Just can't understand.

[JadedSweetheart]

So, I was waiting for DH to get paid to make an appt with the doctor.  Eventually he was paid on Thursday, but it still wasn't enough and we had to pawn some things and saw the doctor on Friday.  I told him that this month, at least, I would have to have my prescriptions filled at a local pharmacy with my insurance.  I just can't afford $377 in meds this month after a $200 doctor's visit.  I called a pharmacy before we went the 2 hours over to the doctor's office and they said it should be no problem with my insurance and living here with my doctor 2 hours away.  
After the doctor I went straight to the pharmacy.  They said it would be 45 mins.  Well, about 45 mins later they came and said that they couldn't fill my prescription until Saturday, today, the day I am supposed to run out.  Then they gave me the 5th degree about my pregnancy and the doctors I see.  As if I was trying to do something wrong.  Finally they came back and said (after 45 mins of having my prescriptions), that they didn't feel comfortable filling ANY of them and handed them back to me.  I quietly informed them that there are published reports by doctors available to everyone on the internet if they ever care to look it up and left almost in tears.
I went to the next pharmacy that said they would fill it on Monday after talking to my doctor.  I would have been there before the doctor's office closed if it wasnt' for the problem with the first pharmacy.  The only problem is that I only had one day's worth of medication.  So that means 2 pills a day when I am used to taking 4.  I told them I may have to come back, but for now I needed to see if I could find someone who could fill my prescription on Saturday, now today.  
We went to at least 10 pharmacies, big chain and not.  Either no one had it or wouldn't fill it with my doctor being from out of town.  Finally at about 8pm I had had enough.  After being referred to another Walgreens from the Walgreens that filled it last week, I was told they only had 46 pills left.  I cannot get a partial refill as I will lose the rest of my prescription.  They were very kind and sympathetic there, though, so I decided to have the flexeril and phenergen filled and try to tough it out until Monday.  
To add insult to injury..  When they went to fill the flexeril and phenergen they found that the original pharmacy that made me wait for 45 minutes billed my insurance for medications they didn't even give me!  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they didn't realize they had to reverse the charges since they handed the paper slips back to me.  We did realize, though, that they probably couldn't do this on the oxycodone because it wasn't allowed to be billed until today.
So I am limping by on half a pill every 4 hours instead of one.  I was able to get a 72 hour supply of phenergen and flexeril from the kind Walgreens pharmacy, but since my doctor only wrote the script for one flexeril a day (I didn't even notice until I went to have it filled), that was only 3 pills.  
I have been bawling my eyes out all morning.  The pain is not unbearable, I just don't understnad why these pharmacies can't see "This woman has a paper prescription signed by a doctor who may not be in this county, but is the only one who will see her for PM while pregnant."  I have given them all the info and papers I can to prove that the doctor is legit, I am legit, and in pain.  It's just so upsetting that they would rather make me struggle through the weekend, pregnant, than fill a paper prescription from a doctor with an office number, answering service and a website.  
So the question is:  Has anyone else had to get along with only half your medication?  I know I can't go to the emergency room again, but if my heart won't stop racing and I can't stop sobbing, I may have to.

[SUMMERLADY51]

And I had a pharmacist at a local Walgreens give me holy hell because I had a already filled a prescription for Vicodin (normal pain meds from PM doc).  Then I had open heart surgery and I was prescribed a differerent drug for pain relief.  I had come from the hospital after only 4 days which was unusual so they were concerned about pain control.  

He refused to fill the prescription, called the heart specialist who promply cancelled the prescription for the stronger medication.  Problem is, I couldn't take more of the weaker med because I would use them up before my next visit.  I would have been safely within the amount of acetominaphen even if I increased it.  So I was screwed and ended up in extreme pain while trying to recover from having my chest cracked open.

