[grandmaof3]

I just got my refill on my Ativan this morning and I went in to work with the bottle of 90 pills in my purse. I locked my purse in the office where only 2 other people have a key, my supervisor and a coworker. I was feeling stressed and irritable so I went to take an Ativan and the whole bottle was gone from my purse. I looked around everywhere in the room and went out to check my car in case the bottle fell out but I couldn't find it anywhere. I asked both my supervisor and my coworker if either of them had seen it and they both denied knowing anything about it. I'm really upset because I know one of them is lying and I really need my Ativan. Here it is, a holiday weekend and I don't have my much needed medication and there's nothing I can do about it until Tuesday. Even then I doubt I can get the pills replaced. I haven't had any Ativan since yesterday and I'm starting to get mild tremors in my hands since I take it regularly I guess I'm addicted to it. I don't know what to do. I told them both that if whoever took it just put it back all would be forgiven. They both got upset because they said I was accusing them. But no one else went in the office. I don't know what to do.

Whatever the case, you are now out of Ativan and that's not good. If you are used to taking it on a regular basis, you shouldn't be stopping it suddenly. If I were you I would be in the ER, telling them what happened and getting a prescription for Ativan. I know it's a drag to sit in the ER, but it's better than withdrawal.

I agree with Sister Rags I just did a search on the withdrawal symptoms of Ativan. The tremors you mentioned are one of the signs; and with it being a holiday weekend the pharmacies are more than likely closed until Monday. So it may be best to go to the ER to at least get an emergency refill until you can get to the pharmacy next week.

[Can-I-Say]

If Ativan is vital for your day-to-day and cannot wait until Tuesday, then going to urgent care or the ER is probably your best option.

I'm sorry to hear that your coworkers are being dishonest... I keep my medication locked in my car unless it's on me directly for just such a reason.

[Yoda]

Can you speak with your supervisor's supervisor? If yes, then explain what happened and ask if both people who had access to your purse be urine tested for benzos? Of course if the person who stole it is selling it they won't have a + drug screen but there is a good chance he/she will have taken it for his/her own use. That isn't going to help get through the weekend but it is all I can think of to do.

[moremi]

Im pretty sure Ativan is a benzo? Is that right? If so you cant go cold turkey off of it due to the possibility of seizures. When I came off of Xanax I had to take Neurontin and be watched very carefully in a medical setting. I was monitored 24hrs a day for a few days. Its very important that you go to the ER to get enough to hold you over until Tuesday. Ie know one time my prescription was stolen out of my purse that was sitting in my running car in my driveway. I ran in the house real quick and they only took the pill bottle left my purse so I know exactly what they wanted and it wasn't money. I had to file a police report before my doctor could refill it due to the new laws about controlled substances. That was a couple of years ago too. Things could be different now.

[BipolaRNurse]

I agree with Crystal, you need to file a police report. Staff at the average ER tend to be pretty jaded, and they are not apt to give you an emergency Rx because they hear all the time how "somebody stole my Ativan/Oxycontin/Vicodin/Xanax" etc. Not that you're lying, but having a copy of the report with you when you go will give you some credibility. I'm sorry medical people are that way, but they are because they've seen too many actual drug-seekers not to be suspicious when a patient comes in with a report like yours. FWIW, I believe you. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by Can-I-Say

If Ativan is vital for your day-to-day and cannot wait until Tuesday, then going to urgent care or the ER is probably your best option.

I'm sorry to hear that your coworkers are being dishonest... I keep my medication locked in my car unless it's on me directly for just such a reason.

Hi, just a thought...if your meds get too hot inside your car they can be adversely affected.

[swheaton]

This has to be horrible for you!

[grandmaof3]

I went to the er and they would not give me any Ativan. My hands are shaking, I have a terrible headache and I feel really anxious. My sister gave me a couple of her Xanax and that helped a little but I didn't want to take too many because she needs her pills too. I called the administrator of the nursing home where I work and told her about the theft. She was very upset but she said no to drug testing my co workers. I think she said that because if one of them tested + she would have to dismiss them and we are real shorthanded right now. She didn't want me to call the police either. I have to work a double shift sunday 3-11, 11-7 and Im really worried about keeping myself together enough to do my job. I know my pdoc will give me a new prescription Tuesday but in the meantime I'm miserable.

I feel so, so sorry for you. My God. It's appalling enough that one of your co-workers stole your medication - but the ER wouldn't even prescribe enough to get you through until Tuesday? Is there an after-hours number you can call to get in touch with your p-doc's office? As far as I know, every p-doc has some kind of back-up outside of office hours.

[grandmaof3]

Originally Posted by Sister Rags

I feel so, so sorry for you. My God. It's appalling enough that one of your co-workers stole your medication - but the ER wouldn't even prescribe enough to get you through until Tuesday? Is there an after-hours number you can call to get in touch with your p-doc's office? As far as I know, every p-doc has some kind of back-up outside of office hours.

I tried that but the answering service said he is out of town for the holiday weekend. They had the on call PA call me and she said no I have to wait and be seen by my pdoc on Tuesday. I think she thinks I am just med seeking. She said that even if she wanted to she can't call in a prescription for a narcotic it has to be a hard copy so I guess Im screwed. I just have to suck it up.

Wow. I would call again - and again, if need be - and be very upfront about the fact that you are NOT med-seeking. Having a family member call for you might help, too...the person can tell the p-doc on duty that you're having extreme symptoms and need immediate help. What an outrageous situation.

[Nammu]

The administrator is seriously wrong in advising you not to file a report because you may have to file a report enable to get a refill.

Oh - YES to what sidestepper posted!

[justbeingme80]

File a police report. Your supervisor shouldn't be telling you not to. What they did was illegal and it should be reported to the police.

I had my Adderall stolen while I was in college (a brand-new bottle of 90 pills) and I had to file a police report to have it refilled. It's not only the doctor who might need a copy of the report, but the insurance company. My medical insurance wouldn't let me refill it for my copay without it.

I'm sorry about the ER. They're notorious for not giving out controlled substances prescriptions. It's nothing to do with you, it's just they get so many people in who are drug seeking who say the same thing.

[BipolaRNurse]

How are you holding up, hon?

[grandmaof3]

I was at my pdocs office this morning at 0730 when they opened. He said the pharmacy won't refill my Ativan without a police report which I don't have because I can't afford to rock the boat at work. But he did write me a script for valium. He was really understanding. I went straight to cvs when they opened at 0900 and got my valium. Hopefully it helps, my pdoc said it would. I just took one. I'm off work until Thursday afternoon. I plan on talking to the administrator again when I'm calm. I hope this valium kicks in soon because I feel terrible.

Hopefully it helps soon and you are able to get everything sorted out. It's just terrible how because of a few we all have to suffer.

[Nammu]

I'm glad you had such an understanding Pdoc who gave you something similar, but it sure sticks that you had to suffer at all.

So ridiculous, that you had to go through all of that for a LEGAL PRESCRIPTION. Effing crazy.

[SingDanceRunLife]

It's great that your pdoc is so understanding!! *Hugs* I'm sure he's right about the pharmacy not refilling it though which is unfortunate. Last year I had issues with a prescription because I wanted it transferred from one Target pharmacy to another, and couldn't because apparent you can't do that with controlled substances.