July 10, 2009 - 9:28pm
I was reading how if you do not have your prescribed meds in your system upon visiting the Doc - and he springs a surprise test on you - you will be terminated. Seems awefully harsh. There are more than a few who regularly run out early, especially when the Doc is perpetually lowering the dosages.
You didn't sell your meds, you didn't take them all like candy over a 3-day period . . . no, you stuck as close as you could to the dosing but for whatever reason you simply needed a bit more and ran out. Oxy doesn't hang around in your bloodstream for very long - so if you have 28 days between appts and run out after 25 days, your life could suddenly slam into a world of hurt. And since most areas have only ONE decent Pain doc willing to prescribe what works (the DEA has scared the rest of them off) . . . you are really screwed - ROYALLY !!
This never-ending campaign to make criminals out of Pain Sufferers, dismiss good people from treatment, etc . . . is really getting me mad.
July 11, 2009 - 12:09am
#2
I suppose that it all depends
I suppose that it all depends on the doc and your relationship with them. From the other posts that I read here I know that I'm truly blessed and fortunate to have a doc that will prescribe what I need. Mind you, that didn't happen over night!
Once, my doc cut back on my meds for a month. Having done my research on that topic, I wasn't surprised. Disappointed? Yes! That's what they're supposed to do with chronic pain patients from time to time.
When I went in for my next monthly visit I had been out of meds for two days. I was up front with Doc, told him that I was out and I was miserable. I asked him to please prescribe an amount that would take care of my pain. He did.
Here's another suggestion for you to consider, though it's easier said than done. If you know that your script isn't going to last you for a month and that you're going to be in pain for a few days because of that, you can decide which days to be in pain! If you'll take less meds early in the month you won't have to worry about being out of meds at the end of the month.
This, of course, isn't medical advice. I'm not qualified for that. It's just my two cents worth.
July 11, 2009 - 12:44am
#3
SEE
i agree with ya its better to suffer with meds than to run out at the end and suffer if you hold back and its unbearable you can take meds if ya run out errr what a nightmare i like to have a 2 to 3 week stockpile i never give my meds back to the doctor no matter what, i have a rotate stock system thou and never let meds get old
July 11, 2009 - 11:36am
#4
I think it all boils down to
I think it all boils down to discipline and following the rules. The doctors are liable, so I think its reasonable if they drop someone from their program if they dont follow the rules. If there are not consequences for your actions then people do whatever they want. I know people are underdosed all the time, but if you are in real bad pain I would think you wouldnt want to have ZERO pain relief for 3 days because you wanted more pain relief earlier in the month.
Just like Randem, I also try to keep a reserve. Some days try to tough it out and save an extra pill here and there so if for some reason I couldnt get my prescription because of a holiday or if my pain is worse on a certain day.
Its just not logical either. If you run out 3 days early you have to deal with nasty withdrawals, and you have ZERO pain relief. I would rather have moderate pain the whole month than severe pain for 3 days.
July 11, 2009 - 12:16pm
#5
I agree with the two previous
I agree with the two previous posters. To be clear, I wasn't suggesting that you take NO meds for the first few days. As Miller says, moderate pain relief is better than ZERO relief!
July 11, 2009 - 11:30pm
#6
Yes that's true . .
Yes that's true . . . running our early is terrible - WD's and Pain combined !!
July 23, 2009 - 12:09pm
#7
Running out early is a no-no
Running out early is a no-no by most pms. Take care, htmom
July 23, 2009 - 2:01pm
#8
i understand that guidelines
i understand that guidelines need to be set. but my doctor and i have such a good relationship that the past two times i went for my appointment, i didnt have to provide a urine sample but i have everytime for teh past eleven months before that. maybe he is trying to trick me, seeing if i will have the temptation to sell my meds or take more than prescribed. maybe he just trusts me more, but i dont trust my doc more, its shading me out. but i have no reason to be booted from my clinic, fortunately i am not Under-medicated. so no need to abuse, and im not going to give any to teh guys at work( who BEG me everyday) also keep them locked up in glove box or on my person incase one of tehm tries to take them, that wouldnt be very believable to my doctor either. and just so you know, i've been to 3 doctors, and no one feels comfortable prescribing schedule 2's to a 21 years old. so im keeping this guy, hes very intelligent, and i think he tries his best to treat my pain seriously
July 23, 2009 - 9:07pm
#9
Boston are you the op?
Boston are you the op? Little confused. I don't think your dr is trying to trick anyone. Most ua's are random. He is making sure his patient's are honest. I would not tell anyone that you take Cll meds, you are asking for trouble. I also would not tell anyone that you keep them locked in your car. People do crazy things to get Cll meds. Take care,htmom
July 23, 2009 - 9:48pm
#10
Yeah no kidding, mom.My
Yeah no kidding, mom.
My brother hangs out with some people that would do anything to get their hands on my prescription. It definitely makes me nervous since we live together and his friends come over some times. For months and months I kept them with me at all times no matter what. I stopped doing that recently though because its been getting to be 115 degrees everyday. So keeping them with me causes them to get hot and doing this day after day causes them to lose effectiveness over the course of a month. Instead I found a really good hiding spot to keep them at the house...
July 23, 2009 - 10:45pm
#11
WOW UAs AND RUNNING SHORT . . . TRAGIC
I think that taking less whenever possible is ALWAYS the best policy. It is a good idea to have something stashed for a rainy day. I guess I am fortunate that I have a very open relationship with my doctor. If I have to take more than advised, he has always understood. This happens so rarely that it is not an issue. Depending on what you are being prescribed and at what dosage, there must be some accountability. Even if I take less than recommended, it always seems to catch up with me. I may be able to save a few. But then my pain really flares up and I end up taking that to relieve the agony. At least I am not the only person who has these issues. I guess we all have to deal with this at some point. As for urine testing, I haven't had to do that yet. I am private pay though. Does that have something to do with it? That would be tough considering all the false negatives that happen.
July 24, 2009 - 10:37am
#12
i pay private and get a UA
i pay private and get a UA evrytime, except for past two, so no doesnt have anything to do with it
August 13, 2009 - 2:50am
#13
Running low on medication
I, have been taking pain medication now for about 4 years, I have ran short of medicine several times, taht does not make me a slobbering addict like some people might like to beiieve. It does make me someone who is desperate to get out of pain and taking a little more of the med than prescribed, we not only suffer from physical pain but also the mental toll it takes on a person after a while, all we want is a chance at a semi normal life. we are not drug addicts but it seems like a few people who abuse the system for there own pleasure, unfortunately cause us to be put into this catagory. Please have a little compassion, I work 40 hours a week and don't know how I do it some times. But life goes on.
don't crack up on us Mr. Lawrence.