No Duragesic In Los Angeles (Page 2) (Top voted first)

My pharmacy and spine doctor are both very reputable. I went in as normal to get my 45 duragesic (fentanyl) patches in 50 mcg strength and was told pharmacy is out of stock and cannot order anymore! Each and every pharmacy says they have it and when I go in to get the prescription filled they say they are out. The range is Walgreens, CVS, hospital pharmacies, you name it and I have spent all day on buses to other locations. I live in SFV and Santa Monica. I called the Attorney General, the Governor, the manufacturer, DEA - no one will talk and most say they are unaware of the problem. All pharmacies tell me they are unable to order them. What is going on? I must be targeted for some reason and have asked. No one is complaining or posting any concerns. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS. I AM SENIOR WITH A HEART CONDITION AND WITH SEEMINGLY NO ALTERNATIVE. All state agencies say this problem is between the doctor and pharmacy. No one will help. I am next phoning the police as I wonder if they put something in the system to block my ability to get meds filled. There are harassment issues (they impounded my car inappropriately, etc) and I seek legal advice. Does anyone have this problem with getting highly controlled meds? I have been sterling in my responsibility to take medication prudently. {edited for privacy}

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Sadly ALL legitimate pain patients are in or about to be in your spot. I have multiple sclerosis, failed double spine surgery syndrome, obstructive lung disease, neuropathy, and a host of other conditions all causing up to severe pain and I too have been pulled off all my pain medication. And in June 2017 suffered a massive heart attack mainly due to the stress of being in severe pain and trying to COPE without my opioid pain meds I used to get and was on for 15 years. Even me with all my illness and disease am no longer getting my pain meds and my quality of life has dropped down to practically no quality at all. And for Gods sake I don’t use illicit drugs, don’t drink, and don’t even use marijuana. I stayed 100% compliant all those years on my pain contract and it made NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER. I still was dropped from my pain meds and told I would just have to “tough it out” from then on unless I was going to die within six months. And then only hospice could help me. The OPIOID EPIDEMIC has ruined my life!!! All I can do now is suffer and pray I don’t have ANOTHER heart attack and die. So damn ANGRY. So damn FURIOUS. So damn HOPELESS. Karri in oregon

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Re: Karri (# 20)

I definately feel your pain&anger! I to was fully compliant with my meds and contacts. What happened to the Hippocratic oath? Thanks to this so called epidemic my life is none at all! Why aren't reporters talking about our crisis? It's so pathetic! My prayers are with you hun! ?

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Re: Silverlining (# 21)

People are not talking about the legitimate pain med users because it is not politically popular. They are so wrapped up in painting everyone with the same brush of "abuser" that they could care less about the ones that legitamately need pain meds.

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Re: Silverlining (# 21)

I just remembered that back in the 80's the Governor of Colorado made a speech that said sick and elderly people had a "duty to die". There was some discussion about his statement but he was protected for the most part because he was a democrat. It is hard to get any assistance when you have a group of people being taught that sick and elderly people have a "duty to die".

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Re: w john (# 23)

That's ok soon as more people die or are filling hospitals due to having heart attacks, going insane, etc. from being forced to deal with their pain maybe then they'll get it! because it's a definite that more will die & become disabled due to being neglected then have o.d'd. I'd love to see some of these politicians and Dr's all have a serious accident or being diagnosed with a painful disease other than cancer and told they'll have to "just deal with it". Leaving them unable to do ANYTHING but litter in bed, then we'll see how bad opiates are & all who need them are addicts!

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Re: Silverlining (# 24)

I am not sure what it will take to get the pendulum to swing the other way to a more moderate position. I know that as long as the manufacturers are encouraged to reformulate their generic medication and Pharmacies are encouraged and okayed to peddle the worst and cheapest generics available all chronic pain patients will be screwed. That doesn't even take into consideration the abuse of the Doctor's that prescribe pain meds. The Doctor situation is the easiest to control, provided the Doctors do not have some agenda that they are trying to promote. The Doctors may need to document solid evidence of why they prescribe what they prescribe and that may include appropriate "step" therapy that builds up to the appropriate administration of the right pain meds. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Anyone that can wean themselves off of these horrible generics needs to think about that. For those with a serious issue, I guess we can just hope for relief from this assault on the "opioids".

