Refills???

[Going2WinN2010]

ok this is gonna be a no brainer but its worth it...I had my appt. June 14th, didn't get my script filled until a week later due to how much out of pocket compared to my 10 co-pay...my question is does my doctor go by when my Percocet prescription was written or when it was filled? Do they EVEN know?? I'm just asking?? I was watching my pharmacist and once they finished filling my bottle the shredded the actual paper script?? So How would my doctor know?? So...Does it just show in my file that my script was picked up at my appt on June 14th or do they know when I ACTUALLY had it filled?

help??
Thanks in advance...

[Going2WinN2010]

WARNING-The following RANT is long and filled with anger-proceed with caution...Thank you for replying- I followed the advice you both gave---- I did call them...(boy, they are just so pleasant)  She Snapped at me as usual .....yesterday morning I called and explained the new instructions on my bottle ...So, she huffed and she puffed  said she would "look into it" I called back at 4:00 p.m. asked for "Crystal" & she said "I TOLD YOU I would Call YOU when I found out". I told her that "when I call I am never rude nor peskie and said they are my "CAREGIVERS" and I'm tired of them NOT CARING"! I told her they never ever call back when they say they are so therefore that Is why I called. I understand they are busy but again NO NEED to make patients feel like doo doo (Yes I said DO DO, NOT the Sh...T word) for simply trying to find out something that WILL matter come my next refill Im sure of it!!!
I ended the conversation with "I will be waiting to hear from you"...have a wonderful DAY!
Yikes-They make everything so hard on patients...I spoke to my friend that recommended this doctor and she told me at her appt June 7th she broke down and cried to the doctor telling him how his front office treats HIS patients (she has been with him for 6 years)  she told him how they snap at her on the phone-make her wait in the waiting area for over 30 minutes for a phone in script 2 days prior...she said he walked her out to the front desk area and said to his staff..."remember this face-her name- she has been with us for a long long time & I do believe you ALL can be more tolerant to all my patients needs or let me know & we can discuss other options for you"????  Obviously it did NOTHING to change them because they are still snots!!
If it isn't one thing with them it's another and Yes it makes my stress level go thru the roof!!! It makes me REALLY want to change doctors...Why do they make you feel awful for trying to FEEL GOOD???? I just want to be treated the way I TREAT people?? God-That's not asking for much??? is it????????????????

ok Im done Ranting!!

[RunningMom]

I bet that was a mistake on the doctors part.  I've noticed the instructions on my bottles have been off too, but the other way around.  My bottle says to take 2-4 percocet every 4 hours.  I know that is a mistake, as I only am suppost to take 2 every 4 hours.  Taking 4 is way too much tylenol.  

I'd leave a message with your doctor about this.  I don't know if there is anything that can be done with the insurance, as the insurance is very strict to what is written on paper.  The doctor does not understand how important this is.  

You will most likely be better of with a pain managmenet specialist.  I see them every two months and they give me two months of meds at a time unless the pain is unbearable or there is a med change.  Then I will go there more frequently.  I would bring any records or films/reports if you have them regarding your situation and why you need pain management.  

Good luck and I hope this is straightened out for you.  I can't imagine cutting back on my medications like this when the pain is so high.  I hope they work this out.

[namnam46]

Hi kIm,

Listen, Sweetie, before  you go and change your Dr. why don't you call them tomorrow and ASK why they changed the way that you Script is written. Maybe they didn't and maybe the Pharmacy might have made a mistake.

It's definitely something that you need to check out. I don't understand why you would have to change the way that youare taking your meds if it STILL says 1 or 2 EVERY FOUR to Six hours. Yo are taking 2 EVERY FOUR hours right now, aren't you? It says you can do that. they just added the option of waiting Six hours if you don't need them in Four hours.

I'll be honest with you I don't know that it would look very good if you change Dr.'s because of the way that they wrote your Scripts.

Maybe someone else will have a different opinion, but it seems that it SHOULD be alright the way that it is written.

