Does your doctor know you have an emergency stash??? - Pain Management Message Board

trowftd3 · 06-24-2008, 02:27 PM

Just wondering if anyone has told their doc about their secret stockpile?
My doc added another pill to my regiment about three months ago. Since then we've been trying to get the dates that insurance would pay together so I could fill them on the same day. Since one was filled earlier I was able to put aside a few for a rainy, muggy day(these are my worst pain days).

I'm just wondering if I should say anything about it since the fill dates have changed or just wait and see if she says anything. When she added the 20mg to my morning dose of 40mg(Oxy) she did ask if I had any 20mg pills 'lying around'.

Just curious if you've told your doc and if they approve. Thanks, Mush

slipperyslope · 06-24-2008, 07:21 PM

One time I mentioned to my Dr that I was having some B/T meds left over every month and that I was saving them for emergency's and he DID not like it at all. In fact he cut me back from 120 pills a month to 90 pills a month, and than by accident back up to 100 pills a month. And he kept saying the DEA watches things like this and he can't have me having ANY extra pills around, that its a very bad thing, so I would not mention it to the Dr . He will cut you back or give you a lecture like mine did. Now this was my PCP Dr not a PM Dr so maybe there okay with it but I wouldn't think they would be at all.

I would not say a word.
Its good you have them, believe me some day they will come in handy and you will be glad you have them.

SS

stymie82 · 06-24-2008, 07:45 PM

Nobody, and I mean nobody knows that I have managed to build a small emergency stockpile. Don't like the word stash-sounds too Cheech and Chongish. After reading about the intense suffering others have been through on this board, and after my own experiences of docs not returning calls or getting messages messed up, I decided to scrimp to be able to come out ahead. One can suffer a lot over a long weekend and there's no recourse for us unless we take action to prevent it. I also live in a hurricane-prone area and have seen first-hand how disorganized and wiped-out basic services can become for at least a week. It's very important if it's at all possible to be prepared!

brianpain33 · 06-24-2008, 07:55 PM

I am struggling with this problem right now. I am allowed to take my BT meds up to 6/day but I think there was only once when I did this. I normally take 3-5 of them. I have not told my doctor though about this. I know that there may be some time where I would need to have more (i.e after an injury, surgery, or if I every needed to cut down and go off of them)

You are the only one that can make that decision. However if you do tell your doctor about having some left over, then more than likely he will cut you down on them. Then there may be times when you really need more and you will be mad about telling him. How many do you normally have left over every month?
I was just curious. If it is only 4 or 5, then that's not a big deal but if it is 30 or more then I would say that's too many.

brian

trowftd3 · 06-24-2008, 08:03 PM

I guess you guys are right! Most days I do need them. My prescription is written so I can take anywhere from 1-12 a day. She started prescribing the oxy without the apap after I had arm surgery so I could take as many as I needed without worrying about the apap. The last few months I've been up around 10 a day with high stress due to serious issues with my kids. I'm trying to go down to 6 a day. The ones I have extra are actually my la oxy. I only have three days worth = 9 which would come in handy for a weekend. Maybe I can earn brownie points by not calling early for my refill next month.

Thanks for the input!~Mush