Prescription Pain Killer Rant: Just had major abdominal surgery...

[Coventina]

Had major abdominal surgery just over a week ago.

I have an incision from sternum to groin, had 4.5 lbs of benign tumors removed, and all my insides rearranged as a result.

Pretty intense and believe me, I'm still feeling it.

Is it reasonable to have strong painkillers for this recovery?

I'd say so.

My doctor, thankfully, agrees, but now the process is a major PITA, due to prescription drug paranoia.

I literally CANNOT get refills.

30 is the max number of pills I can get at a time. When you are taking 2 every four hours, you go through them at a pretty brisk rate.

This means that my doc has to write a brand new prescription every 3-4 days ON A PIECE OF PAPER, which has to be picked up by someone and hand-carried to my pharmacy.

Obviously I cannot do this, as I cannot drive. So, my husband either has to take time off work, or other friends or family do it for me.

Did I mention PITA?

Way to punish the suffering for the mis-deeds of a few!!!!

[tonyt53]

1. You have every right to not be in pain. But unfortunately, this is what it has come to.

I also had a tumor removed back in the spring. But fortunately, it wasn't to the extent of what you had, and it was done via laparoscopic surgery. The largest incision (four total) was only only about 1.5". I only too the pain meds for four day - I just don't like the way they make me feel. HOWEVER, after a couple of weeks I started taking them again. The pain from the incision areas was bad. The muscle and tissue healing was painful. I cannot even begin to comprehend the pain that you are experiencing with such an incision through those muscles and tissues. I wish there was some way to get around our current laws in this regard, but i don't see it happening. I wish you the best and hope all turns out well for you.

[Coventina]

4. Thanks. And best wishes to you!

[ghostsinthemachine]

2. The painkiller thing is ridiculous

Sorry about your story. Mine is chronic pain and the new script every refill is crazy. Due to certain bugaboos I have gone two of the past four months with substantial periods of no pain relief. And right now, because my doc's no longer take my insurance (I've changed, but last time that happened it was two months to make the switch) I am looking at another substantial period without my meds. I may not make it this time.

[Coventina]

5. I am so sorry to hear that, ghostsinthemachine.

I know what you mean.

I also have chronic pain (hopefully less now, once I recover from surgery). Our system, as it stands, seems to think that living with high levels of chronic pain is A-OK. We're all just supposed to suck it up and smile.

[unblock]

10. it sucks; been there, but it gets better.

i get frequent migraines, 12-18 per month typically, sometimes daily for 3 months at a stretch.

i recently discovered botox for migraine helps. my insurance approved it. then my company switched to a different plan within the same carrier. they decided not to approve it but after months of fighting, they reversed and approved it. of course, they had no basis for ever denying it, as they had previously approved it, but this is what insurance companies do, this is how they make money, by delaying and denying.

in any event, i'm getting back on the botox in a couple weeks, so things should get better.

in the meanwhile, of course, i have to lean more heavily on my narcotics, because insurance companies are idiotic that way. well, no, just greedy. what the media won't tell you is that while treatment for narcotic addiction is expensive, the narcotics themselves are dirt cheap. at least, compared to other migraine medications. so insurance companies actually do several things to encourage narcotic use.

[greymattermom]

29. Narcotics are a very bad idea for chronic migraine.

They will make it much worse in the long run. Botox is better, and some new drugs are on the horizon. I know this because I'm as award winning migraine researcher. Look out for CGRP blockers. They may help when they become available.

[unblock]

47. yes i know narcotics aren't ideal for migraine

i have to pick and choose which migraines to use it on and even then i dilute it. my goal is to just take the edge off the pain so i can be functional, not to go to sleep.

i've heard of the cgrp blockers on the horizon, can't wait to try them.

[REP]

118. I'll stick with Topomax

I have severe, chronic migraines (both types, and I lose vision in one eye with both) and Botox sounds like the worst idea in the world. Even though my Topomax dose needs to be adjusted upward every few years, I'm down to about 1 migraine (3 days) per month vs 5 migraine-free days a month.

I was somewhat surprised to find out that Fiorinal is no longer prescribed for migraine; if I took that early enough, it could halt a migraine whereas Maxalt does not work as well but does make me extremely nauseous.

[unblock]

3. as with taking shoes off at airports, i wonder how many abuses these measures actually prevent

how many people manage to get prescriptions refills based on a forged fax or email seemingly coming from a doctor's office?

maybe i'm naïve but insisting on a paper scrip only for the original fill seems like plenty enough to me.

[tblue37]

7. And how many desperate cold turkeyed chronic pain sufferers have turned to street

drugs. That is what led to the middle class heroin epidemic that has everyone so concerned.

[lancer78]

12. I know a lot

of people who turned to H to relieve their pain. Local Suboxone clinic is so busy, the local pharmacies have run out of Suboxone (For opiate withdrawal).

[Aristus]

119. I've had patients try to hold me hostage for narcotics by stating they would go to the street

for their preferred drug if they don't get a scrip.

It cuts zero ice with me.

Don't get me wrong. I prescribe opioid meds when they are appropriate. But if a patient comes in, in no visible distress, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration all within normal limits, complaining of 10 out of 10 pain (or 20 out of 10, for those patients who don't understand the concept of a clearly defined upper limit), and demanding Vicodin or something, I tell him it's not going to happen. I know I've got their number when I offer non-narcotic med treatment, and they refuse it. People in genuine pain will take whatever you offer them.

Every single day in clinic, I battle chronic disease. I want the best for my patients. The best does not include addiction, severe constipation, respiratory depression, and narcotic hyperalgesia.

[Skittles]

125. it is strange, the differences in how people react to medicine

I cannot stand Vicodin, it makes me so sick - it's on my dentist file as a no-no

[Coventina]

8. Agreed. And, you know, bottom line: so what if SOME forged scripts get through?

It's not like an airplane blowing up.

