Norco Shortage In Michigan (Page 15)

Is anyone else having problems finding a pharmacy to fill their scripts of Norco? I have been taking them for a few years now for my chronic pain. I always go to the same pharmacy chain, and its always the same doctor who writes my scripts, but since the new law change no one seems to have them in stock. Some pharmacists told me it was a manufacturer back order. We are told not to go without our meds, but yet how is that possible if we can't get them? Anyone knows of a pharmacy that has Norco 10/325 in the metro Detroit area?

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Yes I realize that a GP can write a script for virtually anything, but the pharmacies (around Florida at least) are refusing to fill those. Only pain management scripts are being filled and that is if you can find a pharmacy that has the pills you've been prescribed on hand and are willing to part with them. The pharmacist on duty is god in that little area of the building. If he looks at the state database and sees you are taking other meds (such as Xanax, Soma, etc.) he can refuse to fill your script on the premise that HE thinks you're taking too much and HE is not willing to put his name on the line in case you overdose and your family wants to sue the store. At least that is the reasoning I've been told. My GP was giving me scripts for Norco 10/325 at 6/day. After the new law? No one had them. And those that did said they would not prescribe them to me due to the diagnostic code. But that is another story. That is why I asked my GP to switch me to APAP 300/codeine 60. It's better than nothing.

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I know what you're saying and I understand. But right now my liver and kidneys are not hurting me, it's my back that's killing me. I've got all kinds of documentation that says so but it's not good enough to get me the kind of pain meds I did before the big crackdown.

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TO: things need to change - no, the link, for your petition, still has not shown up on any of your posts. I will sign any petition, as I'm certain others will, who are suffering from this catastrophe. I read a story, from a member of the DEA, who stated that this debacle is NOT their doing. It is the pharmacies and their staff who are 'playing God' with our lives. I will try to find the article, and post it (although I thought that I had already done that). Florida pain patients, especially those in Central FL, do NOT even attempt to fill your scripts at Walgreens or CVS. They will NOT fill them! Every month, I go back and forth, between Walmart and Publix pharmacies, and (even on the same day, even within a couple of hours) I am told a different story, by a different person. The last time I got my Rx for generic Norco 10/325 mg, I saw a female pharmacist, outside the pharmacy, speaking with two Walmart employees, who I assumed to be store managers. I asked to speak with her privately, told her that, in addition to my long-term, chronic pain, for which I am on Disability, I have hypertension, a heart condition, and a family history of brain aneurysm (my mother), which is highly hereditary; and, how an abrupt withdrawal from my meds could potentially cause very serious consequences, and even death, she assured me that my prescription would be filled. It was, almost two days late, but it was filled. It's the same every month. It is also a violation of my PHI and HIPAA rights, to have to explain my multiple conditions to a pharmacist, when my doctor knows all about my conditions, is a highly regarded physician, and one whom I have follow-up appts with every 3 months. We are at the mercy of not just pharmacists, but pharmacy tech's, who have not been to school and received any type of degree. I will do more research, and try to provide a link that proves the DEA is not responsible for the actions of these pharmacies.

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Missy
I filled out the petition on the thread shortage in" Detroit area".

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I disagree ... I had a pain management doctor who I had been seeing for quite some time and last year the large pharmacies quit filling my prescriptions from him. In a last ditch effort to get medication at Christmas time, my primary care doctor took my script that the pain specialist game me and re-wrote it for the same medication and the pharmacy then filled it in 30 minutes. That however has been the last medication that I have been able to get! Unfortunately I was unsuccessful at committing suicide and then had to spend weeks in a psych ward in debilitating pain! I am finally home and getting ready for a more successful attempt number 2 .... this is not going to change and neither is my body! F*** all of the bastards that think a sixty year old woman who has had a morphine pump implanted but is not working because the hospital that my doctor practiced out of would not take my HMO insurance! These are condescending bastards that do not want people to die but instead want us to suffer! F*** them all and I will see them in hell!

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Pattycakes - your post brought tears to my eyes but please don't commit suicide - then it's like the bastards have won. I know it is extremely difficult going through withdrawals and pain as I have been through it more times than I want to count. If I don't have some kind of pain meds every day I can't even get out of bed much less move around all day. You are worth more than the bastards that are doing this to all of us - please hang in there it will get better it has to - I don't know how but it just has to.

