sammyo1
01-22-2008, 11:19 AM
Ok you guys have been such a great help to me so I am going to ask for some advice. I am really thinking about swithcing pharmacys for my narcotics. Just tired of the attitudes where I currrently go for my scripts, I can appriciate they have a job to do but I am tired of being treated like I am a crimanal or something, if they only knew how much I hate taking these things. I have been so careful about taking them & take only what I need to get through the pain. For example a script that is wrote for 30 days usually last 35 or 40 days, I have had my times where of course I have gotten it filled at the 30 day mark but not often at all, it does not seem to matter I still get the attitudes & that bothers me especially in front of my daughter. I don't even want to ask any questions anymore.
There is a small pharmacy located in the same building with my primary so I thought perhaps I would try smaller pharmacy. Surgery is due at the end of the month & it is important to me to find a pharmacy that I can relate to & feel comfortable with. I know I am going to have questions when weening off the perocet & oxy. I can't see myself dealing with the current pharmacy I am at now. Tired of the attitudes. I plan on letting the new pharmacist know why I am switching over.
Do you all think its ok to ask the pharmacist about the generics they use for the narcotics prescribed? I am due for refills this week & with the surgery ahead I don't want to end up with meds that don't do their job. I am on the percocet-endo brand which works pretty quickly, does not always last but I have not taken anything to compare it to. The oxy is the Teva brand, which I am unsure of, it does not last & takes along time to work but better then taking nothing(learned the hard way)I only take that at night so I can get alittle more control of the pain & makes the morning alittle easier, lately not working that great. I don't know how pharmacys would respond about being asked questions about the narcotics they carry. For that matter I don't know if they carry more then one brand & which brands to be weary of. I personally think it should be one's right to interview a pharmacy & make sure you are given the best meds for you, I just don't know if a pharmacy would see it that way, since it is narcotics. Any advice or suggestions would be great, I am nervous about pain control with the surgery & wish I would have switched before this. Since I am really unsure on how to approach this I would really appreciate some advice. Sammy
There is a small pharmacy located in the same building with my primary so I thought perhaps I would try smaller pharmacy. Surgery is due at the end of the month & it is important to me to find a pharmacy that I can relate to & feel comfortable with. I know I am going to have questions when weening off the perocet & oxy. I can't see myself dealing with the current pharmacy I am at now. Tired of the attitudes. I plan on letting the new pharmacist know why I am switching over.
Do you all think its ok to ask the pharmacist about the generics they use for the narcotics prescribed? I am due for refills this week & with the surgery ahead I don't want to end up with meds that don't do their job. I am on the percocet-endo brand which works pretty quickly, does not always last but I have not taken anything to compare it to. The oxy is the Teva brand, which I am unsure of, it does not last & takes along time to work but better then taking nothing(learned the hard way)I only take that at night so I can get alittle more control of the pain & makes the morning alittle easier, lately not working that great. I don't know how pharmacys would respond about being asked questions about the narcotics they carry. For that matter I don't know if they carry more then one brand & which brands to be weary of. I personally think it should be one's right to interview a pharmacy & make sure you are given the best meds for you, I just don't know if a pharmacy would see it that way, since it is narcotics. Any advice or suggestions would be great, I am nervous about pain control with the surgery & wish I would have switched before this. Since I am really unsure on how to approach this I would really appreciate some advice. Sammy
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Luvmypugs
01-22-2008, 11:53 AM
Sorry for your problem with the pharmacists at your current pharmacy. I would indeed complain to the manager of that store or ask who is in charge of the pharmacy and let them know how you have been treated as I'm sure you are not the only one.
Also, they can order any generic out there. I have asked before and they had it by the next morning, no problem. Please don't suffer in silence. Speak up and be heard.
Take care and have a great day :wave:!!
Also, they can order any generic out there. I have asked before and they had it by the next morning, no problem. Please don't suffer in silence. Speak up and be heard.
Take care and have a great day :wave:!!
