Good Evening...
I am (almost) lost for words.
(I owe you BIGTIME if you can even get through the whole sordid mess)!
I know a lady that goes to the same pain center that Casey and I do.
She is a very nice lady. Well, unless you cross her. hehehe
(I really HAD to include that- As a show of deep respect and admiration).
She went in yesterday to get her prescriptions renewed for another month.
* Note:
If you have never gone to a pain management specialist doctor, you must go in every 30 days to have your pain meds refilled.
Upon your arrival to the clinic, they have a questionnaire for you to fill out, about 5 pages of different stuff.
You MUST fill every page completely.
I respect that they have you do this- Not for their own culpability, but to refresh the patients mind also.
One of the pages states something to the effect of, "I know it is harmful & dangerous to abruptly discontinue the use of these medications without doctor recommendation, supervision and guidance."
You must check each box that you have read it each time.
You must sign every page etc etc etc.
Thus begins her visit... Normal so far. hehehe
* Another Note:
She does not see her regular NP, rather an extra they have. New perhaps?
She indicates how much pain she has still been having- She is on extended~release morphine, in addition to something else for her breakthrough pain. I believe it is either oxycodone or vicoden.
This NP "ups" the morphine claiming that it "is less addictive" than her other pill that she takes for breakthrough pain; that when she hurts more, she should take an extra morphine pill instead of the other.
I really am at a loss to explain that to her. Hearing this makes no sense to me... But surely they know better than I do?
SO I remain mute. hehehe Really I do.
(Know that I will look it up for her- there has to be something online).
Since she had enough medications to last for exactly 30 days, she has none left. Keep in mind that going off either of these narcotics "cold turkey" as they say, will be dangerous to do.
She takes her 30 day refills prescriptions with her, and off to her pharmacy.
She has gotten these same meds refilled for a long time already, and at the same pharmacy.
They know her on sight, by name, and tell her the meds will be ready for pickup in about 20 minutes.
When she returns, she is told that her insurance will not pay for these medications.
One is $319.+. Another is $250.+, the third is $112.+
She asks, "Why not"
Stating, "They have always done so in the past?"
The pharmacy explains she must contact her doctor and her insurance company, and straighten this out. That they have no idea.
She contacts both places; leaving a message at the doctors office, and being put on hold at the insurance company 3 times for an extended period of time. So the insurance company is basically unreachable. (She was on hold 20 minutes at one point).
The doctors office calls her back. They agree to do any/all interceding on her behalf.
Later, the doctors office calls again, saying that it is all handled and that she will have her meds by that night.
She calls the pharmacy.
Nothing was ready. Nor had it even been approved with the insurance!
She tells them to "please run it again" because she already knows it is approved.
Thinking that she will be fine until morning, she calls back the next day.
Her prescriptions have not been processed, approved, or filled.
Many "pass-the-buck" phone calls later, this is what she knows"
- The doctor tells her that it is in the pharmacy's hands.
- The pharmacy tells her it is in the insurance company's hands.
- The insurance company now tells her it is not a covered drug. (She will not be put through to a supervisor either).
- She has received these same meds many times and they were ALWAYS covered.
- She has received these same meds many times and they were ALWAYS covered.
Again, I am at a loss for words.
She has been going to this pharmacy for her entire life. The pharmacy knows her. They have always gotten their money from her and/or her insurance.
This is a medicare advantage policy by the way.
Medicare Advantage policies are NOT Medicare. They are only a supplemental policy TO Medicare, and have nothing to do with the government.
This insurance company is on the east coast. With another phone call she learns that they apparently have not processed anything for 3 days, and are trying to catch up- The snowstorm put everything back, and they had been closed for those 3 days.
She cannot wait 3 days for her medications! To do so would jeopardize not only her pain, and her well being, but would add some very physical and nasty withdrawals to it.
She asks the pharmacy to please give her enough meds to cover those 3 business days, that she would pay for them herself.
No can do. It's all or nothing.
WHAT?!?
So... Who the hell is lying, and why?
Please know this is not Casey; although she has had her own problems with this clinic- Not ever with the doctor himself, but more specifically with the NP's (Nurse Practitioners). Lord knows the damned doctor doesn't have any time to spend with his patients to be able to piss them off in the 1st place.
Is your mind boggled yet?
This lady is also Native American- Choosing to use CVS instead of the clinic pharmacy because it is much closer to her home.