The problem was that some unethical doctors and pharmacies were handing out pills like candy.

Clean up those bad actors and really, doesn't most of the problem go away?

So what if a few slip by here and there?

Why punish everyone for the deeds of a few?

[Salviati]

13. Why punish everyone for the deeds of a few?

It's the way of life under the republican mind set. Better that a thousand innocents suffer than a single bad actor go unpunished.

[Crunchy Frog]

98. It's both parties sadly.

It's a popular bipartisan issue, and the major shifts in national policy are happening under Dem leadership.

[Gormy Cuss]

67. Also. documented evidence of recent surgery should be treated differently.

Period. No one's getting sliced open just for the chance to score some opiates.

[Coventina]

71. Amen to that! Even though the surgery had to be done, I regret it.

[ProfessorGAC]

91. Spot On!

My wife is on meds for chronic stenosis and lumbar arthritis. Not long ago, she fell and broke her fibula.

Doctor wrote her a pain scrip, but pharmacy wouldn't fill it because she picked up her maintenance meds about 2 weeks prior.

So, now she has a valid prescription for a wholly unrelated malady, easily provable by the x-rays, and she gets no extra meds for an obviously painful new, but temporary condition.

On top of that, she already takes less of the meds than are allowed on a daily basis, so the timing of the scrip fill to scrip fill is a clear indication she is not abusing the medicine.

But no!

[CountAllVotes]

115. no kidding!

This is sooo stupid! It's not like the OP doesn't have "documentation"!

If it is themselves, they are always very well taken care of -- believe it!

SHAME.

[loyalsister]

40. It's not how many

It's who they are protecting. Suburban youth (majority white) are the ones they are trying to protect because they started stealing their parents and grandparents pain killers, then turning to heroin and there is now a serious problem among them. Marijuana is a has contributed reductions in overdoses and deaths. Not only does it offer pain relief for some people, some looking for a relaxant for recreation might be more inclined to avoid the risks that come with narcotics.
Sacrificing real pain relief for people who desperately need it is wrong headed and brutal especially considering that there is a reasonable possibility that would be more humane.

[citood]

101. Frankly, these restrictions on pain pills are very effective

Which is why heroin use is on the rise.

BTW, no fax and no email - narcotic pain pills need a physical prescription. That's part of why its a PITA - you always have to drop it off and wait.

[AllyCat]

6. Pain is a real thing and taking away access to opioids

Without an alternative is cruel. We need research and access to other treatments for pain. TENS, massage, acupuncture, mind training and many other things should be available and paid by insurance. I read marijuana will decrease the need for opioids but have not seen the research.

[tblue37]

11. Marijuana is an effective pain reliever. If the government had noit prevented

research on it, we would probably already have cannabis based pain relievers that don't get one high.

[grossproffit]

33. Cannabidiol or CPD.

The had a show on that a few months back on CNN.

[tblue37]

42. Yes. I live in Kansas, so I could never access cannabis oil, but as a chronic severe pain

sufferer (arthritis, bulging lower back discs, severe sciatica), I will never have access to a cannabis based pain reliever, though I would jump at a chance to use one that would not make me high.

[Vinca]

9. It's stories like yours that lead many people to dealers on the street.

There has to be a way of making life easier for bona fide sufferers of severe physical pain.

[Snotcicles]

100. A company I own stock in is in Phase2 clinical study of a non Opioid pain drug. nt

[wildeyed]

14. Totally BS.

Doesn't seem to slow down the illegal use either. Just makes it harder for those who need the medicine to get it.

[Shrike47]

15. I can only offer sympathy but your story is anything but rare. I have a chronic pain problem.

My doctor writes three prescriptions, each starting on a different date, and gives them to me at a visit. I can only fill them at the prescribed rate, but at least I don't have to go back to the doctor's office each time.

[Coventina]

17. It's horrific. My story SHOULD be rare, but I know it's the new norm.

I'm glad your doctor has found a way around the problem.

In my case, and understandably, my doctor wants to keep tabs on my healing process. However, it would be much simpler if she could just fax the pharmacy.

*sigh*

[Lochloosa]

18. I would be careful broadcasting that. Your doctor is breaking the law.

[Shrike47]

70. 21 CFR 1306.12 It's OK the way she does it. Perhaps my description was vague.

[Seedersandleechers]

99. My doctor does the same.

I see him every 3 months and leave with 3 prescriptions all dated to be filled each month.

[BarbaRosa]

16. What is really crazy is that

now that one of our dogs is fading due to bone cancer I can take his bottle of Tramadol to the vet and just have it refilled, no problem, as with his Rimadyl - although that's not in the same class-. I guess prehaps the fact that we have had a long relationship with our vet office they know us enough to know we aren't going miss use these scripts.

I'm so sorry about your pain and suffering.

[Coventina]

21. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your fur baby.

Best wishes to you during this difficult time.



It's so hard with your four-legged family members. We lost our beloved Sarah last year. She was on both of those meds as well, until it became apparent that her pain was still not being managed.



She was so brave, and it became obvious that she was not going to choose to leave us, so we had to make that choice. One of the hardest things I've ever done.

[BarbaRosa]

52. Thanks,

while this is not our first time at this, it never gets any easier.

[Sgent]

64. Tramadol is a Schedule IV drug

it can be phoned in by a doctor's office.

It isn't as effective as narcotics at relieving severe pain (but maybe more appropriate for a dog).

[BarbaRosa]

79. I wasn't aware of that,

thanks for the info. Seems to help Andy, for now.

[citood]

103. My wife just got prescribed Tramadol

The emergency room prescribed 16 pills (and btw refused to phone it in, saying I had to present paper at the pharmacy).

