katlovesdogs
02-23-2009, 11:18 AM
OK.. I have my LA meds MS Contin 2x a day plus percs 3x a day as needed to BT . Most days this is enough to keep me going. Maybe because it has been colder or wetter I have NOT had good response from this regime. I was told by PM that I was to NEVER increase my meds without first checking with them. Next appointment is at least a week away. I just called and left message with receptionist that I was having an acute pain episode where my meds just weren't working and did not want to just take more than was presribed without checking with them first. I have NEVER requested a refill early, have never had to call before this and have never gone anywhere but there for any pain meds. I have taken 2 Aleve like I was told too one other time when I was there for an office visit and explained the office visit had not come one day too soon due to increase in my acute pain. Is this going to flag me in anyway with them ?
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Executor
02-23-2009, 01:07 PM
How long have you been with this clinic? If it's been a while, you should be fine. It really just depends on the personality of your Doc. It's good to call first and get permission. If they say 'no' then they say no. I'll bet they work with you and this may trigger a dose increase.
Best of luck on this.
Regards,
Ex
Best of luck on this.
Regards,
Ex
ozzybug
02-23-2009, 01:33 PM
Kat-
I totally agree with Ex, and am glad you called your doctor about your acute pain episode. You did the right thing, and if you've never called to ask if you can take more than prescribed, then there shouldn't be any kind of red flags.
There was one time I had to call my PM about a major increased pain cycle. I had been dealing with it on my own at home with the RICE method & my Alpha-Stim machine, but my pain was still not being controlled. My doctor did allow an increase in my meds,(he had me double the dose since I was on a low dose) and told me to keep a written record of the extra meds I took and then call his office about 3 days before the refill would be needed so he could let the pharmacy know a one time early refill is allowed this time. I ended up only needing to take extra meds for 2 days, and then things evened out for me. I also turned in my written log of the extra meds. Oh, I also stretched my meds out after the pain was under control so I wouldn't have to get an early refill.
The one thing to remember, which I'm sure you do is it's very hard sometimes to get increased pain under control when you have to play "catch-up", so if your pain levels have been increased for several days, it may take a bit to catch up to it.
I hope your PM is able to help you! So sorry you are having increased pain...
I totally agree with Ex, and am glad you called your doctor about your acute pain episode. You did the right thing, and if you've never called to ask if you can take more than prescribed, then there shouldn't be any kind of red flags.
There was one time I had to call my PM about a major increased pain cycle. I had been dealing with it on my own at home with the RICE method & my Alpha-Stim machine, but my pain was still not being controlled. My doctor did allow an increase in my meds,(he had me double the dose since I was on a low dose) and told me to keep a written record of the extra meds I took and then call his office about 3 days before the refill would be needed so he could let the pharmacy know a one time early refill is allowed this time. I ended up only needing to take extra meds for 2 days, and then things evened out for me. I also turned in my written log of the extra meds. Oh, I also stretched my meds out after the pain was under control so I wouldn't have to get an early refill.
The one thing to remember, which I'm sure you do is it's very hard sometimes to get increased pain under control when you have to play "catch-up", so if your pain levels have been increased for several days, it may take a bit to catch up to it.
I hope your PM is able to help you! So sorry you are having increased pain...
katlovesdogs
02-23-2009, 01:40 PM
I have been with this Doctor since July of 08 and this is the first time I have had to call and ask "permission" to take more than presribed or ask for additional dosage. One visit I had mentioned that the appointment for an injection couldn't have come sooner since I had been having an increase in my BT pain and I followed the instructions to take Aleve and use Ice for the area. I mentioned this when I called today so hopefully they will work with me. I don't want to take more in between regular doses and then run out . I would hate to have to count these dang pills and making sure I have enough until the next visit and then run out completely. HOWEVER, Dr called back and told me to take my meds AS PRESRIBED but they could get me in WED for a PROCEDURE... They love those money making injections. As long as they get me through to NEXT Tuesday for Med follow up
slipperyslope
02-23-2009, 10:53 PM
I think you did everything right by calling the Dr to see if you could take some extra B/T meds. good for you for checking. That shows good credibilty with you as a compliant careful patient. if it were my DR he would probably allow me to take the extra meds but he also might want me to come in. Last month when I injured my shoulder really bad I called the office and they actually called me in extra B/T meds since at the previous apt he had decreased my B/T meds because I was doing better and felt I could get buy on less so I had very little to begin with and I was 3 weeks into my monthly apt. well it turned out with my injury I was out of my B/T meds and they gladly called me in some meds. I needed anti inflamatories and muscle relaxers as well as B/T meds.. When I went in for my apt the next time, the Dr said that I should not suffer and to come in next time for a procedure so I will do that for sure as it was a miserable 2 weeks I had to endure with the extra pain. It would have been nice if your DR would have allowed you to take a few extra B/T meds before your apt this week, but apparently its not what he wants, and that's to bad you have to suffer a few more days. I feel bad for you, but I Hope you get some relief at your next apt by the injections or what ever procedure your going to have. Let us know what the DR says, but No I don't think you did anything wrong and you should not be red flagged for this. Does your DR do pill counts and
UA'S on you? Just curious as my Dr does the UA'S quite often.
take care, SS
UA'S on you? Just curious as my Dr does the UA'S quite often.
take care, SS
katlovesdogs
02-24-2009, 09:40 AM
Never had a UA and never had a pill count which surprises me. I guess since I have never missed an appointment, never called in for extra meds until now they felt they didn't need to do one. A neighbor had a UA his first visit and since then he has not had a single one !!
slipperyslope
02-24-2009, 10:34 AM
Missing an apt has nothing to do with it, they do them on everyone even the perfect patients. Most PM Dr's at least do the UA'S so I am sure in time you will have one as the rest of us do.
katlovesdogs
02-24-2009, 10:42 AM
I keep waiting for my UA turn to come up. I am not concerned at all since my Dr. told me she prefers to do them randomly and I have never strayed from directions. I even asked her one time when was I going to have to do one and she said not to worry my time will come . LOL.. I am sure they have patients they do every visit and then some they don't.