Aa
Just can't understand.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
Sara
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??
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??
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.
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.
I hope you are feeling ok today. I'm thinking of you! Tomorrow is only a day away!! :)
Hugs,
Kat
Hugs,
Kat
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
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
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