Hostile Pharmacist.

I moved and had to change pharmacies.
I took my prescription in and the pharmacist
looked at my record and said "Wow!"
He was young - just out of pharm school, I'd guess.
He started bad mouthing my pain doctor for the script as he wrote it.
Pharmacist said, "You take four now - next thing it will be 6 - and then 8.
It's never ending."
I agreed that my pain would not have an end. EVER.
He said, "There was an article in the paper about five months ago
about the dangers of Methadone. Do you know it used to be given
to Heroin Addicts??!"
(He should do more in-depth reading then the newspaper.)
He gave me the Opiod 1A lecture.
(I've taken Opiods for 7 years now)
I know he's gonna flag my chart.
He said, "You should try the pain pump."
(I don't want to try the pain pump.)

ok ... I understand that he's a jerk.
I know he's showing off.
But the thing is ...
Can he get my doctor in trouble with the DEA?
Can he get me in trouble with my doctor?
Can I change pharmacies next time I have a prescription filled? (or will it look like
I'm running or something.)

Tomorrow I go to my pain doctor.
He prescribes 4 Methadone a day and 2 Morphine IR a day.
I also take Xanax but none of them are close together.

At least it's not snowing where I am.

Pamela Neckpain

First off, YES, this new pharmacist is an insensitive jerk and two,please don't worry about problems that might happen.Your Dr. must feel justified to prescribe what he does for you or he wouldn't do it.If you don't feel comfortable with this new pharmacy, keep on looking until you find one that does.Like you said, you just moved,you have as much right to shop around for a new pharmacy as any one else does.Hope you have lots of low pain days.Take care.............Rod

 

Rod,
Thank you.
You're up late. In pain? I am.
I think that dam pharmacist tightened all the muscles of my neck
and back.
You are right. It's sensless to worry about what might happen.
I'll look around for a new pharmacist. I'll never like this
jerk. In the past my pharmacists have been great. Honestly, they
have been my best friends. (I'm short of friends. Don't get out much)
I'm glad you answered. I will now get my special pillow, my heated
blanket and .... some bed socks and go to my sleep. I hope.
Take care,
Pamela Neckpain has left the building. And is still taking additional comments
on my evil pharmacist.

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MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Osteoarthritis all levels of spine right down to Coccyx,Spondilytis,Myofascial Pain
Fibromyalgia,Bulging Discs,Spinal Stenosis,Scoliosis,Osteopenia,Chronic Constipation
Carpel Tunel Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder,
Depression & Anxiety

Methadone for Pain, Xanax for Anxiety, and more, of course.

Pam, what an idiot this kid was. You should have told him you had been taking opioids longer than he had been a pharmacist, and he obviously slept thru parts of his class because he should have know about Methadone and pain. You might consider filing a complaint at the store. I am one that will bring it to the higher ups attention whether it does any good or not. Makes me feel better to get the last word in.lol.

You have the right to use any pharmacy you select, provided its one that your script card is accepted at, only thing is you may be required by your pain dr to advise them of the change. Mine required this. He could make a call about your dr, but I doubt he has the intelligence to do it. He cannot get you in trouble, any script written by your dr is between you & the doc. Susie

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Uniquelyme:

Yup, my young man would have needed the smelling salts had you walked
in. Uhuh. I think things are very different in different parts of the U.S.
I'm really afraid to change pharmacies because I've read that changing
pharmacies is a sign of problems. It is true I'm having problems but not
the kind "they" are thinking about. He has ALL my files. I think I will stay
there. If I move it will call attention to me. Don't want that. I hope your
medication helps you. Let us know. I read the words "spinal fusion" but
I don't really understand what they mean unless it's explained.

Susie,
Oh, I just want to get over the guy. If there is harm to be done he will have
already got the wheels in motion. Thank you for your words. I'm afraid
to report him. He has all the power, you know. That is not a good thing.
When I first met him I thought he was one of the clerks. He has a smart
aleck way about him. Yurk. OK, I'm breathing deeply now.
I've missed you, kid. It's kinda good to be home.
Pamela

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MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Osteoarthritis all levels of spine right down to Coccyx,Spondilytis,Myofascial Pain
Fibromyalgia,Bulging Discs,Spinal Stenosis,Scoliosis,Osteopenia,Chronic Constipation
Carpel Tunel Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder,
Depression & Anxiety

Methadone for Pain, Xanax for Anxiety, and more, of course.

