My prescription bottle is missing...

[Twinmom]

...and it was the only one in the house that had narcotics in it. I keep a small bottle of Darvocet for times that a problem nerve in my back acts up. I rarely use it, but when I need it, it's critical that I have it along with a muscle relaxer to keep the muscle from spasming, or I end up in the ER looking for a trigger point injection. (TMI, probably, but I feel the need to explain why I keep narcotics around! ;)) I looked for it last night after Thing Two jumped on my back, and it was missing. The muscle relaxer was sitting right in its nice, neat little spot, but the Darvocet was gone. I've not looked for it in over a month, have not needed it. I keep all our prescriptions in the same place, all the time...I'm obsessive about it because of the kids. They are in a plastic bin on the very top shelf of a high unit in my bathroom, so as to keep them out of the reach of munchkins. There is no reason why it should not be there. DH has not seen it, I've not traveled with it, it is just gone.

 

So, I guess my question is this. Do I question the folks who have worked in my house recently, or let it go? I don't want to make any false accusations, but I am concerned. I realize I may never know what happened, but should I ask anyway? I have a set of two gals who clean my house 2x a week, but they've been with me a while. I have a babysitter who is fairly new and a little nutty (see my other thread). No one else has been in the house to my knowledge except the insurance adjuster, and he was with me the whole time. If one of them did take it or suspect that one of the others took it (they were all here together the other day), I'd like to know.

 

Also, what should I tell my doctor when I call for a refill of a narcotic that was just filled? This makes me look bad though I'd only used one of the 30 pills.

 

I guess basically, should I :chillpill: about it or pursue it? Thoughts?

[Quiver0f10]

Wow, I'd definitely want to know who did it, but I don't know of a nice way to go about finding out. How well do you know your Dr? Can you explain what happened and get a new Rx? Sorry this happened to you :grouphug:

[newbie]

Well, I guess you can take high road, and let it go. Put a lock on bath. door.

 

Call doc, and tell him someone stole them or dropped in toilet. So you can have some on hand.

 

Jet

[Cathy in IL]

Wow, that is concerning. I would be particularly concerned if it could have been the babysitter. I am not sure how to find out though. Did your older children notice anyone going near the meds?

[Twinmom]

I don't know my doctor well enough for him not to think I'm a druggie! I THINK he would believe me, but it's not like I've known him and been treated by him for years or anything. I've only lived here about a year.

 

I'm thinking about asking the cleaning ladies about the sitter, and the sitter about the cleaning ladies, if that makes sense. See if either had a concern about the other the day they were here together. I am not foolish enough to think that someone would fess up. If someone did take it, however, at least I'd be putting people on notice that I noticed it missing!

 

Hmmm.

[Scarlett]

The instant I saw your thread, a vision of your boundary challenged nutty babysitter popped into my head. Red flags all over this for me....I would ask the kids if they saw anyone near the area where you keep your meds, because you've 'misplaced' something and maybe they moved it when cleaning or some such. (just so you don't have to explain to the kids you suspect housekeepers or the sitter of stealing drugs).

 

I would caution against asking the sitter or cleaners about it directly because the guilty party is likely to point the finger at someone else and then you have a real problem on your hands.

 

Oh, a thought....has the 17 year old sitter been in your house?

 

And just tell the doc straight up the truth. He will probably give you a pass the first time something like this happens. A pattern would tip him off, but of course NOW you will keep them locked up, I'm sure.

 

Kinda creepy having a thief in your house AND likely a thief with a drug problem. Shudder.

[Twinmom]

The instant I saw your thread, a vision of your boundry challenged nutty babysitter popped into my head. Red flags all over this for me....I would ask the kids if they saw anyone near the area where you keep your meds, because you've 'misplaced' something and maybe they moved it when cleaning or some such. (just so you don't have to explain to the kids you suspect housekeepers or the sitter of stealing drugs).

 

I would caution against asking the sitter or cleaners about it directly because the guilty party is likely to point the finger at someone else and then you have a real problem on your hands.

 

Oh, a thought....has the 17 year old sitter been in your house?

