Chronic Pain having trouble getting prescription filled

I'm new here and I have chronic pain from fibromyalgia and also have degenerative arthritis in lower back L4, L5, S1 been taking oxycodone for the last two months which seems to help, but now I can't find a pharmacy to fill my prescription for this month it is on 60 pills 30mg and no one seems to have them what is the problem I live in Michigan.

I, too, am not sure about Michigan. You can always go to the FDA website (fda.gov)... and go to "Current Drug Shortages" and see if the medication you are looking for has a true drug shortage.

After that, I would just try calling all the pharmacies in your area, including Target, Wal-Mart, etc. Ask if they can order the medication if they don't have it in stock. Or ask if they would be able to fill the script in a different strength (for instance, if it was 120 15mg-oxycodone), etc. Then maybe your doc can change the script...

Hope you can figure it out... Let us know. --Tina

I don't know how far you are from another state, but Illinois has no shortage on any meds. I don't take oxycodone but my grandfather does (among many other meds). He is homebound (cancer) and I pick up his prescriptions for him with no problems. He has been on oxycodone for at least 5 years and I've never had his pharmacy talk of a shortage.

Does your insurance carrier offer mail order? That may be another avenue to take as well.

I hope you get your medication filled soon! Being in pain is just terrible! (hugs)

I would contact your Dr. asap and tell them you are having this issue and have them make the calls to the pharmacy because many pharmacists, unfortunately, if you are calling asking if they have Oxycodone and you are not a regular customer there, they may fib over the phone.

The reason is that many robberies have happened all over the country and they do not like to give out information.

It's also worth trying, if your Dr. won't call, to actually go to the pharmacy you are wanting to try and speak with the head pharmacist and show them your prescription.

Just make sure your Dr. is on board and knows where you are filling your prescription as I'm not sure if you signed a PM contract or not which requires you to only go to one pharmacy for your opiate prescription.

And as others mentioned....if you can't find the 30mg...then have the DR. write a new prescription (return the old one) for 15mgs if needed.

Good luck.

One of the reasons I suggest contacting your Dr. asap....is to let him know you are having trouble filling your prescription as usually they are given at 30 day increments. So if this goes on for a few days of not filling it, and you end up using a different pharmacy and don't inform him of all of this...if for some reason your Dr. uses the Prescription Monitoring Program (this is in 41 states), and goes to look up your information. It will show up as not filled yet (which would raise suspicion accidentally), or at another pharmacy (same thing) if you have a PM contract as I mentioned.

Unfortunately opiates are so highly monitored because of such a high death rate due to abuse by addicts....Drs. are under great pressure by the state and DEA to have everything match and be as they expect it to be in reference to your prescription.

I also agree that 30mg is a high dosage for instant release as it only lasts for 4-6 hours so if you are allowed two a day...you are only getting 8-12 hours of pain relief and then your body starts going into mini withdrawal as well.

Now, if you are only expected to need pain mgmt. for a few months....then it may be ok. But if you are needing pm long term....it's likely they will move you to long acting (Oxycontin in the same exact dosage per 24 hours 60mg).

Keep us posted..

So you spoke with your Dr. about helping you find a place that has the Oxycodone prescription and that you have tried a bunch of places including your regular pharmacy? It seems so odd that they would just say, "oh well...we can't help you"...

Also...your regular pharmacy....did they say when their next shipment was coming in? I would go back to them as they would see you have used them for at least the last two months and ask to speak with the head pharmacist and see what they have to say.

Have you gone to this pharmacy before you were on the Oxycodone?

As mentioned...finding a good one where you can actually befriend the pharmacist...they will work with you when needed. I always go in and talk with them...ask about their family....vacations....etc. So if/when they have been out of one of my meds...they will let me know exactly when it's coming in...Last month the pharmacy changed makers of the generic for one of my meds and it cost more than the old ones. Because my guy knows me so well and he knows I have to pay out of pocket without insurance...he felt bad as I didn't know and prepare for this...so he just wrote off the balance!!! So sweet!!

Anyway...I would be upset with your Dr. as they don't want to help you at all so you may need to find another Dr. And I really recommend going back to your regular pharmacy if you can't find this anywhere else...

Good luck.

So what did the head Pharmacist say when they are getting in their next order? I can't imagine they said they are not ever filling Oxycodone again...so this is where I am confused on them not just telling you when the shipment comes in. It is usually once a week. My Sam's club is on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Tuesdays for my type of medicine but it arrives on Thurs. if it is late going out for whatever reason)...

Did you ask them this?

If they know you and you have had no issues before with them on trying to fill early, etc....I am baffled on them not saying anything about this.

As well as usually if you know the staff there...they will also call another CVS in the area and ask for you if they have them in stock. I just can't believe that every single one is now completely out and not getting anymore in.

If this were true...then you could easily have the head Pharmacist contact your Dr. and let them know and this would help your Dr. to prescribe the lower dosages of 15mg.

Screaming Eagle said...
...just a quick note,...I don't think you can order Oxycodone by mail order. It is illegal to do so.

I cant speak for oxycodone specifically, but in the past I have gotten vicodin, percocet and duragesic patches via mail order from Medco in 90 day supplies. There are special procedures that the dr must follow to actually send in the prescription and they are sent next day air and you must be present to sign for them, but it can be done, at least in PA. I havent done this in over a year, so things very well may have changed since then. It may be worth checking with your mail order pharmacy if its feasible, then the question would be if your dr feels comfortable doing it. When my dr did it he said he wouldnt do it for every pt, but he knew I was very compliant. Guess if I skipped my appointments he would have put an end to it. Its worth checking out if this is truely a long term med for you.

Its the same thing in Florida. I was going to PM for only 1 month and by the second month no one will fill the oxycodone prescription. Its been 6 weeks and I still have it in my wallet. Its absolutely ridiculous.

Schedule II drugs can be sent through the mail. But, some companies do not offer it.

Absolutlykrazy, there is nothing to file a Class Action Suit over.

NannyRenee, KoatedKiss has not been in this forum since 2012, not sure you realize this is a very old thread.