Question:
Please Help me!!
This is not something is normally posted here, but I have no where else to turn, or to ask. Going to try to be short and to the point. Recently had GBS for many reasons, one to help very chronic back pain. Been taking oxycontin for degenerative back disease and herniated discs pressing on spinal cord and cyotic nerves. Husband in military, we had to move to remote, believe me remote, area with less than reliable health care, the military base soes not even have hospital, have to travel 70 miles to nearest Gastric Surgeon for follow ups, sometimes cannot make it becae of severe snow and road closings. I cannot get my pain medication now!! The Pharmacy at the base does not even CARRY the medication!! I have been in severe pain and cannot keep things down becaue in pain and throw up alot, and other times feel so bad I do not even want to eat. Basicallu feel like I am wasting oxygen most days. Lord knows I just want to stop hurting and have one day of normallacy. I cannot even take care of the little things or important things like my child and husband. Does ANYONE know of a reliable online pharmacy that will not scam, as since I cannot work inccome is limited. Any response or help would be appreciated and prayed for. Please help and Thank you. — leahrobinson (posted on January 18, 2006)
January 17, 2006
You're isolated and very frustrated-- and, to top it all off, you have lost
a valuable coping mechanism (in losing food). Plus, being in pain dulls
your coping mechanisms further. Just asking if its pain meds you need to
have delivered because the base pharmacy is limited, of if there may be
something else motivating you to seek more meds than you've been
prescribed. No one can judge any one else's pain-- whether physical or
emotional-- many of us have been where you are (in one sense or another),
feeling trapped by our decision, isolated from an old source of comfort and
looking for anything to make us feel better so that we can function as we
believe we did before surgery. If it helps, it does get better-- new
coping strategies are learned, weight loss success breeds confidence and a
new vitality enters our lives. But it is not always an easy road,
particulary if you are battling chronic pain along the way.
Listen, there are lots of mail order prescription services-- particularly
if you already have the script. But, there is only one you-- one mother to
you child, one wife to your husband. Good luck.
— SteveColarossi
January 17, 2006
The military that provides you prescription coverage should provide some
sort of mail order service for you. check into it. This should help you
deal with the remote areas.
— Michelle E.
January 17, 2006
Leah, first of all, I can totally sympathize with your pain. I amalso on
lots of pain meds for my back, have had 2 surgeries, and need
another....some problems with the foraminal stenosis (compression of the
nerves in the spine).
I do not take oxyconten. I take Loratab 10. (2 every 4 hours, as needed).
I also take Flexeril (3 times a day).
My best friend has Fibromyalgia (sp?), and she takes oxyconten...and has
for many, many years. If you would like me to, I can get information from
her. ?? I know she uses a certain pharmacy here, in Dallas, but she has
been through the ringer trying to find someone to fill it, and them
changing it, etc. But I can see where she is getting it now, and if they
can recommend a by-mail pharmacy.
I hope things get worked out for you. How long ago did you have the
surgery? I have another friend that is on disability for her back, and she
had WLS done, and within several months her pain level was down
considerably. I hope this happens with you, and me.
I know how desperate you can feel when you are in pain, but keep reaching
out for help, and if you need someone to talk to, please email me
[email protected]
No one can understand pain, unless they have suffered from pain on a
day-in-day-out basis, with no relief. Believe me, I understand. For me it
has been 5 years.
ok...best of luck to you. I pray all goes well. If you need/want to,
please contact me.
God bless,
Sandra
— Sandra.M
January 17, 2006
You might want to try here. Once ordered, they are quick in sending the
order. Good Luck.
Normie
www.drugstore.com
— Normie
January 17, 2006
Hi Leah. We are military too. My husband is active duty, been in for 14
years. I feel for you that you have to travel way too far to see a doctor!
That is unacceptable. Call Tricare/ Healthnet 877-874-2273, tell them
where you are stationed and tell them your situation. I would hope they
could help. I do know there is a mail-in prescription plan that is covered
through Tricare. You could ask about that too. I also know that if you
have to travel more than 60 miles Tricare has to reimburse you gas money.
You can ask them about that too. You can also go to www.tricare.com and
look around. Maybe that will have some answers for you. Hang in there. I
am praying for you.
I also have degenerative back disease. I was in pain ALL THE TIME before
WLS! I mean 24 hours I was hurting like you know what. My hips, knees,
wrists, and ankles were always inflammed. My discs used to spasm and hit
the cyotic nerve too and boom, instant pain so bad that I would SCREAM! I
was MISERABLE! The good news is Leah, I am not in any pain at all anymore.