[optimus22mac]

I hope you are on your way to feeling better....I just can't believe this! Let us know asap:)

[JadedSweetheart]

UPDATE!!!!
So I went to the mom & pop pharmacy that said they would fill it after speaking to my doctor.  Of course, today the owner of the pharmacy was there and said he couldn't fill it because my doctor is out of town.  I told the tech who was there Friday what the pharmacist had said and she remembered but said that the owner had a problem with it and she was sorry the pharmacist had told me he would fill it, etc.  I started to break down in tears and told her what I've been going through and that if I couldn't get the script filled I'd end up in the ER.  She was actually very compassionate, said she couldn't imagine how hard it's been for me, as she's been pregnant before without CP, etc.  I thanked her for her compassion and we went to the Walgreens that said they would have it today sometime.
I had determined that if the Walgreens didn't have it yet and wouldn't for hours I'd just have to go to the ER.  I couldn't drive around all day and I could barely stand the pain as I had taken a half at 6am and it was wearing off at 10am.  Luckily, they had it and filled it!!  I was just amazed.  The pharmacist did ask if I was pregnant and if my doctor knew (which they do every time), I think my insurance or something says that I'm pregnant.  But he was satisfied with my answers and made no personal judgements.  
That was the same Walgreens where the tech was really kind on Friday, so I made a point of telling him how kind she was and describing her, etc.  He thanked me for letting him know.
Then I went to the other Walgreens that had filled the phenergen and flexeril for 72 hours, the one that told me about the very first pharmacy charging me for prescriptions they didn't fill.  They dealt with the "bad" pharmacy for me and were a lot nicer than I would have been.  Then they were able to fill all of my other prescriptions except one inhaler which there was an issue with and they are going to call the doc to figure out what he meant about it.   I made a point to tell them how much I appreciated them being great on Friday as well.  
So, I took a regular dose around 10 and am feeling better but I think it's going to take about a day or so to get all the pain under control and get my system back to normal.  My system was getting really taxed and I have had rolling stomach cramps yesterday and today.

Thank you all for being here for me through everything I've gone through in this pregnancy with CP.  I really don't know what I would have done without such a great place to talk about all of this.  You are some of the best people.  I appreciate all of the support you've given me!

[JadedSweetheart]

Thank you all!  It's only one more hour now until the doctor's office opens and I can walk in with the script and say "Call him!".  Probably with more words and nicer than that as I think this is my best hope of getting it filled.  
Trouble-  We all understand that you have more than enough on your plate right now!   Please don't apologize for anything.
I value everyone's response here.  As CP patients we have a hard enough time dealing with what life throws at us daily.  I absolutely don't expect everyone to reply and am very touched to have been given all the wonderful support, understanding, information, and ecouragement from everyone here.  On every one on my posts, but particularly this weekend when I've needed it maybe the most.
I never thought I would ever have such problems with pharmacies.  I really had thought their want to make money would overcome whatever misguided moral sensibilities or "God complexes" they have in their own lives.  I have learned a grave lesson.  
I am very hopeful although I'm now officially out of medicine.  So if things go terribly wrong I will definetly be walking into the ER saying "Help me!".  
DH is going with me and he helps me a lot with these things.  Thank God he has today off.  I hope I'll be able to give everyone a very good update later.  
Thank you all for being here for me in one of the roughest things I've ever had to face.
Bree

[mellie4]

I'm hoping a bit later we'll be reading that you got your script filled and that you're feeling a lot better.  Your situation troubles me to no end.  We have enough hoops to jump through with our doctors and insurance companies and now we need to worry about pharmacists, too.

Good luck today!

[troubleinohio]

Im running short on time this morning here, but Im sorry I missed your post all these days! I hope things improve for you quickly now. Im not sure when you can get your Rx filled now (lazy reader that I am). Wishing you the best of luck though. Sorry for my disjointed reply but didnt want you to think Im ignoring you! You have offered me lots of support and advice on this board. Hugs to you.