Then the next day, doctor/surgeon consults with wife, and wrote prescription for 40 more.

Then on the next day, after surgery on her arm, the same doctor prescribed 30 Oxy pills!

The pharmacist had to 'consult' with me, before giving me the Oxy (same pharmacy for all these prescriptions), and I asked him if she could take Tramadol and Oxy together - he said of course not! I should have told him that he should be telling me that, without my asking.

Anyway, Tramadol has done the trick so far...first time I'd even heard of it, but it seems to take the edge off the pain.

[Coventina]

104. Huh, my doctor said that I could take Tramadol with Oxycodone.

I haven't been, however.

I don't need the tramadol because the Oxycodone is working well.

[citood]

111. I'm no doctor

But the pharmacist gave an emphatic no to taking them together. May be a pill size issue.

[Avalux]

19. They've got to figure out acute vs. chronic use of pain meds.

Your case is temporary; you are using narcotics for post surgery pain. Once you heal you won't need them anymore and shouldn't be able to get them. For you, getting a script filled shouldn't be such a PITA.

People who take pains meds for chronic, nebulous problems like back pain and are getting frequent refills over a long period of time are those who need scrutiny. It's really up to the docs - they have to take responsibility for what and why they're prescribing narcotics. Too may are careless, and that's what needs to stop.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

30. I've been taking pain meds for 8 years.

How dare you want to have me scrutinized. My pain management is between me and my specialist. NOT THE GOVERNMENT.

I've had dozens of major surgeries and healing from surgery is a breeze compared to living with constant and worsening pain. It changes your life. The pain meds (3/day) give me enough relief from the pain I can be normal again for awhile.

My pain 24/7 and I don't deserve to made to feel like shit by people with your attitude.

[grossproffit]

34. Exactly. It's maddening, isn't it?

[Avalux]

55. Exactly. It should be up to your doc. If you need them, you need them.

The problem I'm highlighting is with the physicians - some are irresponsible in prescribing narcotics when they're not needed. That's the root of the problem.

[Texasgal]

128. The problem now is that doctors

cannot make those choices without their DEA lic # getting dinged.

The doctor/patient relationship should not have anything to do with the government. Docs are witholding now because they are all afraid of being investigated and or fined. It's insane!

[Avalux]

129. It is, it's very unfortunate.

In order to try and stop the prescription narcotic addiction problem from growing, a heavy hand is used and comes down on everyone. Those who get hurt are the ones doing the right thing, and that's most of them.

Of course as usual, no scrutiny is placed on the drug companies.

[Texasgal]

131. The addiction issue

has been dealt with in a ridiculous fashion in my opinion.

To have a doctor afraid to administer care because they are afraid that the government will fine them is insulting to their profession.

It's just wrong on so many levels.

[Skittles]

138. Avalux said it was up to the DOCS

not the government

[loyalsister]

44. The have plenty of scrutiny

I have friends who go to pain clinics and have to give a urine sample every time they visit. On top of being in pain they are demeaned because people accuse them with the only evidence being that they need thos meds. People are being treated barbarically over this while a better solution exists.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. Going thru the same thing with my mom. It's nuts.

[Lochloosa]

22. There is a side problem with the "panic" over Opioids

Trying to find a pharmacy that will fill the prescription can be taxing.

Walgreens flat out refused to fill my hydrocodone prescription. It seems they have a "secret" checklist and even though I had been filling the same prescription for 2 years, I didn't make the cut.

I tried 2 other pharmacies in the area and they were always out of that drug and it would be a week or two before they would receive another delivery.

I finally found the pharmacy at our local supermarket that would fill the script, but only certain pharmacist would do it. It seems any pharmacist can refuse to fill any prescription he/she feels like.

I'll never step foot in a Walgreens again. They made me feel like a criminal when talking to me.

[Coventina]

23. Horrifying! I'm so sorry that happened to you!

This world is getting more insane by the minute.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

24. I've been taking pain meds for years.

Never became addicted. When I'm on high doses of steroids I don't need the pain meds but can't stay on high dosage of steroids.

Ask your doc to mail you the prescription. That's what I do now. I used to get 3 month supply at a time, not anymore.

Furthermore, try not to take 2 at a time every 4 hours. That's how you might become addicted. Try to tolerate as much pain as you can before you seek relief. It makes the pills keep being affective. I've done this since 2008. Pain meds still work and I'm not addicted.

I have progressive pain. Although I've had three mayor surgeries in the last 8 yrs I'm not taking the meds for post-op pain.

Good luck.

[Coventina]

32. Thanks! Good luck to you! n/t

[Ms. Toad]

145. Not the appropriate recommendation for acute pain

For acute pain (i.e. post-surgical), it is important to stay ahead of the pain - rather than tolerate as much as you can. In that post-surgical period, evidence is increasing that inadequate pain management impairs healing.

http://awma.com.au/journal/1803_02.pdf

(Chronic pain management is a different matter.)

[Orrex]

25. Well, congratulations on your successful surgery, at least.

But that's seriously fucked up. The doctor actually has to hand-write the prescriptions? Her office can't call them in or fax them to the pharmacy?

Holy shit.

[Coventina]

26. Thanks! Yes, I am looking forward to an improved quality of life, once healed.

But, yeah, controlled substances now have to come handwritten on a piece of paper, no exceptions.

[Orrex]

35. That is, if you'll forgive me for saying so, bullshit!

Hang in there. Is your husband's employer sympathetic/accommodating, at least?

Please continue posting here (when you feel up to it) to keep us updated and to score a few pep-talks!

:hugs:

[Coventina]

39. Thanks! Yes, fortunately my husband has oodles of sick time saved.

Which he's allowed to use for care of family members, so he's covered there.

But, I know many people are not so fortunate! They would miss out on income to take care of these kinds of things.
They could even possibly get fired, unless they filed for FMLA.

