Update

[downandout1982]

My pain management dr.s office called me to come in today and they did a blood test and because I had no opiates in my system I am in trouble, she says I need to come in on Monday to do a med count. As you know from my earlier thread my sister picked up my meds. So I called her to get them back, she gave them to me but 26 are gone what will happen when I go in on Monday?

[minn66]

Most of us ended up in our situation because we buried our heads in the sand. There may be no legal ramifications but there could be if the PM clinic reports that the meds were picked up yet not in her system and then she never went back for the requested pill count. The DEA is watching the PM clinics and that is why patients have to agree to and abide by such strict contracts. She didn't think they would request a test or a pill count because she had been going there for six months and had never required her to do so before and yet that is what happened. I hope for her sake that it will be as simple as everyone seems to think and the situation will just go away.

[bama88]

so true vikkie

[vicki595]

This is NOT a serious situation at all with regard to the pm clinic. She's detoxed, and she doesn't want to go back. In this case, she is not accountable to anyone for the pills or how many are missing or what happened to them. She's through with the clinic!

It's not a legal dilema and no one is doing a disservice here.

[Omacastrop]

Just don't go. They can't do anything to u.

[minn66]

In short, OP had made the decision to quit. She called the pharmacy to cancel her prescription and they told her the meds had already been picked up by her sister, who is an addict. She didn't report what happened (which believe me, I understand how hard it would be to turn in your own sister) and then the PM clinic called for a drug test, and she showed negative for the meds, and they want her to come in for a pill count. She did get the remaining meds back from her sister, but a lot were already missing. The majority of people here are advising her to just not show for the appointment and the worst that will happen is they will cut her from the program.

[kk1303]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear you're going through all this. Most everyone is offering good advice, in my opinion. They can't force u to take the pills. I agree with the others who said to call them, tell them u decided to quit cold turkey, and u no longer need their help. As for your sister, do NOT give her the pills no matter how much she tries to convince you. You will only hurt her by enabling her. Flush the remainder of the pills. You cannot help someone who doesn't want to help themself, but tell your sister how much you care about and love her and let her know that she needs help and u will be there for her if she decides to get it. I wish you and your family the best. Stay strong!

[0421]

I went in to my pain management Dr told him I was detoxing off my vicoden and he helped me, uped my lyrica and then a month later I asked him for some vicoden that I was not quite there yet and he said it was up to me. I have a medical condition that can require Vicoden and I could go as slow or fast as I wanted to as far as the detox was concered. I still use about 25 a month and I am still trying everyday to use less and less. There is somedays I just need 1 pill for the pain. I guess I am lucky because I do not crave them just need them. Are you all sure she could not just get help from her Dr. Please excuse me if I am out of touch, I don't know the story of this person I just wanted you to know I am getting help from my pain DR
Good Luck and prayers to you, Bethany

[Ballgame]

Yeah cancel. Tell you you went CT and off meds. Thank them for their help and hang up
Didn't know sis was sharing with her child

[vicki595]

I'm probably too late here but I hope you don't give your sister those pills. Just don't enable her. It just makes me sick knowing she'll share them with her child. Just sick...

Also, just cancel your appt. and tell them whatever you want but you're clean now and that's how you want it!  It's the truth and you don't owe them a thing!
Blaming your sister for the missing pills won't work at all. Simply cancel and don't look back!

I'm sorry for all the pressure you're under. You're right, it's unfair...

[bama88]

I meant to protect her..if she walks from program. sorry. i meant if shes short or decides to flush...sorry for not clearifying.

And yes soumds like her sister has problems. and needs help now.

[Ballgame]

I doubt the law would come after her for this. The time and resources aren't worth it. Pain mgt will drop her and that will probably be end of it.
The sister has issues though and needs help.
Bottom line is she got caught and is lucky she doesn't need the meds anymore.
The easy answer is yiu just went CT because you were worried you were getting addicted. If they ask why you came back for more meds just say weren't sure what to do so you did nothing

[bama88]

There are laws to protect everyone involved. first the law for patients is you dont have to recieve treatment unless you want to. (not if hour court ordered. just reg patient). and you dont have to take medicine if you dont want to. its your body. so its your choice

as far as your sister goes. she needs help. and if shes contri uting to a 16 yearold. shame on her. shame. she needs help now. im sensing you kinda scared of her. i see why. i would be scared too. violemce scares me. and pressure does too. well not pressure but that pressure is stress to me. good luck.

