Aa
Question about pain management/ medication refills
Hey guys, so I have a quick question concerning PM docs and opiate medication. I know this probably varies from location to location, but I figure it's worth asking. I'm sure some of you guys have been in this situation as well.
So I get a months supply of 5mg Roxicodone (200/count) and I'm supposed to only take 6 a day maximum. I kinda overdid it and finished them in like 13 days.
The PM doc tells me to contact the department 1 week before running out to request a for a refill. I've pretty much been feeling like crap this past week since I'm all out of my medication. I will be calling the department and requesting a refill this Thursday since Thursday will mark 25 days since I received my Roxys.
So here's my question: Do you guys think that PM Departments ask that you request a refill a week before running out so they can give you the medication the same day so you don't ever go a day without pills (Thus not facing WD symptoms)? Or do you guys think they will most likely refill the medication on the day I was supposed to run out?
I swear, I have learned my lesson of never running out early because these symptoms suck! I'm through the worst of it, but still..it ***** :P
Thanks in advance guys!
TL;DR: Do you guys think PM Clinics ask for a person to request a refill a week before running out so they could refill the same day or so they can refill it the day you're supposed to run out?
So I get a months supply of 5mg Roxicodone (200/count) and I'm supposed to only take 6 a day maximum. I kinda overdid it and finished them in like 13 days.
The PM doc tells me to contact the department 1 week before running out to request a for a refill. I've pretty much been feeling like crap this past week since I'm all out of my medication. I will be calling the department and requesting a refill this Thursday since Thursday will mark 25 days since I received my Roxys.
So here's my question: Do you guys think that PM Departments ask that you request a refill a week before running out so they can give you the medication the same day so you don't ever go a day without pills (Thus not facing WD symptoms)? Or do you guys think they will most likely refill the medication on the day I was supposed to run out?
I swear, I have learned my lesson of never running out early because these symptoms suck! I'm through the worst of it, but still..it ***** :P
Thanks in advance guys!
TL;DR: Do you guys think PM Clinics ask for a person to request a refill a week before running out so they could refill the same day or so they can refill it the day you're supposed to run out?
my god tuesday i think you are one of the people i have been looking for------people who have the real Chronic Pain and will not get better unless there is a miracle or they die! I have the same dark "cloud" over me when i see people in the ama cult. The drs and nurses are so much better people than we are and are qualified to judge and condemn. They hold us hostage (with the threat of stopping prescriptions). We are adults who ask for info and suggestions (from the drs experience) and expect that our choice of treatment will be honored. HA! what a rare thing in this world. HEY! is there a lawyer out there who can help us get a "patient's right to pain relief" or some such designation so i dion't have to whine or beg or feel like a child when i visit medical professionals????anyway thank you tuesday and ck my comments where i started a thread omhome OM
Was your reply to the initial post or to my post? If it was to me, could you please articulate exactly what you don't believe and why? Thank you.
I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that anyone wether it be 2 years or 14 years, that u take only what's prescribed I've been a Nurse for 11yrs and ur intake of meds goes up either 2yrs or every 3yrs, cause ur body gets immuned to the meds, I hate it when people lie& say that crap cause if that was the case & everyone took only the amount prescribed then u would be able to get off of them so keep being in denial and speak the truth
I agree with you - I have no problem with my doc's strict rules because I DO NOT want to be viewed as a drug-seeker. That's why I had my pain management doctor write up my treatment plan and my GP implements it - I don't want to be going to too many doctors. I already have a psychiatrist, my GP, and my orthopedic doc all prescribing meds.
According to my treatment plan, I see my GP every 3 months to review ALL my medications, he sends them in, but there are no refills on the Vicodin. Because I have a panic disorder and do not DRIVE, he has me CALL every 30 days to refill the Vicodin. My GP is part of a whole clinic, so if he is not there on day 29, EACH of the doctors there can read my treatment plan and call in my meds without making a fuss. The general policy of that whole clinic is NO NARCOTICS Friday - Sunday, but that doesn't apply to me because of my treatment plan.
With my panic disorder, migraines, and propensity for infections (I had seven sinus infections...and then seven yeast infections from the antibiotics...just last year), I end up in the ER and Convenient Care more often than most people and I ALWAYS feel like I have to defend the medications I am on. *sigh* Some doctors get it right away, others chastise me, others try to tell me that I am a full-blown hypochondriac and/or addict. On top of the Vicodin, I take Xanax 4x daily, so there is a stigma with that, as well. It is SO FRUSTRATING to try to get EVERY nosy doctor, PA, nurse, etc... that I encounter to understand that I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for 15 years, the same GP clinic for 15 years, the same pain management clinic for 10 years - and that my current treatment plans took YEARS to evolve and tweak.