Arthr Itis
01-22-2008, 12:10 PM
Sammy. Don't even hesitate, go for it! When my wife started down her path with cancer the pharmacy started playing games. This was a Target pharmacy in the store where she worked. I would go to refill some of her drugs and every time they would send me across town to another Target pharmacy. We were on a first name basis with these people. We knew them before she got sick. What really did it was one time I brought my wife home from the hospital. She was very sick and I didn't want to leave her alone but had no choice. Rushed to the pharmacy with a handful of scripts and stood there while the people played around. They were taking personal phone calls the whole bit. Oh and this was the head pharmasist! Well they could only fill a few of the scripts so they called the Meijer pharmacy across the street. They filled all of them and I only waited a few minutes! Needles to say the next day I changed all scripts , hers and mine, to Meijer. Target lost some major money but I don't care. I've had to go to another Meijer only a couple of times and they always treat me well. Pretty sad when complete strangers treat you better than your "friends".
Good luck on your surgery. Remember us cp'ers when you are completely healed.
Fred
Good luck on your surgery. Remember us cp'ers when you are completely healed.
Fred
sammyo1
01-22-2008, 01:31 PM
Well Fred, it is indeed target that I am currently filling my scripts at, before I was put on narcotics everything was fine,its a shame there a several pharmacists there but only one who will go out of her way or does not have the attitide. I just don't think it is worth having to go through all that just to pick up scripts. I have always held pharmacists with the up most respect, still do, but I just want to feel comfortable & know I am getting the best pain control I can along with be able to ask questions. As always Fred good to hear from you & take care with all this cold. Sammy
Executor
01-22-2008, 03:26 PM
As I posted in another thread, I highly recommend that you find an independent pharmacy in your area. They are almost always owned by the main pharmacist and essentially, the person is a small business person running their own business. These people are usually well entrenched in the area.
With that being said, it's important to develop a relationship with your pharmacist when on these type of meds. The problem with the "chain" pharmacies is multiple: (1) The pharmacist usually change like the wind, which isn't good for your situation, (2) Many of the techs are college students or young people who don't know much and often jump to conclusions, and (3) They are regulated by higher ups who are paranoid about narcotics. Because there is so much variation among them, I avoid them at all costs. Target may be good in one area, and bad in another....Same with CVS and etc. I think what it comes down to is the pharmacists at each store....If they've been there a long time, things are great. If not, then just the opposite.
Conversely, because the independent pharmacists runs his/her own business, they call all the shots. They WANT patients because they make $ off each script. They almost always have the best customer service. I feel like my pharmacist is an extension of my doc.
Good luck!
With that being said, it's important to develop a relationship with your pharmacist when on these type of meds. The problem with the "chain" pharmacies is multiple: (1) The pharmacist usually change like the wind, which isn't good for your situation, (2) Many of the techs are college students or young people who don't know much and often jump to conclusions, and (3) They are regulated by higher ups who are paranoid about narcotics. Because there is so much variation among them, I avoid them at all costs. Target may be good in one area, and bad in another....Same with CVS and etc. I think what it comes down to is the pharmacists at each store....If they've been there a long time, things are great. If not, then just the opposite.
Conversely, because the independent pharmacists runs his/her own business, they call all the shots. They WANT patients because they make $ off each script. They almost always have the best customer service. I feel like my pharmacist is an extension of my doc.
Good luck!
painaway
01-22-2008, 11:08 PM
That is a GREAT point, Young Professor! The family-owned pharmacies want your money and need your business, and therefore, they are much more amicable! I say go for the change as soon as you can!! ;)
Executor
01-22-2008, 11:25 PM
Yes, painaway....And because they OWN the business, they are focused on customer service. Unfortunately, most of the "chains" have much different operating cultures. They are notorious for overworking their staff, turnover, and a bevy of other issues. Therefore, I think it's more plausible that you and your condition can get caught in the middle. I'm a firm believer that your pharmacist should be an extension of your Doc, especially if you are PM patient.