 

And just tell the doc straight up the truth. He will probably give you a pass the first time something like this happens. A pattern would tip him off, but of course NOW you will keep them locked up, I'm sure.

 

Kinda creepy having a thief in your house AND likely a thief with a drug problem. Shudder.

 

Yeah, that's sadly the first thing that popped into my head as well! The confusing thing about the nutty sitter is that everyone else besides me LOVES her and thinks she hung the moon. Why am I the only one questioning her? :confused:

 

The 17 year old has never been here, so she's off the hook.

[tibbyl]

You can gently inquire of each of the parties, but it is probably pointless since they will deny it. You will have to use your creativity to come up with a really good hiding place.

 

My father's ne'er-do-well step-grandson most likely stole his legitimately-acquired narcotic pain relievers that were coveted by the addicted. If anyone has a relative with substance abuse issues that decides to drop in for visit *only* when you are sick or injured, beware.

 

It happens in the best of families. John McCain's wife stole controlled substances from a medical aid charity she founded.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1994-09-08/news/opiate-for-the-mrs/

[cin]

Regarding the Dr. I wouldn't say anything unless they ask. Depending on the quantity and the time since the last Rx, they may not think anything of it, especially with it being summer, people more active and such.

 

Otherwise, I might even keep it in my purse. I know I guard my adderall with my life, for the very reason that it is controlled and if I lose, misplace, or spill it, I can have problems getting it filled.

[Twinmom]

I'm thinking hard about new hiding places as we speak...

[Scarlett]

Yeah, that's sadly the first thing that popped into my head as well! The confusing thing about the nutty sitter is that everyone else besides me LOVES her and thinks she hung the moon. Why am I the only one questioning her? :confused:

 

Intuition maybe? Seriously, maybe some of the weird behaviors can be written off to drug abuse. Maybe the people who have known her a long can't see the weirdness because it has come on slowly....and you came in with fresh eyes. I would sure get rid of her now....now way I would risk her caring for my children.

 

I'd probably have to set a trap and see if I could figure out who the thief is. (A trap with fake drugs of course.)

[Michelle T]

it was my oldest brother who had taken them. Of course, the whole family already knew he was a drug addict, but I had completely forgotten about the codeine cough syrup, and the pain meds in my cabinet. He actually drank the entire bottle of codeine cough syrup and left the empty bottle in the cabinet. But when faced with the evidence, he admitted what he had done. It's a very different situation with family members.

 

Anyway, in your situation, if you are SURE no one else has been in the house, including family members, then it will be extremely tough to prove either the babysitter or house cleaners took the meds, even though you know they did.

 

I don't think there is much point in asking them, as they are certainly going to lie. You can choose to let them go, and find new house cleaners, or just make certain all abusable medications (and I'd be careful with jewelry and cash/valuables too) are hidden or locked up.

Michelle T

[Twinmom]

...just make certain all abusable medications (and I'd be careful with jewelry and cash/valuables too) are hidden or locked up.

 

Whoa, hadn't even thought about that one.

[TraceyS/FL]

Intuition maybe? Seriously, maybe some of the weird behaviors can be written off to drug abuse. Maybe the people who have known her a long can't see the weirdness because it has come on slowly....and you came in with fresh eyes. I would sure get rid of her now....now way I would risk her caring for my children.

 

I'd probably have to set a trap and see if I could figure out who the thief is. (A trap with fake drugs of course.)

 

:iagree:

 

She'd not be back.

 

you don't knwo that she did it..... but well, her behavior is way out there.

 

Do you know a cop in town to run it by them? (ok, i live in a small town - and the last time i had a cop here that is what he did, went up to the neighbors to count pills :tongue_smilie: Long middle of the night story.....).

 

:grouphug:

 

Oh and Darvocet is the only pain med that works for me..... well, T3 does, but it gives me hives. Oops! LOL!!

[Scarlett]

:iagree:

 

Oh and Darvocet is the only pain med that works for me..... well, T3 does, but it gives me hives. Oops! LOL!!