I do everything RIGHT - I do not run out of ANY of my meds early, I do not miss appointments, I do all the PT and all the other alternative treatments asked of me - and I still have to justify myself all the time!! AARRGGHH!!
According to my treatment plan, I see my GP every 3 months to review ALL my medications, he sends them in, but there are no refills on the Vicodin. Because I have a panic disorder and do not DRIVE, he has me CALL every 30 days to refill the Vicodin. My GP is part of a whole clinic, so if he is not there on day 29, EACH of the doctors there can read my treatment plan and call in my meds without making a fuss. The general policy of that whole clinic is NO NARCOTICS Friday - Sunday, but that doesn't apply to me because of my treatment plan.
With my panic disorder, migraines, and propensity for infections (I had seven sinus infections...and then seven yeast infections from the antibiotics...just last year), I end up in the ER and Convenient Care more often than most people and I ALWAYS feel like I have to defend the medications I am on. *sigh* Some doctors get it right away, others chastise me, others try to tell me that I am a full-blown hypochondriac and/or addict. On top of the Vicodin, I take Xanax 4x daily, so there is a stigma with that, as well. It is SO FRUSTRATING to try to get EVERY nosy doctor, PA, nurse, etc... that I encounter to understand that I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for 15 years, the same GP clinic for 15 years, the same pain management clinic for 10 years - and that my current treatment plans took YEARS to evolve and tweak.
I do everything RIGHT - I do not run out of ANY of my meds early, I do not miss appointments, I do all the PT and all the other alternative treatments asked of me - and I still have to justify myself all the time!! AARRGGHH!!
Hi!
I've never heard of pseudo-addiction. I just googled it after reading your post - does it mean that you have addictive BEHAVIORS because your pain is not being managed correctly? But that you are not truly addicted? It sounds a lot like one of my friends. She was addicted to meth over 20 years ago, but because that is in her records, no pain doctor will properly treat the severe body pain she now has. There is a significant incidence of RA in her family, as well as fibro, but doctors just seem to write her off as drug seeking whenever she tries to get a diagnosis. So when she does get a small amount of pain medication (she was given 50 Vicoden for a broken thumb), she takes them WAY too fast and then has to go through the withdrawal process.
I would really like to hear more! Thank you!
I've never heard of pseudo-addiction. I just googled it after reading your post - does it mean that you have addictive BEHAVIORS because your pain is not being managed correctly? But that you are not truly addicted? It sounds a lot like one of my friends. She was addicted to meth over 20 years ago, but because that is in her records, no pain doctor will properly treat the severe body pain she now has. There is a significant incidence of RA in her family, as well as fibro, but doctors just seem to write her off as drug seeking whenever she tries to get a diagnosis. So when she does get a small amount of pain medication (she was given 50 Vicoden for a broken thumb), she takes them WAY too fast and then has to go through the withdrawal process.
I would really like to hear more! Thank you!
My PM counts my pills every month to make sure i have the correct amount before giving me a refill, and the refill is to be filled on day 30, its written on the script. I'm not allowed to "call-in" for a refill, its only done at my regular monthly appointment. I don't mind the strict rules because i can get the treatment i need without having to worry about the drug seekers ruining it for me. (I'm not saying that about you, just in general)
If the roxicodone does work for you, maybe talk to your doc about Oxycontin, or another form of an LA med, you mentioned mscontin but you shouldn't necessarily give up on it as they usually start you off on the lowest dose and go up from there.
Best of luck to you.
If the roxicodone does work for you, maybe talk to your doc about Oxycontin, or another form of an LA med, you mentioned mscontin but you shouldn't necessarily give up on it as they usually start you off on the lowest dose and go up from there.
Best of luck to you.
Hello. I just wanted to pop in to let you know that most PM doctors these days do urine drug screens. They test to make sure that you are indeed taking your medications as prescribed. Some also do pill counts.
I really think that you need to make an appointment to see your doctor. Take someone with you (like a trusted family member).
I'm not really sure what else to say, but going through your medication that quickly really is a huge problem. Have you heard of pseudo-addiction?
I hope that things get better.
I really think that you need to make an appointment to see your doctor. Take someone with you (like a trusted family member).
I'm not really sure what else to say, but going through your medication that quickly really is a huge problem. Have you heard of pseudo-addiction?
I hope that things get better.
Hi Alexis,
Man, you have been through the ringer!!!! No wonder you went through your pain meds so quickly! After reading your history, I really think you should drive home to your doc that you simply cannot FUNCTION without proper pain management - that an increased dosage may be what you need in order to control your pain (you shouldn't have to just suck it up - that's not living!) which will help you to NOT take more medication than you are supposed to. Your AGE should have nothing to do with it. If anything, at your age you HAVE to be able to be physically active or it will lead to health issues down the road. Doctors don't always understand the difference between physical dependence versus addiction. And YOU are the only person who knows how much you are hurting!
