@SahmIam wrote:
@Lindsays Grandma Like anything else it seems, this really varies from state to state, doctor to doctor.
My son is on extremely high level of opiates; I have morphine in pill and patch form as well for when what he is taking isn't enough. Of course, this means I have to sit by his side and monitor his breathing for hours due to what this combo can do to the body. Medical marijuana is something he wants to try (as do we as it may help) but.....there are issues.
He has tried the Rx which insurance pays for and is the ONLY MM that a commercial pharmacy will dispense (Giant, CVS, Walgreens, etc) and that's IF the company/pharmacy wants to dispense it. Where I live, the pharmacy manager and the store can choose NOT to dispense specific drugs (opiates and Medical Marijuana aka MM) in particular. The reason is two-fold: theft (gun and knives drawn on the employees) and simply don't agree with it (personal objection). Beyond that, we would have to travel out of state....until 2 months ago.
Currently, we have one facility that works with those who qualify for MM. However, there are issues: someone mentioned the dosage. You really don't know how much you're getting and if th person is doing it correctly despite all the education they're supposed to have...it's not regulated like drugs from your pharmacy. Then there is the type you can get: gummies, loose (to go into food you may make), vape, lollipops, etc. This varies as well. Some places won't allow you leave their dispensary with it so you have to take it there. Do you know how much time you're going to spend driving back and forth? Or, it's a small amount they'll give you...again, time driving back and forth. Then there is the cost....
The facility we can use is NICE. VERY nice. Which means BIG OVERHEAD. Who do you think pays for that? Yep, the patient/customer and it's NOT covered by insurance.
Last, your doc may want you off all your meds due to side affects. But, that may not be possible due to withdrawal and then day to day survival due to the pain.
Overall, it's a GREAT idea but the execution of it....not so great. So far, other than the Rx from the pharmacy (which did NOTHING but make him vomit), my son has not gone down that path. He has his card, we've visited the facility (lovely crystal chandeliers, leather furniture, etc) but that's as far as it's gone.
This is one of those things where I believe it depends 100% on the individual situation. I wish you all the success in the world and hope you find some answers and relief. It's a horrible way to live. I know.
I don't know where you live but it sure sounds like Florida. We spent several months in Orlando two years ago and getting pain medication was a nightmare. I witnessed pharmacies that refused to fill prescriptions while the patient stood there in pain. Than there were pharmacies that only had a small supply of the pills, they would not keep large amounts in the pharmacy. It was awful and my heart ached for the people who couldn't get their medication. I can't take morphine, it makes me throw up, I am on Oxycodone and the Fentanyl Patch. The main problem is that pain doctors are terrified to prescribe more than a certain amount because the DEA might shut them down. I have been taking pain medication since 2000 when I had my first failed back surgery and I never had and never will take more than what I am supposed to but those who chose to, have made life very hard for those like me. I am sorry, didn't mean to make this so long, I get carried away when on this subject. I wish your son well and will pray for him.
The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam
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