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twitterPRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS:
Legally, doctor is under no limits
License still in force, Buckwalter can see patients, give access to narcotics
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Dr. Buckwalter, In His Own Words
A Deposition of Dr. Buckwalter.
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Beyond the Sun
Despite the deaths of three patients and numerous examples of alleged prescription drug malpractice, Dr. Kevin Buckwalter is still allowed to see patients in Nevada.
Investigations of Buckwalter are continuing, but the Nevada State Medical Examiners Board has not suspended his license or taken any steps to force him to curtail his prescribing of large quantities of narcotic painkillers. The lack of action is coupled with regulations that prevent pharmacists from refusing to fill suspicious prescriptions.
The situation reveals major flaws in the state system of overseeing doctors, said Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, chairwoman of the Legislative Health Care Committee.
Nevada’s “medical regulatory system has to be entirely reformed,” Leslie said.
Pharmacists should have complained about Buckwalter to the Medical Examiners Board long ago, Leslie said. And the medical board’s failure to take action shows a clear “disconnect between the medical board and what’s happening on the streets,” she said. The board has the authority to summarily suspend the license of a doctor who is putting patients in imminent harm.
“They can’t seem to intervene to stop the bad doctors from literally killing people,” Leslie said of the medical board.
Dr. Andrea Trescot, a Florida pain specialist who reviewed the cases of four Buckwalter patients at the request of the Las Vegas Sun, said the medical board has already waited too long.
“The guy’s license needs to be pulled now,” Trescot said. “He needs to have an emergency revocation of his license.”
The Sun reported last week that four medical doctors said Buckwalter’s prescriptions apparently contributed to the deaths of three patients whose records they reviewed. Buckwalter said in a sworn deposition that he performed no physical examination of one of the patients who overdosed and died, and gave her large quantities of drugs because she asked for them.
The Sun reported a month ago that Buckwalter prescribed thousands of narcotic painkillers to a self-admitted drug addict with no questions asked and no examinations performed, even after the man’s overdose on the pills.
The Sun has confirmed that the medical board is investigating Buckwalter.
Louis Ling, the board’s executive director, said state regulations preclude him from commenting on ongoing investigations, but he said the silence should not be interpreted as a lack of action.
Generally speaking, the threshold for the medical board to determine the incompetence of a physician is much higher than it is for the Sun to publish stories, he said. And doctors are well known for suing to maintain their licenses, he said.
“The medical board can take away their license, ruin their ability to make a living,” Ling said. “If that is appropriate, we want to make sure it is done in a legally supportive way.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration is also investigating Buckwalter, the Sun has confirmed. The agency will not comment on the case.
Buckwalter did not respond to requests to comment for this story.
Health care regulators primarily depend on patients or health care professionals to complain when they think something is wrong. In Buckwalter’s case, only one known complaint existed before the Sun’s investigation. In recent weeks, a half-dozen more have been lodged with various agencies.
In some instances, such as the case of Michael Hammond, it seems pharmacists should have known better than to fill prescriptions for large quantities of pills for Buckwalter patients.
Hammond, a businessman and self-described drug addict, told the Sun in September that Buckwalter prescribed him narcotics with no questions asked and no examinations required. In just more than two years, Hammond filled prescriptions for 13,760 narcotic pain pills at Evergreen Drugs & More in Henderson — an average of 510 a month.
In May, June and July 2007, records show, pharmacists at Evergreen Drugs filled narcotics prescriptions for Hammond of 1,020, 1,020 and 1,170 pills.
The pharmacist at Evergreen Drugs, an independent store near St. Rose Dominican Hospital—Sienna, refused to give his name when the Sun reached him on the phone. The pharmacist was asked why he continued filling Buckwalter’s prescriptions, and said there is no way for him to know the medical condition of a patient who presents him with prescriptions. Then he hung up.
Nevada State Pharmacy Board officials said state regulations sometimes put pharmacists in a difficult position, even when they’re asked to fill prescriptions for unjustifiably large quantities of potentially dangerous drugs.
In some legitimate cases, patients need extremely large quantities of painkillers on a monthly basis, the pharmacists said. Pharmacists do not have a patient’s medical records and do not conduct physical examinations, so it’s difficult to refuse prescriptions that appear to be legitimate.
