Pain Medication Shame

First of all, I hate taking pain meds but I was almost completely bedridden for 2 yrs. They gave me my life back and I'll be grateful for the rest of my life. My insurance company dropped me right before I was gonna have surgery to get some relief. So I had no choice but to go with the pain meds. I've been on oxycodone 30/150 per month (5 a day) and MS Contin 200mg 2 times daily since 2009. Had breaks when I could. My point is, nobody knows what my daily life is like. I feel ashamed every month getting refills. Maybe it's in my head but the staff at the pharmacy gives me that "pill seeker" look. I guess all that matters is my doctor trusts me and he knows my complete history. I know I'm not taking them for fun. I'd much rather be normal. Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?

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REPORT

Yes, there are many others that can relate, but as long as you aren't getting fills sooner than you should, and/or abusing them, you really have nothing to worry about. However, if your pharmacy is making you feel uncomfortable, maybe it's time to talk to a different pharmacist about getting them filled elsewhere.

The FDA warns that these medications carry the risk of being habit forming, and it may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

Can anyone else chime in with their experiences?

I mean, I didn't even get such an attitude when getting my husband's Percocet prescription filled for him, after he had surgery a few months ago. He was in no condition to go into the pharmacy, himself, at the time, still being under the influence of the anesthesia, and medications he had been given.

But the reason I advise asking a pharmacist, before switching, is due to the fact that they are limited in how much of any controlled substance they can keep in stock each month, so they may not have room for a new customer.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I think those of us who have had to take pain medication for years can relate to what you are saying. People who are healthy and happy don't understand understand the need for pain medication and they have a mind set that everyone who takes them are seeking a high. They have probably had someone close to them overdose and make even die. It's really frustrating in so many ways and affects so many people. I wish I didn't need them but I do and I just wish people would mind their own business and find something else to criticize. There is plenty out there. This is a broken world filled with broken people and we all have our problems.

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I can relate to the fullest! What I read from your post are my words and thoughts EXACTLY! I have a spinal cord injury with 8 severe diagnoses on my spine which I have to take my pain medications to get "some" sort of pain relief. I despise the fact of taking opiates and wish I didn't have to take them but it is just reality that I do. My prayers go out to you and I wish you only the best in life & in health!

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Look into Cannabis for pain relief. It's a far better route to go than Pharmaceuticals

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It's not in your head. Chronic pain patients are discriminated against and treated like criminals on a regular basis - thanks to all the frauds and the illegal drug trade. You hear about ods but what they fail to mention is that the illicit drugs are already illegal and the fentanyl is veterinarian grade for horses, also illegal for human use, but those drug dealers fight back so they choose to go after the chronic pain medications so it looks like they are trying to do something. All they are doing is giving these illegal dealers business. They cut off peoples pain meds and get on tv talking about how opiate pain medication has the same effect as illicit drugs. Sounds like the govt needs to push more customers into the hands of their dealers, but hey what do I know?

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Absolutely! Unfortunately legit pain suffers get that stigma because of the nature of the medication. If you had cancer and went in with no hair with the same scripts they'd look at you in a completely different way. No one knows the pain of another person. Unless you've walked in their shoes no one should make the jump to pill junkie, seeker or addict. I'm sorry you have to suffer with the pain and then the discrimination but hold your head up you know the truth. God bless

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I understand it is not the pharmacist that makes you feel bad about getting your meds because they are not the ones who handles the money and distribution of your meds which your pharmacist is aware of your diagnosis and understand your need of pain meds enable you to to be a functional part of society I am a nurse of 35 years practice for thirty of those years been on pain meds for eight years three years ago I had to go on disability the pharmacist knows your diagnosis the same as they know mine the tech's don't have any idea why you are on that much medication a couple of times I was treated that way and I spoke to the pharmacist in private after that I was not treated like a med seeker I have multiple diagnosis one I'd bone cancer that is just one so now I go and I don't made to feel uncomfortable

