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My Dr. gets 19 Federal Indicments

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/26/2007 6:08 PM (GMT 0)

confused  Please help me.  I am lost and don't know what to do.  My Dr. had been making house calls and prescribing 30mg Oxycodone tablets 4 times a day and 6 Vicodin 10 mg per day.  Suddenly, I get a call from my brother that he saw in the paper that my Dr. has been given 19 federal indicments for neglect of a care dependent person resulting in her death at one one his nursing homes (he was her Dr.) and neglect in over prescribing narcotics to 4 people who subsuquently overdosed and died.  Now I have been handed over to one of his PA's who told me he will only give me 2 Vicodin 7.5mg per day and no oxycodone...that's it!  I have enough pills to work out a step down program ending Sept 18.  I am going to reduce the dose by 1/2 pill of each drug every 4 days.  Today is my 5th day and I am pretty miserable some of the time.  Yesterday, I took an extra 1/2 oxy...I just couldn't take the distress.  I could use some support.  BTW, the PA is making me come in every WEEK, for my script even though I am an invaid and have to hire an expensive wheel chair van which I cannot afford.  Thanks, Friends.

Posted 8/26/2007 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Ladywood!

Please first off...do NOT cut the oxycontin in 1/2. That can push large doses of narcotics into your blood stream and can be fatal. It's on all of the labels and information for oxycontin. Never cut, chew or otherwise break the outer seal on an oxycontin pill.

Then, it may be time for you to switch doctors. I'd run from that office as fast as I could go. Distance yourself from them. If you can't find anyone you may want to ask for help from the prosecutors office. It's possible they are helping people to find other medical help. I certainly would NOT stay especially since they are not warning you about cutting those oxy's in 1/2.

Please keep in touch,
CHutz
Posted 8/26/2007 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
MY DIL was eating /chewing her Oxy's like candy and she ended up in hospital ........well over medicated and IMHO lucky to be alive and now red flagged here in Ontario...asking me for mine ......no WAY .......I know you arent doing what she did but this is really an important issue ..could be life threatening

Also I would do as Chutz posted .....run and try to get someone to help you asap .........The prosecutor sounds like a great start

I wish you all the best and hope this gets straightened out very quickly for you and hope you will keep posting to let all know how you are making out

Oxycontin.....Morphine and other meds that have labels on them " do not chew swallow whole " should be taken as said ..........
Posted 8/26/2007 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Friends, thanks for your replys. I do not take Oxycontin, it is Roxycodone or oxycodone. It can be taken 1/2 tablet at a time as it is not slow release. But, thanks for your concern. I have a whole list of Dr.s to call tomorrow. I am in a different county than the good Dr. and that complicates a little. I am searching for a Dr. in my county, preferably one who makes house calles as I cannot afford the wheelchair van. I look forward to being narcotic free sometime during next month no matter how much pain I am in. I still can't believe this whole thing. He owns 3 nursing homes and his wife is also involved in this in some way through the nursing homes. The pharmacy wouldn't even refill his scripts as surrendered his narcotics liscense. To get back to the question of 1/2 a pill, both the Roxycodone and the Vicodin are immediate release and safe to cut as far as I know.
Best Wishes,
Ladywood
Posted 8/27/2007 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ladywood- I can tell you the vicodin is safe to take 1/2 a time, basically what the pharmacist and others here have told me is that if it has the line through it it's safe to cut. Also, it's as easy as calling your pharmacist.

The first thing I would do is call your insurance company and explain the situation, or call your primary care doctor. They should know about the situation and be able to get you a quick referall. Simply explain that you have been taking at least 1-2-3 whatever pills a day of x type and that you need to know how to safely ween yourself off of them, should you need to, before you can get in to a pain center. This is in no way your fault, so they should be fairly sympathetic. Just explain that you would like to avoid withdrawl symptoms. Your primary care may even be able to give you a script for a less amount or a script to carry you through should you need it till you get in.

I would also get over the idea of being narcotic free, if you are using them for legitimate pain. At one point, someone had suggested that perhaps my body was addicted to the pain medication, therefore making the pain messages sent stronger in order to get them. So I took myself off all pain meds (even tylenol) for a month and a half I think was. There were days I hurt so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. All it did for me was confirm that I needed the meds for pain that was there. I would end up at times throwing up, shaking, and getting chills from how much pain I was in. I know it wasn't withdrawl because I didn't experience any, and this continued even after a month off the pain meds, and only happened when the pain was bad.