Pam,
I would tell my Doc what happened. What he said was directed more at your Doc than at you. If your Doc has any pride in his job, he will call the pharmacy and talk to this punk! Don't let it get to you, you did NOTHING wrong!
Pete

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55 years old, Surgury, Radical Prostatectomy 8/20/03, PSA 6.6, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6, Adenocarcinoma extent (moderate) Stage & Margin:T2NOMX, No Metastases, Organ Confined, bone scan: Neg. 3 1/2 years of depression after surgery prior to Hypogonadizm DX, Testosterone Theropy (Testim Gel)since 12/06 but switched to a higher dose of (Androgel) 6/08. I am's what I am's and that's all that I am's! (Popeye)  55 and still alive and so glad to still be here to see my two sons grow up to be fine young men. They are both serving in the US Navy, one on a ship in the Atlantic and the other on a ship in the Pacific!!! I am one proud PaPa!!!!! 

I was wondering about that Pete. I will probably do that. I will do it today at 4pm.
when I go in for my monthly meeting with my pain doctor. Oh I hope I use the
right words and get the tone right. Don't wanna blow it. Thank you for your comment.
What would I do without you guys.
Pamela
Congratulations on your son's Pete. Actually, the credit goes to YOU. You are the
Dad of these fine men.

I would be so upset, I commend you for not raising yourself to his lower level. But, I would definitely, at the minimum, report him to his superior, if thats possible. Your a much calmer person than I would have been. I would be so upset, I probably would have broke down in tears. I know when I left I would have started calling ranks. He has no business judging you. He's probably a just pharm tech. I'd let your normal pharmacist know what happened. If you have been going there that long, they should know you. My pharmacists know me, and he is very sensitive..... fills my rxs right away so I am not waiting in pain. I have only been going to mine for 3 years & they know me. I know yours has to know you by now. Don't let him take a minute away from your thoughts, you are a GREAT person, I just know that you are. You are always one of the first to chime in with help or advice.... don't let him make you feel bad because you are wonderful. Who cares if you take methadone? We all have some sort of medical cabinet. What if you had cancer? Who gives him that right to judge you? I think you are wonderful, and someday he will have back pain & understand how it is to really hurt. I'm sure you are not the only one he has made a negative comment to- make his boss know what he said, he has no right to judge a DOCTORS subscription who had much more schooling than he did! Don't you worry about him for one minute...... we all love you! (((extra hugs))) Good luck!

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RX's: Oxycontin 80mg 2x's daily; Oxycodone 30mg 5xs daily; Zanaflex 4mg 3x's daily; Restoril 15mg 1x; Soma 3x's daily; Lyrica 100mg 3x's daily (pain & fibro.); Phenergan 25mg (as needed); Amitriptyline 25mg 1x (chronic pain); Cymbalta 60mg 2x's daily (pain from fibro); Abilify 5mgs at bedtime (depression); Metoclopram (as needed) & Senokot (as needed).

Ohhh Kttn ...

What a nice post. Thank you. I glow with happiness.

And something else good happened today.
I went to my Pain Doctor.
I wrote out a short note so I didn't ramble
or get off target.
I explained the situation. And my great
doctor hit the ceiling.
He told me to keep going to the pharmacy and
he would give me pages of my file to give to the
pharmacist. He said, "Just hand over these pages,
get your prescriptions filled, and leave." and then
he said, "If you have even a minute of problems
from that jerk (He called him a jerk!!! Yay!) I'll
go in and speak to him myself and it won't be in
public if you know what I mean."
Oh man! Whata whata!

Thank you everybody. I just hovered around the puter
like it was a fireplace in a ski lodge. Ain't nuthin' better
than you all.
Warmly,
Pamela

Pamela,

I'm so happy to hear that your doctor won't put up with this nonsense with your new pharmacy either! You don't deserve all the problems they gave you, and you should NOT have to tolerate them. You have a legit pain condition (actually more than one! ), a legit pain management doctor, and a legit prescription, and you are in no way abusing your medication or the system, so you should not be treated like a criminal. It is wonderful that your doc is willing to "put them in their place" for you!

And I really commend you for getting across everything you needed to to your doc. I'm awful at conveying everything I want to. Even with lists and notes, and having thought about what I wanted & needed to say to my doctor beforehand, I still usually leave the office & then realize I forgot to mention one thing or another, or didn't stress something enough. I just tend to smile the entire time, no matter how upset, etc I am, I just kind of freeze. It's like I am afraid to show them the real me, problems & all. This has been going on for years and years, ever since I was very little. I think I must have had a bad experience or something one time when I was young. It is something I have to constantly be conscious of & work on. I've definitely gotten much better at conveying my real feelings & thoughts, and talking to my doctors since developing this CP and associated problems several years ago, but I sometimes I still leave my doctor's appointments kicking myself. That's partly why I left my PM and switched back to my pcp; my PM, while he was nice & generally understanding, he just always had his hand on the door to leave as soon as he got in the room, and so I found that he was very hard to talk to & I never said everything I needed to, and always left upset. My pcp is just wonderful. He is so easy to talk to. He'll literally sit there for an hour talking with me, and never act rushed in the least bit. Plus he always gives me a big hug at the end & tells me to keep fighting, and that one of these days we are going find something that works for me. I wish all doctors were that easy to talk to!

