I was notified by Walgreens that my prescription for oxycodone was ready, so I went to pick it up.

Back story: I have severe spinal stenosis and had laminectomies on three vertebrae about 18 months ago.

The surgery failed, and now my pain is worse and more constant. I can't take NSAIDs because I have been on Warfarin for 30 years (another story).

The person at the counter had me wait a while and the pharmacist came to the window, holding my meds in his hand and informed me that they would not refill my prescription next time unless I got a recent MRI and had my pain management doctor supply a fresh diagnosis. He did give me the meds this time, but cautioned me that unless he had the newer documentation this would be it.

WTF? I am a 5'2" silver haired little old lady (in my mind I'm 35 mind you). Do they think that I'm standing on some street corner hawking opiods? Driving home I imagined this scenario: The insurance company denies my meds and I'm in agonizing pain...all...the...time! I get so desperate that I take to the street to get meds to manage the pain. The meds I get are laced with fentanyl and I die as a result.

These "rules" are not preventing an opioid crisis - they're creating one.