Pain Medication Shame (Page 6) (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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Marie (# 78) --

I am glad that YOU seem to be at a decent place but your place is the rare exception and far from the “rule”. I have lived in three different States and even if I have a 20 year relationship with a Pharmacy they still act like you are a criminal every time you present them with a script for pain medications. I used to pick up my pain medication prescriptions on the day they were DUE. Not early. I picked them up early in the morning only because I drove for a living and by the time I got back In the area the Pharmacy was closed. Even with the long term relationship and me following every rule set up by the Pharmacy I was still looked at like I was some kind of “seeker” or criminal. I have always been courteous to every employee because it looked like they were just looking for any reason to not fill your prescription. I was determined to always be calm and nice because the Pharmacy employees were always looking to pick a fight. It is not easy to switch Pharmacies because if you go to a new Pharmacy they will INTENTIONALLY treat you like a criminal hoping that you will say anything that they can grab onto to NOT fill your prescription. Congratulations on working at a good place. The other Pharmacies will be much more of a challenge.

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Re: Marie (# 82)
I am not going to bore anyone with my medical history but I know of what I speak. I have seen the Pharmacy personnel treat Chronic Pain Patients with a suspicious and jaundiced eye. At first, I thought it was just one or two employees but I found out that it was very wide spread. This type of conduct was encouraged by the Pharmacies because they would rather not deal with pain medications at all if they had a choice. Just too many regulations and too many "eyes" on every little thing you do. I went to a Pharmacy in one State that I had patronized for over 20 years and I was known well by every employee in the Pharmacy. After a while, and without any provocation on my part, they began to act very cold and "clinical". Where it used to be very conversational and friendly it turned into a clinical and cold operation. I think the biggest problem will be with the Pharmacies and not the manufacturers. If one manufacturer goes bankrupt then another will come to fill the void. If there are no retail Pharmacies available to fill the prescriptions then that is a real problem. I will not be too concerned with problems that have even not come to fruition but UI will try and have a "Plan B" in mind in case the worst happens.

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Absolutely! I am unfixable, as a revision surgery or salvage surgery is too likely to leave me a quadraplegic! That has been what I was told after hardware failure left me in too much pain to carry on. Now 15 years later, I still have not had a doctor willing to do such a risky surgery on what is now my 60 plus year old body! BUT... It was OK to wean me down to nothing! Go figure; land of the free!

Now I followed what I was told until I couldn't! Now I really do hold my very life in my hands. When there is no one willing to help us we have to do the only thing that we have control over! I got this one!

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Re: Fpharmacist (# 88)

Let's all be the victor whaddayasay?? Won't cost you a dime!

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Re: Jack175 (# 89)

Following these Farms takes time and effort and when we are in so much pain, exertion exasperates our pain and we are for the most part out of time.

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Re: Fpharmacist (# 88)

When you cannot get an early refill to go to your father's funeral or your child's wedding we are in a f*****-up world! It was not nearly as f***** up now that you cannot get any medication unless you're very lucky or well you get it! I am ready to be out of my misery.

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Re: MedsChat Admin (# 94)

Yes it does, and thank you for taking the time to repond!

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Re: Jack175 (# 92)

PS... I dont know that I told you. I live in South Florida (Ft Lauderdale). Our normally sunny days have been replaced by clouds from the ongoing opioid epidemic! As a state with one of the highest senior population, we chronic pain patients are suffering gravely! When I was younger I thought it would be grand to live to be 100. At 61 and in pain I dont want to live another day! Here it is almost 1:30 am and I still have not gotten any sleep! I dont think I can hang on long enough to find the help which was stolen from me through no fault of my own.

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Re: focked (# 96)

Everything and anything you say to get an early refill will fall on deaf ears. Federal law or Pharmacy rules state how early you can get a refill. For most it is tow or three days. How is a Pharmacist or tech suppose to know the truth from a made up story just to get an early refill. This is the world we live in now.

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Re: focked (# 98)

Focked, there'a a med out there that will help you, I promise.. I was at my end of my rope until I found this. I'ts called Belbuca. You simply put in in your cheek and let it dissolve, and it helps to get you moving by alienating the pain for 12 hours. RX Only

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Re: focked (# 98)

It doesn't sound like you're able to drive, but if you were, I know of a good PM clinic in Sarasota, if you can get a ride there they would be able to help you.

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Re: Jack175 (# 101)

Frocked

Have you tried these places in Boca? It's Called PEACE MEDICAL
FORT LAUDERDALE: 5333 N. Dixie Hwy. Ste 204 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
BOCA RATON: 500 NE Spanish River Blvd. Suite 35 Boca Raton, FL 33431

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Re: Jack175 (# 102)

They all work with Pain Management, and they offices nearby!!

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Re: Beth (# 105)

I'm sorry to hear that is your reality! I do know what you say is true and it takes a whole lot to admit it! Prayers that you find something that can help you deal with the pain! Changing your diet, exercise, you name it; I have heard of all sorts of things that have helped people! May you find yours!

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Re: cliff j (# 99)

I had been on pain management for many years. I have never had to ask for medication early and I believe you misunderstood my post! I didn't actually have my medication stolen. Unfortunately about a year ago my pain management doctor got a visit at his office! My doctor didn't tell me what was actually said but he told me that he was afraid and he not only had to start tapering me but many others as well!

And I spent many years of hell trying to keep pain management in the state of Florida because of shyster doctors who wrote prescriptions for anyone some people that really needed it couldn't get it and still can't! I have actually given up trying to find what I know I need because even though the majority of the shyster doctors are gone the good doctors are now afraid to prescribe especially for a new patient!

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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!

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Re: Jack175 (# 102)

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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