Pharmacy Problems?

I have been using Walgreen's pharmacy for my meds for years. I have had to switch which pharmacy I use a couple of times ,once due to a move but once because of poor treatment. I had an episode with one of them were my dr had repeatedly faxed over my script for Baclofen. I would call my dr to see if it had been sent and they would say yes so I would go to the pharmacy only to have the pharmacy tell me it had not been sent. This went on for a few hours with him at one point calling me drug addict (not those exact words but the meaning was the same) so I went up there and had my dr on my cell phone when I went in. There was a different person there by that time and when she asked my dr how many times they had faxed it over her mouth dropped when they answered. I complained to the corporate office and have never set foot in that location again.

I have a friend that has to get pain meds filled every week because of Chrones and this one girl turned away from him without turning off her mic and says "I don't know what this guy thinks is wrong with him that he has to get this filled every week" and another location got mad because my mother-in-law wanted her script transfered to another pharmacy and sent it at the wrong dosage...changed from 10 to 5.

There have been many times I have had to tell them to make sure and fill my Lortab with name brand (I am allergic to the filler used in generic) and they still don't and once my dr faxed over a script for 120 and the pharmacy gave me 240.

Yesterday, I went to get a medication filled for my daughter. I dropped it off at 11:15 and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. So, 20 minutes later we go back. I'm told they are working on it and it will be 5 more minutes. So we wait 5 minutes and go to the counter. I get up there and the girl is hateful. She looks at me and snaps that it's not ready yet. So, we are standing there another 15 minutes and she starts checking out someone else so I ask if ours is ready yet and she doesn't even look at me she just says no so I tell her we were told 20 minutes and she never says anything. When she gets done with him she walks off with even ackowledging that I had spoken. I stood there for a minute and then decided to talk to a manager. I am in the middle of complaining about her when SOMEONE else comes up to complain about her attitude. The manager says he'll take care of it but never goes back there. I get back to the pharmacy and she is throwing meds around and I go up and tell her that if our prescription is not ready to give me the written script bac and I will take it somewhere else. She says they are working on it right now andI am shocked and pointed out that she had told me that almost 20 minutes ago. I finally get the meds after almost an hour of waiting.

Ok, so finally here is my question......has anyone else had trouble with Walgreen's or any pharmacy?

[turbo236]

Good Morning,

I am not sure what part of the country you are from but I recall utilizing a Walgreens a few months ago and dealt with a not so friendly staff, particularly the technicians.  I am in the Military and sometimes use the pharmacy at the hospital on the base, so my standards of what is acceptable are pretty low.  I only fill Rx's from my PC doc at the base pharmacy, otherwise all my scripts are from my PM doc and I deal exclusively with the Albertsons Sav-On Pharmacy here in town.  The entire staff is extremely friendly, knows me by first name, and knows what meds I am taking and asks me about them every time I'm in there.  I would recommend that place to anyone.  Depending on where you live Albertsons may or may not be available, or may be under a different name.  It is part of the Supervalu chain, so there are a ton of stores and a ton of pharmacies that operate under the same company.  From the sound of things, I think any where you go will be better than the Walgreens you visited.  Good Luck with your search!

[FeCielo]

There are Albertson's here. I will contact them and find out about transfering my scripts. I have used Walgreen's because I love the convenience of being able to order and track my scripts on-line but the attitude and problems are just not worth it anymore.

[turbo236]

I cannot guarantee that the staff there will be as wonderful as the one that I work with, but there is no way that it will be anything like Walgreens!  I'm not sure about tracking meds online, it may be a possibility but I've never done it.  All you have to do is give them a call and they should be able to capture all of your scripts from any others pharmacies.  Hopefully it works out for you, I'd hate to think I sent someone in the wrong direction, and would hate to hear of Albertsons letting me down!  Let me know how it goes...

[FeCielo]

I was wrong about Albertson's. They have all been purchased by Food Pyramid, at least where I live they have. Does anyone know a great or even good pharmacy in the Tulsa or Broken Arrow Oklahoma area?

[sandee1818]

I have told the community about my pharmacy troubles many times. I now use walgreens but they are great. They know what meds I take and the brand I take and make sure they have them when I come in. Now this is not true of all walgreens, I have had trouble with other walgreens. mainly the pharmasist acting like he is a doctor and can tell me that I do not need this med and why am I taking it and so on. I told him and others frankly and rudly that they are merely the pharmasist and they are not doctors and they are there to somply DO what the doctor tells them to do. They think they can withhold scripts because they think your an addict. I even had one keep my script and refuse to fill it! I had to call my doctor and he told the guy to give back my script and that he was calling the police. Well the ploice had to come and MAKE him give it to me. When the doc hands you the script it becomes your property. I can not stand these holier than thou pharmasist who try and make everyone who takes narcotics drug seekers and abusers! If they wanted to become doctors they should have done so and not try and dictate what I can and can not take!

