I have been in pain mgmt for over 6 months and have yet to be called in (knock on wood). No, I do not take my meds as prescribed as somedays my pain is much worse. I had to go to the ER last week b/c I could not walk due to the pain in my upper back (severe scoliosis and disc disease). I called the clinic and they OK’d me to go as they have in the past. I had to miss my monthly Physical Therapy appointment with the clinic today b/c my car’s transmission went out, I have only missed one appointment since my treatment began. Will this raise the red flags, I wonder? I am currently on 20 mg Oxycontin per day but sometimes, I take up to 40 mg. They took me off Ultram, which was used for my breakthrough pain and gave me an extra 15 Oxys (I was dianosed with epilepsy and ultram lowers seizure treshold) and that has messed me up as ultram really helped with my pain.
So, how many of you have been called in for random pill counts? Please don’t flame me, thanks 
#1 by Scott B on January 31, 2010 - 10:49 pm
The group I’d be going to if I needed pain management requires that you bring your pill container in when you have an appointment. Its a hassle but I understand why they do it.
Just a suggestion. Keep a log of your meds recording when you take them, your 1-10 pain level, and if you were doing something that affected your pain level. This is good for your pain doc relationship. Keep communicating with your pain doc, keeping him/her in the loop as to how you’re using your meds. It will show that you don’t abuse your meds and are taking them responsibly.
#2 by Belldand on February 1, 2010 - 2:00 am
My drs office started doing one every month, before you got your new prescription. You also had to have a urine test. And you had to bring your pills on appointments.
You may get in trouble if they do a pill count, but I don’t think they’ll have any red flags raised. They only get really worried if you are calling for a new prescription a long while before you’re supposed to be out of the old one.
You’ll need to talk to your dr, tho, about how little your meds are helping. It may be helpful to have some morphine or percocet for another break-thru pain pill . When you’ve stressed your body, Oxycontin it won’t be enough. I’d definitely ask for a new breakthru pill.
#3 by DTopoere on February 1, 2010 - 3:42 am
I never have. But I’m not in pain mngmt.
#4 by cool guy on February 1, 2010 - 4:50 am
you know, if scoliosis is bothering you that bad, there are treatments that can help you besides pills…
check out spinecor..it was mainly designed as correctional device for teens…but it can be used for symptomatic relief for adults…check it out here http://myscoliosis.net/default.aspx