 

I can't take any form of any narcotic. They all make me violently ill. I think if I was ever in a serious accident they would have to keep me knocked out. I can tolerate muscle relaxers and tranquilizers.

[Myrtle]

These people in your home will all just deny it very convincingly if asked.

 

We have this inexpensive safe in our bedroom we use for things that we don't want to disappear. While we live in a nice neighborhood there have been a lot of break-ins reported.

 

Unlike other safes with this one you key in a sequence of buttons, no dials or keys, and it sits on the nightstand next to the bed. It's HEAVY.

 

It's got a little shelf on the inside to accomodate small objects, such as bottles, a stack of cash, passports, and enough space on the other shelf for something like a pistol.

 

People will steal the meds not for their own use but because of their street value :-(

[TraceyS/FL]

People will steal the meds not for their own use but because of their street value :-(

 

That is so the truth..... i have a huge stash of stuff that DH & I are both allergic too that would net some decent money. I'm reluctant to get rid of it because if we really needed something, we could take it until we could get to the doctor.

 

But there is a reason my trash has never contained anything related to my DD's growth hormones.

[Myrtle]

Whoa, hadn't even thought about that one.

 

I am suspicous of people who ask me about any prescription medication that I might be taking when it isn't in a clinical setting. I knew a guy in college that was a drug dealer and he told me that letting people know you were taking certain kinds of drugs was a fast path to getting burglarized so ever since then I deny it if I happen to have a script of anything around--anything that a teen might abuse for kicks and giggles can be stolen. Another scenario is you tell a trusted friend, she mentions it in a conversation when her son and his friend are around and then boom, your stuff is gone.

 

To reinforce my paranoia there was a family that I knew with the mother suffering from cancer and she had a LOT of meds in her house, everyone knew of their situation and one day their house was broken into and the only thing stolen was her meds. They weren't able to replace the meds because they were so expensive and she died (I don't remember if she was going to die anyway though, I was young at the time and just heard the adults making a big deal out of this)

 

I just wouldn't tell anyone that I had any meds, jewelry, cash, or guns in my house unless there was a compelling reason for them to know that.

[Part-Time Homeschooler]

Due to the nature of the medication, I would try to find out what happened to it. Unfortunately, you probably won't ever learn the truth.

 

This happened to me once. We had some houseguests for a few days and shortly after they left, I discovered that the brand new refill of my prescription was missing. It was non-narcotic medication, so I'm not sure why someone would want to take it. My dh insisted that one of guests had NOT taken it. He thought maybe I had just misplaced it. I always kept my medicine in the same place so I knew exactly where it was when it went missing. It was in a kitchen cupboard and would have been extremely accessible to anyone who opened the door. I did not ask our houseguests about it because the medication was not anything potentially dangerous (plus, I didn't want to offend anyone). I decided to drop the issue and now I keep my medication in a more secure place.

[Mom to Aly]

I would change where you put your meds, including the muscle relaxants, and I would not question anyone. I didn't see your post about the babysitter, but do you think she would really come out and admit it? If you really think there are boundaries being crossed do something like the baby powder on the floor thing (put baby powder on the floor, light dusting, just inside your bedroom and leave light off, you can see if you it is messed up when you come home).

 

And I would tell your doc the truth.

[Aubrey]

What if you put the new bottle of Darvocet (is that what it was called?) in the same spot? Take the real pills out & lock them up, but refill it w/ something similar-looking & harmless. Then watch.

 

Maybe set up a tiny webcam?

 

You might even comment on the missing bottle distractedly to both the housekeepers & the babysitter. "Oh, I can't imagine where I put those!" while digging through your purse, etc. "I guess I'm going to have to call the dr *again*!"

[Tracey in TX]

First, I hope your back feels better soon.

Secondly, notify your dr. immediately. He MAY request you contact the police department. Several years ago in Dallas area, vicadin and similar prescription drugs were found missing from homes for sale. Realtor would show person homes, and he would steal the meds and resell. It was a couple of young guys, unbeknonwst to the real estate agents. Other possibility is that your meds are simply misplaced. It's a big deal to be in pain, so contact your doc and follow his/her recommendations.