I think it depends on the people and not the pharmacy itself. I have gone to walgreens where they are so hateful and they descriminate against you for taking the meds we take. I have also been to and use a walgreens where they are so nice and even ask how my girls are everytime I go in. they keep a certain brand in stock just for me.
I also have used a small town pharmacy for years until they went out of business and they were great! the pharmasist would even loan me meds if I ran out before I went back to the doctor. I would suggest finding a small mom and pop pharmacy as they are cheaper too.
sorry about my spelling errors! My spell check still ins't working!

[MontanaGurl]

I used to use Albertson's but, they were just awful to me ( to long to tell story ) I have switched to Walgreens and have experienced crabby pharmacists and have had comments about my meds because the only thing I usually get is narcotic pain meds.  They actually told me once that was I actually taking all of these pills.  I told them yes, if you are blind and can't see that I am in a wheel chair and have a cast on my top 1/2 and have1/2 my head and chin in stitches than I am not sure I want you messing with those pills.  Well, needless to say he glared at me but, I got my meds with no more backtalk.  I am kinda outspoken and tend to have a name for getting mad at them when they say one thing and do another.  So, they have started to just do their job and keep out of my way.  

[FeCielo]

I do not hesitate to speak up when I have problems and I will usually try and resolve any issues with a manager but on two occasions.....one of them being yesterday I will and do report them to Walgreen's corporate office. I have not gotten a response back yet but I don't feel like it's right to be treated rudely. They need to stop and remember that without their customers they would not be making money. In my complaint to corp I pointed out to them that I have had trouble at more than one of their stores and told them that it seems as though a lot of their employees do not care at all about their customers and ended with the question "Is that really the type of reputation you want your company to have?"

[MontanaGurl]

I sometimes use the local pharmacy which is kinda mom and pop place.  But I tolerate my guys at Walgreen's cause of the 24 hour open thing cause sometimes I have late appts and need to get them that day and also cause of the price being lower.  But, I am not rich by any means and sometimes cannot get my meds the same day cause I don't have the cash on me until my husband gets paid so I take scripts with me home and use the local pharmacy on payday.  But they are expensive!  Either way I get the job done.  I have another question above and beyond meds.........

[MontanaGurl]

I am still in my TLSO (cast sorta thing that wraps around my back, sides and chest/stomach, from my neck to my pelvis).  I was told recently by my Orthopedic surgeon, who by the way only did my shoulder cause I had my back and pelvis done in Seattle tell me to goahead and have my P.T. (physical therapist) help me set up without the brace on.  I am scared to do this cause I am only 3 months and 5 days past my accident and my physiatrist (doctor who studies movement) tell me to not do that and only take it off for 5 minutes at a time while setting up in my wheel chair.  I have also been told to goahead and roll onto my stomach if I want.  Well, I have slept on my back since accident and do roll over to put brace on and off but only on my side.  I really want to roll onto my stomach  if nothing else at least to stretch cause it has been so long since I have been on my stomach, but, I keep thinking that the holes were the rod is fixed to my spine are not healed or calused with bone and if I twist to much or roll like that to my stomach that the pressure will pop them out and paralize me or hurt me.  I sound like a worry wort but, I don't know if this is a normal thing to think about or not.  Also I have skin/tissue numbness on my back and right side and shoulder down to elbow so when i roll to side to put brace on/off it feels funny and I cant tell if it is the numbness feeling funky or it is that I can feel the rod in my back,  Can you feel the rods in your back?  I need help in more than one way....  any suggestions?

[sandee1818]

I am not familiar with how the rods should feel but I will do some research for you and get back to you. As far as going ahead with the PT I would suggest you wait until you feel your ready. If the doctor who done the procedure is not available then I assume your relying on your current doctor and thats fine but let him know you feel your not ready. it is very normal to feel scared of doing things like this after a major procedure like you had so don't worry about feeling scared. If the doctor feels your ready to roll on your stomach and you have had sufficent healing time then try it but just be very creful at first and go very slowly and if you feel any discomfort then stop and talk to the doctor about it. Do you feel comfortable with this doctor taking care of your follow up, do you trust he is qualified to do so? If not please get a second opinion. It is definatly worth it becuase you know the amount of pain you have went through and you do not want to damage any of the work done and have more pain to deal with.
I think it would be a good idea to do what was suggested to you and take it a step at a time and start from 5 minutes and work your self up to the point of PT and so on.
I hope I have helped a little. if you would like you can repost your question so it will be seen and you can get more advice and opinions from others here that have been through what your going through.