Are you getting any physical and/or massage therapy? What about a tens unit or chiropractic care? I know all of that is different for you, as your body has sustained a TRAUMATIC injury, so those may not be options in your case. My best friend was in a car crash on Halloween and suffered a crushed ankle and foot. She can still only walk with a custom support brace, along with her pain medication. Her docs actually try to get her to take MORE pain meds than she is comfortable with in order to keep her ahead of the pain. It sounds like you are in a very similar situation...except she is 36 and you are 19 - it seems ridiculous that you would receive different care because of your age.
I hope things go well when you speak to the pm clinic. I would like to hear how it goes (either on the forum or you can send me a note)!!
~Peace & Blessings to you~
Man, you have been through the ringer!!!! No wonder you went through your pain meds so quickly! After reading your history, I really think you should drive home to your doc that you simply cannot FUNCTION without proper pain management - that an increased dosage may be what you need in order to control your pain (you shouldn't have to just suck it up - that's not living!) which will help you to NOT take more medication than you are supposed to. Your AGE should have nothing to do with it. If anything, at your age you HAVE to be able to be physically active or it will lead to health issues down the road. Doctors don't always understand the difference between physical dependence versus addiction. And YOU are the only person who knows how much you are hurting!
Are you getting any physical and/or massage therapy? What about a tens unit or chiropractic care? I know all of that is different for you, as your body has sustained a TRAUMATIC injury, so those may not be options in your case. My best friend was in a car crash on Halloween and suffered a crushed ankle and foot. She can still only walk with a custom support brace, along with her pain medication. Her docs actually try to get her to take MORE pain meds than she is comfortable with in order to keep her ahead of the pain. It sounds like you are in a very similar situation...except she is 36 and you are 19 - it seems ridiculous that you would receive different care because of your age.
I hope things go well when you speak to the pm clinic. I would like to hear how it goes (either on the forum or you can send me a note)!!
~Peace & Blessings to you~
Thank very much for your super insightful and informative response. I really appreciate it.
I see that you have much experience with the pain management department and its processes. I'm actually kinda new to this all. On the 23rd of this month, I will have completed my first month with the program.
I don't want anyone to think I was abusing my pain medication or anything like that. The thing is that I had informed my pain doc that the Norco(Hydrocodone 10mg/Acetaminophen 325mg) wasn't doing the wonders for my pain that it once did. So I was bumped up to these 5mg oxycodone tabs. I informed the doc that these were better than than the norco but still not really completely relieving my shoulder pain as the norco once did. So I was put on morphine extended release pills so that I would have "Around-the clock" pain relief. That didn't really work. It took way to long to kick in and even when it did kick in, it would hardly give me relief. So then I was put on Opana er 5mg. Same story as the Morphine. So I finally just settled for the Oxycodone 5mg pills since they relieve my pain relatively quick compared to the er tabs.
Here's the kicker: My PM Doc said he doesn't really want to give me anything stronger since I am only 19 and I should not be dependent on opiate pain medication. I see where he's coming from, but after getting hit by a car, having my shoulder shattered, having hardware inserted and then removed a year later due to massive infection, I can't help but need some "Stronger" medication for my chronic pain.
So that's my story and that's why I finished my medication so early. I guess I'll just have to bare through my pain and take less medication so I never run out early again.
I've been waiting two weeks, guess I could wait another. I'll try to be strong.
Once again, thank you very much for the great response.
I see that you have much experience with the pain management department and its processes. I'm actually kinda new to this all. On the 23rd of this month, I will have completed my first month with the program.
I don't want anyone to think I was abusing my pain medication or anything like that. The thing is that I had informed my pain doc that the Norco(Hydrocodone 10mg/Acetaminophen 325mg) wasn't doing the wonders for my pain that it once did. So I was bumped up to these 5mg oxycodone tabs. I informed the doc that these were better than than the norco but still not really completely relieving my shoulder pain as the norco once did. So I was put on morphine extended release pills so that I would have "Around-the clock" pain relief. That didn't really work. It took way to long to kick in and even when it did kick in, it would hardly give me relief. So then I was put on Opana er 5mg. Same story as the Morphine. So I finally just settled for the Oxycodone 5mg pills since they relieve my pain relatively quick compared to the er tabs.
Here's the kicker: My PM Doc said he doesn't really want to give me anything stronger since I am only 19 and I should not be dependent on opiate pain medication. I see where he's coming from, but after getting hit by a car, having my shoulder shattered, having hardware inserted and then removed a year later due to massive infection, I can't help but need some "Stronger" medication for my chronic pain.
So that's my story and that's why I finished my medication so early. I guess I'll just have to bare through my pain and take less medication so I never run out early again.
I've been waiting two weeks, guess I could wait another. I'll try to be strong.
