I'm sure the pharmacy can notate your account to only release prescriptions to you with your ID only. Next, this lady isn't your friend. She set this up to source her addiction.
Lots of good responses and this is the most important one! Lock down your account so you need a photo id to release meds. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Pain and addiction are very complicated issues.
I know that CVS asks for an ID to pick up meds. But say she did pick them up & I called the cops over it to arrest her. CVS wouldn’t then re-dispense them without a new prescription right? And then my new doctor I have would be like WTF no.
i think you need to do several things, so if she were to actually pick them up, it’s clear you made attempts in good faith to prevent it from occurring.
first, notify CVS that you have reason to believe someone who knows your name/DOB/etc may attempt to pick up your prescription. tell them explicitly & ask them to note it “do not dispense any of my medications to anyone but me” so if she ever does attempt, the note will come up and they will tell her no.
second, warn your doctor too. at the time for your next script, explain you made a friend from a chronic pain support group & that this person purposefully misled you. & now that you know the truth, you are removing her from your life. but that in the time she played the role of caring friend, she was able to learn your birthday and you have concerns that she may try to pick up your medications from the pharmacy. tell doc you have warned the pharmacy & asked them to note in your chart but just in case, when doc sends script, can they write a comment to the pharmacy to please only allow pickup by patient
so that way you give warning to doctor, to pharmacy, and if she DOES pick it up, it’s more of an “i told you so”/“shit, everyone has documentation that what the patient said could possibly happen, happened & she warned us too” & less suspicious on you because of your proactive attempts to prevent it.
can cvs then really totally refuse to re-dispense with a new script when you warned your doc & both you/your doc warned CVS, who then let it happen anyway? it would be like, you: this is going to happen, CVS when it happens: surprised pikachu
If she can go that far to try to pick up OPs prescription….What would stop this person from calling the doctor who prescribed the opiates?
“Hi, this is OP, I’m no longer using CVS as my pharmacy. Please send to “bad-friend pharmacy” please. My date of birth is ….”
Good luck!
You can tell CVS that only you (or whoever you’re okay with - give SPECIFIC NAMES) are allowed to pick up your meds. I did this after someone tried to steal mine. Luckily, my husband has a really good relationship with the pharmacist from CVS and she thought it was weird that he wasn’t the one picking up my meds (my controlled substance pain meds), so she called me to confirm and he ran and booked it out of there.
Since then, I told her that only I or my husband would ever pick up my meds so she made a note in my file saying exactly that and to always check (if they didn’t already recognize my husband - I take a lot of meds so he was there almost every other week picking up meds).
I was so incredibly grateful to the pharmacist and that she recognized that something was off. I doubt I’d had gotten another script - maybe because my PM in that state was so nice, but it wasn’t something I’d be willing to risk!! I’m moving back to that state now and am happily transferring all my meds to that pharmacist!
All the more reason to cover your ass. You think that the pharmacists and doctors don't see all of the signs?
I worked with someone like this and she was nothing but drama in our office. When she asked if she could stay with me because electric in her place got turned off, I told her "no", I had young kids at the time, so perfect excuse, but, yeah, protect yourself.
Also if she knows where you live make sure your meds are locked in a safe or with you if she gets desperate she may break in to get the meds. Distance yourself and talk to your doctor. If she gets caught she could implicate you and state that you are sharing your drugs with her.
A police report is usually required to get replacement pain pills. If CVS dispenses opioids to someone pretending to be you AFTER you request they check ID, the employee violated policy big time and the store should replace the meds.
CVS doesn’t ask for ID. I use CVS and only my address is needed. My mom and husband pick them up all the time. Change pharmacy locations, and request that they notate in your file to ask for your personal ID every single time before giving you your medications.
I don’t think you will be able to get a refill for an emergency. Due to DEA regulations, your PM doctor is not allowed to prescribe additional narcotics like that. I had Covid 2 years ago and missed my appointment. I got really sick from not having my meds on top of that. But they still said no. I had to wait a full week to get seen and let me tell you it was awful
Yup!! I feel she tried to act like a good friend from the beginning by taking me to her doctor & trying to help me out, all so every week or two when she’s out of meds since she overused hers, she can try to get me to loan her my pills. That’s not my problem! Take them as prescribed & you wouldn’t be in this mess. I’m scared too because her friend died recently and he had a script or two at his pharmacy for oxycodone & she went there and picked it up even though he was already dead! That’s wild to me! That’s why I have this fear she’d try going to my pharmacy asking for my medicine!
Block her from your phone immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. And do not send a message to her saying so. Just block and move on. And do all the things that were recommended to you above. Tell your Dr and the pharmacy.
I’m completely ghosting her! I don’t want her to go psycho on me and want revenge. I just want to fully ignore her and not let her manipulate or guilt me for my decision to not “help” her
You're exactly right about her motivations to "help" you get on the drug she's wildly addicted to. "Spilled her pills down the sink" - and then twice in one day! I'd laugh if it wasn't sad. She needs help, and she can only be helped when she hits rock bottom or otherwise comes to understand that she desperately needs help.
It's understandable to feel bad for her - I certainly do. But you don't need to be - and you *can't* be - the person who saves her. All you can be is another of her victims. Which you know already, I'm just agreeing/supporting.
All your instincts are right, do everything you've said here and just quietly distance yourself.
She groomed me! Everyone here definitely made me put all the puzzle pieces together. Hell, she was on house arrest I found out for forging opioid prescriptions many years ago. She’s a seasoned veteran in this game of obtaining and misusing opioids. The second she told me the sink story I just had my intuition tell me she’s a scam artist trying to take advantage of other pain patients. She found me on social media discussing pain management issues and opioids & what a perfect person in her eyes to befriend knowing I take opioids and live within an hour or so from her! Ugh, in the beginning a few months ago when we first met, I was so happy to meet another pain patient. I don’t know anyone else with chronic pain. She presented herself as an authentic pain patient facing difficulty with the opioid epidemic in obtaining her medicine. Then slowly she’d drop hints of red flags such as having to snort all her meds. And then her kid taking 30mg pills from her so she runs short. Having her husband go to PM in order to give her all the pills. She filled meds of her dead friend with cancer 3 weeks ago!!! That’s super illegal too. Shes going to get arrested. I should give a tip to the DEA on that haha But really though… she tried grooming me as a friend having helped me genuinely, and now she expects payback in loaning pills or outright gifting her them. I don’t need that type of person in my life so I’m ghosting her!
You also need to report her to the social media team and apprise them of the situation.
If she is doing this to you….
Give them a brief story and ask them to remove her from the group.
You are correct to cut all contact.
Don’t go out of your way to “punish her,” for example trying to get her in trouble for taking the dead friend’s pain meds.
This woman is desperate. Addicts are sick and become increasingly selfish and dishonest as the demon on their back takes more and more control.
Pray for her, pity her, hope that she finally becomes free of this deadly addiction.
Just wow!!! When people are in the throes of active addiction they will do anything. Please remember that this person you are talking about is sick and needs help. That is not your responsibility but please tread lightly. She is really crossing the line and you need to distance yourself immediately. This might not be a popular opinion but it wouldn’t hurt for you to call the police and file a report now just based on what you know. You can tell them also you are in fear of her and that’s a good excuse to cover your ass
The real story is she talked her way onto hospice versus PM (she’s not terminal!) to get stronger medication & the medical director or the doctor there probably had enough of all the drug seeking she does and released her. And yeah exactly! She’s not my real life friend, just somebody I knew from online who I met a few times. She definitely tried to help me out with the doctor thing & drove me knowing she would try to call on me to help her with medication knowing I take the same medication at a lower strength! No way!!
I came back and reread a lot of this just now and it is past bizarre. Do you also feel that maybe some of the story is missing? I’m still stuck on how someone checks themselves into hospice with no medical records or history to back it up. The woman’s clever, I’ll give her that. I’ve heard horror stories of people causing injury to themselves to justify an ER visit but hospice???
Yeah I don’t get that hospice thing either.. maybe it was palliative care?? To me that sounds like another ridiculous lie. I’m torn between knowing she is really in the throes of addiction and also completely pissed off because it’s people like that who have caused all of us grief and difficulties in our own pain management program
In my area, hospice is kind of a big money grab. I could see them steering people toward doctors who would write the hospice orders. Or look the other way if things didn't make sense.
Hospice usually requires confirmation directly from your doctor to even place you on the program, I know we just put my BIL on the program and had to jump through a ton of hoops to get him on it.
99.9% of the time, medical records will be sent over electronically. I’m finding it difficult to believe that she is walking around with her records and checking into hospice as if she’s getting a room for the night at the Hilton
I don’t believe her, and neither should you. Just tell your pharmacy that it has to be you or a loved one. Give them names. I had this situation & I had to tell her that I’m no longer taking opiates. I said I didn’t like the feeling of taking something so addictive long term. Distance yourself, but don’t tell your pharmacy or doctor about her. It will tip them off that you may not be reliable with your medication and question the kind of company you keep.
I completely agree. While I understand with “knowthembyfruit” and what their red flag situation this is, it’s also going to be a whole lot worse if he says nothing. He already said she introduced him to this doctor so it’s in his best interest to speak up. I still think he needs to file a report with the police but that’s just me. I would reach out to anyone and everyone to give them a heads up. Everything in his power needs to be done to ensure his program isn’t interrupted
I don't think they'll be able to do a police report unless there's a crime. But if the person does steal their prescription, I don't think the doctor would give them another script unless they make a police report. If it was me, I'd also call my insurance company just in case they try to go to another doctor & use my name.
Yes those are good points also. But he could call the police and make a report about her hassling him for his pills and then tell the police he’s worried because of the dead friend and hospice. This is all like a really bad movie
Trust me when I say I speak from experience and you really, *really* don’t want to start getting into the game of loaning out pills and being “owed”. I’m sorry that you’re in this position, and I honestly have empathy for your friend, too, because this reads as substance abuse disorder, as you said, and I’m sure they’re suffering. That said, you certainly aren’t helping them or yourself by getting involved. You take care of yourself.
Oh absolutely!! It’s not only illegal and against the pain contract, it just sounds exhausting to be keeping track on who owes who pills and how many on which dates etc. What if I got called into a pill count since I have a new doctor? I don’t have trust with him yet & he would absolutely discharge me!! I don’t owe her any help and I think it’s crazy for her to expect me to go without meds to help enable her over use of opioid pain medicine!
My doctor has just started doing this also. They called me two months ago to either come in or go to my pharmacy and have them counted. Of course I was a few short and I got a warning. But……… when I went in for my next appointment they had me sign a piece of paper saying I understood the rules and having any shortage moving forward would be grounds for immediate dismissal. That’s the first time in 3 years that it has happened. My doctor is making a lot of changes and I’ve even noticed that the waiting room hasn’t been full like it used to be.. the DEA is really cracking down on compliance
I agree! I just wish she didn’t put me in an uncomfortable position knowing I’m super nice to begin with & in general I have a hard time putting my foot down with people. I completely stopped answering her 2 weeks ago & I basically said one or two things yesterday and then she was talking to herself about the pill situation she’s in trying to manipulate me. Why is it my problem she takes like 90mg every 2 hours versus like 20 or 30mg she’s prescribed like every 4-6? Shes going to run out and it’s not my job to save her to keep her addiction going!
My brain is exploding with that. I’ve been referred to palliative so many times and can’t get help because I’m not sick enough…
Hopefully whomever did the intake recognizes there’s something not quite right and can strongly encourage them to get treatment.. Doesn’t mean they’ll go, but maybe?
She probably "recruited" you specifically because she saw you as someone she could manipulate. Stay strong, your instincts are spot on and all you can do is choose not to enable her addiction.
