Despite being told to get ahead of the pain, NP wouldn't submit oxycodone Rx when I ran low
I am 8 days post tonsillectomy and neck dissection for HPV+ throat cancer. I am wondering if anyone else has had issues with their provider and pain meds? What is your provider's approach to opioids?
I had a check-in with the Nurse Practitioner from my ENT's office yesterday who said I'm healing well. I asked him to send another oxycodone prescription to the pharmacy since I would run out over the weekend. He would not do it and his reasons were all over the place:
"The pharmacy won't fill it if we submit too many" and "There are studies that opioids can make you more sensitive to pain" and "You have enough to get through the weekend" and "You've been taking too many". My prescription said I can take 5mg or 10mg every 4 hours and I followed that instruction.
Literally everyone on my care team told me "make sure you get ahead of the pain". The NP even acknowledged that what he was saying contradicted "get ahead of the pain".
If they wanted me to make 30 pills last for X number of days, they should have noted that with the Rx. I'm rationing my oxycodone to get through the weekend. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen just isn't enough.
I have been so upset since that appointment. I've been in good spirits throughout most of this journey but in addition to my PAIN, I'm now feeling anxious and sad. Maybe because it was the first time someone on the care team wasn't hearing me? And now I am worried about how I will get through radiation.
I get the sensitivity around opioids but I have a legit reason to take these meds. I only wish I didn't let the subject go in the moment.