" I’ve still got 10 left (and yes, hidden away.) "
I get this totally. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when doctors are reluctant to prescribe appropriate pain medication for their patients because of regulations. And it’ll get worse before getting better in my opinion.
PSA for future reference–for opioid induced constipation the best way to combat is taking a STIMULANT type laxative right from the start–before you actually need it. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) (NOT the stool softener) or Senna (Senokot)
It would be a terrible state of affairs if doctors were afraid to prescribe opioids because of “regulations,” but in fact, doctors are with good reason reluctant to prescribe opioids because of the terrible side effect of people getting addicted and ruining their lives.
It’s hard to know how to deal with a drug that is effective for a lot of people, but that has dreadful side effects for some. I’m pretty sure the right answer isn’t “Carry on prescribing and pretend the side effects don’t exist,” though.
This threads has been a good reminder to stop by the police station’s drop-off box for old meds. Nothing of what I disposed of today would be considered “fun” but I still wouldn’t want it getting into the hands of someone for whom it wasn’t prescribed.
I’m not afraid my docs won’t give me an Rx. Rather, how to pick it up at the pharm, if I’m alone. Or when traveling. The only side effect for me is when it abates the pain. When it doesn’t, I’ll go to ER, if the doc office is closed. But mine is a standing issue. I agree that an excessive number of pills is nuts.
We have some responsibility in this, too. I understand it doesn’t take long to start (over) relying on heavy meds. But we need to take the right attitude, when we can. I’ve been on big deal meds after some intense surgery and had no trouble stopping at the right point.
For a fascinating and frightening true story of why doctors are afraid to prescribe opiods, read Pain on Trial by J. Z. Gassko. Parts of it would be unbelievable if it were fiction.
@gouf78 — senokot IS a stimulant laxative that is commonly used to treat opiod-induced constipation.
When I had abdominal surgery 4 years ago, I stayed in the hospital for a week. For the last 5 days of my stay, I used no pain medication of any kind— but they sent me home with 40 percocet tablets. I took 2 for a painful burn a year later (didn’t work), gave a few to my husband for his kidney stone, and 1 to my daughter after her wisdom tooth surgery, which was a mistake, but probably better than getting her her own prescription (did this in both cases rather than fill an additional prescription). I think it’s time to turn in the rest!
Sure, the side effects can be dreadful for people with chronic pain and long term prescriptions, but that doesn’t mean we need to believe lies: like it’s possible to get addicted from the 20 pills you get when your wisdom teeth are taken out.
@roethlisburger — while risk of opioid addiction increases with duration of treatment, it’s my understanding that even short-term treatment, e.g. after wisdom tooth extraction, can cause addiction in susceptible individuals.
I don’t believe that at all.
For the concerned
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20170316/opioid-dependence-can-start-in-just-a-few-days
Also read one issue is that opiods produce (or enhance) endorphins. With continued use, the body slows or stops making it’s own endorphins. The problem cycle starts.
Can be as soon as five days.
So, what I got from roethlisburger’s post was a desire to check the writings. Though I need to rely on my Rx (what, one pill a year or less?,) I see the vast and deep threat to many. No, you shouldn’t need 20 pills after wisdom tooth extraction. If someone prescribed that for my kid, I’d ask it be reduced. 20 is 4/day for 5 days.
This is sensational journalism, which attempts to conflate dependency and addiction. Dependency and addiction are very different conditions in medical terminology,
For those who are concerned, let’s not argue semantics. The usual distinct issue is cancer. Not dental surgery.
That’s all I choose to say re: your disbelief. k?
It may not be exactly a 3 day prescription, but it’s close. If you take 5 a day, it’s a four day prescription.
When I had my wisdom teeth out in my late 40s, oral surgeon prescribed Vicodin. I took them for several days (7 days, I think). When I got down to 1 pill left, I thought, “I need to call for a refill.” Then I realized that I probably did not need to at all — but it felt so gooood when I took them.
So I stopped with one left, figuring if it hurt, I had one to take while I got a refill. Of course it didn’t hurt, so I didn’t take it. But I knew EXACTLY where that one pill was in my house for the next few years. Like a homing beacon. Eventually it expired and I turned it in at a local drug collection location. I swear, it was hard to let the bottle out of my hand.
I don’t have an addictive personality (okay, except to CC). I’m very self disciplined. No particular taste for alcohol or other drugs. Had a few cigarettes in my youth, but never got hooked. But that stuff nearly got me. I can see how easily it can happen to anyone. 
@CIEE83 – that’s what I said.
Intparent’s experience reminded me - I do think the 20 pill prescriptions can be an issue for people who treat them like antibiotics - finish the script whether you feel better or not. When my kid had her wisdom teeth out, the oral surgeon was clear that she should rely primarily on Aleve and only use the opiates if that wasn’t enough. It’s a fine line between “stay on top of the pain” and “only take the bare minimum” - she’d have needed three pills rather than four if I’d given her the third one earlier.
I’ve read a bunch of articles about how the 12 hour recommended dosing of Oxycontin made addiction more likely - in order to get insurance coverage / high prescription rates, the manufacturer told doctors to increase the dosage rather than take a lower dose more frequently. So people went from “I’ve been in intolerable pain for an extended period” to a very large dose of narcotics twice a day.
I’m glad someone posted that the original article was about dental surgery, not just wisdom tooth removal, because my first thought was why on earth would anyone need a refill after 90 days after wisdom tooth removal? I mean, that’s a red flag there (although for any dental surgery, I think if there is pain after 90 days there is a different problem! Even after 9 days!)
I too am shocked by those saying the dentist is saying you MUST fill the prescription. ? I see the reason (dentist doesn’t want a phone call on 6pm Saturday evening saying the pain is too strong and they need it after all). But why not say hold on the prescription and fill if needed? These days, pharmacies are open almost all of the time.
One thing that I am surprised that no has has mentioned is that kids give/sell/ask for each other’s pain meds. I’ve heard of two friends in my area, their kids were asked to sell their pain pills after word got out that they had their wisdom teeth removed. This may be another reason for parents NOT to fill so the kid doesn’t have that pressure if it comes to them.
I’m not sure why this is, and it may depend on state law, but the standard seems to be to write prescriptions only valid for one day for narcotics. If you don’t fill the prescription the day it was issued, it’s no longer valid.