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Iam just moved in with my mother and have been taking her to 2 doctors.One of them gives her 240 lortabs amonth which she gets on her insurance.This is for her back.She goes to another and gets 180 oxcontins 40mg for her legs which she paids cash for them.I dont think she tells him about the lortabs.He also gives her 180 valuims.Well the problem is she is out of all of it in 3 weeks then she is sick from not having any and then buys more from her friends.She is 78 years old and has been doing this for the last 10 years .If I say anything about it she goes off on me and tells me to mind my own bussiness.

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By the way, you may have to talk to the Drs. independently. She is not telling them the truth now and she isn't going to even with you in the room. Be ready for a large scene and some hostility.
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Please tell the Drs. pain pills are very bad about being addictive. She is going to need help getting weaned off. This behavior isn't uncommon. She is probably also using multiple pharmacies because the pharmacy would contact the Drs. as well if they saw that amount going out. Legally they have to do that. Paying for some of them in cash is keeping the insurance company from ratting her out as well. She has learned how to work the system. Good luck!
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Tell the doctors, also by law you are supposed to only get pain pills from one doctor and if she lives with you take them away and only give her what she is supposed to have, that is what I have done with my mother. she may also need some rehab if she has been taking too many as she may have withdrawl so tell the doctor how many she takes per day so they can decide what needs to be done
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Yep, she's an addict. Time to 'rat' her out.
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If she were getting more than one painkiller med covered by insurance, the insurance company would notify the doctors. The doctors WANT TO KNOW if they are being "used" to support a dangerous addiction. Since this isn't happening because she's paying cash for one of the prescriptions, if you don't tell them, they won't know. While you're telling them, ask them for help with this dangerous and difficult situation.
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You must be taking her to doc visits-hope she is not driving-take her to only one doc and tell him or her what has been happening the second doc could get in lots of trouble and how is she managing to get the pills from her friends-I would report them or maybe she needs to be placed-or you need to live some other place-she could very well die from an overdose and APS might come after you-her friends might report you.
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mr1fool ,

You are not alone here. Many caregivers experience their elderly loved ones overdosing on medication. Unfortunately with you, your mother is over dosing with pain pills.

Here are two articles that hopefully will help you get through this hard time.

Surprising List of Medications Cause Majority of Senior Overdoseshttps://www.agingcare.com/articles/senior-drug-overdose-148701.htm

and

Why Your Ill Parent Fools the Doctor and What to do About It
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/doctor-visits-with-elderly-parent-149071.htm

Good luck with your situation. I know its hard just do the best you can.

Karie H.
AgingCare.com Team
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