The DEA is Cracking Down Here
Anon_27116 posted:
Today I saw my PM dr. and boy oh boy did I get a lecture! I have been taking methadone for about 6 or more years now. This particular PM dr. has been treating me for about 2 yrs. now. Normally I get the same amount of methadone every month except today he cut my scrip to give me 10 less than he normally does. Then he wanted to know if I could quit taking both of the muscle relaxers that I take and I told him ... no!
He informed me that what he was prescribing for me was what a cancer patient would take. I reminded him that before I started seeing him I was taking a lot more of the methadone because that PM dr. was not scared to do that. Unfortantely, that PM dr. passed away yrs. ago. I was unable to get my medical records too.
The dr. also told me that I needed to bring my prescription of methadone to my next appt. I said fine. I will do that. I take that med exactly as he prescribes it. Needless to say I was really ticked off when I left there.
When I got to the pharmacy that I always used I asked if there was something going on with the DEA now. They said that there is and pretty soon the DEA will be investigating as to how many of a certain opiate drug is prescribed and just how many pills. I was just shocked!
You all had better check with your pharmacy and see what you can find out and if some of you do not know about this well, now you know. I am planning to do some computer searches about this entire situation because I just bet that it is somewhere to be found. Oh, one more thing, they had me sign a new drug contract today.
I wish the DEA would go after the crooks and the pushers and leave the pain patients alone. This really has me upset!
He informed me that what he was prescribing for me was what a cancer patient would take. I reminded him that before I started seeing him I was taking a lot more of the methadone because that PM dr. was not scared to do that. Unfortantely, that PM dr. passed away yrs. ago. I was unable to get my medical records too.
The dr. also told me that I needed to bring my prescription of methadone to my next appt. I said fine. I will do that. I take that med exactly as he prescribes it. Needless to say I was really ticked off when I left there.
When I got to the pharmacy that I always used I asked if there was something going on with the DEA now. They said that there is and pretty soon the DEA will be investigating as to how many of a certain opiate drug is prescribed and just how many pills. I was just shocked!
You all had better check with your pharmacy and see what you can find out and if some of you do not know about this well, now you know. I am planning to do some computer searches about this entire situation because I just bet that it is somewhere to be found. Oh, one more thing, they had me sign a new drug contract today.
I wish the DEA would go after the crooks and the pushers and leave the pain patients alone. This really has me upset!
8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereToday I saw my PM dr. and boy oh boy did I get a lecture! I have been taking methadone for about 6 or more years now. This particular PM dr. has been treating me for about 2 yrs. now. Normally I get the same amount of methadone every month except today he cut my scrip to give me 10 less than he normally does. Then he wanted to know if I could quit taking both of the muscle relaxers that I take and I told him ... no! <br /> <br />He informed me that what he was prescribing for me was what a cancer patient would take. I reminded him that before I started seeing him I was taking a lot more of the methadone because that PM dr. was not scared to do that. Unfortantely, that PM dr. passed away yrs. ago. I was unable to get my medical records too.<br /> <br /> The dr. also told me that I needed to bring my prescription of methadone to my next appt. I said fine. I will do that. I take that med exactly as he prescribes it. Needless to say I was really ticked off when I left there.<br /> <br />When I got to the pharmacy that I always used I asked if there was something going on with the DEA now. They said that there is and pretty soon the DEA will be investigating as to how many of a certain opiate drug is prescribed and just how many pills. I was just shocked!<br /> <br />You all had better check with your pharmacy and see what you can find out and if some of you do not know about this well, now you know. I am planning to do some computer searches about this entire situation because I just bet that it is somewhere to be found. Oh, one more thing, they had me sign a new drug contract today.<br /> <br />I wish the DEA would go after the crooks and the pushers and leave the pain patients alone. This really has me upset!
annette030 responded:
Why are you taking two different muscle relaxers? Why were you unable to get your medical records when your old doctor died? Not a big deal, just curious.
What state to you live in if you don't mind saying?
Many states have different and stricter rules than others, or than the DEA does. How much opiate is prescribed and the number of pills being limited sounds more like a particular state's laws than the DEA.
Most PM doctors do occasional pill counts, and have you resign pain contracts now and again.
In my state of Oregon, how many pills of an opiate are prescribed is not covered under any law.
The DEA and the FDA both have websites you can go to to read about them.
Take care, Annette
What state to you live in if you don't mind saying?
Many states have different and stricter rules than others, or than the DEA does. How much opiate is prescribed and the number of pills being limited sounds more like a particular state's laws than the DEA.
Most PM doctors do occasional pill counts, and have you resign pain contracts now and again.
In my state of Oregon, how many pills of an opiate are prescribed is not covered under any law.
