Drug store ?? | Arthritis Information

 

I was diagnosed w/JRA when I was 5 years old, and now, some 50 years later, I have had 3 hip replacements, 1 shoulder replacement and just yesterday I found out I desperately need a new knee.  (The knee pain has become excruciating, requiring me to use a walker or crutches at all times)  My rheumy had me taking Lortabs for pain for quite awhile, but they have no become ineffective, even when I take 2 at a time, as he suggested.  Yesterday, when my rheumy saw how much pain I was in, he wrote a rx for timed-release Oxycontin and Percocet for break-through pain.  Here's my question:  I just picked up my Lortab refill last week, and still have quite a few left.  I'm afraid that if I take these 2 new rx's in to be filled, they'll question me re "too much pain med", or say "Well you just got your Lortabs filled, didn't you?"  Maybe I'm just paranoid......I DO NOT doctor shop, or take meds unecessarily, and sometimes feel like a "street junkie" when I need my pain meds.  Does this make sense - does anyone else ever feel this way?  Should I just take the scripts in to be filled - I'm so anxious to see if this gives me the pain relief I need........or should I use my Lortabs, even though they don't work!, and THEN get the new ones filled?  HELP??  Thanks for reading and responding.............

Dogmom
Don't feel bad because you need pain relief.  If anyone should feel bad it's the people that question you after 50 years of RA.  I've had it for 24 out of 32 years of my life.  I had both hips replaced at 29 and was given an rx for Lortab.  They never did much for me either.  It's hard to get pain meds here in WVa because of the abuse of narcotic pain pills in the state.  Most local clinics and hospitals won't even give prescriptions for them anymore.  I know the clinic where my PCP is won't even take patients for the management of chronic pain. 

Thanks for your rapid reply Bob.  So very sorry that you too, have suffered with this miserable disease since childhood.  I guess you're right re the insurance payments - but I'm at the point where I'm willing to pay for the meds out of my own pocket, on the hope that they will work.  (I certainly don't plan on taking these meds for a prolonged period of time:  just until I can get my life, home, family and finances organized for this surgery........)  Hope tomorrow is a good day for you.............

Dogmom
Not a problem, glad if I could help.  Bobdon't worry about it. just fill the prescriptions. If they say anything, refer them to your doctor.please do not worry, just fill your medicines.  alot of time medicines quit working and the doctor has to give a new prescription.  get it filled try this see if it helps at all.  they can not judge you they are not you.  trust me they would be layed out in the floor with the pain you have had to deal with.  hold your head up high and get your new meds!  you are taking them to walk not get high....duh!   wonderwomanThe pharamacist's job is to dispense the medicine, not question the doctor or patient. If they want to double check they will call the doctor.

Sorry you're having so much pain. I hope you get relief soon.If your prescriptions were written by different doctors, then perhaps the pharmacy might raise an eyebrow, but since the scripts are from the same doc, your RA doc, you shouldn't have a problem. 

I hope the new pain meds help you manage the pain until you have your knee surgery.  My knees and hips were quite bad and painful, but after joint replacements, it was quite amazing to be able to walk, sit, move again, without pain.  Good luck to you.
I agree with the others.  If it were the lortab you were re-filling before time, they question you.

I used to have a time trying to refill my daughter's seizure meds, klonopin and lamictal.  I guess they thought I was selling them or taking them myself. she sometimes ran out too soon if I dropped one -- depending on where it dropped, I was not putting it in her mouth, or if I needed to divide one or whatever the reason. rarely she would fall short only 1 or maybe 2 pills. I had to get an attitude about her having a continuous seizure before they gave me the 2 tablets. so the same rx -- yes, but a new med you shouldn't have a problem.

I can't stomach the pills.  I have rx and leftover medicine for oxycodone. but can't use them without becoming bedridden from the nausea but it;s what they like to give you in the er.  and what if you needed to refill the lortab too soon, I personally think it is the least they could do for you if you are in chronic severe pain from RA or its cousins.  There is no cure for these crazy autoimmune diseases, and sometimes the RA meds don't work, even then the pain meds barely make you function in some cases, so it isn't like you are taking the pills needlessly, floating on cloud nine somewhere. most chronic pain suffers are just trying to function. it seems their solution is to let you suffer in pain until they find ra meds that work or else you get labeled drug seeking. It makes absolutely no sense to me. but then much of this disease and how it is managed makes no sense to me.

 

 

Thanks everyone, for your thoughtful replies.  I don't know why I let silly things like this bother me??  I'm a grown woman, for heaven's sake!!  You'd think by now I'd have developed a "tougher skin"?  I'll probably go to the drug store today - but might take my husband with me for moral support!!!   Thanks so much!!

Dogmom
woman!! Do what you must!  Get the scripts the DR prescribed and get relief (at least I hope it brings you relief!!)