Hugs and please take care. AS far as the wheelchair van, I live in a very small town area, and they have a "dial a ride" thing where people going to medical appointments can get (yes even wheelchair/handicap accessable) pickedup for only one dollar. They just have to have proof that they are visiting the doctor. You may want to call around, not sure who you would check, but find out if anything like this is availible for you.
Posted 8/27/2007 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your advice.  My primary care Dr. is the one who is going to jail and no one in his office will prescribe more than 2 weak vicodin per day.  He has a huge practice and 3 or 4 PA's and huge staff.  The PA assigned to my case has a "That's tough" attitude.  He told me that no one in my entire area will prescribe a decent dose of narcotic medicine because everyone is running scared and afraid of the feds. I can't get other Dr.s to return my calls.  Once they find out I was this Dr.'s patient they run the other way.   It is a totally unbelievable situation.  I am trying to get another Dr. but they will probably not prescribe narcotics.  Everyone is sending pain patients to pain centers and they are too far away for me.  And I was told they only give shots or other alternative meds, not pain pills.  I don't wan't to be on the pills anyway.  I never want to be in this position again no matter the pain.  Most of my pain is from osteoarithis and chronic pleurisy not cured by antibiotics.  I have aching and shooting pain up the legs and in my right heal.  I have a commode by my bed and use a walker to go 2 steps.  I hate others being so in control of my life.  I feel hopeless.  I am taking Aleve and Asprin and praying a lot.  Thanks for your help.
Posted 8/27/2007 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Ladywood
My apologies I thought you meant OXYCONTIN.........

I do wish you all the best

LYN
Posted 8/27/2007 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my, you have my sympathies. Yes, I can see with the Feds being invloved in a small town, I am quite sure every dr in that town is scared to death even tho they have no dealings with this guy. It just goes to show one more time how CP people can get labeled so quickly. Its not just the drug seekers but even the unethical drs putting the screws to us. I hate very much this has happened to you, but, this guy does not seserve a license if what they say about him is true. You very well could have been one of his fatalities. Please watch out with the Aleve and Aspirin. The Aleve can affect your liver and the Aspirin can cause a stomach bleed. There has to be an answer for you in all of this mess. Hugs, Susie
Posted 8/28/2007 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Susie, I am despondent tonight having come from his office after a visit with one of his PA's. Trying to get off the pills, but under the pressure of leaving the house , wheel chair van and all, I took an extra 1/2 Roxy and am now beating myself up for it. The whole medical infrastructure in my small town is insane...psychiatrists won't prescribe Ativan, Dr.'s won't help with pain...I made so many phone calls today I am going crazy with it all. Luckily I finally made contact with a social worker who is trying to find me a new Dr. No one wants to take a CP patient.
Best Wishes,
Mariann
Posted 8/28/2007 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ladywood, I am sorry for what you are going through. I would start with the Better Business Bureau to find a dr who has good morale, no complaints and compitent. The second thing is that if you really need all these meds I would go to a Pain Management dr. I started with a regular dr and he referred me to a PM dr. And, I am all the happier for it. I was originally on a darvocet, soma, and robaxin combo. Now, I am on oxy, percocet (though I prefer Norco and will switch back my next visit) soma, amitryptiline & zoloft. A PM dr can treat you for depression too, which sounds like from your post you are needing one. If they can't- they can at least refer you to one who treats for chronic pain. Secondly, if the BBB dosen't work out- call the local hospital and ask if the hospital director could refer one. You can always make a trip to the ER with pain and they will refer you to a PM dr. (it is expensive to do it this way, but they have to refer you to someone). It is sad to watch how dr's get in so much trouble for someone else's problems. You can't compare one person's pain to the other. It is sad that people abuse the medication some of us need to get through our daily activities. I would also get off the darvocets- they are bad for your liver with extended use. Norco did wonders for me. Good luck- let us know what happens! Shannon.
Posted 8/28/2007 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you all the best in finding a good doctor that will help you out

LYN
Posted 8/28/2007 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I was awakened early this morning with a call from a long time family physician whose nurse said he would see me again. So, some good news in all the bad. My appt is next week and we'll see how it goes. This all came about after intervention by a social worker, so that is a good avenue for some.
Thanks, Friends,
Mariann
Posted 8/29/2007 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear your news
Let us know how appointment goes plz

Take care
LYN
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