Topic: Family Stealing Pain Meds..

Posted on: Feb 23, 2009 06:37 am

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1

sami22 wrote:

Hi all,

It's been awhile since I've been in chat.. for those of you who don't know me, I'm Samantha, I'm 24 yo (now-- 22 @ time of Dx 10/19/07). I was Dx w/a spindle cell sarcoma of the breast (very very rare, barely any1 I know has even HEARD of it..) I had a mast. 10/29/07 followed by 33tx'ts of rads, no recon, and am ER+ PR-/

Ok, so that's my rank and file LOL ;) Onto the real problem:

I have been on pain medication for the past 3 yrs, due to an assault that left me disabled, as well as the 8 surgeries to repair the damage caused by aforementioned assault. Between that and the neuropathy of the breast, I suffer severe, daily chronic pain. Long story short, my sadistic stepfather, whom I live with, has been stealing my pain meds, which I need (obviously!). This last straw occured 2 days after I got my most recent prescription. I told him *I* wanted 2 hold onto MY OWN medication instead of him having it; though seething with rage, he happily handed over a bottle-- containing about 20 pills (the script was for 150 pills, and I had only been given about 8 prior to all this)!!

How do I fight this?? What can I do?? I have over 2 WEEKS until I can request a refill from my Dr! What angers me SO much is that I *have* plenty of pills to last me til then-- but I am denied access TO MY own medication! For the time being.. I have such a small amount, I will NEVER make it, and the fact that I have been taking these meds. for 3yrs, my body is dependent on them.. so, while I am in pain, the worst is that, once I run out, I will be in full-blown withdrawal mode-- anxious, nauseated, vomiting, etc..

Please, if anyone can help me or has any advice, please do! My email is mamichula3620@yahoo.com if you want to email me.

Take care all and bless you!

Sami

Posts 1 - 11 (11 total)
kmmd Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,100	Log in to post a reply Feb 23, 2009 02:43 pm kmmd wrote: sami, I would recommend being honest with the physician giving you the meds that this is going on and ask to get referred to a social worker to help you with your home situation.
dee1961 Columbus, Oh Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,172	Log in to post a reply Feb 26, 2009 01:05 pm dee1961 wrote: I would not take the meds into the house..hide them somewhere and tell him they won't give them to you anymore, because they think you are abusing them. What a jerk! Good luck to you !!! DCIS 1.8 cm w/IDC microinvasion < 0.1cm Dx 1/20/2009, , Stage I, Grade 3, / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+
Jamie6 Long Island, NY Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 164	Log in to post a reply Feb 27, 2009 10:10 am Jamie6 wrote: Sami, I'm so sorry about your situation. I don't know the extent of your disabilies, so it's difficult to comment about some possibilities you have. Have you spoken to your mother about this? Do you have any siblings (or close relatives) who can help you out? If not, I agree with kmmd above, that you may need to tell your social worker because what youre step father is doing is absolutely CRUEL as well as CRIMINAL. I wish there was an agency that can hook up singles like yourself who are recovering or receiving treatments that can cohabitate with thoses in same situations, provided that they are capable of taking care of their basic needs on their own. It would be wonderful to have support and understanding from your own peers, because not everyone has optimal living conditions at home with your nuclear family. In any event, I would not wait until your pills run out before you start having talks with anyone that you could solicit assistance from. You won't be able to fight for yourself 100% once your medication runs out prematurely becasue you need it to remain comfortable and pain free. Again, I'm sorry about your situation, and I hope you keep us posted. Dx 1/22/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
CaroleAnn Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 8	Log in to post a reply Mar 23, 2009 06:35 pm CaroleAnn wrote: Hi, I'm new & have invasive ductal carcinoma-triple negative. 1 node positive & start chemo April 6. I have Multiple Sclerois and had my son-in-law too my pain pills one at a time for about a week.. I have hid them ever since so no-one will ever touch them. My question is this. Do pain pills help the side effects of chemo. I noticed Sami said she would have all her side effects back when she ran out. I noticed last year when I had a cold that if I took a pain pill I felt much better.
desdemona22… Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 557	Log in to post a reply Mar 25, 2009 03:19 pm, edited Mar 25, 2009 03:20 PM by desdemona222b desdemona222b wrote: sami - My gosh, you poor thing! Excuse my French, but I'd like to give that stepfather of yours a six-pack of whup-ass! Can you get someone else to pick up your meds for you? If you can get to the pharmacy, because you are an adult, you can fix it to where they will not release the meds to him because they are a controlled substance. Just tell the pharmacist. You may can get this accomplished by phone - when it comes to controlled substances, the only way someone other than you can pick it up for you is if 1 - They have your driver's license and know your date of birth or 2 - You have authorized them to pick up your meds on your profile at the pharmacy. I have a feeling he has been picking up your meds since your were still a minor and they know him there? If that's the case, they have not been adhering to the law. I'd call them and have a serious talk with them. Dx 11/17/2001, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+
dee1961 Columbus, Oh Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,172	Log in to post a reply Mar 25, 2009 05:28 pm dee1961 wrote: Sami22 has not posted or responded since Feb 23, hopefully she has corrected the problem. DCIS 1.8 cm w/IDC microinvasion 1mm Dx 1/20/2009, IDC, , Stage I, Grade 3, 0/18 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+
susan_CNY Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 452	Log in to post a reply Mar 27, 2009 06:46 am susan_CNY wrote: I hope she has too Dee. dx 4/1984 cervical cancer, 10/2002 stage 2 colon cancer, 11/03 stage 1 bc
Roberta77 On Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 47	Log in to post a reply May 29, 2009 10:10 am Roberta77 wrote: Couldn't she report it to the police?? Stealing is a crime and stealing from someone who is so ill and defenseless is abominable. I'd like to kick him in the balls!!!! She should report it to the doctor and also to the pharmacy. Who knows, with a jackass like that, I hope he has not physically abused her or harmed her in some way. Friends are the gems of life Dx 11/12/2008, IDC, 2cm, Stage I, 0/3 nodes, mets, ER+/PR-
Mazy1959 IL Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 574	Log in to post a reply Jun 2, 2009 03:41 am Mazy1959 wrote: Sami dear...you need to call the police. I am so sorry you have to deal with this but it is illegal for anyone but you to take your prescription. He is stealing controlled drugs. Hugs, Mazy
Armadillo Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 43	Log in to post a reply Jun 3, 2009 10:27 pm Armadillo wrote: Wow, I never knew pain meds could be prescribed for 150 each; you do not have to take the entire prescription at once; you can ask for 30 a time; this could help your situation. Vicodin and similar type meds usually have a limit to what is dispensed at one time. Whomever is stealing these meds are selling them on the street for at least $20-$30 per pop.
JackP7 Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 4	Log in to post a reply Jun 4, 2009 03:51 am JackP7 wrote: You have to talk to your doctor or the police about your stepfather. Then you have to change something in your life, you're 24(!!) and still your stepfather takes care of your medication? This has to change soon, you're an adult and you should claim that.

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