Pain Medication Shame (Page 4) (Top voted 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?

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Re: Fighting losing Battle (# 72)

I hear you! Surrendering weapons? For heavens sake! If they truly feel that is necessary, maybe its just too dangerous period!

Cost of it is ridiculous. The average person will not be able to afford much if any. In California, the tax on MM is 25.25%!! No wonder the government is pushing it. I don't think it's a viable option.

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Re: Pain man (# 9)

I work in a pharmacy and it is completely true that the DEA limits how much C2 pain meds we can order. We have hit the amount several times in the past 2 months and had to turn people away since we didn’t have any in stock to fill for a week.

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Re: cliff j (# 74)

In my pharmacy we have so much to do and so many people to help that we don’t have time to think much about what meds people are getting. Not to be rude but after we help you we move onto the next person and don’t give the person before a second thought. It helps you if you only pick one pharmacy to get your meds at and stay there and not move from one to another the pharmacists DOPL all C2 meds that come to our pharmacy so they can see if your going to other pharmacies and will tell you to chose one and stay with them. One thing some of my pharmacists do is make comments about how people always come first thing when we open to pick up their pain meds. We get some people that always seem to say they need their meds early cuz they are going on ‘vacation’. Some over play that one. Other then that I’ve never heard them say anything else. I listen hard too since I myself have been on pain meds for 17 years now, I will say I don’t let them know that I take them cuz I worry they may not want me there or if any meds go missing I will be the first one they look at. I know I feel the same when I go pick up my meds at my pharmacy but then I realize they are as busy as my pharmacy and don’t have time to give me much thought once I leave.

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Re: roro (# 5)

I know this post was from a few years back, yet I wanted to just clarify your statement. While it seems sensible to say people are overtaking Fentanyl to the point of no return, and that it (probable) came from a Veterinarian's office, etc. Well, that just isn't true. It wasn't two years ago, the dated reply, nor was it 50 years past. Even today, that (fentanyl) isn't a common medication that a Veterinarian would have ordered as part of their medicine "cabinet"....to turn a phrase. Also, I feel EVERYONE should be aware of another misconception you mentioned in reply. That has to do with medication for humans vs those for animals. There are no medications an animal would be given during a procedure, that a human wouldn't have the ability to take themselves. Otherwise, I feel where you were going with this, I do. As everyone here has proclaimed in their own prejudiced- prejudged behavioral antiquated f***ed up bulls*** which has projected unto them, seen/felt by pharmacists, physicians and medical professionals alike. I too have many a story. It's a universal law....so it would seem.

Just about three years ago, before I had a traumatic accident, I was myself a bonified clinical practitioner. Well, my accident was so damaging, especially in a neurological fashion, I could no long stand those 50+ hrs. a week. I had to give up my ability to run, rollerblade, hike the wild country around me...that was a deep reckoning. I'm not sure what/which still is worse. My physical ability to enjoy nature and explore the planet (a very deep seeded passion of mine), or having to hang up my lab coat and surgical scrubs ----- FOREVER! Besides one of the repercussions of this accident being permanent droop-foot in my left leg, I also developed CRPS II (chronic regional pain syndrome type 2) in that same left leg. From the soles (plantar) of my foot, up to the knee. Brought on (in my opinion as well as a few Dr's) by the laceration of my perineal nerve, which is a branch of the Sciatic nerve running from the knee area down to the foot. That laceration is responsible for the drop-foot, no question.

However, the inciting event of being gradually diagnosed with CRPS, a 'rare' (200,000 US citz yearly) neurological disease which I never ever heard about before, not in college nor professionally…was just devastating. I know we all have our horror stories, and are treated like crap because of having to take normal to quite high doses of pain medicine, benzodiazepines, often time eugeroics too (the -amine type stimulants). I'm positive, that last bit was NO typo. In certain candidates or in general even, stimulant medication dosed appropriately in conjunction with pain relieving poly-pharmaceutical therapy...it's an amazing synergistic addition to ones arsenals. Speaking strictly on a pain management physicians arsenal/bag of tricks or modalities if were being polite and proper. The shame of chronic pain lies so deep. We're meant to feel terrible upon opening our medicine safe and seeing the bottles upon bottles or orange, white, blue or green. With labels such as Morphine Sulfate ER, clonazepam, Adderall ER, oxycodone Hydrochloride IR, etc. Pick or choose a variant, I've covered the classes.

