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"Leftover" meds?

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Posted 10/25/2014 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, please don't jump all over me for asking this, I'm just curious.

My BT med is due to be refilled on Thursday, and I'm going to end up with about 15-20 "extra" pills from my last round, since I'm rx'd 4/day and often only take 3/day.

I have to bring my pills with me to every PM appt of course, where I return unused meds. However ... is it considered hoarding pills if I keep what's left, and make it so my pills make the count I need or even a few over, and then keep the rest?

The reason would be just in case I ever had a dire situation and needed them. I worry because sometimes I travel for work, and if a travel day coincides when I have to get a refill, I'm in bad shape. I have several trips coming up where I'd be gone for 3-4 days at a time.

I cannot always coordinate the schedule since I don't really have a choice where and when I go for work (which, let me tell you, is a complete and total PITA when you're a CP person. I have to keep it very hush hush at work that I suffer, I am afraid of losing my job, which is why I grit my teeth and do the travel even though it is super hard on my body.)

So if you guys tell me this is the wrong thing to do I won't do it, but is there any harm in keeping them? I know that a doctor would not want me to do it, for fear of OD or hoarding, but I'm very careful about the amount I take. I also think a doctor would be concerned about redirection or redistribution of the meds if I have extras, but I wouldn't/couldn't ever do that.
Posted 10/25/2014 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
BTL, I am not sure how your PM dr writes your script or has explained how to take your BT meds. My PM drs have always instructed me to take my BT's only during pain spikes, not as a scheduled medication like the ER's. When I had pills left over at the end of the month I told him what I had left & he would have me pick up a new script at the front desk when a new script was needed. Maybe you need to talk to him about this if you are having some left over.

I would be honest about what I have left with the dr. That will go further with him than not.
Posted 10/25/2014 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
 

 Their yours'.You bought them.

I'd keep them.

edit:You know,I don't know.If they asked me I would be honest.I've never been asked if I had taken all my meds.

I've just now been put on a dose that takes care of my pain.

Rick

Posted 10/25/2014 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have no problem with telling them I was over, that I didn't need all of them, but *some* days I do, and I don't want him to scale it down to 3/day just yet. For me, just knowing that I have that rescue med there is very reassuring, which calms my anxiety, which in turn makes me need it less, kind of, which I figure is a good thing, right?
Posted 10/25/2014 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
That's what I was thinking.

I know Pain Management is different but my PCP told me once that I should always have 12-15 Xanax put away in case something were to happen to him.

My thinking is "Better safe than sorry".

That's just my opinion.Have a great day.

Rick
Posted 10/25/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
My PM has no problem with having extras and I personally keep an emergency supply. You never know what might happen in the future -- your PM could quit or die; something could prevent you from making your appointment; your pharmacy could have trouble filling your script; your PM could drop you, etc..

So, why not keep some and bring some. That way, you can build up for unforseen situations.
Posted 10/25/2014 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
The only way that keeping those pills would be "wrong" was if you were stock-piling them to sell them, give them to others, or something else immoral. Keep them, but keep them in a safe place.
Posted 10/25/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello back to life...

I'm not sure how your pain contract reads but mine doesn't mention returning meds unless between appts the narcotic is changed. Then I am required to bring in unused meds. But if at the 29-30 day mark I actually have some leftover I keep them locked up for emergencies, travel etc...the way things seem to go these days we never know whether we may need a new dr pharmacy etc I think you see my point.
Posted 10/25/2014 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone - you know, I did forget that all the other times I've given them back, it's because I'm switching to something new. This time I'm staying put, so I won't need to return them.

You all outlined the reasons I want to keep them, so I feel okay about it now. I'm definitely keeping them ONLY in case I need them, I would never distribute to anyone else. I would be up a complete CREEK without PM - as we've seen a lot of people over the past few weeks - if it weren't for my PM. I'm not doing ANYTHING to jeopardize that.

Many people who have access to medical marijuana will share with non-patients, which is against the rules. I can honestly say that I've never violated one condition of the MM "license" for fear that if, on the outside possibility I got caught, I'd lose my access. It's not worth risking it!
Posted 10/27/2014 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
This is a touchy subject and each PM Dr may have different policy.  My PM Dr doesn't like me to be over or under.  However we don't have to bring anything in thankfully. 

He says if you have extra just let me know so I can adjust the quantity on your next script.  I think he's more worried about people running short since most people would be in trouble those days without meds.

As for the OP, you bought them so keep them.  However tell him to write the next script with 15-20 less.

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