Pain Medication Shame (Page 3)
(Newest replies first)

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?

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Focked (# 115)

Can you make it to Sarasota? There's a pain mgt clinic that offers top notch pain mgt, especially with the pump systems, I'm a former patient, so I have an insight.. Maybe John w, you, and myself could coordinate a visit there and help each other out..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: w John (# 126)

Ok, it's Called "Sarasota Pain Relief Centers - South Sarasota
Look for the one @ 3945 Clark Rd. Sarasota 34233. With this info you'll be able to go to the website and start the process. When do you plan on making contact, as I will wait to see how it goes with you.. Good Luck..
Jack

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Jack175 (# 125)
Yes. Thank you. They will not let me reply with a simple “yes”.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: w John (# 108)

Hey John, do you still want the name of the PM group in Sarasota? Let me know if you do. I'm seriously thinking about going back there
Jack

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Sherish (# 122)

Hey there, First off you're addressing a post that's almost 2 years old, and prior to the MEDD guidelines, so I'm sure that the dosage has been reduced by now. But what really triggered my response is a few things that you wrote, saying that your pain is worse than his,and he should be cut back to 5mg of morphine x3. Are you an MD or just a psychic? I'd have to say the latter because even a doctor can't say how much pain a person is in, even with the tools they have, like MRI results, CT results, nobody can predict the level of pain a person experiences. So you have to be a psychic to be able to say that. What really got me was that you said that you're bringing this post to your doctor to ask him why this person is on this amount of meds and I'm not because I'm in a wheelchair? And you think he needs to be on Suboxone cause he doesn't need that much anymore? You Have to be a psychic then, yep, cause as far as I know, no one is able to make statements like that unless they're angry that he's getting more relief than you, or they have a crystal ball that can see what pain level another person is experiencing..
If you're neither an MD or a Psychic.. Don't be so quick to judge another when you know nothing about their condition, it's tacky...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: Sherish (# 122)
First of all I will start by saying that I am sorry for all of your issues. However, I do not know to whom you are replying because it is not listed. I know that there are issues with providers prescribing different amounts of pain medication for different levels of pain. One thing you must understand is that pain affects people in different ways and most people are not going to disclose their complete health record on why they have been prescribed like they are. I will only address your recommendation that this patient be prescribed suboxone. From people, I have understood that substituting suboxone for whatever pain medication one is on is just substituting one dependence for another dependence. If one does not want to stop their dependence then they will not stop. I know this from speaking to many other dependent and/or addicted people and my tobacco addiction. (I stopped smoking back on July 1, 2000). Until I made my mind up to stop I could not stop anything. FOR ME there was no stopping for the wife or kids. I had to stop for myself. Suboxone does not work for all. Try titrating down first. It is a slow process but it can work if the person has made a commitment to stop.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi sweetie well let’s start with I have been in a wheelchair for 4 years I have rods in my spine and spinal stenosis, bulging discs, Osteoporosis, I could go on and on but the reason they are looking at you like that is because! You are getting way to high a dose for your problems! I only get 20mg of oxycodone 3 times a day! And I’m way way worse than you I was bed ridden for 4 years in traction at a long term care facility and I’m only 46! So I’m outraged that they are giving you what you say you are? And then you complain they look at you like a druggy? Honestly you should be cut down to 5mg of Morphine 3 times a day if you have no rods , screws, pins ? Anything like that in your spine then you can be on that amount but you are on way to much narcotics and I’m showing my doctor this message and asking how you can get this amount when I cannot even walk and I only get what I do?? You need to go to rehab because it sounds like you really don’t need them anymore your body has just adjusted to them and making you think you need them to survive! You need to be put on suboxone! I would look at you like a druggy too!!! When people who are in wheelchairs and can’t walk cannot even get what you are getting!!? Not right!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes! People, even doctors, that haven’t had the pain don’t understand! You can’t look at a person and see their pain especially if it’s chronic. People will say I look good....but they can’t see my pain! No fun living with pain all the time.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: w John (# 119)

