topic Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions) in Community Chat

Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Shorty2U — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:24:49 GMT

CVS says I cannot get my new script because my script is dated from this past Friday (October 3). That I MUST get one dated now. (Well I only see my pain Dr monthly so he writes the script out when I see him with NO refills until I see him again next month)

Why is CVS doing this? Because as of October 6th they said they will NOT take any more of narcotic scripts before October 6 due to new laws in classifying my narcotic pain reliever.

I kid you not. I have my paper right here from CVS. They used to take scripts from 6 months ago!

This is due to a crack down on narcotic pain relievers due to abusers.

Yeah well Im not one of those people! Every single level of my spine is destroyed except the 2 levels where I have plates and screws and I have the MRIs (11 of them over 13 years!) too prove it.

I am a legitimate chronic pain patient for 13 years who lives by the rules and laws. I see my pain team monthly. I only take my medicines as prescribed and I undergo urine tests from my pain team to prove that. I undergo painful shots in my spine all the time.

I have a call into my pain team about this since my script is from Friday. Even though its time for my refill, I DO have extra meds because I DONT over take them and when I get shots I DONT need to take them!

But I feel bad for the many patients who are being turned away because their scripts are before October 6th and need their pain medicines now!

And frankly Im sick of being treated poorly for being a chronic pain patient. Its not my fault people over take their medicine and lie. I don't do that.

I see legitimate Drs and live by the law. In fact I was given a stronger pain reliever the beginning of this year and didn't feel comfortable taking it (due to it making me groggy), so I STOPPED taking it, and went back to my old LOWER dose medicine combination!

And my script is from 5 DAYS ago. Its not old, and Im not trying to get my medicine too soon as its due for refill now.

So they are cracking down on the WRONG people!

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

JuJu Squeezie — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:29:12 GMT

I feel for you. I know this is happening and I know what spinal pain is too. I hope you get some resolution and get your meds.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Cakers1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:29:44 GMT

shorty: My understanding is that the scripts written before this new crackdown, specifically hydro-co-done are supposed to be honored, including refills.

After that it can take up to a month if a new script is written for approval by the state.

While I agree that painkillers are a problem you are right about street abuse for many painkiller drugs. And not always for pain - just for the kick of them.

More baby-sitting, imo. It's up to a doctor to determine who has real pain and who is just looking for a script due to a developing addiction, not the gov't.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Qwackertoo — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:32:02 GMT

NM. I see after re-reading it is a new law in your state.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Suziepeach — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:33:40 GMT

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

151949 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:35:39 GMT

They MUST follow the laws in your state.They don't do these things to make you mad - they are constrained by the law. And the law is cracking down on pain clinics because of the abuses. I can absolutely guarantee you that if you get a 30 day Rx then they can not refill it until that day - and not one day early.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Suziepeach — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:37:37 GMT

Why is my post edited? I didn't say nor do anything wrong..

I deleted my post above,#4 of 8, to the person that had me edited, you should be ashamed- I said nothing wrong.. hope you're happy happy happy..

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

straykatz — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:40:25 GMT

Shorty...please don't take this new law personally....yes they are cracking down on the abuse of prescribed narcotics....and not everyone is abusing them....but you can't expect pharmacies to hand pick who the the right and wrong persons are....nor does the law list who is abusing and who isn't...they are just doing their job.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Cakers1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:41:31 GMT

On 10/7/2014 happy housewife said:
They MUST follow the laws in your state.They don't do these things to make you mad - they are constrained by the law. And the law is cracking down on pain clinics because of the abuses. I can absolutely guarantee you that if you get a 30 day Rx then they can not refill it until that day - and not one day early.

Not always true. I call in scripts up to 5 days ahead and can still get them without being held until the exact day. And that is at CVS.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

Catsy Cline — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:43:01 GMT

I got a paper script once for vicodin and my doctor told me to fill it at the drugstore right away because the paper scripts for controlled medications has a short window and that was 3 or 4 years ago.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

CouponQueen — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:01:08 GMT

There are reasons for these laws and while you state you are not the target..it is for everybody so everybody is faced with the same inconveniences. They can't pick and choose.

I am surprised that if this is a new law your Pain Mgmt Office was not aware of this new requirement going into affect.

It also sounds like CVS is being very proactive and making it across the board.

I would use another pharmacy and explain to that Pharmacy as well as your Pain Team as you call them..why you used another Pharm.

Most states will not allow you five days early every month on a narcotic - other regular non narcotic drugs yes..

As for how you take your medication etc. You don't need to protest and explain to us..we are not questioning you.

It is a huge problem the abuse so unfortunately everybody is subjected to the same laws.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

151949 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:01:31 GMT

On 10/7/2014 Cakers1 said:
On 10/7/2014 happy housewife said:
They MUST follow the laws in your state.They don't do these things to make you mad - they are constrained by the law. And the law is cracking down on pain clinics because of the abuses. I can absolutely guarantee you that if you get a 30 day Rx then they can not refill it until that day - and not one day early.

Not always true. I call in scripts up to 5 days ahead and can still get them without being held until the exact day. And that is at CVS.

Those aren't narcotics.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

GrettaGarbled — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:03:25 GMT

OT- did anyone see This is Life with Lisa Ling? Utah has the highest rates of prescription pain medication abuse. More people die there from overdoses than car accidents. There is a huge underground for heroin to fill the need for people who have been cut off from their legal prescription medication.

The episode was fascinating and sad.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

CouponQueen — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:04:16 GMT

This was headlining as soon as I typed in your state..so I would think your Pain Team would be well aware of this as well as yourself..and doesn't the Pharm's have this up? I found this on my first google search

When the Drug Enforcement Agency announced that hydrocodone combination products, or HCPs, would move from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act, the 22-page rule allowed for pharmacies to recognize refills authorized on pre-October 6 prescriptions.

The rule states that those refills were to remain valid through April 8, 2015.

But in a clash between DEA intentions, state pharmacy laws, and insurance companies, we have learned that nearly all pharmacies will be requiring a new, written prescription for hydrocodone combination products tomorrow, regardless of whether you have refills remaining on a current prescription

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

abbeythe 8th — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:07:47 GMT

The law is the law.

The OP has a lot of problems with her doctors, their staffs and her prescriptions.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

gazelle77 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:09:07 GMT

The new pain pill drug laws will make it much more difficult to obtain pain meds... Thank the abusers out there who use them for their addiction and not for real pain.....

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

nunya — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:11:28 GMT

So you now have to get it filled the day it is written?

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

ROMARY — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:13:07 GMT

Gretta: OMGosh..........I hadn't any idea.......in Utah? Thanks for the info.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

goodstuff — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:14:44 GMT

Certain categories of potent pain medications can't be called in. You have to present a paper script from your doctor. If state laws set limits on the dates/how long such scripts are good, your pharmacist must follow the law. You'll need to get a properly dated script from your doctor and be sure to present the script within the permitted dates next time.

Re: Unbelievable! (prescriptions)

brii — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:15:57 GMT

Maybe I'm missing something. If you follow the guidelines, there won't be any problem?