New Hydrocodone Potential Scheduling

[sophiachanel92]

Hi all! Just received notice from another that hydrocodone may be moved from schedule III to schedule II. Just saw DEA proposed rule. What sort of implications will that mean for pain management? I am on Norco 10/325 and my quality of life will be majorly diminished without the meds if I cannot obtain a prescription from the doctor that has been writing me this script for so long. What will happen? Has anyone else been feeling the effects? -Angie

[sophiachanel92]

Thank you! You're awesome! We do a paper script and I come to the office monthly! It doesn't sound like much will change from that! Hopefully everything continues to go well!

[horselip]

I can't speak for what your doctor might do. But /i would imagine that your doctor will continue to prescribe your medication if he/she feels that it works for you. The difference on the patient end is that you will be given a paper script that will have to be taken to be filled at the pharmacy every month, meaning no refills.

I am currently on a schedule II med. I also take a schedule III med. I see my PM doc monthly, check in, get examined, sometimes do a urinalysis and then obtain my script. Now that we have established trust we are trying a "see her every 3 months" thing. I still will need to pick up (or have them mail) the Rx for the schedule II meds because refills are not allowed. With the schedule III meds I refill them monthly but the doctor is able to send the Rx electronically to my pharmacy.

Maybe this is what you will have to do now? If you have a solid relationship with your doc and are compliant you might even be able to continue to see your doc every 3 months and pick up the Rx on the months when you don't see him or her?

I don't know what type of DEA paperwork and other rules that doctors have to do that is different from schedule II and schedule III meds on the patient end of things.

Good luck and I hope that your doctor is able to continue to treat you.
Horselip

[sophiachanel92]

By the way, sorry for all of the questions, a lot of stress on my plate!