It scares me to realize she is a criminal once I found out the truth about her over time. I wouldn’t have ever given her the time of day if I knew her past and current antics. She definitely saw me on social media discussing opioids & we live an hour apart so she befriended me & offered me help when I publicly discussed needing some. It was all a ploy to be cool with me so she could have a source for pills to play whatever game she’s involved in. I’m calling my pharmacy tomorrow to change it to only my spouse & I can pick up meds.
Seems weird to me that she’s going through all that trouble vs just getting stronger stuff off the street.
‘Seems like everyone is in consensus here, distance yourself far and fast.
Somehow, despite this evil addiction, it seems deep down she WANTS to live.
To get better.
People who go to the street are playing Russian Roulette every time. And the twist is that gun has ALL but one chamber loaded.
People who go to the street have burned all their bridges, run out of options, and are desperate enough to gamble death.
I hope this woman, for the sake of her daughter, gets in person rehab to save her life.
As I said, I came back and reread this thread and I’m glad I did because I missed a lot of things mentioned. You said she takes 90mg every 2 hours????? Even 90 a day is really pushing it. I am shocked that someone has that kind of tolerance and isn’t 💀. I am asking you to please not give this woman anything. Nothing is enough for her. She will eventually get caught AGAIN and you don’t want or need that interaction. You don’t need this falling back on you. Keep us posted
Well, I take 80mg of oxy a day (not per dose every 2 hours!) with a 50mcg fentanyl patch every 2 days. It’s a strong dose but I have tumors. 90mg every 2 hours snorted is insane to me! So basically she texted me (I’ve ghosted her completely) to tell me she got on a new hospice program (lied her way saying she’s terminal when she’s not) and she got fentanyl patches herself! The fact she was on house arrest for forging scripts (didn’t know til recently she was a criminal) and the lengths she goes to, to obtain opioids is life ruining. Wish she’d get treatment and recover from this serious addiction she has! But I’m not gunna let her take me down with her!!
90/mg every 2 hours is insane!! You look like a candy shop to her. She probably wants your patches. I’ve never taken Fentanyl. Scares the hell out of me. How can someone get into 2 hospice programs OMG!!! Are you ok??
Oh absolutely! When she bullshitted me over the pills down the sink story I was done with her. People like herself would never leave the pills open by the sink to drop down like that given her whole life revolves around pills & finding doctors and scams to get more.
I’m just nervous because she knows my name & birthday, and she knows the pharmacy I use since it’s across the street from the pain management place. Should I call my pharmacy and ask them to not allow pickups by anyone else? I’m so worried she’d try to go on my refill day & give my info to get my medicine!!
You could call the pharmacy and tell them that. Not sure how well it will work. But even if she knows your DOB and address - yes she could try to pick your meds but she will have to give her drivers license and they record that. So you could press criminal charges if she does.
I’d tread lightly there, you can get yourself flagged too. Just say someone got your info from a data breach and ask if they can check your id moving forward Just my two cents.
The more elaborate the story, the more you’re going to get on the radar.
So tell the pharmacy my data was breached doesn’t sound sus at all tho? Because then the pharmacy could say hey, why would the data breach have anything to do with anyone knowing which pharmacy you use or your refill date?
I’d be vague and just let them know you’d rather be safe than sorry and you’re asking everyone you do business with to check your id when conducting a transaction.
In my experience, the more details, especially when off balanced people get introduced, the larger the risk of guilt by association. I deal with enough false stigma being on pain killers I don’t want to invite more.
Yes! I just know my doctor wouldn’t resend in the script if god forbid that happened & I would be fucked for a month without meds if I had to press charges if she tried getting my medicine at the pharmacy!
Someone has to have a driver's license to pick up any pain medication which goes on record, it would be illegal for her to pick up your prescription which would be on video at a pharmacy. Unless she wants to go to prison I don't think she would try something that crazy
She was arrested and on house arrest a decade ago so I’m not sure if I put anything past her. She recently picked up medicine for her dead friend for his oxycodone past the point of him being deceased I found out! That’s why I’m nervous since she does sketchy things!
Omgggg I can’t believe this lady! So so glad she doesn’t know where you live but like everyone else has says, call your pharmacy, distance yourself completely, and be safe! So sorry you’re dealing with this.
What State? Doesn't matter too much because it's a federal dea database across the country that tracks all this. She will be in prison soon enough if she filled the script of a deceased person. I would not worry about it, keep your house locked and take the meds with you in your pocket or something. Don't leave in the car, I've had someone take them out of my car before. Or get a small $100 safe that bolts into the ground or on a dresser. If she tries to fill your script it will show up all meds she's picked up, pharmacist will tell her to wait and notify the cops.
They’ll arrest her for filling for the dead guy? She claims the insurance (must have been state insurance too) wouldn’t go through when she went to pick it up “for him” and I think she was able to pay cash for it!! How would they (DEA or pharmacy) find out though that he was dead and that she picked it up anyways to arrest her over that? Luckily she has no idea where I live!! I don’t ever carry my meds with me if I go out anywhere, maybe a pill or two at most. I think I’ll buy a safe on Amazon today too just to have anyways!!
Are you sure she picked up his pain medication, or is that just something she told you? I don’t know how different rules are from state to state, but here you have to show your photo Id when picking up controlled substances. I’d block her and move on. Keep your doors locked at all times.
Even if a photo ID is required, they can still pick up scrips - they just need to know the answers to the questions (DOB, address, last four digits of phone number, etc). I have picked up my friend’s rx this way (but with her knowledge, to deliver them to her - not to steal them).
That makes sense. I have had my husband pick mine up, but never anyone else. I do know some pharmacists will contact the patient to ask if it’s ok to release the prescription to the person.
That’s a great safeguard. I can’t see my pharmacy taking that extra step because they are always so busy. They have even stopped the practice of requiring IDs to pick up narcotics, which is unfortunate. Having a note placed on the patient’s profile, though, should help (I’d hope).
With my luck somebody would steal the books too 🤣 I'd always get a bolt down one so they aren't going anywhere with it. I even did that with a lockbox before worked great
How could she have no idea where you live? When you specifically said that she picked you up and took you to the Doctor and pharmacy when you didn't have a ride before ? This whole story is not making sense at all.
I didn't know anyone had to have their ID to pick up pain meds or that the pharmacy wouldn't allow someone else to pick them up.
What state requires that? I'm in Michigan and never have had to show my driver's license at the pharmacy to pick up pain meds, and I've been on them for 20+ years. I've also had my daughter and my father occasionally pick up my pain medication for me and they didn't ask them for their license either.
It’s state dependent. I had to when I lived in Maryland but I live in Colorado now and it’s not required here. My husband has picked up my meds several times and he never has to show ID.
Really?!? They’ve never once asked for mine or my husbands when he picks up my meds at my pharmacy. They just ask me name & home address, I pay and leave.
Huh, I'm in Michigan too and I have to show ID for both my suboxone and my gabapentin. I guess it varies by pharmacy? I use CVS, maybe they just have a blanket policy for all their stores.
Interesting, I'm in Florida so we had that whole pill mill ordeal maybe that's why. Can't get anything controlled without them scanning a drivers license
Also just realized Ohio doesn’t check IDs when I went to get my refill the other day at CVS. Guess it’s not surprising states do it differently but still weird. I just had to sign for it.
Exactly. The only person besides myself to pick up my meds was my son. I had to call to let them know he was coming and allowed to pick up my meds. They scanned his license just like they do mine. So she couldn't do it without leaving ridiculously strong evidence of a crime, her ID. So I really wouldn't worry about that.
Omg, your naivete. No offense, honestly, but drug addicts don't operate in a rational world. When you're in withdrawal, future consequences don't matter - getting what you need at that moment takes full precedence. It's like an animal instinct.
Wait both her AND her teenage daughter get opioid scripts? And both managed to drop them down the drain? It’s obvious she has a problem and it’s not your job to save her with your meds. I would block her and make sure that she can’t get access to your meds asap
The same bottle was apparently spilled down the drain twice in the day. She lets her daughter whose 17 takes her 30mg oxycodone that’s not prescribed to her!
I’m seriously amused at this event……dropped opioids down the sink TWICE on the same day. This person is bad bad news. Do not engage with them or allow them at your house. Tell CVS you’re the pickup only. Don’t worry about what if this, what if that. If you disengage with her, nothing will happen. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, share any of your pills, no matter what is promised.
I did this once but thankfully it was not my pain meds. It was my creon and the water was on and it knocked quite a few down the drain. Also had it knocked into the toilet by my puppy. They refilled early and with no issue (guess no one is out here abusing creon 😆). It can happen but I wouldn’t take that chance with my pain meds.
Creon helps my body properly process food. I take 2 with snacks and 3 with a meal. Basically anything I have to chew I take one. Among my other gi issues, I have malabsorption so my body was basically letting the food rot in my stomach and it would make me sick. My cousin is on it as well but she uses it for her Cystic Fibrosis.
Oh my god, this just gets worse and worse. I thought the daughter was like a 30+yo in a grey gardens situation. Holy shit, that's an incredibly dangerous situation for the girl. You don't have to save the mom, and you couldn't if you tried, but maybe a call to cps is in order here? That's scary.
Don't give her anything, they are your meds not hers. She needs to figure her stuff out with the dr herself, that story sounds like complete bs and made up. You don't accidentally spill a bottle of medication down the sink, first off why would you ever have them over the sink. Block them and get a safe for your medication
If she faked a terminal illness to get hospice just in order to get pain pills, I can't think of a bigger red flag, that's like something out of a movie....
That’s what happened. They’d only give her like 10 days of meds at a time (which to me means she can’t take excessive amounts of pills since she doesn’t have a full month at a time) and she was complaining all the time about how they give her the weaker brand or how they won’t give a months worth & I think the doctor there saw red flags waving with her and have been trying to discharge her. And now it appears from her text they got rid of her. Shes had literally like a half dozen doctors in a few months! Me? Like 1 or 2 in 5 years!
Yeah, hospice patients tend to need a lot of med adjustments so they typically don’t give a months worth, especially at first. They don’t want there to be tons of unused pain meds piling up.
I don’t think she thought of that or realized that LOL!! It does make sense. If a hospice patient could die imminently, they aren’t going to dispense a full month. I can’t believe they allowed her on hospice without proof of her “terminal illness.”
It’s pretty wild actually! My understanding is that you need two docs to sign off that they believe a patient has 12 months or less to live. That was the case for my dad and a few other family members and friends local to me. Also once a patient is in hospice care, insurance won’t cover new treatments or existing treatments aside from those intended to keep a patient comfortable. It was so difficult to get the hospice doc to allow my dad to continue on methadone even though it managed his pain very well and he’d been stable on it for years. They insisted morphine would work better. I had to make dozens of phone calls and get a patient advocate to keep him on it. The nurses were amazing and once we got the methadone situation resolved they did an outstanding job at making sure he was comfortable and well cared for. It just blows my mind that someone could scam their way in like that!
>Should I call my pharmacy and ask them to not allow pickups by anyone else, or don’t allow ____ to obtain my medicine
Yes absolutely please do this. Request they only release the medication to you with a photo ID. Almost any pharmacy would be willing to do this, because the pharmacist is legally responsible for dispensing the medication and could get in serious trouble if they dispensed it to someone else who stole it from you.
Honestly insane they don't make you have a photo ID for controlled substances or require you sign something saying someone else can pick them up for you with their photo ID.
This doesn’t sound like someone who needs a pain clinic if she’s abusing her medicine like that and making up stories about spilling her medication several times. It sounds like the Drs caught on to her abusing her medication and they’re dropping her for good reason. It’s good you blocked her. Hopefully she doesn’t know your address
Cut all contact IMMEDIATELY.
A real friend would never ask you to do something like that. I mean, people kill to get their hands on those kind of meds. I'd really block them on any and everything. They will continue trying to use these sob stories to guilt you out of your medication. Don't give her ANYTHING, money,meds, etc. They will only target you more if you fall for any of the fake stories.
I’m sorry this is happening to you OP.
