this?

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Maddy, it is possible that the price has gone up. Or that this pharmacy just charges more than the other one. When something like this happens and you can't get an intelligent answer from the pharmacy clerk, you need to talk to the pharmacist.

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Maybe I wasn't clear. I have been taking a small amount of pain medication for several years, one pill in the morning, one at night. I am doing everything I physically can, exercise, strength training, diet, and a small amount of pain medication to avoid surgery. It terrifies me. But all of a sudden I have problems filling my prescription. There was a person in front of me at the pharmacy, same drug, same amount. His was 70$ cheaper than mine. Was pretty much told "tough"! Is that legal??

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Maddy is it a chain pharmacy like Walgreens, CVS, etc... or is it an independent, like a mom and pop?

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Mom and Pop. Had to resort to that because CVS , Wal-Mart started telling me they were out. Starting in November. I can't think of anything I have done wrong.

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Maddy is it possible someone has stolen your identity and has filled prescriptions in your name?

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Can't see any reason why. Nothing would make me think so. I have been dealing with this back issue for some time and I have managed to control it just not completely healing it. I just don't want it to get any worse because I will absolutely fight tooth and nail before I have surgery. I take a small amount and small dosage. I read the quantity that other people take and I can't imagine the trouble I would have if I had to do more.

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Maddy all I can think of would be to try a different mom and pop/independent pharmacy and see what happens. Maybe using different pharmacies in a short period of time has set off some kind of flag in the state your in.
It just seems strange that all of a sudden you're having these issues especially with such a small amount being prescribed.
Maybe your doctor is flagged for over prescribing or the DEA is investigating him/her...

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Thank you for your response although I am still a little curious as to the legality of charging me $120 and the guy before me $38

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Maddy, it sounds like the person in front of you had insurance. How do you know that the person in front on you got the same medication and the same amount? It is not customary for the pharmacy clerk to call out the name of the medication, the milligram and the number of doses in the prescription. Even if the person didn't have insurance, which there was no way for you to know if they did or didn't, they could have gotten smaller milligram than you were prescribed. The only other thing that it could be is if they ran out of the cheaper generic with the last customer and had to fill yours with a more expensive one. With the exception of price changes anywhere along the line, there is no other reason that I can think of that you would have been charged that much more. If your dr was being investigated that would not have any reflection on the price you paid.

About not being able to find the med at other pharmacies, at the end of the year it is common for pharmacies to run out if some Schedule II meds. The manufacturers are only given so much active ingredient at the first of the year and by the end of the year, sometimes they have used all of it. It can take a little time for them to manufacturer and do everything that is involved with ordering and shipping to get it to the pharmacies. Before you get your next prescription filled, you may want to ask for the price of it before they fill it.

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