Medication advice

[bronco54501]

The prescribed amount should be considered, If he has a primary dr, you or he should bring up blood work so they no how his liver is doing... I have a thyroid problem and with all the other meds I am tested every 4 to 6 months... They had tried me on tramadol, which is to me just a hopped up tylenol, and was on many n-saids trying to get the extra boost needed for pain flair ups... Percocets has been fairly good keeping it at a 5 to 6 pain level, but we all know we will always have flair ups and are tempted to take an extra dosage inbetween..

[jayne]

ammowoman if I am reading you correctly you are afraid your husband is not following the dosage as prescribed he is in so much pain he is taking to many to soon is this correct?If so then the patch may be a better option for him as it gives you better control of his drugs yet allows you to still go to work knowing his pain is controlled without him ODing.
He must accept the fact he may never be pain free again.But that doesnt mean his life is over just different,it is now up to him how it goes from here does he want to spent the rest of his life on the couch or is he willing to suck it up and forge a new life.He has to go look for it it isnt going to come looking for him.You know him better than anyone else so its up to you how you tell him this news with my husband I let him wallow in his misery for a bit then chewed his ass and got him up and moving.slowly but surely but now things are better than before he got hurt except for we dont make near the money but we now have the time...good luck girly

[lucky]

PM or regular Doctors frown on patients who take more of there Narcotics than prescribed. I have seen MANY patients turned away asking for more because of abuse. It is abuse if you go against the prescription and any Doctor will say this. Hell, I had to wait to day 30 before my Meds could be filled because WC watched this like a Hawk.

If he is running out and not taking Hydrocodone for days, I promise you some of his issues are withdrawals especially taking 8 a day. They are addictive big time.

I agree with Jayne. Accept reality and move on with life. Taking Narcotics and laying on the couch is a recipe for anxiety and depression big time. All of "us" IW's have to come to the mind set I am a over comer of my disability. I am what I am; I will not let this consume my mind.

He must change or it will only get worse.

[ammowoman]

Yes Jayne that is exactly it. I even called the attorney and not so politely requsted he do what he can do to get him in a proper pain mgmt center. One who will monitor not just his usage but prescribe proper pain meds for the amount of pain I know he is in. I go to one myself for my back so I know there are real drs out there who require appointments and that you actually have accountability. His Dr has just refilled all these meds every 12 days with one initial appt over a yr ago. I believe I posted back in January or so, about my frustration. I believe that month he received 500 pills! All ended up covered by wc. Thats when I threw the fit with the attorney. It hasnt happened since. I dont keep my meds at the house. I had a full bottle missing from my car that I filed a police report on. He knows I think he took them and they havent been kept here since. They are kept at my daughters. I cant take them as prescribed because of my job and ONLY if needed. He asksif I have any all the time. I always tell him NO. He asked my daughter as well. She tells him the same thing. A few times he's made snide comments that I give my pills to her and he's the one in pain. He knows they are KEPT there and not given to anyone. At anytime I have access, he just doesn't.

Now you have a idea of why I'm so concerned. This is just a few examples. Along with this, he takes Tylenol like crazy when he is out of his pain meds. He needs pain meds!! When they work he takes then just fine and even less if possible. When they dont, he chooses the dose. If one patch helps why not 2? I'm nauseous just thinking about it.

[jayc123]

(04-07-2012 08:03 AM)ammowoman Wrote:  Yes Jayne that is exactly it. I even called the attorney and not so politely requsted he do what he can do to get him in a proper pain mgmt center. One who will monitor not just his usage but prescribe proper pain meds for the amount of pain I know he is in. I go to one myself for my back so I know there are real drs out there who require appointments and that you actually have accountability. His Dr has just refilled all these meds every 12 days with one initial appt over a yr ago. I believe I posted back in January or so, about my frustration. I believe that month he received 500 pills! All ended up covered by wc. Thats when I threw the fit with the attorney. It hasnt happened since. I dont keep my meds at the house. I had a full bottle missing from my car that I filed a police report on. He knows I think he took them and they havent been kept here since. They are kept at my daughters. I cant take them as prescribed because of my job and ONLY if needed. He asksif I have any all the time. I always tell him NO. He asked my daughter as well. She tells him the same thing. A few times he's made snide comments that I give my pills to her and he's the one in pain. He knows they are KEPT there and not given to anyone. At anytime I have access, he just doesn't.

