Hello Everyone,
I am in the Orlando area and am having the same problem getting my prescriptions for Oxycodone filled. Last month it took 7 days of non-stop dilligent searching; this month I am on day 7, thus far, with still no luck. I have been a pain patient since 1991. I went cold-turkey off of Methadone in 2007, which although the emergency room doctors assure me is not fatal, it certainly did not feel so at the time. I had voluntarily remained off of narcotics for 3 years until a new injury caused me to begin taking narcotic pain medication, once again.
For the past year I have been on either Morphine Sulfate continous release or Fentanyl patches, with 10 mg Percocet for break-through pain with both. My doctor rotated the meds every few months due to my tolerance issues. These medications worked fine for me and I have never had a problem getting them filled. My pain doctor quit accepting Medicaid and I was forced to find another doctor, for which I have to pay $200 a month, cash. For some reason this doctor refuses to prescribe Morphine or Fentanyl and insists on the Oxycodone 30 mg. 6 x day plus 15mg Oxycodone 2 x a day. He stated he is afraid to prescribe the Morphine or Fentanyl due to his fear of the DEA. I take the Oxycodone as prescribed, and they do work, it's just that I cannot find them in stock.
I am shocked, apalled, and outraged by the new laws in Florida regarding pain management. I managed to dig through my old prescriptions and find some Hydrocodone, which helped to stave off the withdrawals, which I knew were starting when I started having hot flashes and chills along with the unbearable pain. I went to the Emergency room and was informed that Florida law prohibits them from prescribing me narcotics for my chronic pain and that withdrawl is unpleasant, but rarely fatal. They did however, give me medication for my blood pressure, oral steroids, and a 3 day supply of Ultram. I half-jokingly asked them if I should throw myself in front of a bus before coming back for help.
I have spent most of the last few days finding organizations that are working to change Florida's pain laws. There is a lot of misinformation regarding the proliferance of pain meds in Florida. I will gladly post links to the real numbers culled from the DEA's own stastistics. Personally, I feel it is none of the DEA's business what my doctor prescribes me for my legitimate pain. It is a violation of both HIPPA and my constitutional rights that the DEA can have my medical information without my consent.
I urge every pain patient to get involved, do research, and fight for our rights for humane treatment of legitimate pain. I am a certified domestic violence advocate, but I feel I am being thrust into an advocacy position for pain patients, but I am fine with that. A lawsuit has been filed against the Surgeon General of Florida for violating our constitutional rights. Again, I will post links to this on my next post.
Go to the Emergency Rooms. Take ambulances. Write letters to legislators. Get involved. Collectively, we can make a difference. Our numbers are large and our voices need to be heard. I have been on disability for my back injuries since 2001. Tax payer dollars support me on a daily basis. I am on medicaid, and when my blood pressure is 165/110 and my heart rate is 105 EMS does not hesitate to take me to the emergency room in an ambulance which costs approximately $1,000 to tax payers each time.
I am at my wits end. I cannot find a pharmacy to fill my prescription, yet I can obtain the Oxycodone on the street if I choose. Something is really wrong with the DEA's diversion campaign when only the street drug dealers have my medication. At $15-20 apiece I can buy them all day, every day and yet I cannot get my prescriptions legally filled.
Thanks for listening,
Janet