Anyone know about CA state law, Red flag? Vicodin

[wanttogetbetternow]

Okay, so I am freaking out here. I have had an issue with Pain pills for a few years, on and off, but mostly on for 2 years, and used more than 1 Dr. Different norco, lortab, vic, etc. Started because of my pain as always, and then escalated to tolerance, and now I believe addiction. I never wanted to go higher than lortab, even though offered Perc, I said no to my PM dr and my regular Dr also prescribed because I would run out and didn't want to face withdrawal.I didn't know it was bad at first, but then realized it was.  Yes, I know this is bad, and I am scared out of my mind. My Dr.s are refusing to refill and said it's a new state law. One Dr, said he received a letter with all my prescriptions, etc. Does anyone know what happens from here. I am going to see him and fess up and tell him the truth and get help. Meanwhile I will be withdrawing. I have a beautiful family, 4 children and great career. I can't afford jail time or anything. I don't know what is going to happen. Is it best to go see him and fess up. He already told me, he knows about the other Dr.s and it's awful what he read. But wants to see me in person to discuss. Anyone relate? HELP. Scared to death!!!!!

[LeaAnn807]

You absolutely HAVE to go in and be honest.....for your integrity and to keep him from further reporting you.  Don't let this go, because you are afraid.  He obviously isn't too mad or he would have just had a letter sent to you saying that you were dropped from his care completely.  Tell the truth, ask him for help and advice and go from there!

[dominosarah]

The truth will set you free~

[kyle505]

It sounds like your doctor is willing to help you, otherwise he wouldn't have set aside time to talk with you. And this all sounds like a blessing - you are an addict and on the road to serious health & life issues. The amount of your daily pill intake is pretty high, and would just get worse over time.
So, go to your doc - confess and ask for help detoxing.
When I started my detox a year ago, one of the first things I did was tell my doc that I'm an addict; I didn't say "I have a problem with pills", or "I abuse meds", or "My system is used to the meds now so that's why I need more". That's all BS, and if you try that on your doc he'll see right through you. My doc is now one of my biggest supporters; sent me a congrats email on my one year anniversary.
Anyway, this is what he said to me about coming clean, and I'll leave it with you...
"Good for you. Very few people can admit that they have a problem, and fewer still will ever do anything about it".

[meg321]

I think the laws have changed a lot this year due to people abusing drugs, opiates etc.  I was getting mine from two Drs but everyone knew, my Drs got list of all my meds everytime I had an appt.  I do have a lot of meds due to all my health issues.  

Its not like I was hiding anything..I have the same insurance co and the same pharmacy.  Plus they all know I am trying to taper off the norco.  Oh, and, I have gone to the Headache Clinic and Pain Clinic at UCSF.

I called my MS Dr yesterday regarding my norco  and the nurse who answered was "shocked" and said she would have to talk to the Dr.  I was "shocked" that she was "shocked"...LOL

I am sure you will be okay, just be honest with them.

Good luck, meg

[Ballgame]

Once a year insurance companies mail out a list of prescriptions (norcos). That might the list sent to your dr

[weaver71]

Our jails in Cali are full of real criminals. People who admit that they lost control and need help, usually get it. You are one of millions in Cali who have done what you have. All our jails would be full of opiate addicts, if they arrested everyone scamming opiates. It sounds like you have a life, the doctor knows that. I would be totally honest, but make that appointment asap. Do you have someone to give the pills to for a taper? Start forming a plan to discuss with your doctor, he's not a cop. Go to an NA meeting and tell him what you thought of it. Just be honest for a change, it will benefit you in the end. Form a plan to get clean, not stay out of trouble.  Mintyfresh is right, focus on recovery. Humble pleas for help go a long way concerning opiates.

[overopiates]

go ti that dr tell the truth get some help.THATS WHAT HE WAS SAYING COME IN I WANT TO HELP.No I dnt think u have a thing to worry avout as far as getting in legal trouble.U would know by now but that doesnt mean ok welll no trouble im ok it should mean u got lucky have an amazing opportunity to get help and a dr who clearly wants to help u.Most would have said im done u no longer a patient good bye this one sounds concerned u r lucky dont miss the opportunity.

[Mintyfresh79]

Yes the DEA has really close eye on all controlled substances that are prescribed. That's a big reason why I had to stop. Last thing I need. Just be really honest with the Doctor and tell him everything. Most doctors won't have you arrested and I'm not sure that they have that right. Like my Doctor told me of someone that was calling in his own prescriptions and he told me that he didn't report him because it'snot his job to do that but the police. So I think yes the Doctor could report you if they wanted to but it's kinda of unlikely they would. I think the Pharamcies have more control on that. They would file a report with the DEA or get in contact with me but don't focus on that now. I think you are just scared and working yourself up. I did the same thing until I got fed up and said if they wanna arrest I don't care! lol I can just start my clean time in jail...but no seriously your main focus now should be to tell your doctor everything and hopefully can come to some sort of comprise. The doctor did the same thing to me. Wouldn't let me refill I would have to visit. It got so bad that he wouldn't even give me monthly scripts anymore and I would have to go see him every two weeks. I called it quits after that BS..kinda was a blessing in disguise I think.

Some people do well with a taper others can't control themselves to stick with it. Sooo stop worrying yourself about the DEA. Trust me you are the last person on their radar. Between Mexican drug cartels and Opium coming from Afghanestien I doubt they know you exist. Focus on how you are going to get better :)

[wanttogetbetternow]

I took up to 18 a day, and now down to 14 a day, give or take a few. Mostly Norco. I am so scared. THe Dr got on the phone and said, I received a report from the state and you filled your prescriptions from a couple Dr.'s last month, so i'm cancelling your refill. Then he said, this is unhealthy for me and bad for all. He said he would like to see me and talk in person to see what I'm going to do. Don't know what that means.... What I'm going to do, as in, maybe report it, or will he just drop me, no taper, withdraw cold turkey. I will withdraw CT if it means no trouble. OMG, so scared. Seeing him in a few days. He said, he's cancelling my refills and to make an appt with the front desk is all. I didn't have to, I thought about it, and then though I should call and make an appt, otherwise maybe he will report me to the police, if not already. Since the DEA handles everything in CA, which I am just learning from reading posts, etc. Doing research. Wish I knew this before. Scared. Stressing, and don't know what to do.

[Mintyfresh79]

Hi and welcome to the forum! I think being honest with your doctor will help your situation and avoid any troubles. I totally hear you about being addicted. We all start taking narcotics for real reasons but just because the nature of the drug we build a tolerance to it so we need more of it to get the same effects. Don't be too upset or down on yourself. None of us set out when we took the first pill to become an addict.

I would say to go see the doctor, fess up and see what he recommends. If he's nice and compassionate he will put you on a taper plan. If he's just a jerk he could discharge you and give you nothing. I faced a similar situation. I was refilling my vicodin a week early most of the time. Sometimes I managed to do it two weeks early. Eventually they caught on and told me that's it, you have to wait two months for your next refill because the pharmacies go by certain time periods for controlled substances. In michigan they have something called MAPPS that records all the prescriptions you get and from what doctors. It was stressful for me that period of my life. Fighting with the pharamcy, fighting with the doctors office. That's what made me stop. I figured I would eventually end up in jail or questioned by the police. Like really I was finishing 120 pills in two weeks. I had to stop.

So yes stop now while you still have everything. Tell people that you close to what's going on. Post on this forum. There's so many great people that will help you , guide, encourage or just hear you vent.  Also some info that might help us is how much are/were taking of vicodin?