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I can totally relate. I take MS Contin 2 times a day as you do and I am prescribed 100 oxycodone ir a month. I have had to move to a mom and pop pharmacy. They treat me much better but I still get a little push back. But much much better than Walgreens. My doctor is very understanding but I pay him out of pocket because no doctor that was covered by my plan would write opiates. I’ve had my pain doc for over eight years and don’t know what I would do if I lost him. No one is taking pain or chronic pain people into consideration. It’s all about the addict. Illegal heroin and Chinese fentanyl is the real issue, not morphine sulfate ER. I am truly afraid of losing the only thing that keeps me “human”.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

It is not true that the pharmacist can only order a certain amount. As long as they have legit scripts a pharmacy can order as much as needed to meet their customer's demands. That statement is just how the pharmacist misleads their pain patients if they don’t want to serve them. Don’t believe me, go to your states B.O.P bylaws on opiates and read for yourself.

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Thank you so much for sharing all your feelings on this matter. Yes iam in the pain pill drama also. If I didn't take the pills, I would have no quality of life. I couldn't even get out of my recliner, or just wouldn't want to because it would lead to more pain and discomfort. I fractured my spine in 6 different places and had to retire early. I too feel ashamed to get those prescriptions. Once while waiting at the pharmacy, I was getting two different prescriptions for pain, watching the two pharmacists and I could read her lips when she looked at the other one and said, " that's a lot of opioids#. Felt so ashamed and useless actually. But I feel like JFK. When his brother Bobby looked through his brothers medicine cabinet at the White House and started fussing and giving JFK a lecture, the president told his concerned brother, " I don't care if its horse piss. If it makes me feel better, I'll take it!"

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Yup....been on meds since 2001 after a messed up fusion on my neck...without the pain meds i also have no life...with the meds i work and no one k ows i am on them

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I can completely relate, and I am not even taking pain meds at the progressive point of COPD with pulmonary fibrosis. I have had it 11yrs, and most never live this long. I'm on palliative care, but my soon to be former PCP physician said to go to a pain clinic. She took over after the prior PCP screwed up on pancreas concerns I'm under watch for. I have a new spot on my lung as well, and the PCP blasted my chart with medication noncompliance due to palliative care nurse putting my thyroid back to the dosage that worked. Subsequently, med noncompliance makes it look like an abuse problem when it's in your chart. Doctors often don't read anymore than that flag. I'm so afraid to ask for anything as I wither down to a size nothing, bones hurt, etc. The stigma is so bad re: pain meds that I will suffer until I can't take anymore, and end my suffering on my own. I am not a criminal and am absolutely disenchanted with the way patients are immediately targeted in a negative description for some reason or another (socioeconomic, psychological, difficult patient, addict, etc). This helps protect physicians from any potential legal cases. I know this from paralegal days. It's not relevant if a patient's description is true or not to the medical community. It's all about covering litigation; and sadly, severely biased medical practice in every aspect. Stay strong! Many of us understand your frustration!

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I know exactly what you're saying I have back problems along with horrible debilitating anxiety! They don't want me having both together and I can't choose many pain over anxiety or anxiety over my pain. So I'm lost at this point and scared to tell some doctors the truth anymore.

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I am in the same boat with most of these people. I take 80 mg of oxycodone once a day, not ideal but I will not keep taking more and more. Unfortunately, due to an accident years ago I am not a surgery candidate. I save money, don't have to be concerned about what everyone thinks. I am not saying it's for everyone but it works for me. The doctors priced themselves out of a customer. Good luck to you all.

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Re: Pain man (# 8)

Walgreens is HORRIBLE!!!! I will NEVER use another Walgreens for ANY medication!!!

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Don't ever feel ashamed of what helps u for pain. I am in my 40's and I've been on Vicodin for almost 12 years but the thing is I've been on the same dose same 3X a day. I've told my dr that I need more or a different med all together but he just ignores me. I know how u feel about the pill seeker look cause it feels like my dr does that to me so what am I supposed to do? I mean I take a drug panel for him and it's only the meds that are prescribed to me. I get so angry that a younger person has back pain and they get so many Percocet it's unbelievable and here I am with 2 herniated disks, sciatica, arthritis, and other issues. And I get treated like an addict. People say damn change ur dr but with all the opiate s*** going on another dr may take me as a pill seeker. You are lucky that ur dr takes ur pain seriously and makes u comfortable enough (with meds) to get out of bed and get ur day done. F*** what the pharmacy thinks or what looks u get. You hold ur head up high and know ur not doing anything wrong but living ur life.

