Anonymous wrote:I have gastroparesis so I have a similar experience at the ER. Opioids are the only thing that helps with the pain at the point, but I don't need them at home. I'm typically stable in a few hours or a day and can just follow up with my GI. The ER staff often don't know anything about Gastroparesis and if I'm in pain, I can't communicate well what is going on so I bring a companion or show them a letter from my doc. I still get treated like crap because they assume I am drug seeking. Never mind that I'm also asking for IV fluids, a scan with contrast to see how bad the blockage is, and anti-nausea meds. However, the letter does help. We also tend to call my doc/his service and warn them I am headed to the ER. That way, they will check in on me sooner.
Anonymous wrote:I am surprised they offered morphine--presumably through IV--and refused a Percoset.
Anonymous wrote:
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have chronic pancreatitis which has an unknown cause. I did nothing wrong or unhealthy to cause this condition. Sometimes I have to go to the ER for fluids, anti nausea meds and pain meds. Tonight I turned down morphine because it makes me very ill. I was then told I couldn't get a different opioid as a substitute. I politely asked a second time and heard no. Then I told them I was offended that they were implying I was a junkie because I requested a specific opiod that wouldn't make me sick. Only then did they give me the pain killer I needed.
I completely understand there is a serious heroin epidemic I this country and my heart goes out to those who struggle but doctors need to treat those of us with legitimate needs. I'm tired of being treated like an addict. Having a chronic condition is stressful as it is. I feel so betrayed when I ask for help and am treated like a liar.
You go to an ER where no one knows you and you expect them to treat you as if they are very familiar with your medical history and personally know that you are not a drug addict.
I'm sorry, but get over it. I am not a drug addict, and I get the same questions at the ER. I am not an abused woman, but I get those questions as well at the ER and my doctor's office.
They are looking out for you, it's not that big a deal. If you are not a junkie, then move on.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have chronic pancreatitis which has an unknown cause. I did nothing wrong or unhealthy to cause this condition. Sometimes I have to go to the ER for fluids, anti nausea meds and pain meds. Tonight I turned down morphine because it makes me very ill. I was then told I couldn't get a different opioid as a substitute. I politely asked a second time and heard no. Then I told them I was offended that they were implying I was a junkie because I requested a specific opiod that wouldn't make me sick. Only then did they give me the pain killer I needed.
I completely understand there is a serious heroin epidemic I this country and my heart goes out to those who struggle but doctors need to treat those of us with legitimate needs. I'm tired of being treated like an addict. Having a chronic condition is stressful as it is. I feel so betrayed when I ask for help and am treated like a liar.
I have gastroparesis so I have a similar experience at the ER. Opioids are the only thing that helps with the pain at the point, but I don't need them at home. I'm typically stable in a few hours or a day and can just follow up with my GI. The ER staff often don't know anything about Gastroparesis and if I'm in pain, I can't communicate well what is going on so I bring a companion or show them a letter from my doc. I still get treated like crap because they assume I am drug seeking. Never mind that I'm also asking for IV fluids, a scan with contrast to see how bad the blockage is, and anti-nausea meds. However, the letter does help. We also tend to call my doc/his service and warn them I am headed to the ER. That way, they will check in on me sooner.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Your MIL needs a new MD. My neurologist will write a small Vicodin script (low dose, 25 pills) for migraine pain for me three months out. So he writes one dated the day of my visit, a second that says do not fill until xxx date (one month out) and a third for a month after that. Now that he is on a stable dose, my son's psychiatrist does the same for his ADHD meds (Adderall). So I only need to see my neurologist, and he only needs to see his psychiatrist every 3 months, not every month. This is apparently okay under the new prescribing guidelines. A reasonable MD should do this for your MIL unless she needs to be monitored monthly.
My mother has the same issue as this MIL. NO doctor would prescribe it 3 months out.
PP here. I definitely blame the DEA, not my MIL's doctor, for this. Her doctor has been very apologetic about the inconvenience it causes for her to come in so often. I suspect she is one of several elderly patients he treats who are in the same situation.
I've never heard of a doctor prescribing opiates 3 months out, either. I thought that was illegal, but maybe I'm wrong.
My doc also does the 3-month thing.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dea-restricts-narcotic-pain-drug-prescriptions-1408647617
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Your MIL needs a new MD. My neurologist will write a small Vicodin script (low dose, 25 pills) for migraine pain for me three months out. So he writes one dated the day of my visit, a second that says do not fill until xxx date (one month out) and a third for a month after that. Now that he is on a stable dose, my son's psychiatrist does the same for his ADHD meds (Adderall). So I only need to see my neurologist, and he only needs to see his psychiatrist every 3 months, not every month. This is apparently okay under the new prescribing guidelines. A reasonable MD should do this for your MIL unless she needs to be monitored monthly.
