Norco Shortage In Michigan (Page 7) (Newest replies first)

painfully annoyed Says:

Thu, October 16, 2014

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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KAY Says:
Wed, December 17, 2014

Hello Jerry,
Nurses are everything you say & more! My own sister is a nurse & they are KNOWN to be the WORST DRUG ABUSERS EVER!!! Not just my sister~she has told me about others, & I have heard from my friends who know them personally. When I was in Rehab. after my hip replacement & the nurses come by with your pain & other pills, MANY times they did NOT have my pain pill on them...they would either play the DUMB act like, "Oh, I didn't see it on your record...or told me "they just changed the color sweetie~don't worry about it, & of course I would ask for the ndc " mft., & when did they change it & I need the phone number to verify this, & I also went over hr head, 7 I have not seen that nurse in there ANYWHERE anymore~I HOPE they fired her stupid ass! The next day I got my regular percocet, & it wasn't changed. I walked around with my walker to other patients & they said the same thing has happened to them about it is different color now, & they said it didn't help their pain at all!!! I truly have NO respect for nurses & PA's. I was in the office & SUPPOSED to talk to the Doctor, & this B**** nurse kept saying that she wasn't sure that she wanted to give me percocet because she thought I needed a long acting drug. I do not know which she was talking about...she wouldn't tell me. I did get my percocet 10/325 thank God, as I heard the Doctor told her to give it to me. From then on, I INSISTED that after being intimidated for a damn hour telling me how addicting these drugs are~ I am NOT putting myself thru that again. My Fiance wanted to haul off & deck her~I should have let him!!! (he has NEVER hit a woman either)~he was THAT MAD! These women get these "power heads" & they have crap jobs~they aren't as important as Doctors & like my sister says always, that nurses can't STAND Doctors, so thought i would share that with you. I must say tho, I have NEVER had a problem with men nurses or men pa's! Good luck to you. It is heart wrenching when I read about others in pain. I don't wish pain on anyone, but maybe it would be good thing to give it to those who judge...those who intimidate...those who are simply mean & ignorant!

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Things need to change Says:
Tue, December 16, 2014

Oh...I totally agree Jerry. The funny thing was the doctor was in there questioning me with the nurse! I've been embarrassed so many times by everyone from Nurses to many pharmacists. A couple months ago I, once again, couldn't find ANY norco in Metro Detroit. Me and my husband were heading to Armada area to visit a few Amish farms to make some deals for pumpkins. I decided that we would just try a few pharmacies along the way, hoping other counties weren't having such a hard time keeping Norcos in stock. We stopped at a Kroger after two other stops along the two hour drive. I approached the female pharmacist, handing her my script and saying "I'm praying you can possibly fill this for me, please." She looked at it, and I told her I had a miserable time filling it and had visited 6 other places in two days. She says "Huh. Well I don't believe that. There's no way this script would be that hard to fill." I said "Excuse me? I swear, they said they're having issues with labling and receiving them. I've been having trouble ever since I moved from Grand Rapids." She responded, in a very nasty attitude "Yeah, I don't believe that. I think there is another issue, and that's why I'm going to look you up in our MAPS system. Why are you all this far away from home?" I told her about our trip to Kpac area and I was appalled, but so desperate that I just let her attitude go. My doctor gave me my script two days early knowing how many issues I had been having. That day I was only one day early. She looked in the system and said in a defeated manner "ok, it will be about a half hour." I went and sat next to my husband, almost in tears, and explained to him what happened. He was pissed and wanted to tell her off and tell the manager. I was sick of being mistreated an agreed, but only after we got my script. Ten minutes later she came to the window and loudly, in front of about seven people waiting "Looks like you're trying to get your script early? I've called your doctor but there's no answer, and I WILL NOT be filling this for you today!" I was so embarrassed. I went up and took my script, sweaty and tears in my eyes, and took my script. Got in the car, and looked at the back of my script, and she had written all over the back "Filled on 10/1 and will not fill early." Then wrote Krogers, and their address, store # and telephone # to the pharmacy. That's when I realized the whole time she had my script, she was just trying to ruin my chances of getting my script filled, and made sure to alert anyone else possibly trying to fill my script. I cried for about two hours, and ended up throwing up twice on the way to the farm. I have never been so offended. We actually went to Ohio after that, 15 mins away and a grocery store there filled it for me. They were so nice, and said they couldn't understand the big deal of filling it a day early? It's been a long and frustrating time this year, and I just keep praying that next year will be better.

