HOW CAN I KEEP MY MEDICINES SECURED

 I take very strong narcotic pain medicines for herniated disks (L4&L5), also for Scoliosis and Kyphosis of my spine.My spine is 82% twisted according to my doctors. My problem is keeping my medicines safe and secure. I'm cming up short on my meicines and I suffer greatly when this happens. I can't keep telling my doctor that my meds are short he will just stop giving them to me if I can't find a way to keep them safe and secure in my home. He is right, I should be able to keep them secured. But I keep finding no matter what I try eventually my system fails and they get me again!

Does anyone know of a lockbox that actually is secure? I've tried several only to find that they were easily broken into. The latest boxes I have tried were the black and silver lock box sold at CVS Pharnacy. It has a three digit combo lock that you pick the numbers to lock it by. I found that someone simply removed the pins in the hinges that are on the outside of the box. (Who thinks of such things other than a comon crimminal? Right?). So I bought a sentry safe from Walmart's  it wasn't real expensive but I thought it looked very secure to me. This time the hinges are concealed on the inside of the safe. It is even fire proof. Some of the more expensive models are even waterproof. This safe comes with two keys. I keep the extra key in the safe itself. I know that's a dumb place to keep it but it is the only saffe place I can come up with so far. The other key is on a key ring and attaches to my belt loop with a hook latch. I never leave it lay anywhere. I unlock the box and soon as I remove my key I reattach it to my belt loop. But I have still found that someone is getting into my medicines. I have started coming up short on my meds again. What kind of box can I get so that no one can pick the lock or do whatever it is they are doing to get in my lock box now. Some have suggested that a particular family member may be taking te key off me while I'm sleeping. I won't rule out any possibility at the moment. I thought I would tell all you about this and see what kind of responses I get back. Maybe someone out there has solved the problem of keeping our medicines securely locked up for safe keeping. So far I haven't, so I'm eager to hear any suggestions you readers might offer me.

Post Edited (stap323) : 9/17/2012 7:31:23 PM (GMT-6)

Hey Stap323,

Welcome to the CP forum of HealingWell.

I'm sure others, like Suzane, will be along to give input to your question.... it's something we've talked about many times here on the board. You might want to even use the search feature and search "lock boxes" or something like that (upper right hand under "search").

I personally don't keep mine in a locked box, for many reasons.... I know this is a debatable subject... but it's just what works best for me. But I completely understand the reasons why others do. Mine are hidden and secure - just not in a lock box.

But I just wanted to take a moment to welcome you.

--Tina

Hello and welcome.

What kind of people/relatives you living with that would be low enough to steal your meds? I can't even imagine that. Many people with young kids have to secure dangerous meds, of course.

We have a small safe in a closet that we keep important papers, etc in. Have used it in the past to put away extra meds. It doesn't use a key, it has a combination (so that would eliminate anyone from stealing or "borrowing" your key while you sleep). This particular one came from Staples, I believe, and weighs about 30 pounds empty.

They also make locking medicine cabinets, have seen some for sale at Lowes and Home Depot type stores.

I understand completely, as if I came up short on any of my meds, it would make my life miserable. My doctor might buy one time if I told him I came up short, but he would never buy it a second time.

I would have a serious talk with whomever is living with you for starters, and let them know they are committing a serious felony by stealing your meds.

Good luck on that problem, hope you find a solution.

David in SC

I would get a small video camera that connects to your computer also and place it to watch the safe. They sell very small and easily hidden security cameras now and that would let you know what is happening.

Bill

Kick out whoever is living with you. I am sure you know who's doing it. I did. And it was the best decision I ever made. I don't mean to offend you, but I have to be honest. You don't deserve to be around people who would steal the medications you need to live a pain free life.

Oh, you could also try, keeping your pain medication in a different bottle, in a different location, and put a good strong laxative in the pain med bottle. Or something of that nature. Hide em in plain site.

Where is snowbunny? I LOVE her advice on questions like these.

This person is stealing meds off Stap's body while he/she sleeps but yet most of you are saying just go buy this or that safe or hide them in the closet? I can't wrap my head around that. However we are all entilled to our own opinions so I can respect that. But this seems like a more serious issue than just go get a better lock safe. I find it very sad. I guess because I use to be in the same situation with my ex husband. So this touched a nerve with me

LOL Maryann...Thanks for the kudos but I don't think my advice is any better than what is already offered on this thread:)

All I can say is that it would only be once that someone took my meds! They would be out of the house or locked up in jail as it's a felony to take narcotics.

And I have to say that the Dr. is going to possibly cut you off from your medications if you are always asking for early refills. It's our responsibility to do everything in our power to take care of our meds. And this means calling the police if we have to.

I think it's a two-fold answer of making a hard decision about the person stealing them. And then also getting a better lock box as others mentioned that comes with a combination that only you know so there is no key to steal.

i think we are all in agreement here, its a combination of a better more secured place to store the meds, and to deal with the root issue: the person(s) involved with stealing these controlled meds.

since i have grand children visiting freely in my house, all our serious meds are well secured for safety reasons as well.

david

Any electrical engineers here? Maybe the lock box could be set up with a couple 9 volt batteries and a couple transformers, turn it into an electric shock box. Hmmmm, or perhaps a spring loaded booby trap involving dominos, a bowling ball, and a battle axe!

I can see this is really bringing out my dark side.

LOL Matt you crack me up! I like your "dark side" bahahaha

 

      all of these ideas are good ones...and I agree if someone is taking your meds that is living with you...then report it...or have them leave. We as chronic pain patients cannot afford to be missing these meds that are so very important to our daily well being.

   SE

Since this isn't the first that the original poster has had to deal with the issue, I am not sure that getting a new lock box is the answer. For almost any "safe" out there, there is a means to get into it, especially the ones that are sold in most CVS, Walmart, Target etc type stores. If someone is determined enough, and they can't get the box open in the home, they will take it elsewhere, where they have more time/access to get to the meds. I think that some of the posters who suggested changing living arrangements for the thief had the right idea. And calling the police. Maybe a visit and a talking to from a police officer might make a bigger impact and become a bigger deterrant than just getting yet another box with a lock on it.
This person will loose her/his pain management if there are thefts of their meds, and they are lucky that it hasn't happened as of yet, but if a urine screen comes up with too little meds, or no meds at all, and then they offer that their meds were stolen again, I'm afraid that it is going to be too late for that reason in their doctor's eyes.
It's terrible when you can't trust those that are supposed to love and care for you, not to take something so important to your ability to function. Would they also steal your wheelchair? Or your bed?
I understand not wanting to turn in a family member for stealing, but not doing so , is not helping that person except to get away with it...it's not going to stop the addiction, it's not going to help them, in fact, it is being complicite in feeding their addiction. They keep doing it because there are no consequences for stealing...I've always told /taught my kids that every action has consequences, whether they are good ones or bad ones, depends entirely on the decisions they make...
Sandi