toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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I know you are all bored of this by now, but:
1)I initiated a venture with a US OP on THursday, to get adequate meds for my chronic baack pain and insomnia.
2)I went to the gym and ignorantly (as a one time only thing) tried to max out on the leg press machine. In doing so, I injured a brand new part of my back.
3)Friday I did not manage to get through to the OP doc for a consult. My pain was inching it's way up to a ten, despite methocarbomal, soma, 800mgs ibuprohen and 440 naproxen (taken over a few hours)
$)Went to the ER at 10. Told them of chronic condition, usual meds, and underscored that this was an INJURY. No pain relievers given, only released at 1am with a script for 5mg vicodens: take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. A 16 hour supply to last the entire weekend.
5)Returned the next day because, duh, the script was inadequate. Virtually no doctor contact, no diagnostics other than an x-ray (yeah, that'll detect a slipped disk), treated like total Best if kept off the board and belittled for not taking total bedrest. Offered methocarbamol and refused because it was not a muscle problem. Released with a script for methocarbamol even though I told them I had a bottle at home with 5 refills. Refused script.
6) Doctor would not write a script for pain meds to last unril I could see real doc, which would be at LEAST 2 days later. Would not write me a note that I needed to be on best rest, "I'll write a note that you were in the ER today", because I "don't have a problem."
So, when I got home last night I left a message on my back doctor's machine explaining my injury and asking for him to call or possibly schedule an appt, refer for anew MRI, whatever, ASAP. (His schedule is full and I don't have my next appt till June)
I am also going to try to see the referring (to back specialist) doc, who had been treating my back pain for a year or so before her started referring me out. He can order an MRI himself and might prescribe me something, though it will surely be a small amount. That would be easier (and cheaper) than seeing the back specialist and I presume that after my OP consult I won't have to worry about getting getting adequate pain meds anymore.
Okay, so here's my question:
If I get my OP consult tommorow and get prescribed,
but then also see my regular doc later to get an MRI referral and (If I'm lucky) 10 little vicodins or something, am I double dipping?
And then what will happen when I see the back doc and he realizes that we have a whole new ballgame to deal with? (We've been treating lumbar so far) If he gives me a script, esp for something stronger than at the OP, do I tell him I have leftoever pain meds from surgery/injury/heartbreak awhile back and refuse the script and ask if I can pick it up later when those meds run out? Or is it feasible that a patient might be prescribed one controlled med, then be prescribed another that works better for her and be in possesssion of both at once and that would be legit?
Help me out, folks, please!
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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Has this question just been asked too many times, or am I in a situation no one else has faced (yeah, right).
I know well enough not to expect a sufficient script, if anything at all, from my doc, when I EVER see him. On the other hand, I have a consultation with NWW tomorrow afternoon, where I'm presuming I will get what I need.
Double-dipping is lying to different doctors in order to get more medication than is necessary, right? So to fill a short-term script from my local doc of like 10 or 15 pills and then do an OP consult for the continual pain management isn't
double dipping, correct?
Echo. . .echo. . .echo. . .
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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Boobetty
Veteran
Reged: 12/30/01
Posts: 626
Loc: The windy City...Boo:)
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Toe, first off let me say that you sound terrible and I hope your doing better by now....don't worry so much ok..double dipping...No.this is not a new question...Double dipping means using two different OP's online at the same time for the same med. I worry about the same thing all the time as do many others on this board and others. Untill our government treats us like we have a real problem and gives our own doc's the right to give pain meds with out the crimanal tacktics we will have to resort to this type of thing...I am not a criminal..at least I don't feel or look like one..feel better..you will be ok...goodluck...Boo 
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living with pain is not living at all. Boo
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IHURT2
Stranger
Reged: 04/16/03
Posts: 22
Loc: Florida
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I say get all the pain meds you can and stash safely of course!! Sounds like you will need them later. Also, the ops dont check with your local docs anyway!!! I hope you feel better!!!
Dawn
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Muneca
Journeyman
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 85
Loc: TX
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I've kind of been down this road a bit. I've been prescribed percocet and hydrocodone at the same time from two different docs. Didn't even think of telling either one. Was stupid and filled at my same pharmacy and the pharmacist thought he/she was real smart and told both, but in the end, I was not in trouble because. 1.hydrocodone was not working, I had to have something stronger and 2. right before surgery I wanted to taper as low as I could go on hydro. so I wouldn't have a high tolerance level. They did not like that I forgot to tell them about each other, but I wrote a long letter with facts and information supporting what had actually happened. Anyway, it was a long story that I tried to shorten. Also, I was prescribed darvocet once and was green from nausea, so the doctor prescribed hydro. at the same time. Anyway, there are all sorts of situations out there that are not necessarily illegal. Basically, lying to more than one doctor to get the same medication for the same condition is not tolerated at all. Be careful!
