Feb 1st changes to controlled substance prescribing

[GunsRCool]

I'm confused.
I am on pain meds for back issues and other chronic pain issues. I've been on them for probably 10 years now without issue.
I'm also prescribed a medicine for ADHD from my psychiatrist. Today my family Dr told me I would have to pick one.
Last time I saw him, about 3 months ago, I had my testosterone checked. Today he told me it was very low for my age but the medicine to treat is controlled so I could not recieve treatment.
I have been going to the same practice for many years. I've always trusted him. Why would he lie?

 

[mbills2223]

I'm confused.
I am on pain meds for back issues and other chronic pain issues. I've been on them for probably 10 years now without issue.
I'm also prescribed a medicine for ADHD from my psychiatrist. Today my family Dr told me I would have to pick one.
Last time I saw him, about 3 months ago, I had my testosterone checked. Today he told me it was very low for my age but the medicine to treat is controlled so I could not recieve treatment.
I have been going to the same practice for many years. I've always trusted him. Why would he lie?

I would call the office and ask for clarification. My guess (this happens often) is that choice of words did not translate well and there is a misunderstanding.

 

[GunsRCool]

I don't think it's a clarification issue. He told me he could lose his medical license if his pts are being prescribed multiple controlled substances.
He actually told me I must choose what I want treated. I chose the pain meds but only because I have a hernia surgery scheduled for mid January.
My friend, a lady I used to work with, has fibro and is being tested for MS said her Dr, different hospital association, different city, different County, said she was told the same.
To simplify my issue we can call what I have Lupus.

 

[mbills2223]

Then your MD is being extremely conservative/cautious and is making the decision to only give you one control. No such legislation exists or is coming.

 

[GunsRCool]

He does only give me one. The other is from my psychiatrist.

 

[NyleRN]

While I have a captive audience I want to drop this factoid. The United States is responsible for ~80% of the world's opiate consumption.

Think about that for a second...

Think about this for second. I read an article couple years ago that the 2 most prescribed drugs in the US is Norco and Lexapro. And we're selling guns at record numbers.....

 

[NyleRN]

Thanks Obamacare, not only can I choose my doctor but I can choose my med

 

[hoosierdoc]

Sorry, this is concerning to me. I am being told out of several serious issues I have I need to choose 1 to be treated for. I'm not seeing any humor.

not trying to make light of it, just pointing out this rumor has become fact just like the lifetime LTCH going away.

i'm 99% confident your doctor is choosing to do this. It is not a law. It is true that docs overprescribing drugs can and probably should lose their license. We see a lot of docs putting patients on high dose narcotics and benzos. You can know the drugs the patient is on just by knowing who their family doctor is.

they are setting a rule for the practice for their own reasons, but not due to laws. As stated above, there ARE laws about controlled substances if you go above a certain threshold but I've never seen that it limits the number of meds, just the quantities. And even then you can still write them but you need to see the patient more frequently, no refills, and do random drug testing and check the controlled substance database on them

 

[lovemachine]

While I have a captive audience I want to drop this factoid. The United States is responsible for ~80% of the world's opiate consumption.

Think about that for a second...

I don't believe that. Everyone knows the government is looking out for my best interest.

 

[Vigilant]

I don't think it's a clarification issue. He told me he could lose his medical license if his pts are being prescribed multiple controlled substances.
He actually told me I must choose what I want treated. I chose the pain meds but only because I have a hernia surgery scheduled for mid January.
My friend, a lady I used to work with, has fibro and is being tested for MS said her Dr, different hospital association, different city, different County, said she was told the same.
To simplify my issue we can call what I have Lupus.

Im pretty sure you've just had clarification from an MD, and a pharmacist, wha more do you need?

 

[GunsRCool]

Im pretty sure you've just had clarification from an MD, and a pharmacist, wha more do you need?

That was a response to mbills regarding his post just above the one you quoted.
I believe my concern and now skepticism is reasonable. As stated I have been seeing the same Dr for many years and put my trust in his judgements regarding my medical needs. If it turns out he is lying, as it would seem, that will be very difficult for me. I've trusted him with my life.

 

[hoosierdoc]

HVe you google searched for this new law?

https://www.ismanet.org/pdf/legal/IndianaPainManagementPrescribingFinalRuleSummary.pdf

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Is this some gun shop/gun culture twist on a PDMP?

