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← Return to Opiate Pain Medication
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Hi, I’m currently on Xtampza which is a long acting opiate and I’m on opioids three times a day for breakthrough pain. I have severe degenerative stenosis of the spine and I’m currently becoming a full quadriplegic from the cervical area. I’ve already been a person with three spinal fractures and have herniation from almost every cervical too thoracic and from T 11 down I’m herniated with cord compression and complete mobility from the waist down. The only thing that gets me through every day is the pain medication, which like somebody said before gives me a few hours of relief. I had a good compression in 2001 of C5 to C7 due to arthritis that was undiagnosed for one year. So I’m already using pain medication for that many years ago. It was difficult some years back to get pain medication if you switched pharmacies but now it has become impossible. As of June 1, CVS Walgreens, Walmart, Publix and all two little local pharmacies completely stopped writing prescriptions for opioids for several pain doctors not that they did anything wrong. My doctor was never written up, brought up for any reason and has been practicing in the same town for 25 years but because of the shortage of pain medicine doctors for chronic pain, he’s one of the only doctors that sees patients so his practice is tremendous so many patients in the county get their medicines from these local and national chains now because the pharmacies are no longer giving out the medication I was forced to go to a national male or a company. But as you may know with mail away prescriptions, take time to get received in the mail and with the law in the state of Florida opioids can only be dispensed after 28 days so there is a gap of about one week where I will not have any medication and I’m completely panicked because I don’t know what to do. Does anybody know about laws in Florida or anybody involved with any lawsuits for this or any reason? If so, please let us know.
Replies to "Hi, I’m currently on Xtampza which is a long acting opiate and I’m on opioids three..."
I am sorry, that other person would ask you a question like that. She doesn't realize how lacking in empathy or your condition. She asked in a kind way, but THIS is why we are in the predicament we are in - because people either DON'T take it seriously OR there is abuse in the system. Here are my thoughts:
Contact your congressional representatives RIGHT AWAY. They can do a lot on your behalf. Here in California they do and can. But, I know FL is kind of a surreal place. Here, they would help greatly. Second thing is discuss with your doctor the situation exactly as you've written it here. NO ONE should go without their medication because of a systemic "GAP." Shameful. Usually the doctor will write a supplemental prescription OR they can write an additional pill into your day. So for one month you have an increased dose and then go back to regular dose and you'll have an extra 4 weeks for 4 months and do it again. I would be panicked if I were in your shoes. I had a change of my opioid and no one seemed to care I was without medicine for 2 WEEKS!!! I would have... I don't know what... but I didn't have to because I have accumulated a couple extra weeks over a few years just for cases like this or if we have an earthquake or another shortage. So sad the way we get treated, eh? And if those ideas don't work, find a probono attorney and sue. No one should be made to "SUFFER." That is the word I use which gets everyone's attention. Tell them you are suffering because of this problem. They are causing you emotional suffering. You can't sue however, until you figure out WHO should be held accountable for your suffering.
I go to pain management clinic. They have more relaxed laws than private doctors. I've been under their care for over 10 years. I live in Florida. I see my doctor every 2 months. He sends 2 scripts over. One to fill, one on file that I fill about a month later. I take them 3 to 4 times a day. It was also publix that offered to give me ER morphine when I was diagnosed with cancer in Feb instead of increasing the number of pain pills. I've never had a problem with publix filling my scripts. See if your doctor is willing to refer you to a pain management clinic. If you have the paperwork to back up your issues then there shouldn't be a problem. I've had back issues too for years. My thighs already get numb if I stand too long in one place. I can't lie on back in bed because that makes them numb too. I'm so afraid one morning I'll wake up and not be able to move or worse, my legs just give out and I hit the floor and can't get up. I have neuropathy in my fingers and toes but it's hard to know what's the result of the chemo and what's related to my back.
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Are you not a candidate for surgery