She calls the tribal pharmacy- Do they have these meds in stock?
Yes.
She calls CVS and asks for her written and signed scripts back, telling them when she would be there to pick them up.
She picks them up- One is written on, (the one she is already sick from withdrawing from), but they have attached a note for the Native Pharmacy to call them.
All is well.
She has her medications. (With a big smile from the pharmacist too)!
- CVS has lost a very loyal customer. Her monthly medications are over $8800.00 annually. Now add in a sickness, or stitches, or a broken bone to that.
- In addition to herself, lose her parents, her children, and grandchildren to add that lo$$ for CVS.
- In addition to herself, lose her parents, her children, and grandchildren to add that lo$$ for CVS.
- My guess is that the pain clinic will lose her also.
- They lied to each other, one telling the other that it was all taken care of and covered.
- They lied to each other, one telling the other that it was all taken care of and covered.
- She will also change her secondary insurance at the end of the year.
Do these insurance companys actually make people withdraw from their meds? Is that even legal?
Or like the one gal said to her, "well lady, we are not doctors!"
Somethings not right!
What's YOUR take?
Whose mess is this?
Is that NP correct about morphine being less addictive than the others?
Know that you are not permitted to be at a loss for words since I already am.
~<;-)
XOXO
Me
Life goes on...
I should not have said "all is well." But she DOES at least have her prescriptions, and that is a relief to her.
It will take some time for these drugs to actually help her again.
You will not like the answer. But I will tell you anyway.This is true only if she is on Medicare though. As of 1-1-2010 medicare no longer pays for a lot of pain meds . I found this out because i take darvocete, They consider that at a certain age the meds are not longer efficient for old people. I am lucky I have a local pharmacy and they do the work for me. They charge my meds and then send a pre authorization request to dr. And so far medicare has okayed all three of my Meds that they no longer pay for.
ReplyDeleteSilly Girl,
ReplyDeleteShe is on Medicare. (She couldn't get any of the "medicare advantage" insurances unless she had Medicare in the first place).
Oh you are very lucky that your pharmacist does that for you!
I know there is an old mom and pop Rexall in Pulaski, but she probably won't go there.
XOXO
me
Do you have a lawyer? That would straighten everyone's ass out for the suit that can be filed for neglect and initiating a dangerous withdrawal in a case that's been taken care of for so long. 2. You might try the doctor's/NP's hospital pharmacy, they're usually quicker on this crap since they have secretaries who chase this kind of glitch all day. 3. ER and have it billed to all the others who caused the problem by not doing their damned jobs. 4. Most hospitals have an officer in charge of medications such as these and for long term and for expensive meds; by filing out a simple piece of paper the hospital itself covers the bill for the meds and anything else that's above and beyond what insurance/medicare/etc cover. It might be at the catastrophic care dept. In any case, that's the person to see for all these problems because they're bull dogs when it comes to this BS.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends is going through this because some of her very expensive meds is no longer covered by medicare.
My guess is that if she didn't have the money to pay for the scripts she won't have the $ for an attorney either.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hassle this has been- She was even crying!
2. I go there also. They do not have their own pharmacy.
3. She should go to the ER? She has the meds, now.
4. Still, if it happens what good would that do? In Green Bay I don't think any of the hospitals have their own outpatient pharmacy.
The lady at the clinic told the other lady it was "all taken care of" and that the insurance had it all approved.
Then of course everybody went home for the night. So one lady there was absolutely lying through her teeth.
(I told her to write a letter directly TO the doctor about this all too).
But you are right, somebody has GOT to do something.
i wish your friend ALL the best! Luck and prayers offered.
XOXO
Me
I am sorry for your friend too.
Rick was on Morphine, liquid and patch, and oxycodone. After his bypass in his leg, he stopped both cold. I find it hard to believe that a NP would tell someone that Oxycodone is more addictive than morphine. How irresponsible.When his Dad was dying of esophageal cancer, his mom had to get the morphine daily because they said it was so addictive they wouldn't allow her to have too much at one time.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to her.
OXOX,
Snotball.
So I take it this NP was wrong about that?
ReplyDeleteit sounded SO wrong to me too.
Which was worse, or did he quit taking them both at the same time?
Is it maybe because her morphine pill is the extended release kind?
(STILL, morphine is morphine, isn't it)?
