Okay, as you all know, I am fairly new to actual "pain management". Well I am supposed to pick up my prescription for my methadone refill tomorrow, Wednesday. Well my boss sprung on me yesterday that she wants me to go to Milwaulkee with her leaving at 9 tomorrow morning. Part of the beuty of being a personal assistant. You never know what's going to happen day to day. We won't be back until later tomorrow night. So I left a message for my doc's assisatant and asked if there would be ANY way I could pick it up today. My original idea was just to see if they could have it ready right at 8 tomorrow morning and I could fill it before we leave, but unfortunately the pharmacy that I use (you can only use the same one) doesn't even open until 9 so that is not going to work.

Do you think they are going to have a problem giving it to me today? A day early? I've never really had to call them about a problem like this before so I don't know how they are about these things since I've only been with them for 3 months now. Now I'm all paranoid that they are going to think that I am asking for an early prescription. I'm a worrier. I worry about everything. So as you can imagine, I hated having to call and ask about this. I explained the situation and that the pharmacy isn't even opne for me to fill it tomorrow morning before we leave. I'm just nervous because this is the first time I've had to ask for a favor like this from them.

Has anyone else had this sort of situation? And if so, how was it handled by your doc's??? I appreciate any responses. You guys always make me feel better...

Tina :)

are you flying?

can you get letter on letterhead saying you are having to go?

have her fax it?

sounds like a kinda fun job though!

Nope, we will be driving (it's about an hour away). I think that she would call them for me if I wanted her to, she is cool like that, doesn't mind having to help me with personal stuff, in reality she's like a really cool "aunt". But then again, how do they know it's really her? Ya know? I don't know. I guess maybe I'll wait til they call me back and then tell them they can talk to her if they need to. I don't want to be too pushy about it, ya know? I've already left him two messages, one about the original problem, then again about the pharmacy problem if I pick it up tomorrow.

It is fun sometimes... but mostly boring. We dont' do stuff liek this often. Normally I'm just sitting here in the office doing office work and taking messages for her (she doesn't come in until noon normally). Tomorrow actually is not going ot be that fun....her mother died two weeks ago and I am going with her to clean out the apartment. Pretty sad actually. That is why she wants me to go. I keep her centered. We actually rely on eachother a lot now that I've worked here awhile...

I'm hoping it isn't going to be a problem. Its ONE day early. And I've never had a problem before... but you just never know with these doctors. They SEEM cool and easy going... but you just never know. That is what has me nervous. I'm so used to all the hastle I always got from previous doctors about EVERYTHING down ot my regular monthly prescriptions. I'm hoping that I am worrying for nothing.

Hi, I know you say you are a worrier, but why worry about this? It's not like you are making it up to get something you are not supossed to get. Relax and feel comfortable that your request is honest, reasonable and necessary. Honestly, who cares what they think, it's your health, your life, take control of it. Call your doc or whoever you need to and say you are being called out of town with your boss and you need to get your stuff early, enough said. Good luck. You seem like a strong willed person, so do what you gotta do and let others worry if they have a problem with it.

Thank you newjerseyguy. That is the same stuff I keep telling myself. It's 100% the truth. There should not be anything to worry about. It's just hard with a new doctor. I don't like getting on the wrong foot with my doc's. Been there, done that.... not so fun. So I'm just hoping they are as reasonable as they seem. I just wish they would call and let me knwo one way or the other. Doctor's can be SOOO weird about this stuff. Even with a minute difference of 24 hours. Argh. I'm frustrated that I even AM worrying about this. But with my OLD doctor's, this WOULD be a problem with them. Guaranteed. They barely wanted to give me the meds the day they were due! But I keep saying, these are PM docs, they are different, etc... I think, I hope.

Thanks for the pep talk! :)

Now I wish I had been a little more forceful in my message "I'm being called otu of town with my boss, I'm going to need to pick up my script today at lunch rather than tormorow, let me know if this is a problem" insteaad of my simpering "Well, I hope this isn't a problem, I know it's a day early, blah, blah, blah" message that I left. Should have posted first!!!

Has anyone else had this experience? Needing to pick up a script a day early? How did it turn out? Just curious to hear any other stories since this is my first time doing having to do this... they still haven't called obviously...

