Getting Prescriptions From 2 Different Doctors For Pain Meds But There Are Conditions (Page 6) (Top voted first)

Well I just really need to know if what I am doing is considered doctor shopping. I fell at at department store and injured my knee. Now I have to go to the doctor the lawyer sent me to. He prescribes pain meds for me but the only thing he can treat is my knee. I started having back problems. My primary care doctor sent me to a different doctor and he also gives me meds. But the pharmacy said they would call the doctors and tell on me. So I went and ahead and told the doctors myself so that it would not look as bad. What do you think will happen to me? The pharmacy refused to give me back my prescription. Can they do that?

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smtibtiwin, your dr will find out about it by looking you up in your states Prescription Monitoring Program. He can also see if you've gotten any other controlled meds filled from any other dr. The pharmacy may also call your dr to verify the second rx if you try to get it filled.

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This is in response to "mtibtiwin" - Wait about 28 days and fill the other prescription! I am a chronic pain patient whose doc practices a significant distance from my home. I see him every 3 months, we review my meds for effectiveness and any other issues, and then he writes me 3 prescriptions, all dated the day of my appointment, which are to be filled for pain relief for each of the next 3 months, about 28 days apart. Sometimes they indicate on each of them the month it may be filled or how many days I have to wait in order to fill the next prescription; sometimes they don't. It doesn't really matter if they do or not because my pharmacy and insurance company will only refill after a certain number of days anyway. As long as the prescriptions are from the same doctor (and, if possible, filled at the same pharmacy), there's no problem. Yes, there are places (including your pharmacy and ins. company) where your doctor could check out what meds you had filled. However, since the same doctor wrote you these prescriptions for post-surgical pain, as long as you wait the appropriate amount of time between refills it's fine. The fact that you filled the one written second isn't really relevant either; prescriptions are valid for a few months from the date written; the exact time may vary from state to state. In any case, unless you have a history of drug abuse or some other extenuating circumstance, I highly doubt that your busy doctor routinely checks his/her post-surgical patients' filling of pain medication prescriptions that he/she wrote for post-surgical pain, especially not for only two months. It's not unusual to take pain medication for two months following back surgery. And there's nothing about doing any of this that will get your doctor in trouble. Entities like the DEA look for doctors who write an unusually great number of opioid prescriptions for excessively high amounts and for patients who get large prescriptions of controlled substances from multiple doctors. I think it's worth mentioning that when I had surgery a year ago, the surgeon wrote me a single prescription for a third (different) pain medication which I filled; I filled my regular prescriptions for two narcotic pain meds that month as usual. I used my regular pharmacy for all of them with no problem. I did inform my primary care physician about this to which he responded, "Good!" Given that I have a chronic pain condition that can be severely exacerbated by stresses such as surgery (among other things), his concern and the surgeon's concern were that my surgical pain be kept well under control so that it wouldn't trigger a worsening of my usual pain condition. The USA medical establishment is rated as one of the worst, if not THE worst, at addressing pain control, in general because insurance companies and the DEA try to practice medicine, rather than letting doctors determine what their patients need and also because addicts and abusers have given pain control medications a bad name. You've had surgery, you're entitled to pain relief, your doctor has given it to you--USE IT IF NECESSARY!:-)

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smtibtiwin, most states now require a dr to check a patients profile in the state Prescription Monitoring Progream before writting a rx for pain meds. It doesn't matter if the patient is post op or not.

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If your state has Doctor Shopping Laws, yes it is. You will also be breaking the pain contracts you sign which will more than likely leave you without being able to find a dr who will treat your pain. Put your, state name and doctor shopping in your search bar to see what laws, if any, your state has regarding this.

