Trouble Getting Meds

[Guest guest]

How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

your med script all the time? My doc refuses to write the scripts for

more than 30 pills, and then I have to take 2-3 a day, and go get the script at

the office to get a refill.

Well, I have to argue with them every single time, because they say " Oh, you

shouldn't be out already " or " Oh, it will take a

few days to get the script ready " .

What, do they expect me to go into cryostasis while I wait on their ignorant

butts to get their act together?? I cannot function without my meds, my leg is

so painful from nerve damage.

They treat me like a druggie, and when I have to take a bus

to get to the office, that takes alot out of me and causes one long

day of pain, then they make me wait half an hour or more to get the dang thing,

then I have to wait for the bus, which takes hours.

Today, luckily, I had a ride, but my grandpa didn't expect to wait 45 minutes

for me to pick up something that takes 30 seconds to fill out. THEN they put

that it can't be filled until the 31st, and THERE IS NO 31ST!!!

If the pharmacy can't fill it, I have to go back yet again to fix their

mistake!! I go through nothing but trouble when I try to get my meds filled, it

takes DAYS, and then they wonder why I am calling days before I run out!! *is

going insane*

[Guest guest]

I have some that I have to pick up in person due to they are considered a

narcotic. I always call at least 2 days before I am going to need it filled.

Then I include 24 hours to have it filled, because I use a pharmacy that fills

over night. So I tell them at least 3 days before I actually need it. I call

and leave the mesage with the nurse for the right doctor. Then I call to make

sure it is in the front waiting for me to pick it up. That is all before I even

go there. Then I pick it up as soon as they say it is ready. I only call once a

day. usually early afternoon.

When I ahve it filled I feel like I am a criminal because they have to take so

much info from me, even though I go there all the time. I realize it is for my

protection but you would think since they see me all the time it would be

different. Oh well, a minor problem, not really a problem, but a time waster. I

have found that when I write a thank you note to the nurse or the doctor or the

front office people they bend over backwards to help me the next time. Thank

you notes are not hard nor expensive but they sure do go along way in helping

you the next time. I routinely write one to the pharmacy as well, noting the

people who helped me by name. You will probably think I am crazy, but I also

write thank you notes to the guys at the grocery store who take out my

groceries. I send those to the manager complimenting how they helped etc...Does

wonders for my needing help the next time.

I just thought some of this might help you. It is so hard when you need the

med and you don't get it. Have you ever just told the doctor how difficult it is

for you to get them? Most doctors probably have no idea of riding a bus or

things that you deal with because they are in a entire different class of

people. Not that you are lesser of a person, in fact you are probably a much

better person, but they simply do not understand.

I have gone back with prescriptions and told the nurses to tell the doc I am

not made of money and I will not fill this prescription because it costs so much

and I name the amount the pharmacy told me. Then I request another prescription

that is cheaper to fill. My experience tells me that they really have no idea

how much any of it costs they just like the sales people perhaps or they are

just trying this new wonder drug . I feel for you. Gwen

,Kris wrote:

How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

your med script all the time? My doc refuses to write the scripts for

more than 30 pills,>

[Guest guest]

Kris,

I also get a 30 day supply. Have been with him for almost 5 yrs. Its a 45

min ride there - not a comfy one, and often had to wait an hr to get to see a

PA.We have been using the same pharm for years and call when we leave the

office. He is kind enough to wait and open doors after hrs for us. We spend

over $200 a month just on mine- my husband gets meds too. It's a drag, but

it is what it is.

Di

> Kris wrote:

> How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

> your med script all the time? My doc refuses to write the scripts for

> more than 30 pills

[Guest guest]

This sounds crazy. What type of office do you have to visit? I am

not sure I understand what you are refering. Someone that doesn't know

how many days there are in a particular month doesn't need to be messing with

people's health. Please expound on your situation.

Kris wrote:

How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

your med script all the time? My doc refuses to write the scripts

for more than 30 pills, and then I have to take 2-3 a day, and go get

the script at the office to get a refill.

[Guest guest]

Kris wrote:

My doc refuses to write the scripts for more than 30 pills...

------------

This may not apply to your situation, but there are a lot of restrictions both

from DEA and insurance companies related to amounts and time limits for pain

meds. Docs are under a lot of pressure to toe the line on regulations, and my

doc tells me he gets hit up 2 to 4 times a DAY by drug seekers, by both curent

and new patients.

Schedule 2 narcotics have a lot of restrictions as far as amounts, etc, and they

must be done with a written script (no phone-in refills)

My doc tells me if he over writes for me, one time he'll get by, two times the

DEA will call, and three times they'll try to pull his narcotic license, and the

pharmacies in my area all cross-check records at the end of the day... so if I

try to get, for example, oxycontin from two docs at two pharmacies on the same

day... soon after someone will probably be knocking on my door.

I know this info may not be totally accurate but it gives you an idea what the

docs and pharmacies are up agaisnt. Knowing this didn't make it any easier for

me to get my meds, but an understanding of the system helped me have a bit more

patience.

[Guest guest]

You know, if it is a schedule II med you can only get a 30 day supply at

a time and you have to have a hand written scrip, they can't call it

into the pharmacy. This is normal practice.

Now, if it's not a schedule II scrip and you're getting less than a 30

day supply (which is what it sounds like Kris is saying) then it's

possible that something happened where the dr. doesn't trust you and is

giving you only a week or so worth at a time. This happened to me

once. It may also be that the Dr. him/her self is on probation or has

been cited for something that is making them do it this way.

Jami in OR

Kris wrote:

How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

your med script all the time?

[Guest guest]

Kris,

That sounds totally ridiculous. Seems to be the what most people are going

through these days with the DEA breathing down the pain Dr.s necks. Sad but

true.

What do you take? Have you discussed with your Dr. how hard it is for you to

get to the office? That seems like way too many hoops to jump through for 30

pills.

I know how it is not to want to " rock the boat " in fear of getting cut off

completely. But its also a good idea to discuss these concerns with the Dr. so

that he is at least aware.

Good luck,

Caitlin

Kris wrote:How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

your med script all the time? My doc refuses to write the scripts for more than

30 pills, and then I have to take 2-3 a day, and go get the script at the office

to get a refill.

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I have had similar experiences. I've been looked at as a " druggie

or junkie " on several occasions if I ask for anything stronger then

Motrin (come on, that doesn't work!), or if I sound like I actually

know a thing or two about the medical profession and medicines.

And I always have trouble with my insurance trying to tell me that I

shouldn't be out yet, because they only give me 30 at a time, and I

sometimes have to take more then one for any relief.

I find myself rationing my meds, because I'm afraid I'll run out and they won't

give me any more when I need it. I understand your situation, completely!!!

wrote:

>

> How many of you are forced to take a trip to the office to pick up

> your med script all the time?

[Guest guest]

Ditto here. I think there is a red flag in my charts that says " Don't give this

person anything, even if she has a two by four sticking out of her head! " .

Caitlin

Yes, I have had similar experiences. I've been looked at

as a " druggie

or junkie " on several occasions if I ask for anything stronger then

Motrin (come on, that doesn't work!), or if I sound like I actually

know a thing or two about the medical profession and medicines.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Have you guys tryed going to a dr that specializes in pain... i used to get that

till i started going to my pain dr. since then i have had no problems at all...

he acually writes on the script that i take more per day that i do so that i

don't have a problem getting refills if i need it. However, i do have to go in

every month to get my scripts.