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My pharmacists are dumb!

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Posted 7/10/2008 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hey All,
I've been so worried about the Methadone I take for Chronic Pain. A doctor at a pain clinic started it and then I moved and got a new doctor who I think doesn't really know too much about it. I went to my pharmacists and said, "I think I may have a surgical procedure and I'm worried that the Urologist won't be familiar with how to anesthetize me since I'm taking Methadone.

Pharmacist #1: "You won't need any extra anesthesia because Methadone is strong and will take care of your pain.

Pharmacist #2: "I don't know too much about it. I'll look it up for you and we'll chat next time I see you. I saw her today and Woopsie Daisey, she forgot!

Pharmacist #3: "He gave me one of "those" looks. He said, "Methadone is for Heroin addicts to help them overcome withdrawel from Heroin.

Current Doctor: "You'll need an anesthesiologist, in the operating room. They understand about Methadone.

I'm not a Heroin addict. I'm really afraid and feel like I'm in the land of Know Nots. I can't just order my own anesthesiologist. Blue Cross wouldn't like it. It would cost one million dollars.

What do I need? I need something written that I can give to ANY doctor who might decide to do a procedure on me. My dentist won't give me Nitrous, because he thinks it could stop my breathing since I take Methadone.MEDICAL INFORMATION
HYPERTENSION, SCOLIOSIS, ARTHRITIS, SPONDYLOSIS,
SPINAL STENOSIS THROUGHOUT THE SPINE,PINCHED NERVES C5-C7, NEUROPATHY THROUGHOUT THE SPINE, ANXIETY DISORDER, DEPRESSION, CONSTIPATION, POSSIBLE KIDNEY STONES (OR CANCER) DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE C3-C7

MEDICATION
MONOPRIL, HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE, METHADONE 10 MG. 3 BY MOUTH 3 TIMES DAILY. XANAX 1 1/2 MG. 3 TIMES DAILY, NEURONTIN 600 MG, 4 TIMES DAILY, FOLBEE TABS, SENOKOT S , 5 TABS AT NIGHT. Fosamax
Posted 7/10/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)

no 1.   I would get off the Fosamax . There is alot of controvercy going on with it and it can cause many many problems .

And you are taking way to many Sene kots at bedtime.

can surgery fix what you have ? I would be getting rid of some of those meds and finding a new dr. .

Posted 7/10/2008 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pamela,

Relax!! You will need anesthesia in the operating room. Pharmacists may be great for prescription info but they're not surgeons. Plus your surgical team will have all of your information. The anesthesiologist will come talk to you before your surgery and you can talk to him/her then. Just remind him you're on a pain medication program and are using methadone. They see it often and it's no big deal to them. It IS a big deal to us...I understand...but they will handle it fine.

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 7/10/2008 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela,
I agree with Chutzie. I've had a lot of surgical procedures (same day and "big time" ones) In any case you're usually called by the hospital about a few days beforehand and a nurse reviews everything with you. That's a good time to mention the methadone issue, as they will be planning your surgical procedure. Mention it to any of your doctors who are involved so that they are making a note of it in theri charts. And as Chutz says, the anesthesiologist will visit you just beofre your surgical procedure - as a matter of fact they usually come in to give you something to relax you before surgrey. That's the final time you can do a check with them about the methadone. So you've got lots of opportunities to have some input, but your pharmacists may not be trained in surgical anesthesia.

PaLady
Posted 7/10/2008 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, Chutzie and PaLady, I feel a little bit better about my methadone -- a wee bit -- a tiny bit -- a modicum. I have a tendency to worry a little so says my dh.
Pamela Neckpain
Posted 7/10/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Chutz and PAlady are absolutely right, no need to worry about; let the professionals do their thing. I know it's unpleasant, to say the least, to be labelled a "junkie" most of the time you mention methadone, but look at it this way: people labelling you in such a way are simply misinformed, lazy, or stupid (or a combination of the thee aforementioned). Don't let someone with prejudices like that get you down; we're better than this, we're smarter. If someone wishes to remain uneducated, it is his/her right.

Don't worry and please let us know what happens next.
Posted 7/10/2008 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any valuable input, but wanted to say I hope all goes well with you. My pharmacists have been great so far, its my doctors that I think are in-competant(sp) and know nothing or next to it anyway. As the others said just make sure you mention your medications at every chance you get so they know and don't forget (my docs have a habit of it and are too lazy to look at my chart that they are holding).