Leo Basch, a pharmacist who sits on Nevada’s pharmacy board, said he’s heard from at least a half-dozen pharmacists who have questioned the quantities of controlled substances prescribed by Buckwalter. But pharmacists are allowed to deny a prescription only if they think it’s fraudulent, if they think it’s going to hurt the patient or if there’s no legitimate medical purpose for the drugs, the regulations state.
Some suspicious pharmacists did call Buckwalter to verify the prescriptions, regulators said, but the doctor said they were valid and should be filled. And without knowing the patient’s medical history, it was difficult to say there’s no medical need for the drugs, the regulators said.
Nevada’s controlled substances database — which tracks the details of every narcotics prescription in the state — is also of limited use in monitoring doctors. The database’s purpose is to identify drug addicts who shop for drugs by visiting multiple doctors. Larry Pinson, a pharmacist and executive director of the Nevada pharmacy board, pointed out the regulations that say the database must not infringe on the legal use of controlled substances to treat pain, which could be the case if regulators used the data to police those who prescribe narcotics.
The regulations also say the pharmacy board “shall report any activity it reasonably suspects may be fraudulent or illegal” to the appropriate authorities. This never happened in Buckwalter’s case, Pinson said, because the prescriptions were legitimate and it’s hard to reasonably suspect they were illegal. The use of the drugs may have constituted malpractice, Pinson said, but that would be for the medical board to investigate.
The pharmacists did take the only action they could to monitor Buckwalter, regulators said.
Ling, the medical board’s executive director, may have the most behind-the-scenes knowledge of the situation. Before August, he was the pharmacy board’s general counsel.
Ling said pharmacists started complaining about Buckwalter — and other doctors — after the Sun published an analysis of DEA drug consumption data in July. The Sun found that Nevada has a prescription narcotics crisis. Nevadans rank No. 1 nationally in per capita consumption of hydrocodone, commonly known as Lortab or Vicodin, and fourth for consumption of methadone, morphine and oxycodone, the primary ingredient in the often-abused drug OxyContin.
“After those stories ran, people were seeing in a macro view what many knew to be true in their personal views — there are an awful lot of controlled substances being misused in Las Vegas,” Ling said.
Pharmacists started calling the pharmacy board saying: “I’m getting all these crazy scripts for Dr. Buckwalter,” Ling said.
Pinson said Buckwalter’s license to prescribe controlled substances is issued by the pharmacy board, but it’s contingent on his license to practice medicine, which is granted by the medical board. Therefore, the medical board has jurisdiction, he said.
After the pharmacists complained, the pharmacy board sent a complaint to the medical board, which already had an open investigation on the doctor, Ling said.
Sun reporter Alex Richards contributed to this story.
Discussion: 48 comments so far…
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Someone should be examining the State Medical Board because either they're inept or corrupt, or both.
Just like every other government agency...both corrupt and incompetent!
May the next group of deaths from Buckwalter be on the medical board's head for their inactivity
Too little too late. " If Buckwalters license to prescribe controlled substances is issued by the pharmacy board" Why are they not responsible for his out of control actions? The lack of action cost people and their families the loss of loved ones. How can the regulators continue to pass the buck? Someone step up to the plate .
Most of his "patients" are in the business of selling the drugs to our children. Lives lost and under the radar.
Job well done....Nevada! Time for elected individuals who are smart enough to foresee a loophole and PRO-actively legislate!
VTBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VTBO!
This should not surprise anyone,just look at the Desai investigation. The medical board is not concerned with the protecting the public but only protecting their own.
I take offense to the boards executive director commenting on Marshall Allen's reporting skills. " If the incompetence of a physician is much higher than it is for the Sun to publish stories" This is not just a story its the absolute truth . The doctor had a chance to comment 3 times , he declined. You bet I would be defending myself if I were the focus of this so called story. POLITICS so called liars , cheaters telling us what we want to hear . To all department heads lose your daughter and feel the pain, only then would you do something . I understand the paperwork involved but that is no excuse. Its been months , years watch the deposition . To all the experts and authors who are willing to help . THANK YOU.
While the investigation is going on please take away at least his narcotic prescribing authority. This investigation could take months. He could still see patients , but no controlled substances should be allowed at this time. Giving him the benefit of the doubt. Medical Board you can allow this to happen .
This doctor should absolutely have his license revoked!!