 

Best of luck,

Tracey

[elegantlion]

I would be leary of outright accusing someone. We used to clean houses and my dh got accused of stealing drugs once, it was nasty. He didn't take them, but it truly put a bad taste in our mouths, because she was so vial (no pun intended) about the whole thing.

 

Agree with others who have said to get a safe. My dh has had to have narcotics for pain in the past and he has a small lock box he keeps for them alone.

 

Your Dr. may ask if you refill. When I worked for the vet and we had controlled substances we had to keep them locked and write down any pill taken out and what it was for. I'm not sure if that is required for those medications.

 

I would quiz the children about the babysitter, she seems a little unhinged to me. I would probably set some bait, I'd be so ticked, simply to make sure it wasn't the cleaners.

 

Hope your back gets better. :grouphug:

[Twinmom]

I think I will set a "trap" when I get a refill done. I'm going to see if I can go a little longer without needing it before I call. Since it is sporadic, maybe I can go long enough without it to not make an issue with the doctor. I'll have to tell him about it if I call this soon, for sure. Don't want to deal with that unless I absolutely have to. It's a small town around here, things get around fast.

 

I do think a lockbox is in my immediate future. And, yes, I'm looking for a new sitter now.

[Sandy in Indy]

Definitely a lockbox. That's what we do around here...unfortunately dh needs some fairly potent meds to keep him on his feet. We've never had a problem here (though he lost some while at work!) but we do have others besides family in our house daily. We'd rather be safe!

[Twinmom]

I have to say, I'm surprised at how common this seems to be! I'm thinking now that my doctor might not be very surprised to hear that this happened. Maybe I'll call him after all...

[TraceyS/FL]

I would call him - it's not at all uncommon. Does he know who your babysitter is? if it's her, and she is getting pills from you, you actually need to check with the pharmacy and let them know that script was stolen so they won't try to refill it. Letting the doctors office know it went missing will also not let THEM issue a refill.

 

There are arrests DAILY in my area for people trying to obtain other people's prescriptions. And this is small town USA.

 

So do let them know (this part about the refills just came to me).

[Twinmom]

Good idea, Tracy! I'm going to do that.

[summer]

No one is going to admit to taking it and it will not make you look at all bad to call the doctor and ask for a refill. Just explain what happened to him. If you hired one particular company that had a person in charge that you think would be understanding, I might report to them. But honestly, if they could steal your meds....think of what else they could have done.

[asta]

The drugs wouldn't necessarily have been taken for resale OR for personal use.

 

Teen "Pharm" Parties

 

Prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults (check out the link to the NYT story from this page - it's terrifying)

 

 

asta

[LisaNY]

I am suspicous of people who ask me about any prescription medication that I might be taking when it isn't in a clinical setting. I knew a guy in college that was a drug dealer and he told me that letting people know you were taking certain kinds of drugs was a fast path to getting burglarized so ever since then I deny it if I happen to have a script of anything around--anything that a teen might abuse for kicks and giggles can be stolen. Another scenario is you tell a trusted friend, she mentions it in a conversation when her son and his friend are around and then boom, your stuff is gone.

 

To reinforce my paranoia there was a family that I knew with the mother suffering from cancer and she had a LOT of meds in her house, everyone knew of their situation and one day their house was broken into and the only thing stolen was her meds. They weren't able to replace the meds because they were so expensive and she died (I don't remember if she was going to die anyway though, I was young at the time and just heard the adults making a big deal out of this)

 

I just wouldn't tell anyone that I had any meds, jewelry, cash, or guns in my house unless there was a compelling reason for them to know that.

 

Thanks for the heads up, Myrtle!

[StephanieZ]

She's new. She's nutty. The others are long time help. She'd be gone yesterday. I wouldn't even tell her why, because it just asks for an argument. I'd just tell her it isn't working out and here's two weeks pay and don't come back. I'd change the locks if she has a key.