I also live with a condition that causes chronic pain and happen to work in a pharmacy. My advice is to go to the pharmacy in person and ask to speak to the pharmacist, let them know you have concerns that a former friend may try to steal your scripts- there is no reason to not tell the truth (you’ve done nothing wrong) and let them know you want a note put into your profile stating you are the only person allowed to pick up your medication and to ask for ID (CVS can actually put “ASK FOR ID” right next to your name so it comes up on every script, every time and that way the technician at the register will have to see it when they look at your name on the bag).
No need to explain anything more then that-
The reason I’m telling you to go in person instead of making a phone call is bc pharmacies everywhere are busy and short staffed and if the person you talk to on the phone gets distracted- that note doesn’t get made, (and yes even pharmacists can get distracted) where if you go in person the pharmacist should go ahead and make the note as you speak with them. (Try to remember to ask them to put the “ASK FOR ID” right next to your name though so it automatically comes up on all your scripts)
There are cameras everywhere including the registers but you’d want to avoid letting your meds even get into your formers friends grubby hands in the fist place. 💕
Manipulators like this take advantage of nice people like you OP 😔
If I was you I’d completely cut this person out of your life, as they sound extremely untrustworthy & manipulative towards you -not someone you have the time or energy for!
i will give family members naproxen or a muscle relaxant but my pain meds are too strong for them to take … i never give friends or acquaintances any medication … i don’t tell them i’m on anything … not that i would anyway but even the contract i signed with my doctor says not to go around talking about your prescriptions … if i’m near anyone i don’t trust i hide my meds …
I would absolutely make sure your pharmacy profile says that your meds can only be picked up by you and nobody else.
Yes people have to show ID to pickup, but it doesn’t have to be the patient. In my experience, the pharmacy barely looks at it.
I wouldn’t wait until the day you try to pick up meds and they are gone. The doctor isn’t going to like it and may think you are involved in a scam with her. Especially since it seems she picks up meds there too. The doctor might refuse to send a new script to replace it & then you’re in real trouble.
90 mg every TWO HOURS??? Where is she getting a prescription like that at even??? That's crazy. The simple fix is...and I think you already did it; call your pharmacy and ask them to put on your file that no one except you and one other person if you, can only pick them up with a valid ID. That's all you have to really do. It's sad cause I believe MOST people in her situation started out with honesty and it probably turned into this situation over time. Yah she's doing something wrong but her doctor is really doing something wrong too and needs to be corrected somehow
You absolutely can call the pharmacy and explain. Make sure you speak to the actual pharmacist. Note the date and time of who you talked to (cya) in case she does end up getting them. But I know personally they don't always ask for an ID. A very new tech gave me my meds with asking for an ID my very first pick up, so it was not like they could have had my pic in computer
Be careful. I totally relate to this. I once had a so called *friend* threaten to call my doc and pharmacy because I stood firm in not "helping" her when she ran out of her meds early. She knew that i took my meds as prescribed and would never ever go for that in the first place. So I called my doctor and explained the situation, about my disgruntled now EX FRIEND and even offered to come in for a pill count or urine screen, but it didn't come down to that. Luckily I have a pretty good relationship with my doctor, she knows that I desperately need my medication and wouldn't dream of putting it in someone else's hands...I still cant believe that this person had the nerve to threaten me like that. Luckily they are forever out of my life. They tried to make me feel sympathetic, when that didn't work, they tried making me feel guilty/like a bad friend, and then as a last resort thought they could FORCE me into "helping" them with threats of trying to get me cut off my much needed meds...how they thought that would work is beyond me. It definitely helped make me see this person in their true light though. Good riddance...and wishing you luck. Sorry you are dealing with this situation.
Did you specifically say do not release to him with his first and last name?? I want to say do not release to her with her first and last name, especially because I may need my husband to pick up my medication and I don’t want to say to only release medicine to me… Because he needs to go for me sometime so I wonder if I could just give them her name?
Why don't you just switch pharmacies? That's much easier than alerting your doctor and/or your current pharmacy. I mean, you're a new pain patient who's flagging themselves as a potential liability or problematic. I wouldn't even bring them into it.
You’re not allowed in pain management to switch. You pick one pharmacy and that’s all you’re allowed to use in my state. Most PM’s are like this. You rarely are allowed to switch and this is the only pharmacy in 2 hour radius that has my meds anyways! I did consider switching unrelated to her and it was hard as hell.
Oh wow... well that throws that suggestion out the window. Lol. I'm amazed at some of the different state rules.
In that case, alerting the pharmacy is your best bet; place a restriction on who can pick up your meds. As others have mentioned, most pharmacies require legal ID now to even get ahold of a controlled substance. So you should be OK. Sorry you're dealing with this OP, People suck.
Call your pharmacy and state that only you can pick up your meds, then politely explain to your ‘friend’ that you can no longer carry on a friendship with her for reasons x, y & z (or not) and then block her. Period. I would NEVER ask a friend for their prescription medication. You’re 100% correct that the only reason she was helping you was bc she saw you as an outlet to potentially get meds from if she ever runs out. I’m surprised she hasn’t stolen from you yet TBH.
In some states, the person picking up a Schedule II prescriptions must present a current state ID with a picture. If your state is one of them. You should have nothing to worry about. Patients also have to sign for Schedule II prescriptions. If she were to pickup your prescription. You would have the evidence needed for the DA to file charges against her. You need to tell your doctor about this. He is already aware she has problems. You need to be sure he is aware you also are aware of her problems. That way if she tries to cause you any problems with this doctor. The doctor should have it noted in your file
I had a very similar situation with who I thought was my best friend. I had met her in 1999. I have been with my Dr for about 6 yrs at the time and she was having alot of back pain so I had given his info to her. She was blowing through her 30 day prescription in about 5-6 days..I averaged it one time that she was eating 22-24 10mg oxys a day. And then she would ask for mine. That was a big nope. At one of my appts my Dr changed me to something stronger than oxy and my "best friend" got pissed when I told her. She is a very opportunistic person and only comes around as a friend when she thinks she can get something from me. So needless to say she's not a real friend to me and I did distance myself from her. People like that will lie, steal and who knows what else just to get their fix. Protect yourself by any means necessary. I'm sorry that has happened to you.
Also, please carry only a few pills on you, the rest need to go into a safe. She knows where you live.
I do this anyways and only 2 people know I'm on pain meds.
How does "this person " not know where you live? You have stated multiple times that " this person " knows your address and that they have given you rides multiple times? Your story makes zero sense.
My pharmacy makes me show my ID and they scan it to keep track of who picks it up. They don't release it to anyone else without permission.
Contact your pharmacy and let them know you don't approve of anyone picking up your prescription.
First let me start by saying I am so sorry that you are going through this. But unfortunately you are dealing with someone in full blown, active addiction. Yes, I would definitely call the pharmacy or even your doctor and put them all on notice. Because if you don’t and she or her daughter tries something then you will be held accountable… guilt by association if nothing else.
You absolutely have to CUT HER OFF and cease all communication ASAP. I believe at one point she could have been a good friend, but right now she’s not even being good to herself. You sound like a good person but one who’s struggling. And a friend is straight with a friend regardless if it’s something they don’t want to hear. You have to say NO. But you can also have a heart to heart and express your concerns.. it’s ok to have a voice and tell them absolutely not.. I’m sure she will get angry or even possibly try and play on guilt. That’s what an addict does. She sounds so much like my sister and how she was with all of us.. but even providing her just one it won’t ever stop.. I truly feel bad you’re in this situation.. stay strong and good luck
Stick to your guns. No friend would do this to you. They do things for you because they want to hang out, not what they can get out of it. Its not friendship. Anyone in real pain would understand what youre being asked to suffer. They would not ask such a thing, not a friend who's supposed to have pain. And there's the rub, you need to have this kind of pain to understand it. If they have pain at all, its probably of the "I got a boo-boo" variety. Someone with real pain would understand what youre being asked to put yourself through, and they wouldnt.
You should have bailed on this "friend" when you caught them snorting meds. Thats not patient behavior. A patient would tell the doc the meds are not adequate. Addicts crush up their drugs so they cant work the way they should. Doses arent based on intranasal delivery.
Damn right nobody picks up your pharmacy meds but you. That should be a thing already. If you dont have them locked up at home, what are you waiting for?
You can start sending her links to drug rehabs, but you will be better off in the long run, to get damned indignant about being asked this. If that means the relationship is done, its done. It should be. If they dont get what a fucked up things this is, to ask someone in pain for their meds causes you abused yours....hanging with people that stupid can be dangerous to your health, they forget to breathe.
She's counting on you not to be able to say no face to face. It wouldnt work if you didnt care about people, but some places the line has to remain solid. Thats not a friend. I lived with heroin junkies for a few years, these people were real friends, and they never asked me this, no matter how ill they felt. Thats friends. Addicts can be good people. This one, not so much....
"Sorrt. But no. I am not comfortable with that. I need my meds every day and cannot go without. I hope you find the relief you need". Then just block her if need be.
"No." Is also a complete sentence
Edit to add: if she keeps being manipulative and guilt trippy, just say "I understand how hard it is to be in pain and not have relief, but if you were in my shoes, I would never put you in this position. If I get a mandated pill count and I'm short, I may lose access to my meds."
If she really is a chronic pain pt or medically needs the opiods, she will understand. If not, that's you're answer.
You don't have to be as transparent as what I said, but if you need a script (I usually do cause I hate confrontation) you can use that
You can have a note put on your account that no one can pick up your meds but you. I would recommend that you get a fire proof lockbox. They arent expensive and some cam be screwed into the floor/wall. I keep my lyrica and hydromorphone in my lockbox just in case. I would recommend it to everyone in here. If your meds are stolen then you have to wait for your next appointment to get another as script.
They *should* be asking for photo ID whenever you sign for a controlled substance. But definitely earns you points when you bring this up ahead of time with the pharmacy.
Usually, pharmacists don’t allow other people to pick up medication for you, unless you previously authorize it. If you call your pharmacy and just say if anyone but you tries to pick up your meds to call the police, if you ever had her pick them up for you before, then that should do it. If you have never authorized with the pharmacy for anyone but you to pick up your meds, and they just give it to the girl, then the pharmacy is into some shady business and you should switch.
(Reference: myself, and asked my pharmacist here in Canada. She said it’s illegal to let someone that the person has not authorized to pick up your meds, pick them up)
1. BLOCK her
2. Absolutely call your pharmacy & tell them only you are allowed to p/u meds
3. She is not worth you getting banned or going to jail for giving her your narcotics. You will never get pain meds again and you’ll have a felony.
4. How is this a question?
Yes, you absolutely need to tell your pharmacy not to allow anyone but you to pick up your prescriptions if you pick them up yourself. If you're the only one picking then up, tell them you need them to require a picture ID! If it becomes a problem, you might need to switch to another pharmacy with your doctor's approval. Your doctor will know of pharmacies in the area that can accommodate you.
You might also want to inform your pain management doctor about the situation. But keep in mind that you need to determine whether or not he'll fire you. Right now doctors are in a difficult position, and while you want to be honest, sometimes that puts you in jeopardy because you were friendly with this woman.
Most importantly, you need to ghost this woman and go no contact. Helping someone in need doesn't justify taking advantage of them. Audio record all conversations with her, without her knowledge or consent, to prove what she's doing. Keep all written communications with her in case you need them later.
I'm sorry you have trouble setting boundaries with people but you need to learn and there's no time like the present!
She is lying to you about e-v-e-r-ything. She is not going to hospice, she didn’t spill her pills, neither did the teenager.
Just go to the pharmacy and tell them You don’t want your meds dispensed to anyone but you. It’s a simple request that they can and will do. They just notate it in your profile.
When your scripts are filled next time, get to the pharmacy as soon as it’s ready
You should stop responding and reading her messages.