AP
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If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly!
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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Thanks. My local docs seems to be ignoring me, so I don't have much to lie to them about! I was only hoping to get some relief until my NWW comes through, but it's not happening. . . Unfortunately I am having to "borrow" a friend's meds to make it through the next couple of days , prayingmy experience with NWW will mirror that of others in the 24 hour arrival pattern.
Thanks everyone. I'm like everyone else here, trying to follow the rules to the best of my abilities and still get my problems taken care of, , ,
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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While getting meds from your doctor which are insufficient and then going to an OP to get some real help is understandable. It might be considered a little unethical, but Im sure a lot of us have done it at one time or another. I wouldn't do that with two different doctors, because the pharmacies have the computers that can see what you are prescribed and by whom...and cause you a lot of trouble. Lets just say that if you have two different scripts from two different docs, use two different pharmacies, and pay cash. I have done that when the ER doc gave me a script for 10 on Friday night for an injury and then my doc saw me on Monday and gave me a better supply. That is really not double dipping, and you using an Op is like that situation. I always wonder if Im breaking the law when I use an OP. I use them for adequate breakthrough meds. MY doc is giving me a three month methadone trial. Its a very low dose-5mgs, and all I am allowed is three a day. I get Ultram for breakthrough pain. That does nothing. So I use an OP for hydro- which works wonders with the methadone. I have tried asking my doctor for this combo, but he won't have it. He just writes me another script for an antidepressant or other weird med like methotrexate (for fibro?!!) So I am going to my PCP and getting a referral to a pain clinic. Then I probably won't be able to use OP's since they make you sign a contract. I just wouldn't feel right about that. But if they won't medicate me, then I will use Op's for my pain control.
Q
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toky20
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/17/02
Posts: 1347
Loc: Windy Place
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Quote:
If I get my OP consult tommorow and get prescribed,
but then also see my regular doc later to get an MRI referral and (If I'm lucky) 10 little vicodins or something, am I double dipping?
Yes. Assuming, of course, from your posts, that you don't plan on telling the OP or the local doc that the other one just prescribed the same type of med for the same condition.
Take Care,
Toky
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PrivateRealm
Threadhead
Reged: 03/18/03
Posts: 879
Loc: usa
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I went to the ER yesterday, was actually taken in an ambulance, and they gave me 10 5mg Lortab. Yeah, those really lasted long. Luckily I got me ERX refill of 10mg's today, so I will be all set for tomorrow. I think that if you use your doc, and then an OP, you are fine, as there is no problem with insurance and pharmacies.
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KeriAnne~~~
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."
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Boobetty
Veteran
Reged: 12/30/01
Posts: 626
Loc: The windy City...Boo:)
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Quote:
Then I probably won't be able to use OP's since they make you sign a contract. I just wouldn't feel right about that. But if they won't medicate me, then I will use Op's for my pain control.
I signed one of those and I still don't get the meds I need...hence OP's...it's very scarey indeed but what can a person do...boo
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living with pain is not living at all. Boo
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 764
Loc: Texas!
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If you're worried about it, why not get the OP meds and then not fill the one from your doc? Then, technically, you're not double dipping.
Oh, btw, sorry for all your troubles. I watched my dad go through massive back problems and it just broke my heart!
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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Well, I should not be surprised that this was not an issue of concern at all. We all know how doctors are about prescribing medication for pain. Luckiliy I at least saw the doc I've been seeing for a long time rather than the back specialist who believes that his time is more important than anyone else's and believes he farts rainbows. He didn't prescribe anything, like I said, but he was compassionate about my bed experience with the back specialist and agreed to take the time to write out my prescriptions for durable medical equipment (lumbar-thoracic brace, portable TNS, lumbar traction) in a way that my insurance company will cover them. Unlike the other doctor who pitched a fit and yelled at me over the phone for not having gone out and purchased these items, saying that my difficulties in getting them were ridiculous and not responding to the new injury at all.
Sometimes just plain old compassion works pretty well, especially when it's you know you have a fed ex waiting at home.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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Boobetty
Veteran
Reged: 12/30/01
Posts: 626
Loc: The windy City...Boo:)
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Quote:
Sometimes just plain old compassion works pretty well, especially when it's you know you have a fed ex waiting at home
giggle...that is what I am saying too...hope your feeling better now...Boo
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living with pain is not living at all. Boo
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