Time for Medication Refill

Another aspect of CP is this whole medication refill and having to deal with all that means. Never would I have known there might be such stigma and I admit this makes me feel very bad about myself at times. Now I know intellectually, I should not take this on but I do. Clearly for me anyway, there has been a real change since the recent DEA crackdown but what is hard for me is that I do everything by the book, never trying to refill early. Always the good girl.

It is a "Tale of two pharmacists". There is a young pharmacist at the Rite Aid I go to who is the nicest, most helpful person you could have but there is an older pharmacist who seems to enjoy humiliating people and will search for a problem when there is not one. He will stand there and look and look until he believes he has found something wrong. The young pharmacist has witnessed this and doesn't like it and has taken to writing very clearly when I can get refills. The obvious answer would be to go to the nice guy but it is just not always possible. It was so bad one day, I was in tears as I felt like so many of you do I know. I already feel terrible, don't want to be on these meds to begin with and have done nothing wrong and this guy is looking at me as if I am a criminal. It is enough for me to consider not taking them anymore. He couldn't believe it because finally I had had enough and I remained polite but close to tears asked him why he did this. I said I need a pharmacist to be part of my team and why is he grilling me. I asked in the future that he please direct his questions to the Dr. and not me. Mind you, I have my Imitrex and other meds filled here and if you add up what I spend, it is inexcusable to be treated this way.

Anyway, I do not guess I am asking for anything here as I have read with interest the many horror stories some of you have encountered. I am one of those "fair" people and dislike seeing anyone being treated unfairly and while I have no problem advocating for others, this is a new one for me, advocating for myself. Since this incident, I believe the nicer pharmacist has had a talk with the other guy because he has tried being much nicer but I know how he feels. This is so hard to explain to my partner or those not going through it so I mostly keep quiet. I know this stuff is nothing new for you guys but never would I have pictured a pharmacist questioning a prescription written by an MD. My Dr. is defiant about it and I believe the pharmacist has a problem with her which doesn't help but I refuse to take that on as well.

So I dread today and please say a little prayer for me that I get the nice pharmacist and no we do not have any "mom and pop" pharmacies here. In Denver yes, but I cannot go to Denver to refill meds. Thanks for just listening. Much appreciated. Rufous

Have you spoken to the store manager? I'm sure you aren't the only customer this person is alienating.

I definitely know how you feel about being judged. I hate getting medications filled. Its hard when you are dealing with a pain that is not obvious. People can be rude and judgmental. You shouldn't suffer because other people are lacking empathy. That is their problem.

Maybe in future suggest that this pharmacist should call your Dr if they have questions. You didn't prescribe it and are following a treatment plan set up by a medical profession who is knowledgeable about your complete medical record. If these are meds that you have taken before then you can just tell him that his opinion isn't necessary. His job isn't to judge you or your medical necessities. I'd definitely speak to the store manager.

Rufous, first of all you did nothing to cause your medical issues. No one in their right mind would what to go through the garbage we do. And yes there is this stigma that we live with. One thing I have learned living with chronic pain is you to become thick skinned so to speak. Absolutely advocate for yourself & speak up, lol. I would not only speak to the manager but would also be sending an email to corporate. That pharmacist works for you, he is being paid quite well to fill your scripts. If he ever questions you again or gets all snarkey, tell him to call your dr with his questions.

Good luck today.

I use a big chain pharmacy. I like them because the pharmacists keeps track of my meds and let's me know if any shouldn't go together or contains something I shouldn't take. They also know about my stomach issues so they always give me tips on the best way to take a medication so that I don't get sick.

I go to Rite Aid too, but I love my pharmacist, she knows me by name and knows when I walk in instead of using the drive thru I have my pain med script to be filled and she usually has it done in less then 10 minutes. I don't know what I would do without them, they are all great and treat me with respect.

I'm sorry for those of you that don't get treated with respect by your pharmacist it isn't right and they are working for you, not the other way around and they should be nice. I hope you get the nice one today!

What great responses. HaHa and what a breath of fresh air to talk to those who "get it". So many good points. Yes Susie, I am learning quickly that I will need a thicker skin and I am getting one.

One thing I absolutely agree with, is the pharmacist needs to call the Dr. with any and all questions. I didn't write the prescription and don't need a lecture on any of this and do they really think we enjoy taking this. I would give anything as most of you would that I did not need these things.

tidal, we honestly no longer have a smaller family owned business here anymore. The last one closed or I would go that way. Happy for all of you with good pharmacists.

The good news is the nice pharmacist was there today and couldn't have been nicer and told me on the side that they had had a talk about treating pain patients with respect. They were all super nice. I too spend plenty of money a year in there. Anyway, he is the opposite of the mean guy and has taken typing on the label when I can fill my script because the other guy had some kind of fuzzy math going where he kept moving in the wrong direction. He kept insisting two times ago that I had come in too early and I knew I hadn't and in fact came in late and he was forced to eat crow when he counted. I have never come in early but he is the type that will look at every word on the script for anything he can find which truly is really nothing.

Anyway it seems they might have had a change in policy. We'll see. I am beginning to get it though and I will advocate for myself but I sure would like to have someone who gets it, is non judgemental and on my side. Thanks for your support. I went in with a better attitude. Rufous

Shingles-next Thursday! Now that is crazy especially the face and eye but really any case because if you do not get those meds within a few days, they do not work. Yes, I am feeling really good about my pharmacist. What a great guy in the middle of all this and what a difference it makes. Rufous

Thanks mel, always appreciate your thoughtful responses. I am pleased with how my experience went and am satisfied that I have a very good relationship with the younger pharmacist for lack of a better description. He has made it clear I am to come to him or his assistant if I have any more problems and I don't really anticipate too many.

I would love to give the other pharmacist the benefit of the doubt and think he might have gotten himself in trouble with his counting but I do not think this is it as he gives too many lectures and voices too many opinions on pain meds. It is clear he has a bias and not just to me but to others. Truthfully, I believe he is somewhat threatened by the other pharmacist who gets along well and remains neutral which to me is how it should be. The pharmacist I like remains neutral with no power trips and it isn't as if "anything goes" with him. He has caught mistakes, etc but handles this professionally. I go to a board certified pain specialist who is an anethesiologist (sp) who did part of her training in a special program at the Mayo Clinic for those entering PM. She volunteers her time in other countries.

Fact is, I have never done anything to cause this pharmacist to have concern about me. Everyone else there knows me and I have a good relationship with them. I feel good that I have been assertive without the yelling, etc. I have to go with what we have here currently and it doesn't include any "Mom and Pop" pharmacies. The last one closed several years ago and they were a fixture here. So sad. Rents have become high and the chains move in and gone are the locals who cannot afford the rent. I feel good about what happened and I do bring scripts in early when I think they might have to order and they do this for me. Now that the nice guy has signaled that he has my back and will make sure I am treated fairly, I feel much better and just such a nice man too. So thanks to all. Onward to the next issue waiting for me as someone who has CP. I'm learning and not the least of it is joining this forum. Rufous

Hahaha..... Yeah, they should give cookies to us!

Thanks Rick. I needed that laugh.
*hugs*