bill at home
10-25-2003, 06:46 AM
Do all PM doctors require that you bring all of your medication with you to each visit? I bring mine, but they never look at it. Are they suppost to count it? Just wondering, I am in MB South Carolina and I did not know if it was a state law or something.
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Shoreline
10-25-2003, 03:10 PM
Hi Bill, It's in my PM contract to either bring the meds or a list of medication.
This was explained to me that because many of the CP patients my doc sees are older. Remebering the name of 6-7 different meds, the dosage, the prescribing instructions can get very confusing for some patients.
Otherwise you might get answers like I take the blue pill twice a day, a pink pill 4 times a day, the green one at bedtime etc. etc. Some patients couldn't even tell you what meds they take do to age or impairment from the meds or just a lack of understanding and complete trust in the doctors.
The only time I was specifically asked to bring my meds was when I made a base med change in the middle of the month. They did count the meds to be sure I wasn't asking for a change simply bnecause I ran out of the other med.
This does happen unfortunately and the docs know it is a way a patient that abuses their medscan cover their tracks and abuse by switching meds rather than going through withdrawal or admitting to self medication and not complying with prescription orders.
Ask your doc specifically if a list would do if his only purpose is to make an acurate log of all meds you consume.
Everytime I see the PM doc I fill out a follow up form and list every med, dosage and prescribing doctor. I see a shrink in addition to my PM that manages the antiD's and the Benzo's for restless leg. I also report pain levels etc. on the follow up form.
Good luck, Shore
[This message has been edited by Shoreline (edited 10-25-2003).]
This was explained to me that because many of the CP patients my doc sees are older. Remebering the name of 6-7 different meds, the dosage, the prescribing instructions can get very confusing for some patients.
Otherwise you might get answers like I take the blue pill twice a day, a pink pill 4 times a day, the green one at bedtime etc. etc. Some patients couldn't even tell you what meds they take do to age or impairment from the meds or just a lack of understanding and complete trust in the doctors.
The only time I was specifically asked to bring my meds was when I made a base med change in the middle of the month. They did count the meds to be sure I wasn't asking for a change simply bnecause I ran out of the other med.
This does happen unfortunately and the docs know it is a way a patient that abuses their medscan cover their tracks and abuse by switching meds rather than going through withdrawal or admitting to self medication and not complying with prescription orders.
Ask your doc specifically if a list would do if his only purpose is to make an acurate log of all meds you consume.
Everytime I see the PM doc I fill out a follow up form and list every med, dosage and prescribing doctor. I see a shrink in addition to my PM that manages the antiD's and the Benzo's for restless leg. I also report pain levels etc. on the follow up form.
Good luck, Shore
[This message has been edited by Shoreline (edited 10-25-2003).]
bill at home
10-25-2003, 03:49 PM
Shore,
Thanks for the information. I thought that at every visit they counted your medication to see if you have taken more than what was prescribed. On my last visit I was short 10 pills (norco) and I was a nervous wreck before the visit. I did take the extra 10 because I was in so much pain.I didnt tell the doctor but he did put me on something stronger anyway.Thanks again, Bill
Thanks for the information. I thought that at every visit they counted your medication to see if you have taken more than what was prescribed. On my last visit I was short 10 pills (norco) and I was a nervous wreck before the visit. I did take the extra 10 because I was in so much pain.I didnt tell the doctor but he did put me on something stronger anyway.Thanks again, Bill
c.meade
10-25-2003, 11:31 PM
My PM doc requires that his patients bring their medication with them to each visit, too. There are several different reasons why. One has already been explained above, several different meds, making sure they are being taken correctly and not being mistaken for other meds.....
However, when I first started seeing my PM doc I also had to sign a contract with them. The contract explained that they can call me in (at any time, day or night) for a pill count. When phoned, I have 1 hour to produce my medication (in the actual bottle). They do count your pills to make sure that you are taking them as prescribed, not over medicating yourself and also to make sure that you are not selling your medication. My very first pill count I came up 4 pills short (I had taken more then prescribed because my pain is worse some days then others and the way my medication was prescribed it wasn't always working). They gave me my 1 and only warning....I signed it....next time I come up short (you can be 2 pills short without getting in trouble) that I would be dropped from the program. The contract states if the patient is more then 10 pills short, a police report is filed against the patient for suspicion of the sale of meds.
