Found several pills?

[purpleylion]

I found several pills in a pill container labeled with a prescription for percocet 5mg,
There were 3 medium-large round, white pills with 512 on one side and a score on the other, and they match the prescription so these must be the percocet,
a white, oblong pill with M357 on one side, and a score on the other,
and a very small green pill with an imprint that is very worn and difficult to read, however I can make out a 477 along the bottom.
Also, the prescription was for about a year ago, and the person who's room I've found these in has said that opioid analgesics make her unbearably nauseous, and that she's known this for over ten years. The prescription is for 30 percocet, so I'm confused as to what happened to the other 27 pills if they weren't taken, where the other two pills are from, and why oxycodone was even prescribed to her due to her allergy to opioids. I would just ask her if I had a reasonable explanation as to how I found the pills. If anyone could identify the other two pills, or offer insight into why they are even there, that would be greatly appreciated.

[ARTIST658]

I found several pills in a pill container labeled with a prescription for percocet 5mg,
There were 3 medium-large round, white pills with 512 on one side and a score on the other, and they match the prescription so these must be the percocet,
a white, oblong pill with M357 on one side, and a score on the other,
and a very small green pill with an imprint that is very worn and difficult to read, however I can make out a 477 along the bottom.
Also, the prescription was for about a year ago, and the person who's room I've found these in has said that opioid analgesics make her unbearably nauseous, and that she's known this for over ten years. The prescription is for 30 percocet, so I'm confused as to what happened to the other 27 pills if they weren't taken, where the other two pills are from, and why oxycodone was even prescribed to her due to her allergy to opioids. I would just ask her if I had a reasonable explanation as to how I found the pills. If anyone could identify the other two pills, or offer insight into why they are even there, that would be greatly appreciated.

I can't answer about the type of medication these are, and suggest you may want to consult with a pharmacist, or at least the PDR, where photographs of the pills are provided. I believe there is a pill identification section to this forum, and perhaps someone can help you there.

It's entirely possible that the odd pills are OTC meds, like generic ibuprofen or a decongestant. They often include numbers on the pills.

Opiates make many folks nauseous, and doctors will often prescribe a medication to deal with the nausea when they dispense the opiate. Could be some of those in the percocet bottle. Nausea with opiates is not the same as an allergic reaction; rather, it's a common side effect.

It sounds like you are especially suspicious of this person, snooping in her room - and now you've come here to ask us the questions you need to ask her. We can't answer why she had them or where the other 27 pills went. Those answers have to come from her, directly. If you didn't have a "reasonable explanation" for going through her room, maybe you shouldn't have been there in the first place...?

God bless,
Ruth

[purpleylion]

I can't answer about the type of medication these are, and suggest you may want to consult with a pharmacist, or at least the PDR, where photographs of the pills are provided. I believe there is a pill identification section to this forum, and perhaps someone can help you there.

It's entirely possible that the odd pills are OTC meds, like generic ibuprofen or a decongestant. They often include numbers on the pills.

Opiates make many folks nauseous, and doctors will often prescribe a medication to deal with the nausea when they dispense the opiate. Could be some of those in the percocet bottle. Nausea with opiates is not the same as an allergic reaction; rather, it's a common side effect.

It sounds like you are especially suspicious of this person, snooping in her room - and now you've come here to ask us the questions you need to ask her. We can't answer why she had them or where the other 27 pills went. Those answers have to come from her, directly. If you didn't have a "reasonable explanation" for going through her room, maybe you shouldn't have been there in the first place...?

God bless,
Ruth

Thanks for replying. I made a phone call, and discovered the other two pills were generic vicodin, and valium. I also found a nearby bottle containing 0.5mg Xanex. I came across the bottles putting my sister in bed (it was fairly out in the open in her walk in)(oh, and this person I'm referring to is my mom, don't know why I didn't mention that in the first post), and I of course was curious why the bottle wasn't with the other medications. I also was a bit suspicious since she has had problems with alcohol in the past.
I actually called my aunt (who is an RN) to ID the pills, and she also mentioned that the generic for the oxycodone or for the vicodin that was found in the pill bottle isn't the generic that's used at the pharmacy that the prescription is for, and haven't ever been used there. I know should ask her about it, and that's the only way I'll know the facts, but it is very difficult to suggest to your mom that you're worried about the assortment of pills you found in her room. I posted this simply to see if anyone could find a logical solution to the situation, seeing as I have no clue if I'll ever be able to confront her.

[ARTIST658]

Thanks for replying. I made a phone call, and discovered the other two pills were generic vicodin, and valium. I also found a nearby bottle containing 0.5mg Xanex. I came across the bottles putting my sister in bed (it was fairly out in the open in her walk in)(oh, and this person I'm referring to is my mom, don't know why I didn't mention that in the first post), and I of course was curious why the bottle wasn't with the other medications. I also was a bit suspicious since she has had problems with alcohol in the past.
I actually called my aunt (who is an RN) to ID the pills, and she also mentioned that the generic for the oxycodone or for the vicodin that was found in the pill bottle isn't the generic that's used at the pharmacy that the prescription is for, and haven't ever been used there. I know should ask her about it, and that's the only way I'll know the facts, but it is very difficult to suggest to your mom that you're worried about the assortment of pills you found in her room. I posted this simply to see if anyone could find a logical solution to the situation, seeing as I have no clue if I'll ever be able to confront her.

I understand now why you looked. Once a person has had an addiction to one substance, they are at risk taking any other addictive substance - that's just the nature of addiction. So you are wise to stay alert. Snooping isn't usually advisable, but it's hard when you see something out in the open, as you did.

I am a recovering addict and alcoholic - and I have two adult daughters who would do the same. They know my history, and they understand addiction. And even if it might offend me temporarily to be confronted over something innocent, I would understand their concern. It's happened a few times. But we really have an open door communication policy on my addictions!

I would suggest you try to discuss this with your mother without making it into some kind of confrontation. It will take some tact to not put her on the defense. I would explain it as you did here, that it was quite innocent that you saw the bottle, and curiosity got the better of you. Then try not to say too much about how concerned you were or how much 'research' you did - just say, "I love you, Mom - and I just want to be sure you're ok - is there something going on with you that I can help you with?" If it's said in a loving, non-judgmental way, it may just open up a conversation that needs to be had.

There's no guarantee of the reaction you'll get - but if she goes too far off the beam, it may mean this is quite a hot topic to her, and I'd be a bit alarmed. Keep in mind it IS an old prescription bottle, so it's not like she emptied it overnight.

Do you think you can try to talk with her about this - ever so gently?

God bless,
Ruth