 

Having had to fire a good number of people, I know it is hard. However, I wouldn't run the risk. Lots of people abuse drugs and if they'd steal them, they've got quite a problem. That's the last person I'd want around my kids or my home.

 

In the future, I'd find a new, more hidden, spot to hide your narcotics. A shoe box in the back of a high shelf in your closet or something else that isn't obvious. Maybe even one of those little safes. I keep them in my house as well, similarly to how you do, but I think I'll hide mine when my dc are older, especially if they have friends in the house. I have several household helpers but have never had anything go missing. I leave cash and jewlery and narcotics all in easily accessible places (for adults) and have never had anything go missing. If I did, I'd freak out. My thoughts have always been that I trust these people with my kids, and so I'm not worried about anything else. . . . But, my trust has never been broken.

 

So far as your doctor, I'd tell him the truth. I'm sure it happens regularly and he won't be shocked. So long as you don't come telling the same story on a regular basis, I'm sure he'll have no problem replacing your RX. Tell him you fired the suspect and will be hiding them in the future for both child safety and to avoid a repeat.

[Plaid Dad]

I'd call the police first. Tell them the story and give them a list of all the people who've been in your house so they can question them. That should put the fear of God into whoever took the bottle, and you might get some answers. Be sure to get a copy of the police report.

 

Then call the doctor and the pharmacy and say that you suspect the pills have been stolen and you need a refill. Let them know that you've reported the theft to the police. If they question you, show them the police report.

 

Ditto what everyone else said about finding a new, secure location for your meds. Double-ditto the advice to fire the crazy sitter.

 

So sorry you're dealing with all this - and in pain, on top of it!

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I'd call the police first. Tell them the story and give them a list of all the people who've been in your house so they can question them. That should put the fear of God into whoever took the bottle, and you might get some answers. Be sure to get a copy of the police report.

 

Then call the doctor and the pharmacy and say that you suspect the pills have been stolen and you need a refill. Let them know that you've reported the theft to the police. If they question you, show them the police report.

 

Ditto what everyone else said about finding a new, secure location for your meds. Double-ditto the advice to fire the crazy sitter.

 

So sorry you're dealing with all this - and in pain, on top of it!

 

I suspect that Drew's advice is EXACTLY what you need to do. File a report, turn in the report to the doctor.

 

I concur with firing the nutty sitter. Not just because of this, though. And keep narcotics LOCKED. It's just a crazy world out there.

[mcconnellboys]

I've heard of others having a problem with workers in their home taking their narcotics. I'd definitely call them on it - how else could it be gone?

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I've heard of others having a problem with workers in their home taking their narcotics. I'd definitely call them on it - how else could it be gone?

 

Yep. I'd also add -- forgot before -- that if someone who needs narcotics (addiction-wise) knows you HAVE narcotics, a new "hiding place" will not cut it. You can't simply hide them. They will find a way to systematically search for them. Lock 'em up.

[Claire in NM]

It sounds like you've got a lot of people in and out of your house. Since you and your DH haven't any idea what happened to them, I would skip the questions, especially since it's been a while since you've used any of the medication. It is best to keep this kind of medication under lock and key.

 

And you can explain the situation to your Dr. and see what the doctor recommends.

 

Claire in NM

[Guest Katia]

Hey, just a little idea here......if you decide to set up a trap.....fill that bottle with a strong laxative :001_smile:

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I think I will set a "trap" when I get a refill done. I'm going to see if I can go a little longer without needing it before I call. Since it is sporadic, maybe I can go long enough without it to not make an issue with the doctor. I'll have to tell him about it if I call this soon, for sure. Don't want to deal with that unless I absolutely have to. It's a small town around here, things get around fast.

 

I do think a lockbox is in my immediate future. And, yes, I'm looking for a new sitter now.

 

I'll be honest -- I wouldn't mess with an addict by setting a trap. It seems a great thing to do on the surface, to catch the idiot who did this, but I'm thinking how it could backfire. It could so very easily not end well. A pissed off drug addict is not a person I want to be 1) angry with me while 2) knowing where me and my kids live.

 

Just sayin'.