I was never examined ONCE in the 3 years I went to him. He would not touch me or even listen to my heart...ever! When he came into the office, he just sat at the desk. I thought it to be very odd. I have a Thyroid condition and hypertension. He never offered blood tests or any other test for that matter. I had to request them. When I asked about my thyroid results, he just said "That shows you're on Thyroid medication". When I asked about my high blood pressure, he just said "it was due to old age(57 then). I had a mild stroke (brain infarction) in 2007. That's when I knew I had to change doctors. I found out from my new doctor that I was being overmedicated on my Thyroid condition and I needed medication for my hypertension. Buckwalter could have killed me if I had stayed with him.
What does it take before the State Medical Examiner's Board revokes his license? More deaths? This is not only about the overprescribing of narcotics, but also the patients on any medication or treatment prescibed by him! He needs to be stopped!
Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual that is addicted and to those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.
It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse
(If only Dr. Buckwalter knew this )
In light of what has happened, the insurance companies should stop referring their clients to this doctor, for their own sake!
Pacificare for one!
first of all, i am a pharmacist from NY, the reason i am reading this article is i am coming to las vegas shortly and want to see what is going on in town. . it is just a quirk that i saw this article
the follwoing is my own opinion. i do not know this case, i am not licensed in nevada. i do not know nevada law. i am only giving a retail pharmacists perspective.
i have been confronted with this type of issue a few times. i have had to call authorities and proper licensing boards. it is not fun. it is very disheartening when i have to say, "i can not dispense this since it can harm you and put my license in jeopardy" of course before going down that road, you must investigate, use discretion, have documentation, good reason etc.
this should prove to the public why pharmacists and pharmacies exist. we are a second set of eyes,ears and mouths. i will leave it at that and get off my soapbox...
He is a flat out killer, ignorance is a card he can not play when he's dealing with weapon's that can and do bring death to so many. We've given a monster a means to kill, Swift action must be taken to STOP him. This is truly a test to just see if there is justice in this state.
Comment removed by staff.
I was a patient of Dr. Buckwalter's, last seeing him 3 or 4 years ago. I am also a chronic pain patient; my condition has been verified by a specialist.
This rush to judgment smells a lot more like a witch-hunt driven by the greed of relatives eager to make $$$$ off their addicted relations' deaths.
IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH DR. BUCKWALTER...
I asked Dr. Buckwalter to write prescriptions for Oxycontin & another med for breakthru pain.
Instead of doing so, he referred me to a pain specialist. He also wrote me a script for LorTab to "tide me" over until I could get into to see the specialist.
During the course of this conversation HE DID PERFORM A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ON ME in addition to the one his staff had done (who had weighed me, taken bp, pulse, temp, etc).
I also discussed a marijuana prescription (perfectly legal in this state, as is well known) with him which he flatly refused to sign, citing fears that the DEA would "pull [his] license". He was clearly uncomfortable even talking about the subject.
He could have just as easily--and quite legally--prescribed the medications to me without any worries because, as I noted above, I have proof of my need for these powerful medicines.
Or, were he truly a crooked doctor, he could have just as easily said to me, "Hey, Newsjunkie, we can cut thru all the hassle and for X amount dollars I'll write whatever you want." And I HAVE had similar experiences (to this hypothetical example) with other local pain specialists who wrote me ANYTHING for which I asked.
One local specialist did write me anything I requested--as long as my insurance was reimbursing him at a high rate ($110 for visits usually lasting 10 min or less); once the insurance cut the reimbursement to $42 per visit, this other doctor (NOT Buckwalter, to reiterate) instantly began to demand that I have unnecessary and extremely expensive tests performed or, he said, I would be "cut off" (an exact quote!).
Dr. Buckwalter, on the other hand, NEVER behaved in any untoward or illegal manner. Nor did he ever exhibit behavior one sees in pill mills (as I described above).
I think these "out of state" doctors--who I doubt are familiar with NV law since these laws tend to vary greatly by state--so they are doing little more than Monday-morning quarterbacking (probably to get their names in the paper; perhaps Dr. Trescot is thinking of abandoning the muggy h*ll of FL for our sunny, dry clime?).
Bottom line: I don't believe the accusations against Dr. Buckwalter. However, I think some kind of hearing is in order; as long as there is due process (and an appeal to prevent arbitrary action by the various agencies involved) in the proceeding, I have no issue, based on the bare facts, with the medical board and others, conducting and investigation and if the board (and a court) decide he should temporarily be suspended from prescribing narcotics, then so be it.
