Cancer patient that got meds from PCP & PMP

[aec67]

I have been in pain management since July after my mastectomy, and first chemotherapy treatment. I discovered that the chemo & neulasta injection (given to stimulate my bone marrow to produce wbc) causes intense bone pain. Also, a bone scan showed arthritis in all my joints, and an MRI showed some problems in my neck & bulging disc in lower back. I had been on suboxone before all this because I was very dependant on pain medications for some acute pain I had. Anyway, last month my purse was stolen with my pain meds in it. I filed a police report, but when I called PMP the secretary & nurse said they couldn't replace them (oxy 60mg & oxycodone 10mg). This was 5 days after my chemo & I was in severe pain. I went to a PCP & told him the story, and he wrote Lortab 10mg 3 times a day. 3 days later I had an appt with PMP (nurse practioner), and they rewrote my meds. My insurance covered it with a copy of the police report. I only filled the long acting first because I had the Lortab for breakthrough. I had told the nurse at the PMP office, but didn't mention the LT to the practioner I saw. But, the next day I went back to tell her before I got the oxycodone (the lortab wasn't working). I asked her to call me with what to do, but she didn't call, so I filled the script. In the mean time, I got the flu & went back to the PCP to get Tamiflu etc & he just walks in and hands me another script of LT. I didn't object, and told him why I was there & got tamiflu etc. I filled the LT and Tamiflu etc at a pharmacy by a health food store I go to. It was 6 days early. The PMP called for me to come get my scripts, I didn't go for several days, but I have picked them up, and I asked to see practioner, but wasn't available. I haven't gotten the scripts filled & am making it, but I have more surgeries. I know I need to take the scripts back, and explain, but I'm afraid they'll drop me. My question is can I get in trouble for this already & did my PCP do this to set me up? I'm sick of these pain meds & want off asap, but now is not an option until surgeries & my PET scan. Really worried because I've read I could go to jail for getting scripts from 2 doctors.

[aec67]

I think I am taking the scripts to my appointment Feb 14th. They wre due to be filled the 12th of Jan. I am just worried they will drop me, and I was going to ask to be put on Subutex for the pain. That is if all goes well with the PET scan. I really want back in recovery, I mean I am in recovery, but this is slipping. I can't feel like I'm clean on those meds. I never wanted to fall back into this. I always used to tell my sponsor that I was afraid of even going to the denist or having surgery, but CANCER! I am taking the scripts back. I will use the lortab for the pain until I can transition. I don't think the PCP will drop me, but pain management will. I'm quitting them first because I'm pretty sure that they won't write subutex or suboxone for pain anyway.Thanks for your input.

[LeaAnn807]

Yes, they can drop you for that at both doctor's offices.  I would try being honest and not wait until I got caught.  The problem is the use of the insurance.  They will report it if they catch what you did.  As long as you're not filling meds early, they usually won't say a word, but the second you do that it really sets off a red flag.  

Try telling them.  You actually did do it for legitimate reasons.  Probably doesn't matter in the eyes of the law but I understand what you did.  I think that returning the scripts would work in your favor here too.  

The other thing that you can obviously do is wait and see what happens!  Good luck with your treatments and ending your addiction to pills!  I hope to see you cancer free hanging around here soon!!!

[YesLife4Me]

I don't believe you can go to jail for getting scrips from the 2 different doctors, BUT...if you are using your insurance to fill them, your insurance company could red flag and report you to the pharmacy and both prescribing Dr's.   Did you sign a pain management agreement that you wouldn't get pain meds elsewhere?   If so, then your PM Dr could fire you as a patient and your regular Dr could as well since you told him that wouldn't give you anymore at the time and a few days later they did.  Your PM Dr wouldn't have filled your scrips to set you up.  Definitely do not do this anymore.   Physicians are under intense scrutiny, especially PM Drs by the DEA looking for over prescribing of opiates.   I wouldn't want to see you not get your meds for your treatment, but seeing that you have had a problem with pain meds in the past, it could come across as Dr. shopping.