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patttycakes Says:
Tue, December 16, 2014

I went to ER twice last month because i was unable to get my 100 mic fentanly patch! This is not a break though med but my main pain medication which I was without for 9 days! It is one of the strongest pain medications on the market! The ER doctor gave me what I will call minimal treatment; but in fact it was no help at all! I was given a shot of toradol as well as a lecture! This doctor was able to see that I had not had my patches in atleast a week at that time from the Federal drug monitoring system! I can not tell you if it is ignorance on these doctors part or fear; but my best guess from all that I have been though and therefore heard is that it is fear! They are more fearful of the DEA than they are devoted to my well being! When they took an oath to do no harm, did it not include pain patients who are now suffering from pain and now going though withdrawal because pharmacists are refusing to fill our prescriptions? Does or physical and mental well being not count if a doctor is fearful of the DEA! I did speak to a lawyer who did not have any suggestions or offer to try to help! May God have mercy on us!

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Jerry Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

If I ever have to go to the ER for my pain and a nurse questions me I will not tell them anything. I will not sit there and explain to a nurse that I have tried other routes to fix my pain situation. I will not let a nurse make me feel "guilty" for taking my pain medication. There are ALOT of judgmental know it all nurses out there that are just plain nosey they don't give a rats ass about how you really feel or what suffering you have been going through. It is really none of their business what reasons I take my pain meds for. I would only speak directly to the ER doctor period. We are judged enough the last thing I need when I go to the ER as a last resort by the way, is to feel like I have to jump through hoops to some i**** nurse.

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Things need to change Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

I was wondering yesterday....has there ever been any legal suits against the Drug Administration? I wonder also if there has been people out there that have suffered from heart attack or stroke or hospitalized from anxiety that was a result of withdrawals from norco. I know when I went to the ER, the nurse was concerned with my blood pressure being 190/100 and my HR was 111. It was from pain and withdrawals, and I already take Bp meds. I mean Patti was "hospitalized" at her own expense, and it was all due to this! I wish that I had an idea how much gas I have spent on driving around for hours with no results of finding my meds. We visited 15 places just 5 days ago. OH...BTW...my husband found yellow norco at Walmart in Livonia for me. They filled a script for 60, just not sure how many they had left. Hope that can help someone!

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patttycakes Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

The news has run some stories here in Florida; they did one just last week! They run a story however and then they do not continue with it; it is another 6 months or longer and they might do another evening report of someone else! I know i am not the only one that is in this situation, Florida, I know has been hit hard! If you google Florida and Walgreen or CVS .. or anything about chronic pain patients it is loaded with descriptions of people that are SUFFERING because they can not get their pain medications refilled! I say SUFFERING because that is what it is! I have been though so much ... besides being baker acted as I have described below; just last month I was 10 days without my major pain medication; 100 mic fentanyl patch! That came just 3 days after changing my break though medication to a lesser medication because I had continued to have problems getting the one i had been on filled! I can not help but think if I were an addict I would have gotten help sooner than 10 days! I fight the best when I know I have someone fighting for me and with me but the fight feels impossible when everyone continues to turn their back on me and knowingly leaves me without medication!

I did not mean to make this all about me! As I stated; I know there are many out there walking this same road! I appreciate all the people who are trying to solve this problem however and maybe between us we can do something that will lead to easier access for our pain medications!

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lilly Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

someone should get the news involved.