[JadedSweetheart]

I also meant to add that I appreciate ALL the messages and I'm sorry I can't respond to everyone directly.  It's hard to keep the conversation straight with who said what with the pain.  
Just need to get through the night and hopefully I will have great news for everyone tomorrow.  
Ashelen-  I'm not upset with your post at all.  I appreciate your input and all of the messages are helping to distract me.  
Thank you again, everyone!

[Sarajmt]

Bless your heart, I'm sorry that you're going through this.  But just try to count down the hours and sleep as much as you can.  I hope this is all over soon.

Sara

[Ashelen]

Oh sweetheart (no pun intended with your screen name LOL) I am so sorry you have to go through this. I get SO MAD when someone has to suffer ....we pay with pain because drug addicts have ruined pain management for us all. I won't even get INTO the insurance problem.

I see what you mean about the inhalers making it worse...I am so angry for your sake hon I can't even describe. you'd better believe if I was in your own I would storm down to the pharmacy and give them the chewing out of a lifetime...I'm VERY non-confrontational about things I'm not sure about (such as calling my doctor) but when it comes to things I know are right I'm about as feisty as they come...and I KNOW that you getting your meds is RIGHT and them refusing you is WRONG.

please msg me if you need to keep your mind busy until tomorrow...my BIL is staying with us (long post about it on the relationships forum if you have some time to kill) so idk when I'll be on but I'd be happy to occupy your mind..that's always the best thing for me when I'm low on meds.

*hugs hugs hugs* I hope that you can make it until tomorrow without being too uncomfortable....I found that not only does chewing ice ease the nausea but something about the mechanism helps to distract from the restless legs and the creepy crawlies as long as they're not full-blown withdrawals...

i am so sorry again. i only posted what i did about the pharmacy because my friend had shared that info with me and i hope it might help you somewhere down the line to know what pharmacists think...and I know you need to see PMP please please please don't think I was implying you don't!!!! I just know that that's why I'M afraid to go :( even though I really need to and in some ways want to.

you could always talk to your PMP about what I suggested with the refills until the pregnancy is over...although Im guessing you're on a contract? i was on a contract once and the pain meds weren't working so I called the office in tears and they said "if it isn't working go to the ER"...so I did AS THEY TOLD ME...and then they told me I had broken my contract and discharged me. I was so pissed. that's why I'm terrified about standing up to doctors about myself.

anyway I digress I'm jsut trying to distract you for a bit...did it help??

[JadedSweetheart]

Thanks, everyone!  I'm getting through it, trying not to think about it at all, etc.  DH and the kids have been great.  
Mellie-  The reason I paid $377 at the doctor's office last month is because I didn't want to deal with having to drive to 15 pharmacies and deal with all of this like I am now.  If I had the money right now, I would have done it again.  I know it's a lot, but WDs are hell and dealing with people's attitudes is something I'd rather not do.  Hopefully, though, I'll get it filled through insurance this month and there won't be a problem next month.  
I don't know if I have to be there to drop it off and pick it up.  DH was going to do the drive-around to pharmacies today but has been taking care of the kids and house while I've been incapacated so I can't complain.  
I thought it would be more legit if I brought in the prescription myself.  As most of the pharmacies here do require an ID when filling narcotic medication, but apparently they are apathetic either way.
Ashelen-  In the counties I've lived in and with my insurance, seeing a PMP has always been mandatory for long-term pain management.  I saw the PCP at first and she referred me to PM.  The OB will not manage my PM at all.  They really don't want to prescribe anything and they are a high-risk OB/maternal-fetal medicine specialist.  It's all about the insurance with them.  They are the definition of Medicaid Mill but I don't really have a choice.  I also have to drive 2.5 hours to see them.
I did have other prescriptions along with the pain meds, not just the muscle relaxer and phenergen.  I had 2 inhalers, one of which is steroidal, but with trying to quit smoking I need something for the asthma.  As most smokers/ex-smokers know, when you quit or cut back a lot you start hacking and coughing like never before, with asthma it is worse.
I think the inhalers actually made it seem worse also because of the steroidal one which is not particularly safe in pregnancy.  My doctor considers it better than smoking though.
If things get much worse I will call the ER.  So far the baby is moving like normal and it's really not that bad unless I think about it.  The last time I took a bath, this afternoon, it really helped with the pain, but made me have contractions, so I had to get out.  They went away, but I was like "Geez, what else?".  
Only 14 hours to go until my doctor's office opens and I can get the pharmacist to call him.  Hopefully they are still in-stock, otherwise I'll have to see what the doctor wants me to do.