People don’t realize-there are medication shortages all the time. Stuff people need to actually live. And yeah, I need my pain medication to have a life, but I mean there are shortages of stuff people need for survival.
Look at the FDA shortage list once in awhile. It’s alarming. Last year there was a shortage of one type of anesthesia. And bags of saline.
Always always always try to get a little stockpile for yourself. Wallgreens lets you fill up to two days early if your doctor doesn’t write “not to be filled before ___ “ on it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Focked (# 115)
I understand that you are concerned about your situation. What does a person do when they have no meds to get them by? The only thing that comes to mind is what did the people in the 1920’s and 1930’s do when they had basically nothing ever? I have begun trying to take a little less than on days that I can get by to try and save up some of my meds for a rougher day. The day is fast approaching that only financially well off people will be able to afford a pain Doctor. I wish I had better answers but I don’t have any. People that are on medicines that you depend on like pain meds had better make a plan for when the time comes where you do not have the pain meds you need. There will always be things like blood pressure pills, cholesterol medication and the like available but pain medications are drying up fast. Doctors that used to write pain meds have been inundated with paperwork and oversight and they are just saying “to hell with it” and refuse or be put through the wringer with oversight and regulations. Btw, most people cannot afford “street meds” because they are expensive and of bad quality for the most part.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Beth (# 105)

You’re going to have withdrawals coming off that medication that are worse than pain medication withdrawals. Good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Focked (# 111)

You can move out of Florida. NO GOVERNOR can ORDER a Doctor to refill a prescription early. They can lift any State sanctions but they cannot ORDER a Doctor to refill a prescription early. Many Doctors are recalcitrant and just will not do anything to help out Chronic pain patients regardless of who says what. At least you have a 12 day supply on hand. If most Doctors did anything they would write a 10 day script and not a full refill. There used to be “pill mills” in Florida and along with this fake opioid epidemic they went too far in the other direction to try and correct the issue. It is not and never has been a problem until the Doctors said it was. The forecast has improved somewhat and the direction of the hurricane may miss most of Florida. Be safe.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Fpharmacists (# 114)

I lived in Florida for many years. I NEVER had any problems. First, I bought the things that I needed to buy in advance way before they were needed. If I made it through hurricane season I used up the things I didn’t use and just rebought it in the spring before hurricane season. As far as my medications went thankfully I never ran out or had a problem. I kept my gas tank topped off during hurricane season so I never had a problem there either. I also kept 20 gallons of gas in my shed in 5 gallon cans just in case. I live on a fixed income bu I spent my money wisely. If there was a choice between a convenience item and an item I needed for my hurricane supplies I made sure that I never put myself in a position to have to fight the crowds at a gas station or grocery store. Again, as far as my meds went I never ran out so I can’t comment on the meds situation.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was pretty sure before they took me off my pain medications that I could not live in this world without them. After coming off of the Klonopin and fentanyl I am more sure than ever that I cannot live in this world without something for my pain! To be very honest, I would at this point purchase from the street if I only knew where to go as it seems like a better choice than others that come to mind! I'm in so much pain I can't stand it and I have nowhere to turn! I would go to the ER except that the last three trips I was sent home with nothing and got nothing at the hospital that helped! $100 deductible for every trip!

People call us selfish if we take our lives but I don't see selfishness; maybe it's because all I feel is the horrible pain from my 60 plus year old body and no one willing to try and help me!

Although the hurricane has turned to the north a bit and I'm in South Florida I am still in the midst of the worst storm of my life and believe me when I say I have a weathered some horrible storms! I will leave you all on that note! I tried to write a kinder more gentle message but I could not get there I'm so sorry!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Focked (# 111)

Oh my, so those of us who live in Florida have been riding this daily roller-coaster for a week now, I think. Anyways, as of today the Hurricane Dorian, unless your west coast or you haven't seen the news, then you understand the craziness and why.

Well, this has to do with Governor DeSantis, FL-R. He declared a state of emergency DAYS ago, and we haven't seen Dorian yet, but anticipate(d) for direct hit from its (Dorian) nearly category 5 winds. We're talking total destruction for the areas (typically) hit by the northeast part of the eye wall, approximately.

Well, my county was in that prediction yesterday, and I called my Dr for an state approved, insurable override, on 2 medications that I only have a week and few fays worth. Side note- according to the description factors attached to each hurricane cayagory, written by the author who's models of destruction in catagorical form, a catagorical profile for both 4 and 5 on destructive probability... Essentially say, power outages will be enormous & lasting weeks to MONTHS! Not to mention the structural damage. They use the term "CATASTROPHIC". So too the reporters, scaring the LIFE out of your waking consciousness.

In lieu of the governor saying publicly, to make sure we have our medical needs and prescribed medical drugs on hand and in enough supply to 'weather' the storms fallout.

Sooo... THE nurse said after i called again to check on my request, "mo... Oh its tricky on these controlled drugs" etc - "but you have, lets see, enough meds for 12 days, right? Well yes... Hmm... Ok ty for letting me know, be safe.," you too and I'm sooo sorry". Click.