As Always best wishes,
Mami
Posted 7/10/2008 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Pam, you will have several opportunities to discuss this with your dr before surgery is scheduled and again the morning of surgery. You are always asked what medications you take, so don't sweat the big stuff. You are getting worked up too much. Save that energy for the actual surgery itself. As PA told you, the anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to surgery and this is your time again to make sure he knows about your Methadone. Relax. I have a pump and have had surgery and its no big deal unless you don't tell them what meds you are on. Susie
Posted 7/11/2008 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
Razzel --
Surgery is out for me for the neck and back problems.
There is another kind of surgery they are thinking about.
You know, Fosamax is not my main problem here.
The tone of your note sounded like you wrote it during your pain time.
I'm dealing with a lot of issues (as is everyone here) I can't put Fosamax or Senekot on my Worry List.
Pamela Neckpain
Posted 7/11/2008 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ask to consult with your anesthesiologist prior to the surgery. My family has cholinestrase deficeincy so many normal anesthetics could kill us so we always consult prior to surgery and find out exactly what they will give us and how much then we look it up ourselves to make sure its okay-no one operates until everyone knows what drugs will be given. If I were you I would do the same.
Sj
Posted 7/14/2008 7:45 PM (GMT 0)

PamelaNeckPain, I've taken Methadone for a long time, they just switched me because my doc was concerned about the heart problems associated with it!  But that's not my point here, I wanted to tell you that it's fine to take it and get a surgical procedure, I've had many while on Methadone!!  Please, not to worry!!  And I agree with PALady, Chutzie, and others when they say that you will have time to talk to the anesthesiologist and the doctors prior to the procedure, so just mention your concern, but they usually will have your list of meds before hand so that they are familiar with what their patient is taking and what kind of medications they can give you to make you the most comfortable!!  You will do very well, I'm sure!!  Good luck and I hope this helped to ease a little anxiety for you!!  Any other questions, feel free to ask!

Good luck to you, and all!

Posted 7/14/2008 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
What a nice group of people you are to allay Pamela's anxiety! Pat yourselves on the back. I think you all are great!!

Lindaloo
Posted 7/15/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Dragon ...
Just wanted to say Thank You. I don't even know if I'm going to have surgery yet. You see, I worry ahead of time. I cover my bases REAL WELL. TOO WELL.

Linda: Those are nice people. Comfortable people. We should pick a bouquet of flowers and sit around a table and speak with Oprah about living with Chronic Pain. She could pay our flight and hotel expenses.
The only thing wrong: For the most part, we're all in too much pain to take a flight like that. Sheesh, I'm in California.

Pamela Neckpain
Posted 7/15/2008 4:22 PM (GMT 0)

Pamela NeckPain, not a problem, I'm an anxious person too, so I do understand!  You can really never be too cautious with medications, there are TOO many mistakes now a days, but stay informed, and keep your docs informed, you should be ok!

Lindaloo, that was very nice, thank you!

I, and we, are here for you!  Anything!  Don't hesitate to ask or complain, we're here!!  LOL!

Good luck to you, and all!!

Posted 7/15/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
sjkly:

Cholinestrase Deficency? I'd like to know what that is? How do they find it?
Pamela Neckpain


A long long time ago I had Anesthesia for a surgery. It didn't work quite right!
I remembered way too much about it.

Sometimes I like to hear descriptions from "Real People" than going on the Internet. I understand it better.

Pamela Neckpain

I should have put this under "New Topic"
Posted 7/15/2008 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Pam-cholinestrase deficiency is concidered by the medical community to be a benign anomoly unless you happen to be given succsedalcholine (that is spelled wrong) or any derivative of the karrari (also spelled wrong) plant or any chemical derivative similar to them. Most major surgeries involving muscle relaxants-abdomynal surgeries etc. use this drug. Cholinestrase is an enzyme that breaks down those chemicals in the body without enough cholinestrase you stay paralyzed much longer than you are supposed to and can't breathe. It is tested for through a blood tests but last I knew only a few labs were doing the test.
What doctors seem not to know yet is that many people with cholinestrase deficiency also have trouble metablolizing other drugs (most of which have an anticholineregetic effect such as antihystimes and psuedophed) they did not know that cocain metabolism was effected by cholinestrase until the 80's.

OOps went on a personal rant.
Sj
Posted 7/15/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh forgot-remembering your surgery when your doc and anesthesioligists think you are really out is one of the symptoms.
YOu are completely paralyzed by the succs so they don't realize that proportianitly same amount of the anesthetic that renders you unconscious hasn't worked.
Some people have one missing or defective gene and mild deficiency some people have two missing copies or defective copies and can remain paralyzed for eight hours after surgery.
Sj
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