General Discussion

Aristus

(72,317 posts)

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

Mon Jul 25, 2016, 04:41 PM

Jul 2016

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.

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Prescription Pain Killer Rant: Just had major abdominal surgery... [View all] Coventina Jul 2016 OP

You have every right to not be in pain. But unfortunately, this is what it has come to. tonyt53 Jul 2016 #1

Thanks. And best wishes to you! Coventina Jul 2016 #4

The painkiller thing is ridiculous ghostsinthemachine Jul 2016 #2

I am so sorry to hear that, ghostsinthemachine. Coventina Jul 2016 #5

it sucks; been there, but it gets better. unblock Jul 2016 #10

Narcotics are a very bad idea for chronic migraine. greymattermom Jul 2016 #29

yes i know narcotics aren't ideal for migraine unblock Jul 2016 #47

I'll stick with Topomax REP Jul 2016 #118

as with taking shoes off at airports, i wonder how many abuses these measures actually prevent unblock Jul 2016 #3

And how many desperate cold turkeyed chronic pain sufferers have turned to street tblue37 Jul 2016 #7

I know a lot lancer78 Jul 2016 #12

I've had patients try to hold me hostage for narcotics by stating they would go to the street Aristus Jul 2016 #119

it is strange, the differences in how people react to medicine Skittles Jul 2016 #125

Agreed. And, you know, bottom line: so what if SOME forged scripts get through? Coventina Jul 2016 #8

Why punish everyone for the deeds of a few? Salviati Jul 2016 #13

It's both parties sadly. Crunchy Frog Jul 2016 #98

Also. documented evidence of recent surgery should be treated differently. Gormy Cuss Jul 2016 #67

Amen to that! Even though the surgery had to be done, I regret it. Coventina Jul 2016 #71

Spot On! ProfessorGAC Jul 2016 #91

no kidding! CountAllVotes Jul 2016 #115

It's not how many loyalsister Jul 2016 #40

Frankly, these restrictions on pain pills are very effective citood Jul 2016 #101

Pain is a real thing and taking away access to opioids AllyCat Jul 2016 #6

Marijuana is an effective pain reliever. If the government had noit prevented tblue37 Jul 2016 #11

Cannabidiol or CPD. grossproffit Jul 2016 #33

Yes. I live in Kansas, so I could never access cannabis oil, but as a chronic severe pain tblue37 Jul 2016 #42

It's stories like yours that lead many people to dealers on the street. Vinca Jul 2016 #9

A company I own stock in is in Phase2 clinical study of a non Opioid pain drug. nt Snotcicles Jul 2016 #100

Totally BS. wildeyed Jul 2016 #14

I can only offer sympathy but your story is anything but rare. I have a chronic pain problem. Shrike47 Jul 2016 #15

It's horrific. My story SHOULD be rare, but I know it's the new norm. Coventina Jul 2016 #17

I would be careful broadcasting that. Your doctor is breaking the law. Lochloosa Jul 2016 #18

21 CFR 1306.12 It's OK the way she does it. Perhaps my description was vague. Shrike47 Jul 2016 #70

My doctor does the same. Seedersandleechers Jul 2016 #99

What is really crazy is that BarbaRosa Jul 2016 #16

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your fur baby. Coventina Jul 2016 #21

Thanks, BarbaRosa Jul 2016 #52

Tramadol is a Schedule IV drug Sgent Jul 2016 #64

I wasn't aware of that, BarbaRosa Jul 2016 #79

My wife just got prescribed Tramadol citood Jul 2016 #103

Huh, my doctor said that I could take Tramadol with Oxycodone. Coventina Jul 2016 #104

I'm no doctor citood Jul 2016 #111

They've got to figure out acute vs. chronic use of pain meds. Avalux Jul 2016 #19

I've been taking pain meds for 8 years. Boudica the Lyoness Jul 2016 #30

Exactly. It's maddening, isn't it? grossproffit Jul 2016 #34

Exactly. It should be up to your doc. If you need them, you need them. Avalux Jul 2016 #55

