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7.5 Hydro's Don't work What Next?
I am on 7.5 mg/500apap for chronic back pain and 4 leg surgeries(had osteomilytus and osteocellulitus) sorry if spelled wrong. The meds aren't touching pain anymore, I have a very strong tolerance for meds and have been on alot of them in another state, but have new doctor and signed pain management papers, how do I go about discussing different options without "alarming" my dr. I can'tm live with the constant pain and have many responsibilities I can't be in bed all day in pain!!! Please help!
Well I'm glad that he gave you at least "some" more for the month so that you are able to take the higher prescribed dose if needed. Before you split any of the pills and take 1 1/2 of them instead of 2, please put a call into his office and just double check with him to make sure that would be an acceptable thing to try. As you said, you certainly don't want to do anything that could/would make you lose your current med/doctor. Even though cutting a pill in 1/2 and taking 1 1/2 of them IS lower than the 2 that he said you can take, it's still taking them differently from the way he prescribed, so it's best to check with him before doing so. If he approves it, and it works better than what you have now, you may want to discuss at your next appointment him switching you back to the 10/500 that you had been on before.
If you're finding that you're getting flustered or feeling rushed when you see him, I suggest you write down your questions, comments, symptoms, etc., before your appointment and that way you have it right in front of you what you wanted to tell him. I've used this quite often for doctor appointments becuase I was constantly forgetting something I wanted to mention and wouldn't remember usually until I was at least half way home again. Also, don't let him rush you - if you feel you need more time than what you're getting during your appointment, simply say "I need a few more minutes of your time to discuss something". AFter all, you're paying for his time and if it means an extra 5 minutes, then too bad/so sad for him! LOL
I will say also that if you find that you are having to take the two tablets more often than what your 140 monthly script would permit (possibly causing you to run out early) - you need to get an appointment with as soon as you realize this and definitely don't wait until that 2 months. Again, I'd hate for you to find that you're running short on meds - both because of pain issues, but also because requesting an early refill definitely sends up red flags and if you feel he's already pegged anyone who is on pain meds as being "addicted", you don't want to add any fuel to that fire. I would hope that since he's working as both a pain managmenet and as a chemcial dependency doc that he would know the difference between addiction and tolerance, but many doctors do not, unfortunately.
Best of luck and please keep me posted on how you're doing.
If you're finding that you're getting flustered or feeling rushed when you see him, I suggest you write down your questions, comments, symptoms, etc., before your appointment and that way you have it right in front of you what you wanted to tell him. I've used this quite often for doctor appointments becuase I was constantly forgetting something I wanted to mention and wouldn't remember usually until I was at least half way home again. Also, don't let him rush you - if you feel you need more time than what you're getting during your appointment, simply say "I need a few more minutes of your time to discuss something". AFter all, you're paying for his time and if it means an extra 5 minutes, then too bad/so sad for him! LOL
I will say also that if you find that you are having to take the two tablets more often than what your 140 monthly script would permit (possibly causing you to run out early) - you need to get an appointment with as soon as you realize this and definitely don't wait until that 2 months. Again, I'd hate for you to find that you're running short on meds - both because of pain issues, but also because requesting an early refill definitely sends up red flags and if you feel he's already pegged anyone who is on pain meds as being "addicted", you don't want to add any fuel to that fire. I would hope that since he's working as both a pain managmenet and as a chemcial dependency doc that he would know the difference between addiction and tolerance, but many doctors do not, unfortunately.
Best of luck and please keep me posted on how you're doing.
Well I saw him after a whirlwind of a day, (had tooth extracted, had school, kids, had to run a friend of family's all over town) and then at the end of day saw him. He gave me 140 instead(not much of leway) however I will try to deal for now. I get fumbled and intimidated when I talk to him, I don't want to come off the wrong way. He said he only needs to see me in 2 months now and to just pick up my script in 30 days in between. I have been seeing him for about 3 months, but taking 10mg/500 for about 3 months before that and oxycodone 5/500 before that for about 2 or 3 months. In my other state, I was on longer acting meds, like I said before, so i seem to have to take shorter acting ones about every 4 -5 hours, 6 hours and I am in pain badly. He said something about if I needed to be taking 2 everyday then,(he drifted off and didn't really finish) I think he was trying to think what would be next. Plus I don't think he is really a "pain management specialist". He also works part-time as a chemical dependency physician.(at a local treatment hospital) I am studying in Human Services, with certification in chemical dependency so I hate it when doctors look at everyone as if they are "seeking". I think he already has preconceived notions about everyone who are taking pain medication. When he got my records, he was like, "whoa, you've had some extensive history of surgeries, I understand now" but does he really? That's part of the reason why I get flustered when talking to him. I don't want to loose the help I am getting now, owever something is gonna have to change. In my head I will know what to say, but then it comes out wrong or I don't speak up. I will try this few extra he gave (maybe 1 and 1/2) and then approach again next time I see him, otherwise I will have to be making an appointment sooner than 2 months. Thank You for the info about the prescription companies, that might help cut costs.
I'm glad that you have an appointment today so you can discuss this with your doctor.
How long have you been on the same dose of hydrocodone? It's hard to say what an "appropriate" time is for building a tolerance as well all react to medication differently - some build a tolerance much more quickly than yet others never seem to build any tolerance.
Since your doctor already has written your script that you are permitted to take 2 tablets, your thought of asking him to write the script of an amount that would permit the two tablets AND last an entire month is a good one. He may not want to write it for 2 tablets every 4 hours (a good bit of that reason probably would be because if you took 2 tablets every 4 hours and had to take the 'round the clock - 6 doses a day - you would be getting more than the maximum daily amount of acetaminophen) with enough to last for 30 days (at least to start off), but he may be willing to write it for the 2 tablets every 6 hours, which would still be more than what he basically has it written for as of now. Do you find that when you do have to take the 2 tablets, that your pain is better controlled? If so, then this is definitely the way to go with the doc - let him know that the hydro DOES help, however, you are finding that you are having to take the higher amount that he had the script written for.