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Missy Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

Pattycakes, I am beyond appalled, and so very sorry for what you have been going through. Those horrible people at Walgreen's called the police?? And, you were Baker-Acted?? And, you are correct re: hospital pharmacies. All of you need to listen to her. They will not fill our prescriptions, either, unless we have been an inpatient. Florida pain patients: DO NOT go to Walgreens! I knew they were terrible to us, but what they did to this poor woman! There is a blog called askthePharmacist, written by a pharmacist (Steve Ariens), on the National Pain Report site. His wife is a chronic pain patient, and he has much information on his blog. Read his blog from March 31, 2014. Helpful information regarding the disabled, and their rights.

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Gail Says:
Mon, December 15, 2014

Hello all. I think that it's a good idea Beagle. I'm gonna look into what kind of a lawyer is best for this kind of complaint. I would love if we could get some kind of legal suit. Maybe the ACLU. They deal primarily with civil rights violations. I'd say this qualifies. Let me look into that. So I got white ones at the hospital. But they are not the same white ones I got at the drug store. They are working great. I don't foresee any problems for you Beagle. The hospitals are categorized differently than drug stores. So no shortage. And yes. I believe the DEA is putting limits on how much drug stores can get per month. Sidebar here but I watched that movie "Dallas Buyers Club" today. You all should watch it. It deals with how the FDA totally screwed with the people who had aids back when the whole HIV and AIDS disease first started. It is incredible how similar the situation is. And you really see how the FDA screws with peoples lives without one shred of remorse. I was blown away.

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Things need to change Says:
Sun, December 14, 2014

Patty- I read your response late last night and I figured I'd wait till today to respond. My God..one thing I am happy about it that we don't have The Baker Act here in Michigan! Your story sounds exactly like something that I would go through. It is appalling and I can't believe how many slaps in the face you experienced in just the one day! I know the desperation of deciding to sacrifice your pride and making that dreaded trip to the ER when you're out of meds and in extreme pain. The looks the nurses and doctors give you when you explain what's going on, and the comments made when you inform them of your current meds. The last time we visited a ER for the same situation, they really made me feel like not only a druggie, but a faker and liar. I am 34 and began with two herniated disks at the age of 21. I had been a patient at a Pain Clinic for 5 years up till a year ago due to losing my insurance. Sadly right now the only relief I have is at self physical therapy and pain meds. The doctor at the hospital read me the right act. I take 5-10mg Norcos a day and she questioned my motives for the pain pills with undeniable sarcasm. She asked Why don't I try inj's., why aren't I in physical therapy or traction, and why don't I see about having back surgery? I replied I received inj's. every 3-4 months for 4 years, complied with orders for 6 rounds of physical therapy, 4 rounds of traction, and have had 3 trips to surgeons for assessment and approvals. Since I have two disks herniated and degenerative disk disease, all 3 suggested that at my age, surgery would be a bad idea and that with two, they'd rather just manage the pain and look at surgery further in the future. I walked out of there with 10-5mg Norcos. The way we are treated is unfair and belittling. It's basically mocking someone with a disability and makes us feel worthless. My heart goes out to you though Patty. That story is so appalling, and these laws are causing more harm than good! It scares me that it will never get better...and it HAS to!

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Beagle Says:
Sat, December 13, 2014

Are the drug store chains doing this on a whim or are they being told to do this by someone in government? How can we force their hand and make them tell us. Are there new rules they do not have the courage to tell us? I do not for a minute buy this hogwash about re-labeling of products or a shortage from manufacturers. That at tops would be 2 months of delays. For me it is going on 4mos. Perhaps if we all got together and spoke with an attorney to see if we have any options to force their hand it would help us. I spoke to one chain store about the white vs. yellow and must have thought I wanted the white ones. I did not, I wanted what I always have gotten, the yellow ones. The man told me the whites can be abused. I thought to myself, I do not care if they put them where the sun don't shine. I just want my script filled the VERY day I bring it in. I am forced to drive to my doctors to get a script each month. I am forced to go to the drug store and wait while they fill it every month now. Why should I go through a delay of any kind because some mutt misuses his medication? Thanks to Gail I know now I can go to the hospital, my doctor works out of and get it filled I hope on the spot. The hospital is less than a quarter mile from my front door.

