Raoul
Board Addict
Reged: 09/28/02
Posts: 314
Loc: Another galaxy
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Quincy, I just think that's outrageous that a stupid pharmacist thinks he or she can second-guess your f***in doc, and refuse to refill a legit script. If I were a doc, I would be awfully pissed off to know that some jerk*** white-coated doctor wannabe was challenging my prescribing. Especially given that it was not a ridiculous amount of meds. BTW, 2 every 6 hrs. means you could take 8 a day, and you should have been able to fill that even sooner! Thank god for the OP's.
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You can turn your back on a person, but, never turn your back on a drug. Especially when it's waving a razor-sharp hunting knife in your eye.
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mayhem123
Enthusiast
Reged: 03/22/02
Posts: 230
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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UPDATE and Additional Info: When I went to Dr. # 2, I did NOT use my insurance (payed cash for the visit) and did NOT mention Dr. # 1's name anywhere - (it is one of those "doc in a box, walk in" clinics.)
I did finally get my complete medical record file from Dr. # 1 and spoke to the office manager (who happens to be married to my Dr.) and from what she said to me and from what I can read (handwriting is terrible and they didn't do typed transcription) this is what happened:
Back in the summer, I also went to Dr. # 2 for a visit about my back, I couldn't get in to see my normal Dr. #1. I got a script for 10 Vicodin and had it filled at the drugstore (Longs) across from Dr. #2's office.
I must have, at some point, gotten a script filled at Longs also from Dr. #1 (although I do not remember doing so) and so when I used Dr. #2 again this last time (injured my knee) and filled the script for (worthless) Darvocette at Longs, they must have, in turn, called Dr. # 1's office to let them know I had gotten a controlled substance script from Dr. #2 and then Dr. #1 called Dr. #2 and let them know..... Judging from all the notes, it appears as though that is what happened. It then appears that Dr. #1 took it upon themselves to call a few other chain DrugStores to "enquire" about me..... they did note that over the summer I had a script for 10 Vikes filled at a Fred Meyer pharmacy (that was due to an ER visit on a Sunday) and a script filled also at the Fred Meyer for Lorezepam (from my Psychiatrist for anxiety) and on the last page of my records, it is written (and I quote) "future requests for Vicodin will be denied, drug seeker."
SO! - With that, I am now looking for a new Dr. and will NOT mention my previous one and will use a completely different pharmacy altogether for any meds I happen to receive. I guess one small thing leads to a big chain of events.....it was just weird and shocking because I paid with cash for the visit AND the script from Dr. # 2 (Narcotics seem to be some of the the cheapest meds, cheaper than my co-pay even....)
SO - live and learn and let this be a lesson to all of us, especially me!!!
(Sorry so long, but I had a lot to say) 
OH - and P.S. - When I asked the office manager at Dr. #1's office exactly WHO made the call to the other Dr.'s office, she said she had no idea because it is not noted in my chart anywhere that any call was made....... 
Edited by mayhem123 (12/11/02 03:15 PM)
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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Well, you won't believe the last few days I've had. This post is about another pharmacy incident I had, but I have had the most horrible few days, I must vent! I was diagnosed with fibro and ankylosing spondilytis about two months ago. I have had to take quite a bit of sick days from work, but I've only been working here three months. Besides the pain, fibro makes you fatigued, clumsy, forgetfull- truly not my ususal mental capacity. My work has suffered. I explained to my boss and co-workers my situation and I thought they understood. The other day went to lie down for a few minutes, and let my coworker know. She said OK-no problem-so I rested for a few moments. Next thing I know my boss stormed in, and he reamed me out! That little bi**h called him behind my back t deliberately get in trouble. Now I have got written up for this incident as well as complaints about my sullen "attitude". Of course Im sullen- its not fun to go to work in extreme pain all day every day, and to experience this fatigue that leaves you barely able to function, plus I have suffered two miscarriages in three months. Im sorry, I just don't feel like faking cheerfulness and chatting all day. All I can do is show up, do my work and leave. So now I have to worry about losing my job because of this illness too. What next?!!