[blue neen]

27. Under the new laws, the doctors are no longer allowed to phone or fax in the scripts for pain meds.

Innocent patients with chronic or acute pain are the ones who suffer.

Meanwhile, heroin overdoses keep increasing.

[Orrex]

31. Ugh. That's so stupid.

I guess it makes sense, if your goal is to keep legal prescription meds out of the hands of patients whose doctors have determined that they need them.

[blue neen]

53. The doctors feel like they are being told how to practice medicine.

IMHO, these laws are hurting the people who have a legitimate need for pain meds, but they're doing nothing to stop the heroin epidemic.

[rickford66]

48. Not true

My wife has had major surgery last year and this year. Had pain med prescriptions called in and refilled by phone. I had three stents put in recently, all meds were called in. We haven't seen a paper prescription in many years. What laws are you referring to?

[blue neen]

51. Oh, it's true. Here you go:

https://news.aetna.com/2014/10/new-dea-rule-affects-pain-medicine-prescriptions-need-know/

If you are getting Hydrocodone or Oxycodone prescriptions called in or faxed in, then your doctor and pharmacist are both breaking the law. In fact, Schedule II drugs have had that restriction for a long time. The difference now is that Hydrocodone (Vicodin) is now also considered a Schedule II, instead of being a Schedule III.

There are a few states that allow the scripts to be electronically submitted....don't know what those states are.

[rickford66]

77. "There are a few states that allow the scripts to be electronically submitted"

New York must be one of those states. Or else four or five doctors treating us are violating the law.

[blue neen]

85. New York does allow for Electronically submitted scripts.

http://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/narcotic/electronic_prescribing/

They're not phoned in, but transmitted by computers with special software.

It would be nice if other states would get on board. You're lucky that you don't have to go through the hassles that others do!

[rickford66]

89. We didn't know the exact method used ...

but the DRs usually said "called in". Lucky to have them filled, but not lucky for needing them.

[sorefeet]

116. I think all states are different.

Even federal. I call in my Hydrocodone once a month to the V.A. and the UPS delivers to my house. They urine test me twice a year. The whole process is humiliating. I found that to be disabled in America is humiliating.

[blue neen]

120. I hear ya.

The whole process is definitely humiliating. I'm glad you're able to get the meds delivered to your home. Everything gets so much more complicated when one is disabled.

[ozone82]

127. Better Tham Me...

I get tested every month (urine) blood tested twice a year. And I have a painful 1 mile walk to the pharmacy. This is on the Oregon Plus Health Plan, still, it could be worse, as in not having any insurance....

[grossproffit]

28. I agree. It's f*cked. For post surgical pain management you need consistent dosaging.

It's so much harder to control pain once post surgical pain has set in.

I'm so sorry you're in so much pain.

Another one is pseudoephedrine. You can't even purchase it w/o going to the pharmacy and showing them your identification because it's used in meth. Well, Drano is too but no one is asking for identification for buying that. Will that be next?

[Coventina]

36. Excellent point! Why no scrutiny for Drano?

Thanks for the well-wishes.

At least I can look forward to healing from this.
I just don't understand why the government wants to make my healing more painful than it needs to be.

*sigh*

[gwheezie]

37. Treatment should be individualized

I had 3 abdominal surgeries in 18 months, the last being a liver resection. The 2 prior were laps but the tumor kept growing back. Then I had a drain for 6 months and weekly instillation of alcohol into my liver.
Anyway, when I woke up after the resection I made them help me out of bed but I needed pain medication to be able to get up. I insisted on getting up asap because I found with the prior surgeries I felt better by day 2 if I had gotten up on day 1. The most effective pain med was morphine iv. The oral meds were about as useful as Motrin.

[Coventina]

41. I was up by day 2. Day 1 was not within the realm of possibility.

I was off the morphine on day 3, but the oral oxycodone has been pretty effective, now that I'm home.

[gwheezie]

56. They got me up about 1am

They wanted to wait until the transfusions were completed. The tumor had grown to soccer ball size in 6 months, it was a bitch getting rid of it. The pain I have now is chronic and nothing helps but that acute post op pain was handled well with morphine.

[Coventina]

58. Yeah, morphine is the bomb!

[drray23]

38. I am sorry you are in this predicament.

I hope that at least the pain meds work for you. I also had surgery a while ago and the side effects from the pain meds ( dizzy, throwing up, etc..) were so bad that after a day I gave them up and instead stayed in bed grinding my teeth through the pain. It was less of an ordeal than the meds themselves...

[Coventina]

43. I know someone personally who is the same as you - cannot tolerate the narcotic pain meds.

And, if I were the same way, I wouldn't take them either.

The idea of vomiting with this huge incision in my belly terrifies me!

Sorry you had to suffer so much!

[Waldorf]

45. I had some of my liver cut off for a tumor 5 weeks ago. Have an incision from sternum that

goes all under right rib cage. Spent 5 days in hospital with a morphine pump. When I left the pain wasn't much and was also given a 30 pill prescription with no refills. Thats pretty standard now.

[onecaliberal]

46. I'm sorry this is happening to you.

[Yonnie3]

49. No stranger to pain here

These new policies are hard on patients. Yet, after six months of this new policy I haven't seen reports of the great success in reducing abuse and overdoses.

In Virginia my SO is getting 120 at at time for chronic pain, which is theoretically a month's worth. She must go to the doctor's office and carry the paper to the pharmacist. They won't fill it a day early. Can you ask the doctor for more prescriptions at a time? My SO has gotten two prescriptions during one visit with one marked do not fill before dd/mm/yy.

I hope you heal quickly.

[Coventina]

50. I think (and it does seem reasonable) that she wants to talk to me every 30 pills.

Just to see how the process is going.