If he does end up changing your med to something else that is more expensive, check into the patient assistance programs that many drug manufacturers offer to those who do not have prescription insurance. You simply need to find out who the manufacturer of your med is (usually on the prescription bottle or you can ask the pharmacy) and either get their phone number or go on their website and look for a section marked patient assistance or financial asistance. Some of them offer discounts and others still offer their medication for free.
No need to thank me for anything - I'm glad I was able to give at least a little bit of advice!
How long have you been on the same dose of hydrocodone? It's hard to say what an "appropriate" time is for building a tolerance as well all react to medication differently - some build a tolerance much more quickly than yet others never seem to build any tolerance.
Since your doctor already has written your script that you are permitted to take 2 tablets, your thought of asking him to write the script of an amount that would permit the two tablets AND last an entire month is a good one. He may not want to write it for 2 tablets every 4 hours (a good bit of that reason probably would be because if you took 2 tablets every 4 hours and had to take the 'round the clock - 6 doses a day - you would be getting more than the maximum daily amount of acetaminophen) with enough to last for 30 days (at least to start off), but he may be willing to write it for the 2 tablets every 6 hours, which would still be more than what he basically has it written for as of now. Do you find that when you do have to take the 2 tablets, that your pain is better controlled? If so, then this is definitely the way to go with the doc - let him know that the hydro DOES help, however, you are finding that you are having to take the higher amount that he had the script written for.
If he does end up changing your med to something else that is more expensive, check into the patient assistance programs that many drug manufacturers offer to those who do not have prescription insurance. You simply need to find out who the manufacturer of your med is (usually on the prescription bottle or you can ask the pharmacy) and either get their phone number or go on their website and look for a section marked patient assistance or financial asistance. Some of them offer discounts and others still offer their medication for free.
No need to thank me for anything - I'm glad I was able to give at least a little bit of advice!
i have appt today so I will talk to him to see if he can at least give me enough so I can try the dosage he ordered (two if needed) and not run out. Maybe that would work. The problem I am afraid of is that in my past I have been on very strong prescriptions and I would prefer not to go back to that route so quickly. I read some other people's comments and concerns on this site( I am new) and like them, I know this will be something I will have to battle for the rest of my life. I am a mother a student and also a wife. I also have no insurance that pays for my precriptions, so I have to pay out of pocket and some can get very expensive. any suggestions on resonable insurance would also be appreciated. My visits are covered for now though. Plus very busy and it scares me when I can hardly lift my children without wanting to cry in pain. I appreciate that you responded to my question. Thank You soooooooo much and God Bless.
Thank you and yes he made me get all surgacal records, etc... However my old pain management doctor is retired and office closed! UGH! He does have most of my charts though. What is an appropriate time frame to build tolerance though? I don't take more than precribed, I am precribed 1-2 every 4-6 hrs as needed but he only gives me 120 for 30 days and that isn't working either.That would only equal 1 every 6 hours. I don't abuse my meds, I just know that doctors get very touchy when you start telling them something isn't working anymore. And trust me I am not going to another dr. my dentist gave me a prescription for something similar and I won't even fill that! I refuse to loose what help I have!!!!
You simply need to have a "sit-down" with your doctor and tell him that while the hydro's worked for a while, they no longer are controlling your pain and you're finding it increasingly difficutly to go about your activities of daily life because of the pain.
Whatever you do, DO NOT go to a different doctor from whom who've signed the pain contract with, DO NOT take more of your meds than prescribed. The more you can show your doctor that you're following all of his instructions to the letter, the more likely he is going to be willing to do some trial and error with you to find the right medication.
When you moved to the new state and got the new doctor, were you able to provide him with your past medical records so he can see what has been tried (and failed) in teh past? If you haven't done that as of yet, I would strongly suggest you do so. This, also, will show him what other doctors have tried, both with medication and other therapies, so therefore, your new doctor may not request/require you go through that whole process again. This new doctor still may want to try some other therapies or even some medication that you've already tried in the past just to see for himself what does and doesn't work - so be prepared for that.
As I said, the best thing is to just make an appointment with him and let him know that even though the current meds DID help for a while, they are no longer helping. Do not go in requesting a specific medication - leave it up to him to suggest ideas. If, however, he asks what has worked in the past, be honest with him in telling him what, if anything has helped the most.
It's very common to build up tolerances to your medications over time, so it's not all that uncommon to have to change them from time to time.
Iwish you the best of luck!
Whatever you do, DO NOT go to a different doctor from whom who've signed the pain contract with, DO NOT take more of your meds than prescribed. The more you can show your doctor that you're following all of his instructions to the letter, the more likely he is going to be willing to do some trial and error with you to find the right medication.
When you moved to the new state and got the new doctor, were you able to provide him with your past medical records so he can see what has been tried (and failed) in teh past? If you haven't done that as of yet, I would strongly suggest you do so. This, also, will show him what other doctors have tried, both with medication and other therapies, so therefore, your new doctor may not request/require you go through that whole process again. This new doctor still may want to try some other therapies or even some medication that you've already tried in the past just to see for himself what does and doesn't work - so be prepared for that.
As I said, the best thing is to just make an appointment with him and let him know that even though the current meds DID help for a while, they are no longer helping. Do not go in requesting a specific medication - leave it up to him to suggest ideas. If, however, he asks what has worked in the past, be honest with him in telling him what, if anything has helped the most.
It's very common to build up tolerances to your medications over time, so it's not all that uncommon to have to change them from time to time.
Iwish you the best of luck!
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