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Missy, you can get pain meds at Publix? That's strange. I'm on Xanax and Soma but when I took my Tylenol 4 to Publix the pharmacist said that due to the other meds she would not fill my 4's. Again with the god complex. As for "patient's rights" that has been out the window for some time now. If you want anything for pain you must sign away those rights. I agree that it is not the pharmacist's business to ask about your history or demand it before considering filling your scripts. But if you don't play the game you don't get the candy.

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Pattycakes, I hope you're still around to read this. I understand and sympathize but that does nothing to help your pain. If not for my wife I too would follow your lead and check out of this miserable, uncaring life. Oh it's not just this life, it's this country's dictatorial stance on drugs in general. Pot is a Sched. I drug? Gimme a break. My wife has a great neurosurgeon who implanted her morphine pain pump and has it at a level she is relatively pain free. Unfortunately my condition is not as bad as hers so I must continue to shop for a doc and pharmacy that will provide the relief I so desperately need. It is an effed up situation, so if and when you do decide to go for round #2, please do your research and determine a method that is fail-proof. But don't think you'll go to hell for doing so, that is a place for those who are so arrogant and self-righteous that they would deny us relief from a burden imposed by a defective body. At least that is my belief from the perspective of an agnostic. I admire your courage and bravery. One day I may see you on the other side. Best wishes.

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You are an addict no more medicine for you.

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Jimmy you really took the time to write that? LOL

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Listen Patty. I know you may feel upset when I say this, yet I am ok with it since I can't sit by and watch you say the things you just said without saying anything. You have got to control your frustrations. I know it's not easy and God knows I have a lot of work to do on mine also, so don't think I am speaking from a know-it-all-perspective. You have to just let go and let God. I don't know if you used to or you still do, but you have lost your connection with God, and God forbid you have a lower rock bottom, but it's time for you to find some peace, and you're not meant to find it death. You have to find it in life. In church. In God. InYOU. You've lost your appreciation for all the small things that you are blessed with because you are so consumed with the unfairness of being denied your relief, and are stuck in a rut of self-pity. But your pain is obviously deeper than physical. You need to go to church to either service, or alone. Go to his house and give him all your worries, all your frustrations and every ounce of pain. You've got to connect with him and I promise he will take away your suffering and help you find your peace again. God is always there, but you have to ask him in all faith for help. I don't mean to get all holy-roller on you, but I've been there and sometimes we need to be reminded that he is there, waiting for you to throw your hands up and let it all go. Please take care of yourself Patty. Make sure that includes your heart. You are worthy of a better life. Believe that.

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Oh give it a rest TNTC. God has nothing to do with it. When I'm suffering in pain - anyone for that matter - there is no god. There is nothing that can make that pain go away but medicine and/or surgery to correct the cause of the pain. Wishing and praying doesn't do a damn bit of good. Laying in bed writhing and crying out in pain, calling upon a non-existent god for help? Good luck with that. There is a reason the medicine works: It is real.

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Paul - I totally agree with you speaking about how a fictional God is going to help us take away or ease our chronic deblilitating pain. TNTC please stop your preaching seriously because that is really all you are doing and being opinionated too. If God could take away my pain why hasn't he done so in the last 16 years that I have had unbearable nerve pain in my neck and back? Huh? I'm sure you will have an answer for that one too. If you are not going to give any of us on this thread some solid informative information than please don't write anything at all. Oh and go to church you say? We can't even get out of bed or even drive half the time - hey church that's the way to go. lol

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So you believe your negative angry rants, and Jimmy's answer of "You're an addict. No more meds for you" is better? It's interesting how you jump down my throat while trying to give her hope, instead of #1 saying something to Jimmy or #2 trying to encourage Patty to live another day? I will not stop. That's the problem. You think of God as a magical phenomenon, and when you just say "Hey, God, take this pain away." He does. I haven't always believed in God myself and I feel like people have their own moment when it all makes sense. I was at the same moment as Patty at one time and I never thought things could get worse, but they did... continuously. I had no other choice and finally just turned to God. I talked to him and put the little bit of faith I had left in him. I started to see even the smallest of miracles, when before I wouldn't even recognize my blessings. I'm not going to get into an angry religious battle with you. I feel for Patty and I pray every day that others get to experience what I did. Now I have hope when things get bad, and get over my frustrations when I'm pissed. I've learned to love and help others when all I want to do is be selfish, and I continue my battles when all I want to do is fall to my knees and give up on life. So if you want to tease me and snap on me because I want this for others in pain, then go ahead. Ya know...even when I didn't believe there was any such thing as God, I still admired and respected those that did. I'm glad I'm not angry and resentful anymore and I pray that one day, you too will feel the same. And Patty, I truly hope that you're ok. I hope we hear something from you soon.