Of course, it would help all of us tremendously if then she could FAX or PHONE in another order.
Rather than handwriting a script that has to be picked up from her office and transported to my pharmacy.



Glad your SO is having a slightly easier time of it. The staggered dates are a good idea!

[Yonnie3]

59. I certainly think that contact is reasonable (and a good thing) but ...

dammit, there just has to be a better way.

I recall waiting at the pharmacy for my pain pills, still wearing my hospital wrist band and discharge papers in hand. Then being refused the pills until they could contact the surgeon because his pen was skipping and he went over the writing twice. The surgeon was tied up in surgery all day, so I was just out of luck. My signed discharge papers that told me to take the pills weren't enough to convince them the Rx was valid.

I guess you don't need to hear me complain. It's just so damn wrong the way they decided to handle this. It gets my dander up.

Again, wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Coventina]

60. That is awful! I am so sorry that happened to you!

There does have to be a better way!

[roamer65]

54. I have gone through resection surgery.

Oxycodone was the only opioid that would dent the pain. Don't feel bad if you are using it. The pain is pretty intense. Make sure you drink lots of water while you are on it. Constipation is a major side effect of the opioids. A bit of Metamucil may not hurt as well.

Hope you heal soon!

[Coventina]

57. thanks!!!

[mopinko]

61. outrageous.

looking at major surgery myself in the near future. see the surgeon next week. main topic of conversation is going to be pain control before and after surgery.

plan to stock up on mj so that i have a fallback plan.

hope you feel better soon. this is just a crime.

[Coventina]

62. Yes, I'm wishing I had made pain control a topic ahead of time.

Good luck!!!

[gwheezie]

73. Pain control is a standard of care

My late husband told me I woke up from anesthesia demanding pain medication and threatening the nursing staff with reporting them to the joint commission. I don't recall any of this.
My late husband was dying and when they switched him from oncology service to hospice service, all his prior pain management was discontinued and since we stupidly choose a Friday night to stop chemo, I was told hospice wouldn't be in until Monday. So for almost a day he was being medicated with Tylenol, I had to call administrators to get the house doctor to come up and put him on a morphine drip. It was a nightmare.

[Coventina]

78. That is a nightmare. What is wrong with people?

What is the worry with a terminal patient? Why make them suffer?

It makes no sense to me.

I'm so sorry you and your husband went through that.

[AwakeAtLast]

63. I am so sorry you are having to go through this

I am very fearful of any more surgery in the future, not only for the reasons you state, but because pain meds don't work for me at the prescribed dose. I actually require more, don't know why.

I spent almost three days following laproscopic gall bladder removal in excruciating pain, and the meds prescribed were not working. Hell, I came out of anesthesia in excruciating pain. I told the person who was there, and I know they didn't believe me.

I will talk it over with any surgeon I might encounter, and my family knows in case I am not able.

I wish a speedy recovery to you and hope you find relief soo !

[Coventina]

65. Oh that's awful! I suffered like I never had before, the day after this surgery.

There was a screw-up in the shift change at the hospital, and I didn't get any meds for hours.

I literally wanted to die.

Yeah, I don't blame you at all for being fearful of surgery in the future.

[AwakeAtLast]

68. Yup, they let you get behind it

instead of in front of it, medication wise. I have a sneaking suspicion that may have been a part of my problem.

Take care of yourself, and make sure go let others take care of you no matter how hard that may be!

[Coventina]

72. Thanks!!!

[Ilsa]

66. I'm so sorry for the PITA this has been, and it's not just for painkillers...

Stimulants like certain ADHD meds are treated the same way. And in Texas, you have to deliver the Rx for filling within five days of the date of the script, or it is useless. Also, my son's dr. has to write it on either a triplicate or quadlicate Rx pad. The extra copies are sent in and kept on file for audits. Because of the extra work, we pay the dr a separate, small fee ($5) for the script.

All that being said, I'm sorry you had to go through abdominal surgery. I had a large transverse abd incision for a C-section, and I know how much it hurts to have those muscles cut. I hope your loved ones are up for the task of helping you until you can manage your regimen. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[Coventina]

69. Thanks! And wow! That really sucks for ADHD meds!

What is the logic behind that?

Do you know?

[Ilsa]

83. Not certain, but besides abuse issues,

They may be keeping statistics on how many kids require ADHD meds.

From what I've read, adults absolutely cannot get the 90 mail-in scripts because they are more likely to sell them versus etting 90 day scripts, even though adult parents could sell them.

The thing is, if your child is on Medicaid with primary insurance also, you can't do any 90 day mail scripts to your insurance co because insurance companies won't bill Medicaid for copays. I think some drs give out multiple (up to 3) scripts, but there is a condition that they cannot be filled for another 30 days and 60 days, for two of them.

The prescription pad is state-issued.

[Coventina]

86. Yeesh. So sorry!

[mnhtnbb]

74. I am sorry you are having so much pain. I've been there.

Two C-sections.

Total abdominal hysterectomy through the old c-section wound that took
much longer than anticipated because the surgeon told me "it was as though your uterus was superglued
to your bladder because of the old scarring".

Total hip replacement.

All I can say is, stay ahead of the pain. And get off the pain pills as soon as you can.

Pain pills made me so loopy I would only take half of one, so perhaps made it easier to get off them sooner.

Hang in there.

[Coventina]

75. Thanks! Wow! You have been through it!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

76. My step son almost lost his foot in a motorcycle accident....

He has had to deal with the same attitude. If he takes one it still hurts. If he takes two it doesn't.

They only allow one.

He boosts with a mix of Advil and Tylenol.