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I would like to share a situation that does not involve the inability to get a particular strength of medication but it does suggest that the government is fighting the war on drugs by punishing people with medical conditions resulting in chronic pain and prescriptions then arbitrarily deciding how much/ how often / if your medication will be available. As of January 1 CVS Caremark decided that after 10 years I could have 10 fentanyl duragesic patches every 25 days when for the past 10 years I have received 15 every 30 days. I appealed twice and was turned down. My final chance is by doing an external appeal through the state. This will take 2-4 months to complete once all requested information is provided. I have “shown no signs of tolerance or addictive behavior” in my doctors words. It’s not fair that my insurance which is considered a “premium” health plan is dictating the schedule for my meds. After an attempt to switch to different meds last year it was obvious that my withdrawal symptoms are severe and long lasting. I work full- time which will be impossible for me to do when I run out of the supply I have been given for this 25 day period. I have never heard of maintenance medication being prescribed in intervals shorter than 30 days. Has anyone else encountered a similar situation?

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Re: Hop63 (# 26)

Is there any chance you could afford to outright buy the patches instead of using insurance? I hope you win your appeal. I would love to see legal suits brought to stop this injustice.

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Re: Deborah (# 27)

Why legal suits are not being filed against these awful manufacturers of generic opioids is beyond me. NORMALLY, a case will be filed by any law firm that specializes in litigation. If any law firm just inquired about injured people on this site alone they would get a mountain of responses. I think this shows just what a hot button topic this "opioid epidemic" is. When you can't get a law firm that specializes in litigation to at least look into this problem that speaks volumes. Normally, these law firms will file any credible case that they believe will be profitable for them. We have all seen the tv commercials saying "if you take_____ and have been injured please contact us at the following number_____". NOT for these awful generics and it is a big puzzle to me why no one is pursuing this.

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I have had exactly the same problem!!! This is not right or fair to the people that "Really" need their meds. And they could not care less!!! They "think" that what they are doing is going to keep people abusing pain med's!!! They are "Not". All they are doing is hurting and disabling the people that do really need them!!! I have never abused anything in my life, but I can not get what I need!! Now I am back in my wheelchair, sleeping in a recliner again, along with sitting in it all day but when I had the right med's I could at least walk and not sleep and sit in a chair all day I can not even do my normal house work, and can not even get help in here to do that because we own a rental home, we have already had to sell 3 of our rental's, we have one left and those houses were suppose to be our income for our retirement, I also can not get disability due to I was told I was married, and own a rental house!!! What the **** does that have anything to do with me not being able to work? I sent my husband to get just 1 of my prescriptions and the co-payment just for that 1 since it was the first of the year, was $443.43!!! I could not get it and I "need" that but I have to do with out it! Is this fair? No!!! They are not going to stop the abusers no matter what they do!!! They are just hurting us! If they make them, we should be able to get them or why even make them at all? This to me makes no sense at all!!!

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Re: PAM (# 29)

What a disaster of a story. There is assistance you qualify for. It is a federal program that will make you cost on any generic medication $3.30 and a name brand (if approved) $8. This takes a few weeks for approval but it is well worth it. Take care and hang in there. This is just another perfect example of a patients needs versus what the Doctor will do. They are so cavalier right now because public opinion is in there corner.

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Re: Deborah (# 27)

I have been trying to arrange this. The cost is huge but it’s only a portion of the meds. The pain management doctor suddenly won’t give me a script for my usual number. I think the doctors are getting scared by investigations and legal suits when people do not follow instructions on how to use their medication.

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Re: w john (# 28)

Yes, when law firms specialize in “fighting the war against drugs” you know it’s a big money maker. Saw on news that a father is suing pain doctor for prescribing Percocet to his daughter for back pain. She went to the doctor, filled the prescription but they blame the doctor for making her an addict. She’s alive and well and could have a nice big financial settlement soon. That will surely cure her back pain while the rest of us are denied our meds that keep us functioning. I don’t want to turn back into an amoeba.

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Re: Hop63 (# 32)

I only know the facts as you have related them but this sounds exactly par for the course. THIS is exactly what I am posting about when I say these Doctors are getting "lawsuit" shy. The political climate today is making people enriched at a Doctor's expense and the Court rulings on behalf of the Plaintiffs are outrageously wrong. It always has to be somebody else's fault when THEY do something. Consequently, the Doctor's are getting screwed and then they take it out on those who do not deserve it. We are in a difficult period for honest, legal pain med patients. While there are attorneys that purport to represent those that claim to be caught up in the so-called "opioid crisis" there is no one out there that is representing those honest pain med patients. It is a one way street.

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Re: Hop63 (# 32)

That's o.k. wait till I have the heart attack or stroke that my heart Dr is certain is coming thanks to my Dr taking me off my meds & leaving me to nugget deal with the debilitating pain that caused the heart problems I have in the 1st place. Because either way, whether alive or dead both the Dr's and the gov are gonna know my name! I'm gonna take all they have so i can get outta bed everyday & have somewhat of a life again! And if I don't survive, my family's going to take everything they have to try to change the way pain patients are treated. There's gonna be a lot more deaths due to suicides, heart attacks, strokes etc. from NOT having meds than people having o.d.'d due to pain meds!