The DEA and the FDA both have websites you can go to to read about them.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereWhy are you taking two different muscle relaxers? Why were you unable to get your medical records when your old doctor died? Not a big deal, just curious.<br /><br />What state to you live in if you don't mind saying?<br /><br />Many states have different and stricter rules than others, or than the DEA does. How much opiate is prescribed and the number of pills being limited sounds more like a particular state's laws than the DEA. <br /><br />Most PM doctors do occasional pill counts, and have you resign pain contracts now and again.<br /><br />In my state of Oregon, how many pills of an opiate are prescribed is not covered under any law.<br /><br />The DEA and the FDA both have websites you can go to to read about them.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
Anon_27116 replied to annette030's response:
Hi Annette,
One of the muscle relaxants is diazpam (valium) and the other is skelaxin.. I have many muscle spasms in my neck, jaw, etc.
When my other PM dr. died I did call their office and requested my records. This dr. was the only one there. For some odd reason soon after he passed away, it was impossible to contact anyone there. The phone no. was disconnected.
I discussed this problem with my pharmacy and they confirmed everything that I asked them about this. I live in TX. They also said that it was in fact the DEA that are going to do this.
I plan to look on the DEA website which is dea.gov to see if there is anything about this. I did a search yesterday and found that there are many valid places to find this information too.
The drug contract that I signed was completely different than the one that I signed when I first became a patient of this current dr.
All of this stuff is making me very angry and very nervous as to what the outcome will be with this dr. and the DEA breathing down his neck.
I hope that this answers the questions that you had.
C
One of the muscle relaxants is diazpam (valium) and the other is skelaxin.. I have many muscle spasms in my neck, jaw, etc.
When my other PM dr. died I did call their office and requested my records. This dr. was the only one there. For some odd reason soon after he passed away, it was impossible to contact anyone there. The phone no. was disconnected.
I discussed this problem with my pharmacy and they confirmed everything that I asked them about this. I live in TX. They also said that it was in fact the DEA that are going to do this.
I plan to look on the DEA website which is dea.gov to see if there is anything about this. I did a search yesterday and found that there are many valid places to find this information too.
The drug contract that I signed was completely different than the one that I signed when I first became a patient of this current dr.
All of this stuff is making me very angry and very nervous as to what the outcome will be with this dr. and the DEA breathing down his neck.
I hope that this answers the questions that you had.
C
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereHi Annette,<br />One of the muscle relaxants is diazpam (valium) and the other is skelaxin.. I have many muscle spasms in my neck, jaw, etc.<br /> <br />When my other PM dr. died I did call their office and requested my records. This dr. was the only one there. For some odd reason soon after he passed away, it was impossible to contact anyone there. The phone no. was disconnected.<br /> <br />I discussed this problem with my pharmacy and they confirmed everything that I asked them about this. I live in TX. They also said that it was in fact the DEA that are going to do this.<br /> <br />I plan to look on the DEA website which is dea.gov to see if there is anything about this. I did a search yesterday and found that there are many valid places to find this information too.<br /> <br />The drug contract that I signed was completely different than the one that I signed when I first became a patient of this current dr.<br /> <br />All of this stuff is making me very angry and very nervous as to what the outcome will be with this dr. and the DEA breathing down his neck.<br /> <br />I hope that this answers the questions that you had.<br /> <br />C
annette030 replied to Anon_27116's response:
Newer research is showing a bad interaction between opioids and benzos. I took a class for healthcare professionals at the college level a year or two ago and the instructor said that she thought soon doctors would stop prescribing opioids and benzos to the same patients. The diazepam you are taking is a benzo.
All requests for medical records need to be in writing, and signed by the patient requesting them. This is due to the HIPAA laws now in place. Phone calls don't work. It helps if you put your birth date on the request also. They should have told you all that in a letter when he died.
I will check the DEA website also. I have not heard anything about this.
Did the new drug contract have anything in it that you specifically object to?
I don't blame you for feeling nervous, I would talk to the doctor, be as direct as you can. See what he says.
Take care, Annette
All requests for medical records need to be in writing, and signed by the patient requesting them. This is due to the HIPAA laws now in place. Phone calls don't work. It helps if you put your birth date on the request also. They should have told you all that in a letter when he died.
I will check the DEA website also. I have not heard anything about this.
Did the new drug contract have anything in it that you specifically object to?
I don't blame you for feeling nervous, I would talk to the doctor, be as direct as you can. See what he says.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereNewer research is showing a bad interaction between opioids and benzos. I took a class for healthcare professionals at the college level a year or two ago and the instructor said that she thought soon doctors would stop prescribing opioids and benzos to the same patients. The diazepam you are taking is a benzo.<br /><br />All requests for medical records need to be in writing, and signed by the patient requesting them. This is due to the HIPAA laws now in place. Phone calls don't work. It helps if you put your birth date on the request also. They should have told you all that in a letter when he died.<br /><br />I will check the DEA website also. I have not heard anything about this.<br /><br />Did the new drug contract have anything in it that you specifically object to?<br /><br />I don't blame you for feeling nervous, I would talk to the doctor, be as direct as you can. See what he says.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
Anon_27116 replied to annette030's response:
Hi Annette,
The new drug contract was different. It said "Have you been to any pain clinics in the past 30 days". This was a very different one from the 1st one that I signed years ago with this dr. No, I did not mind signing the contract.
Hope that you are doing well.