[Coventina]

80. You're just supposed to live with pain, apparently.

Why that's acceptable in modern society, I don't know.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

90. Other countries don't do this....

I really believe there is an underlying nonsense. A combination of the fulfillment of the phrase "a little suffering is good for the soul" and the Puritanism that frowns on anything enjoyable by the body, be it alcohol, narcotics or sex. Some claim it's a liability issue as if they're afraid of some massive settlement to a heroin junkie who traces their addiction back to the pain pills they got for their gall bladder surgery.

[Odin2005]

141. Be careful with Tylenol, taking too much will destroy your liver...

...leading to a slow, painful death.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

147. He's an EMT so I'm sure he's aware.

[Omaha Steve]

81. I had a fight with my insurance company for a refill

I had to sign in advance a form to get pain killers only from this doctor. He warned me the first three days I would want to kill him over the pain level.

The day after my surgery I called the doctor and he said I could take 3 every four hours (5 mgs) instead of the two prescribed and continue the tylenol too. I called him for a refill on a Thursday. It was approved and faxed in to the pharmacy.

We went in the next afternoon to pick them up. The insurance company said can't fill it until tomorrow because of the math of the prescription.

I had to call the doctors office. They called the pharmacy to verify he increased the dosage. The pharmacy had to call the insurance company with the story. We picked them up an hour later.

I can't wait to get my other thumb done. My granddaughter loves one thumb is shorter than the other now.

OS

[Shrike47]

82. The worst pain I have ever endured as an adult (and I've given birth) was cellulitis and MRSA.

I spent a week in the hospital and they acted like each pain pill was a gift they didn't think I'd earned. Getting up to pee was a nightmare. I was so angry by the time I was discharged I wanted to shoot the nursing staff.

The laws on pain meds are ridiculous. Yes, some people abuse them, but when you have been taking them as prescribed for 15 years, you would think you could be trusted.

[Crunchy Frog]

84. Yes, there's a mass hysteria going on in this country right now

concerning prescription pain medications.

There's a "crisis" and an "epidemic" of unimaginable proportions.

I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this bullshit.

Just be grateful that you're not a chronic pain patient. They are literally being treated like criminals, getting cut off of their medications, some of them turning to street drugs, others to suicide. It's insanity.

Hope you're feeling better very soon.

[Coventina]

88. I know. It's tragic. So much for "enlightenment" society.

"First, do no harm" should include the meaning that needless suffering should not be accepted.

[Crunchy Frog]

95. I'm sorry I hadn't seen from your later post that

you're a chronic pain sufferer too, so I'm sure you're all too aware of what's going on.

I guess it plays well politically. Always has to be a "war" on something. Why not on sick people who are in horrible pain?

[Coventina]

102. Agreed. It makes it look like "something's being done"

and only affects people who are relatively powerless.

[Warpy]

87. Some states have passed utterly insane drug laws

because of pill mills in Florida. No, it makes absolutely no sense, at all, especially when the pain control is being written by an anesthesiologist/pain control specialist after major surgery.

Docs in states like yours need to get on the ball and start to order long lasting drugs with mild drugs for breakthrough pain for at least the first week, followed by short acting drugs, only. Most people rebel, even after really gnarly surgeries like yours, and start to try to cope without narcotics as much as they can just to get their brains working right again.

Obviously, this is just more insanity that happens when a bunch of bloodless, moralistic bureaucrats think they're qualified to practice medicine. Unless doctors can be persuaded to sue, I'm afraid you're stuck with bad law torturing people after major surgery.

The good news is that you should start to recover quickly. If you don't, you need to bug your surgeon for an ultrasound to find out what's going on in there.

[Indykatie]

92. Effective Alternative to Prescription Pain Killers

I was at a drug safety seminar a few weeks back. The Nat'l Drug Safety council presented a study that showed a combination of 500mg Acetaminophen coupled with 200mg Ibuprofen is as effective in controlling pain as a variety of addictive prescription narcotics. I don't remember all the drugs and strengths included in the study though. You may want to try this combination of non prescription drugs at some point in your recovery. I'm not familiar with any laws that limit dispensing of pain meds to 30 pills. Most plans have a 31 DAY dose limit at Retail but that only means if you need 6 pills a day a 30 day supply =180 pills. I don't know where you live but some states now also allow electronic prescriptions for drugs in the narcotics class which saves the need for a visit to the Doctor's office to pick up a new prescription. Hope some of this info is helpful.

[Warpy]

93. Good, you can try it the next time your abdomen is cut open

and your guts pulled out so tumors can be removed. The first week requires a lot of very heavy opieates. They can be lightened up the second week but generally not before.

[Indykatie]

105. What a Ridiculous Response

Re-read what I said. I said at some point in her recovery meaning later. I think anyone would want to try an non narcotic alternative if they need long term pain management rather than only pursuing narcotic options. I have seen folks who initially started using narcotic drugs following surgeries and 10 years later they are still using them but at much higher doses.

[Warpy]

121. That's an ignorant response based on anecdote and containing no fact

The Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Project was begun in 1966 to study people in the hospital who had received powerful opiates. They followed these people for over a decade. Out of 11,882 patients, guess how many new addictions they found.

C'mon. Guess.



Four. Only four.

People in pain need adequate pain control. Failure to do so prolongs recovery and increases complications. The present hysteria over people without hope turning to opiates to numb their psychic pain aside, the medications remain safe, effective, and much kinder to body systems than what you suggested.

[roamer65]

133. Or Toradol.

It is a VERY powerful NSAID, far more powerful than Naproxen, Ibuprofen or Diclofenac. Only one close to it was Ketoprofen...aka Orudis KT.

It worked for me WAY better than oxycodone, but my kidneys did not like it. I immediately saw why NFL players use it. There was NO pain at all and it worked f'ing FAST.

[Warpy]

137. We used it as an adjunct to the usual opiates

because it allowed us to cut down the dosage quite a bit in people who responded well to it, especially after the first 48 hours postop.

The last trial of an NSAID shut my kidneys down for a week so none of those for me.