I'm at this point raging to myself, cleaning up and talking to myself like a nut job. "what the f***...this is an bad storm. My house, your house (thinking the Dr) could be demolished. Then what a**hole, are you going to come rescue me in 12 days.

Errrr! Sorry, I could explain the rest of that day, but I should stop.

At least the Pharmacists have been given Privilege to override all prescription medications (EXCEPT C-II)... it's a process, and you can Google it. I just do not want to take advantage of hrr my pharm, if it is unnecessary. But both meds are c-IV and one is Klonopin. No *****, I'm not running out of that, going cold turkey and having possible benzodiazapine withdrawal syndrome. ESPECIALLY WHEN MY HOUSE IS NOW ON THE NEIGHBORS PROPERTY AND MY BEDROOM IS SOMEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN!

NO *****, NO! OK, sorry, this s*** is stressing every one. I dare not go to a gas station without an axe or machete. It's crazy.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Focked (# 107)
When it comes to pain medication no excuses are accepted. I do not believe that I ever posted that you had your medication stolen but that, however, is one of the excuses that some have given to their Doctor to get more meds. Some use the excuse that they lost their meds. The problem is, even if you are known to the Doctor and/or Pharmacist they cannot tell if you are telling the truth or not. Every Doctor that I have ever seen has told me in advance to make sure nothing happens to my medication because it cannot and will not be replaced. Period.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Focked (# 111)
Keep in mind that when a Schedule 2 pain medication can be refilled is now covered by three various laws:State, Federal, and the Pharmacy can declare how early they will refill a prescription. They cannot be flexible except when a Governor declares a State of emergency and says that everyone should refill their meds as soon as possible. This is the world we live in now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: cliff j (# 99)

If you can not get an early fill in your own state and you cannot get any fill out of state; what do we do? How do we make it to our children's wedding, emergency funerals or the arrival of our grandchildren! For years I have had to be home every 30 days to see my pain management doctor and get a prescription refill except on a few occasions when I was going out of town and I would be able to get an early refill! Now we can no longer get an early refill and the majority of us are not even able to get our medication any longer! Please know that we are losing more than addicts!

We are losing people who are in pain and cannot do anything about it except to leave it behind and go towards the light!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Jack175 (# 102)

I should have thanked you Jack ... My apologies! I am glad to hear you are doing well!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Jack175 (# 102)

I really have not done much of anything to try and find another doctor! I have been cut off enough times that I'm not sure how many! It is always been for something stupid! I had a doctor drop me because I could not fill his prescriptions? He was 41 miles from my home but he was in a different County so the pharmacies in my County would not fill them and the pharmacies in his County would not fill them. This came after I was a patient of his for years. You cannot imagine what I went through when I went looking for my medication when I needed it that month and could not get it! After more than a week of being without my medication I went to my primary care doctor and had him take my pain management doctors prescription and he wrote me the same exact medication which I was then able to fill. It is very hard to believe but my primary care doctor dropped me as well! He told me I was too much trouble since this was not the first time I had come to him for help when I was not able to fill my prescription! I had been wearing a 100 mics of fentanyl for many years and to be honest the pain got me far before withdrawals ever did!

I have finally gotten it through my head but there is going to be no fix! You have a real problem if you cannot live with your pain!

Many blessings to you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Is it just me or is all the pain management docs trying to cut everyone down or back!!?? When I went to my last visit th...

195 REPLIES

At the hospital with heart and chest pain. Already on a Fentanyl patch and its not working. Is there anything stronger t...

29 REPLIES

What pain medication will I be able to use after suboxone treatment is complete ## "What pain medication will I be a...

21 REPLIES

What the heck did they take vicodin off the market for? I know acetaminophen.... bad for your liver?.. the main ingreedi...

11 REPLIES

Anyone know if dilaudid works similar to oxycodone? i am going to switch to dilaudid 8's or atleast the doc offered ...

10 REPLIES

Hi. I have a question about fentanyl. I'm on 25+12mg every 72hr but still in a lot off pain. Now I heard from a frie...

9 REPLIES

large yellowish capsule ## Are there any markings on the pill? Numbers or letters? I would need more information about t...

8 REPLIES

Dilaudid is a semi synthetic keytone or Hydromorphone HCL, so it is i feel its twice the potency of morphine, short acti...

8 REPLIES

Here is a link to help find local pain management Doctors.... medtronic.com/patients/chronic-pain/living-with/index.htm ...

7 REPLIES

looking for a cash only doctor or clinic in dallas texas that prescribes loracets or loratabs ## Almost all doctors and ...

5 REPLIES