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It happened again!!!

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Posted 6/25/2009 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
It has happened again. I have shorted myself of pain meds AGAIN! Through my insurance, I only get 120 tabs a month. While some of you may think that would be sufficient, they are only tab 5's. That means, that I have to take two to get relief. 120 means I can only take 4 a day, which means that I can only take tabs twice a day. A lot of days, that just doesn't cut it. Most days, I have to take 6. Which, is technically the amount you are supposed to take. But this shorts me.  I can't right now. I told my grandma that I wouldn't short myself this month. So, . I can't go to my doc early, because I really don't want him to know that I shorted myself again this month.  but it doesn't do what the tabs do. I feel so miserable. I am in so much pain, and I know that some of it is my fault because I didn't just deal and take only the 4 a day. So, now, I am suffering. I could just use some support right now, and maybe some suggestions of other things I can do to deal with the pain.

Sassy, please read my post below.  Thanks!

 

Sherrine

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 6/25/2009 9:16:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2009 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Oweeeee, Sass...........So sorry you are having such a miserable time......... Have you tried the standard warm bath or shower, heating pad, bed buddy/rice bag? Or maybe OTC ibuprofen? It's so hard when we can't get the normal amount of meds, but there seems to be so much pressure on docs anymore to limit what they give or they get called on the carpet for it........... Really not fair to the patients............. Don't know what else to suggest -- maybe some gentle stretches when you're warmed up?
Sending soft hugs and caring thoughts your way and hoping you find some relief soon....
Luv ya
Shash
Posted 6/25/2009 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Gentle stretching, ice, heat, ibuprofin, relaxing mental imagary. prayer, slow deep breathing.
Posted 6/25/2009 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. To some, a week wouldn't seem like a big deal. But for me, it is like an eternity. But, I am doing my best to make it through. I am so glad that I have you guys here to support me and give me comfort and advice.
Posted 6/25/2009 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Sassy, have you talked to your doc about upping the dose a little if your not taking the maximum dose you can take??? It really isn't safe to take other people's meds but I'm sure you know that.

 

Try all the standards and I hope you have a low pain time til you get them refilled.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 6/25/2009 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sassy, you need to talk to  your doctor.  If that's the amount they want you to have then there is a reason.  Also, taking someone else's medications is not only dangerous, but illegal.  This is why I edited your post.  I couldn't get this link to come through so I'm posting the first paragraph.  

Prescription Drugs and Drug Abuse

 

MYTH: Prescription drugs are safe to use whether they are prescribed directly for you or not, you cannot become addicted to them or die from using them, and selling or giving prescription drugs to a friend is no big deal. FACT: Prescription drugs are to be used only as directed and by the person for whom they are prescribed. If they are not prescribed for you, there's no telling how they may affect you. When prescription drugs are abused, they can be as addictive and dangerous as "illegal" drugs. If you are not a doctor or pharmacist, distributing prescription drugs is illegal. You can be arrested and jailed for drug trafficking or, in the worst case, accessory to murder.

Sherrine

Posted 6/25/2009 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
sassy, there has to be a reason why  your dr. wont increase the dosage. have you asked him? sometimes they dont want you to take a large dose of acetaminofen due to increased chance of liver problems.  a lot of pain drugs have this in them to help the pain drug to work more effectively. it also might have to due to any other meds you take for other conditions,,,ex. if you take any cholesterol meds or others than can increase your chance of liver damage. iknow my dr. has me on a limit of 4 a day for this reason. please talk to him about it...we dont want you to develop other problems.....we all need to take drugs the way they are prescribed!!!i like others have said....try the warm bath, heating pads, etc. and also i like to go in my neighbors pool and stand by the jet that shoots water into the pool! i know how you feel....ive been to the point if someone had told me to rub chicken poop on my face and howl at the moon.... i would have tried it!!!good luck ..keep venting....it will at least make you feel better mentally. {and feeling better mentally can actually make the pain more tolerable. 
Posted 6/25/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Great thing you said, Evolving. rub chicken poop and howl at the moon. Im sure we have all been there. foggy foggy today.
Sue
Posted 6/25/2009 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not on a higher dose of the tabs because my insurance only covers this dosage. When I had different insurance, I could get 7.5, but my medicaid only covers the 5s. So, yes, there is a reason I am only on this dosage. If my insurance would cover it, then my doc would up the dosage.
Posted 6/25/2009 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
You still need to talk to your doctor about this, Sassy.  I've never heard that a medication isn't covered if the doctor prescribes it.  Perhaps he could write a script for more 5's per month or maybe there is something else the Medicaid will cover that will give you the same relief.  It's just not good to take anyone else's medication.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/26/2009 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sassy,

Please talk to your doctor about you medicine and how it is or isn't working.

Some insurance companies indeed do not cover certain medications at certain dosages but sometime the doctor can contact the insurance agency and ask for something like a prior authorization or exception. Sometimes insurance companies just need to have documentation from the doctor as to why you need this certain medicine....

I know it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the medical system ...well maybe most of the time. LOL

It is worth a try though since you are having so much problems. Your doc.  may also need to change the medication you are taking if it is not working for you. Just a thought.

 

Posted 6/26/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sassy.
I used to have the same problem that you have. As some others have suggested, I really encourage you to talk to your doctor. I talked to mine and he was understanding and now prescribes enough that I don't run short. It was difficult for me, because I didn't really feel comfortable asking for more medication, because I always worry that doctors will think I am a "drug seeker", especially since I am younger. I actually got my dad to come along with me to the appointment to make it easier. Since I work with him, he explained to my doctor how just doing my job brings me to tears every day. Now my doctor has no problem with prescribing me what I need. Some people also do a pain diary, where they write down how they are feeling and how their pain affects them every day. If you show your doctor something like this, then he or she will see how much your pain is affecting your daily life. I hope you can get some more meds soon... and until then I hope you are in as little pain as possible.

Take care,

SaraBeth
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