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Update - - Getting Worse
Well, I started to feel almost human this week when I got my refill of my lortabs on Monday. I went ahead and took it as prescribed, about 5 pills a day. So when I ran out today I called for another refill at the pharmacy. They tell me they didn't hear from the doctor. I called the doctor's office. Found out a few things.
1. Doctor left for the weekend yesterday.
2. Patients are suppose to call in 24-48 hours before you finish a prescription for a refill.
I was never told of this 24-48 hour thing before with my doctor, and not only has he been my doctor for over 20 years, but my job for 20 years involved working with all the physicians in this city, and I never heard this idea in my compacity at work either.
I also know that in this clinic, doctors don't usually handle approvals of other doctor's patients' prescriptions. Just their quirk.
So now I'm now left with no treatment for my back pain except OTC stuff, heat and ice. And the pain now is probably only 10% better without the lortabs than it was before I got them to begin with.
My weekend and god only knows how long after that will now be filled again with screams and tears and only falling asleep with exhaustion. I thought doctor's were suppose to ease people's suffering. I guess I was wrong. They only do if you have plenty of money to pay for it.
Elesta
1. Doctor left for the weekend yesterday.
2. Patients are suppose to call in 24-48 hours before you finish a prescription for a refill.
I was never told of this 24-48 hour thing before with my doctor, and not only has he been my doctor for over 20 years, but my job for 20 years involved working with all the physicians in this city, and I never heard this idea in my compacity at work either.
I also know that in this clinic, doctors don't usually handle approvals of other doctor's patients' prescriptions. Just their quirk.
So now I'm now left with no treatment for my back pain except OTC stuff, heat and ice. And the pain now is probably only 10% better without the lortabs than it was before I got them to begin with.
My weekend and god only knows how long after that will now be filled again with screams and tears and only falling asleep with exhaustion. I thought doctor's were suppose to ease people's suffering. I guess I was wrong. They only do if you have plenty of money to pay for it.
Elesta
If you were happy with a chiropractic you would be happier with a Doctor of Osteopathy in my opinion. All insurance companies cover DO's as they are physician that perform just as an MD. I think mine was sent to me by a Higher Power.
I hope you'll soon have some insurance to obtain better treatment.
I hope you'll soon have some insurance to obtain better treatment.
Tuckamore,
I think you're right. I'd never even heard of PMP before this forum. Everything here goes first to PCP, with referrals to specialists only for things like internal medicine, ENT, OB/GYN, etc.
I would love to go to my chiropractor again. I think he was one of the main reasons I didn't have a great deal of pain due to my spinal arthritis. If I ever have the $$$ or medical coverage that includes chiropractors, I'll be in his office on a regular basis for sure.
I think you're right. I'd never even heard of PMP before this forum. Everything here goes first to PCP, with referrals to specialists only for things like internal medicine, ENT, OB/GYN, etc.
I would love to go to my chiropractor again. I think he was one of the main reasons I didn't have a great deal of pain due to my spinal arthritis. If I ever have the $$$ or medical coverage that includes chiropractors, I'll be in his office on a regular basis for sure.
What many members don't realize is that each state can be different.
For example recommending a PMP to me would be useless. In my state it is your PCP that treats and prescribes for your chronic pain. You are sent to specialist for diagnostic procedures or opinions if needed but your PCP is your PMP. We do have PM Clinics in some larger cities but they only do treatments such as steroidal injections or work-hardening programs. They do not prescribe narcotic and they do not "follow" chronic pain patients. I have been to two PMP for evaluations but my condition is not easily treated and what treatment is available is very limited and often unsuccessful.
Elesta that may be the reason you have never heard of a PMP. Your state may be similar to mine. I have done a lot of learning on this forum regarding PMP.
For example recommending a PMP to me would be useless. In my state it is your PCP that treats and prescribes for your chronic pain. You are sent to specialist for diagnostic procedures or opinions if needed but your PCP is your PMP. We do have PM Clinics in some larger cities but they only do treatments such as steroidal injections or work-hardening programs. They do not prescribe narcotic and they do not "follow" chronic pain patients. I have been to two PMP for evaluations but my condition is not easily treated and what treatment is available is very limited and often unsuccessful.
Elesta that may be the reason you have never heard of a PMP. Your state may be similar to mine. I have done a lot of learning on this forum regarding PMP.
Hi Elesta. If you are going to need treatment for cronic pain you will be better off finding a Pain Management doctor. BEWARE of the doctor that says give me $100 and tell me what meds you want as these are not really a PM doctor and will get you killed. (not usually in those words but you get the drift) If they don't get you killed they will sooner or later get busted and you bet the law will start hunting down the patients.
