narcotic meds

Kathy,

Well said. I liked your post and your thoughts. I agree with you. I am not one of the young ones either. I was 57 when my CP really hit me, I am 60 now. Without my pain meds, I would have zero meaningful life, my QOL is low enough as it is, even with the meds. I am thankful we live in an age where such meds are available. I never misuse any of my meds, I am a stickler on that point.

What I would say, is "I wish I didn't need to be on them", but all that means is that I wish I was healthy and well and didn't need to be on any.

My best to you, good post.

David in SC

Thanks Dave for the backup, I post sometimes and wonder if I am being to harsh, but then I get input back like yours and yours also phil.(I will leave the name like that as I have no idea what your name means) most of the time I can figure out the different names but that one is over my head, some times it does not take much to be over my head.

So back to you Dave, thanks again for your input and understanding of what I was saying at out tender ages of well lets says I and kicking 60 hard in the butt. I am not sure I can say that word.

Anyway I will stop now as I feel a rambling moment coming on.

Take care,

Kathy

Hello NiNi and I have seen your other post from time to time and thought "I've felt the same way"

I too hate that my very life depends on not only the narcotics but all the other stuff as well. Injections,Mri's,constipation and more meds,Drs visits,urine tests,glaring looks from pharmacy workers and the very same stigma from family and friends. Employers who wont understand.

The alternative is a scary thought. I too fall into the 50's category and those very things I abhor allowed me to raise 5 great kids and enjoy my 3 grandkids. I can't be grateful enough to the Dr who saw my life dwindling away and fought to throw me that lifeline.

I'm here seeing all those who aren't as lucky and can't get anyone to help with their pain and I. Count my blessings all over again.

No one should ever feel guilty for choosing life.

NiNi,
I am on both the Prostate forum as well as this CP forum as the therapy pain . . . musco-sceletal pain, peripheral neuralgia, aggressive osteo-arthritis, severe fatigue, etc. . . . have forced me into the CP camp. I am so thankful that I also have cancer! Sounds weird, huh? Well, in the current days of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, REMS, it has become almost impossible for people that are merely CPs or disabled to fill their scripts. My wife has DDD, Foraminal stenosis, fibro, torn ligaments
, and is due for a knee replacement. Her Rx was just cut from 360 Oxy 30's to 120 due to this REMS policy. Our Walgreens has been bullied by the DEA to ration their opioids.

As a cancer patient they can't do that to me. To the people that don't want their pills, I say, don't take them so that those that can't live a normal life can have their DEA ration. As it is, I have to call all over town to find a place that has enough Fentora and Oxy30's to fill my Rx.

As I am new to this board, I have a question, is there a taboo on mentioning your Opiods name, or the amount that you are Rx'ed? I am on another "non-druggie" forum and we have made it a policy to let others know what analgesics they are Rx'ed. This is somewhat like the signature that is used here. It really helps us to help others if we know what they've tried. Thanks . . . Q17

Quincy....

A few thoughts re: your post....

It's not "taboo" to mention your medications on your signature.... some do this.... I used to - but I rotate many of my meds -- so it's a constantly changing thing for me.

Just curious about the "non-druggie" comment..... are you just meaning forums that don't allow discussions about misusing medications? Anyway, that's one of the things that I love about HW.... is that no discussions of illegal activities are allowed. Does that mean every single person here is a legitimate CP patient? Probably not... but those that aren't, usually don't stay long.

I'm very familiar with REMS.... my doctor and I are registered through it in order for me to receive my Actiq (oral fentanyl).... I don't have cancer... just a doctor that's willing to explore whatever it takes for me to get better pain control.

I'm not understand the oxy being cut from 360 to 120..... I thought that was you that had posted that (for you, I mean)? I'm confused, though - was your wife taking 12 Oxy (30mg) per day??

Also.... I faithfully go to Walgreen's...... and as discussed on other threads - there are no laws (currently) that says there is a cap on the amount of meds that can be prescribed?? On the other thread - we mentioned that it may be what Walgreen's had on hand..... but more can be ordered....

Just curious! Thanks, Tina

If you have a pharmacist that you develop a relationship with..... like I do at Walgreen's.... he/she will keep your monthly meds "stocked" for you (like the Fentora, Actiq, etc).... there shouldn't be a problem getting it filled.

--Tina

…just a note: …every pharmacy is different, even if it is the same name brand pharmacy. I tried for 4 months to get a local Walgreens to carry my Nucynta, and each time they failed. It depends who is running it, and the tech's told me that the new Manager was not running this one as efficiently as the last one. I had enough and switched to a different one, with no problems thus far.

…I'm not bashing Walgreens here, as it is obvious they serve thousands, if not millions of patients each and every day. Just making a point..needed or not, LOL…that each one may be different.

….another side note: If you are under contract with your PM/Dr…and part of the contract is the use of a certain pharmacy like mine is, then by all means call your Dr and let them know what is going on. They may even suggest a specific pharmacy that is costumer friendly with few reported problems by their patients. We have Ktrac's here in Kansas, and they watch the multiple pharmacy usage by patients. If you report,... to your Dr, the needed pharmacy change, then there will be a record of it in his patients notes…and there should be no problem,.. if it is looked into by authorities. Our Local Law enforcement has access to the Ktrac's records as well. My son inLaw is a State Trooper here in Kansas, and has access to it if needed.

The Walgreens pharmacist said they got their shipments in on Fridays, and they missed the first Friday getting it in..and I was not about to wait another 7 days being on pain meds. The new pharmacy, can get their meds in,... within 2 working days! Hallelujah! We as chronic pain patients cannot afford sloppy or non detailed Pharmacist who lack understanding their costumers needs. You are your own best advocate!

I agree with Snowbunny and Tina here, in that if possible,... get to know your pharmacist!…it may make a difference in your costumer care results. My latest pharmacist calls me by name when I walk in, and greets me. They even called a week later and asked if there was anything they could do to make getting my scripts a better experience. Thats a first! LOL

Kathy, forgive me if we have drifted away from your original post a bit, and if I know you like I think I do, you will not mind! …So!…Thanks for your compassionate understanding.

SE

Quincy some members live in small towns and have a fear of someone finding out they are on certain medications. I have a pain pump, if you did a google search for pain pump there is a very good chance some of things I have written here at HW will show up. It is strictly up to the member if they want to do a signature line or not. And then some people just do not want to hang their laundry out for everyone to see.

Take care....Susie

I tell anyone who wants to know that I take narcotics. Im 62. I have been high on the pain scale for the last 8 years. The past two years have been miserable. Then, 6 weeks ago I got a fent. pain patch. I HAVE BEEN ON A VACATION FROM PAIN, or at least down to a 2-3 on scale. That to me is a vacation. I still cant feel my feet and I walk with a walker and I have a wheelchair that I am needing on more and more.

If its taboo to discuss or to let people on HW know what we take, I would have been booted off long ago. I am so happy and proud and grateful to finely have something that makes me an active part of my family. Its still hard tho because I developed agoraphobia. I go outside my house. I have to go to doc. appointments because I fear anything that might make my PM doc to decide I dont need my pain patch.

Hope you friends here have the meds you need and have a great day today.........Very best regards...Cathy

My husbands a pharmacist and can order certain drugs only once a month. His hands are tied and has had to make a practice of turning people away who are not regular customers so that at least the regulars can get the drugs they need. This drug regulation forced on him and us is so wrong!

Jess