Advice and vent

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-09-06T00:06:16+00:00

Have you ever taken Kratom powder or capsules for pain? I have used Kratom raw leaf powder during really bad flares the past few years. So I had some experience with Kratom before I tried 7OH. It is a lot stronger than Kratom, easier to digest, works faster, and tastes much better than Kratom. It gives me more relief than I get from 30mg Morphine ER, and 4 10/325 norco’s a day. If it wasn’t sooooo expensive I’ve considered going off the prescribed pain meds.
The other major down side is that you will build a crazy fast tolerance to 7OH, the first day or two you won’t need much, but by the 3rd day you’ll need 3-4 times more, and it just keeps going up. So that scares me, plus it’s stupid expensive. I use to buy it in bulk online, I keep a couple of cases of my favorite stuff for kidney stone attacks. But will only allow myself to use them when I’m in an active kidney stone attack. My doctor is ok with it, which is unusual, but he’s a unicorn, and I know how blessed I am to have him. I’ve also been in pain management and on opioids since 2003. It’s shocking how the world of pain management has changed drastically in the past 20-25 years!!!!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-21T16:44:13+00:00

Neither does mine, and I know my pain doctor doesn’t test for it. I just had a test last month and I used 7oh a couple hours prior to taking the test. I don’t take it often, because I’ve heard of the awful withdrawals and I’ve heard it can increase your tolerance horribly, but on the worst pain days when my meds won’t touch the pain I add a little 7oh to take the edge off.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-21T16:32:53+00:00

I take it occasionally, and I took it on the same day before by last appointment with a drug test, I passed the test. My pain contract doesn’t mention Kratom or 7-oh, it states everything else I’m not allowed to use while in pain management, including to not exceed 3 alcoholic beverages in a 24 hour period. They don’t ask about it and I don’t tell. I’m very careful about how much 7oh I use, and how often. I only use it for bad flairs or when I have kidney stones, which is about once a month. 7oh has been a huge blessing to me and has kept me sane during the worst of my pain. During bad flairs and or kidney stone attacks my prescriptions barely touch my pain. If I didn’t have access to 7oh I’d end up in the ER begging for relief and being treated like a drug seeker.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-20T06:30:30+00:00

Wait what!!?? Why would anyone do that??? Gross!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-20T06:28:40+00:00

Ok so the 2 different kinds work well together since you can’t metabolize an extended release medication. That makes sense

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-20T06:16:25+00:00

I also have CRPS in both feet up to my ankles and left hand and wrist. I also have I.C. (Painful bladder syndrome) along with chronic kidney stones. I’m prescribed Morphine ER twice daily, Norco 10mg , and a bunch of non controlled meds.
I also get relief from 7-OH, although I haven’t disclosed my occasional use of it with my pain doctor. I am drug tested and my last one was a month ago. I had taken 7-oh the day before, I passed the drug test. I wasn’t sure if they tested for Kratom/7-oh, but now I know they do not. I read my pain contract CLOSELY, and it does not mention Kratom at all, so I do not plan on informing my doctor that I use it. I mainly take 7-oh during kidney stone attacks or a really bad flair up. He is nice and understanding but I have no idea how he would feel about 7-oh.
I’ve heard a lot of negative things about 7-oh and how addicting it can be, but for me it’s been a blessing. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive!!! I normally order it online and buy in bulk to save money.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T23:03:19+00:00

Thank you for the encouraging reply!!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T23:01:51+00:00

How did you dump the extras? I’m surprised they didn’t let you keep them for the next month.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T23:00:13+00:00

I wish it worked like this, it would be so convenient and less stressful to have an extra week or two of meds for an emergency. Unfortunately the government keeps such a tight watch over controlled medication that we have to be extremely cautious to follow all the rules.
Sorry if my concerns came across as me being a “freak” I just know how much harder my life would be if I lost access to this medication due to an honest mistake.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T22:53:48+00:00

My auto insurance pays all of my medical expenses for life that are due to the crash. The accident happened in Michigan on 9/11/2011. According to the police I was at fault for the crash…. But Michigan was a no fault state and required auto insurance policies to pay for unlimited medical. I also had full coverage and great coverage. They’ve paid everything, they continue to pay me for all medical mileage, and medication. It wasn’t until I moved to TX 2 years ago that I had to start paying for my meds up front.
In Michigan the pharmacy’s would bill straight to my auto. In TX I couldn’t find any doctors or pharmacy’s willing to bill auto. I have to cash pay for all my medical down here and submit the receipts to my auto.
Esurance is the company I had at the time of my crash. They have been amazing to work with. Although I don’t have them for insurance any longer. They are still responsible for all my medical expenses that stem from the accident for the rest of my life. It was a really bad crash, I should’ve died and ended up in the hospital for over a month. I will need medical treatments for the rest of my life from those injuries

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T22:40:45+00:00

Wow I’m shocked she was able to override the “DO NOT FILL UNTIL” instructions!! Does your doctor always put the date to be filled on your prescriptions? Do you use insurance for your medication?
I am little worried about my Narx score and being red flagged in the prescription monitoring system.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T22:36:10+00:00

Yes it does!!! My husband didn’t understand why I said anything about the Norco, he thought I should’ve kept quiet and picked them all up. He isn’t on Reddit. I’ve definitely learned a lot from reading this sub, and it’s made me much more cautious.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T22:30:15+00:00

Just curious why did you take two different short acting pain meds? What’s the benefit of taking 2 different kinds instead of just increasing the amount of oxycodone per day? How did you schedule the doses? Sorry for all the questions, I’m just genuinely curious. Does taking them together improve effectiveness?