Hi Tina...you sound so much like me. I worry over every little thing. So much so, my husband will ask me "Did the sky fall yet?" Anyway, there have been only 2 times over the past 6 years where I had to ask for my scripts early. Both times were due to deaths in the family. It wasn't a problem because in their words, "I have a good track record of not asking for my scripts early". Just to be safe, though, I brought all my remaining meds up to the office so they could see I just didn't want my meds early due to being out. They understood and actually had a little laugh over me bringing all my stuff up there. They said it wasn't necessary, but appreciated it anyway. I wouldn't think it would be a problem, being only 1 day early, but you never know with docs, especially new ones.

I tend to plan for the worst case senario. If they don't, what are your options?? Can you delay your trip w/boss for a couple of hours?? This may not be an option, but can you "save" a pill or two for tomorrow instead of taking them tonight (you take multiple doses through the day, right?) Since Methadone has such a long half-life, you wouldn't be in w/d, (I don't think) although you would have increased pain. I don't know, sweetie. I'm just trying to think of all your options. I'm on Duragesic (150 mcg) and I had to go 2 days over my change date because the pharmacy didn't have my meds. It wasn't pretty, but it could have been worse. I had some Actiq to "bridge" me through. Do you take b/t meds? That could be an option, as well. You are tearing yourself up with worry, right?? I wish I had some answers. All you can do is wait to see what they say. :)

Well, I talked to my boss and she said if it was goign to be a huge problem taht I did not have to go. But that isn't great on the work end of things. MY job is to assist her. But she is understanding so...it isn't like she would be MAD or anything, it would just take her longer etc... She also said she would be willing to fax them something stating that I would not be available to pick it up tomorrow due to a work committment as well if they decide they need something like that. Or talk to them or whatever. But of course they haven't called back yet. I was hoping to hear from the prior to lunch so I could pick it up if they say yes and not have to leave AGAIN this afternoon to drive over there and get it.... should I call them back???

By all means call them back and leave the message you wish you had left. What you're asking for is perfectly reasonable and they shouldn't have a problem with it. If they do, you should stand up for yourself and ask them why it is a problem. All you're asking for is the opportunity to pick up your script LESS then 24 hours early. It's not your fault the pharmacy doesn't open until 9 and that your work requires you to travel before that time. I mean really, do they honestly think you're drug seeking or displaying addictive behavior because you want to pick up your pills the day before? :rolleyes: Sounds silly doesn't it?

I hope by the time you read this that they've already called you back and told you it isn't a problem.

Antoinette

I hope this works out favorably for you Tina ! ...Both ways , I mean ! from your doc to your boss !...Itll be interesting to see what your doc office says !..

good luck and Ive got my fingers crossed for you !

deana

STILL no call back. I'm getting irritated now. If it's a "no" then I need to get making some other arrangements you know? ARGH!!! Why does this stuff always have to be so frustrating?

Hi Tina! wow saw your post and had to reply as I had this situation just yesterday. I have twice before in 10 years asked for an early fill and I tend to worry to death over it when I need to as well. I called my doctor first, same as you, and left a message that I will be at my sister house all week (she lives 200 miles away and out in the sticks, she just had emergency surgery so my trip came up all at once) my fill was 2 days early, and I left a message with the doctor, and she called me back in about an hour and said that was fine, call the pharmacy and tell them she would be faxing in an early fill approval. I asked the pharmacy to please fill it as soon as they got in because I was supposed to leave at 6pm last night. so, at 5:30 I call the pharmacy, this ditzy girl on the phone puts me on hold and is looking for the fax. another girl picks up to tell me they are still looking and I hear the 1st girl say 'I dont see a denial, but I don't see an approval, either'. ditz on the phone says to me 'It was denied'. I said 'um, no, I heard what she said, she said she DIDN"T see a denial, and I know for a fact it was not denied because I spoke with my doctor personally'. A few more minutes go by, and she says 'Oh. we found it. it'll be ready in 2 hours.' sigh. Then when I sent my husband to pick it up in 2 hours, they told him at first it had been denied AGAIN and when he made them look again they still had not filled it and he had to wait another 45 minutes. Sorry to go off on a pharmacy rant, but this really annoyed me! It was fine with the doctor, I have been a patient at this pharmacy for over 10 years on this same medicine from the same doctor but aside from one or two employees, they treat me like some strange scum off the street. So I am leaving for my sisters a day late, shes not out of the hospital yet so its okay but my nephew is stuck with a babysitter, this all should have gone smoothly and I hope yours does! I can't see why your doctor would have any problem, but I hope your pharmacy has it together better than mine does! Let us know how it worked out! Hugs, Fabby :wave:

Hi Tina: I just read your post, as I was gone this morning getting the car serviced and running some errands. Boy, I wish there was something I could do for you. There are a lot of docs like this. Too busy to take time to make a quick call. It really gets irratating when you're sitting and waiting for a call back. A little common courtesy would be in order here, on the doctor's part.

