question about refills and new scripts.

Hello all,

I had a question pertaining to an old prescription my doctor back home gave me. I recently moved and found a new doctor, which he gave me a prescription for a stronger dosage of Norco(10mg). Is it illegal to use both? the old script was a weaker version(7.5mg).

Hi backproblemsmagee, welcome to the forum. It would be helpful if you could give a little more background here about what's going on, and we might be able to give you some ideas as to what some of us have ran into, and how we got through it. That being said, with what you wrote, I can only make general assumptions on what you're facing, but the key thing here is that these two medications were not prescribed together. Other than the possible consequences that you could possibly face if you have a regular pain management contract, the bigger issues to me are 1, did your pain suddenly get worse? 2, you need to keep in mind that Norco has tylenol (aka acetaminophen, or paracetamol) too much of which, can cause irreversible liver damage.

It's important to keep in communication with your prescribing doctor, if your medication isn't working, you need to let them know, if one pill doesn't help, it's possible that two wouldn't help either, and you might need a different medication. If your medication was working, and you had a sudden increase in pain, it's an indication that something is worse, in which case, depending on what's going on, you should either call your dr, or go into the emergency room.

One of the main things here, especially if you're dealing with long term or chronic pain, you don't want to start taking more than prescribed, as it will cause your tolerance of the medication to increase rapidly. Tolerance is something that will happen to everyone, but, by sticking to what you're prescribed, you might be able to hold it at bay for more time.

It's clear to me that you're in enough pain to cause you to find this forum, and I'm sorry for what ever it is you're facing, but, when it comes to medication, you really need to get your doctor aware of what's going on. We can't tell you what to do with your medication, but we can certainly offer support for whatever you're going through, and possibly offer personal experiences that might give you an idea of what kind of treatment you may want to seek.

I hope you're able to find some resolution to whatever is going on, and that you're able to find some relief for your pain. Take care.

just put the "old ones" away and forget about them, they are good for a year and you WILL want them later but as they've said honesty is the best key.

Hello again, you didn't mention about refills left on the older script, so you have a refill left on the 7.5mg, and have a new script from a new doc for 10mg? If that's accurate, it wouldn't be a good idea to try to refil the old 7.5 mg script. As convenient as it sounds to have it handy, having 2 open prescriptions from 2 different doctors is kind of a red flag, especially with pharmacies that do the reporting, and check with the reporting systems, they could stop both prescriptions until it got cleared up, and you'd be without either.

If you moved from say NC to VA, that is one of the few states that I know of that both states can check the prescription database. Not preaching to the choir, just want you to know, there is NOTHING worse then being red flagged and a chronic pain patient. Most doctors trust their patients, but it is up to us, because if they have to, they will drop us like a bad habit when it's their license or one patient.

Thanks for sharing more information...

There are actually 42 states that now have the Prescription Monitoring Program. This allows any Dr. or Pharmacist to check and see whether you have filled any prescriptions at any pharmacy in the state. Even if you filled them at different pharmacies.....which would actually look even worse if this is the case as it would look like you are trying to hide the two prescriptions.

So, it now sounds like you have recently refilled this "old" prescription to have as "back up" to keep at home. And also filled the prescription from your new Dr. for the 10mg.

Even without a contract from your new Dr., honesty is always the best thing.

I'm a bit concerned about your comment in your post where you say you take your medication as prescribed but then take "one or two" more depending on your pain. This is considered a no-no unless you have gotten specific permission from your Dr. to take more than the allotted amount for the day.

Once you moved and started seeing another Dr. this pretty much "terminates" the relationship you had with the other Dr. and voids all prescriptions in the sense of they should not be filled.

I think that it would be best to tell your new Dr. so that they don't find this out on their own and have it look like you are trying to keep opiates around to take in addition to your meds you have now.

Man, this forum is so great! I really do appreciate all your guy's kind advise! I'm going to stop using my old script and put them away. But in the mean time, how do you approach the doctor about something like this? I didn't intentionally forget to tell him. Because he had asked me if my old doctor gave me anything and I told him so. He's a really, cool guy and I want to set the situation straight.

Purgatory said...
back,

i re-read all the posts to your thread, including my own. i think you have been given 101% very sound advice from everyone, and sounds like you are wanting to do the right thing, which i admire.

we, who are dealing with CP on a regular and long term basis, know just how touchy the world of script type pain drugs have become, some states being worse and more strict than others, and as mentioned, in our time of advanced technology, there is no thinking you can get away with anything.

the worse thing in the minds of those with serious CP, is to be cut off from a doctor or prescription drug source i value my connection with my oncologist/pm, and my 12 year plus relationship with my local CVS drug store. they both know me well, and i will never ever give them an excuse that i am abusing my meds, taking more than i should, or trying to pull a fast one. i feel i would be putting myself at extreme risk of being cut off from what i really need, and i am not willing to take that risk.