Anyways, yesterday I saw my new primary care doc- she prescribed Xanax for my anxiety. I also see a rheumatologist who prescribed me ultram to be refilled PRN. Once again at walgreens the nosy pharmacist had a question about how much ultram I was taking. I had just received my 2nd refill the day before. I get 60 pills with instructions to take up to 8 per day. Now isn't 8 times 7, fifty-six? I can get a new bottle once a week-right? Well then the pharmacist asked if my PCP knew I was getting meds from the other doc, and vice-versa. I know I should have told her to go to he**, but I didn't. Im sure that she placed some phone calls after I left, I just hope my rheumatologist won't cut me off now. Well thats all for now- sorry this is so long -take care everyone.
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Raoul
Board Addict
Reged: 09/28/02
Posts: 314
Loc: Another galaxy
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Mayhem and Quincy, your stories just remind me once again, THANK GOD FOR THIS BOARD! Nosy, nasty health care "professionals" with nothing better to do than rat on someone simply trying to find pain relief will have a special place reserved for them in hell. May they all roast slowly over a hot fire.
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You can turn your back on a person, but, never turn your back on a drug. Especially when it's waving a razor-sharp hunting knife in your eye.
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Christel
Newbie
Reged: 12/10/02
Posts: 27
Loc: Small town in NC....
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I had this very same thing happen to me this summer as well. I couldn't get an appt with (#1-regular Dr.) for 3 weeks but (#2) could see me the next day & I was out of meds! That's an emergency to me ....hehe So I went & got Norco's (which I like better) intead of Lorocet 10's (my regular meds) so it wasn't even the same meds, well still Hydro's but anyway, if (#1) would have ask me about it I would have told him the reason but instead he treated me like a druggy! I also thought my records were CONFIDENTIAL that meaning the Ph couldn't tell anyone (including Dr.s) about my meds......Obviously I'm wrong though. And everytime I would go to #1 he would say well I made my calls to the pharmys this month & it seems you've been a good girl! Can you believe that?? I've been a good girl?? What the crap?? I took a peek at my records one day & he had been callin all the pharmys in the area (listed on the front page) to see if I had been gettin other meds! but ya know I don't even want to go back to any of those pharmys because they would now look at me like I'm a druggy!...They actually label you in the computer like that too..... Surely there is something you can do if the Dr is calling around like that. Ya know embarassing ya, labeling ya, just making the Ph's think suspisiously of ya & stuff???.. Needless to say I told that Dr to kiss my butt that I had another Dr that was a heck of alot better anyway & he didn't know who! (Which actually I told Dr #2 what happened & he decided to treat me anyway) I just wanted to tick him (#1) off like he done me But honestly that is the only time I have ever used 2 Dr's at one time. Sorry I got carried away (was mad)
Be Sweet,
Christel
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I've seen it all, I've done it all, I just can't remember it all.......hehe
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poohbear
Member
Reged: 12/10/02
Posts: 116
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I worked in a pharmacy for several years and there were definately notes in patient files about med abuse and double dipping. And we received calls from Docs all the time about what people were getting and where they were getting from. Be careful out there. 
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lakjaw
Veteran
Reged: 11/22/02
Posts: 545
Loc: Planet Zartran
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Hospital emergency departments also keep lists of those whom they consider to exhibit "drug seeking behavior", and they share that list with all the other ERs in the area. At least, this was the policy when I last worked in late '95, and perhaps there have been some privacy laws enacted to prevent that, since that time. That was also in Washington state, where I no longer live. In the state I now live in, I've been hospitalized three times in the past year, and each time I've been asked my entire history in the ER, as well as for my list of allergies. When we (again) told them that it was all contained in my old records, a nurse told us that it was "against the law" to access our old records. Huh? Will have to check the laws, but this nurse also got herself fired because she attempted to inject me with a medication which I adamantly refused to accept because I have an extremely adverse reaction to it (Reglan), and she attempted to keep my SO from returning to the room to be with me (I was in shock and could not properly respond to questions).