The new drug contract was different. It said "Have you been to any pain clinics in the past 30 days". This was a very different one from the 1st one that I signed years ago with this dr. No, I did not mind signing the contract.
Hope that you are doing well.
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereHi Annette,<br />The new drug contract was different. It said "Have you been to any pain clinics in the past 30 days". This was a very different one from the 1st one that I signed years ago with this dr. No, I did not mind signing the contract.<br /> <br />Hope that you are doing well.
annette030 replied to Anon_27116's response:
I just do not think of that as being a contract kind of question. although I would not have any trouble with answering that question. I think of a contract as being between me and the doctor and what we would both do in certain situations.
I think of that as a question the doctor would ask you during the initial interview. I guess putting it in writing is good to show that he asked you the question.
I always do just fine, lol. I hope the same for you.
Take care, Annette
I think of that as a question the doctor would ask you during the initial interview. I guess putting it in writing is good to show that he asked you the question.
I always do just fine, lol. I hope the same for you.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereI just do not think of that as being a contract kind of question. although I would not have any trouble with answering that question. I think of a contract as being between me and the doctor and what we would both do in certain situations.<br /><br />I think of that as a question the doctor would ask you during the initial interview. I guess putting it in writing is good to show that he asked you the question.<br /><br />I always do just fine, lol. I hope the same for you.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
Anon_2912 responded:
I don't know if it is much the DEA than it is the insurance company.
I have been on ambien 10mg for years due to insomnia due to graves/hyper back in 1994. Insomnia was the only thing unable to be helped with.
The last time I refilled the pharmacy told me that my insurance company needed pre authorization as to why I needed to take the ambien from my doctor before they approved it....
She told me that if it is not a presciption that you need to live than my insurance (at least mine) will not approve it as far as paying it.
I asked if my thyroid medication was the same way, she said "no" they know you need it to live (don't have a thyroid)...
I got it refilled last month, but now waiting on another authorization for it...I can live without it, but I would not get any sleep...
I have been on ambien 10mg for years due to insomnia due to graves/hyper back in 1994. Insomnia was the only thing unable to be helped with.
The last time I refilled the pharmacy told me that my insurance company needed pre authorization as to why I needed to take the ambien from my doctor before they approved it....
She told me that if it is not a presciption that you need to live than my insurance (at least mine) will not approve it as far as paying it.
I asked if my thyroid medication was the same way, she said "no" they know you need it to live (don't have a thyroid)...
I got it refilled last month, but now waiting on another authorization for it...I can live without it, but I would not get any sleep...
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereI don't know if it is much the DEA than it is the insurance company. <br /> <br />I have been on ambien 10mg for years due to insomnia due to graves/hyper back in 1994. Insomnia was the only thing unable to be helped with.<br /> <br />The last time I refilled the pharmacy told me that my insurance company needed pre authorization as to why I needed to take the ambien from my doctor before they approved it....<br /> <br />She told me that if it is not a presciption that you need to live than my insurance (at least mine) will not approve it as far as paying it. <br /> <br />I asked if my thyroid medication was the same way, she said "no" they know you need it to live (don't have a thyroid)...<br /> <br />I got it refilled last month, but now waiting on another authorization for it...I can live without it, but I would not get any sleep...
annette030 replied to Anon_2912's response:
I had one insurance company that required pre-authorization for my ambien. My doc wrote them a letter and that was the end of it, they paid for it as usual. She had to send them a letter once a year. Then we changed back to our old insurance company.
If you have lousy insurance, get the generic, zolpidem, try that. It is fairly cheap. I have used it for years.
Take care, Annette
If you have lousy insurance, get the generic, zolpidem, try that. It is fairly cheap. I have used it for years.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereI had one insurance company that required pre-authorization for my ambien. My doc wrote them a letter and that was the end of it, they paid for it as usual. She had to send them a letter once a year. Then we changed back to our old insurance company.<br /><br />If you have lousy insurance, get the generic, zolpidem, try that. It is fairly cheap. I have used it for years.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
Yep...many insurance companies require at least a yearly authorization of certain medications. My mom is on BP med, diabetes meds...etc. And they have been requiring she get a pre-authorization of these medications for the year.
It makes sense that a Dr. should review a patients case when they are on long term medications to make any changes, rotate medications if needed, or even lower the dosage or go off the meds in some cases.
So, all your Dr. has to do is say that you are still in need of this dosage of Ambien and you should be fine.
It makes sense that a Dr. should review a patients case when they are on long term medications to make any changes, rotate medications if needed, or even lower the dosage or go off the meds in some cases.
So, all your Dr. has to do is say that you are still in need of this dosage of Ambien and you should be fine.
Report This| Share this:The DEA is Cracking Down HereYep...many insurance companies require at least a yearly authorization of certain medications. My mom is on BP med, diabetes meds...etc. And they have been requiring she get a pre-authorization of these medications for the year.<br /> <br />It makes sense that a Dr. should review a patients case when they are on long term medications to make any changes, rotate medications if needed, or even lower the dosage or go off the meds in some cases. <br /> <br />So, all your Dr. has to do is say that you are still in need of this dosage of Ambien and you should be fine.