If you use a true PM Doctor you will find that they use a balancing act that gets your pain to something you can live with but leaves you functional. I also learned from my PM Doctor that you can't chase pain as it takes a lot more pain meds to get it under control again.
If it appears that you will need long term pain mgmt please see a PM doctor because long acting opiates(ie:MScotin) are not as hard on your body as the short acting (ie: Loatab) each have there uses but the short acting generally has acetaminophen in it and it is hard on the kidneys and it takes more of it to do good PM for long term.
Even if you have to drive aways to find a good PM Doctor it is worth it and if you come from some miles away they will usually set things up so you only have to come in evey other month but be prepared as most good PM Doctors will usually need a referal from you general practioner, current xrays, and you will usually need to sign a contract. Also would advise that you use only 1 Pharm. to fill all of your Rx.
Hope everything goes well for you.
If you use a true PM Doctor you will find that they use a balancing act that gets your pain to something you can live with but leaves you functional. I also learned from my PM Doctor that you can't chase pain as it takes a lot more pain meds to get it under control again.
If it appears that you will need long term pain mgmt please see a PM doctor because long acting opiates(ie:MScotin) are not as hard on your body as the short acting (ie: Loatab) each have there uses but the short acting generally has acetaminophen in it and it is hard on the kidneys and it takes more of it to do good PM for long term.
Even if you have to drive aways to find a good PM Doctor it is worth it and if you come from some miles away they will usually set things up so you only have to come in evey other month but be prepared as most good PM Doctors will usually need a referal from you general practioner, current xrays, and you will usually need to sign a contract. Also would advise that you use only 1 Pharm. to fill all of your Rx.
Hope everything goes well for you.
Have you ever tried TENS and/or Chiropractic treatments for this pain. I have had back pain for the past 40 odd years (had a severely herniated disc removed in '65) the pain, at times required hospitalization. I visit a chiropractor on an as I need it basis and have had success with TENS devices for over 25 years. The only times they have filed me is when the pain is so severe that I cannot move. I try very hard to do without any medications (not that I never use them, I do, but rarely}. They have so many serious side affects.
If you know someone who you trust that has had a successful experience with Chiropractic you could give it a try.
You might want to ask your doctor about the TENS device.
About the prescriptions, I have to get renewals from my doctor every several maonths for medical supplies that require them (not medicines or drugs} even though I have been using some of them for over 20 years and will require them for life.
Best wishes and prayers (And that is another story).
If you know someone who you trust that has had a successful experience with Chiropractic you could give it a try.
You might want to ask your doctor about the TENS device.
About the prescriptions, I have to get renewals from my doctor every several maonths for medical supplies that require them (not medicines or drugs} even though I have been using some of them for over 20 years and will require them for life.
Best wishes and prayers (And that is another story).
I've never heard of a PMP until I got here, so I don't think it's common here. Maybe my city isn't big enough.
The original script for 20 Lortabs was given to me by the ER. My PCP wrote the same script, and has been refilling that ever since. I figured maybe I wasn't getting a larger script because I've only been seen by the ER doctor, and my PCP has concerns about addiction or abuse. Thankfully I don't have to get a new script with each round, I just call the pharmacy, they fax the refill request to the PCP's office and an ok is faxed back.
I'm the one who believed/hoped this wouldn't be long-lasting. My worst bout of long pain was the lower back injury 2 years ago. I over-stretched and felt/heard the pop. I knew what I did, and it took 6 weeks I think to heal. I didn't think this was the same or that it would be as bad or as long-lasting. I guess I'll find out soon...I'm in week 6.
The original script for 20 Lortabs was given to me by the ER. My PCP wrote the same script, and has been refilling that ever since. I figured maybe I wasn't getting a larger script because I've only been seen by the ER doctor, and my PCP has concerns about addiction or abuse. Thankfully I don't have to get a new script with each round, I just call the pharmacy, they fax the refill request to the PCP's office and an ok is faxed back.
I'm the one who believed/hoped this wouldn't be long-lasting. My worst bout of long pain was the lower back injury 2 years ago. I over-stretched and felt/heard the pop. I knew what I did, and it took 6 weeks I think to heal. I didn't think this was the same or that it would be as bad or as long-lasting. I guess I'll find out soon...I'm in week 6.
Thank you for the update. Thank goodness one of your PCP's associates prescribed some meds to get you through the weekend. What a releif. And you are right about national pharmacies. Sometimes they call you for nothing and other times they don't have the courtesy to call when you are waiting on a refill. It's happened to me and it makes no sense.
If I remember correctly you don't see a PMP. Is that right? This is considered more of a short term injury?
