update

[Shanna707]

Just wanted to update anyone who had seen my post about my doc being on military leave and his partner not filling my pain script.  Somehow my doc wrote the script finally and the medical assist called me and allowed me to come pick it up after I was firm about the reasons for needing the script.  Even when a person takes an opiate exactly as ordered, their is a high chance of w/d symptoms if on the med for a prolonged period as in chronic pain issues.  I've been getting the same script for several months and did not know he had a leave coming up.  I shouldn't have to track my doc down while under care with no plans to change my usual monthly script.  This is an occurance that has never been an issue b4.  It was a horrible experience though because the lack of meds for a few days put my body into such stress, that I am now into a rheumatoid flare up.

[sandee1818]

A few years ago the DEA stopped PM doctors from writing three months worth of prescriptions such as Oxycontin with each one post dated. This decision was reversed and doctors can now again do this. They can write three post dated prescriptions each one will say do not fill until * ** ****. This is the way I used to get mine done. I would see the doctor every three months for my prescriptions. Since the DEA stopped it and then reversed that decision the doctors found they were losing money by their Pt's coming in every three months so most now require that each Pt comes in every month. There are some that will do three month prescriptions for Pt's living a long ways from their practice.
Of course this is the opinion of several articles I read and my own, that after the doctors were no longer allowed to write three month prescriptions thy realized how much money they were losing. I know of alot of PM doctors that allow their Pt's to just come in and pay and pick up their prescriptions but have to see them every three months. SO they still see the Pt's 4 times a year but get paid for 12 months:)

[opus88]

it is possible to get a script on file in the pharmacy...my PMP is miles away and he fax's them in as required, but the pharmacy always tells me how many are on hand, after I have filled my monthly supply.....I still wouldn't be able to fill the extra before my month is up but I always know they are there in case of the problems others have run into.

[geminigirl1963]

It may also depend on what medication you are taking and what your insurance company will cover (if you have drug coverage).  Some narcotic pain medications - for instance the Duragesic patch - can only be filled one month at a time and insurance definitely will not pay for more than that.  Something my rheumy did for me with the Duragesic script if she was going to be out of town when I would be due the refill is a) she would make sure I knew she was going to be out of town when my refill would normally be due and b) she would (only occassionally) give me a post-dated script written for the date that it would be due.  That way I was covered by being able to get my meds on time and she also was covered by not refilling a script too early -- any pharmacy is going to look at the date on the script before they fill it.  I did run into a situation only one time when she forgot to let me know she was going to be out of town (she's in practice with her husband so he was also out of town and could not cover the script), but when I called the office to request the script, they apologized to me, were able to get in touch with her via phone and they called in a script for a pretty hefty dose of Vicodin to cover me until she got back.  It definitely wasn't the same as the Duragesic, but at least it was enough to take the edge off and avoid miserable w/d symptoms.  Neither of us ever made that same mistake again.

I definitely agree with speaking with your doctor when he returns and explain exactly the trouble you went through - both physically and emotionally - while he was gone.

[Shanna707]

That's a good idea.  I will check with my doc about future scripts when he official is back in the office.  The problem is he is not a pain management doc., so I'm not sure what his limitations are with giving more than one month of meds at at time.  I've been seeing him about a year and a half and he has always give only one month at a time.

[concerned621]

My doctor travels all the time to Europe. The rule in his office is chronic pain patients go in every 3 months and he gives us 3 months worth of pain meds. And he lets us know when he will be out of town so we can plan ahead. It's not up to you to work around your doctors schedule.  In the future can he give you written prescriptions in advance? Best of luck and I hope the flare up doesn't last long.  

[sandee1818]

I am so glad you have finally got your medications! Maybe you should bring this issue up to your doctor when you see him again:)