Bringing med/s to each visit - Pain Management Message Board

bill at home · 10-25-2003, 03:46 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.

Shoreline · 10-25-2003, 12:10 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).]

bill at home · 10-25-2003, 12:49 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

c.meade · 10-25-2003, 08:31 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.

------------------
~~Christina~~

bill at home · 10-26-2003, 03:39 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