[minn66]

I really hate being the devil's advocate but several pointed out in OP's other thread that she is responsible for the meds and had suggested she report what happened in case her sister od'd or something else happened. The very reason they test and do pill counts is to prevent diversion. When I quit I took my unused meds to my doctor and told her. Simply saying that she flushed the pills isn't going cut it. No, no one can force you to take pills but you do have to account for them if you aren't taking them and don't have them in your possession. Maybe the worst that will happen is they will cut her from the program. To try to minimize the potential seriousness of this situation is doing her a disservice.

[downandout1982]

Thank you guys. My sister just left, she apologized to me but the situation became a bit awkward when I had told her I was just going to call the office and quit my dr. , She then asked for the pills back. I told her we should flush them I have never seen her so desperate she was crying very bad begging me saying she was in pain. I told her I will call her in a bit after I calmed down and would talk to her then. She even had her husband ask me for her. He is a good man but doesn't understand her addiction problems. 5 years ago she was in jail for robbing a bank to get money for her meth. She goes overboard and it's scary. I'm confused and all this pressure just makes me want to break down. It ***** having to worry about my sister on top of my own addiction problem! She's my big sister she. Should be helping me not the other way around I also found out she's been doing them with her daughter she will be sixteen at the end of the month. I want to scream at her but im scared she will hurt herself.

[LeaAnn807]

If anyone is in trouble here, it's your sister.  You weren't even aware she had gotten them until after the fact.  In my opinion, you haven't done anything wrong.  Flush the pills.  Call Monday and tell them you tested negative because you decided to quit the meds and won't be coming back.  End of discussion with them.  They can't force you to come to their office.  All they can do is fire you as a patient if you don't come do the count.  Either way, if you truly want to quit pills then you don't need to go back there.  So.......no worries!  You haven't done anything!

[Addicted2long]

Tell them that she flushed them and are are done taking pain meds and that's why you tested clean. They will only drop you that's all that can happen. Good luck

[vicki595]

Missing meds?  She knows where they are or were and they're hers and they're paid for!

Yes, flush them all. Then call the office and cancel Mondays appt. I don't see how this can be a legal situation. If you don't want to take a pill, you don't have to!

[minn66]

Oh dear, I was afraid this would happen. Depending the laws in your state and pain management agreement you can be held accountable for the meds whether you made the decision to quit or not since the pills were picked up. I guess you can just tell them that you no longer wish to be a part of their program any more and hopefully there will be no repercussions for the missing meds. Good luck and I am praying for you.

[GA_need_help]

I know what you mean D&O.  I want to keep my pain management doctor's office from knowing I am going to do a medical detox in 3 weeks.  I still want them there in case the pain is too bad afterwards.  In fact, I was thinking today that I hope my medical detox is scheduled after my next pain management appt.  

These opiates--or the taper from them---is making me go nuts though.  I have to cross to the other side.  And believe me, I finally have some positive thinking--at least at this moment I can imagine being through with the opiates, and being ok with the level of pain I have.  Please God, let my back pain be healed and yours be healed to D & O.  I pray for anyone of us Medhelpers that has pain and a problem with pain medicine!!! I had my morning prayer group praying for us all too.

So, I wouldn't even show.  I would call them and tell them you don't need them anymore.  There really isn't any need for more!  You are only going to keep them a plan B.  And we know we have to be with plan A all the way.

I know you will make the best choice for your recovery.

Marie

[bama88]

listen to the smart side. lol

[downandout1982]

To be honest...... A little uncomfortable letting them go. My brain keeps doing things like telling me if I lock them up in my safe and only take one when my back is really bad It would be ok. But then the more rational side says NOT TRUE. You'll take them all and you know it, get them away.

[ricart70]

maybe you could just call them and say I no longer need your services I am quitting as a patient.

[n8tiv_ndn]

That's a good question....I don't know what I would do.....let me ponder on this awhile.......if you don't show then you don't have to explain anything, that's a plus, however.....any thoughts out there forum folks?????

[bama88]

how do you feel about that?