My doctor changed my prescription and my pharmacy is giving me problems

[babymiffy]

I have anxiety disorder with agoraphobia. Today my doctor changed my xanax from 2.5 mg/day to 3 mg/day. After my doctor appointment I went to the pharmacy, which is Walmart (don't even get me started on that, not enough time in the day) Anyhow, I had to pick up my Wellbutrin SR, which they screwed up and I had to wait an extra 20 minutes when it was called in on March 27th. While I was waiting on their screw up I asked the pharmacist if I was able to pick up my new xanax script, too since I am agoraphobic, I lt iterally leave my house to go to my appointments and to the pharmacy and even that is really hard for me. The pharmacist tried to tell me that my prescription didn't change and that it was.  too early since I got them filled on the 28th. I argued with him up and down that the doctor change my prescription. He looked at me and said I'm not lying to you in a nasty tone with a smirk on his face. I was so pissed that tears were welling up in my eyes and I stormed off and went into the jewelry section and called my doctor's office. It turned out the nurse didn't see on the paper that the doctor changed my dose. She apologized a million times and told me she would call the pharmacy right away. I waited 10 minutes and went back to the same pharmacist. The ******* acted like this was the first time he saw me all day and said "Can I help you?" like nothing ever happened. I said in a stern tone " I was just here talking to you about my doctor changing my prescription and was wondering if you got the call from my nurse yet saying that my doctor DID IN FACT change my prescription?" You could tell he felt dumb and was like Let me check...5 minutes went past and he was like Yeah, it was called in, 3 mg of xanax a day,right? I was thinking Are you f***ing kidding me? YES! yes, 3 mgs a day like I have been telling you all this time. Then he said "Yeah, it's still too early" I seriously yelled at him "ALL I WANTED TO KNOW THIS TIME IS IF MY NURSE CALLED IN MY PRESCRIPTION!" and stormed off and left. I didn't even care anymore about whether I could pick them up. I was furious. This man was so unprofessional and talked to me like I was a 5 year old child. Anyway, I always thought if a new script was wrote with a higher dose that you could get it filled no matter what since it's technically a brand new prescription.. Is this true? Also, I want to change pharmacies. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[lisette623]

Yes a change in dosage means the pharmacy has to accomodate the drs request

[specialmom]

Hi there.  I'm going to make a comment to try to help so you don't stew on this any longer.  First, I'm sorry you had a bad experience when out and about.  That stinks especially since you already have difficulty with this.  However, I do not think the pharmacist did anything wrong.  Remember that Xanax is an addictive medication that drug seekers look for.  A customer telling him that they want to pick up their meds earlier than the script says and that it is now for a stronger strength with no support for that is a red flag.  All the pharmacist knew was what was in the system with regards to your old script.  He couldn't give you that medication as it would have been illegal for him to do so.  Your doctors office had not yet called it in----  that was their mistake.  But the pharmacist is not to blame for that.  

And not remembering you is not that uncommon in a busy place like Walmart.  I've been surprised when I interacted with someone such as those people that walk the floors approaching you to sell things and I talk to them for a bit, leave that area and return --  they spot me and don't recall having just talked to me 10 minutes ago and launch into their pitch again.  It's a symptom of dealing with lots of people.  The front people at a pharmacy are rarely the pharmacist themselves but pharm techs which are hourly employees that talk to people all day long.  

So, I just don't want you to stew on this.  He could have been friendlier but you probably got his warning flags up when you were suggesting a higher dose Xanax earlier than you are supposed to need more pills.  

I wouldn't allow this situation to cause you more anxiety. And certainly change pharmacies if you so desire.  A smaller, locally owned one may be a better fit for you.  good luck hon

[clement4now]

You're welcome :)

If you do end up writing a letter to the corporate office, you might also consider sending the same letter to the store manager of that particular Walmart that you had problems with...

Hang in there; I know it can be frustrating at times.

[babymiffy]

Thank you for taking the time for reading my post and giving me advice. I really appreciate it.

Trust me, I AM going to find a new pharmacy. I just can't deal with all the mistakes and the way I've been treated, which in my opinion is because I'm prescribed a benzodiazepine. I've been dealing with this for the past 6 years and I'm done. I feel like writing a letter to corporate but I don't know how much good that would do since it is WalMart.

I am going to call my nurse and therapist on Monday and see what their opinion is on the matter. Again, thank you for your time and advice. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this world :)

[clement4now]

Personally, I wouldn't use Walmart any more if I were treated the way you were. It does sound like the miscommunication between your doctor's office and the Walmart pharmacy helped confuse the situation even more...

As far as I know, as long as the new script is filled within 7 days (sometimes up to 14 days or more, depending on what the state guidelines are) of the date it was issued to you on, you shouldn't have a problem with having it filled. If you try to get it filled early or before the date on the script, usually they won't fill it (by law they aren't supposed to).  Another thing that I have learned, is that if you have numerous prescriptions that you turn in or try to have filled around the same time, the pharmacists may become suspicious.  This has happened to me when I've gone to have two of my prescriptions filled, plus pick up another...

My suggestion for you would be to find a pharmacy/drugstore with a decent reputation, and stick with it. Ask your doctor's office if they could recommend a particular pharmacy for better service.

Good Luck