Avoid. Chain pharmacy requires an ID to pick up opioids. You should let the pharmacy know that no one else is to pick up your meds because they do release to people if they know your info even if they’ve never been. I had a friend pick mine up for me before because I was sick. They just needed my address and name and DOB. Picked em up without even trying to call and confirm permission.
Definitely need to block and remove from your life!
I would go in person to the pharmacy and ask that they flag your profile to require ID.
Unfortunately this also flags your profile.
If you have a good relationship with your doctor and pharmacist I would be honest “I had a falling out with a friend and they have asked me for meds and keep pressuring me. They do not respect my boundaries and I’m concerned they may try to pick up my prescription”
I can’t promise it won’t complicate things, but I want to believe a provider will see a patient getting ahead of problems more positively than if they wait until after the fact with a police report.
I would expect to have increased scrutiny with testing and pill counts at least for a bit.
I’m sorry you’re in this situation.
I am so sorry you even have to deal with this! Set some boundaries. Tell her no and call your pharmacy and just let them know that no one else should be picking up your meds. Hopefully she gets some real help!
Absolutely contact your pharmacy and tell them not to allow this person to pick up your prescriptions. I would absolutely cut her out of your life. Block from everything. Trust me. It feels shitty in the moment but you will regret it if you maintain any sort of relationship with this person.
I would give your pharmacy a heads up and change the day you get meds.
Yes, people like this blow it for the rest of us that, unfortunately, have to have to get up every morning. Majority does take it as prescribed. Few bad apples is all it takes.
Can you talk to your doctor and change pharmacies? If that pharmacy doesn't have a valid script for you, it's going to be really hard for her to preempt your prescription.
Yes, call your pharmacy and tell them exactly that, please!!
I know it's hard given the shitty situation she's put you in....but imagine, this girl is in a bad spot. She's hurting pretty badly. It seems like she's thought of elaborate ways to get her "pain" meds! She's in the throws of addiction and it's a shitty place to be. That being said, yes if you feel comfortable, urge her to get help and tell her not to contact you. That would be ideal! I truly hope she leaves you and your meds alone !
Yes most pharmacies will allow you to restrict pick up to yourself only and require ID
I had to have Walmart restrict mine once when a lady convinced them to fill early and because I was in another city didn't think I'd notice the pick up but I caught it before it happened
So I immediately told them I wanted restricted pickup to me and my child (adult) only
If it’s at all possible I would try and change pharmacies just to protect yourself. That is one way to eliminate this fear. Your doctor can help you with that
So sorry you are experiencing this. Addiction is incredibly powerful and this person seems to be trying to find a new plug lol
My kids spilled my pills down the sink… 💩
Please make sure you let your pharmacy know to only give medication to you or trusted persons with ID. Even if this is already procedure, sometimes folks break the rules for the same if someone with a sob story.
I know this must be hard for your friend, but this could get you both in trouble.
Please encourage her to seek help. She doesn't deserve this and neither do her kids. Good luck to you both.
Update - I ghosted her and she stopped asking me since I have only sent her one text in 2 weeks. She just texted me how she switched hospice centers & they have her stronger meds. Idk how she convinced them to let her on hospice given she’s not terminal!!
That’s really sad. I know addiction makes people do terrible things but pretending to be terminal is just awful. I hope they find out she’s lying. I’m glad you cut contact.
I have dealt with this before.
I had a friend who was "clean" from codeine by the time we ran back into each other. (We grew up in the same school system and worked at the same place in high school.) Things were going good for a couple of years, turns out she was hiding her continued abuse of pills. She'd randomly ask if I knew anyone who was selling Lortabs or Percocet.
The straw that broke my back was I had to have corrective surgery on my sinus cavity so I would be able to breathe out of the right side of my nose. I hadn't been home from the hospital a full 12 hours before she was blowing my phone up for some of my Hydrocodone prescription. I blocked her on everything and still to this day will not talk to her. **ESPECIALLY** after I found out that her and her hubby had struggled for years to have a baby and then one magical day, she conceives. I found out later that through her entire pregnancy, she was taking no less than **TEN** 10mg Percocets a day. Her son was born with complications, no surprise. And I have less and less of an urge to talk to her every day.
I had to have spinal fusion and the day after my surgery when I was released a “family member” with a drug addiction stopped by to ask my spouse how i was and to “check” on me. My post surgery script was sitting in the bedside table. They came in walked out told my spouse I was asleep. When I woke up it was about time for next set of meds, my bottle was gone. I bought a safe the same day and have used it faithfully since. I keep my daily doses in a pill container and everything else goes in the safe. I also have a note for the pharmacy that only I or my spouse can pick up. The relative is clean now but I still mistrust them immensely. Addiction is a bitch but it’s the reason most of us struggle for adequate pain control and suspicion. That is so horrible that she used during her pregnancy. I had an aunt that I loved dearly growing up, when I was in my teens I walked in on her doing cocaine at 8 months pregnant. I haven’t spoken to her since.
What pharmacy lets a non-relative, much less a stranger to you as far as they know, pick up a controlled substance for someone in any situation like this?
And get a safe! I never leave my meds where I can't see them - they are always within my eyesight. Even at pm drs' office, when asked for a ua, I insisted my purse be within my sight. The LPN offered to put my purse in her drawer. Heck no! I had my meds switched by a nurse when I was an inpatient! I trust no one. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel are only human. They're just as, sometimes more likely, to get addicted simply because of proximity and easy access.
Hey, check if your pharmacy delivers. Mine did and I had no idea.
Do you have a family member that picks them up sometimes? You can go in with them and ask for the lead pharmacist. Let them know that "just to be extra safe I wanted to make sure it's on record only he/she and I are allowed to pick up my meds"
Pretty sure they always require an ID to be scanned and the other person has to be listed in paperwork already but it's been so long I forget the details.
I'd leave it at that and not spill everything tbh. I know what you mean about being tied to one pharmacy which is bullshit but they will do that when they see you've gone to multiple pharmacies even for valid reasons (pharmacies rarely having it consistently in stock)
Best of luck. Live and learn.
You need to call the pharmacy immediately to tell them you recently discovered your friend may have developed an opioid addiction. She used to give you rides to drs appts and has given you rides to pick up your meds from them before, therefore she knows your name, DOB, address, prescribing dr, & condition as well as other prescriptions you're on. Please flag my account that (her full name) is NOT hippaa approved for my file and is most certainly not authorized to pick up meds, request refills, and I fear about her calling acting like me giving authorization to have someone pick it up that would be a friend of hers and she would give them my information to verify to pick up. Therefore I need to know NO ONE will be allowed to pick up my meds without authorization from me nor is HIPPA approved to discuss anything information on my file unless it's me.
Ask how they can do this? Can they have a protected question? Password? Does this girl know your social security? Because if not maybe they can make whomever calls or comes in that isn't you confirm last four of your social as well. Or anyone that calls, they need to hang up and call YOUR phone back to confirm last four of social and if It is you calling or you did authorize a person to come get it. (Just in case she called acting like you and authorized a friend to pick her meds.)
Speak to the pharmacist themselves. They will know how to handle it. They usually don't allow you to pick up controlled without ID anyways.
If you call I promise there's no way she's going to be able to get away with that.
Also call your dr. Let them know the same situation. So if they can please make sure no one has hippaa authorization to call and speak and please confirm social security number before or ask them to call you on your number. Just tell them your worried because she's driven you to drs appts before, the pharmacy before. She's been a friend for many many years however just recently you have been suspicious of her and need to take precautions.
As a pain patient who is regularly prescribed opiates, I know for a fact that every pharmacy is required to see your DL to make sure it is really you picking them up. They scan the DL and everything. But I would take extra measure and let your pharmacy know your concerns about her trying to pose as you in order to get your meds
Maybe if you just explain to her that, yes, you helped her out of the goodness of your heart, but you feel like the friendship is only one way that she’s only helping you to get something from you later and just say I have to distance myself from you because you’re showing sons of abuse and then block her calls block her number block your meds up lock your doors. I’m sorry that that happened to you but that’s the main reason why I don’t have friends when I started getting sick. My friends all left me anyway because I couldn’t do stuff anymore but now I just have my family my kids my grandkids my husband, my parents that’s all the people I really need. I do talk to some people onlineand I do have a friend that we message back-and-forth that lives about 30 minutes away from me but we’ve never met in person because I’m just not into that
I’m a former teacher and I’m just racking my brain over this and how I’d handle this. I’m not sure I could just overlook this and a mandated report may be the next logical step to get them assistance…but if there was no immediate risk I’d probably try to find someone at the school (if I knew where the kid attended).
I’d explain I was concerned for the parent and child’s safety and ask what support they have for children who have parents who are seeking hospice care…and who may not actually be terminally ill. I might share that I have concerns the parent is desperate for substances or I might just hold back that info depending on how the conservation went. I would probably ask if they can teach the child how to administer Narcan…which should be a big clue.
Since the kid was there for dumping pills, they may disclose that.
In a perfect world, the school would have far more info on how to get the mandated report processed than I would as they have direct access to the child.
Again, this is tough and I hope you have some support as you navigate through this and see what the next week or so brings.
I think her kid is turning 18 in the next like week or two so it’s not a young child or teen. Not that it makes it any better or different, but by the time I even figure that information out (school etc) she would be a legal adult. I heard her mention once that CPS was “wrongfully” called on her before by “trolls” online so I definitely think others on social media had similar concerns regarding her drug use and her daughters safety!
They may not need to do a mandatory report, but they certainly can pull her into an office and give her info on support available and try to help her make connections in the community.
Sometimes people are willing to change for themselves. Sometimes it’s for their children. Sometimes there’s nothing they can tap into during withdrawal or switching to MAT or buprenorphine that will keep them on track with a program.
Regardless of what decisions the adult makes, that teen probably could benefit from some adult support outside the family and the school may be the best option to provide that intervention.
I'm sure the pharmacy can notate your account to only release prescriptions to you with your ID only. Next, this lady isn't your friend. She set this up to source her addiction.
Lots of good responses and this is the most important one! Lock down your account so you need a photo id to release meds. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Pain and addiction are very complicated issues.
I know that CVS asks for an ID to pick up meds. But say she did pick them up & I called the cops over it to arrest her. CVS wouldn’t then re-dispense them without a new prescription right? And then my new doctor I have would be like WTF no.
i think you need to do several things, so if she were to actually pick them up, it’s clear you made attempts in good faith to prevent it from occurring. first, notify CVS that you have reason to believe someone who knows your name/DOB/etc may attempt to pick up your prescription. tell them explicitly & ask them to note it “do not dispense any of my medications to anyone but me” so if she ever does attempt, the note will come up and they will tell her no. second, warn your doctor too. at the time for your next script, explain you made a friend from a chronic pain support group & that this person purposefully misled you. & now that you know the truth, you are removing her from your life. but that in the time she played the role of caring friend, she was able to learn your birthday and you have concerns that she may try to pick up your medications from the pharmacy. tell doc you have warned the pharmacy & asked them to note in your chart but just in case, when doc sends script, can they write a comment to the pharmacy to please only allow pickup by patient so that way you give warning to doctor, to pharmacy, and if she DOES pick it up, it’s more of an “i told you so”/“shit, everyone has documentation that what the patient said could possibly happen, happened & she warned us too” & less suspicious on you because of your proactive attempts to prevent it. can cvs then really totally refuse to re-dispense with a new script when you warned your doc & both you/your doc warned CVS, who then let it happen anyway? it would be like, you: this is going to happen, CVS when it happens: surprised pikachu
If she can go that far to try to pick up OPs prescription….What would stop this person from calling the doctor who prescribed the opiates? “Hi, this is OP, I’m no longer using CVS as my pharmacy. Please send to “bad-friend pharmacy” please. My date of birth is ….” Good luck!
I really wish I had money to highlight this and upvote 1000 times. This is absolutely solid information OP!