painaway
01-22-2008, 11:55 PM
Well said. :D
sammyo1
01-23-2008, 07:37 AM
Thanks guys, but do you think it is ok to ask aobut what generics are used when I switch? How do I go about that & make them understand I am not a drug seeker but a person who just wants the best pain control I can get from the meds prescribed? also what is the generic that works well for the oxy, would the pharmacist be honest if I were to ask? As I said I wish I would have done this before going for surgery. Thanks Sammy
Fabrashamx
01-23-2008, 02:37 PM
Hey Sammy, I have noticed that most pharmacists, not all, but most, will scoff and insist all generics are the same, because of federal law.
We here know better, so before switching, I would just call and ask if they provide generics for your meds, and if so, what brand. I can't imagine they would refuse to answer, and then you know going in that they carry what you need, otherwise, youre half way through switching over and find out they carry the one you dont want, and you have to back out, that might make them give you the stink eye, lol but I dont care about them, I care about you, and the first way would be the easiest on you.
You also might poke around on a pharmacys website, it might have that info there.
Best of luck, and let us know how it goes. and dont stay anywhere that doesnt act like they want your business, if we all 'vote with our feet' by refusing to use pharmacies that treat CPer's badly, I can almost bet that they would start educating their employees on dependence vs addictions.
Hugs, Fabby
We here know better, so before switching, I would just call and ask if they provide generics for your meds, and if so, what brand. I can't imagine they would refuse to answer, and then you know going in that they carry what you need, otherwise, youre half way through switching over and find out they carry the one you dont want, and you have to back out, that might make them give you the stink eye, lol but I dont care about them, I care about you, and the first way would be the easiest on you.
You also might poke around on a pharmacys website, it might have that info there.
Best of luck, and let us know how it goes. and dont stay anywhere that doesnt act like they want your business, if we all 'vote with our feet' by refusing to use pharmacies that treat CPer's badly, I can almost bet that they would start educating their employees on dependence vs addictions.
Hugs, Fabby
Executor
01-23-2008, 11:42 PM
Fab is right.....Call the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist and ask them the questions. I'd be upfront and say that you are looking to establish a relationship with them and before you switch everything to them, you are inquiring about which generics, or brands they stock. Also, if a pharmacy knows you will be a regular patient, they will stock something for you that they wouldn't otherwise. I wouldn't get into why you are changing & etc....This opens up to many follow up questions and doubts.
Finally, the whole issue about generics is a pandora's box. Most patients and pharmacists know that certain brand drugs are better. However, from a Fed Gov't / FDA standpoint, either a generic meets the qualifications or they don't. There isn't any kind of rating scale and I don't think too many pharmacists or pharmacies get into "this generic is better than that generic so I'll stock this one instead." Most generics are stocked based solely on price and availability....Meaning the pharmacy will normally stock the lowest priced generic they can get so when the insurance reimburses them for the difference, they make more money. Also, every pharmacy purchases from a distributor somewhere, and they will normally stock what the distributor stocks or sends them.
If you feel the brand is exponentially better for you, ask your Doc if he/she will write "brand name medically necessary" on the script. In most cases, the insurance company will approve it and only charge you the generic co pay. This of course depends on your individual Rx policy, but most do have that provision.
Good luck!
Finally, the whole issue about generics is a pandora's box. Most patients and pharmacists know that certain brand drugs are better. However, from a Fed Gov't / FDA standpoint, either a generic meets the qualifications or they don't. There isn't any kind of rating scale and I don't think too many pharmacists or pharmacies get into "this generic is better than that generic so I'll stock this one instead." Most generics are stocked based solely on price and availability....Meaning the pharmacy will normally stock the lowest priced generic they can get so when the insurance reimburses them for the difference, they make more money. Also, every pharmacy purchases from a distributor somewhere, and they will normally stock what the distributor stocks or sends them.
If you feel the brand is exponentially better for you, ask your Doc if he/she will write "brand name medically necessary" on the script. In most cases, the insurance company will approve it and only charge you the generic co pay. This of course depends on your individual Rx policy, but most do have that provision.