[KittyKat23_78]

I hope you are feeling ok today. I'm thinking of you! Tomorrow is only a day away!! :)

Hugs,

Kat

[flower12345]

I was also thinking that if you find a pharmacy that has your medication, maybe you could get your husband to take the prescription to the pharmacy for you. He would have to bring your ID and you could call to let them know that he is coming in to pick it up.

It upsets me so much that you're going through all of this.

It's great that you got some sleep last night, and I am praying that this day goes by quickly for you and that you get your medication tomorrow.

Hugs,

Flower

[Ashelen]

Girl I am so sorry...I've been there before. Not because of pharmacists though, mostly because if i start to get to the end of a script and I'm close to the refill date (say it's day 10 of a 10-day script...I always prefer to try to go over like making it 12 days or whatever) I start to get chicken-$hit and wait to call until I'm desperate (because I'm an idiot)....so I've had to make it on half-scripts before.

Now I had a talk with my friend about this the other day, and she's 1 internship away from becoming a pharmacist here in Florida so she has a very unique perspective....she's also completley supportive of my CP management and the pills I take......she gave me some very interesting insights.

- to pharmacists, people who see PMP are suspect. It shouldn't be this way, but because there are so many sleazy people who have managed to buy a DEA from the board, they're very wary of PMP clinics...ESPECIALLY in FL and TN.
- some pharmacists will refuse to fill something just because they don't believe in narcotic pain meds. a lot of pharmacy schools teach that the addictive qualities of narcotics outweigh the painkilling....this is WRONG and we as CP patients need to lobby to update this attitude from the dark ages.
- sometimes simply the act of going to a different pharmacy instead of your regular one raises a huge red flag. going to the mom and pop may have told them that there was something fishy about your script (i.e. it was too early to fill with the other pharmacy) and that's why they did what they did. I know that's not the case but that's sometimes what they think.
- patients who only receive pain meds (and most pharmacists consider that nausea medicines and muscle relaxes go hand-in-hand with pain meds) are very suspect. For instance, because I receive a beta-blocker for my heart condition, she said that 9 out of 10 pharmacists won't even look twice at how many pain meds I fill because clearly I'm being monitored/seen by someone who is NOT a PMP, so they assume that I'm being double-checked.


ALl of this is very wrong, and it's not fair. I appreciate my friend being honest about it...when I talked to her about seeing a PMP she said to wait as long as I possibly could because they actually MARK DOWN in your file if you go to a PMC or see a PMP and your file will say "double check" which means that very often two pharmacists are required to look over your script, check the DEA, and count to make sure you're not too early on your script per their pharmacy's policy.
'
I was very pissed when she told me all of these things, and she said she thinks they're VERY wrong too, but that pharmacists are generally not CP patients so they just have no freaking clues.

I just wanted to tell you all of that so you know that it's not just you...it's just the VERY backwards way that pharmacists are taught to treat narcotics these days.

*hugs* hang in there and please if you feel like the halves aren't going to help you...go to the ER. your baby might be feeling the withdrawals too and you know that isn't good for either of you...I only ran low ONCE while pregnant and my doctor nearly fired his nurse over it (it was her fault) and then actually gave me extra doses on the next script because he knew I would still take the meds the same way so it would last me longer (say he allowed me to take 6 a day but I only ever took 3-4 a day and the script could still be filled on time for 6 a day...so I could call to fill it when it SHOULD have been refilled and I would still have a bunch of extras in case something happened....see if your doctor is wiling to do this, my OB was AMAZING...if I could see him for CP I would.)

