honest mistake iss ruining my life - Page 3

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by LionessMom 

pregnant medicaid covers everything. they dont even ask for a co pay for medication. there is no reason why she couldnt have gotten her own medication.

Just because Medicaid covers medication does NOT mean that a doctor would prescribe it, even if it was needed.  Medicaid doctors are monitored FAR more closely for things that are "not" necessary, especially the prescription of narcotics.  And as others have said, they are notorious for passing judgment based on economic and social status.  Combine those factors, and it essentially means that medicaid patients need to be directly post surgery/terrible accident, or they just don't get pain meds. 

I agree with others that admitting to doing something completely illegal wasn't a good decision.  At all.  But if you've ever sat in a doctor's office and been looked at and treated like garbage because you were poor, it might be easier to see why the OP took meds that weren't hers rather than go through a doctor for nothing, yk?

[PoppyMama]

I think there is some seriously harsh judgement of the OP going on.  I have medicaid but since I'm not seeing an OB I can't get anything, I just have it for emergencies.  My medicaid is an HMO type and it would take me several months to get in to see my "primary" if they would even agree to see me.  Maybe the OP didn't know that it would be appropriate to go through her OB for non pregnancy related things.  Maybe her OB couldn't see her fast enough and she needed to be able to work.  Maybe it's different in TX but doctors know that half the people around here get their meds in Mexico (I certainly do) and while taking meds prescribed to someone else is illegal it's done all. the. time.  Any doc that doesn't know that is just freakishly ignorant.  He may be picking on her about this because of her medicaid but he is not surprised.  I worked in medical offices before I went to part-time work and stayed at home and everyone who works in an office gets their meds from the sample shelf...it's no secret.  It was risky for her to do and now she needs to be smart about handling the consequences but this is not some huge moral failing on her part and she is not shockingly criminal.  

OP- relax...all this stress is bad for the baby.  Your baby will be tested and they will probably see the meds in the meconium.  Going to another hospital will not stop this and this would be a terrible reason to have an unplanned, last minute UC that you are not prepared for (not to mention that it will make you look worse).  I would look for another doc if this doc was at all rude when he told you this.  He knows that they don't snatch up every baby who tests positive.  I would try to find out how CPS operates in your area to see how you should react and hopefully it won't be too difficult.  Make sure that everything else about you looks good, housing, ability to care for your child, etc.  I seriously doubt any other doc is going to write a script for a pregnant woman, no one wants the liability and they are likely to tell you to see an OB.  

[Lisa1970]

Where I live, in Texas, doctors will not take medicaid patients. Once they know a patient is on medicaid, they often will refuse all pain medication, including epidurals.

[Greenlea]

I think you should just be prepared to be talking to a CPS rep once the baby is born.  I doubt they will take the baby from you right away if the meconium does test positive, but they will be watching you once baby is born.

My friend's sister-in-law just went through this.  She willingly gave up info that in the beginning of the pregnancy that she was drinking and smoking pot (I also serisoulys think she did it throughout the pregnancy).  So the doc made a note of it and CPS was at her house with in a week of that baby being born.  They did not take her baby away, but you can bet she's on a list or something to where if something happens in the future, they will be faster at taking the baby than if it was a first timer.

[Eyelet]

I agree that medicaid patients are generally treated pretty badly. My husband's work does not offer insurance and I'm a SAHM, so our only option at this time is medicaid. There's ONE doctor that accepts it within 10 miles of me, and the wait time for an appointment is 3 weeks. This doctor will also not prescribe any narcotic pain medications whatsoever. 

The system is very overwhelmed and managed poorly. Maybe the OP could have gotten her own pain med prescription, but my guess is most likely not.

[pregnant@40]

Personally, I don't judge either the OP or MD. Medicaid  is heavily regulated both for practitioners and patients. Because the patient told the MD about taking a non-prescribed narcotic, the MD is probably legally bound to test her (ie. it could be a reporting law). I doubt it is personal or judgemental, particularly since taking medicaid patients is non-lucrative for most physicians (it's poorly reimbursed), including OB's, and many do so because they want to work with the underserved. Regardless, testing the meconium for Medicaid patients could be routine or random in her state, and perhaps he is just giving her a head's up.

What the OP needs right now is a way to correct the situation. What should she do right now in order to ensure that when CPS is called, she will have a good case for demonstrating that she does not use drugs and is a safe mother? There are probably specific steps that can be done now...