Good luck!
skych
01-24-2008, 01:18 AM
Hello,
This is a great topic Sammy.
I recenntly was thinking of changing my Pharmacy because I have sort of stopped shopping at a particular grocery store because I found a save Mart and it has the best produce and meat in this town.
A friend was telling me that the pharmacy never has long lines and has one of those cards that every time you fill a prescription they punch it and then after 10 or something like that you get 10 dollars off.
I have no issue really at all with the people at the pharmacy because they all know me and call me by name. I have been going there for years. But I generally used them because I bought my groceries there but now I find myself buying my meat and produce always at the other store. Not to mention when I spend a certain amount on groceries on the store they give me a receipt that has a little scan thingy on it that discounts my gas buy 5-10 or more cents a gallon depending on what you spend in there grocery department.
See I only have a prescription discount card and let me tell you I spend a lot of money on prescriptions, The Cymbalta I take was 118 dollars with my old school insurance and then they switched carriers and the new one only offered the discount card. You think that one prescription would cost over 1100 bucks for the year. I get it free now from the lLilly company because I qualified for there program.
But would it really be worth it ti switch? I only go in that grocery store to get my scripts and seem sort of silly.
I guess it would not hurt to ask and maybe even compare prices if there wasa a way to do that.
Can you even ask that sort of a question and have a way for them to actually figure it out?
I would miss the people because I really do like them but it is all about saving a buck to me.
Chrissy
This is a great topic Sammy.
I recenntly was thinking of changing my Pharmacy because I have sort of stopped shopping at a particular grocery store because I found a save Mart and it has the best produce and meat in this town.
A friend was telling me that the pharmacy never has long lines and has one of those cards that every time you fill a prescription they punch it and then after 10 or something like that you get 10 dollars off.
I have no issue really at all with the people at the pharmacy because they all know me and call me by name. I have been going there for years. But I generally used them because I bought my groceries there but now I find myself buying my meat and produce always at the other store. Not to mention when I spend a certain amount on groceries on the store they give me a receipt that has a little scan thingy on it that discounts my gas buy 5-10 or more cents a gallon depending on what you spend in there grocery department.
See I only have a prescription discount card and let me tell you I spend a lot of money on prescriptions, The Cymbalta I take was 118 dollars with my old school insurance and then they switched carriers and the new one only offered the discount card. You think that one prescription would cost over 1100 bucks for the year. I get it free now from the lLilly company because I qualified for there program.
But would it really be worth it ti switch? I only go in that grocery store to get my scripts and seem sort of silly.
I guess it would not hurt to ask and maybe even compare prices if there wasa a way to do that.
Can you even ask that sort of a question and have a way for them to actually figure it out?
I would miss the people because I really do like them but it is all about saving a buck to me.
Chrissy
feelbad
01-24-2008, 11:36 AM
hey sammy.you know,there IS a flipside to being in the 'chain' pharms,at least i have had the benefit really help me many times.the thing about like walgreens is they have like about five of them around me all within just about a ten mile radius.when they have been out of a particular med,they can send me and my Rx to another one and it is still considered the 'same' pharm by my PM since all records are kind of accessable thru their computer systems.this "benefit' alone has saved me a ton of headaches thru the years,espescially when it came to my class IIs.since they wont fill a partial on my oxy,and i use the brand name only,this has been a godsend for me over the past four years i have had to be on this crap(they always carry my oxy now).i had used a target way back when cuz it was right next store to my primarys and it was NOT a great experience there at all either.i think that is more due to it being a major dept store with ALOT of one timers and no real continuity with many patients.where i am at right now with my WG has really been great and i have never had a huge problem that they couldn't help me with.but i am there ALOT between my meds,my sons meds and my hubbys stuff.they REALLY know me at this point.i don't even have to tell them my name anymore except when there is like one new person there or someone i don't know.
