Dropped

[Zharon]

Let me start by saying... I had no idea what I've been doing was as serious or illegal as it seems to be. I admit I have been using two pain management drs a month for a while. I have numerous ailments and 4 norco a day just wasn't enough after my sons died exactly 2 years apart. So today I went in fir refill & my doctors started screaming at me telling me I could get him arrested... He should call the cops... Get out don't ever come back... So am I in big trouble? What will happen when I go to my other dr. How do I get my meds now.

[bonnie6901]

I would add that your pain was exacerbated by the loss of your sons, and that you are willing to seek counselling for that. Yes, we do have to almost beg for forgiveness  for our pain.

[backhurtz]

A word of caution for all of us living with chronic pain. It IS ILLEGAL and can cause serious legal consequences to obtain prescriptions for opiates from more than one doctor.
Opiates are meant to treat physical, debilitating pain, not emotional pain, and we, as patients need to keep the differences in focus when using pain medications. Otherwise, we risk loosing access to them.
In todays anti opiate environment, we need to make sure we are holding ourselves responsible for using medications properly.

[backhurtz]

A word of caution for all of us living with chronic pain. It IS ILLEGAL and can cause serious legal consequences to obtain prescriptions for opiates from more than one doctor.
Opiates are meant to treat physical, debilitating pain, not emotional pain, and we, as patients need to keep the differences in focus when using pain medications. Otherwise, we risk loosing access to them.
In todays anti opiate environment, we need to make sure we are holding ourselves responsible for using medications properly.

[philnoir]

Zharon, I understand your predicament. I do not know what will happen.

In today's pain management environment, acquiring pain prescriptions from multiple doctors, a practice called "doctor shopping", is a serious offense and can be grounds for immediate dismissal from that doctor's care.

If you live in the US, you should be aware that 49 out of 50 states now have prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) in place for all controlled substances. This is a database available to doctors, pharmacists, and law enforcement that lists everyone who fills Rx for pain medication, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, etc.

These expensive systems were designed solely to prevent doctor shopping.

Many doctors check the PDMP via a computer terminal to see if their patients are acquiring medications from multiple docs.

There still exist some compassionate physicians who will explore the issue with you. There are others who will treat your pain but insist that you follow the rules completely. If you need to search for a new doctor, it is wise to disclose that you broke the rules, and you now understand the damage that you did, both to your relationship with those doctors, and to yourself. You were deceitful, and no one, doctor or not, likes that.

While the reason for your doctor shopping is clear -- your pain was not being adequately treated by your original doctor. This can be a mitigating factor, but most doctors will want to explore this aspect of your behavior before proceeding with opiate treatment. Doctor shopping is a also a strong indicator of addiction.

There are three ways to approach your current situation -- the first is to "come clean" with doctor #2, explain your reasons for doctor shopping, and come to a new agreement with the doc.

This posture presents unknown dangers -- you may be dismissed on the spot. But it also demonstrates your honesty and willingness to conform with the rules along with your need for more adequate and effective pain management. This is what I would do if I were in your situation.

Or, you may show up at your next appointment with doctor #2 and not mention a thing. Here you run the risk that the #2 already knows of your mistake, or may discover your mistake at some future date through the PDMP. Once discovered, this uncovers your deceitful behavior.

A third choice is to find another doctor, but this too presents problems.

Remember that with the PDMP in place, any new doctor can see that you were filling simultaneous pain prescriptions from multiple doctors. In other words, this database clearly documents your doctor shopping.

It's your decision.

Let us know if you need further information.

Best wishes.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Zharon,

First let me tell you how very sorry I am for the loss of your two son's - no one should have to go through that and my heart goes out to you! Bless You!

Welcome to our Pain Management Community. I'm glad you found us. I'm sure you have pain and it may very well be exacerbated by your grief.

Sadly ignorance of the law is no defense for what you have done. It is illegal. Let's hope the PMP that ordered you out of his office does not contact law enforcement. I'm very surprised you weren't found out before this - feel fortunate.

I would go to the other PMP on bended knee - explain your situation and that you truly didn't' think it was illegal. Tell him your pain was not being controlled by what he was prescribing.  Ask, no beg him to continue to treat you. Indeed you could lose all pain management unless you have a very understanding and brave PMP.

Didn't you have to sign Pain Contract? They clearly state you can only obtain opiates from that specific PMP. Indeed even seeing a dentist that may RX an opiate can cause issues,

You may be in huge trouble my friend - or you may have two understanding and forgiving PMP. Please keep is touch. I'll look forward to additional comments and updates,

I wish you the very best.

Wishing you Peace and Luck,
~ Tuck