HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Need Prednisone but doctor can't see me for at least a month

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/18/2017 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had any major flares with my UC since my last colonoscopy two years ago, so I haven't been in. I think I forgot to schedule a yearly appointment, since I have been in remission, for the most part. about three weeks ago I started to flare and around 10 days ago I started having major joint/ligament issues. I have Enthesitis and I think that is what is giving me all of the pain. I tend to have joint issues when I flare. I called my Rheumatologist and he can't see me until at least June. I called my GI and the nurse said she wouldn't write me a prescription for Pred, since I haven't been in for two years. She said she could try and work me in sometime in the next 30 days, but I would have to sit for awhile. I can't wait 30 days. I am pretty much just having to stay at home, during this flare. I contacted a local urgent care to see if they could write me a prescription (I wanted to check before I went in) and they said they couldn't, since UC is a chronic condition. Has anyone been in this situation? Where should I go? Do I need to just go to the ER? I should also add that the PCP I have had for probably 25 years stopped carrying my insurance, so that isn't an option either.

Thanks!
Posted 4/18/2017 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Your story is the very reason I drive an hour once a year to see my GI. Keeping on good terms so when I need an RX phoned in they do it.

Once in the middle of the year I needed an RX renewed and they said "Come in for an appointment." I said "no" told them I live an hour away. Nurse called back and apologized for receptionist and got the doctor to sign off and refill. Relationships are important. They make notes about us in our files and not all of them are medical haha.

Hope you don't have to go to ER but go if needed. My ER visit came on a Saturday when my PCP would not see me on Friday and my dermatologist (it was skin infection gone wild) couldn't see me either. You'd think having this many doctors I'd be covered but crap happens, just like with you.

Have you considered going into the office in person (not on a Monday) and telling your story and saying you'll wait all day on the off-chance you could be seen. Hard to turn someone away in person.
Posted 4/19/2017 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
You need a new PCP. Hopefully you can find one taking new patients now, and they can write the pred prescription.

Or, it would be cheaper to pay out of pocket for your old PCP, rather than pay ER co-pays.
Posted 4/19/2017 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I went to the ER when my GI specialist wasn't responding, and the ER doctor worked with my PCP and was more helpful that the specialist was. Fired the specialist right after that, BTW.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply