pill count!??

[OhioVicoguy]

Has anyone heard of a doctor's office calling you to have you take your pain meds down to the local pharmacy so the pharmacist can count them, and report the amount back to the doctor?? I am only seeing one doctor, and one pharmacy, but at my last visit the doctor was upset about how many I was taking. I know I take too many, and for the wrong reasons. I am trying to quit...but, he'll lose it if he finds out I only have 16 left out of 60 that was written 10/29/08 and I'm supposed to just take 1 every 8 hours as needed! Luckily they called my cell phone, and I told them I was out of town, and couldn't do it until next week. I also told the nurse that I wanted to just quit, and that I may flush them. Its vicodin 5/500 I mean, I'm not getting the scripts illegal, I'm just taking way too many. I think we wantes to monitor my usage. Maybe I shoud just flush them....I mean, they won't search my house!

[Tukrob1004]

I took Vicodin for 15 years . I’ve had real / fake  prescriptions. Even called in with my doctors DEA number. Now granted this was right before the  opiate  epidemic . Actually it was right at the start. Anyway NO ! I’ve never heard of any doctors doing roll calls for their patients meds. Almost sounds illegal. I’d ask around to see if that’s an invasion of privacy. Good luck !

[hobbyjam]

Were you able to get a refill of your oxy? I was short 16 pills and they told that they discontiued it. I only have a few pills left and I dont know what to do.

[sweetness04]

It IS something that they started in Ohio.  I live right on the state line of Ohio and Indiana and I know a couple of people that would try to go to the ER and score....well, the hospitals in Cincinnati started something called a "quick room", which means if they suspect a seeker they put them in the quick room, give them a 800mg motrin and lets the patient know that they know why they are there.  ALSO, I have a friend that is in PM and she has to go routinely to get her pills counted and has also been drug tested to make sure that the narcos are in her system....she's constantly counting and worrying that if she screws up by 1 missing that they'll take her off of her meds.  She doesn't abuse though....she really doesn't have to cause they have her on TONS of different narcos.  But yeah, I'm pretty sure that Ohio is getting pretty bad with the narco addicts and that's why they started doing all of this.  What I'm writing is all hear-say though.  Who knows.  I've never been to the ER to seek.  Good luck and let us know what happens.

[scaredmom330]

I went to a pain clinic in Tn and they did randon drug counts, and it was the same either you could go to the office or go to the pharmacy. I hated it, my new doctor doesnt do that. thanks god, what a hassle.

[troubleinohio]

hey just wondered what happened with you? update please!

[troubleinohio]

im surprised as i read these responses how many people had never heard of being called in for pill counts. Maybe its just something about OHIO (LOL) because I know a ton of opeople that have been or still are on narcotics and most of them get called in for counts randomly. When i was still on them, i did have to do urine drug tests sometimes but never myself had to do a pill count but i knew that they could do it if they suspected misuse/abuse/selling etc.

I hope this thread actually strikes fear in the hearts of all addicts who are still using! think about that the next time you load up on pills...what would you do if your doctor office called  you in today to count your pills?? (I know this wont apply to those who buy those on the street but...... well actually it could still affect them too.......what if your drug dealer got called in to his/her doctor for a pill count? lol)

[worried878]

well...thought about it....i did throw in the towel before anyone started questioning my use....to me that is scary as i could lose my license as well..not worth it...also/on top of that to me it would be a bit demoralizing!   call me crazy but i wouold feel violated/if i deserved it then i guess it was due////just glad i am no longer there anymore

[worried878]

wow...never heard of this stuff to be honest with u! seriously and I am in the medical profession with a pain mgt doctor!   I guess maybe since i am in the profession they never asked...but i was also a low quantity user...dont know...if my doctor started demanding stuff like this i think i would throw in the towel...but that is me and we are all different

[TrayCee]

My PM Dr. does that all the time.  Mostly to see if youre selling your pills.  Very routine procedure

[drmwvrjean]

oh boy!!  i have been in your boat OhioVicoguy!!  i had a pain contract with my primary physician and last march she wanted a random pill count. i was short 10 pills to be exact.  i was dismissed from the clinic and told that i had to go on the suboxone/opiate withdrawl program or that i would be turned into child and family services and could face having my children removed from my home and could face drug charges.  i was on percocet which they consider a narcotic.  they were trying to scare the hell out of me, which they did!!  i will tell you that it was one of the most excruciating times in my life, but i made it through.  i commend you for wanting to get off the pills!!  :)  i wish you the best of luck and best wishes and remember that you can do this!!  xxxxxxxxxx

[roseczern]

The last time I went to the pain doctor, he asked me when the last time I took my meds was.  I told him I did not take them yet that morning.  Next thing I knew I was peeing in a cup.  I could not make enough urine to send out for testing.  What were they looking for.  More pills or less pills.
This time I will be out of pills 3 days before my appointment because thats when I could get in next.  If they ask me to pee, will they find anything from 3 days before?
Also, this Dr is holding my medicing hostage.  IF I do not have an SI injection he will no longer give me my meds.  I do not want the injection, but it seems I have no choice.