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I can easily relate to what you're saying. I had an epidural abscess 29 years ago, so I'm on a significant amount of pain medications. I know that mom and pop pharmacies are far more compassionate than chain pharmacies. The chain pharmacies are notorious for treating those of us with severe pain conditions as low life drug seekers. In the past I've been turned away from chain pharmacies saying we don't carry those drugs in those dosages or they just don't carry them! While giving you the look of (how dare you come in here)!

My advice has always been to anyone with an incurable severe pain condition find a mom and pop pharmacy in your area. They have independent pharmacies that are in the (Best Value) network of independently own pharmacies. That's what I use. I walk in and instantly someone says, "Hi Mark how are you doing today!" I've been using this one for 20 years and everyone knows me even though I only go there once a month. They treat you like you're a human being with severe pain issues, not a drug addict! They know you're there getting these very powerful narcotic analgesics because something severe has happened to you! Now I'm not saying these pharmacies won't be suspect of you at first because that's the nature of the beast these days. Building a relationship at a pharmacy is like building a relationship with a doctor, but at a chain pharmacy, you'll always be sheep and cattle. Plus be treated poorly because of the drugs you have to take due to the condition your body is in. You can't call a pharmacy these days and ask if they carry these drugs in said dosage and amount because the answer will be NO. That's because thieves do that and then rob pharmacies. You have to turn up with prescription(s) in hand.

Good luck and bless you to anyone stuck in bodies like ours... All we want is to be treated like a human being and not some 3rd class citizen the government agencies and mainstream media have reduced us to... We are the new victims of a failed war on drugs and an out of control government trying to pass the buck to us!

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I don't really understand how you are bedridden. I live in NYC and have always been able to walk everywhere which may have caused my body to be more subtle. Can you get to a physical therapist to get your body more able to move a bit? To be in bed for 2 years doesn't seem right. And the pills... huge numbers a day. Yes it's good to get some relief from the pain, but I'm sure that moving your body will give you a lot of help to improve your life. I had back surgery on my lower spine 3 years ago. I still feel pain and possibly it hasn't done much to help in general. I'm told now that the vertebrae L2 above my surgery is out of place now and is adding to the pain. Meanwhile the bill from my doc to the insurance for the 2 vertebrae he nailed together at allegedly the world's best hospital, HSS paid him $90,000. Of course, he's going to go for the money. Gotta move your body. It's the only way to get better. Cheers!

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I understand.people who dont know what its like to be in constant pain will never get it.i have fibermyalgia.im in so much pain when im not on meds. Its no quality of life.so to the people who say stuff to u about therapy etc. I understand.dont be ashamed. Prayers to you my friend

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I can completely relate to you. I have chronic pancreatitis and was almost bedridden a lot of the time because the pain was so bad when I wasn't curled up in a ball. My meds have given me a life outside of my fetal position. But I have also felt the sting of the looks from pharmacy employees. Honestly I pay them no mind. They don't have to live in my body and experience the amount of pain I have. As long as they don't give me difficulty I really don't care what they think. It wasn't my plan either to be on pain medications, but we do what me nust to survive. You don't go to them for judgment so don't take it on. We are filling legally written pain meds from doctors who care whether we have a life or not that's all that matters. I am happy to know you are not bedridden anymore, and that your pain meds give you relief. So what we take opiates. Since neither of us are abusing them for a good time we can be guilt free. Good luck in the future and God bless.

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Quick ? I go to pain management. The Dr. is in hospital facility. I have been paying one copay but two bills (dr. and hospital). Been doing this for 15 years. Now hospital wants me to pay them copay also. This just started after merging. Can they do this?

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Re: Brenda (# 165)

I was on SO many pain medications no doctor could even believe my Rx list when I moved back home after college. When I began seeing my doc I see now, he did a lumbar epidural injection & OMG the pain was gone the next day. I’m honestly surprised how much the injections helped. You may have the same experience and I hope you do find it relieving.