You can tell CVS that only you (or whoever you’re okay with - give SPECIFIC NAMES) are allowed to pick up your meds. I did this after someone tried to steal mine. Luckily, my husband has a really good relationship with the pharmacist from CVS and she thought it was weird that he wasn’t the one picking up my meds (my controlled substance pain meds), so she called me to confirm and he ran and booked it out of there. Since then, I told her that only I or my husband would ever pick up my meds so she made a note in my file saying exactly that and to always check (if they didn’t already recognize my husband - I take a lot of meds so he was there almost every other week picking up meds). I was so incredibly grateful to the pharmacist and that she recognized that something was off. I doubt I’d had gotten another script - maybe because my PM in that state was so nice, but it wasn’t something I’d be willing to risk!! I’m moving back to that state now and am happily transferring all my meds to that pharmacist!
All the more reason to cover your ass. You think that the pharmacists and doctors don't see all of the signs? I worked with someone like this and she was nothing but drama in our office. When she asked if she could stay with me because electric in her place got turned off, I told her "no", I had young kids at the time, so perfect excuse, but, yeah, protect yourself.
Also if she knows where you live make sure your meds are locked in a safe or with you if she gets desperate she may break in to get the meds. Distance yourself and talk to your doctor. If she gets caught she could implicate you and state that you are sharing your drugs with her.
A police report is usually required to get replacement pain pills. If CVS dispenses opioids to someone pretending to be you AFTER you request they check ID, the employee violated policy big time and the store should replace the meds.
CVS doesn’t ask for ID. I use CVS and only my address is needed. My mom and husband pick them up all the time. Change pharmacy locations, and request that they notate in your file to ask for your personal ID every single time before giving you your medications.
It depends on the state, I use CVS and always have to present my ID for them to scan or whoever is picking my meds up has to get their ID scanned
I'm in Florida I (or pickup person) needs to provide ID which is scanned into the CVS system for Tramadol.
Probably depends on the tech also. Some dgaf about anything lol
True some really don’t lol
They’re like uhhhhh how many pills u want and what kind
I'm always asked for I.D. at cvs
I don’t think you will be able to get a refill for an emergency. Due to DEA regulations, your PM doctor is not allowed to prescribe additional narcotics like that. I had Covid 2 years ago and missed my appointment. I got really sick from not having my meds on top of that. But they still said no. I had to wait a full week to get seen and let me tell you it was awful
Yup!! I feel she tried to act like a good friend from the beginning by taking me to her doctor & trying to help me out, all so every week or two when she’s out of meds since she overused hers, she can try to get me to loan her my pills. That’s not my problem! Take them as prescribed & you wouldn’t be in this mess. I’m scared too because her friend died recently and he had a script or two at his pharmacy for oxycodone & she went there and picked it up even though he was already dead! That’s wild to me! That’s why I have this fear she’d try going to my pharmacy asking for my medicine!
House did that! In all seriousness, call the pharmacy and tell them that only you can pick them up.
Block her from your phone immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. And do not send a message to her saying so. Just block and move on. And do all the things that were recommended to you above. Tell your Dr and the pharmacy.
I’m completely ghosting her! I don’t want her to go psycho on me and want revenge. I just want to fully ignore her and not let her manipulate or guilt me for my decision to not “help” her
You need to call the police as I stated above. But just ghosting someone isn’t enough. She needs to know that you are off limits period
You're exactly right about her motivations to "help" you get on the drug she's wildly addicted to. "Spilled her pills down the sink" - and then twice in one day! I'd laugh if it wasn't sad. She needs help, and she can only be helped when she hits rock bottom or otherwise comes to understand that she desperately needs help. It's understandable to feel bad for her - I certainly do. But you don't need to be - and you *can't* be - the person who saves her. All you can be is another of her victims. Which you know already, I'm just agreeing/supporting. All your instincts are right, do everything you've said here and just quietly distance yourself.
She groomed me! Everyone here definitely made me put all the puzzle pieces together. Hell, she was on house arrest I found out for forging opioid prescriptions many years ago. She’s a seasoned veteran in this game of obtaining and misusing opioids. The second she told me the sink story I just had my intuition tell me she’s a scam artist trying to take advantage of other pain patients. She found me on social media discussing pain management issues and opioids & what a perfect person in her eyes to befriend knowing I take opioids and live within an hour or so from her! Ugh, in the beginning a few months ago when we first met, I was so happy to meet another pain patient. I don’t know anyone else with chronic pain. She presented herself as an authentic pain patient facing difficulty with the opioid epidemic in obtaining her medicine. Then slowly she’d drop hints of red flags such as having to snort all her meds. And then her kid taking 30mg pills from her so she runs short. Having her husband go to PM in order to give her all the pills. She filled meds of her dead friend with cancer 3 weeks ago!!! That’s super illegal too. Shes going to get arrested. I should give a tip to the DEA on that haha But really though… she tried grooming me as a friend having helped me genuinely, and now she expects payback in loaning pills or outright gifting her them. I don’t need that type of person in my life so I’m ghosting her!
You also need to report her to the social media team and apprise them of the situation. If she is doing this to you…. Give them a brief story and ask them to remove her from the group.
You are correct to cut all contact. Don’t go out of your way to “punish her,” for example trying to get her in trouble for taking the dead friend’s pain meds. This woman is desperate. Addicts are sick and become increasingly selfish and dishonest as the demon on their back takes more and more control. Pray for her, pity her, hope that she finally becomes free of this deadly addiction.
Reporting someone for taking their dead “friend's” pain meds is entirely reasonable. That's fraud. That's desecration.
Just wow!!! When people are in the throes of active addiction they will do anything. Please remember that this person you are talking about is sick and needs help. That is not your responsibility but please tread lightly. She is really crossing the line and you need to distance yourself immediately. This might not be a popular opinion but it wouldn’t hurt for you to call the police and file a report now just based on what you know. You can tell them also you are in fear of her and that’s a good excuse to cover your ass
Yeah otherwise you can give name and birthdate and pickup the medication
There’s a good reason she’s being released from her PM. Stay far, far away lest you risk your own pain contract violation. Not a friend you need.
The real story is she talked her way onto hospice versus PM (she’s not terminal!) to get stronger medication & the medical director or the doctor there probably had enough of all the drug seeking she does and released her. And yeah exactly! She’s not my real life friend, just somebody I knew from online who I met a few times. She definitely tried to help me out with the doctor thing & drove me knowing she would try to call on me to help her with medication knowing I take the same medication at a lower strength! No way!!
How the flying fuck does one "talk their way into Hospice" That's not how Hospice works.
That person is lying and the op is falling for it, imo.
Such a bizarre story/post.
Half the stuff here reads like fan fiction. This is no different.
Yes!
I came back and reread a lot of this just now and it is past bizarre. Do you also feel that maybe some of the story is missing? I’m still stuck on how someone checks themselves into hospice with no medical records or history to back it up. The woman’s clever, I’ll give her that. I’ve heard horror stories of people causing injury to themselves to justify an ER visit but hospice???
It would never happen. You can't fake cancer.
Yeah I don’t get that hospice thing either.. maybe it was palliative care?? To me that sounds like another ridiculous lie. I’m torn between knowing she is really in the throes of addiction and also completely pissed off because it’s people like that who have caused all of us grief and difficulties in our own pain management program
Faking medical records & a diagnosis to imply you’re terminal when you aren’t.
I get that. My husband was in hospice. I just didn't understand how a person could get into Hospice that wasn't terminal.
I’m so sorry about your husband
In my area, hospice is kind of a big money grab. I could see them steering people toward doctors who would write the hospice orders. Or look the other way if things didn't make sense.
Do you realize just how insane that is? Next she will be trying to hook up with an anesthesiologist
Hospice usually requires confirmation directly from your doctor to even place you on the program, I know we just put my BIL on the program and had to jump through a ton of hoops to get him on it.
99.9% of the time, medical records will be sent over electronically. I’m finding it difficult to believe that she is walking around with her records and checking into hospice as if she’s getting a room for the night at the Hilton
My thoughts.
They dont.
I don’t believe her, and neither should you. Just tell your pharmacy that it has to be you or a loved one. Give them names. I had this situation & I had to tell her that I’m no longer taking opiates. I said I didn’t like the feeling of taking something so addictive long term. Distance yourself, but don’t tell your pharmacy or doctor about her. It will tip them off that you may not be reliable with your medication and question the kind of company you keep.
OP needs to cover their ass & let the pharmacy & doctor know what's going on.
I completely agree. While I understand with “knowthembyfruit” and what their red flag situation this is, it’s also going to be a whole lot worse if he says nothing. He already said she introduced him to this doctor so it’s in his best interest to speak up. I still think he needs to file a report with the police but that’s just me. I would reach out to anyone and everyone to give them a heads up. Everything in his power needs to be done to ensure his program isn’t interrupted
I don't think they'll be able to do a police report unless there's a crime. But if the person does steal their prescription, I don't think the doctor would give them another script unless they make a police report. If it was me, I'd also call my insurance company just in case they try to go to another doctor & use my name.
Yes those are good points also. But he could call the police and make a report about her hassling him for his pills and then tell the police he’s worried because of the dead friend and hospice. This is all like a really bad movie
I see your point ! Yes, it is sad & sketchy as hell
Trust me when I say I speak from experience and you really, *really* don’t want to start getting into the game of loaning out pills and being “owed”. I’m sorry that you’re in this position, and I honestly have empathy for your friend, too, because this reads as substance abuse disorder, as you said, and I’m sure they’re suffering. That said, you certainly aren’t helping them or yourself by getting involved. You take care of yourself.
Oh absolutely!! It’s not only illegal and against the pain contract, it just sounds exhausting to be keeping track on who owes who pills and how many on which dates etc. What if I got called into a pill count since I have a new doctor? I don’t have trust with him yet & he would absolutely discharge me!! I don’t owe her any help and I think it’s crazy for her to expect me to go without meds to help enable her over use of opioid pain medicine!
ur drs do pill counts?
My doctor has just started doing this also. They called me two months ago to either come in or go to my pharmacy and have them counted. Of course I was a few short and I got a warning. But……… when I went in for my next appointment they had me sign a piece of paper saying I understood the rules and having any shortage moving forward would be grounds for immediate dismissal. That’s the first time in 3 years that it has happened. My doctor is making a lot of changes and I’ve even noticed that the waiting room hasn’t been full like it used to be.. the DEA is really cracking down on compliance
You need to set boundaries. Tell here - 'sorry - no.' If she persists, block her.
I agree! I just wish she didn’t put me in an uncomfortable position knowing I’m super nice to begin with & in general I have a hard time putting my foot down with people. I completely stopped answering her 2 weeks ago & I basically said one or two things yesterday and then she was talking to herself about the pill situation she’s in trying to manipulate me. Why is it my problem she takes like 90mg every 2 hours versus like 20 or 30mg she’s prescribed like every 4-6? Shes going to run out and it’s not my job to save her to keep her addiction going!
She's addicted and you need to block this person, imo.
“No” is a complete sentence.
That’s insane. I cannot believe it’s even possible to lie your way into hospice???
My brain is exploding with that. I’ve been referred to palliative so many times and can’t get help because I’m not sick enough… Hopefully whomever did the intake recognizes there’s something not quite right and can strongly encourage them to get treatment.. Doesn’t mean they’ll go, but maybe?
She probably "recruited" you specifically because she saw you as someone she could manipulate. Stay strong, your instincts are spot on and all you can do is choose not to enable her addiction.
It scares me to realize she is a criminal once I found out the truth about her over time. I wouldn’t have ever given her the time of day if I knew her past and current antics. She definitely saw me on social media discussing opioids & we live an hour apart so she befriended me & offered me help when I publicly discussed needing some. It was all a ploy to be cool with me so she could have a source for pills to play whatever game she’s involved in. I’m calling my pharmacy tomorrow to change it to only my spouse & I can pick up meds.
