At my pharmacy, there are several pharmacists. I have spoken to each one off and on over the past 6 to 8 months (as of 5-10-16). My complaint to each one was the fact that they quit selling the Mallinckrodt methadone and instead switched over to Ascend methadone, which is crapola. It is ineffective and weak. I stay in mortal pain (both feet due to an accident in 2004). For the past 6 to 8 months while being on the Ascend version, I have lived on my couch. I have no life anymore. I can't be on my feet or I am put into mortal pain. Up until about 6 months ago, I had been on methadone by Mallinckrodt for about 11 years. Sometimes I would get stuck with the Roxane Labs brand, which is also weak. And there were other times I got stuck with the Ascend Labs version. However, I usually was able to get Mallinckrodt methadone. Not anymore, I can't. Only, and I repeat, ONLY the Mallinckrodt brand is truly effective. Every pharmacist at my pharmacy said they order the methadone and request Mallinckrodt, but they just receive "whatever the send us" (the pharmacy). I asked how they could order methadone by Mallinckrodt but yet receive Ascend Labs. I have yet to hear an answer to that. I called other pharmacies in my area and it seems that the only people who would say anything about opiates on the phone just hinted that they also do not have the Mallinckrodt brand. What is a person to do? My only hope is the blocks that my pain management doctor does, but I need effective medicine. I did find one little pharmacy that I used to use years ago that can get the Mallinckrodt brand. However, they refused me. They told me they can only get "so much per month" and they have to use it for their "current customers." They won't accept my business, and there is no law against that.
I am about your age, and I have chronic pain in both feet. It is terrible to have your life ruined when you're still relatively young. The only thing worse than being in pain is being in pain and being alone. My only support system is my mother. I have no other family. My friends also took off on me, except one. That one true friend, unfortunately, died a few years ago. It gets overwhelming to deal with pain, deal with not having a support system, dealing with figuring out how to get things done in life you have to do (like shop for food, get to doctor appointments). I know you wrote your post a long time ago, but if you want to contact me, please, feel free. My name is Kevin. Best of luck to you!
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Yi know this is an old thread but you should apply for section 8. I went through a community agency and got mine in 4 months when the list was officially closed for ten years. There are ways and I encourage you to keep looking.
That being said I've been through just half what you go through daily but i have a major brain malfunction and although I was born this way, my mother chose to horribly abuse me instead of getting me the help i needed and its caused me to lose every important person in my life, ALL friends, and my children who are my entire world, and major depressive disorder is a symptom, among other very severe disabilities... each & every day i struggle not to kill myself because where i live if you cant afford insurance then you're not allowed to have or be treated for this horrible problem, like there's an income limit to treatment... SHAMEFUL!! Furthermore the horrible pain, torture and anguish I endure is peppered with rotten medical "professionals " who discriminate, deride, even physically abuse me, (one ambulance guy grabbing my boob and viciously TWISTING when he thought i was faking a seizure, and i was unable to move or cry out but I WAS AWAKE AND I FELT EVERYTHING! He assumed I was faking all because he was discriminating against me for my income and the rarity of my neurobiological syndrome)
So yeah I was asked today by the therapist if i ever feel like killing myself. I had to LIE because of fear of involuntary hospitalization, but the truth is I HATE MYSELF, MY LIFE, AND THIS HORRIBLE BROKEN BRAIN OF MINE and yes, i struggle each and every minute of my life, not to jump in front of the next redline and escape this lifelong misery!
Next thing is, although you are not ambulatory, find or ask if there is some kind of way to work around that obstacle. they generally do their best to provide you with either transportation, or a voucher for a cab. Not always, but usually. Also be prepared to sign up for a drug and alcohol class, counseling, or both. They are usually pretty lax about attendance, particularly with your transportation obstacles, and yes you have to swallow your pride, but it's worth forming that relationship if only because you won't have to go to the ER if you run out of meds, or if you have a pain flare up. *BE SURE TO ONLY ANSWER QUESTIONS THEY HAVE WITH THE EXACT INFORMATION AND NOTHING MORE OR LESS. You will find this practice serves you well in ALL LIFE'S SITUATIONS. might as well start practicing here, right?
Finally, go early one morning, get the highest dose they will give you, make sure you've printed up the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the pharmacies you planning on going to. This way you'll have the pain at least temporarily under control, and the opportunity to go digging for a good pharmacy.
Alternately, you can request your doctor to write your script as "Your Brand Name" Only. Have Dr specify the brand you like like and write on the prescription where she writes the strength and dosage, which brand you want ONLY and it might take longer to fill, but it will be filled correctly.
Finally, if these two methods don't work, try calling each pharmacy, insist on speaking to the PHARMACIST ONLY, and explain that, while you are NOT asking if they CARRY methadone, but rather ask them IF you bring in the script, can they AT THAT TIME determine if they have it or can order it. Make sure you tell them the medication, dosage and strength, and offer them to bring in your records from your previous pharmacy. Also be sure to have a reliable contact number for your doctor, and go in ONLY on the day your doctor is in, or able and expecting to take the call. Be extremely sweet and ask them if they need ANYTHING ELSE. Stress that you do NOT need to know what's in stock right now, but that you are not mobile, so you only need to know, IF you bring in the script, if they are ABLE to either fill it or order it. STRESS that you ONLY use ONE PHARMACY and that if things work out, that you will be transferring ALL your prescriptions there, and KEEP YOUR WORD. I find that even in the toughest spot on earth, if you can convince them you're legit, and if you can nurture a warm, honest working relationship with them, they will usually bend over backwards for you.
Good luck!!
.ascend needs to take there c**p off the market