I agree with Sandee regarding the small amount of narcotics your PCP is prescribing you. It's just nonsense. Maybe he thinks this should clear up quicker than it has. That may be why is he so reluctant to prescribe larger amounts. I think it may be time to have a long discussion regarding pain management. Obviously this is only my opinion and I am not as familiar with your condition as you and your physician are. You don't say what state you are in but if you are in a state where PMP exist to prescribe and treat chronic pain you may want to consider a consult.
At least you can now make it through the weekend. I would call your physician right away Monday morning and see if you can discuss your pain and better managment in greater detail. And Sandee is also correct in not letting your pain get so ahead of you that the medication is not as effective or it takes longer to be effective.
I'll look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
If I remember correctly you don't see a PMP. Is that right? This is considered more of a short term injury?
I agree with Sandee regarding the small amount of narcotics your PCP is prescribing you. It's just nonsense. Maybe he thinks this should clear up quicker than it has. That may be why is he so reluctant to prescribe larger amounts. I think it may be time to have a long discussion regarding pain management. Obviously this is only my opinion and I am not as familiar with your condition as you and your physician are. You don't say what state you are in but if you are in a state where PMP exist to prescribe and treat chronic pain you may want to consider a consult.
At least you can now make it through the weekend. I would call your physician right away Monday morning and see if you can discuss your pain and better managment in greater detail. And Sandee is also correct in not letting your pain get so ahead of you that the medication is not as effective or it takes longer to be effective.
I'll look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
I am so glad you did get some medication.
Why is your doctor only giving you a few days worth of medications at a time? This makes it hard on you and the pharmacy as well as the doctor trying to keep up with your medications and when they are due again.
Talk to your doctor about giving you a month's worth or atleast two weeks at a time. Are you having to pay each time you go to pick up a new script every few days? I hope not!
Also be sure and tell your doctor that your PCP gave you a script for the weekend. In fact I would probably call and leave a message in case they find out before you tel them.
I would not wnat you to lose your PM doctor or get into any trouble.
I also want to mention that it is great that you can take a smaller dosage sometimes but keep in mind not to let your pain get so bad that your medication will not work or it will takes much more than you usally take to dull the pain to an acceptable level.
Alot of people fail to realize that if you let the pain go say hoping it will get better and then end up in a full scale pain attack the meds are not going to work as well.
Take your meds as prescibed of course but do not let your pain get out of control as I said the meds just will not work well at that point.
Good luck and keep us updated and let us know how we can help:)
Why is your doctor only giving you a few days worth of medications at a time? This makes it hard on you and the pharmacy as well as the doctor trying to keep up with your medications and when they are due again.
Talk to your doctor about giving you a month's worth or atleast two weeks at a time. Are you having to pay each time you go to pick up a new script every few days? I hope not!
Also be sure and tell your doctor that your PCP gave you a script for the weekend. In fact I would probably call and leave a message in case they find out before you tel them.
I would not wnat you to lose your PM doctor or get into any trouble.
I also want to mention that it is great that you can take a smaller dosage sometimes but keep in mind not to let your pain get so bad that your medication will not work or it will takes much more than you usally take to dull the pain to an acceptable level.
Alot of people fail to realize that if you let the pain go say hoping it will get better and then end up in a full scale pain attack the meds are not going to work as well.
Take your meds as prescibed of course but do not let your pain get out of control as I said the meds just will not work well at that point.
Good luck and keep us updated and let us know how we can help:)
Oh, and I wonder about this 24-72 hour rule on calling for refills. This prescription is only for 4 days, so if I get a refill Monday, I'd have to call again on Wednesday. Wouldn't that make a doctor wonder and be reluctant to refill this???
Well, I went about 12 hours without medicine of any sort. Nothing seemed to help. I don't know how I survived, but I did. This morning, I decided to take a chance and call the pharmacy, just to be sure nothing had been filled. Sure enough, one of my PCP's associates had given me 1/2 a script to do me the weekend! I am very upset with the pharmacy. They are a nat'l co. who claim to call to let you know when you're meds are ready, or if they have a problem. Well, I'm finding out that the only time they call me is AFTER I've called them to get the answers. So I've just taken my meds and hopefully will feel a little less painful soon.
I've taken these lortabs for 4 weeks. I only take a minimal dosage, and even wait longer than the prescribed 6 hours if I don't feel I need it. I've also been known to take only 1/2 a dosage if I feel it will work. I do my best to make do on the least amount needed. I have taken these in my past (maybe 10 years ago), and never had any WD symptoms.
