I'm taking Percocet 10/325 to be taken every 6 hours for a ruptured L-5 S-1....Pain is 24/7 I'd rate it at about an 8. Currently I'm taking, the Percocet, 1/2 (5 mg) valium for spasm at bedtime and to help sleep, Elavil at bedtime to help with BT pain during sleep AND Ambien at bedtime to help sleep. I did not start sleepling through the night UNTIL the doc added the Elavil....
Here's my question....how much can a doctor prescribe at one time.....a months supply?? OR a weeks supply??? The Elavil and the Valium and the Ambien he gave me a Month's suppy, but the Percocet he only gives me a one week supply....and I have ALWAYS had three or four more than I should have (meaning left over)...I've been trying to stretch out the pain meds when I can tolerate it...
Is he just CYA...or is it because of the kind of medication it is that limits the amount he can dispense???...I dunno...I'm confused here....I have to go in every week and see him to get the prescription when nothing is changing. That kind of prescription can't be called in, so it's office visit..etc...Am I being taken or is he just being extra cautious that I'm not getting "hooked", or what? Any insight you might have would be helpful...I'm very confused.
Hiya Bgsigns!
Not a stupid question at all. Unless the laws are different in different states (?), here in nyc, one can get an rx for percocet for a months supply. It's been a # of years (a big yay!) since I've needed that type of quantity, but in the past I have been prescribed montly amounts (#90-120). I'm not Shoreline, perhaps he will chime in here as well, but it sounds like your doc may be being ultra cautious/watchful of possible misuse. Perhaps he's/she's had a prior experience with a previous patient that has caused him to prescribe percocet in this manner, or would he have seen any indications of drug seeking behavior from you? I am totally not thinking that, just trying to figure out where doc might coming from. Valium, can be just as addicting, so that's a little strange that he seperates the two. Also, if he is charging you (or your insurance Co.) (Oh, I hope not!) for weekly visits vs. monthly visits I'd say maybe that it is a gouging/$$$ factor, which is totally uncool, imho.
Having said that, I realize that the laws may be different now or where you live. Have you asked him/her why he is prescribing like this. Just a thought.
Best,
El
Hiya Bgsigns!
Not a stupid question at all. Unless the laws are different in different states (?), here in nyc, one can get an rx for percocet for a months supply. It's been a # of years (a big yay!) since I've needed that type of quantity, but in the past I have been prescribed montly amounts (#90-120). I'm not Shoreline, perhaps he will chime in here as well, but it sounds like your doc may be being ultra cautious/watchful of possible misuse. Perhaps he's/she's had a prior experience with a previous patient that has caused him to prescribe percocet in this manner, or would he have seen any indications of drug seeking behavior from you? I am totally not thinking that, just trying to figure out where doc might coming from. Valium, can be just as addicting, so that's a little strange that he seperates the two. Also, if he is charging you (or your insurance Co.) (Oh, I hope not!) for weekly visits vs. monthly visits I'd say maybe that it is a gouging/$$$ factor, which is totally uncool, imho.
Having said that, I realize that the laws may be different now or where you live. Have you asked him/her why he is prescribing like this. Just a thought.
Best,
El
Thanx El for your response. I don't know what his motivation is honestly, that is why I am asking. I am going through a VAX-D program, which is supposed to be "non invasive" and on the first visit, BAM, he put me on the meds....Well honestly, I was thankful, because I WAS is so much pain, my PCP had me on Lortab 5 and it just wasn't touching the pain I was in. The next week, he came in while I was on the Vax-D table and asked if I had enough pain meds, and I told him I was going to run out in the next two days, so he wrote a prescription for me....today, I specifically asked to see him, (and I HAD been told I'd have to pay out of pocket to see him) and the therapist, went to talk with him and came back while I was on the table (the VAX-D table) and said "the Dr. said that he will not be able to prescribe any more pain meds for you and you need to see your pcp and perhaps see a PM Specialist"....Now....the whole reason I ended up at VAX-D is because I could not get into a Pain Mgmt Specialist until 11/22 and did not want to wait that long to try to get some help....I like my primary care physician, but I think I need more help than he can offer, and unfortunatley the wait was from Oct 11 until 11/22.....so that's where I am....Thank God, I've kept a Journal every day....VAX-D therapy has it, and I've made a copy for My PCP, I see him tomorrow....so I was wondering about supply of meds, because I'm hoping he can prescribe the amount I need until I get into see the PM specialist on 11/22. Hope that helps you understand. I don't think I've exhibited any kind of drug seeking behavior to him...I've always had more left over when the week is up....so to me that tells me I'm not abusing....but you never know what a doctor is thinking....
Anyway....thanks again for your reply...It helped.
The best thing you can do is go to a PM DR., & he can safetly describ what meds that you need. He can write the scripts, or in my case, they commincated with my PCP so the pressure was off for there DEA#, & had backup if an audit happens. I am on ocxycodone (no filler, no asprin, no tylanol) yes it is out there, just the pain medication. I have seen conflict in some posts stating that it is not possiable, but if you have any questions, call a Pharm., or PM Doc. They also have benifit to be less of a toxic medication with the liver.(the come in capules & tabs) I take 20 mg. every 4 hours, so I take 4 ,5 mg. 20 a day = 600 per month. Sounds like a lot to some, I also take 30mg of MS cotin 2 times a day. But, I have been on pain medication for 38 years & have a steady record with my health care needs to document my pain & therapies. ( I was born with a strange tumors that are eating thru my bones, & ligaments & skin). Good luck to you, I have found that I have more understanding with the western states, than the east. In the east, many assume you are a drug seeker, in the west, they will do the proper testing & treat accordingly. At least this is my personal opinion. Good luck, & keep me informed, peace & pain free days sent in your direction, kirsten
Kisa...Did you know that Oxy comes in 15 and 30 mg too? They're Roxicodone and that would help you with the number of pills you have to take. You should check with your pharmacy, because most don't stock them, but they can order them. In fact, my pharmacist didn't know they came in the 15 and 30 mg strengths. I had to tell him and he looked it up and then ordered them for me. Just thought you might like to know and it'll help with your pill intake. I wish they did it for Methadone. I have to take 540 10 mg tabs a month. I know they make a 40 mg diskett, but I don't like them. I tried them for awhile.
Shorline this may seem like a STUPID Question 
Re: Shorline this may seem like a STUPID Question 
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