[merrymaria]

i ve never heard of bringing pills to the pharmacy...i have heard that the docs can call ya on them and have you come to the office.  how simply crazy...the FDEA is really cracking down anymore and as troubleinohio said..i d be screwed too cos mine were always gone in two weeks if not sooner.  i m so glad i don t play that game anymore...no worries about pills is great..lots of luck to ya...maria :)

[troubleinohio]

the last few times Ive gone to my regular doctor for all my normal meds, there is a new sign posted each time. First it just said "any patients requiring controlled substances must go to a specialist first" (meaning if you need xanax and the like- you go to a pysch , or if you need narcotics you have to see a pain clinic to get the apprroval for the regular doctor to RX you these things).  Then the next time I was in there was a sign saying any patients on narcotics will be required to come in 2 weeks after your appt for a pill count AND urine drug screen" ! I asked him what that was all about and he said he caught one of his own patients trying to sell pain pills in his waiting room! what a moron! Anyhow, he said that he is not even going to be doing the pill count and drug screen much longer either and will simply just not RX controlled substnaces period. THat any patient needing those will just thave to go to the specialist or ER.  Things are getting tough for addicts around here and I sure am glad Ive been done playing that game for a long while now. I know Id be flipping out if I were still using and was called up for a random pill count because my Rx's were ALWAYS completely out about 7 to 14 days after i got them depending on how many i got each time. Id be screwed LOL.  Good luck to you. ARe you finally ready to really quit? I wish you all the best. I know you have been posting here a long time and have struggled with this for years? Keep us posted    

[tramaddi]

they probably want the pharmacy to do it so they can make sure they are the real deal.  sometimes u can fill up the bottle w/ other pills that look similiar.

[OhioVicoguy]

I didn't tell him i was on vaction, i just said i was out of town and would be back tomorrow. they told me to call next week. i have already begun to to a major wean...and when i call him next week, i will still have a dozen or so left out of 60...i'll take them to his office, not the pharmacy, and say here...you can have these, i want to be done!! at least i have a few more days....which will add up to me doing 1 or none, and make the whole count look a little better...i want done with them!! i don't know if he'll keep the pills, give them back to me, or what. i'm not selling or doing anything illegal...just taking too many...and NO, to be honest with my self....I really don't need the pills!!!!!!

[worried878]

but if u plan on quitting and u have done nothing illegal...just get ready and get it done..plenty of support here...let us know what u decide to do...

[avisg]

YES they are doing pill counts now .I have heard this a few times . The I am on vaction is a red flag to them as well.Have you said anything to your doctor about your problem?

[worried878]

I have never heard of anything like asking someone to take their pills to the pharmacy to count them...that would probably irritate the stew out of me!  5 mg pills..that would only be using 25 mg a day if u used 45 5 mg pills in 9 days...that is not even a prescribed dose for most pain patients...more like 40-60 mg a day.....strange that he would be so upset with u for a 25 mg a day habit.....at that dose quitting should not be a problem and u could just CT...if u need  the pills for a pain problem i would find another doctor who did not get so upset over using 25 mg a day of hydro as most pain mgt doctors would be thrilled with a patient with chronic pain on such a low dose...
guess it would depend on where i was at with the pills..if i were addicted and recreationally using them, or a chronic pain patient who needs them to function and work etc.
everyone is different with different goals...but above all, i found being honest with myself first and foremost was very important

[lovemypillhead]

Pain management docs will do random pill counts ot make sure ur taking as directed, not selling them, etc.

honey, they CANNOT search your house!  dont worry about that.  the police would be the ones to do a search .. and, number one---the police will NOT come to your house to do a pill count seach. ever ever ever.  they only will search a house if there is some criminal case they are building or something like that and it isnt a "criminal" activity to take all your pills.  it may be not right...or abusing pills...but, it isnt a criminal act.  number two--ok, even if the would search your house which they WILL NOT   they would have to have asearch warrant.  the only way they get a search warrant is to go before a judge and / or grand jury...and again, there has to be sufficient evidence and criminal activity or possible criminal activity.  

you're ok!  

but, chances are, if you are short on pills, the doc will discharge you. i dont think the whole "i flushed my narcotics down the toilet" works with doctors these days....unless ur like 90 yrs old or something.  otherwise, they will assume u took too many or sold them.

[mommy2be25]

As long as the Dr's office didn't already involve the pharmacy then you should be fine. Your Dr's office should take care of that themselves not ask the pharmacy to count them. I can understand where you are coming from. Those pills will reck lives, even if you don't realize it. Dr's and pharmacy's are getting so weird about pain meds because of all the people that are abusing, which they should be.

[OhioVicoguy]

why can't i co back to the pharmacy anymore? i didn't do anything wrong with the scripts, my tolerance level just got too high, you know how those damn pills are!! I definitely won't get any more from the doctor, but I don't need anymore, and i even told them i want to be done with the pills. the pharmacy won't know i flushed them. I mean, i've been going to that pharmacy for years, for all other stuff too! i know i'm already red flagged with the doctor, but I need to be! They should want to help me if I have a problem. They said to work with them, and call them next week. I would feel foolish walking into a drug store, and asking people that i know there to count my pills!!!!!!!! I wan't the doctor to trust me on this!!

[mommy2be25]

Well, as long as you are ready to drop them then just do it and be done. You will be glad you did in the end. After 5 years of use I finally gave in and quit, it's still not easy yet, but I know my life will just keep getting better instead of going in circles. Good luck!

[OhioVicoguy]

well, i'm not selling them....i binge in them, and take way too many. no...the doctor isn't drug testing me. when i talked to the nurse about it, she was sympathetic, and told me to maybe come in next week and wean off them instead of cold turkey. i told her i'm tired of taking them, and don't want to depend on anything, and i would either flush or/and come in to see them. so, i'm sure the red flag was already up, and i actually don't mind. they know i have been taking too many, and so do i....its time it ends!!!

[mommy2be25]

I use to work for a pain management specialist and telling the nurse you might flush them or that you did flush them might have been a mistake. That is a big red flag that you are either taking way to many or selling them. Most of the time they are more concerned that you may be selling them. Have they drug tested you? If you flush them don't plan on ever going back to that doctor or pharmacy because they will note your file.