Now you have a idea of why I'm so concerned. This is just a few examples. Along with this, he takes Tylenol like crazy when he is out of his pain meds. He needs pain meds!! When they work he takes then just fine and even less if possible. When they dont, he chooses the dose. If one patch helps why not 2? I'm nauseous just thinking about it.

this sounds like a real problem here.its sooo easy to take more out of depression, boredom, and just to escape feeling so useless. if they end up switching him to percocet the withdrawals will be ALOT worse if he runs out. ive taken an extra one here and there to get things done like the lawn and stuff and i just end up hurting myself more. hell have more bad days than good, pain wise, he needs to realize more meds will make him worse all around, pain if he does too much, anxiety, depression, mood swings, it just keeps getting worse. to add more tylenol will make it alot worse. good luck and please get his bloodwork done, liver issues can make you feel like hell too. im in fl and i have to go to the doc for scripts and urine sample,evaluation every 10 days(it is annoying but it keeps you honest), does that happen with him or its just refills?

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(04-06-2012 11:09 PM)jayne Wrote:  ammowoman if I am reading you correctly you are afraid your husband is not following the dosage as prescribed he is in so much pain he is taking to many to soon is this correct?If so then the patch may be a better option for him as it gives you better control of his drugs yet allows you to still go to work knowing his pain is controlled without him ODing.
He must accept the fact he may never be pain free again.But that doesnt mean his life is over just different,it is now up to him how it goes from here does he want to spent the rest of his life on the couch or is he willing to suck it up and forge a new life.He has to go look for it it isnt going to come looking for him.You know him better than anyone else so its up to you how you tell him this news with my husband I let him wallow in his misery for a bit then chewed his ass and got him up and moving.slowly but surely but now things are better than before he got hurt except for we dont make near the money but we now have the time...good luck girly

absolute perfect description of what we need to come to grips with jayne

[lucky]

(04-07-2012 08:03 AM)ammowoman Wrote:  Yes Jayne that is exactly it. I even called the attorney and not so politely requsted he do what he can do to get him in a proper pain mgmt center. One who will monitor not just his usage but prescribe proper pain meds for the amount of pain I know he is in. I go to one myself for my back so I know there are real drs out there who require appointments and that you actually have accountability. His Dr has just refilled all these meds every 12 days with one initial appt over a yr ago. I believe I posted back in January or so, about my frustration. I believe that month he received 500 pills! All ended up covered by wc. Thats when I threw the fit with the attorney. It hasnt happened since. I dont keep my meds at the house. I had a full bottle missing from my car that I filed a police report on. He knows I think he took them and they havent been kept here since. They are kept at my daughters. I cant take them as prescribed because of my job and ONLY if needed. He asksif I have any all the time. I always tell him NO. He asked my daughter as well. She tells him the same thing. A few times he's made snide comments that I give my pills to her and he's the one in pain. He knows they are KEPT there and not given to anyone. At anytime I have access, he just doesn't.

Now you have a idea of why I'm so concerned. This is just a few examples. Along with this, he takes Tylenol like crazy when he is out of his pain meds. He needs pain meds!! When they work he takes then just fine and even less if possible. When they dont, he chooses the dose. If one patch helps why not 2? I'm nauseous just thinking about it.

From 9+ years with a injury and dealing with WC, It is a mistake to think your Attorney is responsible for getting your Husband into a PM Clinic. The ortho surgeon or whatever Doctor he used for his surgery should do this.

In a normal situation outside of WC, You would need your General Practitioner to make this appointment at a minimum.. Your Attorney does not have the power to do this.

Call the PM Clinic and ask what is required for your Husband to get a appointment. Sometimes you have to take the Bull by the Horns.

Your Husband is very "dependent" or addicted with the Hydrocodone. I can read into this by what you post.

You need to watch him close. It could get out of control easily and you will have a situation on your hands. He might already need professional help.

What is his injury? When did he have surgery? I am concerned for you and your Husband.

I would seek professional help to see where his pain level actually is. When one becomes addicted to Narcotics, They are always in big time pain understand?

