My doctor told me that I might have some difficulty a little over a month ago when he decided to write a prescription for roxicodone. However, a month ago, I had no problem filling my prescription whatsoever. This month, I went to 8 pharmacies, chain and independent, only to be sent away with the same story: "this drug is on back order from the warehouse".
The stress of driving from store to store is a major trigger for my pain, so for the time being, I choose not to think about how to get my medication. Instead, I am studiously researching the cause of this shortage. On another forum I frequent, there doesn't seem to be any issue anywhere else in the country. There is a new tracking system in place (or it will be in place soon) for scheduled drugs but this shouldn't concern me as I have done nothing wrong. I've found snippets saying that pharmacies can only sell so many bottles a day.
I don't know what to believe. Further, I don't know what to do. I am irate and confused. I want my medication and I want answers. I have written the governor and I have written an advocate for pain victims. Next comes the state house and senate officials.
We pain victims are being punished-to an extent beyond lawmaker's comprehension-for the crimes of a few. If anyone has any advice for me, I am listening.
Thanks
Mel
Hi Mel.
Not that long ago CVS pharmacies in Florida began to refuse to fill prescriptions written by specific doctors if they deem that those doctors are prescribing opiates beyond what they feel is normal. I posted a discussion about this a while back in the Opiate Therapy group. This may eventually lead to CVS profiling its customers too. This decision by CVS may be prompting further back-lash on other pharmacies and in turn those of us who take opiates.
From what I have read, Florida has one of the highest incidences of opiate abuse and illegal sale of opiates in the US. Unfortunate for you and all of the rest of us!
I have never heard of a pharmacy placing limitations on how many opiate prescriptions they can fill in one day. Sometimes insurance companies will impose limits on prescriptions, especially if the refill is early, but even then you most often have the option to pay cash for your prescription instead of having it go through insurance. AVOID CVS pharmacies.
My suggestion would be to have your doctor contact your regular pharmacy in regards to this issue. Although, it should be enough for you to talk with pharmacies regarding their policies in filling opiate pain meds I am always worried, like you, that I will profiled negatively by doing so. You could call pharmacies and not mention your name, perhaps. Funny, I feel guilty even suggesting this as perhaps I am being sneaky or illegal some how. This is how some of us are made to feel by our doctors, pharmacies and family.
I am so sorry to hear of your struggles! Please let me know how things work out for you. Take care and good luck! Johanna
Than you Johanna,
I had no problem at CVS last month. Naturally, as that is the pharmacy I have always used, I didn't think I'd have a problem there this month. Yet still I wait. I am learning more and more about the government's policies and I am getting very paranoid that I will soon not have access to the health care I need.
I wrote to the Governor and just got a response today from someone who is purportedly in his camp. He asked for a number to reach me at to discuss what he termed "intrusive" DEA actions. I look forward to hearing what this man has to say.
The more I learn, however, the more concerned I become. What is to become of our rights?
I'll let you know what this fellow from the Scott camp has to say.
Melissa Turffs
Johanna Smith said:
Hi Mel.
Not that long ago CVS pharmacies in Florida began to refuse to fill prescriptions written by specific doctors if they deem that those doctors are prescribing opiates beyond what they feel is normal. I posted a discussion about this a while back in the Opiate Therapy group. This may eventually lead to CVS profiling its customers too. This decision by CVS may be prompting further back-lash on other pharmacies and in turn those of us who take opiates.
From what I have read, Florida has one of the highest incidences of opiate abuse and illegal sale of opiates in the US. Unfortunate for you and all of the rest of us!
I have never heard of a pharmacy placing limitations on how many opiate prescriptions they can fill in one day. Sometimes insurance companies will impose limits on prescriptions, especially if the refill is early, but even then you most often have the option to pay cash for your prescription instead of having it go through insurance. AVOID CVS pharmacies.
My suggestion would be to have your doctor contact your regular pharmacy in regards to this issue. Although, it should be enough for you to talk with pharmacies regarding their policies in filling opiate pain meds I am always worried, like you, that I will profiled negatively by doing so. You could call pharmacies and not mention your name, perhaps. Funny, I feel guilty even suggesting this as perhaps I am being sneaky or illegal some how. This is how some of us are made to feel by our doctors, pharmacies and family.
I am so sorry to hear of your struggles! Please let me know how things work out for you. Take care and good luck! Johanna
Melissa Jean Turffs said:
http://flpainnews.com/ following this link will bring you to a list of resources/petitions
Than you Johanna,
I had no problem at CVS last month. Naturally, as that is the pharmacy I have always used, I didn't think I'd have a problem there this month. Yet still I wait. I am learning more and more about the government's policies and I am getting very paranoid that I will soon not have access to the health care I need.
I wrote to the Governor and just got a response today from someone who is purportedly in his camp. He asked for a number to reach me at to discuss what he termed "intrusive" DEA actions. I look forward to hearing what this man has to say.
The more I learn, however, the more concerned I become. What is to become of our rights?
I'll let you know what this fellow from the Scott camp has to say.
Melissa Turffs
Johanna Smith said:
Hi Mel.
Not that long ago CVS pharmacies in Florida began to refuse to fill prescriptions written by specific doctors if they deem that those doctors are prescribing opiates beyond what they feel is normal. I posted a discussion about this a while back in the Opiate Therapy group. This may eventually lead to CVS profiling its customers too. This decision by CVS may be prompting further back-lash on other pharmacies and in turn those of us who take opiates.
From what I have read, Florida has one of the highest incidences of opiate abuse and illegal sale of opiates in the US. Unfortunate for you and all of the rest of us!
I have never heard of a pharmacy placing limitations on how many opiate prescriptions they can fill in one day. Sometimes insurance companies will impose limits on prescriptions, especially if the refill is early, but even then you most often have the option to pay cash for your prescription instead of having it go through insurance. AVOID CVS pharmacies.
My suggestion would be to have your doctor contact your regular pharmacy in regards to this issue. Although, it should be enough for you to talk with pharmacies regarding their policies in filling opiate pain meds I am always worried, like you, that I will profiled negatively by doing so. You could call pharmacies and not mention your name, perhaps. Funny, I feel guilty even suggesting this as perhaps I am being sneaky or illegal some how. This is how some of us are made to feel by our doctors, pharmacies and family.
I am so sorry to hear of your struggles! Please let me know how things work out for you. Take care and good luck! Johanna