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My husband cannot find anyone to fill his prescriptions in south Florida

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/19/2014 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Please, anyone, help us! My husband is 48 years old and just had to go into pain management because a neck injury he suffered years ago has deteriorated to the point where he is in agonizing pain. He needs surgery but we cannot afford it. His doctor prescribed 4mg of hydromorphone and 30 mg of MScontin and we have been to every CVS in Lee County and they all say they are out. He can't work and can barely move without something to help his pain. We have been told to try online pharmacies or go to Tampa. Does anyone have any suggestions? We live in Lee County.
Posted 5/19/2014 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kerri and Welcome to HW/CP! Pain management and trying to fill controlled substance prescriptions can be a nightmare. And it's one that many of us deal with regularly, no matter how long we've been a CP patient - but for a new patient, it's even worse. You are going to have to try other pharmacies besides CVS. Try other chain stores, grocery stores, 'mom and pop' pharmacies, and the 'big box' stores like Sam's Club (you don't have to be a member to use their pharmacies). And make sure no one at the pharmacy marks up the prescriptions in any way (d.o.b., name, etc.) - that's a red flag for other pharmacies. And as far as I know, legitimate online pharmacies no longer process controlled substances. I could be wrong, but I know a lot of them don't. Going to another county won't work either - most pharmacies will not fill a prescription written in another county.

Prepare to do a lot of driving - pharmacies will not give out controlled substance info over the phone. Sorry I don't have better news - 'they' make it VERY difficult to be a CP patient these days, especially in Florida.

Post Edited (Splashdancer) : 5/19/2014 4:33:53 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/20/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Try Walgreens. I've had better luck with them down here in FL than I've had using CVS. Once you do find a pharmacy that has the meds...try your best to stick to that pharmacy location. It really helps to build a positive relationship with the people who work there, and the only way to really do that is to be a repeat customer. Good luck! :)
Posted 5/20/2014 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Splashdancer just out of curiosity what did u mean when u said if a pharmacy marks up a script it is a red flag?
Posted 5/20/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi 1 day! It was actually my pharmacist who told me that. He said that when a pharmacist sees another pharmacist's writing on a script (especially if it's written on more than once), it causes the pharmacist to wonder WHY other pharmacies wouldn't fill it. Even if you give them a legit reason, i.e. they were out of the medication, don't carry it, etc. - the pharmacist doesn't have time to actually verify each one. He said it just doesn't 'look good' - and in this day and age of pain med issues, it's a good idea to eliminate any potential hassles if you can.
Posted 5/20/2014 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Splashdancer is correct, my sil whose a pharmacy manager for Kroger's up home said the very same thing! When you take it in somewhere ask if they have it, don't just drop it off!!

The pharmacys here in Florida have limits as to how many of each controlled med they get from distribution. They set those aside for regular patients and if anything is left they will fill for a new customer as long as the Dr prescribing is not on their "do not fill for " list and your paperwork is in order to fill class II meds.

Walgreens is also who I use and once you get your fill do not go anywhere else.

You should be able to find the morphine but the dilaudid is always going to be an issue because that's the drug everyone replaced the oxycodone with here and therefore has a huge street demand and value.

I personally would call the Dr back and ask if he could change the dilaudid to something else? Maybe morphine IR or something else instant release. Tell them the trouble your having.
Posted 5/20/2014 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
A while back the local DEA cracked down on CVS for filling what it considers too many narcotic prescriptions and as a result they have really tapered off how much they will carry per month in any given store. Given that you are going to have to check around at all pharmacies until you find someone who has your medication in stock. It might even mean getting it filled at 2 different pharmacies.
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