[kelkel55]

I too was on narcotics my last pregnancy. I took a script from my ob/gyn that was 5 min. from the pharmacy, and they still refused to fill it. Gave me a big, long lecture on how my baby would be born addicted. My ob/gyn got so mad, said pharmacist think they're God, and if they wanted to be drs. they should of gone to medical school. He called around to different pharmacy's and found one that would fill it for me without the lecture. I ended up having to withdraw in my third trimester and it was not fun. My ob/gyn went out of town and of course no one would fill a script for a pregnant woman. It wasn't fun, and it shouldn't be done but my baby was okay. With my second preg. I withdrew from benzos cold turkey in my first trimester and almost lost my baby. So be careful, and have your doctor call to different pharmacies to see if one will fill it for you on a regular basis without the lecture.

[mellie4]

I know here in Massachusetts you cannot split a narcotic medication prescription.  You can with other medications.  Last week they didn't have enough Cymbalta for my script.  They gave me what they had, then when their order came in two days later, filled the rest and called me.  But they're not allowed to do that for narcotics.  If you choose to have the script partially filled, you lose the balance.  I've had to do that at times, though.  If it's a late Friday or a weekend and I'm going to run out, I'll take whatever they have.  They void the balance and then I call the NP and she writes another script for the amount I'm short.  It's very inconvenient as I have to drive back to the pain clinic and go back over to the pharmacy again.

There are certain strengths with certain medications that seem to be a problem filling here locally.  It can be very difficult to get 10 mg. Percocet, though getting 10 mg. oxycodone isn't as hard to find.  Sometimes the amount is hard to get.  Now I call ahead to make sure they have it in.  But I find some pharmacies won't reveal if they have it in or not.  Maybe it has to do with theft; I don't know.  My pharmacies I use all the time will give me the information but others won't.  Sometimes I phrase it, "Would it be worth my while to drive over to fill a script for _____," and they'll say yes or no.

[mellie4]

I've had a few very minor issues with a pharmacy (or more accurately a particular pharmacist.)  This has to be the most outrageous thing I have ever heard.  I read your post and couldn't believe what I was reading. I'm not clear on a couple of things, though.  One is, even though you have insurance, do you usually get your meds from your PMP for $377 every month?  Why?  That's a lot of money to put out if you don't have to.  (I may be not reading this or understanding this right.)

Another thing I wonder is, do you have to be there to drop it off and pick it up?  Or could your husband do it?  That way they wouldn't see a visibly pregnant woman getting pain meds.  Not that I think you should have to do that; just thinking it could save you some aggravation.

Overall, though, I am stunned by this.  And more stunned to read what sandee wrote about how the pharmacist is under no obligation to fill something they don't feel comfortable filling.  If that's the case, they shouldn't be in that profession.  Even though pharmacists are probably more knowledgeable about medications, it is not their place to decide what is appropriate for someone, pregnant or not.

My heart goes out to you.  Filling a prescription SHOULD be a simple thing to do.

I use Walgreens and I go between two different ones and occasionally a third.  Sometimes if I'm at my boyfriend's I'll use the Walmart in his town but that's rare.  Usually it's between the one in my town and one in the town one town over from me.  My pharmacy sometimes doesn't carry enough of what I need.  Then I have to chase it down or take a partial fill and end up losing the balance, which then means bothering the NP at the pain clinic to write another script for the balance.  

But there is one pharmacist who makes me nuts.  I always feel she's being very judgmental, especially when the NP was switching my BT meds rather frequently to find the right fit to go along with the Fentanyl patch.  And to make it worse, this particular pharmacist is a float so I never know which pharmacy she's going to be at but I feel like she's always at the one I choose to go to.