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Robin~were you EVER able to get your Duragesic Rx filled?? Also, how close are you to W. Covina, CA? {Home of the great PM Dr. Forest Tennant.} I'd bet pharmacy's around there could help you OR call their office & explain your situation. They are VERY aware of this FAKE "opioid crisis" As are MANY of us CP patients/advocates!! They could possibly point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

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Re: Silverlining (# 16)

I am unaware of what the posts say beyond this 2nd post of yours, but I'm hopefully ABLE TO HELP everyone with the ACTUAL SCOOP OF WHERE ALL THE FENTANYL HAS GONE!

Ok first of all, I live in a different state than you but my pharmacy strait up CALLED ME and said that I DID NOTHING WRONG.....BUUUUUT, they had a nation-wide or perhaps larger pharmacy level (NOT consumer level) recall for one of the largest brands of Fentanyl on the market. This recall involves ALL dosages of patches from Actavis and a few other of Duragesic brands. These are the ones that have the clear silicone gel delivery system in them. These are the ones I take exclusively. They then said they could give me the sticker type but those don't work well for me. They give too much and then not enough other times. So my pharmacist said it would ONLY be until they recoup their lost batches in order to have enough to ship out all over the US. Apparently, there was a fold in one corner and it could cause leakage. Hence the recall. I am actually here today as it is almost time for my next fill and was hoping for good news. So it isn't any of you or the government THIS time. But as they only had 1/5th the numbers to ship nationwide of ALL other brands it was likely your pharmacy DID have some but they were claimed before you got there with your scripts. I am so sorry this is happening to us all but I can say that is why no one knew what was going on (except the pharmaceutical company themselves) and it should be fixed soon. Also, how does your Dr not evaluate urine and still has a license?

You need to do your experiment with the urine and go to a lab first to have it analyzed saying it's your kids, moms whatever and then video u in the bathroom at dr office using the same urine or request that your urine ONLY goes to a lab of your choosing. You are paying for a UA! Weather thru insurance or pocket! To hell with that crap! My Dr gives me a UA EVERY 28 DAYS and I have always had my med levels on point for 10+years! He knew when I took excedrine migraine once and that I stopped taking my full dose of Lyrica for a few days due to a bad cold making me tired enough. He even KNEW I HAD a cold before I told him from the allergy medicine I took to replace the Lyrica during that time for crying out loud! Lol BUST-ED! I am in Oklahoma where the pain docs were all quitting for a while because of the hassle. I have the fingerprint safe and everything! Even though I have only been made to do it once in almost 12yrs, I could also have to do a pill count any time at random. That isn't fun, but I must endure. Like you I don't worry because I play by the rules and am responsible with my meds! I told my doc that I understand that due to circumstances beyond my control I will never be "pain free" again, but as long as he can give me my quality of life that's ok.

I think any responsible adult knows that after what each of us have been through.....if you have NO pain?!? Call 911 because you are probably dying. It just isn't in the cards to not hurt even a little anymore. I have 2 teen girls that I homeschool and one will Graduate in 2019 so they need me and oh BABY do I NEED them! Good luck all of you and feel better soon Silverlining!

Sorry this was long but I felt the need to explain. (my whole life apparently) lol.

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Re: Silverlining (# 37)

Glad to hear about the GP investigating this business with the PMP. Good luck to all of you in this difficult time. I am hanging in there but my troubles are not as serious as you and some others. I just wanted to clear the air about the Duragesic shortages. I really hope it is soon settled. ??

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Re: ChahtaKatos (# 38)
and others.
There is no problem with a shortage of fentanyl patches. The government has decided to put us at the front line on “the war on drugs& opiod epidemic in the US”. Instead of targeting the street abusers; they have turned on those that have prescriptions from pain management specialists. I was told that my insurance company would no longer cover the amount of patches I have been using for the last 10 years to control my chronic pain. So I am cycling in and out of the beginning stages of withdrawal. Attempts made by my pain management doctor to appeal the decision failed. I am now trying to file an external appeal with the state. I needed to get an advocate to help me with the paperwork. This is my last chance to overturn my insurance company’s decision. There is no shortage. The medication is being withheld from those that have become dependent on it to get out of bed in the morning. I am not feeling optimistic about the outcome right now. I wish you all the best.

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Re: Silverlining (# 34)

Keep fighting. You are correct. Those that get prescriptions for fentanyl should not suffer or have a heart attack because others abuse the drug and OD. There has to be exceptions made for patients that legitimately need fentanyl and use according to doctor’s instructions. Best of luck.

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