[Coventina]

94. Already taking the acetaminophen / ibuprofen combo.

It does nothing, that I can tell.

My state does not allow for electronic prescriptions. That's why a piece of paper has to be taken from her office to the pharmacy.

Thanks for trying to help, though.

[anneboleyn]

96. Ridiculous. Plus ibuprofen kills kidneys among other serious issues so taking huge doses

is potentially extremely dangerous. Anyone who suffers from serious pain knows that taking a big dose of Advil plus Tylenol will do NOTHING for it. Nothing.

[roamer65]

134. All pain killers have side effects.

NSAID's are nephrotoxic and cause GI issues. Paracetamol is hepatotoxic, Opioids are addictive and cause bowel issues.

Celecoxib (Celebrex) even carries a FDA black box warning.

Unfortunately one has to pick their poison with them. There is no "magic bullet".

[mrmpa]

97. I take vicodin 2 pills a day..........

I go to my doctor and she writes me a prescription for 90 (45 days). She at the same time writes me a prescription for 90 and she writes on it to be filled after (whatever is 45 days from that visit). I then make an appointment for 3 months later.

Once a month my 86 year old mother gets a prescription f0r 120 vicodin pills (4 a day), I go to her doctor's office & pick that up and take it to the pharmacy. I thought there would be a problem with me picking up her prescription, but the pharmacists don't have a problem with that

[aikoaiko]

106. I was terrified of calling my doctor when I got the end of my 2-week pain Rx.

Terrified that he'd say he couldn't refill.

[CountAllVotes]

107. Welcome to the "club"

Fun club isn't it?

As an MS sufferer, I am drug tested, humiliated, accused, and treated like a criminal as I have chronic neurological damage from this illness that affects my body as a whole. I am in constant pain 24 hrs. a day and I go through what you are now going through every day of my life.

I hate it and it is wrong! I too had three major abdominal surgeries in 9 mos. and almost died. They'd been dosing me with masses of ibuprofen and I ended up in the ER with a hole in my intestine and I almost died. It was after this event that they finally took my pain problem seriously and changed me to some thing far less toxic and more effective. So, you have my sympathy believe me!

Just because there are people out there using these drugs illegally does not seem to be a good reason to punish people that suffer with severe and/or chronic severe pain due to a disease, surgery or illness. If we have to go through so much crap to get these pain medications, why in the hell would we sell them to someone else or give them to someone else? It makes zero sense!

Try to take care of yourself best you can. You need the pain pills so your body can heal itself. If you don't get the rest you need and some relief from the pain, your recovery time is thwarted and the doctors know this btw! Shame on them!

I hope you can get what you need soon!

[Coventina]

108. Holy cow! I'm so sorry to hear about your torture!

And it IS torture!

This thread is deeply distressing, to hear about all the ways that the medical field is FAILING its patients!

[CountAllVotes]

109. It is grotesque!

There is no end in sight for me except more pain and death as I decline. I have nothing at all to look forward to.

I dread the future, believe me.

I tried to avoid it but realized it was not realistic as I did not care to be drug tested as I've had chronic pain since 1984!

And they have to drug test me to see if I am for real?

These are the criminals!

I wish they'd start drug testing some of these doctors around here ... just sayin'!

Torture? Oh yes.

[Coventina]

110. I have no words for how outraged I am.

I hope all these unfeeling monsters get a well-earned dose of karma.

[CountAllVotes]

112. Keep calling them

As they old saying goes, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".

You are paying for THEIR services. If it weren't for you, they'd have no damn job! Remember that!

[Liberal_in_LA]

139. Sorry that your are not getting what you need

[CountAllVotes]

146. oh, I am now

My new doctor is a nurse and she is RX'ing me what I require to stay out of a wheelchair.

That said, if they refuse to RX me what I need, this is what will happen as I end up laying in bed all day with my legs elevated.

I am drug tested constantly however. I resent the hell of it!

Shame on any of these medical professionals that subject sick people and others that suffer from chronic intractable pain to what I must go through.

I hope the OP is able to get beyond the pain. In my case, I'm stuck with it. Being it is well-documented going back 30+ years what can they say, that I am a faker?

Thanks for caring. It means a lot to me these days, believe me.

[awoke_in_2003]

113. Sorry to hear this

The wife has to take hydrocodone. They are making getting it a giant pain in the ass.

[leftynyc]

114. So sorry you're having to deal with this

Wishing you a very speedy and pain free recovery (take as many drugs as you need for that).

[REP]

117. I'm sorry you're going through that. Here's how I get my refills.

I have advanced kidney disease and severe arthritis. I can only take narcotics without further hastening decline in my kidney function. When I need a refill of my Viocodin, I put a request through the online system. My doctor sends down the triplicate to the pharmacy I requested that it be sent to. I still have to go in, show ID and sign for it, but I don't have to make an extra trip to get the triplicate. Maybe you can call your doctor's office and see if the the triplicate can be electronically transmitted to a pharmacy that's more convenient for your husband to pick it up from. It's still an unnecessary hassle, but maybe it will less inconvenience.

I hope your recovery is otherwise uneventful and speedy!

[Chuuku Davis]

122. Why only 30 at a time?

That doesn't make sense

[roamer65]

135. Because they are trying to control the black market on them. N/t

[Crunchy Frog]

123. My own fairly recent brush with current pain management "standards"

Small potatoes compared with what you and so many others are dealing with, but a big wake up call for me.

This happened last year, late on a Saturday night. I developed an agonizing pain in my abdomen, that had me moaning, crying and yelling, it was so bad. Turned out to be a kidney stone, though I didn't know it at the time.

In those days I was still under the misapprehension that you're supposed to go to the ER when you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain.

