Wellness

[Laura14]

Here is a note from the pharmacy where I work:

Effective with the new year, a lot of insurance companies have limited controlled prescriptions to 7 day supply only even if the doctor writes a 30 day.

A guy came in and was told by his doctor to fill it last minute when his current prescription was almost out rather than ahead of time so he would appear legit to the pharmacy.

He did that but the insurance company now limits the refill amount  to only 7 days as their effort towards the opiod crisis.  The doctor has to call the insurance company and ask for 30 day coverage.  This poor guy came in on the weekend and, of course, now has to get reimbursed because he had to pay out of pocket for the full 30 days.

And if you are ever caught out like that, if you accept the 7 day prescription, it cancels the other 23 days.

Moral of the post:  If you have a controlled prescription written for more than 7 days, go ahead and try and fill ahead of time just in case you need time for your doctor to override the insurance company's refusal.      

[Pook]

My SO does and he cannot get it filled even one day early.

[IMW]

It Like most issues, lawmakers use a sledgehammer where a mallet will do. 

Oft times the “cure” creates its own problems, and of course many of us have to suffer with it.

[Desertdi]

It's terrible that everyone is treated as a "potential criminal".................

[Carmie]

It is sad and unfortunate that we have such a big problem with drugs in this country.

Even grandma is addicted.  This is gonna get worse before it gets better.

i get a pain killer for my dog.  I can only get 10 tablets and my dog takes only a half a tablet at a time.  She only gets them occasionally when they are really needed. This,should,last her a year or more...hopefully.

I had a difficult time getting the new RX filled.  The old one expired (date wise) with three refills left on it, so it’s not like I buy them often.

[loveschocolate]

Actually, it depends on your state and what the controlled substance is. As for controlled substances there is schedule 1-5.  For instance, Adderall wouldn’t be a 7 day supply, sleeping meds, anxiety meds, etc. Of course it’s always best to check with your doctor, insurance company and pharmacy. 

[Kachina624]

I got a prescription for a controlled substance this week and it was referred to as a "contract".  I felt like a criminal.  I have to report in person once a month to pick up a new prescription which I must have filled locally.  Its such a hassle, I'll probably soon say, "to heck with it" and just go back to sleepless, pain-filled nights.  I've been taking the same pills, that I found in a drawer, that are 5 years old.  Yep, I'm a real opioid abuser.

[SXMGirl]

I was given a prescription for oxy right after my knee surgery.  What surprised me was that the cost was 53 cents.  No refills, but no worry because I am not taking it.

On the other hand, I signed in to my pharmacy account the other day to check on my anti-inflammatory and the pharmacy had a multiple choice cognitive test for me to take online.  The first question had a list of cars and I had to identify mine.  The second had a list of years and asked how old I would be in 5 years.  There were several other questions about where I lived.

When I went to pick up my prescription today, I asked the pharmacist about it, but she did not know anything about it.  What I really wanted to know was how they knew what car I drove.  Very weird.

[Moonchilde]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I got a prescription for a controlled substance this week and it was referred to as a "contract".  I felt like a criminal.  I have to report in person once a month to pick up a new prescription which I must have filled locally.  Its such a hassle, I'll probably soon say, "to heck with it" and just go back to sleepless, pain-filled nights.  I've been taking the same pills, that I found in a drawer, that are 5 years old.  Yep, I'm a real opioid abuser.

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IMO the true criminality comes in when they put all these procedures in place knowing there is no substitute. Knowing people will be in pain. Knowing there is no alternative. Essentially telling people that if they have pain that is not controlled with NSAIDs then they are just *OOL. 

One is simply not allowed to be in enough pain to require opioids and that’s that, simple, easy peasy - for the doctor.   The patient? The human being in pain? Well, s**rew them, who cares? NO ONE.

Being in pain that is not responsive to NSAIDs just means: you’re lying, you’re a junkie, you’re a defective human being we need to get rid of, it’s your fault. 

Yep, the govt has it easy these days. And as usual, the welfare of human beings is of no importance at all in all of this. Covering the a** so no one can blame you for anything, that’s THE most important consideration. Pain? Not permitted, TYVM.

[Kachina624]

@Moonchilde   I would happily take my very effective NSAID but my GP and a specialist agree that they are effecting my kidneys.  I tried a couple of painkillers with bad results and finally agreed to cut my NSAID use in half, so now were trying to find something for the other half of a 24 hour day.

I don't understand why people become addicted to these drugs; they dont make you high, they dont make you giddy or sleepy.  They just relieve pain.  So why does anyone w/o pain want to take them?