What was Ricks patch? Was it that fentanyl?
Just nosy
XOXO
me
Things may have changed in the last 10 years but I can't think they have changed that much. About the morphine that is.
ReplyDeleteHe had the liquid morphine, the shot and the fentanol patch all three and stopped al three at the same time. The morphine even all together wasn't enough to take care of his pain so the Dr told his Mom, off the record, to give him an 8 oz water glass of whiskey to enhance the effect of the morphine. The oxycodone made him throw up every three days.
OXOX,
Snotball
I can't say that I know much about the long term effects of any of those drugs, two of them I have taken - but not the morphine. I was always under the impression that morphine was a drug given to people in the late stages of cancer when all hope was gone and more and more was given to kill the pain, but in essence the morphine also kills your organs....so you eventually die from it.
ReplyDeleteHOLY MOLEY! Whiskey too?
ReplyDeleteThat should kill anyone- um, shouldn't it?
All things being right though I am thinking that if you are going to get off the meds, then to quit them all would be right... But then why are there warnings?
I have to sign that paper when I go in too. It clearly states that you are not to stop...
Or maybe that's so you keep going back?!?
That would be SO very wrong then wouldn't it? SO bad!
Like I said though, morphine is morphine, isn;t it?
Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteYikes! This thing gets sicker and sicker somehow.
Even Casey was on morphine at one point. (When it did nothing for her, then she went to the dilauded). I think that is what she is on now post surgery. until she heals anyway
I have never heard of morphine having such a detrimental effect on your organs... (Maybe that was the cancer)? I will also look that up...
XOXO
Me
Well, you know I have been having insurance issues for awhile for Sean. CVS is that pharmacy. To be honest the ppl behind the phones at the insurance company could care less if you are going without medication. They haven't cared about Sean's asthma medication. It boiled down to it was the insurance company. They have one set of phone ppl the pharmacy talk, on set the doctors talk to, and one set that the patient talks to, and their computers don't read the same shiat. So all it takes is one screw up on one of those departments and you can be screwed for days until someone wants to pull their head out of their arses.
ReplyDeletelike I said, I don't know much, but have only knowledge of what I have heard.......I could be TOTALLY wrong! it is just what I have come to believe from hearing other people.
ReplyDeleteoh, I was on that dilauded in the hospital last year with my diverticulitis! we finally figured out it was making me sick and I got the worst awful headaches from it. it's on my medical record now, that I am allergic to it. that's some strong stuff! even the oxycodone that I have taken, I can only take for a few days, because it makes me sick too. but, it does work.
See, now there's clearly another drug that he cannot live without.
ReplyDeleteIf I were you I would push the doctors number. If they give you crap just say you are half blind. (You don't have to tell them it's from rage) hehehe
Damn and triple damnable insurance companies anyway!
So they are stalling everyone? They are killing their own customers with this crap? Go figure!
I swear if I ever have to call them that I am going to push that I am a health provider. (Maybe it'll get me through faster on the drug store line too)?
hehehe
I am sorry you have to go through this also.
XOXO
Me
Casey never got sick from it-
ReplyDeleteBut it sure made her b*tchy (and itchy) when she was on it way back when.
About the oxy-- That is what he gave to me to take for my back.
It doesn't make me sick at all. But I know my back hurts when I don't take it.
XOXO
me
Hi Sweet Mommy,
ReplyDeletePoor Brenda to have to go through all of this... I feel so much for this wonderful woman who has gone through all of this... I don't even know where to begin at all the wrongs that have been done...
The NP is wrong to say that Morphine is less addictive than the oxycodone... The only reason she said that is because the morphine is an extended release tablet, so your body isn't used to getting the repeated doses throughout the day. That does make it easier on the body, but not by much...
NEVER GO OFF OF THESE MEDICATIONS COLD TURKEY WHEN YOU'VE BEEN ON THEM FOR LONG-TERM USE!!!!!
I read up when that dumb b**ch nurse practitioner took me off of the dilauded cold-turkey... The symptoms included: diarrhea, sneezing (from diaphragm spasms), intestinal spasms, anorexia, increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, abdominal cramps, muscle cramps, severe muscle spasms, and the list goes on and on...
These are NOT to joke around about and some of these symptoms, if severe enough, can cause permanent long-term damage or even death... It doesn't happen all the time, but it is severe enough... That is why these pain treatment centers make you sign that paper every time stating that you know that you can have serious complications when going off of these meds...