NewsJ, you don't have to believe, we have documents and records of your hero and maybe he's done a 180 but the doc you talk about is no more.I guess he decided he didn't have to perform an exam on certain patients, he's that damn good!And your comment on the $$$, the only way to have your voice heard in this country is through lawyers because the regulatory agency are obviously NOT doing their job.
Comment removed by staff.
Newsjunky:
We are not saying he is making any money under the table. There is due process! and you owe me an apology for your witch-hunt comment. You are missing the big picture here. At least you were referred to a specialist. My niece was not even givin that chance . For 18 months she saw him on a regular basis monthly sometimes she would get weekly narcotics her pain was called ADDICTION. The Dr. missed to see that .This story is about the regulatory departments , getting involved , or not. You do owe me an apology !
@Northside:
My condition was diagnosed by a board-certified, nationally renowned specialist in my particulary illness. I've suffered from my condition my ENTIRE adult life and I went more than a DECADE without access to adequate--or, often, any--pain control. So I'm not apologizing to ANYONE for finally getting relief from a disease that has literally ruined my life.
Don't hold your breath for an apology, it won't be coming. As an aunt/uncle you have no standing to sue so my comment about relatives capitalizing on tragedy DOES NOT apply 2 you.
And give me a break: everyone knows how litigious this society has become. What's the first thing so many people do when they are injured or a loved one is killed? They find an ambulance chaser to make as much cash as they can.
And quite frankly the ultimate responsibility for the tragedy lies with your niece. No one forced her to take so many meds that she OD'd. Addiction is a CHOICE. No one and nothing forces ANYONE to pop a pill, shoot a balloon of heroin, snort a line of coke, take a drink, etc.
Regardless of ANY doctor's actions, the ultimate responsibility lies with the patient. And...
...it's just that SIMPLE.
With the internet, all the information anyone could ever want is at one's fingertips! Don't own/can't afford a computer? There are cybercafes and libraries (and friends!) thru which one can access the Net.
My central point stands: Buckwalter's ALLEGED behavior with your niece and with me are wildly incongruous. I think we can both agree on that at least.
It's as tho' we're talking about 2 different MDs.
A guy who wouldn't even discuss a LEGAL marijuana prescription and would only write me Vicodin* is suddenly handing out pills like another doctor I could name but won't.
It just doesn't jive.
I'm going to discuss him with my pain specialist and see what the word is amongst local doctors--not just from a story in the Red Sun.
However, if it's proved that Dr. Buckwalter broke the law then he should suffer the consequences. But only four ODs is hardly an epidemic. My own pain specialist has had two ODs in the last year alone and he's scrupulous down to his fingertips. A correlation is not a cause.
If it were 40 or 400 or 4000, it would be different.
*(which is like jellybeans on the scale of painkillers; it's a semi-synthetic codeine analogue and thus quite weak, to use the technical term, I am a trained pharmacy tech and thus know of what I speak).
And, northsider...
there's no reason to insult me. I haven't stooped to that level and there's no reason you should.
It's YOU who owe ME an apology.
(But no matter: I've been called been worse by better. ;o)
You don't know me and have no basis on which to slander me.
I'm a trained medical professional and know whereof I speak. I was also trained to spot addicts.
There's a long history of addiction and alcoholism in my family; my grandfather died driving drunk. My brother was a meth addict for years (10 years clean and a computer programmer). And, if one includes my wife's family, there's an even longer and deeper history. One of my brothers-in-law is a homeless junkie on the streets of Vegas right now.
I know the pain that addiction causes all too closely. So I am not without sympathy. But the addict is ultimately the responsible party. To reiterate, getting a fix/drink/hit is--and ALWAYS will be--a choice.