[sandee1818]

I am not familiar with how the rods should feel but I will do some research for you and get back to you. As far as going ahead with the PT I would suggest you wait until you feel your ready. If the doctor who done the procedure is not available then I assume your relying on your current doctor and thats fine but let him know you feel your not ready. it is very normal to feel scared of doing things like this after a major procedure like you had so don't worry about feeling scared. If the doctor feels your ready to roll on your stomach and you have had sufficent healing time then try it but just be very creful at first and go very slowly and if you feel any discomfort then stop and talk to the doctor about it. Do you feel comfortable with this doctor taking care of your follow up, do you trust he is qualified to do so? If not please get a second opinion. It is definatly worth it becuase you know the amount of pain you have went through and you do not want to damage any of the work done and have more pain to deal with.
I think it would be a good idea to do what was suggested to you and take it a step at a time and start from 5 minutes and work your self up to the point of PT and so on.
I hope I have helped a little. if you would like you can repost your question so it will be seen and you can get more advice and opinions from others here that have been through what your going through.

[MontanaGurl]

I am still in my TLSO (cast sorta thing that wraps around my back, sides and chest/stomach, from my neck to my pelvis).  I was told recently by my Orthopedic surgeon, who by the way only did my shoulder cause I had my back and pelvis done in Seattle tell me to goahead and have my P.T. (physical therapist) help me set up without the brace on.  I am scared to do this cause I am only 3 months and 5 days past my accident and my physiatrist (doctor who studies movement) tell me to not do that and only take it off for 5 minutes at a time while setting up in my wheel chair.  I have also been told to goahead and roll onto my stomach if I want.  Well, I have slept on my back since accident and do roll over to put brace on and off but only on my side.  I really want to roll onto my stomach  if nothing else at least to stretch cause it has been so long since I have been on my stomach, but, I keep thinking that the holes were the rod is fixed to my spine are not healed or calused with bone and if I twist to much or roll like that to my stomach that the pressure will pop them out and paralize me or hurt me.  I sound like a worry wort but, I don't know if this is a normal thing to think about or not.  Also I have skin/tissue numbness on my back and right side and shoulder down to elbow so when i roll to side to put brace on/off it feels funny and I cant tell if it is the numbness feeling funky or it is that I can feel the rod in my back,  Can you feel the rods in your back?  I need help in more than one way....  any suggestions?

[nurseaudrea]

Did you have rods put in your spine? If so then you should not worry about them "popping out". I also have rods and screws. By 3 months after my surgery I was already getting on a bike and riding several miles. My doctor told me to do what I felt comfortable with. It did hurt, but I just took pain meds afterwards. It was not excruciating, just really really sore afterwards. Your rods are screwed into your spine and cannot "pop" out unless you have a bad fall or something like that to disrupt them. I don't think rolling onto your back at this point could make the rod move. Your bones should have done a lot of healing in 3 months time. For a normal bone to heal from a fracture it usually only takes about 6 weeks to mend back together. You have had twice that amount of time. I would talk to your doctor if you were scared about it though. Only your doctor knows your unique conditions. Everyone is diffirent. Hope that helps, and good luck.

[sandee1818]

Hi
   I am so sorry I should have told you the steps to repost your question so others will see it. Go to the main page and see the post question and proceed from there just as you did with your previous post. This way you will have a new title and the other members will see you have an addional questions. I would do it for you but it would shoe my insigna instead of yours. I f you need help please let me know:)

[Tuckamore]

I am very sorry to hear about your issues at the Walgreen's you are using. It is that particular store. I too have told my nightmare stories with pharmacies before so I won't bore anyone BUT it was a Walgreen's store also.

For 8 years I used the same Walgreen's and I cannot tell you how professional, caring and accurate they were. They seemed genuinely concerned about my well being and always wished me well. I no longer work in that community so it is more convenient for me to use my hometown Walgreen's or the one in the town where my husband practices his career.  One of the locations treat me very similarly to how you have been treated. The entire staff is short and abrupt and often down right rude and belittling. The other Walgreen's is almost as kind and helpful as the one I used for 8 years.

In my opinion it is the Manager that sets the mood for the entire pharmacy. If the Managing Pharmacist is a hard nose, burned out, opinionated task master his/her staff will reflect the same attitude. So get to know the Manager and that will tell you a lot about how you will be treated. If you have the energy, write to the corporate headquarters stating your displeasure. Pharmacists are in high demand and are paid extremely well. They call the shots. Unfortunately owners (and franchises) are reluctant to discipline them.  Pharmacist are ppl too and there are god and bad in all professions.

Good luck to you. I hope you will find a workable solution to your problem with them. Frankly if letters and verbal complaints did not change the way I was treated, I'd find another pharmacy.