not one time, despite some horrific pain episodes, have i ever even contemplated taking more than prescribed. my doctor knows what he has me own, and how long it is suppose to last, i would never abuse that trust relationship with him. plus he knows i am an overly cautious patient, and if had to err, i would err on the side of taking less, not more.

good luck to you again

david

Thanks for looking out, man! The thing that sucks for me is the fact, I won't have a continuous relationship with a doctor for more than 4 years at a time. My wife has joined a branch of the military, so we will have to relocate every once and awhile. I don't want to come off as a scammer with pain meds, because I really do appreciate the relieve the medicine gives me from the constant agony that is my back lol

I refilled the lower dosage when I ran out of my higher dosage script. I'm just going to let the lower dosage sit in my medicine cabinet until I need them. Thanks man

Mindy....I have to say that I completely disagree about lying to a Pharmacy just to fill an old prescription and trying to further deceive by going to two different ones....(And btw but Back has mentioned they already filled both prescriptions)

Not only is that wrong for so many reasons, but as I wrote earlier, 42 states have the Prescription Monitoring Program. This tracks a person by name, anywhere in the state no matter if you use insurance or cash to pay for your prescriptions. This was developed to keep people from doing exactly what you are suggesting just to get more pain medication.

With the program, any Dr., Pharmacist, or ER personnel can just look up in this database when/where you have filled any controlled substances.

If someone was found to have done this (deliberately lied), then they will immediately be red flagged which will go permanently in their medical records to where a person will most likely never get any type of pain medication prescribed again. As well as it would get her dismissed from the Dr. she is seeing now.

This is why it is crucial to take our medication exactly as prescribed so that we never run out early. If someone is having greater pain to where they have tried every possible other modality from a hot shower, ice, heating pad, massage, stretching, taking an Advil, resting, etc....then it is best to call the Dr. to ask what to do...

Then, if the Dr. says ok to taking an extra pill or two, then that is fine. (Always write down the date/time of this and when you spoke to them).

But doing this on our own only causes more problems in the end with running out.

I can only say what I would personally do and recommend and that is to be honest with the Dr. and tell them that you were having a terrible time pain wise and you didn't realize that you couldn't fill the other refill on the old prescription. As well as bring in the bottle of the 7.5mg ones to show that you have not taken them all and were just using them sparingly. The key is not running out completely of these as well as that will not look good to have taken two full prescriptions within the month.

Obviously we all have to make our own choices but I just don't see where lying and deception is ever the good option...

Back,

I noticed that you mentioned that your spouse has joined the military, may I ask what branch?

I ask because my hubby did over 21 years, and has been retired from the military since 2007. Yes, I have had a lot of different doctors over the years. If you make sure your conditions are kept in your records and everything is clearly documented you should do alright.

I will say this to you, the military Drs are cracking down on prescribing pain medications, due to the issues of patients overdosing on prescription pain meds.

I am very lucky, I've had the same internal med Dr for six years, as well as all my specialists. The Pain Management service at the military hospital I go to, aren't treating dependents or non combat injured retires. This hospital is caring for the wounded warriors. My PCM prescribes my methadone and dilaudid. She talked with PM and they recommended these medications to her. I did have to sign a sole provider contract with her. She IS THE ONLY ONE, who can prescribe me any controlled medications. I can be given pain meds in the ER if needed, but my Dr is informed that I was in the ER. The only time my contract doesn't apply is when I'm inpatient.

She hasn't ever asked for a pill count or a urine test. That doesn't mean she can't or won't ask, but we have a open and truthful Dr patient relationship. I have never in six years given her a reason to doubt me, and I never will.

So I would recommend to you, be up front with your Dr and tell him/her that you filled the refill. You really don't want to get marked as a patient that doesn't comply with Drs orders. Otherwise, just make sure you keep a files of special tests results and labs, just in case you get a new Dr and need to show the test results.

If I can be of any help just please ask.

Hugs,
Barbara

Sorry for the wrong advice! I only fill with one, but back when I did not have insurance I had done it without a problem, so it seems things have changed, again sorry for mis advice

Hello,

I recently moved and had issues being able to get in to see a pain management doc...and all my pcp would give me was vicodan which did not even touch my pain. So trust me when I say I get where you are coming from. But you also do not want to get flagged, so stay away from the script. You did mention that you sometimes take more when you need more pain relief - talk to your doc about getting something for break through pain - something that doesn't have tylenol in it - the last thing you want to deal with on top of your pain is kidney issues.

The red flagging means you are flagged as a possible drug abuser...there are those people addicted to pain meds that may not even need them for pain but use them recreationally and become addicted...they will try to see different docs and get multiple scripts filled, etc. so they have ways to track this type of behavior, which is deemed as suspicious, and could cause you big problems getting the meds to treat your pain. Some doctors will stop seeing you altogether if they suspect this is going on...so it is best to stay clear of the flags.