She could've hospitalized me or done much worse by making me go off of this strong medication cold-turkey and medically unsupervised... All because she just didn't like that particular medication and decided to say that Dr. Sutherland didn't know what was best for me. Sorry lady, but Dr. S has related with me on a much closer level than you EVER will... Dr. Sutherland was more than a little pissed off about this and when I told him who she was he looked at me and said, "She's not even a DOCTOR???"... Sadly, no, she is NOT a doctor... But she sure acts like she knows better than him a lot...
This time we are more prepared. I told Dr. S about this again and he has his nurse coordinator on stand-by if this comes up again... He told me to immediately try to get in to see the actual doctor there, and in the meantime he will call and talk with this person right away... I have faith that I won't be put through that hell again... That was the worst weekend that I went through, having no medical help to get me through it... At least trying to get of the fentanyl, although a tougher drug to get off of, they helped to mask those awful withdrawal symptoms so that I could get through it... The throwing up, severe and uncontrollable spasms in my back and my legs, the fever, the confusion... They helped me get off of that one, but didn't do a damn thing when it came to her little temper tantrum over my treatment...
NOW, as for the medication issue...
Everything is approved through computers in this day and age, so why is it that her scripts weren't filled??? It seems to me that the business out East should've been able to still run their computers... Even if they couldn't, as there are thousands of people out there without power yet, then their business (seeing as how it is crucial to people surviving) should've been taken up by another part of the company and run that way... With medical/prescription cases, there should ALWAYS be a back-up plan so as not to put patients in harm's way when something like this comes up... That's just poorly managed, bad business...
That's even more ridiculous that someone at the pain clinic told her that it was all taken care of!?!? I sure hope they intend to ream her a new you-know-what about that... You do NOT say that something is done unless it is done and you've double and triple checked it... Again, that's just really bad business...
I surely will be keeping her in my prayers and I hope this gets straightened out this time so that she doesn't have to go through it again next month...
I love you MUCH MUCH!
~Casey
All that I've found reading up on it and on the pamphlets I still have from earlier scripts, is that the acetaminophen that is sometimes used in morphine can cause kidney and liver failure... Not the morphine itself... Although in long-term use of any drug there are organ risks, but I didn't find that the morphine can cause a whole lot of damage...
ReplyDeleteI did find, though, that it has a damaging effect to the immune system...
"One study successfully showed that dendritic cells, part of the innate immune system, display opiate receptors. Dendritic cells are responsible for producing cytokines, which are the tools for communication in the immune system. This same study showed that dendritic cells chronically treated with morphine during their differentiation produce more interleukin-12 (IL-12), a cytokine responsible for promoting the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of T-cells (another cell of the adaptive immune system) and less interleukin-10 (IL-10), a cytokine responsible for promoting a B-cell immune response (B cells produce antibodies to fight off infection).[37]"
"Further studies on the effects of morphine on the immune system have shown that morphine influences the production of neutrophils and other cytokines. Since cytokines are produced as part of the immediate immunological response (inflammation), it has been suggested that they may also influence pain. In this way, cytokines may be a logical target for analgesic development. Recently, one study has used an animal model (hind-paw incision) to observe the effects of morphine administration on the acute immunological response. Following hind-paw incision, pain thresholds and cytokine production were measured. Normally, cytokine production in and around the wounded area increases in order to fight infection and control healing (and, possibly, to control pain), but pre-incisional morphine administration (0.1-10.0 mg/kg) reduced the number of cytokines found around the wound in a dose-dependent manner. The authors suggest that morphine administration in the acute post-injury period may reduce resistance to infection and may impair the healing of the wound.[38]"
From here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you are so dang smart- (and that you retain everything you read too).
Sometimes I have to keep going back to reread things. (mostly I am in love with copy/paste).
The withdrawal crap does sound very dangerous. And I thank you for it.
XOXO
Me
more coming, hang on...
That's what I had guessed- That it had something to do with it being extended release and all.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for this too.
XOXO
me
ReplyDeleteI want to go with you to that appointment when you go back there.
Can I please?
Or I will settle for you turning me into a fly on the wall too.
CVS said they wouldn't fill them without a promise of being paid.
ReplyDeleteThe company should have been on that right away.