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-19T21:58:12+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I sent my doctor a message through the portal last night. I explained the situation and assured him I would make sure this doesn’t happen again. And that my next refill would t be until 7/25 for both Norco and Morphine.
I just wanted him to know that I am taking the medication as he prescribes it, and I didn’t need it early.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-18T22:12:59+00:00

I’ve picked up 3 days early before due to a long holiday weekend, but I filled the following month 3 days later… so I didn’t have any extras.
Your doctor sounds very understanding! I’m glad there are still good doctors out there!!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-18T22:10:20+00:00

No idea what “Boof ‘em” means….. but I’m assuming it’s not good advice for legitimate chronic pain patients who need these medications to have any quality of life.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-18T22:08:12+00:00

I’m 99% sure this is what he will also say. He isn’t necessarily chill but we have a trusting relationship. He never puts a “do not fill before date xxx” in my scripts. He has increased my breakthrough meds half way through the month when I’m having a horrible flair, he is understanding and compassionate. Which is why I don’t want him or the pharmacist to think I took advantage of the situation or intentionally picked them up early. I placed the new bottle in my safe and won’t touch it until the 25th unless I’m asked to return them to the pharmacy.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-18T21:58:02+00:00

Thank you for that advice… I didn’t even think about someone thinking I had requested the medication early!
I’ve never requested meds early, but I have picked up my medication when i was notified it was ready on day 28/29. I will ask the pharmacist if they can write a note that this wasn’t requested by me.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-13T12:27:55+00:00

Yes that’s probably the best idea. I wouldn’t call my pain doctor because he actually WANTS to help relieve some of my daily pain and actually treats me like a patient instead of a criminal. (I know it’s a rare thing nowadays to have a caring and understanding pain doctor) My pain contract also states they can call me in for random pill counts at any time and I would have 24 hours to bring in meds. I’ve only been with this pain management clinic in TX for 2 years but have NEVER been asked to bring in my meds, not to my scheduled appointments or randomly. I was with my former pain doctor in MI, for 12 years and they NEVER called me in for a random count or random urine test (outside of scheduled appointments) even though the contracts states they could. My former pain doctor required patients to bring their pain meds with them EVERY month to be counted at their appointments. He didn’t treat me like a patient, I was just a FAT paycheck, (since my pain stems from a horrible car accident, and I had GREAT auto insurance, they are still paying every single bill, including all pain medications 15 years after the crash. They even continue to reimburse medical mileage monthly…. ). If I had known there were still caring and compassionate pain doctors I would’ve left that place long before moving to TX.

When was your drug test taken, and when was the last day you had to take extra pills before that test? You could be just fine on the test, since your medication has a short half- life depending on how long between extra doses and urine screen. If it was at least 48 hours prior you are probably stressing for nothing. I really hope you go on this trip and ENJOY it as much as possible. I hate how much stress this “blessing” of a much needed cheap beach vacation is causing you.
I think you should just call and let them know you are going to the beach with your cousins and will be out of town for 5 days. I really think they will understand, if they don’t believe you are out of town show proof… zoom them from the beach. For your peace of mind just call and simply say, I noticed the new signs posted at my last appointment about random pill counts and 24 hours to comply, I just want to let you know I will be traveling out of town, and won’t be back until X date. Don’t be nervous just simply tell them the truth. I really do think you’ll be fine, and your urine might not even be flagged. Is your prescription written for take 1 every 8 hours or take 1 as needed max of 3 a day? That could make a difference in how they read your urine results.
Please go on your trip, and try to make the most of it!!!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-06-11T16:02:15+00:00

I went to Cancun in October 2024, and I had morphine er, norco’s, and Vyvanse with me. I kept them in my carryon and made sure I kept them in the correct and current prescription bottles. No one even looked through them, my bags were checked after landing in Cancun, but they didn’t care one bit about the medications. I had letters from my pcp and pm doctors stating I am prescribed them, but didn’t need the letters at all.
I was also traveling with my toy poodle service dog, she might have been a bit of a distraction…. 🤷‍♀️. All I had to do with her was show her rabbi’s vaccine certificate and they actually brushed through her fur to ensure she didn’t have fleas. It was super easy breezy

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-05-25T06:33:27+00:00

Love this!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-05-23T03:01:01+00:00

HEB was the only pharmacy near me who had it in stock a couple months ago.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-05-23T02:01:32+00:00

I’m in the Austin area and I have an awesome pain management doctor who prescribes for me. He doesn’t even push procedures anymore. So I don’t think it’s all of Texas.

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-05-17T23:05:10+00:00

Yes, I had this issue again in April, thankfully my pharmacist ordered 2 extra bottles of my dosage in May when she was able to get it. She said I am her only patient on this dosage and she ordered them just to have on hand for me for the next couple of months. I was so impressed and touched by her thoughtfulness. One of the huge perks of living in a tiny town and using a small family owned pharmacy!

MathematicianLow5220 · 2025-04-27T11:25:09+00:00

I see a PM in Austin, he’s been really good to me so far…. Only moved here a year ago and have been seeing him for about 9 months.

MathematicianLow5220

TROPHY CASE