I feel awful

[Gnusgal]

I feel like crap today. I know why, but it doesn't make it any easier. You see, on top of getting very little sleep this week due to being involved in the Dallas Video Festival's 24 hour video race (and made it to finals!), my meds have not come in from the mail-in pharmacy yet, and I ran out of one of my meds (toprol). So now the least amount of activity makes my heart start racing. I know, I shouldn't have let myself run out, but I thought they would get here in time. Unfortunately, one of my meds (vasotec) was apparently on back order, so on Monday they called and asked what to do about it. I said I'd be fine with generic, but they had to call my doc to make sure that was alright. Wednesday they called to say they hadn't gotten a response from the doc yet, but were finally processing the other ones so I wouldn't have to wait anymore. I SO hope they will be here today, but I'm seriosly doubting it. I grabbed my empty bottles and intend to go by a pharmacy today to see if I can get just a few to tide me over until they get here. I can't go on like this!

(Please don't lecture, I already have griped myself out for this one.)

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Most DOCTORS have 'samples' in their office which they use as starters for patients or to cover patients like yourself who have run out and are waiting for their mail-in Rx to arrive. Call your Cardio's office and see if they can help. Your PCP may or may not have a supply of Toprol.

Good Luck,

'AL'

 

[Blanche]

Niki:
No lecture from me. I'm in the same position right now. I ordered a refill for Zocor, which is a nonprefered drug on my mail pharmacy list before I went on vacation. And, although I checked the box that I did not approve of them calling my doctor about alternative drugs to cut costs, they called anyway. So, now I am waiting for them to send me a mailer to return the Lipitor 10 mg they sent. Then, I will have to wait another l0-l4 days for the Zocor to be refilled. So, I now have 3 pills left. These were the options offered. l) as Al Capshaw said, get samples from the doctor, 2) Get a prescription from the doctor for 14 day supply, fill it at the local pharmacy, pay for it, then send it to the mail order company for reimbursement, 3) Get a prescription and pay for it myself.

Our local pharmacist said that I should get a prescription from the doctor and put it on file with him. If I have a problem, the pharmacist said their policy is to provide "a few" pills to tide over at no cost. Of course, you can always pay for the medication yourself. He also said that every mail order pharmacy must have a policy for dealing with the problem that we have, and that the policies differ by company. Have you asked your company what they can do to assist you?

Several things burn me up about this. First, the mail order people create the problem, yet they are not quick to provide a solution. Second, I resent them making medical decisions for me and contacting my doctor without my permission. Seems like a violation of the new patient privacy regulations. Finally, I certainly question the substitution. Albert takes Lipitor 20 mg. They sent me Lipitor l0mg. His cholesterol was much lower than mine, and I outweigh him by 50 pounds. When I asked, they said, "maybe it's a gender thing."

I'm glad you brought this up because I think this cloud may have a silver lining. If I skipped a pill or two, my health would not be in jeopardy. However, for those folks who take Coumadin/Warfarin there could be severe problems. Albert is getting a script for Coumadin to be placed on file with the local pharmacy and one for his wallet for protection when we travel. Others may want to consider doing the same or at least checking with their mail order company to learn their policy and procedures when a problem happens.

Blanche

 

[Zipper]

By all means..get samples from your Doc! I just had a problem with refills on my Rx's due to the switchover from my work insurance coverage to COBRA. Somehow the delay in paper work causes denial temporarily. I have 7 Rx's each month...lots of $$$$$. Fortunately my doc provided samples for all but two of them. Those two cost $92.00..yikes...they were the cheapest of the lot. Thankfully, I will be reimbursed, eventually.

This is such a good subject tho..we all need to try to have 'extra' on hand if possible. Using the theory that there usually is a '5 day window' for most refills, I am going to reorder as early as allowed which should eventually allow me to have a small surplus. I guess the other way around it is to have the doc change the way the Rx is written which would allow you to obtain more than the exact amount needed for the 30 days each time. My doc has gone along with this for me now.

Best to all,

Zipper/Joan

 

[JimL]

It took longer than I expected the first time I ordered Lanoxin from mail order and I ran out. I knew someone else taking the same medication and borrowed some of her pills, with her permission, which I repaid when my prescription came in. Then when I stopped Lanoxin this spring, I gave her the rest of my prescription.

Of course, that only works if you know someone taking exactly the same medicine and trust them thoroughly.

 

[Gnusgal]

What I did

What I did

Well, I ended up going to the pharmacy and paying for 5 days worth of each of the meds I'd run out of. Well, at least, I thought I did. But when I opened up my lanoxin, it was 5 PILLS, and I take one and a half each day. So it won't last more than three days... Maybe I'll just take one instead? I REALLY hope my prescriptions come in tomorrow. I was going to call the mail in pharmacy today, but got busy and didn't get a chance. I'm going to see what I can do tomorrow, if anything. Fortunately, I DO have a prescription at a local pharmacy, because that is where I went before we got access to the mail in one.

Anyway, in the future I'll be certain that I order my meds MUCH sooner.

Thanks all,