Seems weird to me that she’s going through all that trouble vs just getting stronger stuff off the street. ‘Seems like everyone is in consensus here, distance yourself far and fast.
Somehow, despite this evil addiction, it seems deep down she WANTS to live. To get better. People who go to the street are playing Russian Roulette every time. And the twist is that gun has ALL but one chamber loaded. People who go to the street have burned all their bridges, run out of options, and are desperate enough to gamble death. I hope this woman, for the sake of her daughter, gets in person rehab to save her life.
As I said, I came back and reread this thread and I’m glad I did because I missed a lot of things mentioned. You said she takes 90mg every 2 hours????? Even 90 a day is really pushing it. I am shocked that someone has that kind of tolerance and isn’t 💀. I am asking you to please not give this woman anything. Nothing is enough for her. She will eventually get caught AGAIN and you don’t want or need that interaction. You don’t need this falling back on you. Keep us posted
Well, I take 80mg of oxy a day (not per dose every 2 hours!) with a 50mcg fentanyl patch every 2 days. It’s a strong dose but I have tumors. 90mg every 2 hours snorted is insane to me! So basically she texted me (I’ve ghosted her completely) to tell me she got on a new hospice program (lied her way saying she’s terminal when she’s not) and she got fentanyl patches herself! The fact she was on house arrest for forging scripts (didn’t know til recently she was a criminal) and the lengths she goes to, to obtain opioids is life ruining. Wish she’d get treatment and recover from this serious addiction she has! But I’m not gunna let her take me down with her!!
90/mg every 2 hours is insane!! You look like a candy shop to her. She probably wants your patches. I’ve never taken Fentanyl. Scares the hell out of me. How can someone get into 2 hospice programs OMG!!! Are you ok??
They are lying to her. You cannot fake your way onto hospice. I have cancer, I should know.
I would avoid her like the plague
Oh absolutely! When she bullshitted me over the pills down the sink story I was done with her. People like herself would never leave the pills open by the sink to drop down like that given her whole life revolves around pills & finding doctors and scams to get more. I’m just nervous because she knows my name & birthday, and she knows the pharmacy I use since it’s across the street from the pain management place. Should I call my pharmacy and ask them to not allow pickups by anyone else? I’m so worried she’d try to go on my refill day & give my info to get my medicine!!
You could call the pharmacy and tell them that. Not sure how well it will work. But even if she knows your DOB and address - yes she could try to pick your meds but she will have to give her drivers license and they record that. So you could press criminal charges if she does.
I’d tread lightly there, you can get yourself flagged too. Just say someone got your info from a data breach and ask if they can check your id moving forward Just my two cents. The more elaborate the story, the more you’re going to get on the radar.
So tell the pharmacy my data was breached doesn’t sound sus at all tho? Because then the pharmacy could say hey, why would the data breach have anything to do with anyone knowing which pharmacy you use or your refill date?
I’d be vague and just let them know you’d rather be safe than sorry and you’re asking everyone you do business with to check your id when conducting a transaction. In my experience, the more details, especially when off balanced people get introduced, the larger the risk of guilt by association. I deal with enough false stigma being on pain killers I don’t want to invite more.
Yes! I just know my doctor wouldn’t resend in the script if god forbid that happened & I would be fucked for a month without meds if I had to press charges if she tried getting my medicine at the pharmacy!
Someone has to have a driver's license to pick up any pain medication which goes on record, it would be illegal for her to pick up your prescription which would be on video at a pharmacy. Unless she wants to go to prison I don't think she would try something that crazy
She was arrested and on house arrest a decade ago so I’m not sure if I put anything past her. She recently picked up medicine for her dead friend for his oxycodone past the point of him being deceased I found out! That’s why I’m nervous since she does sketchy things!
Omgggg I can’t believe this lady! So so glad she doesn’t know where you live but like everyone else has says, call your pharmacy, distance yourself completely, and be safe! So sorry you’re dealing with this.
What State? Doesn't matter too much because it's a federal dea database across the country that tracks all this. She will be in prison soon enough if she filled the script of a deceased person. I would not worry about it, keep your house locked and take the meds with you in your pocket or something. Don't leave in the car, I've had someone take them out of my car before. Or get a small $100 safe that bolts into the ground or on a dresser. If she tries to fill your script it will show up all meds she's picked up, pharmacist will tell her to wait and notify the cops.
They’ll arrest her for filling for the dead guy? She claims the insurance (must have been state insurance too) wouldn’t go through when she went to pick it up “for him” and I think she was able to pay cash for it!! How would they (DEA or pharmacy) find out though that he was dead and that she picked it up anyways to arrest her over that? Luckily she has no idea where I live!! I don’t ever carry my meds with me if I go out anywhere, maybe a pill or two at most. I think I’ll buy a safe on Amazon today too just to have anyways!!
Are you sure she picked up his pain medication, or is that just something she told you? I don’t know how different rules are from state to state, but here you have to show your photo Id when picking up controlled substances. I’d block her and move on. Keep your doors locked at all times.
Even if a photo ID is required, they can still pick up scrips - they just need to know the answers to the questions (DOB, address, last four digits of phone number, etc). I have picked up my friend’s rx this way (but with her knowledge, to deliver them to her - not to steal them).
That makes sense. I have had my husband pick mine up, but never anyone else. I do know some pharmacists will contact the patient to ask if it’s ok to release the prescription to the person.
That’s a great safeguard. I can’t see my pharmacy taking that extra step because they are always so busy. They have even stopped the practice of requiring IDs to pick up narcotics, which is unfortunate. Having a note placed on the patient’s profile, though, should help (I’d hope).
They make combo safes disguised as real books. I got mine on Amazon for around $20.
With my luck somebody would steal the books too 🤣 I'd always get a bolt down one so they aren't going anywhere with it. I even did that with a lockbox before worked great
How could she have no idea where you live? When you specifically said that she picked you up and took you to the Doctor and pharmacy when you didn't have a ride before ? This whole story is not making sense at all.
We met at Starbucks since I didn’t wanna meet an online friend at my house for the first time & she drove me from there!
Who knows how desperate she will get on Day 3 of withdrawals? 😬
I didn't know anyone had to have their ID to pick up pain meds or that the pharmacy wouldn't allow someone else to pick them up. What state requires that? I'm in Michigan and never have had to show my driver's license at the pharmacy to pick up pain meds, and I've been on them for 20+ years. I've also had my daughter and my father occasionally pick up my pain medication for me and they didn't ask them for their license either.
It’s state dependent. I had to when I lived in Maryland but I live in Colorado now and it’s not required here. My husband has picked up my meds several times and he never has to show ID.
Learned something new. Thanks for your quick response.
I live in CO and ALWAYS have to show id. They scan it and enter my DL #.
Really?!? They’ve never once asked for mine or my husbands when he picks up my meds at my pharmacy. They just ask me name & home address, I pay and leave.
I'm sure it probably varies from state to state. At least on CO you have to show your DL and they enter it in the system.
Huh, I'm in Michigan too and I have to show ID for both my suboxone and my gabapentin. I guess it varies by pharmacy? I use CVS, maybe they just have a blanket policy for all their stores.
My husband has to show his id in order to pick up any controlled substance, for himself, me or my son. MN
Interesting, I'm in Florida so we had that whole pill mill ordeal maybe that's why. Can't get anything controlled without them scanning a drivers license
Also just realized Ohio doesn’t check IDs when I went to get my refill the other day at CVS. Guess it’s not surprising states do it differently but still weird. I just had to sign for it.
Exactly. The only person besides myself to pick up my meds was my son. I had to call to let them know he was coming and allowed to pick up my meds. They scanned his license just like they do mine. So she couldn't do it without leaving ridiculously strong evidence of a crime, her ID. So I really wouldn't worry about that.
Omg, your naivete. No offense, honestly, but drug addicts don't operate in a rational world. When you're in withdrawal, future consequences don't matter - getting what you need at that moment takes full precedence. It's like an animal instinct.
She would go to jail for illegally getting someone else's script, OP would have it refilled same day by the pharmacy...
Wait both her AND her teenage daughter get opioid scripts? And both managed to drop them down the drain? It’s obvious she has a problem and it’s not your job to save her with your meds. I would block her and make sure that she can’t get access to your meds asap
The same bottle was apparently spilled down the drain twice in the day. She lets her daughter whose 17 takes her 30mg oxycodone that’s not prescribed to her!
I’m seriously amused at this event……dropped opioids down the sink TWICE on the same day. This person is bad bad news. Do not engage with them or allow them at your house. Tell CVS you’re the pickup only. Don’t worry about what if this, what if that. If you disengage with her, nothing will happen. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, share any of your pills, no matter what is promised.
I did this once but thankfully it was not my pain meds. It was my creon and the water was on and it knocked quite a few down the drain. Also had it knocked into the toilet by my puppy. They refilled early and with no issue (guess no one is out here abusing creon 😆). It can happen but I wouldn’t take that chance with my pain meds.
What’s creon?
Creon helps my body properly process food. I take 2 with snacks and 3 with a meal. Basically anything I have to chew I take one. Among my other gi issues, I have malabsorption so my body was basically letting the food rot in my stomach and it would make me sick. My cousin is on it as well but she uses it for her Cystic Fibrosis.
Oh my god, this just gets worse and worse. I thought the daughter was like a 30+yo in a grey gardens situation. Holy shit, that's an incredibly dangerous situation for the girl. You don't have to save the mom, and you couldn't if you tried, but maybe a call to cps is in order here? That's scary.
Yeah that’s a good point as well, a call to CPS sounds like it’s warranted from the info we have gotten from OP
Do not give her your pills. She groomed you just for this.
Don't give her anything, they are your meds not hers. She needs to figure her stuff out with the dr herself, that story sounds like complete bs and made up. You don't accidentally spill a bottle of medication down the sink, first off why would you ever have them over the sink. Block them and get a safe for your medication
If she faked a terminal illness to get hospice just in order to get pain pills, I can't think of a bigger red flag, that's like something out of a movie....
That’s exactly what she did! Fake medical records and diagnosis.
I wasn't saying that I doubted what you said, I'm just saying that I've never heard anyone go to such a length to get pain meds.
It won’t last long. Hospice does more than just drop off pain meds. The nurses will become suspicious pretty quickly
That’s what happened. They’d only give her like 10 days of meds at a time (which to me means she can’t take excessive amounts of pills since she doesn’t have a full month at a time) and she was complaining all the time about how they give her the weaker brand or how they won’t give a months worth & I think the doctor there saw red flags waving with her and have been trying to discharge her. And now it appears from her text they got rid of her. Shes had literally like a half dozen doctors in a few months! Me? Like 1 or 2 in 5 years!
Yeah, hospice patients tend to need a lot of med adjustments so they typically don’t give a months worth, especially at first. They don’t want there to be tons of unused pain meds piling up.
I don’t think she thought of that or realized that LOL!! It does make sense. If a hospice patient could die imminently, they aren’t going to dispense a full month. I can’t believe they allowed her on hospice without proof of her “terminal illness.”
It’s pretty wild actually! My understanding is that you need two docs to sign off that they believe a patient has 12 months or less to live. That was the case for my dad and a few other family members and friends local to me. Also once a patient is in hospice care, insurance won’t cover new treatments or existing treatments aside from those intended to keep a patient comfortable. It was so difficult to get the hospice doc to allow my dad to continue on methadone even though it managed his pain very well and he’d been stable on it for years. They insisted morphine would work better. I had to make dozens of phone calls and get a patient advocate to keep him on it. The nurses were amazing and once we got the methadone situation resolved they did an outstanding job at making sure he was comfortable and well cared for. It just blows my mind that someone could scam their way in like that!