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I believe that you must be honest with both drs. and tell them both that you are getting pain meds from two different drs. I believe, at least in my case, the two drs. spoke with each other and decided that my pain management dr. should prescribe for all conditions. This happened to me when I fractured my pelvis and my primary care dr. prescribed pain meds. (I don't remember what) but I told her that (at that time) I was getting hydrocodone from a pain management dr. They chose to speak to each other and decided that my pain management would treat me for my back pain and my new fracture pain. Most especially where controlled narcotic medications are concerned it is very important to be up front and honest at all costs with every doctor about your pain meds. The risk of not doing so can be very harsh and you would be really sorry and upset if you were considered to be dr. shopping. I hope this helps. It sounds like you did tell your dr. which is good. As far as the pharmacy not giving you back your prescription, that one I don't know, though it sounds like obviously they can. It doesn't seem right though, I agree.................

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BL - What an arrogant know-it-all you are! Sarcastically telling Allessio that, "for someone in that much pain, you certainly are able to move around a lot" is completely uncalled for. First, many people maintain homes in more than one state, living in the northern part of the country, for instance, in the summer and in a southern state like Florida during the winter. Plus, there are also multiple other reasons why someone would move frequently. My husband's career required that we move every few years and the fact that I was in terrible pain from a chronic, incurable pain condition didn't change this. I simply had to gut it out, pack up and move. Because of moving from the West to the East Coast to the Midwest, I have received prescriptions for pain pills from doctors in three different states in the last ten years. When on the East Coast,the doctor who had been writing my prescriptions went back to school so I was transferred to another doctor who then was the one who wrote my prescriptions. This means that in 7 years, I had prescriptions written by four different doctors. Taken at face value, without explanation, I presume someone like you would think I was moving around the country just to get prescriptions for pain medications from a variety of physicians. Also, if one lives in New Jersey, it wouldn't be uncommon for them to see a specialist in New York. My brother lives in New Jersey but, when he developed leukemia with complications, he received treatment first in New Jersey and later in New York. Given the fact that this person had 6 shoulder surgeries, 3 of which failed, then had a back surgery, you have 7 surgeries which were probably performed in the location where Alessio was living at the time. When you're suffering as Alessio was obviously suffering, you aren't always thinking about the fact that doing what the doctor tells you to do (like fill a prescription for pain relief) might cause problems. If you've had lots of surgeries with lots of complications, it makes perfect sense that you've had pain medications prescribed by various doctors. The problem is that these doctors didn't stop to think that there might be a very good reason why this patient had pain med prescriptions written by a number of doctors over 10 years. They simply made assumptions (as you have) and reacted to address their primary concern--covering their own backsides even if their action was unwarranted and caused yet more suffering for the patient. And people like you are one of the reasons so many people suffer unnecessarily, day after day, and live their lives in unremitting pain. Shame on you! I assume you will now offer another self-righteous, self-justifying nasty response. It seems to be your style.

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I did take the second "mistake" prescription into the pharmacy about 28 days later , and it was filled, no questions asked. Thanks

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BL did you even read what u just posted. It even says in that article all states and DC have dr shopping laws

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Actually you are incorrect about how pain meds work---whether dental or surgical pain, the meds work on the same pain receptors. And you are also wrong about PA law. Good luck with your future in jail.

PA RN

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Drshoppingpro,
I just think you're freaking brilliant that's all. Everything you wrote is right on and your cat should be commended for staying strong and not going back to the drugs. Bravo.

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Use your brain. This kinda stuff makes it harder for us all to get meds. One doctor who handles your pain.. one not two. They have a data base and I'm surprised that you have not been cut off yet.

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Yes they have database so if you fill the prescription they will know

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You filling your Mom's rx will be viewed as a problem. Hopefully your Mom can get into see another Dr and only she needs to be filling her rxs.

