PDA

View Full Version : SS: Getting a prescription filled



ufcrusher
10-05-2004, 05:08 PM
I have been trying since last Thursday to get my g-d damn prescription filled for my pain medication. I ran out of the one on saturday and have had to fall back to a lower strength one that I still had laying around...unfortunately, it doesnt last as long which requires me to take more damn pills! Here is the list of fun.

Last Thursday: Physically went to 4 pharmacies, called 4 others trying to get my script filled. No place had the drug in the quantity that I needed and I was told that they would have to order it in for me and it should arrive on Monday. Great. The first place I went, I was told that if no where else could get it, I should call the pharmacy back and they would place the order for me to get it in.

Thursday afternoon- I call back and get a different pharmacist...this guy gives me a whole load of crap. First, telling me he has to verify the prescription. Of course, its on triplicate paper that is impossible to fake, so this makes no sense. Second, asking me why I am on this drug....then why was I on this other one...and finally, why is the script for so many pills.

I patiently sat there explaining EVERYTHING to this guy, telling him to go ahead and check with the physician if he wants, just please go and order it for me so I dont have to wait anymore.

Monday - pills are supposed to be in. I go to the pharmacy with the physical script again. The damn guy who I explained it all too doesnt remember even talking with me! :angry: Tells me that he is going to have to check with the physican again and for me to come back in a few hours. Fine, just take care of it so I can get my pain meds.

I call back in four hours, to be told that he couldnt reach the doctor. I call and immediately reach the Nurse supervisor give her the info and call back to the pharmacy. I ask them to PLEASE call now, there is definitely a person there, I just spoke to her.

20 minutes later, I get a call back that it just rang and rang and rang. Ugh. So much for getting them on Monday.

Tuesday, I call this morning only to be told that they STILL had not heard from the doctor. I call the doctor again and wait.

Fast forward to about 5pm today, pharmacist calls to tell me that he has now proven that its real (oh, really...glad the anti forging tri-layer script pad was real)...but my insurance denied it and its extremely expensive.

I call my insurance, have to walk this woman through simple math 3 pills x # times a day = 9 per day x 30 days = 270 pills. Easy enough right? Not for her. First comes up with 180 then 860, then some other huge number. Either way, she tells me to have them call this override number and it is not a problem.

I call back the pharmacist, who now asks me if I am a Doctor. Thats a lovely question.....yes and no. I am a Doctor, but not a medical doctor, so I explain that I am a Lawyer not a MD. I am now waiting for his call back.

This is more than a bit annoying!!


Edit- At 5:55pm, success. Its filled! Hooray!!

nickel
10-05-2004, 05:18 PM
sheesh, you should have said sooner that you are a lawyer and are gonna sue their ass for pain and suffering! as soon as someone hears you are a professional for some reason they hustle their ass more.

Jeffbx
10-06-2004, 03:58 AM
Dang, what drug are you taking that's so much of a hassle to get? Must have a pretty high street value... :bandit:

look_ma
10-06-2004, 06:13 AM
Holy shmoly uf crusher. That is almost more hoops than trying to buy a car at a reasonable price. I am glad you finally got it, and got it filled with insurance.

ufcrusher
10-06-2004, 02:06 PM
Dang, what drug are you taking that's so much of a hassle to get? Must have a pretty high street value... :bandit:

Yep, this stuff would sell for A LOT of money. Then again, I could go to jail and I would be in pain....so thats NOT going to happen. Plus, that would violate my legal code of ethics which could cost me my license. Not going to happen.

I'm on Oxycontin now....although I also have percocet, vicodin, and a whole world of other pain killers. All of the different steps they have tried to get me out of pain.

cheapie
10-06-2004, 02:09 PM
what's the pain from again? sorry...don't remember what happened to you.

GracieBayb
10-06-2004, 02:43 PM
Hi UfCrusher...

I'm really sorry you had such a hard time getting your prescription filled - I work at a pharmacy and this sort of thing happens alot... Regardless of what kind of paper an RX is written on - pharmacists are required by law to verify - or double check - certain drugs (esp. drugs for pain) with your doctor before filling them for you

More often than not, the doctor who wrote the RX takes his sweet time getting back to the pharmacy - which leaves you in a painful condition... the next time you find yourself in a situation like this - i'd recommend calling your doctor's office and reminding them to contact your pharmacy ASAP!! Anyway... I know how frustrating the whole system can be... I'm glad that you finally got what you needed!

Kim
10-06-2004, 05:22 PM
I'm glad you were able to find the pills.

ufcrusher
10-06-2004, 05:27 PM
what's the pain from again? sorry...don't remember what happened to you.

Without really getting into it, which I believe I have done before, I have a pain disorder. Thats probably the easiest way to describe it. I have had a screwed up ankle since Feb 2003 and they have tried a myriad of treatments which havent worked.

Houdini
10-07-2004, 02:17 PM
Vigilante pharmacists. I understand the reason behind it, but that's way too much hassle. Pharmacies are dropping Oxycontin from their formulary in many places, often to avoid robberies, but patients suffer. Some doctors are very hesitant to even write for a couple of the meds you mentioned due to their extremely high abuse potential, street value, and stigma caused by the media.

Not to pry or to give medical advice, but there are many other drugs that are very effective for chronic pain that work completely differently from narcotics. I'm sure you've run the gamut of them, but I encourage you to keep looking for other treatments or consulting other docs to find a good long term solution to your pain.

Speaking of that, a new med hit the market a couple of weeks ago that so far looks promising for chronic pain. PM me for more information, and I'll try to help. I try to stay ahead of the curve on these new drugs and treatments.

*Usual Disclaimer: Not to be considered real medical advice. Check with your usual doc. Consider anything from me a friendly suggestion. :)