The problem now is that doctors Texasgal Jul 2016 #128

It is, it's very unfortunate. Avalux Jul 2016 #129

The addiction issue Texasgal Jul 2016 #131

Avalux said it was up to the DOCS Skittles Jul 2016 #138

The have plenty of scrutiny loyalsister Jul 2016 #44

Going thru the same thing with my mom. It's nuts. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2016 #20

There is a side problem with the "panic" over Opioids Lochloosa Jul 2016 #22

Horrifying! I'm so sorry that happened to you! Coventina Jul 2016 #23

I've been taking pain meds for years. Boudica the Lyoness Jul 2016 #24

Thanks! Good luck to you! n/t Coventina Jul 2016 #32

Not the appropriate recommendation for acute pain Ms. Toad Jul 2016 #145

Well, congratulations on your successful surgery, at least. Orrex Jul 2016 #25

Thanks! Yes, I am looking forward to an improved quality of life, once healed. Coventina Jul 2016 #26

That is, if you'll forgive me for saying so, bullshit! Orrex Jul 2016 #35

Thanks! Yes, fortunately my husband has oodles of sick time saved. Coventina Jul 2016 #39

Under the new laws, the doctors are no longer allowed to phone or fax in the scripts for pain meds. blue neen Jul 2016 #27

Ugh. That's so stupid. Orrex Jul 2016 #31

The doctors feel like they are being told how to practice medicine. blue neen Jul 2016 #53

Not true rickford66 Jul 2016 #48

Oh, it's true. Here you go: blue neen Jul 2016 #51

"There are a few states that allow the scripts to be electronically submitted" rickford66 Jul 2016 #77

New York does allow for Electronically submitted scripts. blue neen Jul 2016 #85

We didn't know the exact method used ... rickford66 Jul 2016 #89

I think all states are different. sorefeet Jul 2016 #116

I hear ya. blue neen Jul 2016 #120

Better Tham Me... ozone82 Jul 2016 #127

I agree. It's f*cked. For post surgical pain management you need consistent dosaging. grossproffit Jul 2016 #28

Excellent point! Why no scrutiny for Drano? Coventina Jul 2016 #36

Treatment should be individualized gwheezie Jul 2016 #37

I was up by day 2. Day 1 was not within the realm of possibility. Coventina Jul 2016 #41

They got me up about 1am gwheezie Jul 2016 #56

Yeah, morphine is the bomb! Coventina Jul 2016 #58

I am sorry you are in this predicament. drray23 Jul 2016 #38

I know someone personally who is the same as you - cannot tolerate the narcotic pain meds. Coventina Jul 2016 #43

I had some of my liver cut off for a tumor 5 weeks ago. Have an incision from sternum that Waldorf Jul 2016 #45

I'm sorry this is happening to you. onecaliberal Jul 2016 #46

No stranger to pain here Yonnie3 Jul 2016 #49

I think (and it does seem reasonable) that she wants to talk to me every 30 pills. Coventina Jul 2016 #50

I certainly think that contact is reasonable (and a good thing) but ... Yonnie3 Jul 2016 #59

That is awful! I am so sorry that happened to you! Coventina Jul 2016 #60

I have gone through resection surgery. roamer65 Jul 2016 #54

thanks!!! Coventina Jul 2016 #57

outrageous. mopinko Jul 2016 #61

Yes, I'm wishing I had made pain control a topic ahead of time. Coventina Jul 2016 #62

Pain control is a standard of care gwheezie Jul 2016 #73

That is a nightmare. What is wrong with people? Coventina Jul 2016 #78

I am so sorry you are having to go through this AwakeAtLast Jul 2016 #63

Oh that's awful! I suffered like I never had before, the day after this surgery. Coventina Jul 2016 #65

Yup, they let you get behind it AwakeAtLast Jul 2016 #68

Thanks!!! Coventina Jul 2016 #72

I'm so sorry for the PITA this has been, and it's not just for painkillers... Ilsa Jul 2016 #66