Good Luck, Tuckamore

[Ghilly]

I had nothing but problems over the years with the large chain store pharmacies, and especially Walgreens and CVS, so for the last seven years I have used nothing but our local Mom and Pop pharmacy.  It started out as part of the Medicine Shoppe chain but the owner got out of the franchise and now it's his own pharmacy bearing his own name.  I have a credit account there, which is wonderful, because that way if the schedule works its way around the calendar so that my prescriptions are getting filled at a time of the month when we're waiting for money to come in, I can pick up my meds and pay for them when my check comes in at the beginning of the month.  If it was a few dollars it wouldn't be so bad, but between my oxycodone pills and oxycodone drops my monthly pharmacy bill is $390!!!!  And since I don't have prescription insurance I  have to pay for it all out of pocket, so being able to have a credit account is a lifesaver!

Ghilly

[Boxerluver]

I wish pharmacist's knew the effect they can have. We had just moved to a small town when I started pain management. I was using a pharmacy in Winn Dixie. They were always rude to me and over time things got worse. Every time I went in they would blame a pharmacist that wasn't there and said he forgot to order my meds so I had to wait or go elsewhere and I was afraid to do that as we are supposed to use 1 pharmacy.  The last straw was on Christmas Eve. I had my appointment and went in to the store about 3 pm and of course they said it never got ordered.  Now I had just called in days earlier to remind them. That they deliberatly did that knowing I was going to be without meds for 4 days just really hurt me. They could care less if they ruined me and my families Christmas with me being in pain.  Being a small town, most everything had already closed and would remain so until Monday. I was so lucky that the hospital pharmacy had some in stock and would stay open to allow me to run over there(a whole mile). I spoke with my doc at my next appointment and he was livid I was treated that way and said to go somewhere else immediately and he would tell all his other patients NOT to go there.

I can remember times waiting for my perscription there and watching as they were best friends  with all the other customers, smilimg and laughing and then when it was my turn they became curt and all smiles disappeared.  It really hurt and I left many days in tears.

[FeCielo]

That's how I have felt with a few of the Walgreen's locations here. A lot of the employees just do not seem to care at all and it gets really frustrating.

[kitten246]

Myself and my boyfriend have both had probs w/Walgreens in sev diff cities actually.  I don't know what what they're taught there or why they act the way they do toward people w/chronic pain issues who get scripts for pain meds but they are just positively horrible!

[Sara72]

Hi!  I see I'm several days late on posting to this conversation, but I can so relate to everyone here!  I am on a few different meds, one of them MS Contin, another Alprazolam (only .5mg/day), and I already left one CVS for another, bigger (24-hr) one.  It's a **** shot as to the pharmacist I am going to get, but there are a couple I know to avoid.  I very rarely ever need an early refill, and by early, I mean day 29 rather than day 30.  I personally requested a decrease in my meds (not for lack of pain, but because I felt at the time I just don't want to spend my life on this stuff, and it's been 2 yrs so far) and I have gone down 15mg/day on the MS Contin.  It took me a while to just get used to that.  Anyhow, my point in saying that was if I was a junkie looking for a fix, I wouldn't be asking for less.  But, every once in a while I do need an extra one on the bad days, and I have run out of my last day's pills once before.  They would not fill my prescription 3 hours before the clock turned midnight to make it day '30'.  Another pharmacist is fine and has no problem filling within two days, but this other woman I can tell gives me a hard time just because she CAN.  She gives me all the looks, gives me a hard time, and as I said, I can relate to other peoples' experience here because I have been there!  Today happens to be another one of those days. Today is another one of those days- I had a major flare-up last week of pain, and have enough to get me through day 29, but I won't have any in the morning, which I need getting out of bed in the morning just to get going and be able to move around.  Wish me luck tonite!  I really really wish there were a decent pharmacy around here, but I know of NO mom-and-pop stores around here anymore.  If others could only walk a mile in our shoes some days......

[jimgreg]

yes i agree they lable people that have problems..i wont go to Walgreen's ever again..i use to get methadone there they would say do you take this as prescribed..i would say i take as needed..just to tic them off..cuz anyone thats been on narcotic's  no,s that you just don't take when you want to..so i go to cvs...and they are so nice there to me...i get 120 methadone's a month..no one ever says anything..except Will order you some more for next month..Walgreen's wouldnt never have it..and i couldnt go anywere but the Walgreen's i have a contract from my pain m ....thanks james

[kiddthekatt]

  I also had a horrible experience with Walgreens. I now use the pharmacy at Walmart and they are wonderful. I have to take several narcotic pain relievers and muscle relaxers, and I've never had a bit of trouble with the ladies at Walmart. The pharmacist makes sure that she orders my meds every month so that she'll have them on hand.

   The last day I used Walgreens, the girl behind the counter was hateful, and obnoxious asking me if I was addicted or what?? I found the store manager and took him back to the pharmacy with me. I told her to repeat what she had said to me. She did, and the manager was lost for words. I told her to hand me my scripts back that I would no longer be using their store.  I've used Walmart since then. They need to learn their place and just do their job.


gentle hugs
Angel