My mother has the same issue as this MIL. NO doctor would prescribe it 3 months out.
PP here. I definitely blame the DEA, not my MIL's doctor, for this. Her doctor has been very apologetic about the inconvenience it causes for her to come in so often. I suspect she is one of several elderly patients he treats who are in the same situation.
I've never heard of a doctor prescribing opiates 3 months out, either. I thought that was illegal, but maybe I'm wrong.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Your MIL needs a new MD. My neurologist will write a small Vicodin script (low dose, 25 pills) for migraine pain for me three months out. So he writes one dated the day of my visit, a second that says do not fill until xxx date (one month out) and a third for a month after that. Now that he is on a stable dose, my son's psychiatrist does the same for his ADHD meds (Adderall). So I only need to see my neurologist, and he only needs to see his psychiatrist every 3 months, not every month. This is apparently okay under the new prescribing guidelines. A reasonable MD should do this for your MIL unless she needs to be monitored monthly.
My mother has the same issue as this MIL. NO doctor would prescribe it 3 months out.
Anonymous wrote:I have chronic pancreatitis which has an unknown cause. I did nothing wrong or unhealthy to cause this condition. Sometimes I have to go to the ER for fluids, anti nausea meds and pain meds. Tonight I turned down morphine because it makes me very ill. I was then told I couldn't get a different opioid as a substitute. I politely asked a second time and heard no. Then I told them I was offended that they were implying I was a junkie because I requested a specific opiod that wouldn't make me sick. Only then did they give me the pain killer I needed.
I completely understand there is a serious heroin epidemic I this country and my heart goes out to those who struggle but doctors need to treat those of us with legitimate needs. I'm tired of being treated like an addict. Having a chronic condition is stressful as it is. I feel so betrayed when I ask for help and am treated like a liar.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Your MIL needs a new MD. My neurologist will write a small Vicodin script (low dose, 25 pills) for migraine pain for me three months out. So he writes one dated the day of my visit, a second that says do not fill until xxx date (one month out) and a third for a month after that. Now that he is on a stable dose, my son's psychiatrist does the same for his ADHD meds (Adderall). So I only need to see my neurologist, and he only needs to see his psychiatrist every 3 months, not every month. This is apparently okay under the new prescribing guidelines. A reasonable MD should do this for your MIL unless she needs to be monitored monthly.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Blame the intrusive DEA, not the doctor, he is playing by their rules. The DEA has the doctors scared to death.
My sympathy in this case is with your mother, the government has put her in this position by their rules to weed out the abusers.
Anonymous wrote:My MIL is in her 80s and suffers from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoperosis, spinal stenosis (she's had several surgeries for this), and circulatory problems. She takes one Vicodin per day, never more than that unless she's just had surgery, which allows her to at least get out of her wheelchair and onto her shower seat or the toilet without as much pain as she'd otherwise have. My FIL, who is also in his 80s, is her primary caregiver--all of their adult children have offered/ begged them to move into our homes and they have so far stubbornly refused. Thankfully, my FIL is still very healthy and spry despite his age. However, my MIL must now must go to the doctor every single month to get a refill on her meds, rather than have it called into the pharmacy or get a script with multiple refills. She's immunosuppressed due to her various medical issues and it's not easy for her to get in and out of the car. This is a huge pain in the ass for her and my FIL and I really wish there could be a reasonable middle ground.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP, and I don't ever take pain medication, EVER. I'm also a healthcare worker. You could look at my medication history and see I take ZERO, I mean ZeRO medications. For whatever reason, i was in terrible pain, and i was positive for both the flu and pneumonia. Your assumptions are as disrespectful and bad as the ED assumptions.
Are you allergic to IV acetaminophen or Toradol? They are great pain meds and many people who aren't addicted to narcotics feel much better with them.
Not all hospitals carry IV Tylenol on formulary. No I'm not allergic. Why are you so intent on proving I'm drug seeking? I'm a freakin hospital pharmacist, and I know drugs. But i dont take ANY. That's why they thought I was seeking. I don't effin take drugs. What's wrong with you?
So if you are truly a pharmacist, you understand that many drug seekers are health care workers who know the game. Few have prescriptions, as they can access drugs other ways, includng stealing, until it catches up with them. Very few addicted health care providers have prescriptions, and are more likely to go to ER when withdrawal symptoms come up, as they appear "clean" otherwise. Anyone who tells me that they are. Health care worker, which asking for opiate pain control, is automatically suspect to me. Why? Because I know my job. And you should too.