Once she made me wait over an hour while she "double checked" the dosage and the conversion from one medication to another.  She told me she was just making sure the doctor did it correctly.

Another time she told me my script couldn't be filled for another ten days when I knew it could.  I ended up leaving and going back when another pharmacist was on duty.  She also gave me false information when I was wondering about getting a script filled while on vacation.  I had asked for a printout of Walgreen locations in upper Maine.  She told me I couldn't get it refilled out of state, which wasn't true.  I've had scripts filled out of state before; they just had to check on it.

The other thing she did was refuse to let my daughter pick up my prescriptions after my surgery.  She told my daughter I had to pick them up myself.  (And my daughter is 18.)  But I've had my sister, my boyfriend, my dad and my friend pick up prescriptions for me before, and I've picked up narcotic prescriptions for my dad, my boyfriend and my daughter before.

I feel paranoid but sometimes I think she just likes being difficult and making me uncomfortable.  None of the other pharmacists or staff ever make me feel that way or ever made me feel judged.

JS, I hope you are doing okay today and that you'll be fine until tomorrow.  This is just so disturbing on sooo many levels.  I'm so sorry you had to go through all this.  Please keep us all posted on how you're doing.

[brigadiva]

I was just talking to my husband about your post, and told him that from now on I am always sending him to get my scripts jic.  He said "Oh, but they know all about your condition in their computer.  Last time I was there they said 'I see she just came out of surgery, how is she?'  So they probably have that you're pregnant in there, too."  WHAT?  I did not know my information was so "out there" for any eighteen year old kid behind a pharmacist's counter to read?!  And also, I think that bit they gave you about not being able to fill the partial prescription is total BS!  Last time they only had so much of one of my medicatons they gave me what they had, ordered the rest, and gave that to me when it came in.  I can't believe they did that to you!

[sandee1818]

In Florida the Pharmacist also has the right to refuse any prescription they are not comfortable filling. You can write the Pharmacy Board a letter and complain to their boss but it will not get you anywhere. I have been there.
I had dropped off a prescription at Publix and waited and hour only to find it wasn't filled because the Pharmacist said my ID was expired so I went to the DMV and updated it and went back and she still refused to fill it.
I spoke with her boss the head Pharmacist and he told me that she can indeed refuse to fill it based on her own opinion but he would fill it. I of course went elsewhere.
I wrote to the Pharmacy board and also to the CEO of Publix.
I have always said it is best to use one pharmacy and build a relationship with the pharmacist so he/she knows you and your condition but after my recent experience I even question that.
it is very difficult for people who do not understand what it is like to live in pain to grasp what we go thru each day.
I do realize that pharmacist everywhere deal with those trying to forge narcotics and get early refills by lying but you cant treat every patient the same.
We as legitimate CP Pt's deal with much more than we should have to. It is really sad that we have to look sometimes for years for the right Doctor but then to have to search out a pharmacist that does not view us as just looking for a high is really too much!
We need to do more, I know it is hard with all we have to do but nothing will be done unless we do complain and write our state representatives and government reps too!

[JadedSweetheart]

Thank you everyone!  I was able to take some melatonin and get some sleep last night.  I did wake up in the middle of the night for what seemed like a while, but I did get back to sleep which is huge to me.  
I woke up this morning feeling a little better than I did last night.  At least feeling like I'll make it through this.  
Tuck, I may call the ER, that's a good idea.  Jaybay, I will look up what the pharmacy laws in the State of FL.  I am definetly going to have to deal with the pharmacy on the billing issue which alone could get them into a world of trouble. Skmedlin, it helps to know that others have been through it, thank you!  
DH is off work today and will check with the major pharmacies to see if they have the medication, etc.  I'm not sure if I'll be feeling up to going anywhere.  Hopefully tomorrow I can bring the script to the second pharmacy and they can call the doc to verify.  There is also the Walgreens that filled it last time who said they should be getting more in tomorrow, but they weren't sure.  I'd rather go there if I can, but I have no idea what time, if at all they are getting it in.
I appreciate all the sympathy and empathy.  You are the best group of online friends a girl could ask for!

