Dr. Cutting Off Hydro Scripts? Anyone Else Have This Prob?

Hey, I wonder if anyone else who gets their meds from their regular MD is being cut back or cut off hydrocodone and other schedule 2 medications. My dr. office used to be really relaxed on prescribing them up until a few months ago. A couple years ago, it was 120 15mg roxis, then down to 10mg perc, then to only 90 Norco, then 60 the next month. 2 months ago, I got downgraded to Tylenol/cod #4 for 90. Last visit, got cut down to 60 and I was told this will likely be the last time I can even get that! I have the option of pain management docs but just wondered if my doc is being overly cautious or if others are doing the same thing. The rescheduling of hydro seems to have really mixed everything up.

 

*Bump* To be more specific, has anyone had to be referred to pain management or be cut off since the rescheduling of hydro?

 

That's becoming very common... The DEA wants to track who is getting what and Pain Management docs report all scripts directly to the DEA. You will also be piss tested every appointment.

 

I see it as only a problem for people do not actually need them for pain management, otherwise, what's the problem, go to a pain management doctor.

 

I have 2 very good friends that both are on pain meds. One for severe arthritis (she has 3 different kinds and had an "experimental" hip replacement at the grand old age of 41, 14 years ago) and one because of arthritis and the fact that she hurts ALL the time because she is about 200 pounds overweight. Even though I know it is terribly politically incorrect to say this, being morbidly obese affects one's bones and joints and well, it freakin hurts!

Anyway, both of these women have been on pain meds for years and years. Very recently, in the past few months, both have had their doctors severely cut down their pain meds to almost nothing.

I understand why the feds don't want lots of people walking around selling their scripts etc, but as usual, they are going waaayyyy overboard.

Certainly they/the feds/DEA know nothing of moderation. At least in states (this is not one) where medicinal weed is available, there is some relief to be found there.

And about going to a pain management doc...when you are already seeing a regular doctor AND a specialist, I can certainly understand why people don't want to add yet another doctor and yet another cost to the mix....THAT is why people don't want to just jump to go see a pain management doctor. Around here, seeing a pain management doctor is closely considered and can be considered "doctor hopping". I KNOW it isn't, but I don't make the rules.

 

True about the pills.... Piss test also tests for THC and other drugs, so could be a problem if someone also smokes and are in a state where it's not legal...

 

I haven't had any trouble yet, other than having to call the VA clinic once per month to have my prescription renewed. My doctor doesn't seem too worried about it. My situation is getting worse, and I have x-rays, MRI's, etc. to back it up. I have degenerative disc disease and until recently it was mainly affecting my lower back, but in the last few months I've noticed pain higher up. I had x-rays done about 2 weeks ago and the report said they found "arthritic changes" in that area of my spine. I told my doctor I don't want any more back surgeries. The last one didn't do me any good, and that was a rough one. So he said he'll just continue to manage it with meds.

 

The VA may do things differently... State laws vary also.