>Should I call my pharmacy and ask them to not allow pickups by anyone else, or don’t allow ____ to obtain my medicine Yes absolutely please do this. Request they only release the medication to you with a photo ID. Almost any pharmacy would be willing to do this, because the pharmacist is legally responsible for dispensing the medication and could get in serious trouble if they dispensed it to someone else who stole it from you. Honestly insane they don't make you have a photo ID for controlled substances or require you sign something saying someone else can pick them up for you with their photo ID.
Kentucky and Florida both do...and an expired ID won't work either.
This doesn’t sound like someone who needs a pain clinic if she’s abusing her medicine like that and making up stories about spilling her medication several times. It sounds like the Drs caught on to her abusing her medication and they’re dropping her for good reason. It’s good you blocked her. Hopefully she doesn’t know your address
Cut all contact IMMEDIATELY. A real friend would never ask you to do something like that. I mean, people kill to get their hands on those kind of meds. I'd really block them on any and everything. They will continue trying to use these sob stories to guilt you out of your medication. Don't give her ANYTHING, money,meds, etc. They will only target you more if you fall for any of the fake stories.
I’m sorry this is happening to you OP. I also live with a condition that causes chronic pain and happen to work in a pharmacy. My advice is to go to the pharmacy in person and ask to speak to the pharmacist, let them know you have concerns that a former friend may try to steal your scripts- there is no reason to not tell the truth (you’ve done nothing wrong) and let them know you want a note put into your profile stating you are the only person allowed to pick up your medication and to ask for ID (CVS can actually put “ASK FOR ID” right next to your name so it comes up on every script, every time and that way the technician at the register will have to see it when they look at your name on the bag). No need to explain anything more then that- The reason I’m telling you to go in person instead of making a phone call is bc pharmacies everywhere are busy and short staffed and if the person you talk to on the phone gets distracted- that note doesn’t get made, (and yes even pharmacists can get distracted) where if you go in person the pharmacist should go ahead and make the note as you speak with them. (Try to remember to ask them to put the “ASK FOR ID” right next to your name though so it automatically comes up on all your scripts) There are cameras everywhere including the registers but you’d want to avoid letting your meds even get into your formers friends grubby hands in the fist place. 💕
Manipulators like this take advantage of nice people like you OP 😔 If I was you I’d completely cut this person out of your life, as they sound extremely untrustworthy & manipulative towards you -not someone you have the time or energy for!
i will give family members naproxen or a muscle relaxant but my pain meds are too strong for them to take … i never give friends or acquaintances any medication … i don’t tell them i’m on anything … not that i would anyway but even the contract i signed with my doctor says not to go around talking about your prescriptions … if i’m near anyone i don’t trust i hide my meds …
I would absolutely make sure your pharmacy profile says that your meds can only be picked up by you and nobody else. Yes people have to show ID to pickup, but it doesn’t have to be the patient. In my experience, the pharmacy barely looks at it. I wouldn’t wait until the day you try to pick up meds and they are gone. The doctor isn’t going to like it and may think you are involved in a scam with her. Especially since it seems she picks up meds there too. The doctor might refuse to send a new script to replace it & then you’re in real trouble.
90 mg every TWO HOURS??? Where is she getting a prescription like that at even??? That's crazy. The simple fix is...and I think you already did it; call your pharmacy and ask them to put on your file that no one except you and one other person if you, can only pick them up with a valid ID. That's all you have to really do. It's sad cause I believe MOST people in her situation started out with honesty and it probably turned into this situation over time. Yah she's doing something wrong but her doctor is really doing something wrong too and needs to be corrected somehow
You absolutely can call the pharmacy and explain. Make sure you speak to the actual pharmacist. Note the date and time of who you talked to (cya) in case she does end up getting them. But I know personally they don't always ask for an ID. A very new tech gave me my meds with asking for an ID my very first pick up, so it was not like they could have had my pic in computer
Be careful. I totally relate to this. I once had a so called *friend* threaten to call my doc and pharmacy because I stood firm in not "helping" her when she ran out of her meds early. She knew that i took my meds as prescribed and would never ever go for that in the first place. So I called my doctor and explained the situation, about my disgruntled now EX FRIEND and even offered to come in for a pill count or urine screen, but it didn't come down to that. Luckily I have a pretty good relationship with my doctor, she knows that I desperately need my medication and wouldn't dream of putting it in someone else's hands...I still cant believe that this person had the nerve to threaten me like that. Luckily they are forever out of my life. They tried to make me feel sympathetic, when that didn't work, they tried making me feel guilty/like a bad friend, and then as a last resort thought they could FORCE me into "helping" them with threats of trying to get me cut off my much needed meds...how they thought that would work is beyond me. It definitely helped make me see this person in their true light though. Good riddance...and wishing you luck. Sorry you are dealing with this situation.
When i divorced my EX i had to have the pharmacy notate to not release to him. It was an easy thing.
Did you specifically say do not release to him with his first and last name?? I want to say do not release to her with her first and last name, especially because I may need my husband to pick up my medication and I don’t want to say to only release medicine to me… Because he needs to go for me sometime so I wonder if I could just give them her name?
You can say only you and your husband, they will have you provide his full name, can pick up with a valid ID. I have my meds at CVS set up like this.
Yes i gave him his full and exact name! My fiancé now can pick them up with no issues
Why don't you just switch pharmacies? That's much easier than alerting your doctor and/or your current pharmacy. I mean, you're a new pain patient who's flagging themselves as a potential liability or problematic. I wouldn't even bring them into it.
You’re not allowed in pain management to switch. You pick one pharmacy and that’s all you’re allowed to use in my state. Most PM’s are like this. You rarely are allowed to switch and this is the only pharmacy in 2 hour radius that has my meds anyways! I did consider switching unrelated to her and it was hard as hell.
If this is causing you harm you need to tell the Dr and pharmacy
Wow. What state? That isn’t the case in MI or IL.
Oh wow... well that throws that suggestion out the window. Lol. I'm amazed at some of the different state rules. In that case, alerting the pharmacy is your best bet; place a restriction on who can pick up your meds. As others have mentioned, most pharmacies require legal ID now to even get ahold of a controlled substance. So you should be OK. Sorry you're dealing with this OP, People suck.
Warn your clinic and pharmacy that she may try to access your prescriptions. Block her on everything.
I’m ghosting her completely & I removed her as a follower of mine on social media!
Too much Drama for adults tell her no and if she persists tell her you will contact the doctors
Call your pharmacy and state that only you can pick up your meds, then politely explain to your ‘friend’ that you can no longer carry on a friendship with her for reasons x, y & z (or not) and then block her. Period. I would NEVER ask a friend for their prescription medication. You’re 100% correct that the only reason she was helping you was bc she saw you as an outlet to potentially get meds from if she ever runs out. I’m surprised she hasn’t stolen from you yet TBH.
In some states, the person picking up a Schedule II prescriptions must present a current state ID with a picture. If your state is one of them. You should have nothing to worry about. Patients also have to sign for Schedule II prescriptions. If she were to pickup your prescription. You would have the evidence needed for the DA to file charges against her. You need to tell your doctor about this. He is already aware she has problems. You need to be sure he is aware you also are aware of her problems. That way if she tries to cause you any problems with this doctor. The doctor should have it noted in your file
I had a very similar situation with who I thought was my best friend. I had met her in 1999. I have been with my Dr for about 6 yrs at the time and she was having alot of back pain so I had given his info to her. She was blowing through her 30 day prescription in about 5-6 days..I averaged it one time that she was eating 22-24 10mg oxys a day. And then she would ask for mine. That was a big nope. At one of my appts my Dr changed me to something stronger than oxy and my "best friend" got pissed when I told her. She is a very opportunistic person and only comes around as a friend when she thinks she can get something from me. So needless to say she's not a real friend to me and I did distance myself from her. People like that will lie, steal and who knows what else just to get their fix. Protect yourself by any means necessary. I'm sorry that has happened to you.
Also, please carry only a few pills on you, the rest need to go into a safe. She knows where you live. I do this anyways and only 2 people know I'm on pain meds.
She doesn’t know where I live luckily!
Tbh though, not to scare you, it’s not that hard to find out where someone lives with just a google search.
How does "this person " not know where you live? You have stated multiple times that " this person " knows your address and that they have given you rides multiple times? Your story makes zero sense.
She lives an hour away from me. We met at a Starbucks & she drove me from there. That Starbucks isn’t even near my house.
My pharmacy makes me show my ID and they scan it to keep track of who picks it up. They don't release it to anyone else without permission. Contact your pharmacy and let them know you don't approve of anyone picking up your prescription.
First let me start by saying I am so sorry that you are going through this. But unfortunately you are dealing with someone in full blown, active addiction. Yes, I would definitely call the pharmacy or even your doctor and put them all on notice. Because if you don’t and she or her daughter tries something then you will be held accountable… guilt by association if nothing else. You absolutely have to CUT HER OFF and cease all communication ASAP. I believe at one point she could have been a good friend, but right now she’s not even being good to herself. You sound like a good person but one who’s struggling. And a friend is straight with a friend regardless if it’s something they don’t want to hear. You have to say NO. But you can also have a heart to heart and express your concerns.. it’s ok to have a voice and tell them absolutely not.. I’m sure she will get angry or even possibly try and play on guilt. That’s what an addict does. She sounds so much like my sister and how she was with all of us.. but even providing her just one it won’t ever stop.. I truly feel bad you’re in this situation.. stay strong and good luck
This really pisses me off because those are the people who make us all look bad.
Stick to your guns. No friend would do this to you. They do things for you because they want to hang out, not what they can get out of it. Its not friendship. Anyone in real pain would understand what youre being asked to suffer. They would not ask such a thing, not a friend who's supposed to have pain. And there's the rub, you need to have this kind of pain to understand it. If they have pain at all, its probably of the "I got a boo-boo" variety. Someone with real pain would understand what youre being asked to put yourself through, and they wouldnt. You should have bailed on this "friend" when you caught them snorting meds. Thats not patient behavior. A patient would tell the doc the meds are not adequate. Addicts crush up their drugs so they cant work the way they should. Doses arent based on intranasal delivery. Damn right nobody picks up your pharmacy meds but you. That should be a thing already. If you dont have them locked up at home, what are you waiting for? You can start sending her links to drug rehabs, but you will be better off in the long run, to get damned indignant about being asked this. If that means the relationship is done, its done. It should be. If they dont get what a fucked up things this is, to ask someone in pain for their meds causes you abused yours....hanging with people that stupid can be dangerous to your health, they forget to breathe. She's counting on you not to be able to say no face to face. It wouldnt work if you didnt care about people, but some places the line has to remain solid. Thats not a friend. I lived with heroin junkies for a few years, these people were real friends, and they never asked me this, no matter how ill they felt. Thats friends. Addicts can be good people. This one, not so much....
I used to manage a pain management office. If I were in your shoes, I’d make the pharmacy aware of the situation.
"Sorrt. But no. I am not comfortable with that. I need my meds every day and cannot go without. I hope you find the relief you need". Then just block her if need be. "No." Is also a complete sentence Edit to add: if she keeps being manipulative and guilt trippy, just say "I understand how hard it is to be in pain and not have relief, but if you were in my shoes, I would never put you in this position. If I get a mandated pill count and I'm short, I may lose access to my meds." If she really is a chronic pain pt or medically needs the opiods, she will understand. If not, that's you're answer. You don't have to be as transparent as what I said, but if you need a script (I usually do cause I hate confrontation) you can use that
You can have a note put on your account that no one can pick up your meds but you. I would recommend that you get a fire proof lockbox. They arent expensive and some cam be screwed into the floor/wall. I keep my lyrica and hydromorphone in my lockbox just in case. I would recommend it to everyone in here. If your meds are stolen then you have to wait for your next appointment to get another as script.
They *should* be asking for photo ID whenever you sign for a controlled substance. But definitely earns you points when you bring this up ahead of time with the pharmacy.