At any rate, just wanted to reiterate that lists are kept, and doctors, pharmacies, and ER's do access those lists (whether they are strictly legal or not). Be careful.
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When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Usually,that individual is crazy.
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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Your doctor is a JERK! Fire him and threaten him with litigation for defemation of charachter. He may be legally able to check your pharmacy records out, but telling you that you have been a "good girl" is totally insulting! Ive gone through the same thing, and doctors have no right to treat you in a condesending manner. Next time you see him, take a patients bill of rights in with you-and tell him straight to his face that you are offended by his attitude. I would also have my new doctor write him a letter (if he is willing) and have him say that he dosen't think you are a "junkie". Stand up to that old jerk-you have rights that should'nt be violated! Be well-
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lakjaw
Veteran
Reged: 11/22/02
Posts: 545
Loc: Planet Zartran
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Christel, might I suggest that you *not* attempt to fight the actions of one doctor by engaging another doctor to join in the fray? I can almost guarantee you that you'll end up on the short end of the deal, and having ever-increasing difficulty getting the medical care you need. Unfortunate as it may seem, the reality is that physicians, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies have most of us by the short hairs. While doctors can and do disparage one another in private, they will almost never do it in public - "gentleman's agreement", so to speak.
Try checking with a lot of friends and acquaintances, asking about their preferences in physicians and what it is they like about them. Unless you live in a huge urban area where one can very easily go unknown from one doctor to another, don't burn any of your bridges.
Lastly, I'm not making any excuses for the bad behavior or implied/outright insults of health-care-givers, but 95% of them will always, first and foremost, think of their own career before your pain.
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When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Usually,that individual is crazy.
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mayhem123
Enthusiast
Reged: 03/22/02
Posts: 230
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Where can I find a copy of thr Patients Bill of Rights?? I'd like to show that to MY dr. I "fired"... thanks
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lakjaw
Veteran
Reged: 11/22/02
Posts: 545
Loc: Planet Zartran
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American Academy of Pain Management Bill of Rights:
http://www.aapainmanage.org/aapm/billofr.html
American Hospital Association Patient's Bill of Rights:
http://www.hepcchallenge.org/manual/appendix_billofrights_final.htm#AHAP
Do You Know Your Medical Rights:
http://www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-mdrts.html
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When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Usually,that individual is crazy.
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sara22
Stranger
Reged: 07/15/02
Posts: 7
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If you use an OP, can the state keep track of your Class III rx's? ? For instance, I live in California, but I used an OP doc in New Hampshire. I then had that rx filled in North Carolina. How does California keep track if I use OP's? Or do they?
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1222
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Almost all the states with electronic prescription monitoring use it only for C-IIs. Hawai'i's program does not limit them to C-IIs, on paper at least, so the Dept. of Public Safety there can add any controlled substance to the list of meds they monitor ... but they're supposed to only add drugs that are a public health and safety concern, such as any drug that's widely abused.
Scrip monitoring means that the pharmacy in a state with that program has to report all fills that meet the state requirements to their own state program. It doesn't matter where the customer is located. It depends on where the pharmacy is located. Let's assume that someone is using multiple OPs and getting multiple overlapping fills from pharmacies located in a state with monitoring. All those fills will be reported to that state. Then, if the state monitoring authorities there think you might be violating a law, they can inform local law enforcement where you live.
The scrip monitoring programs take away some of your privacy rights. Pharmacies in those states are required to give your (normally) confidental info to law enforcement even if the scrips are valid and confirmed by the doctor's office.
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Your mileage may vary ...
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Nevada also monitors more than Cll's. There is a link somewhere...that lists the states and what each monitors.
North Carolina is not one of them.
I found the link...from page one of this thread...here it is: State Monitoring
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
Edited by LumbarSpasm (12/20/02 09:49 PM)
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sara22
Stranger
Reged: 07/15/02
Posts: 7
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Thanks all. It's hard to get all of this straight sometimes. I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong, but I don't want a federal agent showing up at my door when all I'm doing is getting rid of a headache.
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Unless you use insurance or tell the state of California...or use a pharmacy in that state...I don't foresee them having that information.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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