what do i do?

[franky2step]

So i recently (finally) had gotten prescribed pain medication.
Ive had a bone disease since 8 yrs old. 29 now and finally got
a prescription for pain meds but only the Norco 5/325. I also
a building disc in my lower back and muscle atrophy in my left
leg.  My question is what do i do if this scrip doesn't seem strong
enough but i didnt tell my doctor that yet and i ran out of my scrip
Yesterday and am in need today, but my refill isnt for another 6
days. Dont wana be labeled a junky and the way docs and pharmacies
Are here, they think everyone's a junky. I had my gallbladder taken out
a few months ago and when i went to the pharmacy the day my
scrip was due the pharmacist treated me like i was lower than her
Or something.

[jerry_a1ll9]

I would NOT tell the doc that I ran out early!

But don't pretend everything was hunky-dory, either.

When your doctor sees that you "made them last," he's gonna say something very annoying like, "Well, you seemed to do just fine making your low-dose pills last the entire month," and in your mind you are going to be thinking "No they didn't last, you jerk," so, as you can see, you will have to "finesse" this to your advantage. How? I would say something like this:

"Doctor, I followed your instructions to only take these pills 4 times a day, but it seemed like no sooner would I take a pill, and then I would start to hurt again. Can't 'they' make something that lasts a little longer?"

Notice all the 'finesse' words, all the 'buzz' words -- especially notice the last sentence which puts the doctor on YOUR side (You and Mr. Doctor versus those big pill companies).

I would NOT mention or use words like "dose" or "increase."

There are 2 types of doctors. You got the type that prescribes 5mg vicodin for BONE pain. Now, before you go cursing your unlucky stars, this can end up working to your advantage! Sometimes the *strictest* most d**kheaded doctors will be the ones that give you the most amazing and awesome prescriptions! As long as they feel you are "worthy."

In conclusion, althought this post might make me look this way, I am NOT a big fan of opiates -- you'd see from my track record that I am in BIG favor of natural healing, and "getting off of the d**n narcs!"

However, you, sir, have BONE pain, probably one of the worstest pains on the PLANET, and in my opinion, if anyone ever needs/deserves all the pain relief the world has to offer, it is YOU! And, further, I am not in favor of "tricking" doctors with "clever words." However, there is always a GAME to be played. It IS a perfect world we live in, but, at the same time, it is NOT a perfect world we live in. There is "obeying" the rules, and sometimes there is "playing" by the rules. Sometimes you have to "play" the "game."

So, therefore, I think that 5mg of hydro is an insult. But, if you use your brain and "play this smart," you'll end up with a good relationship with your doctor, who will be adequately treating your pain with a correct and APPROPRIATE prescription of meds.

[philnoir]

Most doctors would rather undergo root canal than prescribe opioids for chronic pain.

If you're only using 5mg Norco 3 or 4 times a day for a short period of time, you'll not feel withdrawal symptoms, but an increase in pain. If you can stick it out and see your doctor next week, telling him the Norco 5 is NOT EFFECTIVE. (and at that low dose for chronic bone pain, it probably isn't).

His/her moves may be to write for double strength, or get squirrelly and refer you to a surgeon or pain manager (or to ignore you.)

You're better off if you don't mention that you ran out early -- you want to demonstrate that you're taking medication as prescribed. Just mention that you are getting some relief from your meds, but that at a higher dose, you feel  that you'll get more relief.