September 21, 2007 - 6:07pm
Hi to all,
My pain management doctor spoke with me today about changing my medication from Percocet to Oxycontin, and said that if I wanted to change meds I would need to give them the pills I have left (of Percocet) in order for him to write a new prescription. Does anyone know if this is common practice? It seems odd to me.
Also, for those who have been on Percocet and Oxycontin, which has been more helpful in controlling your pain?
Thanks! 
September 21, 2007 - 7:48pm
#2
ur doctor was..
ur doctor was probably wanting to do a pill count. In order to change ur script. My brother had the same thing happen to him cause he was getting Percocet then they switched him to methodone. So he had to give his other script back (Percocet),and the doctor discontinued it...I dont know how it work's but most of all they usually only do that to do a pill count and making sure ur taking them instead of selling them. =) *if im wrong sumone be sure to let me kno.. yall always do! *
September 21, 2007 - 8:11pm
#3
I was recently switched
I was recently switched from percocet to kadian without turning in any meds or a pill count...7 years i have had only 2 pain drs..i don't dr shop, not that anyone here does...just my story.
im not a dr but i play one on tv.
September 21, 2007 - 8:45pm
#4
I was recently placed on
I was recently placed on oxycontin, about four months ago or so. I was originally prescribed percocet and my doctor suggested the same thing...that I switch to the oxycotin after a month after the initial visit. He did not ask for the percocet pills back though or to count them. In fact, I have since been put back on the percocet for breakthrough pain and the oxycotin 20mg 3 x per day is the base medication.
As far as pain control, the oxycontin has been great and the percocet is helpful when the breakthrough episodes do occur. I also make sure the doctor writes the oxycontin scrip DAW so I get the brand name, the generics were not as efficient in the beginning. Hope this helps.
I must add that I do not attend a "pain clinic" but rather a doctor's office of spine and sports physicians.
Thanks.
September 21, 2007 - 8:45pm
#5
Its not that uncommon for
Its not that uncommon for a doctor to want to witness you destroy old medications when they are upping your dose or switching you to a different med, or have a trusted pharmacist witness you destroy them (usually flush). You have to remember though, that Federal law prohibits the transfering of controlled medications to anyone other than for whom it is prescribed and this would include the doctor. Basically He/she is allowed to witness you destroy them but not "swap" you a new script for your leftovers.
September 23, 2007 - 1:49pm
#6
Thanks to everyone for your
Thanks to everyone for your input; I'm somewhat new to pain management and some of the things they do seem strange. Good to know that it's not uncommon to turn in an old prescription for a new one.
Director, I opted to wait until my appointment this week to get a new prescription. I'm going in for an injection on Wednesday (my third in the last few months) - hopefully this one will help. It didn't sound like my doctor was going to prescribe anything for break through pain though, only the oxycontin.
Thanks again for all the great answers.
September 23, 2007 - 2:09pm
#7
May I ask what type of
May I ask what type of injection and where?
im not a dr but i play one on tv.
September 24, 2007 - 11:39pm
#8
An intercostal nerve block,
An intercostal nerve block, which is an injection of local anesthetic in the area between two of my ribs. Good times! 
September 25, 2007 - 12:09am
#9
"You have to remember
"You have to remember though, that Federal law prohibits the transfering of controlled medications to anyone other than for whom it is prescribed and this would include the doctor. Basically He/she is allowed to witness you destroy them but not "swap" you a new script for your leftovers."
Yes that is very true however for the few times my pain doctor switched my medications they wanted me to turn the old medicine in to them and then I could get a new script. The problem was that the pharmacist and my insurance had no idea my doctor did this so I had to have them (doctor) notify the pharmacy and the insurance. It was a huge pain and I was without my meds for a few days.
September 25, 2007 - 2:14pm
#10
"You have to remember
"You have to remember though, that Federal law prohibits the transfering of controlled medications to anyone other than for whom it is prescribed and this would include the doctor. Basically He/she is allowed to witness you destroy them but not "swap" you a new script for your leftovers."
Strange, my MD has taken my bottles with pills in them still. Said he would destroy them for me, but who really knows? Besides him, I have had a few doctors do this.
Dr. Knight uses FireFox2
September 25, 2007 - 2:32pm
#11
you will survive I was
you will survive
I was wondering if it was a shot in the sub arachnoid space. I believe I might have gotten arachnoiditis from a few improperly positioned shots, I do have it, not sure exactly why.
im not a dr but i play one on tv.
September 25, 2007 - 3:27pm
#12
oxycontin dosing
It is correct, at least in my case, Oxycontin does not last 12 hours as the manufacturer suggests.I started with 2 dosing of Oxycontin in a 24 hour period but it was not long before I mentioned to my doctor that one dose for 12 hours was not sufficent. The doctor I am sure heard this from other patients and had no problem increasing to 1 dose every 8 hours or as needed without me even asking.It seems Lizzie, that you have a compasionate doctor for many doctors seem to be intimidated by one of the federal agencies that overlooks pain management doctors.
September 25, 2007 - 6:34pm
#13
Some pain clinics are the
Some pain clinics are the real thing, others are just "pill dispensers". I know this from personal experience. While the pain clinics usually hand out narcotics quite a bit, they are usually more lenient and sometimes even more than they should be.
Just give you some pills and send you home, not really caring about the patient as much as a regular MD. This is where alot of diversion happens.
Dr. Knight uses FireFox2
September 29, 2007 - 4:48pm
#14
A few months late jumming on this thread but.............
my family doc mentioned somehting to me once about a "pain doctor."
Not to sound too naive but what exactly is thier deal?
Do you get referals to them?
Do they work with alternative medications as well?
Just curious,I've noticed that quite a few of folks here have mentioned them.
September 29, 2007 - 7:22pm
#15
Pain doctors treatments vary
Pain doctors treatments vary from doctor to doctor.
An interventional pain specialist will want to try as many shots, epidurals, trigger point injections, nerve ablations, nerve blocks, etc, before going the medicine route. Not to mention the standard physical therapy.
Many times, an interventional pain specialist will combine many types of therapy at the same time (steroid shots + therapy + some meds) to try to reach an acceptable level of pain.
gtrplayer
I would have to say that Oxycontin is better, because they are a long acting med. That is the case as long as your doctor will give you three times a day dosing. Although it's suppose to be a 12 hour medication, most people find they only get around 8 hours. When I was on it, I had TID dosing and even then had to use my BT meds sometimes, which were 30 mg Roxicodone.
What dose did he prescribe and did he give you some BT meds?
Director
Sorry, I forgot to answer your main question. Yes, it's not uncommon at all to have the doctor request your medication that you were on before he writes for a new med. That way he can justify writing you another C-II drug before it's time to be written.