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My heart feels your angst. Take this from someone (me) who's "been around" as they say. Physically go to the Dr's office. Preferably first thing in the morning because they are always in the best mood first thing. Be as genuinely concerned, remorseful, worried etc as I can tell you really are. Don't call first, just be there at 8:00 or 9:00am, so you're the first person there. Be VERY nice yet assert yourself if necessary to the receptionist or nurse, whichever one greets you. Explain your issue in as little words as possible. Beg for another chance. I believe I read that y'all never signed a contract. If that's true, play dumb. You didn't know you weren't supposed to fill the second script. I also think I read that you have all the medication from the prescription got you in trouble. If so, take those with you so the Dr can see no one's taken them or sold them etc...Do this tomorrow. Get it over with asap. Please let us know how things work out! I'm with you in spirit!

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I can't even make out what you are trying to say! Did you fill 2 pain med scripts?? Simply tell your Dr. the situation. Bring to him the pills that you did not take and hand them over to him. Listen to the girl who gave you info on 8/13. You can't fill scripts from 2 different docs for pain meds ever. They are really cracking down on that. It's not you'r fault though. Like she said...Go in the AM and be the first on in the office. Sell your Dr your story.

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I wish the best of luck with the doctor. Post back and let us know what happens.

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Just talking to the receptionist will get you no where. Listen carefully, you MUST go to the office first thing in the morning because those people are weary & mean at the end of the day. The receptionist at the last pain clinic I attended was the devil incarnate. EVERYONE thought so and I don't know how she kept her job but she did and she RAN that place. Even the Drs were afraid of her. The receptionist at your mother's pain specialist could very well be lying to you about the Dr on vacation. Where are you located? Are you on the west coast or something? No.Wait. There's only 3 hours difference between east and west coast. Is your mother in pain as we speak? If so, give her the medicine you have. You have no choice tonight. Give her the medicine and make her comfortable. I've got to take care of something here but I promise I'll get back to you tonight because I want to encourage you some more. All is NOT lost!

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Hi Victor,
I've been reading back over the postings on this thread pertaining to your situation just to make sure I have the facts straight. It's a lil bit complicated but I totally get the gist of it. I still can see where the receptionist that told you the Dr's been on vacation is lying to you. Why? Because part of the job of the receptionist and the nurses is to run interference for the Dr.. I was just thinking that if you don't speak to the Dr face to face, you could write him a letter, first of all letting him know that YOU'RE YOUR MOM'S CARETAKER. You drive & help her get into and out of all Dr appts, drop off and pick up her prescriptions etc... You should detail the why's when's and how's of the "double script" incident.That you came in to speak to him in person on the thursday of the week he was on vacation according to the receptionist. That you really and truly DID NOT know you couldn't fill the script from the Neurologist(?)which was written back on July something.That you filled the scripts at the same pharmacy on the same day thru the same pharmacist, that y'all received the dismissal letter from him which is devastating especially since no one ever explained verbally or in writing that to fill the script written by the surgeon(or was it the neurologist?)was against the rules. That you and you alone made the decision to fill it as you stood in front of the Pharmacist who told you it was ok to do that. That you filled it in case your Mother with the bad back, that you're the caretaker for got into a bind because of god know's what, hurricane,terrorist attack, any number of disasters which could cause there to be a lapse in Dr visits leaving her in pain. Tell him you brought the whole entire bottle of medicine which caused the issue to prove you did not fill it so you could take it yourself to get "high", divert it or whatever sinister reason a dishonest person might have to underhandedly do something like that. Let him know it wasn't your Mother, the patient who desperately needs his care and she shouldn't be penalized for something you did. Address the letter to him like this, Robert Smith, MD or DO or whatever the case may be. This part is VERY important. Write in big red letters across the bottom of the front and back of the envelope ****PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL****. I hope this makes some sort of sense to you. I was late for an appt once at the clinic I'd attended for 8 years as a model patient. The devil incarnate receptionist told me she'd have to reschedule me and the first avail was 2 weeks away! It was near the end of the day, no patients were waiting and I could see the Dr and Nurse standing around waiting for three oclock so they could leave. I knew my doctor wouldn't want me to run out of medicine because I was 25 minutes late. Especially that the appt takes less than 5 minutes and they were done for the day. I let the devil woman give me the appt card & as I was leaving I knocked on the door to the exam rooms. The nurse I'd known since day one answered the door and invited me in, where I explained that I was very sorry to be late but if I had to wait 2 weeks to refill my medication I'd be in medical emergency mode. Of course he instructed his nurse what to write, he signed it, I hugged his neck and left asap.....