Newsjunkie:
So you say you are a trained specialist . What did Buckwalter do for you that took away your pain , its only a symptom . There is an underlying problem . Actually you should not speak of my niece if you don't know the whole story.Actually I know of 6 people that have overdosed they are just ashamed to come forward , or they have died (no they are not related) . What could a script of vicodin done for you its a miracle big deal anyone could have wrote that . You even admitted you went to him and asked for a script for pot ( which is illegal in the state of Nevada). Again stick with your pain management doctor.Shocking you are a trained medical professional ! A trained Pharmacy tech, maybe you are the tech who filled her scripts containing 730 pills in 25 days? As far as I am concerned just this one death is enough .Yes I am still holding my breath everyday every minute .Until his license is removed. So find another doctor, oh I forgot you are doctor shopping trying to get pills from more than 1 doctor. Read the definition of addiction . Its posted on the board here . Then you tell me your thoughts . Guess the doctor we are talking of has a split personality.Give the 19 year old drugs to harm for 18 months instead of what she actually walked into that office for. Obviously the point is you don't know what your talking about . And nor does the Dr. How can you say more than 5 deaths is not bad.? Goes to show your intelligent level. Did you ever get your pot script filled? Thats so important , and I will never apologize to you . I would like to actually meet you face to face. So my fist could gently touch it.
We trust in Government, that got us in our current situation. We trust our Doctors because they too have knowledge above and beyond the average person, it is very important to question our medical system. Yes it is ultimitaly up to every individual to control what goes in to our body,but we can not trust pharm tech's they obviously took the short bus to school.
Your ultimate defense is personal responsibility for the addict.If that is your defense why not make it legal.Cut out all regulatory agencies all the oversight, all you'd have to do is create a little extra space at the morgue. But you cannot use personal responsibility for Barbara Baile ( the 69 year old woman who died of complications) she was not seeking drugs at the time. Going to a doctor is your choice , what he prescribes you is his CHOICE.
I have read alot of these comments and I suggest that you Northsider stop complaining and do what you need to do but stop insulting others for their opinion. You have made your opinion known and others have the right to theirs.....
Bottom line respect others opinions whether they agree with you or not.
Northsider:
So now you're threatening to assault me? What is your malfunction? Internet punk syndrome?
I've seen so many chumps like you online: threatening people when you know you'll never be held responsible for it. If you threatened me to my face you'd be committing assault, earning yourself a trip to CCDC. But you don't have the stones to say it to my face--and never will.
What a pathetic waste of human space you are.
I NEVER said I was doctor. I was a pharmacy tech in another state.
AND IT'S YOU WHO HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT:
1.) Only first degree relatives have standing to sue; since it's YOUR IQ that is in serious question, I'll define First Degree relative for you (sorry for all the hours you'll spend with your dictionary looking up the polysyllabic words).
First Degree relatives: spouse, parent, sibling. PERIOD.
Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, second cousins eight times removed do NOT have said standing--as I'm sure all the lawyers you called looking to make bucks off your niece's death told you.
2.) The use of Marijuana for MEDICAL purposes in the State of Nevada IS COMPLETELY LEGAL. You've probably only lived here for 5 minutes (like 90% of the population), but I've been here a long time I voted for the Ballot Question that made Medical Marijuana LEGAL!!!
3.) IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOUR NIECE THAT MAKE LIFE MUCH HARDER FOR REAL PAIN PATIENTS. Because of addicts like her, patients with a genuine need for narcotics are forced to take drug tests and are viewed with suspicion if they have to go to an ER or physician not familiar with their case history.
So I have ZERO sympathy for ADDICTS who are STUPID enough to get themselves killed. They should buy a gun and end it that way and stop causing needless problems and exacerbating the pain of REAL patients.
And...
...it's just that simple!
4. Try doing a little research before making a complete idiot out of yourself; if that's possible. Which I doubt.
And I'm not going to disclose ANY private, personal details about my illness or the meds I may or may not have been prescribed simply to satisfy your prurient interest in other people's business.
Like the song says, "Don't go away mad, girl, just go away."
Northsider:
I am NOT "doctor shopping" and never have. I have always strictly followed the legal guidelines for Schedule II meds (I know you'll have to look the term up, sorry, but that's the price of your having a double digit IQ).
My wife has seen Dr. Buckwalter multiple times and he never prescribed narcotics to her nor did he offer to. We also know other people who've seen him and liked him and didn't report any untoward behavior.
To reiterate: you have no idea of what your talking about.
He's a good man and a good doctor and, in this country, as you are obviously unfamiliar with Anglo-American jurisprudence, one is innocent until proven guilty!
And btw, 725 pills in a month is by no means out of line. One medication I took required 350 pills a month. It isn't the amount of pills, it's the STRENGTH.
As I said, you have ZERO idea of what you're talking about.
You can't handle the fact your niece was a worthless dope fiend who killed herself like a fool and simply lashing out at the doctor.