(Converting a monitoring program into a "law"?)

It appears Missouri and Nebraska have PDMPs coming on line in a couple of months. Perhaps it is akin to the gun culture's penchant for transposing the law of other states onto Indiana. I.e., Kirk's First Law of the Internet.

Just by discussing Kirk's First Law rhino owes me a case of .45acp.

 

[GunsRCool]

HVe you google searched for this new law?

I have and can't find anything but I can't find anything regarding any prescribing laws that's clearly written.
I have been on the same meds for a while, same Dr's, no issues.
After my last hospitalization my Dr greatly increased my pain meds, after just a couple months it was lowered back to previous levels at my request. I don't want to be on any, I need them to function. I can't take ibuprofen type pain meds because I have kidney failure.

This had to of come from somewhere. As I said my friend told me her Dr had just told her the same thing. I guess at this point either way it sucks for me.

 

[GunsRCool]

HVe you google searched for this new law?

https://www.ismanet.org/pdf/legal/IndianaPainManagementPrescribingFinalRuleSummary.pdf

I had read that, it keeps talking about "the rule" but doesn't say what "the rule" is.
I do go to public school though.

 

[Roland of Gilead]

You probably just kept asking the same question over again in different wording so he told you it's state law.

I get asked for money all the time while I'm out working, I say its against the law for a .gov employee to give out money while on the clock. This technique is far superior to a simple "no" or "get the **** out of here" that I has tried over and over.

My doc told me he would only right me a prescription for one or the other a couple of years ago. I asked which one he thought I should take and left it at that.

 

[Stickfight]

I have and can't find anything but I can't find anything regarding any prescribing laws that's clearly written.

You should doctor shop.

While I have a captive audience I want to drop this factoid. The United States is responsible for ~80% of the world's opiate consumption.

I have watched opiates do their thing, on a low level (I am a molecular physicist), and stand back amazed. They are amazingly evolved and if we could make better we would, but we can't so far. We can deliver it faster and more efficiently but we can do no better.

 

[GunsRCool]

I'm not that kind of person. I didn't ask him any questions, just took him at his word. I see him every 3 months, normal conversation then he tells me the rules are changing, new law, he could lose medical licence, I'd have to picky what I wanted.
I chose my pain meds because I'm going to need them after my hernia surgery.
I'm not a prodding type of person. I had no reason to question him I thought. I guess maybe I should have.

 

[hoosierdoc]

the problem is that docs get in trouble for vague stuff with controlled substances. There are few set limits or hard rules. It's like porn, had to define excessive prescribing but you know it when you see it. So we're setting personal rules that we think will keep us safe from getting the boot and tossed in jail.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I have and can't find anything but I can't find anything regarding any prescribing laws that's clearly written.
I have been on the same meds for a while, same Dr's, no issues.
After my last hospitalization my Dr greatly increased my pain meds, after just a couple months it was lowered back to previous levels at my request. I don't want to be on any, I need them to function. I can't take ibuprofen type pain meds because I have kidney failure.

This had to of come from somewhere. As I said my friend told me her Dr had just told her the same thing. I guess at this point either way it sucks for me.

You've just had a pharmacist and a Doctor confirm what your Dr is telling you is bunk. Im pretty sure the doctor can also get input from a dentist he knows intimately to back him up.

Fact of life: There are people out there that will claim they are doing something because of a law, when in fact it is their business policy. This is done simply to deflect any push back.

Think about it. If your Dr said "this is our new policy." would you push back? Of course you would. Since he said "its the law" you instinctively give him a pass and let it go. (which is why you are here and not yelling at your doc) Quite effective, isnt it?

You will find people lie simply to deflect. They either need to put up or shut up. If you REALLY think the doc is telling the truth contrary to the professional opinions here, ask them to "show their work" as your teacher used to say. Ask for the law. Make them show you the law. Either there will be a printout of the legislation they can reference or more likely a professional journal sent out a fact sheet that has the IC or federal code included along with plain language guidance. As I recall when things like this are put into law, there are all kinds of professional organizations that notify their members of impending changes in law this way. (here is the law and here is what it means to you) But most likely anything his office will show you wont include the word "law" and instead refer to " [company] policy".

Good luck.