That is why I asked WHO IS LYING? (above)
wth? The people at CVS know her by name! Do they really think they are that important that she would run away with some $600.00 worth of meds when she has been a longtime customer of theirs? Bunch of doofusses that had better get over themselves. hehehe
I have been on thyroid pills since you were born, and other pills throughout the years, on and off.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking that now somebody ought to define "LONG TERM" ...
XOXO
me
ReplyDeleteI would stick around for more, but I have to go sit for a while again.
Til later everybody!
Love to all
XOXO
Me
I would have done the exact same thing that your friend did... I would have asked for my scripts back and went somewhere else...
ReplyDeleteSadly it's not just CVS that has insurance issues. Wal-Mart is the same way. We had a hell of a time with one of Randall's scripts, an inhaler. The script that was wrote, our insurance wouldn't cover. It took WalMart almost a week to get in touch with the "refill nurse" at the doctor's office to try and change the script to something our insurance would cover... Thankfully he still had an inhaler that the hospital gave him so he didn't go without... But geez it was ridiculous!
been round that same bush more times than I care to count.... it sucks. it is not the "fault" of any of the above...in the end the fault lies with US the american people because we let it happen....
ReplyDeletein the never ending quest for $$$ we have screwed up the entire system... people sue over stupid crap and win (hello millions for coffee spill) and it forces the insurance companies to go completely the opposite way in order to protect themselves....
STUPID circle jerk.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Sorry she had to deal with all that but VERY glad she got her meds in the end...hmmm from a non-government interested party...go figure.
this is why I think she would be a great doctor!!!!
ReplyDeleteUPDATE:
Err this was directed at your reply to Casey...
Anne...I was about ready to believe a drug dealer on the streets would have been cheaper and more accommodating!
ReplyDeleteDon't have a clue how addicting Morphine can or cannot be. I thought all narcotics were addicting but more so to some than others. I guess it depends on your tolerance levels.
I myself have often wondered about the relief one could actually get from marijuana. Not only would it be cheaper but would be a heck of a lot easier to get.
We have been having insurance issues with some of the medicines that Bruce and Drew have to take. BCBS of Alabama(at the time it 1st happened..now we have BCBS of Arkansas) have sent out letters to us concerning the presrciption drug Lyrica.(It was already costing me more than a normal copay amount..it was the copay plus a percentage of the overall cost) It helps them with their diabetic neuropathy. Well we were told that they would no longer be covering the drug and "suggested" alternative medicines for us to discuss the Dr changing their medicines to...WTH! We pay licensed medical professionals to treat us and then some pencil pushing moron in a building sitting on their ass wants to determine what is best for our health care..afraid the F*&% not! Plus Walmart has gone to letting a 3rd party handle the prescription part of the insurance. That sucks because they are hard to reach.
ReplyDeleteI am currently fighting on this one...as the Neurotin(one of the suggested replacements) tends ot make Drew a zombie...and Bruce just decided not to take anything and see if he can get by for awhile without anything.
Its like the time they told me a procedure one of Bruce's Dr's said he needed they said they wouldn't pay for...well when I asked the person on the other end of the phone for their medical credentials...and what states they were allowed to practice in and their state medical license numbers...they started stuttering and back tracking...I told them I took Bruce to a Dr medically license to work in the state of GA. and that if they didnt have a license to practice medicine then how in the hell did they know more than the Dr that had physically examined my husband and came to this diagnosis? Well we paid for the procedure and in a week after the Dr's office filed the claim for the procedure ..I recieved a check for my money back...lol
Sometimes they rely on no one making the effort to fight the system..well they don't know me very well....or they use to not..now they do..lol It kills me to have someone decide they are the supreme know it all...especially when it comes to our health.
Glad your friend got her meds...and that CVS is going to lose some business. Thats what its going to take.
Hope you and Casey and Punk are doing well. The South got some snow today..none here but north of us. They are all going nutty about it..lol We just had rain and cold winds.
i am no expert on pain meds. I know that I take them if I need them. and the pain scale has to be over a 5 and then i take ibuprofen , higher i take darvocete, when it hits 10 I take morphine. If the pain is below 5 I ignore it. for muscles spasms I take valium. as muscle relaxers put me to sleep. I have had no problems with getting authorization of my meds.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar problem with on of my meds that was an "orphan drug". I talked to my docotor about the problem and he wrote a letter to my insurance detailing all the reasons why I WAS on that med rather than the others (side effects, not working, not appropriate, whatever) and that letter worked. My insurance reversed themselves and not only covered the drug, they covered at a "regular copay".