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Re: cliffj (# 163)

They always go by the date a Schedule II is picked up. If your prescription is for 30 days. If you take it as prescribed you should not need a new prescription for 28-30 days from when you picked up your last Schedule II. If you pickup your prescription on day 28 for two months. Be prepared to possibly have to wait 4 extra days after two months. The reason being you should have 4 extra days from picking your prescription up early.

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I'm experiencing neck pain, about 8 inches down spine between shoulder blades. I had x-ray done at chiropractor and saw things at end of the bone. When I asked he replied "oh those things look like cat ears are bone spurs". I told my PCP I would also try a injection. It's been almost thirty years this awful pain, numbness, burning my hands and arms go to sleep.

I wanna do more like walking I've always done since in high school, but the back of neck burns even worse when I do. I've had physical therapy cause I had to before they would do MRI, but I don't believe it will happen. I'm gonna pray it works out, as I'm afraid I'll be crippled before long. My quality of life suffers cause of this situation I'm in, and because of the PAIN I don't do much. I've pushed as far as I can for all these years.

My worst nightmare is disability. I'm 60 still working now I'm a caregiver for mentally ill, thank God it's kinda laid back, cook, clean a bit, pass meds and paper work - but that's all I can do to survive. I'm alone just me and God, sometimes I wonder where he is, u know. But I'm will to try the injection, like the other story I read. Pray someone helps us, just to see if it make a difference. God bless all in PAIN today.

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Re: cliffj (# 163)

So what are you trying to say here? I think I’m missing some of the story cuz I’m not exactly sure if there’s an issue your having with your meds or not. I know not all pharmacies are the same and it also depends on the state that you live in but if your having some problems then feel free to explain them and I will do my best to tell you how and why your pharmacy is doing what they are. Pharmacy is very complicated. There’s so much more to it all than what some people may think. Lots of rules and regulations and laws follow. Anyway, let me know if I can answer any questions you may have.

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Re: Maria (# 160)

I asked my Pharmacist when they started the prescription. He said it started when the prescription is filled. NOT when it was picked up. That may be the process where you work but it is NOT the process where I get my prescriptions filled.

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Re: Cindy (# 161)

Fentanyl is a opioid. Why would the center have signs saying they do not give opioids when they give fentanyl ? Unless you were not given fentanyl but something else that relaxed you and put you to sleep. All you have to go on is what you were told When fentanyl is administer by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or surgery center, it is safe.

The surgeon is the one that prescribes post op and discharge medications.

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Yes I think the shame is just another form of discrimination.Our government seems to be more concerned about the money Insurance Companies have paid then the quality of life for most Americans. I had to have surgery for nerve damage on my spine, I was more concerned about the fact that surgergical center had signs every where that they were a no opioid hospital and I was forced to only have Fentanyl 10 minutes before surgery to put me to sleep. Fentanyl is more addictive than Heroion and more likely to kill a person from over dose. I wasn’t given anything for 2 years before surgery or after for pain. The most ironic thing is I was more concerned about Fetanyl killing me than the fact that I was having surgery on my spine that could paralyze me for life. Cindy

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Re: matthew (# 154)

I work in a pharmacy and we always go by when meds are picked up not when they are filled. People have to wait until 90% of their controlled med r gone, so that 90% begins when it’s picked up. And the reason being is cuz if you don’t have the meds, you can’t be taking them. Once you pick them up that’s when you can begin taking them thus this is when the time begins. And yes it’s all very strict since these aren’t meds you wanna mess around with!

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I can relate. In fact I used to be on 240 oxy ir 30s (8 a day), 180 100mg MSContin (3 a day & 15 100mcg Fentanyl patch. I broke my back in 3 places in a car accident about 12yrs ago. I can’t tell you how much my life has changed for the better getting off all of that crap. I now have a pain pump that delivers morphine directly into my spinal canal. It obviously doesn’t wipe away all my pain, but it helps enough I’m able to lead a much more normal life then when on tons of pills.

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