Should we feel terrible or shunned. Maybe, maybe not. Do we fall into circles of addicted persona's who probably do not need TWO mg's of alprazolam four times daily, or 30mg oxycodone IR six times a day, etc. The general public start to blur the lines. I think that is the problem. Yes, that might be us, it might be a friend we have known from pain circles, the clinics, etc. Yet, it's not something every patient sees for themselves. - nonetheless, the PharmD in charge would happily smack you should policy allow them. Your family....loved ones....friends...man oh man....they start seeing things they which can not be unseen. They compare you too, in a fiendish got to have my pills or else! The horrors are bad enough eternally, internally, physically and mental. It's no wonder I'm sitting here typing this long winded reply, originally meant to clarify but lead my mind elsewhere....to the horror and shame of it all. Month after month, after month after month. Till we die of some cause (old age I hope it so), we will have to endure. A monthly visit for most of us, for the rest or better half of our future self.

Dear Abby: ;-) My life's better with medication and some physical therapy, but not too much. It's the medication giving a fasimily of my old quality of life, you know the one. Purchasing groceries, does light cleaning, rests a bit, and generally handles themselves in a manor the likes....of a respectful a decent disabled human being should ought to strive to; or has already achieved such grace. My question Mrs. Abby (you throwback of sensible 1940-50'ish wisdom and grace), is...Can I cut a pharmacist B***** THROAT next time I get the 'ol, ---"MR. Doe, your OXY is READY!" Yes, as you've imagined, not only have they broken a HIPAA law, but those 5 people in line are now staring and judging me. OH please, just this once...retribution for me and my fellow passengers aboard this life raft...marked - Titanic. We are delirious from seeing the same horizonless sea, and nare a ship bearing humanity and grace. -------- Sincerely, Mr. F***ing Outraged.

----- a farce for our amusement, that tis all my comrades in arms.

oh P.S. - I've told physicians of my medical pedegry, and wouldn't you know it...treatment has been better, more compassionate, and more likelye to listen why I talk the talk - latin/greek medical terminology. JUST a thought, if your new to a practice that 's important, medicine wise, I would learn as much med terminology as possible. I'm possible as a patient with experience, you know a lot more than you realize it already. Then, just say - ''I was a registered nurse for______years, then I got, blankety blank" ----- TRUST ME, IT'S NOT RIGHT BUT WE ARE LIKE COPS. HURT ONE COP, THEY ALL FEEL PITY FOR YA.

just a thought - albeit a bat-s***-crazy one.

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Re: cliff j (# 81)

I am sorry that the techs and pharmacists have made you feel this way. I suppose with me being a chronic pain patient on C2 pain meds for 17 years gives me the understanding of what people on these meds are going through. I am sympathetic to their situation and do not judge anyone. It would be nice if more techs and pharmacists were understanding of our situations and treat everyone the same no matter what meds they are on. They should be thankful that they aren’t in need of these meds. Most chronic pain patients don’t want to be on these meds they need them to function and get out of bed every day and some of us to not be burden on society and be able to work and support themselves and their families. What scares me is how the states are suing the makers of the pain meds and suing pharmacies. What will happen when the makers go bankrupt and no one will be making the meds let alone any pharmacies dispensing them. What will happen to pain patients then? I feel no one is talking about how this will affect the production of these medications with every state on board with this lawsuit. Anyone else have these thoughts? I’d love to hear from you.

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I get what you’re saying, but I get really stubborn and righteous about the pain meds. People need them to function and there is no shame in that. It’s worse for us on psych meds because no MRI or xray shows I have ADD. The stigma I get from taking Adderall is worse than the pain meds. I was asking my doctor about switching to provigil so I won’t have to put up with it since I also take pain meds & can’t give those up.
Most of those pharmacy techs make like $9 an hour. They’re just bitter. Don’t let them make you feel shame. At least you’re not self-medicating with alcohol or street drugs. That would be shameful.

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Re: Fpharmacist (# 79)

Good post, you summed up a bunch of stuff.. Thanks..

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Re: Optimistic (# 84)

Is the stigma really bad enough to give up Adderall for Provigil? That could be (is) a huge mistake, as 1) not too many Dr.s will prescribe ADD meds with Pain meds anymore, and 2) Provigil is not even close to Adderall. Granted everyone is different, but I made that choice a while back and it didn't work out too well. I didn't tolerate Provigil, and I could not get Adderall anymore. Maybe you have a great rapport with your doc so that he might give you a month to try Provigil and see how it works, with the option to get back on Adderall if it doesn't, which would be great, otherwise don't do it! Just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt.