ReplyDeleteGive it a shot, it certainly can't hurt.
Since I have never had to deal with Pain management or had to deal with that kind of stuff.. I dunno, I know I dont have an answer.. other than possibly like your doing and change pharmacies.
ReplyDeleteI was told when JT was in the hospital with his bypass surgery.. that morphine was not additive so he could have as much as he needed. Was that strictly short term info? I dunno.
I do know that insurance companies are the biggest scam in the world .. in my feeble mind and way of thinking. I know they are in it to make money and my problem with them is that they always make money of the sickest and the poorest. Whats bad... and I have noticed something since I no longer have insurance. I get discounts for not having insurance.. which means.. to me anyways.. insurance companies are being over charged from the get go. Its a sad state of affairs.
Now I know Im behind but why isnt she being weaned off the pain killers? Why is she still in pain?
Sweet SlurkieBaby
ReplyDeleteThat is awful- About not being able to get in touch with the nurse. (I might say something TO THE DOCTOR at my next visit if I were you). Sometimes, most times, these doctors don't have a clue as to what goes on.
Be happy at the very least that there even WAS a substitute for him. Many of the drugs do not have a twin- only a cousin; and many times that's not good enough.
Almost more importantly, be thankful he had something to use in the meanwhile
XOXO
Me
It might not be anyone's fault per se, but it is someones fault.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, someone has to know what they are doing, and which end is up at all times.
This passing of the buck, with such arrogance the "it's not MY job" mentality has to stop.
And it is not only these services, but all over...
It begins and ends with caring enough; not only about the money, not only about their jobs, but about others.
So you are right about it being a maddening and vicious circle...
XOXO
Me
hehehe
ReplyDeleteI knew that before you edited your comment.
"Great minds" and all.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteHappy that you, and all the rest that commented. did at least get through it- and with a sense of humor too.
Where my mind went when I read your comment. Just to think about what if she had done that, gotten arrested still needing her scripts filled.
I wonder if the jail would have had better success then?
As far as I am concerned about pot, I always said that if alcohol is legal then pot should be also. But that was before I even knew of all the good stuff pot can do for people with pain, nausea and other medical problems.
It is high time for everyone to get off their high horse about marijuana and make it legal for both medical and recreational purposes.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteSee? This is why we think so very much alike!
I am sorry you are going through this all with your 2 also.
Gawd, does it ever end?
XOXO
Me
You surely are not alone in your fight to get this through to the insurance company. And I am so sorry that you are going through it all-
ReplyDeleteWe are OK, (the three of us), although Casey has some sort of infection right now and has to go in early this morning).
I don't go nutty about snow. I did when I was much much younger... (MUCH). hehehe
XOXO
Me
Darvocet is oxycodone.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had gone to the hospital last August, they gave me an IV with some morphine in it- and also something for spasms.
Now I have valium for the spasms, and I take it when I am having an anxiety attack too.
But when I was given the drug through the IV, it really did make my back feel better.
Now... if you take your meds so sparingly, I am wondering then if you have had a reason to get them refilled yet in 2010?
Because if you haven't you just might want to 'be prepared' as they say.
XOXO
Me
That letter is called something else, and needs to be filled out to have a company go off their list and prescribe it and approve it. (Sorry but I don't recall what it's is technically called).
ReplyDeleteLuck to you both!
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteI have heard others say the same thing. Why then is it a Class II narcotic?
Will have to look that up. Although I do not believe that it is not addicitive.
XOXO
Me
Surely I didn't get into all of the 'particulars' of her case. Her cane poked me (with my cane too). hehehe
ReplyDeleteThere were the usual pleasantries followed by the "what the heck happened to you's?"...
Hers was a car accident.
I would never ask WHY she was still on pain killers or why she wasn't being weaned off of them!
Good grief, I myself understand pain and how crippling it can be.
Happy about the discounts that are available- But I sure hope hope hope you do not have an injury, or need anything medical over and above your diabetes meds, before you get more insurance. Been praying you can get a job soon
XOXO
Me
good thing you can read my mind.... that way I know who to ask what I meant.
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOO
Pea
yeah, there is a name for it....