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patttycakes Says:
Sat, December 13, 2014

I apologize for the mix up and basically letting you have it in such a firm fashion! I am so fed up with people not believing the hell that we are being put though! Memorial Day weekend left me without medication for almost a week and finally I went to the ER. Even the doctor did not believe me when I showed her my prescription which was for a narcotic and told her I was unable to fill it! So, they called over to a Walgreen and was assured that they had my medication. My friend who had taken me to the ER then left the hospital and dropped the script off, they came back and got me and took me home until the prescription was processed! About 30 minutes after getting home I got a call from Walgreen informing me they had made an error and did not have my medication! My friend and I both returned to the Walgreen and explained that the ER doctor had called to be sure that I could get my medication before releasing me! I explained that I was desperate for my medication or I would not have went to ER! They still said that they did not have my medication! Back to ER I went, but this time they wrote me a prescription for a few tablets in hopes that I would be able to fill my prescription after Memorial Day weekend; before the medication that they wrote for me was gone! I was able to fill that prescription at the hospital pharmacy but they would not fill my doctors prescription there! I went home and found two Sheriffs waiting for me! Walgreen had called them and told them that they were worried for my safety! Even after showing the Sheriff that I that just returned from another ER visit and now had some medication; they insisted that I be taken for an examination! The so called examination turned out to be them taking me and having me Baker Acted! (at my expense both financially and emotionally) Three days later I was able to talk to a doctor and in less than 5 minutes was on my way to being released! God only knows what I have been though and where I am going because we are a group of people that are being forgotten because of the war on drugs! Again I apologize!

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Missy Says:
Sat, December 13, 2014

In response to 'Thingsneedtochange's post, I have read the article(s) which you suggested. The question remains: how do we, the legitimate pain patients, manage to find a pharmacy who can fill our legal prescriptions, without the so-called "pharmacy hopping"? What is the outcome to be? Those who can do something about this do not seem to be doing anything.

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Things need to change Says:
Sat, December 13, 2014

Patti, I was actually replying to Missy's comment about her pharmacist telling her she couldn't get her script filled in Orlando. I'm not exactly sure which comment you thought I was accusing of lying, but I would never do anything of the sort. Of course the laws could change frequently, and I know a lot of it has to do with the discretion of the doc or pharm. And I had read others comments of suffering, I was just trying to connect with others that suffer from hypertension and depression along with my severe disk, spinal and nerve issues. Withdrawals at this point could be life threatening to me at this point, and although my wariness, my doctor had to prescribe me Percocet to stop my crazy and impossible hunt for norco. It has been ok, and has actually stopped me from going through withdrawals from the hydrocodone. I just don't want ONE more item on my dependent list. I take 5 norco a day, 2 Ativan, one 20mg Paxil a day, a water pill, and ditalazem ER. I am sick of meds to be honest. It's so frustrating to think they have been able to get away with depriving so many of their American right to subside pain for almost a year now. What ever happened to empathy and compassion? I hope they end up in litigation. God Bless you all. I hope this can all get figured out!

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Things need to change Says:
Sat, December 13, 2014

This is a very interesting, yet horribly frustrating article about the new laws and terms. It upsets me so much and I couldn't help but compare all this to alcohol. There are those that are super responsible drinkers, drinking their daily glass of wine with dinner, or beer after a long day of work...and then more so the out of control dangerous alcoholics, many not even of age, getting sloshed and killing their families and friends, or beating their mate, and brutal car crashes. YET it is sold in MASS quantities everywhere and no accident or death rate has diminished the sale of alcohol? AND it's not even necessary for people to consume it to live a normal pain-less life! Seems like a legit person to voice yourself to may be John M Gray: President and CEO of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA). Please let me know how you feel about this article. pharmacist.com/pharmacists-turn-away-legitimate-pain-patients-wholesalers-limit-shipments-controlled-substances-0

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