A few questions w/r/t drug history and new doctor's knowledge

[NateTheGreat]

Howdy! How is everyone?

This is my first post on this site, but certainly not my first time on this site; i've been a long time lingerer (and admirer). And it's finally time that I have some questions I couldn't find answers to by just searching around.

So, cliff-noted history: I've never been in legal trouble (until recently, and just for a theft misdemeanor), nor have I ever told any doctors anything regarding my drug abuse. I was on adderall for a few years, have had a few hydro scripts over the years after surgeries and whatnot but other than that have no narcotics prescription history. My depression and anxiety have been escalating in recent years, and a few months back I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder (fun new surprise!). Fast forward to about a month ago: I have a sort of mental breakdown (no doubt due to the speed abuse) and find myself in a mental hospital, voluntarily. During the initial assessment, they asked about my drug abuse history, and I stupidly (or desperately, i'm not sure which) told them everything - from bud to speed to opiates to my attempted-therapeutic use of benzos. I've been in their therapy program for the past month, and it's fantastic.

The only problem is that, as it's a rehab facility too, they have certain limitations on what they can prescribe (i.e., no benzos); and the thing is that klonopin is about the only drug I ever found effective for anxiety. The hydroxyzine/clonidine/neurontin/limictal/risperidone combo they have me on now is working great at preventing mania and generally stabilizing my moods; but the hydroxyzine and clonidine (the ones they've told me are for anxiety) aren't seeming to do jacksquat for my anxiety. I'm still just crippled by it. I haven't socialized in a month, basic things scare me - driving scares the shit out of me after I totaled a car a few months back - and i'm hardly leaving the house (a matter made worse by the fact that last month I left my apt and moved back into my parents home). I never had issues with abusing benzos - they're not my genre of abusable drug; I was a speed/blow fan, not downers. I hate xanax, the few times i've tried it. Valium is nice but bleh. Klonopin was working: I was taking 1mg in the morning and occasionally 1mg at night, as needed. It was doing wonders for my sanity.

I've recently become aware that all doctors can easily pull up your prescription history, which was surprising to me. I'm still unsure whether they do that through insurance or through some other organization. This is fine, as nothing in my history script-wise would indicate abuse. But, in trying to find a new psych/GP to script me the benzos, i'm wondering if they'll find the drug abuse history from the mental hospital. I ask because I went to the ER today for my kidney stones (yeah, a new layer to my hell of medical issues), and while my mom last time she had em got hydrocodone, I got a non-narcotic.

So, if anyone knows:
1. Do doctors know prescription history? And if so, how? Via insurance or what.
2. Do doctors have the ability to find diagnostic history/data like drug abuse history from the mental hospital? And if so, how?

This is for the United States, by the way. Sorry for the lengthy post, and thanks ahead of time for any answers I might receive.

I very much appreciate it.

 

[marian steere]

Howdy! How is everyone?

This is my first post on this site, but certainly not my first time on this site; i've been a long time lingerer (and admirer). And it's finally time that I have some questions I couldn't find answers to by just searching around.

So, cliff-noted history: I've never been in legal trouble (until recently, and just for a theft misdemeanor), nor have I ever told any doctors anything regarding my drug abuse. I was on adderall for a few years, have had a few hydro scripts over the years after surgeries and whatnot but other than that have no narcotics prescription history. My depression and anxiety have been escalating in recent years, and a few months back I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder (fun new surprise!). Fast forward to about a month ago: I have a sort of mental breakdown (no doubt due to the speed abuse) and find myself in a mental hospital, voluntarily. During the initial assessment, they asked about my drug abuse history, and I stupidly (or desperately, i'm not sure which) told them everything - from bud to speed to opiates to my attempted-therapeutic use of benzos. I've been in their therapy program for the past month, and it's fantastic.

The only problem is that, as it's a rehab facility too, they have certain limitations on what they can prescribe (i.e., no benzos); and the thing is that klonopin is about the only drug I ever found effective for anxiety. The hydroxyzine/clonidine/neurontin/limictal/risperidone combo they have me on now is working great at preventing mania and generally stabilizing my moods; but the hydroxyzine and clonidine (the ones they've told me are for anxiety) aren't seeming to do jacksquat for my anxiety. I'm still just crippled by it. I haven't socialized in a month, basic things scare me - driving scares the shit out of me after I totaled a car a few months back - and i'm hardly leaving the house (a matter made worse by the fact that last month I left my apt and moved back into my parents home). I never had issues with abusing benzos - they're not my genre of abusable drug; I was a speed/blow fan, not downers. I hate xanax, the few times i've tried it. Valium is nice but bleh. Klonopin was working: I was taking 1mg in the morning and occasionally 1mg at night, as needed. It was doing wonders for my sanity.

I've recently become aware that all doctors can easily pull up your prescription history, which was surprising to me. I'm still unsure whether they do that through insurance or through some other organization. This is fine, as nothing in my history script-wise would indicate abuse. But, in trying to find a new psych/GP to script me the benzos, i'm wondering if they'll find the drug abuse history from the mental hospital. I ask because I went to the ER today for my kidney stones (yeah, a new layer to my hell of medical issues), and while my mom last time she had em got hydrocodone, I got a non-narcotic.

So, if anyone knows:
1. Do doctors know prescription history? And if so, how? Via insurance or what.
2. Do doctors have the ability to find diagnostic history/data like drug abuse history from the mental hospital? And if so, how?

This is for the United States, by the way. Sorry for the lengthy post, and thanks ahead of time for any answers I might receive.

I very much appreciate it.

well I hope this helps... they doctors have a system they can now use called "cures" it shows them anywhere you have been to to get a scheduled two narcotic filled. they use it to monitor drug seekers. good luck to you.

 

[BeachBum4u]

My pain mgmt doc uses my insurance records to see what I've had filled. I think when I entered the practice, I signed something giving them access to my records. As far as knowing what other facilities may have on you, I'm not too sure they'd see that unless they had a reason to start digging. Hope that helps but this has been my experience for the most part. Good Luck!

 

[wezface]

It depends. My doctors don't access my records unless I sign something that gives them access, and I know who's got my full history and who doesn't, so I haven't had much trouble with that. But there is increased security around scheduled prescription drugs. I would be pretty honest with your doctor - this won't necessarily prevent them from prescribing you benzos, depending on your doctor, but it may cause them to red flag your records and keep an eye on you. As long as you're not abusing them and are a pretty good patient and as long as you find the right doctor, you should be able to get something that legitimately helps your anxiety even with that on your record. Good luck.