ReplyDeleteI stay mind boggled with our medicos and their count parts. When we had a problem with CVS, I quietly asked the Pharmacist "Do you know what we more of in this town than anything else? She, I guess expecting a joke said, NO, I answered, "Pharmacies, we have one on almost every corner, and the only reason we come here is because you are the closest, I have no problem moving our business". Customer service is a joke any more. I wish this dear soul well and hope that you are all having a great day. Sorry, I have no great answer for you.
ReplyDeleteIt is explained. And "Uncle Doctor" has the final word.
ReplyDeleteReceived in my email this morning was the following.
Annie, It is my humble opinion that the mess was with the insurance company, mother nature, and the patient. CVS can fill a prescription from the MD if the patient will pay for the meds then and there. The recent snows in the east did cause the ins companies to close, so they could not process Rxs to be paid for by the insurance company who ever it was.
Morphine is less addictive than oxycodone and vicoden. All three are narcotics and regulated highly by the DEA. and state authorities. Oxycodone and vicoden Rxs are closely watched for abuse by patients and doctors. That is why a patient MUST visit the office each month and document their condition before a doctor is allowed to write the RX. Even I must do this with my pain clinic.
There is no reason to be upset with the doctor. Once he wrote the RX his role was completed, as was that of the NP. I have explained the role of CVS. Once they received the RX from the doctor they submitted it to the insurance company, which was closed for good reason , and could not process for their payment. People in NY and Washington, and the east coast don't function in snow as well as folks in Wisconsin, Minnesota or Michigan, and that has to be taken into account, whether you like it or no
Oops. Need to save this info too...
ReplyDeleteI haven't even heard of many of these...
XOXO
Me
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Schedule II controlled substances
Main article: List of Schedule II drugs (US)
"Placement on schedules; findings required
Except.... The findings required for each of the schedules are as follows:
Schedule II.—
(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence." [10]
Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, to an ultimate user, no controlled substance in schedule II, which is a prescription drug as determined under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], may be dispensed without the written prescription of a practitioner, except that in emergency situations, as prescribed by the Secretary by regulation after consultation with the Attorney General, such drug may be dispensed upon oral prescription in accordance with section 503(b) of that Act [21 U.S.C. 353 (b)]. Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of section 827 of this title. No prescription for a controlled substance in schedule II may be refilled.[11] Notably no emergency situation provisions exist outside the Controlled Substances Act's "closed system" although this closed system may be unavailable or nonfunctioning in the event of accidents in remote areas or disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Acts which would widely be considered morally imperative remain offenses subject to heavy penalties.[12]
These drugs vary in potency: for example Fentanyl is about 80 times as potent as morphine. (Heroin is roughly four times as potent.) More significantly, they vary in nature. Pharmacology and CSA scheduling have a weak relationship.
Drugs in this schedule include:
* Cocaine (used as a topical anesthetic);
* Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) & Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) (used in treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder);
* Opium and opium tincture (laudanum), which is used as a potent antidiarrheal;
* Methadone (used in treatment of heroin addiction as well as for treatment of extreme chronic pain)
* Oxycodone (semi-synthetic opioid; active ingredient in Percocet, OxyContin, and Percodan)
* Fentanyl and Most other strong pure opioid agonists, i.e. levorphanol, opium, or oxymorphone;
* Morphine
* Mixed Amphetamine Salts under brand name Adderall
* Lisdexamfetamine under brand name Vyvanse
* Methamphetamine (Desoxyn) Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
* Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
* Pure codeine and any drug for non-parenteral administration containing the equivalent of more than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit.;
* Pure hydrocodone and any drug for non-parenteral administration containing no other active ingredients or more than 15 mg per dosage unit.;
* Secobarbital (Seconal)
* Pethidine (USAN: Meperidine; Demerol)
* Phencyclidine (PCP);
* Short-acting barbiturates, such as pentobarbital, Nembutal (now out of production);
* Amphetamines were originally placed on Schedule III, but were moved to Schedule II in 1971. Injectable methamphetamine has always been on Schedule II;
* Nabilone (Cesamet) A synthetic cannabinoid. An analogue to dronabinol (Marinol) which is a Schedule III drug.
* Tapentadol (Nucynta) A new drug with mixed opioid agonist and norepinepherine re-uptake inhibitor activity.
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*** Parenteral means through an IV. So it stands to follow that NONparenteral would be by mouth? (I think).