No wonder so many doctors are leaving medicine. With people like you around, it simply isn't worth practicing anymore--as so many MDs/ODs have told me.
apathy & newsjunk are the same people ? So this to to your split personalities, kind of like the doctor that everyone is seeing. I really don't know how he received his license , but I guarantee he will be losing it shortly. Wow you do take alot of pills and smoke alot of dope ! There are many good doctors around ,when I see a doctor I seek only the best. Even if I have to travel across the country nothing but the best for me. My IQ allows me to research doctors capabilties.
Again newsjunk you are the one giving people the idea for a lawsuit not me. I have been busy writing letters to the medical board , and the pharmacy board. Talk about slow .By the way it was 730 pills in 25 days ( thats just one pharmacy)That was my point old man.Or could it be the 310 pills in 11 days? NO ONE should take that many unless you have cancer. Or as you say its not the amount its the strength its like narcotics heaven in Dr. Buckwalters office. I know your illness you fail to disclose is that you have HIV and your gay. (Nothing wrong with it)
The Bottom line gave you away !
You know we could back and forth about Politics -Religion and we both disagree clearly . Sometimes people who are book smart , have no common sense. Bottom line (per say)
Nsider/Njunk
You can argue all day about addicts, just like you can argue about abortion/ politics.
The one thing that is clear with this doctor is his incompetence. All you have to do is read the story of Barbara Baile. Even you newJ can't defend that.But i'm sure you'll give it a shot!
Calling Nsiders niece a "worthless dope fiend" after such an incident truly shows who the worthless human(?) being really is. May you ROTT far below!!!!!!!
Newsjunkie
I don't see anywhere where nsider is asking for money from this legal drug dealer. The only thing they want is the license taken away. I see by your comments that you saw Buckwalter 3 or 4 years ago. Things can change in 3 or 4 years. By Staci's age she was graduating from high school and had her entire life ahead of her. 4 years later she is gone. If you read the article on Staci you would have seen that she went to Buckwalter for help to rid herself of an addition to OXY's. Which from the fact that she was seeking help means she was responsible for her actions. Then why after a year of not prescribing her OXY's because of that addition would Buckwalter start to prescribe them to her again? To the tune of 370 in a two week period. That would mean she would take 27 a day to follow the directions that he prescribed. If Staci was a stage 5 cancer patient she might need that many. This Schedule II drug(yes I know what that means) was meant as a last chance drug because of the high possibility of addition. As a Dr he should have known this and never precribed her this medication. For you to write that Staci was a drug fiend was totally out of line. I knew Staci and she was a young, beautiful girl who had a heart of gold and should never have been in this situation. Staci's death could have been avoided by a Dr who cared for his patients. They may never find Buckwalter guilty of criminal activies but morally he was wrong and will have to pay the price, so hopefully no other family will have to bury a young, wonderful person as Staci.
Anyone calling a young girl a worthless person is deserving of self-destruction. She was a beautiful young girl.
Dear News Junkie 356,
Nice try News junkie!!!! You put in a Gallant effort in your first letter. Must of got out the old dictionary for that one! (VERY IMPRESSIVE) After reading the rest of your communications I have to ask....Did your Mommy help you with the first one? The true you has come out in all your following letters. I'm not sure if I should laugh at you or feel sorry for you I'm really torn. I really must commend you on the first one though, almost had me fooled.
First of all, I want to mention I was amused by your name, don't know if it was a freudian slip or what...... news "JUNKIE". Am I the only one who noticed that?
My first reaction was to attack you, but after rereading your letters. I changed my mind. Please read to the end.
Now let's get down to business, first of all if you truly had a medical condition, you would have given the name of the condition. Probably explained the symptoms. I can't help but ask myself why you omitted this very important part of your letter. It would have given you a bit more legitimacy. You say you don't have to give out that information. Your right, but your supposedly spilling your guts about everything else why stop there?
You claim to be a trained medical professional.....unlikely son,
No trained medical professional (of any sort) would would ever and I mean ever say the horrible things you said to the relatives of someone who lost a loved one regardless of the reason unless they were mentally impaired.
My analysis..... you son have a drug problem too, whether it was your fault or the fault of Dr. Buckwalter, you have a problem. I'm not going to judge you! Your panicking because people are trying to take your pill dispenser away. Please Seek help, I'm not saying that to be mean. I just hate to see you end up like his other victims. I also know that junkie's can lie like there's no tomorrow. After seeing how you deteriorated in each letter it really is apparent you have a problem. Good luck to you, I really hope you take this advise!