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oh my goodness, you got it, you totally got it. and you know what, i actually think the doc gets it, not sure if i ever stated this part but how i actually got into see him was by finding his personal email on the internet, dont ask me how i did it, and he heard me, listened to my moms needs and told me to call the office which took three phone calls, 4 faxes and reception calling stanford and saying the doc only gives inj's., no medications, so Stanford Medical center was telling me to find another Doc but i said no, i told them i personally through email talked with him, he gets it and so i kept the appt for my mom, Ive already done exactly what you said except the personal and confidential is in bold black, the letter explains my error and what i do for my mom, my only worry is the surgeons NP who wrote the script finally told me shed fax over a letter stating the date of last script given and that no more were authorized, i got a copy of the script and attached to the letter. so anyway, we are not there yet but i believe a lot closer as the good doctor responded to my email 47 minutes ago stating he would see what he could do. With my moms surgery and recovery and 3 months of searching for a pain mgt doctor here, it has been weighing heavily on me. I wish i had met you when i began this journey with my mom, she was diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, had knee replacement surgery canceled, sent to Stanford medical center, where the doctors couldnt understand how she was not paralyzed, went through a 9 hour surgery where the replaced numerous discs, straightened her spinal cord in several places, hollowed out her spinal canal and used the excess for the new discs and inserted a stryker oasis device that looks like a contraption from a sci fi movie. there was no time to think about it, she was in surgery less than two weeks after diagnosis and they wanted it sooner. Im disgusted with the orthopedic surgeon who would only prescribe norco since 2006, never increasing dosage and giving cortizone shots while waiting for 9 yrs to schedule surgery on knees, Im disgusted with the primary care provider of over10 years who never followed up with his referral to that ortho doc, and for never givng referral to pain management at the same time it was his referral to neurologist that caught the spinal disease, even so we had to dismiss him from service while my mom was in rehab after surgery because he wouldnt respond to nurses requesting pain medications for my mother for an entire day, the dismissal was a formality so that the house doctor could prescribe, and when me and my father met with the doc about this, he seemed mortified, I realize that doctors are human beings, there are bad ones and good ones and if you can connect on a human level, he or she is my doc. Im happy to at least report that my mother and father have a new primary care physician and she, yep, SHE is fabulous, i will keep you posted with regard to the doc, seeing what he can do, i dont want to be pushy so i dont know if he goes back tomorrow or if i am to call him but i need to do something. Any advice on how to continue with this, i dont know what, i will see what i can do, means, i just know he is listening and thats a good thing. I know i need to tread lightly here, to have my mother in pain is not something that i can live with, because she busted her butt working hard labor so we could have a better life. sorry for the long winded story.

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I am in total agreement with you, I never realized how lazy my parents PCP was until the problems and mistakes started happening, and going from private practice to a group, he really changed, and thats fine, but if youre not gonna handle youre business, let us know and we shall seek elsewhere, so after 10 plus years we did. and now they have a new doc, who also happens to be a beautiful lady. shes not most docs from what ive seen so far and i have a suspicion that neither is the pain mgt doctor who emailed me back. i sent him another email after lunch letting him know that i did come to the office and i did provide a copy of a personal and confidential letter along with copies of the 27 plus meds im managing for my parents and copy of script, i also let him know that he should have a fax from the prescribing doc in stanford stating no longer prescribing. And say that i think this doc actually cares about his patients, i mean, he couldve done the easier thing months ago from day one, when i first found his personal email, he didnt have to respond, but he did, and after this incident, i reached out and again, a response. where we live, doctors can pick and choose their patients, hopefully he gets back to me today with some good news, will keep posted.

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