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Oh, and by the way. Obviously it made the two of you SO ecstatic to jump down my s***, you haven't read my prior posts. I, in no way, said that God makes it so I don't have to take pain meds. I take 5 10/325 a day and 3 10/325 percs a day, so obviously you have missed my point entirely. I even went and made a petition to Congress about the norco issues. God gave the knowledge for pharms and scientists to make pain meds for a reason. I don't even have any other type of relief with no insurance at the time anymore either. So meds are my only pain relief. But I've lived my life like this with God, and without God, and I would never go back. I can't understand how people can be so negative about something or someone that brings so much positivity and love to someone's life. I don't pass judgement and label people and I don't tell people that what they do or don't do will permit them from getting into Heaven. But I share my story to give hope, and pray that maybe just one person will give God a chance. I'm sorry if I've upset you. Have a great night.

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I'm looking for a pharmacy to fill my prescription of norcos in the Belleville michigan area if anyone nos where I can please let me no asap

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It is not that these medications are not available .... they are doled out to whoever the pharmacists what to give them to ... it is now like a black market .... CASH IS KING

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Agreed Patty. Totally agreed!! Pharmacists are allowed to treat people however they want. I think it's such Bullsh*t that we have to enter every pharmacy with fear that we will be shooed away and shamed by those frickin bridge trolls. It's like they all went to school because they need to fulfill their power trip.

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I am replying specifically to ... (Things need to change and others who reached out to me at what I can only describe as the darkest period in my life)

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and apologize for those that would attack your generosity! It appears that they do not like your beliefs which you conveyed in your very kind message to me~ Believe me when I tell you that I a so mixed up right now and so desperate that your caring words and your encouragement mean a great deal to me!

I am desperately trying to hold on, to the point that I have done some research about Mexico and how I might possibly get some help from somewhere other than my own Country! The problem is, I am in such bad shape that I do not know how I could possibly get myself there and then try to find a doctor when I can barely get out of bed!

I have so many things to live for ... I am not rich but I am financially secure! I have so many things that I still want to do if only my health would allow me to do even some of them! I have grown children and grandchildren who adore me almost as much as I adore them and can only say that pain and then the anger that goes along with pain can make you do things that you never thought you would find yourself considering~

I am divorced but have a gentleman that I have been with for seven years! He is a happy go lucky fella who has done many things in the past to help me but he has never had to care for me nor did I think that he would even consider it ... however since coming home from the hospital he has been my rock~ he moved my bed from my home to his so I could feel as comfortable as possible and he has been trying to reassure me that someone will listen to us and finally get me back on track!

He set me up with a new primary care doctor near his home and today we got a phone call that they got me in with a new pain specialist this coming Monday! I am praying for anything at this point that can ease my pain even a little! One thing that I am grateful for is even though I have felt so desperate, I am as clean as a bean and can pass a drug panel! I am really praying that for all I have been through that there will finally be someone willing to help me! Needless to say, my mood is like a yoyo but I am hanging on~

I am so confused about this federal database that was suppose to have been implemented so that doctors and pharmacists could be sure that no one was getting prescriptions from multiple doctors and then filling them at multiple pharmacies! I believe it is active now in all but one state but with all the money that went into implicating this system ... things have only gotten worse and continue to get worse yet! Our doctors are afraid to write prescriptions for pain medications and will outwardly tell you they are afraid of the DEA! Pharmacists on the other hand will not fill a prescription even if it is legitimate and will give you 101 excuses why they are unable to fill it! Believe me, I have heard them all; including they would only fill my script if I paid cash and the cash price was triple what my insurance would be charged for the medication!

I know I am not the only one suffering like this so know I am praying for everyone who is being put thought this hell!

Again, my thanks for all the kind words that everyone has written!

Ms. Patty

I do believe in God ... but I do not believe that this was what God wants for all of us that are suffering and have lost their ability to even care for themselves because pain is so front and center in our lives!

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Patty, I'm just glad you're ok. I'm not saying it has anything to do with it, but me and my fiancé have been praying for you. I'm so happy that you found a new doctor and I hope he can give you the relief you need and can ease your pain. That's relieving that you have a significant other in your life to help you through all the tough times. I don't know what I would do without Lance (my fiancé). He is always there to take care of me and after six years with him, I couldn't imagine my life without him. You sound like your spirits have lifted and I hope things just continue to get better for you. If you ever need to chat you're more than welcome to email me. My email is {edited for privacy}. Let us know how your appointment goes on Monday! Take care! Andrea

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