Long story short, I lay in the ER cubicle for 3 hours screaming in pain, and receiving no medical attention or pain relief. Just members of the staff popping in every so often to tell me to STFU, and one nice man who popped in to tell me that they were no longer responding to my call bell.

I got no attention until I finally managed to drag my mom in to advocate for me.

I didn't get my two 5mg hydrocodones until after the stone had shifted, and the immediate pain largely resolved.

The stone took 8 weeks to finally pass. The "doctor" at the ER prescribed high dose ibuprofen, and assured me that it would handle any further pain that I might have. The only thing it did was give me an alarming episode of GI bleeding.

I finally managed to extract a small pain med script from my regular doctor, but not before she threw a temper tantrum and accused me of being a drug seeker.

Ever since that incident, I've become very interested in, and horrified by the things that are happening in this country with regard to pain management.

I'm absolutely terrified by the prospect of needing surgery, or getting seriously injured in this current climate.

Meanwhile, I've gone "off grid" to make arrangements to manage my own acute pain should it become necessary.

I apologize for the novel, and feel terrible for all the people on here who are suffering more pain than I can even imagine. I wish plenty of karma to those who callously and insensitively force so many others to suffer.

I once again hope that you heal rapidly, and that the surgery resolves your pain issues.

[ileus]

124. You're lucky they're not drug testing you to verify you're taking them not selling...

Of course the only reason they're not is because you've actually had surgery.

[yourpaljoey]

126. Same boat, only mine was six weeks ago.

That initial pain is really something, and it was difficult to
remember that I could not lift, push, or pull anything...
until I lifted, pushed, or pulled something.
Hope you get your damn medicine.
That surgery is pretty fuckin' traumatic.
This BS you do not need.

[Glimmer of Hope]

130. I had major surgery last year and my problem was finding a pharmacy that carried oxy.

They won't tell you over the phone if they have oxy in stock so I had to make several stops to find someone who did. They make it hard.

[Solly Mack]

132. Wishing you a full recovery! I know exactly how much of pita it is to get pain medicine.

I have neuropathy from chemo and painful swelling (and I mean major swelling) from a lack of lymph nodes in my neck.

Pain medicine is my last resort and I only use it when needed - BUT - it is needed and I hate all the BS I'm put through to get some relief.

I have a doctor whose only job is writing prescriptions for pain medicines. I had to sign a pledge/promise to not go to any other doctor for pain medicine.

I have no intentions of 'script shopping. I don't pop a pill for shits and giggles. I want some pain relief. To get a refill, I have to go for a doctor's visit and I am subject to blood/urine tests if the pain doc wants one.

Major PITA.

[mythology]

136. Weird, I had a pair of surgeries a couple of years ago and got 30 pills for the first

which was way too many. I took 5 Vicodin for that surgery. The second was substantially more invasive and I think I got 50 hydromorphone, which was also way too many. I was already on Tylenol during the day less than a week later and off the opioid entirely 1.5 weeks post surgery. Granted I do have a fairly high tolerance for pain, but the biggest issue I had getting the meds was that the first pharmacy was out of the hydromorphone.

[Crunchy Frog]

140. Things have gotten much worse over the last couple of years.

When I had my c-section in 2009, they gave me two enormous bottles of pills, of which I only needed a tiny fraction. Last year when I had an agonizing kidney stone, I was given practically nothing; nothing at all for the first, and worst, week and a half.

[Tsiyu]

142. Remember when poor people

and people of color said: "This war on drugs - this war on the American people - won't stop with the poor and the minorities. They're coming for you middle class people next."

You see, it's perfectly legal to spew out as many goddamned pills as a pharmco can mass-produce, make insane profits off those pills and be completely left unfettered by the US government.

"GO AHEAD PHARMCO! JACK UP THE PRICE OF PILLS AND ADDICT MILLIONS AND WE LOOOOOOOVE YOU! CARRY ON!"

But absolutely, positively do NOT be a person who NEEDS any of those drugs the pharmcos are spewing out.

THEY make the pills and the profit, but the US Justice Department and the DEA don't want to bother those fine, upstanding people! It's not the Pharmco's fault! Ever!

YOU- YOU COVENTINA ---YOU ARE THE ENEMY OF THE STATE! HOW DARE YOU ASK FOR RELIEF! You WEAK SPINELESS CRIMINAL!

Yeah, welcome Middle Class, to the War on You, Too. Drugs are not the problem. The US citizen is the problem. YOU, COVENTINA are the problem, and your government is going to make sure you know it.


Sigh....it was so good when they only demonized poor people wasn't it?

But you all were warned about the stupidity coming your way. Hope the middle class enjoy being treated like criminals for needing help with their medical issues. It's really, really fun!

[dembotoz]

143. had the same thing done to me bout 15 years ago

although i only had 3 lbs....
hell of a way to loose weight....

at times when i go the to grocer i pick up a 3 lb pack of burger and go damn....
4.5 lbs? would image looking at some of the hams.....damn

what about those without your support system....those constant trip to the drug store....guess they are just to wither in pain.....

take care and heal quick
we need you for nov

[ecstatic]

144. I think anyone who claims to be in pain should be given the benefit of doubt

That would be the humane thing.

[Butterbean]

148. I'm so sorry you're hurting. :(

I hate this, and we in healthcare are talking and talking and TALKING about this problem, but not a lot of action is being taken (yet). I am hoping that because the pendulum has swung so far to one direction that the swing back towards the middle will start happening soon. The opioid crisis is just out of control in this country and has made situations like yours what I deem unacceptable and quite frankly a hindrance to proper recovery. You need effective pain control to be able to do what your doctor wants you to do, which is get up and get moving, but you can't very well do that if you feel like your belly is on fire.

Anyway....I'm very sorry, and I don't blame you for being pissed. I hope you are on the road to recovery soon. Gentle hugs to you.