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 1/13/2009 9:36:59 PM (GMT-7)

Pamela,
You go girl! And your doc rocks! Is this the one who sings? Maybe it's worth hanging in there with him after all!

PaLady

I'm laughin' PaLady. Yes, my rockin' doctor is the one who sings and NEVER talks.
I believe he gets his information through extrasensory means. Sometimes musical
people have that power, I think. My husband said, "Maybe he's a genius." Well ...
Hmmmm.....

Skeye: I've learned that nobody (no doctor anyway) wants to hear the full extent
of my associated psychological and even physical problems. I keep my discussion
to ONE subject and try to stay concise. I always leave with unanswered questions.
I guess I've learned that doctors just don't know. If they do know, they may not
say. And if they do know or do not know, I might not want to hear.
Pamela
Keep fighting, Skeye

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MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Osteoarthritis all levels of spine right down to Coccyx,Spondilytis,Myofascial Pain
Fibromyalgia,Bulging Discs,Spinal Stenosis,Scoliosis,Osteopenia,Chronic Constipation
Carpel Tunel Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder,
Depression & Anxiety

Methadone for Pain, Xanax for Anxiety, and more, of course.

Does he have a Supervisor, that is plain and simply an attitude that is unacceptable. People that choose fields for power which is sounds like he has, should spend one day in our bodies before they open their big fat unempathetic mouths!!
Your Dr. is awesome...I would definitely call the Senior Pharmacist or if its a chain the main office and let them know how he made you feel.
Its bad enough that we have to be in pain but then to be made to feel like we are committing a crime to find some relief.....heck NO...report this guy and you might want to mention to him that you are praying he never has to walk in your shoes or one of his family members either. This humbles the most judgemental people and professionals.
We are lucky if we have found good PM Dr.'s and Pharmacists who care!
Great posts.
edt

PNP,

WOW Mrs your post blows me away. I thought Pam's was bad enough, Egads, what is wrong with these people. If it weren't for people being ill or having diseases these idiots would be w/o a job. Has anyone ever thought about that issue!!!! I am very lucky because my pharmacist will tell me if its a med she will always have to order, she has me call it in a few days early that way she can order it and its there when I go in. I wonder if this type of crap goes on in just different parts of the country, cause I have never been treated like this.

I am glad Pam's dr went to bat for her-but I totally disagree with continuing my business there. Number one the dr is not required to furnish that pharmacy with nothing but a prescription. I don't know what kind of papers he was talking about giving them, but if its copies of Pam's medical records, that is totally wrong and let me tell you this I would be on the phone to the state over this crap. Why Pam has it in here head this pharmacist has a hold on her is beyond me. How would he know if she moved & wanted a more convenient pharmacy-this makes no sense at all. Pain contracts state use one pharmacy only. As long as you notify the drs office of the change there is never a problems unless a person gets meds at several. I sometimes have to get my Dilaudid at a different place and my dr had no problem with this. No pharmacy can hold you as a customer-end of story. What is happening to advocating for yourself??????? As long as its allowed to be tramped on people will continue to do it-only we can stop this type of crap come one people pull together.
Susie

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straydog susie,
I'm staying at the same pharmacy because my strong advocate of an MD actually
told me to stay put. But ...

Big but here:

He said if there was any problem in the future he would visit the pharmacist in
person and get things straightened out. He had fire in his eyes when he said it.
: ))
Now with a doctor like that I surely want to follow his suggestions. He is prescribing
and keeping me from the endless sleep. That's important. : )
My doctor said that the pharmacist had the right to know what is wrong with me.
He gave me the papers from my last office visit -- 8 pages, I think! They
didn't say much of anything interesting but they were there and all filled out.
I think he's watching his steps. He needs to be careful in this anti-pain med world.
I will do my own advocacy after the inauguration as PaLady suggested. I hope
I'm not just talkin. I better put my fingers where my mouth is.
Pamela
The contract says "don't change pharmacies" I believe that could set up a flag
on the chart - don't want that! I want little halos & wings doodled on the edge of my
pages.

Pamela,I am sorry that happenned to you that is so wrong. I wouldnt switch pharmacies eithier you didnt do nothing wrong you shouldnt have to change pharmacies. I hope you have a lpd.

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Percocet,ambien,elavil,reglan , neurontin,zyrtec and soma.