[roslyn]

I used to be a CPS worker and am currently on Medicaid. I don't know what state you're in, but in some states all mothers are tested, in others babies are tested only if mom tests positive. IMO, the doctor was actually giving you the benefit of the doubt. Essentially he was giving you a heads up that there will be testing when the baby is born. That way, if this was just a one off thing, no problem. It probably will not be present in the merconium by the time the baby gets here. OTOH, if you are a habitual user you need to get clean before the baby is born otherwise there will be CPS involvement. 

Depending on what state you're in, the baby might be taken at the hospital if you test positive. In my state, Alabama, it was mandatory. Some states leave it up to the discretion of the CPS worker. It would be in your best interest to get your knee evaluated by a doctor if you're still in pain, and avoid taking any more unprescribed narcotics. 

I've been very fortunate in my Medicaid experience. I'm seeing one of the best OBs in town and a very high-end perinatologist. I've actually been surprised by the lack of grief I've gotten. 

[Oregonicmama]

Originally Posted by roslyn 

 IMO, the doctor was actually giving you the benefit of the doubt. Essentially he was giving you a heads up that there will be testing when the baby is born. That way, if this was just a one off thing, no problem. It probably will not be present in the merconium by the time the baby gets here. OTOH, if you are a habitual user you need to get clean before the baby is born otherwise there will be CPS involvement. 

I agree with this.  I don't think the Dr. was threatening the OP but giving her a heads up of what could possibly lie ahead.  The best thing for her to do would be to stop taking the meds, and prepare herself with documentation of her injury/ surgery in case there is CPS involvement, which hopefully there will not be.

I don't know why so many of you are being so hard on this woman.  She came here for advice and help, not judgment.  

[craft_media_hero]

Originally Posted by PoppyMama 

I think there is some seriously harsh judgement of the OP going on. 

Seriously, people, back off! We need to have an inclusive community here where people can come for support.

I was given an Rx for vicodin when I was pregnant, and yes, I used it. It helped me--when I didn't need it, I quit taking it. Do I have a giant bottle of it left? Yes. If I had an injury, would I self-medicate? Yes.

This woman is trying to work so that she has money to support her baby---she's not a drug addict and didn't harm her baby by taking a pain pill.

I second the posters who have said to get to another doc---even if it's a walk-in clinic, and establish on paper that you had an injury, see if you can get a scrip for vicodin again just to CYA.

I hope that it works out for you---post back and let us know. I hope that you didn't get chased off by any of the negative responses---most of MDC is not like that.

I totally don't blame you at all for taking someone else's med, I understand the very practical reasons behind why that would happen. But yes, cover your a** and get papers on your injury. If it comes up in convo w/ a  cps worker, I would just say that you only took one, didn't realize it was illegal and that as soon as you were told that, you regretted taking them right away and also slip in there how vike is NOT contraindicated during pregnancy. You might also consider paying for urine testing between now and then just to have smth to show that you ARE clean and not using anything.

[kama'aina mama]

In many states, if you qualify for Medicaid specifically because you are pregnant it will only cover visits and scrips directly related to the pregnancy/ birth.  Just because that's not an issue where you live doesn't mean it's not an issue for someone else.  I hope that helps.

[Buddhamom]

I have to agree with who ever said you should have gone to your OB for the pain because pain aside, what if your injury caused your knee to buckle and you fell?  Because even if your insurance only covers preg. related he could have prescribed something he saw fit or maybe given you a needed referral.  They may have been able to give you a brace that could have eleviated some of your discomfort as well.

[3xMama]

Originally Posted by kama'aina mama 

In many states, if you qualify for Medicaid specifically because you are pregnant it will only cover visits and scrips directly related to the pregnancy/ birth.  Just because that's not an issue where you live doesn't mean it's not an issue for someone else.  I hope that helps.

This is very true. I'm extremely lucky to have a mw who takes Medicaid and is willing to just not mention why she's giving a certain script or will relate it to pregnancy somehow. (Please note that I do not abuse this priviledge, I've asked her for an eye med once because I have been having god awful styes for months now.) Even at that, I have a perinatal depression and though that is directly related to pregnancy, I do have a co pay on the antidepressant. Its only $3, but the point is there is a co pay to it despite it being pregnancy related. The way Medicaid works does vary from state to state. The way Medicaid patients are received and treated is going to vary from location to location. I think it is important to keep that in mind, particularly regarding this post.