Although most don't know me by name, there aren't many business people or anyone in the medical field here who doesn't recognize my voice. And I live in a city with over 50,000 people. I can understand the reason for the 1-2 day call ahead policy for doctors. Makes sense. Prevents a lot of people from calling in a bad state when they run out and have no way of getting refills. And the doctor's associates often have difficulties knowing all the facts in order to make the right choice to refill medicine or not.
Now, I don't know what I'm suppose to do Monday. Do I call the pharmacy again to get them to ask the doctor for a normal refill?
Elesta
I've taken these lortabs for 4 weeks. I only take a minimal dosage, and even wait longer than the prescribed 6 hours if I don't feel I need it. I've also been known to take only 1/2 a dosage if I feel it will work. I do my best to make do on the least amount needed. I have taken these in my past (maybe 10 years ago), and never had any WD symptoms.
Although most don't know me by name, there aren't many business people or anyone in the medical field here who doesn't recognize my voice. And I live in a city with over 50,000 people. I can understand the reason for the 1-2 day call ahead policy for doctors. Makes sense. Prevents a lot of people from calling in a bad state when they run out and have no way of getting refills. And the doctor's associates often have difficulties knowing all the facts in order to make the right choice to refill medicine or not.
Now, I don't know what I'm suppose to do Monday. Do I call the pharmacy again to get them to ask the doctor for a normal refill?
Elesta
Hi Again Elesta,
Glad to hear from you again but sorry about the predicament you are in and your increase in pain.
Yes there is a standard 24-72 hour refill policy in my physician's clinic. She recently moved from one clinic to another and that was there policy also. I too have worked in the medical community for a number of years and this is a newer policy. That said I have never had to wait 24 hours for a refill. I have only been seeing me PCP for about 6 years but when I call they refill that day. When you require narcotic just to function after awhile you learn to ask about vacations and the like or in my case my PCP informs me when she will be gone. But you are new to the pain journey.
If you don't want to go to ER is there an Urgent Care that may help you over the weekend. However all medical facilities care very cautious about prescribing or ordering refills on narcotics these days.
Good luck and please keep in touch. You can just vent here if you need to, we'll listen. I think all of us have been where you are at one time or another.
Take Care,
Tuck
Glad to hear from you again but sorry about the predicament you are in and your increase in pain.
Yes there is a standard 24-72 hour refill policy in my physician's clinic. She recently moved from one clinic to another and that was there policy also. I too have worked in the medical community for a number of years and this is a newer policy. That said I have never had to wait 24 hours for a refill. I have only been seeing me PCP for about 6 years but when I call they refill that day. When you require narcotic just to function after awhile you learn to ask about vacations and the like or in my case my PCP informs me when she will be gone. But you are new to the pain journey.
If you don't want to go to ER is there an Urgent Care that may help you over the weekend. However all medical facilities care very cautious about prescribing or ordering refills on narcotics these days.
Good luck and please keep in touch. You can just vent here if you need to, we'll listen. I think all of us have been where you are at one time or another.
Take Care,
Tuck
im sorry youre hurting so much..how long have you been on the lortabs? you are likely feeling Withdrawl pain along with your normal back pain. The extra pain from the WD should last about 3-5 days along with other symptoms and then ease up. (diarrhea, stomach pains, body aches, restless legs, insomnia, mood swings etc) Whether youre addicted or not, the body becomes dependant on opiates and causes WD when suddenly stopped. Hang in there and i hope your situation improves!
It's pretty standard for the 24-48 hour notice of refilling meds. I'm really sorry you have to go through with this awful pain. Sandee is right, you may have to make a trip to the ER for pain relief. Good luck and I hope the weekend passes by quickly.
sandee,
I went to the ER a month ago when all this pain started. That's who started me on the lortabs. I don't want to double the bill I have with them that I can't afford to pay.
I'm finding that without the lortabs, OTC meds are doing absolutely nothing for me except making me nauseous (even though I'm taking them with food) and the ice and heat are making me hurt more. So there's no help for me any where. Right now, I hope I pass out with this pain, just to get a moment's breath without hurting.
I went to the ER a month ago when all this pain started. That's who started me on the lortabs. I don't want to double the bill I have with them that I can't afford to pay.
I'm finding that without the lortabs, OTC meds are doing absolutely nothing for me except making me nauseous (even though I'm taking them with food) and the ice and heat are making me hurt more. So there's no help for me any where. Right now, I hope I pass out with this pain, just to get a moment's breath without hurting.
I am so sorry that you will be in so much pain with no help. Have you considered trying the ER? they sometimes will give you enough until you can get back in to see your doctor. As you know the medication will not get rid of all the pain but will dull it enough to function. I would definatly talk to your doctor when he returns and ask him about other options so that this does not happen again.
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