I had been lucky. My doctor is understanding. He said he knows that pain is worse some days then others and it's necessary to take more then normal to help tolerate the pain. He requests that if you have to take more then prescribed, that you call the office to get "permission." That way it is documented on your chart & if you are called in on a pill count, those additional pills are accounted for and are not considered "missing."
I completely understand why this is done. It's because of the people who fake pain to get meds to sell on the streets to make money. My doctor doesn't want to contribute to that. It's so difficult to find a doctor that will treat chronic pain with medication that actually helps--and it's sad that we must be treated like potential junkies just to get relief. But again, it's because of the dealers that this happens and I'm willing to go through it--it that means that I am being treated for my pain.
I take Roxicodone (15mg 4Xday) plus Valium (10mg 3Xday). After my "missing" 4 pills, he also wrote me a prescription for Oxycodone (5mg as needed). I bring my medication to every appointment just in case they want to check.
I hope this helps clarify why your doctor requires you bring your medication with you on every appointment. More questions?? Get in touch with me.
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~~Christina~~
However, when I first started seeing my PM doc I also had to sign a contract with them. The contract explained that they can call me in (at any time, day or night) for a pill count. When phoned, I have 1 hour to produce my medication (in the actual bottle). They do count your pills to make sure that you are taking them as prescribed, not over medicating yourself and also to make sure that you are not selling your medication. My very first pill count I came up 4 pills short (I had taken more then prescribed because my pain is worse some days then others and the way my medication was prescribed it wasn't always working). They gave me my 1 and only warning....I signed it....next time I come up short (you can be 2 pills short without getting in trouble) that I would be dropped from the program. The contract states if the patient is more then 10 pills short, a police report is filed against the patient for suspicion of the sale of meds.
I had been lucky. My doctor is understanding. He said he knows that pain is worse some days then others and it's necessary to take more then normal to help tolerate the pain. He requests that if you have to take more then prescribed, that you call the office to get "permission." That way it is documented on your chart & if you are called in on a pill count, those additional pills are accounted for and are not considered "missing."
I completely understand why this is done. It's because of the people who fake pain to get meds to sell on the streets to make money. My doctor doesn't want to contribute to that. It's so difficult to find a doctor that will treat chronic pain with medication that actually helps--and it's sad that we must be treated like potential junkies just to get relief. But again, it's because of the dealers that this happens and I'm willing to go through it--it that means that I am being treated for my pain.
I take Roxicodone (15mg 4Xday) plus Valium (10mg 3Xday). After my "missing" 4 pills, he also wrote me a prescription for Oxycodone (5mg as needed). I bring my medication to every appointment just in case they want to check.
I hope this helps clarify why your doctor requires you bring your medication with you on every appointment. More questions?? Get in touch with me.
------------------
~~Christina~~
bill at home
10-26-2003, 06:39 AM
Hi Christina, Thanks for the good info. I am really concerned now that I am short on my meds. I see the doctor next week. How often is your or has yours been counted? My contract was not that detailed, it just said you must bring your meds to each visit. This will be my fourth visit.Do they have to give you one warning or could they just kick you out? Thanks again
igy76
10-26-2003, 01:32 PM
Hey, I just wanted to ask - Roxicodone - that's just another form of oxycodone, right? (that's the ingredient in it?) It's just another brand, as Percocet, Percodan and OxyIR all are, right? And is it w/or w/o tylenol? I was pretty sure it was oxycodone, but didn't realize you could get it with as much as 15mg in one pill, that's great.
bill at home
10-26-2003, 04:11 PM
Igy -Roxicodone is pure oxycodone, no tylenol,(percocet without tylenol) It comes in 5mg -15mg -and 30mg strength.
c.meade
10-26-2003, 08:36 PM
To answer your "pill count" question:
I really don't know. I'm sorry to say that, but I don't. I'm not sure how it works, only that I have to be able to produce my meds & they have to be on target when requested. All PM's are different. Maybe you should phone your doctor and let them know that the meds aren't strong enough and that it is taking more then what was originally prescribed to obtain relief. Do this prior to your appointment, that way it is documented. They may give you permission to take more and up you scheduled appointment to discuss alternatives. I wouldn't wait for your appointment to let them know.
