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.

[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