All of this lively bantor has got me thinkin, we should all get together for a roundtable discussion so we can clear the air and really shed some light on this huge problem. Nsider I can tell, you have alot on your mind and would like a forum to discuss the issues. Everyone would ne invited to a public place because we know there is alot of tension and frankly ill will. We can't have any of that.
Newsj would be a nice to have there with all your wisdom as a pharm tech...So come one come all it would be a blast!!
Northsider
.........................Lmfao
After reading these stories about "Dr. Buckwalter" and Las Vegas, I am glad we are living in Illinois. As I understand it, Dr. Buckwalter has been under investigation before, because a taped deposition is available on the internet. In his deposition he says about one patient he prescribed narcotics to "There was not time for a examination". That alone should be enough to revoke his lisence, in my opinion. Because he would not write a scpript for pot does not mean he is a good doctor, it might mean he did not want to raise any red flags, since he was dealing in pills to begin with.
My daughter is currently seeking to resume her use of Ritilan. She used it when she was a child and has not used it since 6th grade. She has recently started college and is finding that she is having problems. Her doctor, which she has seen for several reasons, including chronic shoulder pain, for which she would not take prescriptions for, would not blindly prescribe. She referred to a psychiatrist for an eval. That is the proper procedure. She is at the age of abuse (18-25). Her doctor is taking precautions. "Dr Buckwalter" has been documented on several occations of blindly prescribing. He took an oath to become a doctor. He is not living up to that oath. How long do you wait to suspend or revoke someones license. I think 40 deaths is to long.
As far as the family looking to $$$ in, It sounds to me that they are more about stopping "Dr. Buckwalter". Newsboy does not seem to have felt the pain of losing a child needlessly. HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY PASS JUDGEMENT. THIS IS NOT A WITCHUNT, ITS A PUBLIC OUTCRY TO STOP A LEGAL DRUG DEALER.
News Junkie,
A true intellect does not feel the need to use every word they have ever heard on TV or in Spelling Bees to impress someone, he lets his intelligence speak for himself. A person who is trying to impress people into thinking they are something they are not tries to cram in every big word they've ever heard over their lifetime, to try to fool people into thinking they are intelligent. Unfortunately it just makes them look stupid!!
Well I now believe this investigation is moving at a snails pace. We were told that the families would be contacted every 45 days about the progress. So I take it it will be the year 2009 and a new president will be in office . The Medical Board has to gather information , what else could they possibly need , I guess a few more deaths , time is of the essence . Be safe patients. I think Buckwalter is in need of immediate care of a physciatrist, he is a loose cannon .Take away the controlled substance pad PLEASE
To all that will care and listen,
I worked with this Doctor and by no means am i saying that he is in the right here because he isnt. I will say he is a nice man but hasnt got the first clue what to do medically with his patients. He asks his staff things that he should know. He dosent do an exam on any patient that goes through there he asks them what they would like and he writes it for them. and NEWSJ i probaly know who you are and have probably FIRED you as a patient. I have tried to rid that office of any patient that was on Pain Meds so that they get the care that was needed. He does not have the intelligence to write any pain med he does need to be stopped. The man can not read an x-ray thats why he dosent order them. AND I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO ALL THOSE THAT THIS NEWSJ HAS OFFENDED BECAUSE HE/SHE WAS WRONG YOU DON ATTACK SOMEONES FAMILY LIKE THAT ITS WRONG AND IF YOU ARE AN ADULT YOU SHOULD BE AHAMED OF YOURSELF.
and NEWSJ 725 pills a month is to many you must have one hell of an issue if you need that many pain pills you may want to think of trying something else that wont mask you pain but fix it. so grow up and apologize if for anything else for the pain that you have caused someone who is hurting. you sir/madam are a coward.
Yes it me again . I read the posts everyday, waiting for an intelligent person to write a comment . Upset 08 Thank You for telling newsjunk off. What he said to me was downright nasty, totally uncalled for . He has upset Staci's mom and the rest of my family . He can insult my intelligence all he wants , but leave her alone. I really wish you knew who this person was . I know you can't say, but its very gracious of you to speak your mind.I will listen to anything you have to say . Please respond .
