Can someone tell me???

U.S.A. Ohio

Published

I am a new member: I sure regret start asking a question like this. But I suppose I am naive. I not know the ohio rules or laws. I am Sophmore at Ohio U for Nursing. MY spouse is not only disabled, but has became deaf and is terminal. I am sorry not to tell all the diagnoses.

I am a contributor and I have now stopped. But she definitely suffers from intractable pain and she sees a pain doc. He rx 3 months and does not post date them but we know that his clear intent is to use one every month.

The problem is she has in my and others opinion been undertreated. Now, I realize I am no doctor but it does not take a doc to see someone suffering. She started on hydro 14 years ago because she has a history of bleeding ulcers and has had 4 scopes.

To the point---she has been afraid to ask the pain doc even though she has hinted. She absolutely does not abuse. She is dependent on the meds.

So she was supposed to been switchwed to oxycontin 2-3 years ago. But the family doc said that was for cancer and dying patients. At that time my spouse was not known to be so serious.

But a week ago we went after we always do...agonizing about filling her meds early. We both figured one day this would happen. The pharmacy chain almost handed her the rx when a woman came running and said wait....she just got that med fill 2 weeks ago. She is deaf and I acted like I just did not know.

So they were real busy and I said well I will just call the doc Monday. Well, %0 miles away I wanted to know where she stood. I went into a Kroger and a nice young man said the rx for Percs were invalid. I asked for how long?? He shrugged.

If anyone knows.....what is going to happen I would appreciate it. We want to call the doc and explain knowing he will not treatn her anymore. I am so busy I feel like I am being tugged 2 ways. I do care about my spouse. Any knowledge, ideas, suggestions I would appreciate . Suprisingly the docs office has not called??? But I wish to know what flagged means. Thanks and God Bless:imbar

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Gosh I read your post several times and cannot fully understand what you are asking. Are you asking if we think she is undertreated I do not know. I do know that if she is in pain she/and you need to have a heart to heart with the doc and if he does not help her and she is suffering go to another doc. If she has a blood/cancer condition then did you see a doc of that nature? I ask that because many family docs are reluctant to prescribe higher doses of pain meds. As far as the addiction part an addict abuses drugs and takes them in the absence of pain or when not needed per say. A person who is in pain and takes them is not abusing them as there use is proper/appropriate. Does that make sense?

If you really think she has been undertreated get another opinion of a specialist in the disease process she has. It never hurts to do that and is very common and I have done that myself when unhappy with the treatment of a certain Dr.

Flagged from a pharamcist standpoint means most likely they are watching her/possibly the doc to see if they are abusing/misprescribing drugs. Hard to say without more information.

renerian

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Thanks renereian: Yes, all plans have been made to have the heart to heart although based on our instincts if he were called, I doubt he will treat her again. And then of course the implication is that my spouse is an addict. She has never acted like she was looking to feel high to me. She was just was in misery.

Meanwhile, we have this script.....the doc is 40 miles away, and my spouse is in pain....that's going to become noticeable as it always does and she will require ER or some form of treatment.

She does have Rheuatoid factor and other pain disorders, bone spurs, etc......I am interested in knowing from hopefully someone who may know the protocol of refusing to fill and then "flagging" the rx. I do not know who to ask. When I see her doc I am sure he will tell us....but I would liked to be somewhat prepared and not be shocked at what may happen. We are both greiving...but I enabled because she was non functionable. We are responsible in a big way and then the system that does not allow atequate treatment may play a part. athanks again for responses.

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NurseKen, I too cannot understand some of your statements but I do know that a Rx for narc is not refillable before the last day of the Rx. A new Rx should have been filled. It does sound like your spouse is being undertreated for pain. If she should have been given Oxycontin 2 or 3 years ago then she should have gotten the med. I understand with all of the hype about abuse of this drug, it has been almost written off except for the very end of life care. Do you have a reliable pain doctor? Is hospice involved. They usually do not want to be involved unless a MD states a patient is not expected to live longer than 6 months. They will however adjust this time line once involved. There are several other Narcs on the market that give good pain coverage. Has Oxy IR or Dilaudid been discussed? What about Robinal? Also has a stimulator or internal pain device been discussed? I know this may sound overwhelming but I assure you I have seen patients in intractable pain given great relief from these devices. I hope this helps, and remember I am from WV so some of our laws may be different. Good luck and I hope your spouse gets all of the tender care she needs.

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Barefootnurse: Yes, the morphine pump has been discussed and dilaudid has been tried. Seems percs help her the best. But I realize they still have tylenol in them also...just a lower amount.

She had tried oxycontin once a few years back....and it was just a few of them....she said they made her want to lay down and she wishes to remain active. Oh well...decisions have to be made. But that was then and percs are about as strong as you can get without hospice as you stated.

Have a great day and thanks again, Nurseken;)

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Is there a reason she does not want hospice?

renerian

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NO reason whatsoever: Just I stay so busy with work and she stays so sick and has these appts. So I am checking in about hospice. Thanks for caring, Nurseken:stone :stone

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NurseKen.. Please allow yourself and your wife some time to get some counselling on depression, chronic illness, and end of life issues. There are many issues both of you are dealing with at this time. A impartial person may be able to shed some new light on issues and answers you are too close to the situation to see. Just a suggestion. I will keep you in mind for special thoughts and prayers.

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