Once again, thank you very much for the great response.
Hello,
My personal experience has been that ALL docs (including pain management specialists) are usually pretty strict with refills. My own pm doc has to call in my monthly "hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5/750 - 90 pills" every 30 days. I have to call the office, if my doc is not there I have to make sure the doctor covering READS my treatment plan (they make blanket statements like "I don't do ANY narcotic refills on weekends" - this just happened to me yesterday, but she DID call it in after reading my chart), and the pharmacy is instructed on which day to fill it (like yesterday the doc called it in because my 30 days was actually TODAY, so the pharmacy would not fill it until midnight).
I would suggest that you have a schedule an appointment and tell the doc what happened - and that you will NOT do it again. I hate to tell you, but he/she is probably going to be p'ed off. If you explain that you are out five days early this month, they MAY make an exception this time, but they may not. The doc may also decide that it would be necessary for you to take a stronger dose (5mg is the lowest dose pill - it goes up to 30 mg) that could then be taken less often (like 30 mg 2x daily versus 5 mg 6x daily). Maybe the stronger single doses would help control your pain better.
I would also suggest that you start using a daily pill holder to make sure you don't do this again. I am on quite a few different meds for my fibromyalgia, panic disorder, hypothyroidism, and cholesterol/triglycerides, so the pill case is a MUST for me!! I know how you feel - there are plenty of days when I would want nothing more than to take a few extra pain pills, but this helps me to NOT give in to that. I have to make due with OTC pain meds, hot bathes, and TLC from my husband and kids :). I am a 38 yr old wife and mother of three, so I can't let myself become addicted (I know I am physically DEPENDENT on my pain meds, but that is different than being ADDICTED). Also, over a period a time, if you continue to increase your dosage, your body adapts and your pain becomes more resistant to the medication. I'm a bit concerned that you ran out of a month's supply of a pretty potent medication in 13 days - that can be dangerous! On top of that, you had to go through that nasty withdrawal process!!
As far as your last question:
My doc doesn't have me call a week ahead of time for a refill, but that doesn't sound like your doc's policy. If they are asking you to call a week ahead of time, it doesn't mean they will fill it the day that you call - it just helps them from having 50 people trying to get their meds filled in a 12 hour period. They will only fill your prescription on the day you are scheduled to run out (in your case, like mine, that would be every 30 days).
Good luck to you!!! Feel free to drop me a note via this site if you'd like to chat more about chronic pain management!!!
My personal experience has been that ALL docs (including pain management specialists) are usually pretty strict with refills. My own pm doc has to call in my monthly "hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5/750 - 90 pills" every 30 days. I have to call the office, if my doc is not there I have to make sure the doctor covering READS my treatment plan (they make blanket statements like "I don't do ANY narcotic refills on weekends" - this just happened to me yesterday, but she DID call it in after reading my chart), and the pharmacy is instructed on which day to fill it (like yesterday the doc called it in because my 30 days was actually TODAY, so the pharmacy would not fill it until midnight).
I would suggest that you have a schedule an appointment and tell the doc what happened - and that you will NOT do it again. I hate to tell you, but he/she is probably going to be p'ed off. If you explain that you are out five days early this month, they MAY make an exception this time, but they may not. The doc may also decide that it would be necessary for you to take a stronger dose (5mg is the lowest dose pill - it goes up to 30 mg) that could then be taken less often (like 30 mg 2x daily versus 5 mg 6x daily). Maybe the stronger single doses would help control your pain better.
I would also suggest that you start using a daily pill holder to make sure you don't do this again. I am on quite a few different meds for my fibromyalgia, panic disorder, hypothyroidism, and cholesterol/triglycerides, so the pill case is a MUST for me!! I know how you feel - there are plenty of days when I would want nothing more than to take a few extra pain pills, but this helps me to NOT give in to that. I have to make due with OTC pain meds, hot bathes, and TLC from my husband and kids :). I am a 38 yr old wife and mother of three, so I can't let myself become addicted (I know I am physically DEPENDENT on my pain meds, but that is different than being ADDICTED). Also, over a period a time, if you continue to increase your dosage, your body adapts and your pain becomes more resistant to the medication. I'm a bit concerned that you ran out of a month's supply of a pretty potent medication in 13 days - that can be dangerous! On top of that, you had to go through that nasty withdrawal process!!
As far as your last question:
My doc doesn't have me call a week ahead of time for a refill, but that doesn't sound like your doc's policy. If they are asking you to call a week ahead of time, it doesn't mean they will fill it the day that you call - it just helps them from having 50 people trying to get their meds filled in a 12 hour period. They will only fill your prescription on the day you are scheduled to run out (in your case, like mine, that would be every 30 days).
Good luck to you!!! Feel free to drop me a note via this site if you'd like to chat more about chronic pain management!!!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