in your particular situation right now with that surgery coming up,this 'could" be a problem and what will you realistically be able to really do once that surgery is done,ya know what i mean?maybe doing this after your surgery is done and you are once again more stabilized on your meds may be a better idea if you want to switch then?are you going to be changing ALL yours and your familys stuff to this new one too?if you don't take everything to this new one,it may seem a bit odd to the new pharmacy,you know what i mean?just some thoughts to consider.
asking about the generics they use i wouldn't think would be an odd question if you preface it with ,while some generics are fine,i do know that with some particular generics,there can be bioavailibility problems and i KNOW that the FDA allows in some cases,a very wide margin of just how much real active ingredient goes into certain generics(this IS a fact and has been proven over and over again).they DO know this,espescially with all of the newer generic anti S meds that recently came out?there is a huge difference there with neurontin and the generic gabapentin,huge.just ask the epilepsy foundtion.i am going thru this nightmare(again,tho the first incident almost killed him) right now with my son who is taking trileptal for a bi polar disorder?he,two months ago,when the patent ran out on the tri,he got switched to the generic version of it,and has been suffering really horrid insomnia(we are talking days here with absolutely no sleep) about one month into the "new" generic.we just started him back onto the brand name yesterday to see if the generic is the problem.his doc agreed with me that this could be the problem,so we are doing it.this same kid almost lost his new liver only because we did not get the very same prednisone for one month that he had been fully stable for about a year on?it started the rejection process.got him to the hosp and back onto the deltasone he started out on and the rejection(after also a ton of other nasty steroids)process stopped and he went home about a week later back on track and we have had no problems(knock on wood here) since.go figure.this is how i found out about the alleged 'generic equivalent"back in 2001,from his Tx surgeon.pretty sick.the thing is,when they actually checked his pred level,it had been about 20% lower than it should have while on this wonderful generic equivalent.i myself had a huge problem with the endo version of the oxycontin.it was in no way shape or form the 'same" as the brand i had been on for like years.it just did nothing for my c spine pain and that is always where i feel that first release when i use the NB version.it never 'happened" with the endo.big nightmare there.
if you talk with any pharmacist about any generics just tell them you KNOW without a doubt there IS a very big difference with some generics.it is happening everywhere sammy.people who need meds that have whats called a narrow thereputic window/index(like Tx patients) and epilepsy patients,this is the group of people who are suffering the most.they just require very exacting doses of a med to keep some major 'consequence' from occuring.if they don't get that balance perfectly.they suffer some horrid event.i would do just a bit of research before speaking with any pharm just so you know your facts and can really speak from research to them.tackling this from that angle would really be your best bet and not make you sound like a drug seeker looking for the best high,you know what i mean?you just want the best med for your pain.
the thing is,if you really look,the research and the facts on this are out there.this is just being a well informed consumer and trying to get the best for your money and also protecting your family from certain types of 'events'.i sure wish i had known this way back before that incident almost killed my son.thats just so incredibly sick,really.i would actually show up at the pharm to speak with the new pharmacist and not do this over the phone.it would probably come across better,you know what i mean?
but like i mentioned before hon,you may want to wait til well after your surgery and not do this before or immediately after just in case there is some sort of problem.you are just going to be having to concentrate on yourself and really don;t need a pharmacy hassle while you are recovering from this shoulder crap,you know what i mean?i know i wouldn't go there with mine coming up.i got enough to worry about and i know you do too.just a thought hon.just really do some research before speaking with the new pharm.good luck sammy.keep us posted onwhat you end up doing.marcia
in your particular situation right now with that surgery coming up,this 'could" be a problem and what will you realistically be able to really do once that surgery is done,ya know what i mean?maybe doing this after your surgery is done and you are once again more stabilized on your meds may be a better idea if you want to switch then?are you going to be changing ALL yours and your familys stuff to this new one too?if you don't take everything to this new one,it may seem a bit odd to the new pharmacy,you know what i mean?just some thoughts to consider.