[RunningMom]

Wow, I'm just shocked in how you are being treated.  This is unbelievable!  I pray that you are okay and have all of this sorted out soon.  I feel so bad for you going through all of this grief.

[Tuckamore]

I like the idea that Jaybay offered about the letter to the pharmacist. Great idea.

However it is my understanding that a pharmacist may refuse to fill any prescription by simply saying he's uncomfortable doing so. ....Except Contraceptives. This holds true for a physician or any health provider. They do not have to treat anyone, as long as they are not discriminatory.

I copied this right from the ....
"The Texas State Board of Pharmacy" website:
BEGIN
"Occasionally, pharmacists may refuse to fill a prescription if they believe that filling the prescription is not in the best interest of your health. Some of the reasons a pharmacist may refuse to fill a prescription include:

the pharmacist is concerned that the medication will interact badly with another drug you are taking;
the pharmacist believes that an excessive quantity has been prescribed; or
the pharmacist has an indication that the prescription wasn't issued by the doctor whose name appears on the prescription.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to contact the doctor for clarification if they have any questions about the medical correctness or legality of a prescription. By doing this, pharmacists perform a vital, final check prior to your taking the medication." END

I certainly don't agree with the pharmacist but I really do think he was within his legal rights....sorry to say!!


~Tuck

[skmedlin27703]

Wow. You have had a rough time.  I am sorry to hear you had to fight with the pharmacy.  It ***** when things like this happen.  The stress it adds makes you hurt worse too I am sure.  I have had to make it on WAY less medicine before. I am prescribed 90mgs of oxycodone a day for breakthrough pain (that's 6 of the 15s a day, two at a time) and have had to make it on 20mgs or less. It was rough pain wise but I didn't really have the withdrawals I was expecting...it wasn't the best week or two but I made it... you will too... hang in there... keep on keeping up. Good luck and write if you want to talk I am here!

[Jaybay]

OMG that makes me so angry!  I can't tell you how many pharmacists I've met who enjoy playing DEA cop far more than they enjoy their own professions.  Walgreens and CVS in my area have always been the worst offenders for that kind of behavior.

Did the pharmacist/ staff give you any concrete reason for not filling your prescription other than that they were "uncomfortable" with it?  I'm not at all certain, but I "think" that is either illegal or a reportable offense to your state's pharmacy board.  Every pharmacy has (or is supposed to have) a prominently posted notice with the state pharmacy board phone number and address.  Get that number and call it.  You need to know what your rights are as a patient in case this happens again.  If I'm right and their refusal to honor your prescription is illegal, they need to be reported and possibly criminal charges filed.  If it happens again, call the police and do not leave the pharmacy until the issue is resolved.

Is your doctor aware of the problems you're having with this pharmacy?  You might ask him to write a letter and send it to your pharmacist to establish more credibility.  No patient should have to do that, but I'm trying to think of some way to make your life easier and shut down some of your anxiety.   Which reminds me, anxiety always skyrockets when withdrawal is present.  Hot baths are more effective than most people realize for helping with withdrawal and the associated anxiety.  Keep 'em up!

[Tuckamore]

Maybe you should call the ER (the on that knows you) and explain the fiasco you were put through yesterday....and that no one will fill them until Monday. Tell ER that you think you are having w/d and you are concerned for your baby.  Ask if they can help.

You have nothing to lose by that call. At least that would be common practice in my state. But you only know how you feel and what is right for you.

It makes me angry that the pharmacist refused to fill your RX too. Unfortunately he was perfectly within his rights....rather we like that or not. More education needs to happen.

Monday can't some soon enough!! I am so very sorry that you are suffering because of an ignorant pharmacist.

Blessings,
~Tuck