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Re: TnJack175 (# 85)


Thank you. I try to bring something to our table that's A LITTLE MORE refined, yet at the same time trying to serve both sides (vegetarianistic and omnivorous).

The gossiping, derivative remarks, and straight-up ass-holistic nature of the medicine experts...well, they are just like us. We act like them and they act as we do. Hate begets hate.

We (CP CII prsecribees) have to adapt, and so too the pharmacy staff if we're ever going to come terms with personal respect. It's sad that America has some insanely biased medical professionals.

We also have patients who come in and fill legal Rx's for Roxicodone 30mg q4 hrs, a WEEK EARLY. Then proceed to make a big ass scene because their pharmacist refuses to fill it. Well, they can't.

Listen, I have a wonderful pharmacy, but I make DAMN SURE to respect them, thank them for being such an integral part of my medical team. I never fill early, I make sure I am nicely dressed and groomed when I have to visit them. I even give them (cause I can) a $50 gift Visa card inside my Xmas card every year. Addressed to them, personally thanking everyone by name in the card with the reminder that this money card is to please benefit their Christmas party in some way.

Do your own thing like this, but do whatever you can to be the VICTOR AND NOT THE VICTIM!

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This is way off topic, but I'm wondering where all the folks went that used to crowd these forums? They're like virtual ghost towns. I used to follow a few forums here and took a break for 8 or 9 months. I started browsing through this weekend and it's like people just vanished without any departure posts. Pretty strange. Well, hopefully there's still some good people on here. I can't imagine everyone getting cut off from their meds and not wanting to get on here anymore, but on the other hand I'm sure this "opiate crisis" has weeded out a lot of deadwood, yes?

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ADMIN,

Evidently there's a new delivery system for posting, but are there particular hours that the posts are monitored and then displayed? Is this a permanent protocol now? It's been several months since I've been on here so this is new to me. I'm still waiting to see a least 1 post from yesterday, and 2 today. We don't want to get confused with the U.S Mail do we?

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Re: Fpharmacist (# 88)

Interesting.. I do the same with my care team, but the gift card really goes above and beyond. I would think that you'll receive VIP treatment from them, lol! Like you said, we do what we gotta do...

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Re: focked (# 87)

I get that.. When there's nobody left to help us, we gotta help ourselves, AND others...

What we need that doesn't exist is a placement Service, and who better to do that except us.. Hmm, I'm planning stuff in my head and I do see an opportunity that would benefit all of us. Yep, All of us...

If you don't mind me asking, what's your home State?

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Re: Jack175 (# 90)

To answer your question, we haven't made changes to how posts are held for moderation / review and we do not single out individuals unless they are displaying abusive behavior. We generally review new messages within 1 business day - we try to do it sooner, but it depends on how many come through. What happens is that we need to cast a wide net in order to block spam, but unfortunately that also catches many legitimate messages each day. Hope this helps to clarify things! :)

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Re: focked (# 98)

Hey, I'll do everything I can to get you to a better place, just have faith and trust me, ok?

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Re: Jack175 (# 100)

To thine own self be true!! I've dealt with addiction a lot of my life. And at some point opiates turn on you! You can't live with them or without them. They quit helping pain and made me sick . So I researched and my Dr wrote me 2 mg buprenorphine and half way thru I tapered off. Now I'm living without!! Do I hurt? YES!!! But its worth it!! Learning to live with pain!!! I've had 15 surgeries in my life and I'm not 65.

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Re: Jack175 (# 101)
What is the name of the pain management center in Sarasota? Are you at liberty to give out that information? Many times people are reluctant to give out names because if the pain management center starts getting a lot of phone calls they feel that they have been targeted and will tighten up their actions or just tell everyone that they are not accepting anymore patients at this time.

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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!

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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.

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By way of update, I am still amazed that a certain regulatory agency, (that does not even know my name), yet somehow knows more about my medical and pharmaceutical needs than I do!

Having had a rewarding career with the energy sector, I have been forced to retired based the gobbledygook of said monarchy. Simply stated, ME CLIENTELE WILL NOT WAIT ON ME WHILE I WAIT ON MY MEDICATION!!!

For the consideration of the viewing audience, domestic farmers have undergone economic hardships due to Trumps tariffs. To offset the losses, they've been awarded monetary compensation. I wonder if our government will offer compensation for those of us displaced through misplaced judgments regarding the medication that sustains us?

At this point I dumped lots of rhetoric on this site. I sincerely hope it lands before the eyes of someone that has the power to MAKE TANGIBLE CHANGES TO THE AUTOCRATS AND DESPOTS that are messing with our livelihoods!

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