I have 3 vertebrates missing in my back replaced with a big cage, plate and 10 screws. I have a missing rib that was used for the fusion. It took me 2 years to get released to MMI.
My biggest problem for 3 years after my surgery was my mindset. My wife kicked me in the Ass and we started life over. Yes, Life is different but to dwell on the past and take narcotics to ease the pain emotionally and physically is not good. The Doctor that refills his Hydrocodone needs his Sss kicked to the curve. Taking all these Hydros and Tylenol on top of that is a formula for liver failure. I would leave this Doctor like a sore ugh

[ammowoman]

He never has to go in. he saw the Dr over a yr ago. Refills have been done over the phone. He does see him next month for a change of meds.

[jayc123]

(04-07-2012 09:08 AM)ammowoman Wrote:  He never has to go in. he saw the Dr over a yr ago. Refills have been done over the phone. He does see him next month for a change of meds.

thats insane, doesnt WC require urine samples to see if other drugs are present? if they are they drop you i thought. i agree, i would drop that idiot doc, your husband might not agree. im astounded WC lets this happen without regular visits.

[ammowoman]

Nothing has been done. Attorney gets refills approved by IC. Thats why I went to him to change drs. His surgeon referred him to pain mgmt for chronic pain once he reached MMI. This is the Dr the IC choose. At one point he did call him to go in foe a change of meds because they arent working and was told he didnt want to see him for a yr.

His injuries are broken pelvis in several places with rod placed thru it from hip to hip, shattered ankle with hardware, broken leg, broken collar bone, shoulder and fractures in arm that healed wrong. He was using his arms as legs while in wheelchair and pelvis healed. Didnt discover those injuries till 3 months after the accident when he finally got a mri. Given the circumstances, I doubt they could of done anything.

[lucky]

If/when his Meds are changed from sch 3 (Hydrocodone) to sch 2(Fentanyl patch, oxycotin morphine etc) the rules change. I am required to go to PM monthly to get my sch 2 Narcotics filled. Some PM Doctors will write post dated prescriptions for 3 month but even if you are that lucky, He still has to go every 3 months to PM by law when taking a sch 2 narcotic.

I still think your current doctor is a quack. I agree about the urine test; I take one at least 3x a year but that maybe for sch 2 drugs. The playing field changes when you step up to the big boys.

Is this Doctor a PM Doctor? If he is, call and get a appointment. If not, drop him like a turd. Most states give the IW the ability to pick there 1st Doctor.

How long has he been MMI? Do you think he is depressed? Has he basically given up? What do you want?

I would most definitely pursue this myself. You do not need your Attorney to get into a PM Clinic. You need a Doctor for this.

Denial is a bad word. Do not sell yourself short of your capabilities and do not allow your spouse to mentally destroy himself. Find him a PM Doctor. SO much more can be done for pain besides pills; I know; I have been there done/do that.

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(04-07-2012 09:37 AM)ammowoman Wrote:  Nothing has been done. Attorney gets refills approved by IC. Thats why I went to him to change drs. His surgeon referred him to pain mgmt for chronic pain once he reached MMI. This is the Dr the IC choose. At one point he did call him to go in foe a change of meds because they arent working and was told he didnt want to see him for a yr.

His injuries are broken pelvis in several places with rod placed thru it from hip to hip, shattered ankle with hardware, broken leg, broken collar bone, shoulder and fractures in arm that healed wrong. He was using his arms as legs while in wheelchair and pelvis healed. Didnt discover those injuries till 3 months after the accident when he finally got a mri. Given the circumstances, I doubt they could of done anything.

Why in the sam hell does your Attorney have to get approval from the IC for refills? That absolutely makes no sense AND if your Attorney is telling you this, that is BS.

I have never had a Attorney involved in my PM or my prescription drug. You should have a prescription drug card from the IC.

Grab the Bull by the Horns. You are either big time being mislead or maybe being used by your Attorney. OH YES, They will use you. NEVER TOTALLY depend on your Attorney.

My Attorney was only involved in my C&R settlement; Never for my PM visits or my monthly filling of 2 Sch 2 Narcotics + 3 other drugs. I have kicked 3 of the drugs out of my life and yes I hurt like a SOB but we have only one life on this earth; We are all much more capable than we think we are. The mind is a powerful tool and will put you in your grave.