Doctor over prescribing

[lauriesq]

I have a great concern that my mother’s family practitioner is over prescribing percocet’s to her. Drug addiction runs in our family and we lost our brother to an overdose last year. She had a knee replacement last February and we think he is prescribing these medications for knee pain. She doesn’t go to her orthopedic any more. We found one prescription dated 12/11/12 for 60 pills and then another from the same doctor filled on 12/27/12 at a different pharmacy.

What can we do?

[trixy71]

Take them away from her? I would NOT do that, one, she might actually legitimately need them, two, it was her DOCTOR that prescribed them, he had his professional reason to do so.

I agree with Vickie, just ask her, but don't accuse her of being a drug addict, don't make her feel bad for having to take medication, ask her about the pain she's having, open up a dialog with her.

It could very well be that she didn't tell you because of you're brother's overdose, one person having an addiction does not mean that addiction runs in the family.

Best of luck to you, and I'm sorry for the loss of your brother.

[JamieEileen]

My advice is to take them away from her and call the doctors who prescribed them to let them know what you found. If you worry about with drawing...then give her one twice a day watching her swallow it of course. Taper it to one a day. Then stop the medicine. But only after you speak to those doctors, ok? Good luck. I know you love her and care. Also if the doctor blows you off please let me know. I can give you more advice if he does that.

[shinty]

60 Percocets is only 2 weeks worth of medication for the average patient. Just letting you know it's maybe not s bad as you may think. good luck.

[vicki595]

Hi there-   What you can do is ask her about the rx's. She's the only one who can tell you if there's some abuse going on...

I think the worst thing is to sneak around or check up on her...give her a chance to explain her use and ASK her if she needs some help. Sometimes just "opening a window a crack" is enough to help a person crawl through and get the support they need if they need it...

Keep in touch...