I've been in situations where I need to get meds early for various reasons. I have never had a problem with my doctor, but I've known him for about eighteen years now and he was my Mom and Dad's doctor too. Once he even gave me a small script and told me to fill it at another pharmacy, so I would have enough meds to get by for vacation. I had to pay for them out of my own pocket, but how many doctors would be willing to do that in the first place. When I got home, we got back on schedule and I returned to using my normal pharmacy.

Good luck to you, I think you'll get a favorable response. You're being up front and honest with them, so there's no reason for them not to "bend the rules" a little bit for you. Let us know how you come out.

Got Em! Ran out and picked up lunch. Got back and STILL no call...at this point my boss too is wondering if I am going to be able to go tomorrow (don't worry, taking the laptop, will still be able to post if I want, she knows I do it half the day anyway!)... So I called and told the receptionist this and FINALLY they put me back to a nurse that sits right by MY doc's nurse, I told her what was up, she put me on hold for 5 seconds, came back on and said "sure that's just fine tina, come on it and pick it up". Total of 15seconds. Why can they not call? Oh well. I got it and don't have to worry about it anymore. Picked it up and Dan,my nurse explained that my doc had a bunch of hastles this morning and that is what was delaying the call but that this was not a problem at all and to have fun tomrorow and they would see me Thurs (for my group pain management appt). So all is good.

I know, I know, I was supposed to stop worrying earlier this morning. But I've had a bad doctor history and you never know....things turned out well though and I am much relieved. There is nothing worse then being faced with the idea of getting your meds a day late!!!

Tina :)

YIPPPEEE!!!! .......Glad you got em !!.....you too Fabby !!



I know I couldnt function without mine ! And I dont mean just because of withdraws !

yall be safe while out of town !

deana

Fabby - I forgot to post a reply to your comments. Yes, pharmacys can be SO annoying. I remember back when I first started on methadone (with my primary who did NOT know what he was doing in teh are of prescribing this med) and things were all screwed up. They gave me the hardest time filling a script early, when it was because my dose went up so I ran out early. My doc specifically told them that too...but they still wanted me to tell them IN DETAIL why I needed it soon, what I was taking it for, etc... AND they made me pay full price instead of the insurance doing it. Which I do understand the insurance rules, but if they called and said this patients dose went up midway thru their last script I'm sure there could have been an override. She was just ticked (pharmacist) because I kept telling her my reasons for the early refill were "personal" and that my doctor was well informed of them and if she had questions she should ask him. since HE approved it! Ugh.

I'm glad you finally got your meds. A day late and a dollar short! At least your sis wasn't released yet and sitting there waiting for your help. That REALLY would have put me over the edge with the pharmacy.

Is your sister going to be okay? How long are you going to be there with her. Does she have internet or will we have to be missing you??? I'm putting her in my prayers tonight for a speedy recovery from whatever was operated on.

I hate it when pharmacy personell treat us like we are druggies because we are on narcotics. I HAVE found that using the pharmacy within my doctor's clinic has helped. It's a LITTLE bit more expensive. But more personal, PLUS they know all the doctors personally adn they are all in the same building. Last month my pm doc wrote my scritp wrong, only for 20 days instead of 30 (she must have had a mental-pause day) of course I didn't notice until they were almost gone and then freaked. The pharmacist there was actually VERY helpful to me that day and made calls for me etc... to speed up the refill process. I was so surprised. And today, they didn't say word one about it being early. Although less than 24 hours isn't really EARLY/EARLY but I've gotten hastles for the very same thing at the bigger pharmacies!

Hi Tina, Thanks for the reply and yay! I am so happy you got your meds too.(Thanks Deana too!) My sis had her appendix almost rupture, she had an emergency appendectomy, But the doctors said she should be just fine in about 2 weeks. I'm leaving in about an hour, and yes she has internet, so I wont be stranded with out my painboard family! She went through a hard divorce last year and the whole thing was hard on her and my nephew, so I want to be there to pamper them both a little, rented a bunch of DVDs and I'm going to make my lasagna for them. Thanks so much for the concern and the prayers, You are so sweet! have a great time on your business trip and hope you all have as pain-free a week as possible! Hugs, Fabby :wave: