What's up with the pain medication
I'm not sure if any members are experiencing this butI am. I am a chronic pain patient. I'm seen for back pain a long with many other issues.
I get a prescription for morphine , used twice a day for 30 days. That medication has been out of stock for over two months here. I also have had problems with 10/325 hydrocodone. They limit my prescriptions to 120 per month. It's also difficult to get. Is anyone else experiencing these issues? Please advise.
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Hello,
I had a 3 level fusion 34 years ago. And was labeled with “fail back syndrome”, something like that. Anyhow chronic pain ever since even with a morphine pain pump implanted and running 24/7. I know the pain doctors are there with great insight on how to help you, but if you have not had or are not living with chronic pain 24/7, all of the educational insight does not cut it. I have been on OPIOIDS for 32 years, they help to take a little of the edge off, but that’s it. I finally was seen my a Neurosurgeon surgeon that after looking at all of the scans and X-rays pointed out how really messed up my back is. He laid out a plan and I for once can look forward to less pain, maybe almost no pain. It just sucks that if a provider one is seeing does no have the “skill or knowledge “, then why not refer you to a specialist that “does”!! Take care
@koneil I do mail order for my pain meds. Current DEA rules require doctors to reorder narcotic pain meds every 3 months. If you were prescribed morphine 2x a day you’d receive 60 pills/month. For hydrocodone 10/325 you received 120 pills and I presume you doc prescribed it as one to two pills up to 4x daily as needed. The pharmacy will not give you more than what was prescribed. When starting new narcotics pharmacies will typically require a pre-authorization from the physician showing why you need it. It a formality to CYA for the pharmacy and doctor and a hassle but manageable.
Have had problems filling MS Contin generic on and off for months. Finally in August totally unable to get. My doctor changed me to Xtampza, which is OK but it is kind of a pain to take as you have to always take it with a "fattty food" for it to absorb correctly. Hope the morphine shortage is fixed soon. Hope everyone doing as well as they can!
The shortage continues here in Texas. The doctor switched my medication from morphine ER 30 twice daily to xampza 18 ER. Although I found it easier to find, it sells for $183.00. The morphine ER worked better as well at $45.00 per month.
I guess its better than going through withdrawals once a month. I am retired on a fixed pension, so the $143.00 dollar differance hurts. I guess now I can have my pain reduced, but I have to eat peanut butter the whole month.
Between Sec. Kennedy's stupidity and our failing health care system, I definitely fear for the future of this country.
Also, I had no idea Xampza had to be eaten with fatty foods. I'm not a fatty food guy. Where is this information posted?
Take care,
KO'Neil.
It's on the Xtampza website and my pharmacy put on my Rx label as well. Without a meal of some kind, preferably high fat, you don't get the full absorption, thus missing full effect of the medication.
I'll check it out. Its rare that I dont have food in my stomach.
Thank you for the heads up.
I was too...until my 90day UA (compliance). Dr said, one or the other..well, has to be the one, the other isn't near strong enough to ease the chronic pain, just helped with the insomnia.
I don't use any narcotics now. Just the medical marijuana. Maybe some tylenol.
I can't have advil or anything like that.
It works for me.I'm sorry, it only helps with your sleep.
I agree 100%. I am in severe pain every moment of every day.
To get my pain medication, My husband and I have to see a nurse practitioner once a month for refills. However it gets so expensive that can not continue. I am breaking my pills in half and taking that and have no relief until the next visit just for a refill that they know I need.
They have total control of a person!