asking about the generics they use i wouldn't think would be an odd question if you preface it with ,while some generics are fine,i do know that with some particular generics,there can be bioavailibility problems and i KNOW that the FDA allows in some cases,a very wide margin of just how much real active ingredient goes into certain generics(this IS a fact and has been proven over and over again).they DO know this,espescially with all of the newer generic anti S meds that recently came out?there is a huge difference there with neurontin and the generic gabapentin,huge.just ask the epilepsy foundtion.i am going thru this nightmare(again,tho the first incident almost killed him) right now with my son who is taking trileptal for a bi polar disorder?he,two months ago,when the patent ran out on the tri,he got switched to the generic version of it,and has been suffering really horrid insomnia(we are talking days here with absolutely no sleep) about one month into the "new" generic.we just started him back onto the brand name yesterday to see if the generic is the problem.his doc agreed with me that this could be the problem,so we are doing it.this same kid almost lost his new liver only because we did not get the very same prednisone for one month that he had been fully stable for about a year on?it started the rejection process.got him to the hosp and back onto the deltasone he started out on and the rejection(after also a ton of other nasty steroids)process stopped and he went home about a week later back on track and we have had no problems(knock on wood here) since.go figure.this is how i found out about the alleged 'generic equivalent"back in 2001,from his Tx surgeon.pretty sick.the thing is,when they actually checked his pred level,it had been about 20% lower than it should have while on this wonderful generic equivalent.i myself had a huge problem with the endo version of the oxycontin.it was in no way shape or form the 'same" as the brand i had been on for like years.it just did nothing for my c spine pain and that is always where i feel that first release when i use the NB version.it never 'happened" with the endo.big nightmare there.
if you talk with any pharmacist about any generics just tell them you KNOW without a doubt there IS a very big difference with some generics.it is happening everywhere sammy.people who need meds that have whats called a narrow thereputic window/index(like Tx patients) and epilepsy patients,this is the group of people who are suffering the most.they just require very exacting doses of a med to keep some major 'consequence' from occuring.if they don't get that balance perfectly.they suffer some horrid event.i would do just a bit of research before speaking with any pharm just so you know your facts and can really speak from research to them.tackling this from that angle would really be your best bet and not make you sound like a drug seeker looking for the best high,you know what i mean?you just want the best med for your pain.
the thing is,if you really look,the research and the facts on this are out there.this is just being a well informed consumer and trying to get the best for your money and also protecting your family from certain types of 'events'.i sure wish i had known this way back before that incident almost killed my son.thats just so incredibly sick,really.i would actually show up at the pharm to speak with the new pharmacist and not do this over the phone.it would probably come across better,you know what i mean?
but like i mentioned before hon,you may want to wait til well after your surgery and not do this before or immediately after just in case there is some sort of problem.you are just going to be having to concentrate on yourself and really don;t need a pharmacy hassle while you are recovering from this shoulder crap,you know what i mean?i know i wouldn't go there with mine coming up.i got enough to worry about and i know you do too.just a thought hon.just really do some research before speaking with the new pharm.good luck sammy.keep us posted onwhat you end up doing.marcia
Executor
01-26-2008, 12:59 AM
I just wanted to add that if you use an independent pharmacy and develop a "relationship" with the owner/pharmacist, almost all will "stock" meds just for you....Meaning they stock and hold them with your name on them and only sell them to you....This means they'll never run out of your particular meds and don't have to ever worry about being short.
However, the previous poster makes good points about being able to use several Walgreens or whatever and the insurance considers it once pharmacy. Each individual patient has to decide what's important to them and decide from there. For me, I just couldn't handle the rapid change in pharmacists, especially given the meds I'm on. If you take basic stuff or non-narcotic meds, I don't think it's an issue.
However, the previous poster makes good points about being able to use several Walgreens or whatever and the insurance considers it once pharmacy. Each individual patient has to decide what's important to them and decide from there. For me, I just couldn't handle the rapid change in pharmacists, especially given the meds I'm on. If you take basic stuff or non-narcotic meds, I don't think it's an issue.