Honestly, I have NO PAIN. Once in a while I can feel my lower discs get
achy but nothing like it used to be prior to WLS. I do not take any pain
meds anymore. In 5 1/2 months I have lost over 110 pounds and have gone
below my goal weight. I went from 260 to 145. I have not felt this good
in many years. This will happen to you too. When the weight comes off,
little by little, the pain fades away. It makes sense when I think about
it- I lost a small person (110 pounds). There is only so much our bodies
can take and prior to surgery I basically did not do much. Now I am out
and about. I have 3 kids 14, 11 and 11 and I play sports with them and sit
on the floor and play games (my back used to spasm so bad from that prior
to WLS). I am out all the time with my hubby. I am full of self esteem.
We have weekly dates we go on. I am happier, nicer to live with. The
reason I am telling you this is because I NEVER thought I would feel this
way prior to my surgery. NEVER!!! I wanted to share this with you because
there is hope that your pain will go away. You keep up the good work of
losing weight and your pain will get better. I am glad you posted, that is
what obesityhelp. com is for, to help you.
If you want to e-mail me, my e-mail is on my profile. Let me know if the
number or website works for you for Tricare. I can ask around for you, if
you want. : ) God Bless, Jenna
— jstatkus
January 17, 2006
Hi there I am from the same area as you please get ahold of me and we can
talk. 1st of all yes Fort Drum does have a hospital. Please just e-mail me
and maybe we can figure something out I am only about 15 min. from you
[email protected].
— NYCindy
January 17, 2006
Since you are a military dependant you have Tricare I assume. They have a
mail order pharmacy program that you can access by going here.
http://www.express-scripts.com/custom/dod/ben_message/
I hope this helps you.
Tiffany
— Tiff's On a Mission
January 17, 2006
sorry your in so much distress. First, the military provides prescriptions
- they should have mail order. Certain do that doesnt matter how remote
the mail gets thru. As far as followups to your gastric bypass. - you
profile didnt say 'when' you had surgery. After you have been released
from healting - any PCP can 'see' you you dont have to see the gastric
surgeon for followup. If they have a medic he can do lap work. THe thing
that struck me was you stated you were in pain and throwing up - if that is
being caused by your WLS - it needs to be addressed - not covered up by
pain meds. If you have a stricture it will only get worst; you really need
to see someone for that even if it means going the 70 miles and be sure you
don't have a stricture for sure - that can end you up in the hosptal.
Certainly the military (or at least they use to use to have someone
'families' could call for help - maybe you could call them and see what
they can do for help
— star .
January 18, 2006
Leah- I just wanted to say I wish you luck. I hope the suggestions that
all these fine people have made are helpful to you. Additionally, I've
never heard of a pharmacy REFUSING to fill a perscription because they
don't carry something. Did they say why they couldn't just ORDER it for
you? Sometimes you have to be pushy, even though it's no fun. Mail order
through Tricare sounds like a great option. I have express scripts through
my insurance and it's GREAT and VERY VERY efficent and reliable. Best of
luck to you in getting your issues addressed.
— LMCLILLY
January 18, 2006
Check with your insurance company -- check on their website to see if they
offer this service.
— the7thdean
January 18, 2006
Hi Leah, been there and know how you feel. We were military too and have
now retired. TriCare although Humana now will provide mail order
prescriptions for you. My neighbor who is retired military gets his all the
time. When you go to your next appt. talk to your health care provider and
request that your referral paperwork be put in or call your local Tri-Care
Service Center there. Good luck!
— KenyaE
January 18, 2006
Here ya go!!! Similar situation here...where my medication would have cost
me $120/month...I get it online for $25/month. Try
www.getcanadiandrugs.com I'm in MO and have been using them for months
now...they are wonderful! Good Luck! Nicole
— boonikki29
January 19, 2006
Leah,
I know that everyone has been telling you about Tricare and their mailorder
deal, but I don't think that they will fill a script for oxycontin through
the mail. I worked for a non profit that dealt with veterans would dealt
with the VA and got their meds through the mail and that is one of the meds
that they wouldn't fill through the mail because they were afraid that
people would find out about the mail orders and steal the meds. But do
check out a orthopedist and see if they can get the meds for you some way.
Call around and try to find someone who can help you on the base you are
on. Go to the disabled vets or paralyzed vets or vietnam vets
organizations and question them about how their members are receiving their
meds in your area. You can't be the only one using this medication in your
area. I know what that type of pain feels like and I am sure that you have
heard all the bull before, but they have to have some type of program for
chronic pain management. Anyone with spinal cord injury,cancer or any
other serious debilitating illnesses have to have a means of securing
oxycontin, a pain management clinic may even have options and combinations
of meds that may give you at least a degree of relief from what you are
going through. Good luck and God Bless--Debbie
— imdebbie
January 19, 2006
Did you try to go thru the mail in pharmacy with try care. I know here they
brag on it. Try on line to see if it is do able.
www.tricareonline.com is the site. good luck.
— msgief
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