Hi Northsider,
I dont think anyone can undrstand how working with that man has destroyed why i came into the medical field. The things that i have seen him do are just wrong and there was nothing that i could do to stop them i tried bery hard. But he will get away with what he is doing because he has the family that he does. in the deposition you can see that the man is lying he doesnt look at the camera once and he is fidgity. I would just like to say that Staci was a sweet beautiful girl who went to the wrong place and to the wrong person for the help that she needed. But everything happens for a reason in this world and dr. should know that Karma is worse than reality and it will get him in the end. I have since then stopped being in the medical field due to this i am ashamed of myself for not doing more to stop him. I am sorry i think of this everyday and everynight and i hope that justice will finally get him and the deaths of these very young adults will not be in vain.
upset08:
I really can tell that you are a kind person , & this is bothering you. I feel terrible that we (both of us) are experiencing similiar aspects regarding Staci. I love that you say she was a sweet girl. If I could describe her in one word , you just said it. He may have a family to back him , but believe me Staci's family is stronger we believe in justice no one will take Staci away from me without a fight . If we all as family & friends support each other we can get through this. I do believe in Karma & I hope you upset08 can someday feel better knowing speaking with me is a therapy thats helps so much . I can't begin to thank you enough. I will help even its on this message board . You are a good person it will just take time for all of us .
Dr. B. is nothing but a drug dealer in a white coat. He needs to be stopped.
Is anyone willing to help ?
let me just start out by saying, I don't believe upset08 at all, that she worked for this doctor. If she did and any of what she says is true, then she is guilty of malpractice and aiding and abetting this doctor.
Everyone of the patients that were given these drugs were made to verify that they understood the effects of such drugs twice. once in the doctors office, and then again at the pharmacy. they have to sign that they have been counseled about the effects. This idiot counsel woman from reno is not a doctor and should not be speaking of things she knows nothing about.
leave medicine to doctors and leave messing up our country and state to the law makers.
these idiot law makers have already made almost every doctor in this state terrified to prescribe any medicine because non doctors are telling them how to practice medicine.
This person above who claims to have worked for this doctor says 700 and some odd pills a month is too much. I was on 30 mg roxicodone. thats the same as 6 5mg pills. when the oxycodone shortage happened because of the recall there was no roxicodone to be found in vegas at any pharmacy so do you know how many 5mg pills they had to give me? I usually got 120 30mgs a month. do the math 6X120 740 5mg pills taking 6 at a time every 4 to 6 hours. dont count the pills. It really depends on the strength.
danny gans died of a 1mg hydromorphone pill? 8mg hydromorphone doesnt touch me. everybody is built differently you can not prescribe the same dosage to everyone. it depends on each persons metabolism and the resistance they have built up. I was on 30 mg's because over 5 years of being on oxycodone or percocet because of a bad accident, I started out with 5mg then a year later 10 and as your body gets resistant you need more to do what 5mg's may do for someone new to the drug.
everyone was amazed that Michael Jackson could take 30 xanax in one night and still be alive? I am not over 20 years of use that is entirely possible.
I know someone that has been on 30 mg roxicodone for 13 years and takes 3 at a time thats 90 mg's that would probably stop my breathing, however in her it just enough to make her function everyday. Remember how much Rush Limbaugh was taking. 3 30's would have never been enough for him.
so don't be quick to rush to judgment, your screwing yourselves out of the right to have a doctor properly treat you and setting yourself up to the police, and your congressman telling you how you will be treated.
it is not narcotics that are bad it is ignorance. a doctor that tells someone to take 10 units of insulin can kill someone with that as easy or easier than prescribing a narcotic. remember also propovol that killed MJ thats not even a controlled substance and misused it killed someone.
just asking everyone to get over the reacting and just stop and think about the long term effects of letting your government tell you what and how much of anything you can have. it wont staop with pain meds. good luck to you all!
I can't leave this board without saying, that I can't feel any sympathy for north sider because the way he communicates does not come accross as someone who cares about anyone so if you were to use his logic, then it is north siders fault his niece is dead because he has diagnosed news junkie as an addict and a doctor shopper without meeting him, surely he saw his niece was an addict and stopped her before she committed suicide right?
Northsider, work on the communication skills, then the next time someone in your family really needs to talk about their problems, they will turn to you instead of someone that really listens and understands their problems: DRUGS!