Mrsm's post reminded me we should all have a heads up about what I think was a last minute executive order (or maybe a piece of Congressional legislation...can't remember) allowing pharmacists and others to refuse to prescribe things they're uncomfortable with. I don't know the wording of this. I know it was mainly targeted toward pregnancy kinds of things that are off topic for here (and I don't want to get that debate started!) but I wonder if it's also going to apply to pain meds???? Anyone follow this more closely?

If it's an executive order (which means signed by the President) it may be quickly rescinded by the new President. I never thought it may also be interpreted to apply to pain meds, but again I'm not sure of this.

And straydog you're so right we should be able to go to any pharmacy, but my insruance plan no longer allows that as it's a "host hospital" policy that requires now we use the hospital's pharmacy. I think increasing hospitals are mandating this for their employees because it gives them more money. And since it's the employer that contracts with the insurance company, they can make whatever contract they want. So I'm stuck with this lousy hospital pharmcy which is already causing me problems. I so miss my CVS crew. And yes, it's a chain, but I think it may relate to the fact I live in a small town and there's only two pharmacies. Both are chains. They've driven the mom & pop's out of business, but they have to compete for our business and in a small town it doesn't take much to drive a person to the pharmacy across the street (literally). I really loved my pharmacists at CVS, and one is leaving to go to medical school and I made her promise to take my name and number and when she comes back to practice (in several years, unfortunately!) I want to go to her!

PaLady

He does sound terrible.  You can go to any pharmasist you want but then try settle with the  one , dont think he can do anything to muck things up and even if he could I dont think he would do it first visit. why cant they try to understand what it is like to have chronic pain, we wouldnt take the stuff which is a hassle through docs ect in the first place. Hate the whole medical system. Im on an opioid my pharmasist always makes sure he keeps some in store for me now im a regular.  sue2z

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Fibromyalgia, ulcerative colonitus, arthritus, bi-polar

I live in a small southern town where drug addiction is more the norm than not. They keep an eye on everything here. Currently there is only one doctor that will prescribe narcotic or benzo type drug. Luckily he is my doc, lol The pharmacies here will ID everyone that gets a script filled and will not give the meds to anyone but the person they are prescribed to. I go to a small mom and pop pharmacy that works with us. After coming out to our Explorer the first time I got something filled there they realized that I was unable to walk in anywhere and they let my husband or my kids pick my stuff up. They close at 6pm and since I go to one doctor that is 180 miles from me, they will come and fill mine after hours if needed. It is really sad that the ones that don't follow the rules and laws have done nothing but make it difficult for us that do.

If you go to one pharmacy after another then it will be seen as drug seeking behavior but with what you had happen, as long as you let your doc know where you are going I think he will understand. He sounds like a great doc!

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Motorcycle wreck 08/2004: 119 fx, 13 surgeries with one more to go, including 5 bone grafts, 2 skin grafts, pelvic reconstruction x2. Right leg is 1.5" shorter than left. Have to wear knee brace for life and also AFO brace for drop foot. Nerve damage from hip down to toes, no feeling in lower leg. Spinal fusion. Will be on crutches the rest of my life. Pain level never below 5 even on pain meds. Since August 2007 I have been diagnosed with chronic atelactesis, tachycardia, high blood pressure, borderline personality disorder, depression and Delayed sleep phase syndrome

You know, if it gets bad enough I have a pharmacist who is willing to give away pills........ (LOL! I could NOT resist.)

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RX's: Oxycontin 80mg 2x's daily; Oxycodone 30mg 5xs daily; Zanaflex 4mg 3x's daily; Restoril 15mg 1x; Soma 3x's daily; Lyrica 100mg 3x's daily (pain & fibro.); Phenergan 25mg (as needed); Amitriptyline 25mg 1x (chronic pain); Cymbalta 60mg 2x's daily (pain from fibro); Abilify 5mgs at bedtime (depression); Metoclopram (as needed) & Senokot (as needed).

This crap that was pulled on Pam still grates on my nerves,lol. My Contract with my pain dr says one pharmacy-this I totally agree with & understand. But, not for one moment would I go to one such as what Pam does. End of story. There are far too many pharmacies out here wanting business. Mine is a big chain too. In fact, at the end of the counter where you pick up script is a standng stop sign that says to stand behind it until the person at the counter has finished their business, due to privacy laws. Then you are called to the counter. None of this yelling out crap either. For Pam's sake I do sincerely hope she has no more confrontations with the idiot, I do hope her dr would pay a visit but I find that doubtfull when it come down to the brass tacks of things. And I still would be making a call to the higher ups at that pharmacy about the jerks attitude. I also know we all handle confrontations and things of that nature differently. I guess I worked around professionals for so long that I am no longer intimidated by them as many people are. I have no problem telling anyone, a dr or whoever in a very diplomatic way that they are out. lol. Have done this a few times and would do it again.... hey they put their pants on just like us-one leg at a time......Susie

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