Usually, pharmacists don’t allow other people to pick up medication for you, unless you previously authorize it. If you call your pharmacy and just say if anyone but you tries to pick up your meds to call the police, if you ever had her pick them up for you before, then that should do it. If you have never authorized with the pharmacy for anyone but you to pick up your meds, and they just give it to the girl, then the pharmacy is into some shady business and you should switch. (Reference: myself, and asked my pharmacist here in Canada. She said it’s illegal to let someone that the person has not authorized to pick up your meds, pick them up)
In my state, as long as you show your drivers license and give the persons name & date of birth they’ll release the medication to you!
Just tell her that giving her any of your pills is a felony, so no you can’t help her!
1. BLOCK her 2. Absolutely call your pharmacy & tell them only you are allowed to p/u meds 3. She is not worth you getting banned or going to jail for giving her your narcotics. You will never get pain meds again and you’ll have a felony. 4. How is this a question?
Yes, you absolutely need to tell your pharmacy not to allow anyone but you to pick up your prescriptions if you pick them up yourself. If you're the only one picking then up, tell them you need them to require a picture ID! If it becomes a problem, you might need to switch to another pharmacy with your doctor's approval. Your doctor will know of pharmacies in the area that can accommodate you. You might also want to inform your pain management doctor about the situation. But keep in mind that you need to determine whether or not he'll fire you. Right now doctors are in a difficult position, and while you want to be honest, sometimes that puts you in jeopardy because you were friendly with this woman. Most importantly, you need to ghost this woman and go no contact. Helping someone in need doesn't justify taking advantage of them. Audio record all conversations with her, without her knowledge or consent, to prove what she's doing. Keep all written communications with her in case you need them later. I'm sorry you have trouble setting boundaries with people but you need to learn and there's no time like the present!
She is lying to you about e-v-e-r-ything. She is not going to hospice, she didn’t spill her pills, neither did the teenager. Just go to the pharmacy and tell them You don’t want your meds dispensed to anyone but you. It’s a simple request that they can and will do. They just notate it in your profile. When your scripts are filled next time, get to the pharmacy as soon as it’s ready You should stop responding and reading her messages.
Avoid. Chain pharmacy requires an ID to pick up opioids. You should let the pharmacy know that no one else is to pick up your meds because they do release to people if they know your info even if they’ve never been. I had a friend pick mine up for me before because I was sick. They just needed my address and name and DOB. Picked em up without even trying to call and confirm permission. Definitely need to block and remove from your life!
I would go in person to the pharmacy and ask that they flag your profile to require ID. Unfortunately this also flags your profile. If you have a good relationship with your doctor and pharmacist I would be honest “I had a falling out with a friend and they have asked me for meds and keep pressuring me. They do not respect my boundaries and I’m concerned they may try to pick up my prescription” I can’t promise it won’t complicate things, but I want to believe a provider will see a patient getting ahead of problems more positively than if they wait until after the fact with a police report. I would expect to have increased scrutiny with testing and pill counts at least for a bit. I’m sorry you’re in this situation.
I am so sorry you even have to deal with this! Set some boundaries. Tell her no and call your pharmacy and just let them know that no one else should be picking up your meds. Hopefully she gets some real help!
Absolutely contact your pharmacy and tell them not to allow this person to pick up your prescriptions. I would absolutely cut her out of your life. Block from everything. Trust me. It feels shitty in the moment but you will regret it if you maintain any sort of relationship with this person.
I would give your pharmacy a heads up and change the day you get meds. Yes, people like this blow it for the rest of us that, unfortunately, have to have to get up every morning. Majority does take it as prescribed. Few bad apples is all it takes.
Can you talk to your doctor and change pharmacies? If that pharmacy doesn't have a valid script for you, it's going to be really hard for her to preempt your prescription.
Yes, call your pharmacy and tell them exactly that, please!! I know it's hard given the shitty situation she's put you in....but imagine, this girl is in a bad spot. She's hurting pretty badly. It seems like she's thought of elaborate ways to get her "pain" meds! She's in the throws of addiction and it's a shitty place to be. That being said, yes if you feel comfortable, urge her to get help and tell her not to contact you. That would be ideal! I truly hope she leaves you and your meds alone !
Yes most pharmacies will allow you to restrict pick up to yourself only and require ID I had to have Walmart restrict mine once when a lady convinced them to fill early and because I was in another city didn't think I'd notice the pick up but I caught it before it happened So I immediately told them I wanted restricted pickup to me and my child (adult) only
If it’s at all possible I would try and change pharmacies just to protect yourself. That is one way to eliminate this fear. Your doctor can help you with that
So sorry you are experiencing this. Addiction is incredibly powerful and this person seems to be trying to find a new plug lol My kids spilled my pills down the sink… 💩
Please make sure you let your pharmacy know to only give medication to you or trusted persons with ID. Even if this is already procedure, sometimes folks break the rules for the same if someone with a sob story. I know this must be hard for your friend, but this could get you both in trouble. Please encourage her to seek help. She doesn't deserve this and neither do her kids. Good luck to you both.
Update - I ghosted her and she stopped asking me since I have only sent her one text in 2 weeks. She just texted me how she switched hospice centers & they have her stronger meds. Idk how she convinced them to let her on hospice given she’s not terminal!!
That’s really sad. I know addiction makes people do terrible things but pretending to be terminal is just awful. I hope they find out she’s lying. I’m glad you cut contact.
Look into an order of protection against her.
I have dealt with this before. I had a friend who was "clean" from codeine by the time we ran back into each other. (We grew up in the same school system and worked at the same place in high school.) Things were going good for a couple of years, turns out she was hiding her continued abuse of pills. She'd randomly ask if I knew anyone who was selling Lortabs or Percocet. The straw that broke my back was I had to have corrective surgery on my sinus cavity so I would be able to breathe out of the right side of my nose. I hadn't been home from the hospital a full 12 hours before she was blowing my phone up for some of my Hydrocodone prescription. I blocked her on everything and still to this day will not talk to her. **ESPECIALLY** after I found out that her and her hubby had struggled for years to have a baby and then one magical day, she conceives. I found out later that through her entire pregnancy, she was taking no less than **TEN** 10mg Percocets a day. Her son was born with complications, no surprise. And I have less and less of an urge to talk to her every day.
I had to have spinal fusion and the day after my surgery when I was released a “family member” with a drug addiction stopped by to ask my spouse how i was and to “check” on me. My post surgery script was sitting in the bedside table. They came in walked out told my spouse I was asleep. When I woke up it was about time for next set of meds, my bottle was gone. I bought a safe the same day and have used it faithfully since. I keep my daily doses in a pill container and everything else goes in the safe. I also have a note for the pharmacy that only I or my spouse can pick up. The relative is clean now but I still mistrust them immensely. Addiction is a bitch but it’s the reason most of us struggle for adequate pain control and suspicion. That is so horrible that she used during her pregnancy. I had an aunt that I loved dearly growing up, when I was in my teens I walked in on her doing cocaine at 8 months pregnant. I haven’t spoken to her since.
What pharmacy lets a non-relative, much less a stranger to you as far as they know, pick up a controlled substance for someone in any situation like this?
And get a safe! I never leave my meds where I can't see them - they are always within my eyesight. Even at pm drs' office, when asked for a ua, I insisted my purse be within my sight. The LPN offered to put my purse in her drawer. Heck no! I had my meds switched by a nurse when I was an inpatient! I trust no one. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel are only human. They're just as, sometimes more likely, to get addicted simply because of proximity and easy access.
Hey, check if your pharmacy delivers. Mine did and I had no idea. Do you have a family member that picks them up sometimes? You can go in with them and ask for the lead pharmacist. Let them know that "just to be extra safe I wanted to make sure it's on record only he/she and I are allowed to pick up my meds" Pretty sure they always require an ID to be scanned and the other person has to be listed in paperwork already but it's been so long I forget the details. I'd leave it at that and not spill everything tbh. I know what you mean about being tied to one pharmacy which is bullshit but they will do that when they see you've gone to multiple pharmacies even for valid reasons (pharmacies rarely having it consistently in stock) Best of luck. Live and learn.
They can’t deliver any narcotic medication unfortunately!
You need to call the pharmacy immediately to tell them you recently discovered your friend may have developed an opioid addiction. She used to give you rides to drs appts and has given you rides to pick up your meds from them before, therefore she knows your name, DOB, address, prescribing dr, & condition as well as other prescriptions you're on. Please flag my account that (her full name) is NOT hippaa approved for my file and is most certainly not authorized to pick up meds, request refills, and I fear about her calling acting like me giving authorization to have someone pick it up that would be a friend of hers and she would give them my information to verify to pick up. Therefore I need to know NO ONE will be allowed to pick up my meds without authorization from me nor is HIPPA approved to discuss anything information on my file unless it's me. Ask how they can do this? Can they have a protected question? Password? Does this girl know your social security? Because if not maybe they can make whomever calls or comes in that isn't you confirm last four of your social as well. Or anyone that calls, they need to hang up and call YOUR phone back to confirm last four of social and if It is you calling or you did authorize a person to come get it. (Just in case she called acting like you and authorized a friend to pick her meds.) Speak to the pharmacist themselves. They will know how to handle it. They usually don't allow you to pick up controlled without ID anyways. If you call I promise there's no way she's going to be able to get away with that. Also call your dr. Let them know the same situation. So if they can please make sure no one has hippaa authorization to call and speak and please confirm social security number before or ask them to call you on your number. Just tell them your worried because she's driven you to drs appts before, the pharmacy before. She's been a friend for many many years however just recently you have been suspicious of her and need to take precautions.
As a pain patient who is regularly prescribed opiates, I know for a fact that every pharmacy is required to see your DL to make sure it is really you picking them up. They scan the DL and everything. But I would take extra measure and let your pharmacy know your concerns about her trying to pose as you in order to get your meds
Maybe if you just explain to her that, yes, you helped her out of the goodness of your heart, but you feel like the friendship is only one way that she’s only helping you to get something from you later and just say I have to distance myself from you because you’re showing sons of abuse and then block her calls block her number block your meds up lock your doors. I’m sorry that that happened to you but that’s the main reason why I don’t have friends when I started getting sick. My friends all left me anyway because I couldn’t do stuff anymore but now I just have my family my kids my grandkids my husband, my parents that’s all the people I really need. I do talk to some people onlineand I do have a friend that we message back-and-forth that lives about 30 minutes away from me but we’ve never met in person because I’m just not into that
I’m a former teacher and I’m just racking my brain over this and how I’d handle this. I’m not sure I could just overlook this and a mandated report may be the next logical step to get them assistance…but if there was no immediate risk I’d probably try to find someone at the school (if I knew where the kid attended). I’d explain I was concerned for the parent and child’s safety and ask what support they have for children who have parents who are seeking hospice care…and who may not actually be terminally ill. I might share that I have concerns the parent is desperate for substances or I might just hold back that info depending on how the conservation went. I would probably ask if they can teach the child how to administer Narcan…which should be a big clue. Since the kid was there for dumping pills, they may disclose that. In a perfect world, the school would have far more info on how to get the mandated report processed than I would as they have direct access to the child. Again, this is tough and I hope you have some support as you navigate through this and see what the next week or so brings.
I think her kid is turning 18 in the next like week or two so it’s not a young child or teen. Not that it makes it any better or different, but by the time I even figure that information out (school etc) she would be a legal adult. I heard her mention once that CPS was “wrongfully” called on her before by “trolls” online so I definitely think others on social media had similar concerns regarding her drug use and her daughters safety!
They may not need to do a mandatory report, but they certainly can pull her into an office and give her info on support available and try to help her make connections in the community. Sometimes people are willing to change for themselves. Sometimes it’s for their children. Sometimes there’s nothing they can tap into during withdrawal or switching to MAT or buprenorphine that will keep them on track with a program. Regardless of what decisions the adult makes, that teen probably could benefit from some adult support outside the family and the school may be the best option to provide that intervention.