[WTMindy]

I don't know my doctor well enough for him not to think I'm a druggie! I THINK he would believe me, but it's not like I've known him and been treated by him for years or anything. I've only lived here about a year.

 

I'm thinking about asking the cleaning ladies about the sitter, and the sitter about the cleaning ladies, if that makes sense. See if either had a concern about the other the day they were here together. I am not foolish enough to think that someone would fess up. If someone did take it, however, at least I'd be putting people on notice that I noticed it missing!

 

Hmmm.

 

I think doctors are conditioned NOT to believe people because so many people lie about narcotics, but I would report it anyways!! I doubt you will ever know who took them because if you are an addict, you are usually a liar.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Dh had a little procedure for which they gave a prescription narcotic for later. We filled it but he didn't need it. We never opened the bag. I called the pharmacy and asked if we could bring it back. We didn't want it in the house for many of those reasons listed in previous posts! They took it back. The pharmacist laughed and couldn't believe it. She said that stuff NEVER comes back!

[Chris in VA]

 I'd say give up the idea of ever finding out the truth. I agree that you can call the police, but they will probably not be able to find out, either, unless there is a pattern (if it's the cleaning people, for example, and other people they have cleaned for have called in with the same problem--which, sadly, is unlikely).

Please don't follow Cin's advice to keep them in your purse. (No offense, Cin, but that's one of the first place people look, and it's easy to leave the room and leave your purse--) An addict knows all the common hiding places.

Advice for everyone--start locking up all cough meds, vitamins, decongestants, prescription drugs, and alcohol. It seems like that 14 year old babysitter would never, never take any drugs or drink your booze, but she may have a questionable friend, or she may experiment--even the nicest, homeschooled, great-grades kid can have a drug problem--maybe not full blown...yet. New in the last few years are things like Robo-Tripping--drinking a whole bottle of Robitussin and getting a high from the dextromothoriphan (not spelled correctly, sorry!). There's also Triple C--taking 16 to 32 Coricidan Cough and Cold tablets (leads to a PCP type high). Everything is available over the counter.

Also, please, people, get rid of your old prescriptions. Even if you think you may need that pain pill in the future, it's best to just have your Dr call in a new prescription, or really better, to go in and see the Dr instead of self-medicating. The new advice is not to flush drugs, because drugs are getting into the water system, but don't throw them into the trash in the bottle, either. I flush them until someone has a better idea. You can take them to the Dr's office and ask them to dispose of them in the medical waste if you really want to. When my bro died, my sil had enough narcotics left over to provide for her retirement, if she'd have sold them on the street! Of course she got rid of them right away.

 

[Twinmom]

A quick list of answers to some very thoughtful posts...thank you!

 

1. Consider the nutty sitter gone...that's a given! :D

 

2. Can't avoid keeping the drugs in the house...if I don't have them as a backup, I end up paying big bucks at the ER for a shot that would cost me $25 at the doc! It's a weird condition (minute tears in a muscle they can't fix) that spirals quickly into the most incredible pain I can even think of. I can be fine one minute, the next I can't even breathe. Thank goodness it only happens once or twice a year...but inevitably, when it comes, it comes on the weekend! :glare:

 

3. Lockbox...yes, I'm getting one. I have a stepson who formerly had a drug problem, so I've seen how poorly the hiding places work! If I can find them all, so could he...;) I'm a master at it, actually...used to work in a drug rehab program AND a juvenile jail. (I may look little, but I pack a wallop! :D)

 

4. I'm gonna think long and hard about calling the police. I can see a police report being very useful in this circumstance.

 

Off to church...thanks again!

[Twinmom]

Hey, just a little idea here......if you decide to set up a trap.....fill that bottle with a strong laxative :001_smile:

 

Just wanted to quickly add... :smilielol5:

[mcconnellboys]

And I'll add in light of the other posts I've now read that I agree with what Drew said about calling the police.

 

A lot of times, you may not be able to catch a person with a trap of some sort, as they may not be addicted themselves. They may be stealing to re-sell for the cash. Prescription drugs are big money on the street these days....