Is she breaking the law Dr. Shopping?

[mamav]

My niece had a car wreck 4-5 years ago, lots of broken bones. She has been on pain killers since. Her behavior is erratic. She has accidents like falling and thinks she's having a heart attack has to go to the E R every week it seems, she has mood swings, stomach ulcers, and memory loss. She goes to different doctors and has several pain meds, like oxycodone, hydracodone, Alprazolam, Amitriptyline, and Naproxen all from different doctors. She recently ran out and her doctor refused to give more, she was asking all her druggy friends for pain meds and even sent her 10 yr old to beg for some from me, which I don't have. She's on tenncare so I guess the drugs are free. Now she is planning on going to a new doctor. from the information given to you, is she an addict, and a dr. shopper? Oh, about 5 years ago she had her kids put in foster care because she was a meth addict. Is it possible that the pain she is constantly in is from this 4 - 5 year old car accident? or is the pain from the addiction to the pain med? When they start to wear off, she has to take more.

[homeisJax]

I don't doubt she feels pain.... In fact, her addiction to pills is making her hurt worse....  The pain that an addict feels is much greater than if she wasn't an addict....  There is a new medication that will help her detox without exp. those horrid w/d....  She will thank you in the end she will let you help her get clean....  I spent over a decade in horrid pain and on very strong meds and very addicted and depressed....  I knew I couldn't live without them, the pain was too great....  Not so...  With some family intervention and ready to get off them myself, I was saved....  I still have pain and sometimes great but nothing like before and my head is clear..... I'm no longer depressed and having a healthy state of mind helps deal with pain.....  Good luck and while it's difficult not to judge, be patient and know that it's the meds working, not her....  Sheri

[sue41]

You really need to do some research on doctor shopping and the punishment if caught.  Show this to her and pray that it works.  I don't know about your state, but ours "Louisiana has the narcotics tracking in place and it is so easy to find people who are abusing the law.  Doctor shopping can fall under several different categories and each has some stiff penalties.  Good luck with it.  She probably will be resistant at first, but please don't give up.  Keep on, you know that she needs you and one day she will realize this as well.

Prayers 4 you and your family,
Sue

[liscamdave]

Let me start off by saying that I am an addict, have been for 4 years and am now clean. And as an addict I have tried eveything out there to get pills. An addict will try to use a paper cut as a means to get pills. They will do anything and say that anything hurts to get pills. Yes to your questions, she is an addict and is dr. shopping.  She needs help. Sooner, rather then later, they will catch on to her and no dr will write her anything. And she will suffer some pretty hefty w.d with that laundry list of meds. Be carful. She needs help. We are here for you..

Lisa

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

She is addicted to the pills, she is breaking the law, and she is taking a dangerous cocktail of medicines - what was the question?

The mood swings, panic/anxiety attacks, and cognitive loss are all signs of withdrawal - there are probably others that you arent catching. Sounds like she is stuck on that merry go round of abuse withdrawal abuse etc.

[Penelope14]

She is very much a addict, & will find herself in big trouble if she continues this cycle of doctor shopping, she will end up being red-flagged in the medical system, & then if & when she really needs help, she will find herself, out of luck & really in trouble, & the medical community will be very cautious treating her. I know someone who did this, & now he has trouble even getting a asprin from his doctor, she needs to stick to one doctor & get some help.

[cathy5841]

i would say it sounds like she is definately addicted.  and the dr shopping is against the law.  problem is if she dont want help you cant help her.  maybe you could get her on the forum to read some of the info here and open her eyes.  good luck to you and we are here for you.  please keep us updated.
cathy