OP, I think a lot of what the PPs have said is true and that Italiamom summed it all up very well. The OB likely has to report this legally. My only advice is to stop taking the drug immediately, talk to your OB about what you can do for pain if the pain is still unbearable and go forward. Get documentation of your prior knee surgery. I also like the idea of urine testing between now and delivery to help support the fact that you were not abusing the drug. Worrying about what's going to happen in the future isn't going to help, though I know that's easier said than done.

[crazyms]

In my state or at least my area if you are on medicaid for pregnancy you only get treated for pregnancy related conditions. The knee would not be allowed. You also have to see the health dept only here if you are on medicaid unless you get moved to high risk and then are allowed to go to the clinic to see the doctor for easier access to the additional testing you need but it is still only pregnancy related issues.

To the OP - I am sorry you are going through this and what will happen will depend a lot of your situation and your area. I would check laws in your area. Changing doctors sounds like a good idea but I'm not sure if that would work. If it is possible for you there could still be a note on your chart about the drugs and if you don't have records transferred and the old doc see you have a new doctor he may try to report you for neglect for not getting prenatal care. The best option I can see is to keep seeing him then just deliver somewhere else without warning. The hospital won't have your records so may not test for drugs and this doc won't have the chance to even if you go back to him for your 6 wk check up later. From what I've seen though if CPS is involved in a drug case (without other issues) there is usually a program of some sort and random testing for a time to assure the issue is gone but the parent does keep custody. Try contacting a CASA worker. In my area CASA (court appointed special advocates?) works on cases that involve CPS as a 3rd party to determine the best interest of the child. It is a voluntary group though and may be able to help with your situation before hand. I would contact them and ask for advice. If this is really the only issue they can find I don't think they will take your child although there may be a hassle.

[crazyms]

Originally Posted by 3xMama 

... Get documentation of your prior knee surgery. I also like the idea of urine testing between now and delivery to help support the fact that you were not abusing the drug. Worrying about what's going to happen in the future isn't going to help, though I know that's easier said than done.

This! Request the doctor to do a drug test each week for the remainder of the pregnancy. Get copies of the reports. Also get copies of your medical records to this point that show lab work done already. There should be drug testing in there that was negative also. Make sure you have documentation of your prior knee surgery. Make sure if they do the test at the hospital that they drug test you also and get copies of the reports. If CPS gets called give them copies of it all. It should definitely help. 

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

isn't illegal to take other peoples prescribed medications? That in and of itself causes a problem, and why did you share the information with your obgyn if we were doing something illegal? We you worried about the medication being harmful to your fetus or pregnancy? IF that is the case then you should have done research before taking the medciation. I was on medicaid during my last pregnancy and never had any problems seeing a dr. for any reason, why couldn't you have to told your obgyn your problems and gotten a legitimate prescription. Sorry, I am not very sympathetic to your situation, but what you did was not legal.

[JudiAU]

Vicoden is one of the mostly commonly abused prescription drugs and it is often from "a friend." I think the doctor was suspicous that a pregnant woman would take such a powerful drug without consultation of a doctor or obtaining a personal perscription. If he/she normally sees a lot of drug abuse in his/her practice, it would increase the suspicion. Assuming it was just the one time, then I doubt you'll have a problem. If you can, I'd try and get pharmacy records showing you were prescribed it in the past during the time of your knee surgery. And if at all possible, I'd try and make an appointment with a doctor to discuss your knee pain, either to get a script (but necessarily to use) or to document the issue.

[Noel Veva]

OP, I empathize completely.  I have torn cartilage in my right knee (no insurance/money for surgery) and it is HELL when it flares.  I can't imagine having to work on my feet all day, pregnant, with that kind of pain.  You did what you had to do to get through work.  The doctor is a jerk, period.  Find another one or stay away from them all/hospitals completely (big proponent of unassisted birth here, many resources in the UP forum!).  Nobody has the right to take your baby from you over something like this.  What nonsense.

I also second the poster who called out others for being unkind.  It's very easy to judge people and treat them poorly.  It's much harder to show compassion, empathize and treat them like people.  This woman is a person.  She made a mistake (at least, in the eyes of the law.  In my book, she did what made sense for her/what was necessary).  She's not a drug addict, and even if she was, she would deserve nothing but kindness, respect and support.  Shaming people does nothing to help them, or their children (quite the contrary).  All it does is make others feel superior - at the expense of all of us.

Seriously, we are all hurt and degraded by this behavior.  What happens when it's your turn to be ridiculed?  How would you like to be treated this way?  

If you care about this person and her baby, offer support and encouragement.  They both need it.

Best of luck, OP.  If you'd like someone to talk to, send me a pm anytime.