Your doc may give you 1 shot before booting you (or as they call it at my PM office "fired") or they may let you go right away. Be sinscere, be honest and most of all let them know that you didn't realize the severity of the contract--that you were in awful pain and had just tried to treat it yourself by taking more then prescribed.
That's really all I can suggest. Hopefully your doctor will be understanding to the issue and you both can come to a mutual understanding and resolution to the problem.
Good luck to you, please let me know how it goes!
----------------------------------------------------
To the post about the Roxicodone, it is a form of oxycodone w/out the extras. It works well for me. There are times when I need more then the 15 mg, though and that is why they wrote me another script for oxy w/tylenol 5 mg to take as needed. From what I understand (I'm pretty new at this) that oxycodone comes in a million different forms and Roxi is one of the best....it's Oxycotin...the only difference is that Oxycotin is a time release and Roxicodone is an on the spot pain med. The 15mg takes about 20 minutes to begin working, but only lasts 2-2.5 hours instead of the 4-6 it's supposed to.
------------------
~~Christina~~
I really don't know. I'm sorry to say that, but I don't. I'm not sure how it works, only that I have to be able to produce my meds & they have to be on target when requested. All PM's are different. Maybe you should phone your doctor and let them know that the meds aren't strong enough and that it is taking more then what was originally prescribed to obtain relief. Do this prior to your appointment, that way it is documented. They may give you permission to take more and up you scheduled appointment to discuss alternatives. I wouldn't wait for your appointment to let them know.
Your doc may give you 1 shot before booting you (or as they call it at my PM office "fired") or they may let you go right away. Be sinscere, be honest and most of all let them know that you didn't realize the severity of the contract--that you were in awful pain and had just tried to treat it yourself by taking more then prescribed.
That's really all I can suggest. Hopefully your doctor will be understanding to the issue and you both can come to a mutual understanding and resolution to the problem.
Good luck to you, please let me know how it goes!
----------------------------------------------------
To the post about the Roxicodone, it is a form of oxycodone w/out the extras. It works well for me. There are times when I need more then the 15 mg, though and that is why they wrote me another script for oxy w/tylenol 5 mg to take as needed. From what I understand (I'm pretty new at this) that oxycodone comes in a million different forms and Roxi is one of the best....it's Oxycotin...the only difference is that Oxycotin is a time release and Roxicodone is an on the spot pain med. The 15mg takes about 20 minutes to begin working, but only lasts 2-2.5 hours instead of the 4-6 it's supposed to.
------------------
~~Christina~~
wirry1422
10-26-2003, 09:39 PM
Your almost right, Christina. Oxycodone does come in a million different names and combos with tylenol or alone. However oxycontin is just the brand name for yet another form of oxycodone. The only difference is not only does it have no tylenol, but it is the only formula of oxycodone that lasts 12 hours. Roxicodone is just a name for pure oxycodone in 15 and 30 mg strenghts. There is no such thing as "oxycotin". It is all just Oxycodone from different corporations with their different trade names. :)
bill at home
10-28-2003, 07:28 AM
Hi again Christina, How many times has your medication been counted out of how many visits you had?
kmstr
10-28-2003, 12:08 PM
bill, i wouldnt worry about your pill count too much... i've been going to my PM for just about 3yrs and never once has she asked for a pill count or asked me to bring in the bottles. She is very understanding though and knows sometimes are bettter then others therefore you need more meds to deal with the pain on somedays more then others. on rainy days my pain is worse things like make a big difference. on your next visit i would just tell your doc that it doesn't appear that your meds are strong enough and you've needed to take extra on a lot of days. then they'll probably give you something a little stronger or something more time released and then something else for the break through pain.
or you could have a very nonunderstanding doc and get yelled at and told that if this happens again you will taken out of the program. which even if that is what happens talk to your doc and make sure he/she understands that what's been perscribed isn't helping w/your pain enough...
hope that helps
or you could have a very nonunderstanding doc and get yelled at and told that if this happens again you will taken out of the program. which even if that is what happens talk to your doc and make sure he/she understands that what's been perscribed isn't helping w/your pain enough...
hope that helps