Western Medicine and Potential Lawsuits

[Astray]

So, my Ma was missing a bit of medicine, to help her manage pain for her knee (she fell off the back of a motorcycle and landed on her knee first). When she called the place that normally delivers, they told her she couldn't have that type of medicine.

Why? Because of a pre-existing prescription for her frequent migraines. Y'see, her neurologist has been doubling down on prescriptions and flooding her liver with high doses of medicine that is tearing up her liver. She's had pain in that area for a few weeks now. She thought it was nothing but stress.

She's scheduled for a liver test ASAP.

Her friend has her convinced she's got a lawsuit. Does she?

[Taernath]

A conveniently timed fall outside the neurologist's office would help.

Apart from that, it depends. Wait until the tests come back.

[Astray]

A conveniently timed fall outside the neurologist's office would help.

Apart from that, it depends. Wait until the tests come back.

That'd help.

My mothers friend is a Nurse and she's currently checking all the symptoms possible from the two medicines. She's convinced that if they caused suicidal thoughts/actions, it'd explain why my mother shot herself.

[Taernath]

That'd help.

My mothers friend is a Nurse and she's currently checking all the symptoms possible from the two medicines. She's convinced that if they caused suicidal thoughts/actions, it'd explain why my mother shot herself.

Is your mom only on two medications, and how involved are you with her meds? I don't think you can sue for stated side effects.

[Astray]

Is your mom only on two medications, and how involved are you with her meds? I don't think you can sue for stated side effects.

She's on a few things, blood pressure meds, vitamins, uh... her pain meds. The medicine she was prescribed by her neurologist directly doubles the safe dosage of the other medicine for leg pain. Which, as I was told, could lead to liver damage and eventual failure. I can't say I'm directly involved, I just know she takes these two specific meds for pain management.

I got a few more details out of her. The pain level has steadily increased but, because of her age, she thought 'okay just a bladder infection'. Now, there's no blood when she passes urine but she said it's cloudy. I'm not remotely eager to find out first hand so I'll just take her word at that.

The medicines in question are: Cambia and Meloxicam. The latter for her head, the former for her knee.

[Ker_Thwap]

Irreversible liver damage, maybe. Stated side effects, probably not for a short term prescription. Mental issues are always tough to prove.

Do I look like an attorney to you? I'm talking out of my ass here.

[Tisket]

She shot herself? And fell off a motorcycle? She sounds like an interesting woman.

[Astray]

She shot herself? And fell off a motorcycle? She sounds like an interesting woman.

She fell off a motorcycle during one of my step-fathers deployments. She used to be in a club!

She shot herself in the leg, got sent to a funny farm for a while. Came out looking pretty healthy.

Now she might have irreversible liver damage! Life is stressful for her.

[Thondalar]

So, my Ma was missing a bit of medicine, to help her manage pain for her knee (she fell off the back of a motorcycle and landed on her knee first). When she called the place that normally delivers, they told her she couldn't have that type of medicine.

Why? Because of a pre-existing prescription for her frequent migraines. Y'see, her neurologist has been doubling down on prescriptions and flooding her liver with high doses of medicine that is tearing up her liver. She's had pain in that area for a few weeks now. She thought it was nothing but stress.

She's scheduled for a liver test ASAP.

Her friend has her convinced she's got a lawsuit. Does she?

Probably not. The vast majority of high-end pain medicine, especially narcotics, are known to have liver-damaging side effects...there are a ton of new laws passed in the last 2-3 years in regards to these meds, because they are the most-often abused. The fallout is people who actually need them are under extra scrutiny, and doctors are more likely to prescribe less-effective things so they aren't under extra scrutiny.

As far as I know, Rhett is the only actual Pharmacist that somewhat follows this board, maybe ask him about the particulars...I can only tell you that, from a law enforcement standpoint, at least in Florida, after our "Pill Mill" debacle a few years ago, doctors are being extra-tight with issuing multiple painkillers to the same patient.

While this doesn't mean much as far as the neurologist prescribing her a bunch of stuff, I'm speaking more on why the doctor for her motorcycle accident wasn't willing to give her more.

[Astray]

So now here's the question. Is it negligence or malpractice if the doctor or pharmacists didn't look at these and say "You should not have these two prescriptions together"? Because that's what her nurse friend is essentially saying. The lady is absolutely convinced it's a malpractice lawsuit.

[Wrathbringer]

So now here's the question. Is it negligence or malpractice if the doctor or pharmacists didn't look at these and say "You should not have these two prescriptions together"? Because that's what her nurse friend is essentially saying. The lady is absolutely convinced it's a malpractice lawsuit.

Sounds like she would know better than any of us. Best of luck.

[Thondalar]

So now here's the question. Is it negligence or malpractice if the doctor or pharmacists didn't look at these and say "You should not have these two prescriptions together"? Because that's what her nurse friend is essentially saying. The lady is absolutely convinced it's a malpractice lawsuit.

Again, not an expert, but...generally malpractice-type suits are civil, and negligence-type suits are criminal. They aren't necessarily exclusive, but generally play off of each other...if she can prove some sort of physical damage caused by the specific combination of these drugs, then she probably has a claim on both.

Personally I'm against all of this...who here watches TV more than 10 hours a week? Those of you who don't Tivo or netflix or hulu everything probably notice what I have...every commercial break is about evenly split between ads for new pharmaceuticals and ads for lawyers to sue over old pharmaceuticals.

It's a shell game, and everyone is making money except you. It's a conspiracy between lawyers, insurance, and pharma. /tinfoil

[Warriorbird]

She should talk to a lawyer. Many consultations are free. It varies greatly by state.

[Latrinsorm]

So now here's the question. Is it negligence or malpractice if the doctor or pharmacists didn't look at these and say "You should not have these two prescriptions together"? Because that's what her nurse friend is essentially saying. The lady is absolutely convinced it's a malpractice lawsuit.Every doctor I've been to has had the patient list all the medications they are taking. If your mother told either doctor she was already on whichever (and can prove it), I would think you could have something. Pharmacy I think would be impossible because they did notice it and act on it, plus pharmacies aren't obligated to manage your medication in any other way: e.g. scheduling refills, having doses available.
She should talk to a lawyer. Many consultations are free. It varies greatly by state.This is true.
It's a shell game, and everyone is making money except you. It's a conspiracy between lawyers, insurance, and pharma. /tinfoilI am alive because of modern pharmaceuticals. If there is a conspiracy, I am all for it.

[Thondalar]

I am alive because of modern pharmaceuticals. If there is a conspiracy, I am all for it.

And others are dead because of them.

Don't get me wrong, modern medicine is certainly a net gain. I could pick your statement apart further, but I'm tired. Maybe tomorrow.