Thanks! And wow! That really sucks for ADHD meds! Coventina Jul 2016 #69

Not certain, but besides abuse issues, Ilsa Jul 2016 #83

Yeesh. So sorry! Coventina Jul 2016 #86

I am sorry you are having so much pain. I've been there. mnhtnbb Jul 2016 #74

Thanks! Wow! You have been through it! Coventina Jul 2016 #75

My step son almost lost his foot in a motorcycle accident.... Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2016 #76

You're just supposed to live with pain, apparently. Coventina Jul 2016 #80

Other countries don't do this.... Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2016 #90

Be careful with Tylenol, taking too much will destroy your liver... Odin2005 Jul 2016 #141

He's an EMT so I'm sure he's aware. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2016 #147

I had a fight with my insurance company for a refill Omaha Steve Jul 2016 #81

The worst pain I have ever endured as an adult (and I've given birth) was cellulitis and MRSA. Shrike47 Jul 2016 #82

Yes, there's a mass hysteria going on in this country right now Crunchy Frog Jul 2016 #84

I know. It's tragic. So much for "enlightenment" society. Coventina Jul 2016 #88

I'm sorry I hadn't seen from your later post that Crunchy Frog Jul 2016 #95

Agreed. It makes it look like "something's being done" Coventina Jul 2016 #102

Some states have passed utterly insane drug laws Warpy Jul 2016 #87

Effective Alternative to Prescription Pain Killers Indykatie Jul 2016 #92

Good, you can try it the next time your abdomen is cut open Warpy Jul 2016 #93

What a Ridiculous Response Indykatie Jul 2016 #105

That's an ignorant response based on anecdote and containing no fact Warpy Jul 2016 #121

Or Toradol. roamer65 Jul 2016 #133

We used it as an adjunct to the usual opiates Warpy Jul 2016 #137

Already taking the acetaminophen / ibuprofen combo. Coventina Jul 2016 #94

Ridiculous. Plus ibuprofen kills kidneys among other serious issues so taking huge doses anneboleyn Jul 2016 #96

All pain killers have side effects. roamer65 Jul 2016 #134

I take vicodin 2 pills a day.......... mrmpa Jul 2016 #97

I was terrified of calling my doctor when I got the end of my 2-week pain Rx. aikoaiko Jul 2016 #106

Welcome to the "club" CountAllVotes Jul 2016 #107

Holy cow! I'm so sorry to hear about your torture! Coventina Jul 2016 #108

It is grotesque! CountAllVotes Jul 2016 #109

I have no words for how outraged I am. Coventina Jul 2016 #110

Keep calling them CountAllVotes Jul 2016 #112

Sorry that your are not getting what you need Liberal_in_LA Jul 2016 #139

oh, I am now CountAllVotes Jul 2016 #146

Sorry to hear this awoke_in_2003 Jul 2016 #113

So sorry you're having to deal with this leftynyc Jul 2016 #114

I'm sorry you're going through that. Here's how I get my refills. REP Jul 2016 #117

Why only 30 at a time? Chuuku Davis Jul 2016 #122

Because they are trying to control the black market on them. N/t roamer65 Jul 2016 #135

My own fairly recent brush with current pain management "standards" Crunchy Frog Jul 2016 #123

You're lucky they're not drug testing you to verify you're taking them not selling... ileus Jul 2016 #124

Same boat, only mine was six weeks ago. yourpaljoey Jul 2016 #126

I had major surgery last year and my problem was finding a pharmacy that carried oxy. Glimmer of Hope Jul 2016 #130

Wishing you a full recovery! I know exactly how much of pita it is to get pain medicine. Solly Mack Jul 2016 #132

Weird, I had a pair of surgeries a couple of years ago and got 30 pills for the first mythology Jul 2016 #136

Things have gotten much worse over the last couple of years. Crunchy Frog Jul 2016 #140

Remember when poor people Tsiyu Jul 2016 #142

had the same thing done to me bout 15 years ago dembotoz Jul 2016 #143

I think anyone who claims to be in pain should be given the benefit of doubt ecstatic Jul 2016 #144

I'm so sorry you're hurting. :( Butterbean Jul 2016 #148