Good Luck and let usknow what  your Dr. says.....Sherry

[Going2WinN2010]

Ok they are at it Once again!!!!! And I  Really for the love of God can not figure out my PCP???? I contacted them this morning at 8:45 a,m, and gave them my usual info in regard to my paper script for my pain meds  as they always instruct me to do which is " Call after 2:00 to check the status due PLUS due to the 4th of July they were closed yesterday and were overloaded with med refill calls". No problem I say, called back at 3:00 where I was told my script was ready. I get to my pharmacy and they have once again changed the instructions on the bottle?????!!!!! NOW it says "Take 1 every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain" as aposed to my previous rx reading "take every 4 hours as needed for pain"??? I am now on a mission to find a pain specialist I have to find SOMEONE that sticks to one thing and not changing it every other month?? So I am back to taking 2 a day according to these instructions.?? What a fiasco..At least they don't make me wait a month to refill...I am on a 15 day cycle which truly Pi$$es me Off.
So, any and all advice on how this will impact my meds?? Will it look like Im doctor shopping?? What do I say?? Do I get my records from my PCP right when I do find a Capable PS ...I live in Orlando this is the ONLY doctor I have seen in 6 months and prior to this idiot i was with my MD Phd PA, for 9 years and he was wonderful. Wish they all were like him...
So, again tell me what I should look for in a Pain Specialist?? Any and ALL advice WELCOME....

Hope everyone is pain free and that you all had a wonderful 4th of July!!!

God bless you all-
Kim

[mummy3too]

Well, It seems like the laws may be different in all the states. I know where I am, my PCP told me he was restricted as to what and how much and how often he could prescribe pain meds. Thats why we have the pain managment doctors, I suppose - because there we do sign a contract and we agree only to get our meds from them. (I know many of you know this already... it's info for the others) The pain doctors can prescribe a greater amount of pain meds without the same restrictions and the other great thing about them is they also offer alternative care to pain meds. Their sole reason for being in practice is to treat pain.

I personally think if your condition is temporary - stay with our PCP.

If your condition is chronic and probably a life long battle, your best bet is a pain doctor...and not a pcp.

With all that said, however, if you are happy where you are and it does not bother you to to get your scripts every 2 weeks, then stay - you are lucky if you find a doctor anywhere who is sympathetic and empathetic to your needs!!!

[mellie4]

My experience is like Tuck's.  I can pick up my script a bit early if needed, and I can pick up a new script at any time, as long as it's worded correctly.  For me, either the dosage needs to change or the directions need to change.  It can certainly get confusing.

My boyfriend's pain is managed by our primary care doctor.  She goes by the date the original script was written.  But this sometimes throws things off if the month is a long month.  

My pain clinic does not do a pain contract, but my primary care doctor does require a very basic contract if she's treating you for pain.  If it's a question of you throw your back out and need a prescription for, say, Percocet, then you don't have a contract; but if she's treating you for chronic pain, then she requires it.

I don't understand these doctors who let their patients go into withdrawal.  That just seems soooo wrong to me.  (And going into withdrawals is one of my biggest fears.)

[RunningMom]

When I was going to the PCP, he would only prescribe me a weekly supply of percocet.  I was getting harrassed by one of the operators due to the frequency of the calls.  What was I suppose to do?  The PCP was gracious enough to treat me until I found the pain management doctor.  I too, was taking pills every 4 hours and it still wasn't working for the pain.

I am at a wonderful clinic.  They try their best to treat my pain and they do not push any procedures.  I would never be turned down for a procedure either.  I do know that every doctor is different in the way they prescribe their meds.

Good luck and I hope your doctor doesn't let you WD ever again.

[Going2WinN2010]

I see a primary care physician, yes.. I believe that's what you were refering to with PCP..It's been very strange going to this doc but I'm really trying to build a relationship with them and not bounce to another doc. I know plenty that will just load ya up on pain meds and that's it...I want one that listens to me and I feel I can call when i have issues...so far they are like a puzzle..If I do find a DECENT Pain Specialist I may go? i dont know maybe I'm hurting myself trying to build their confidence in me. I just dont get the 15 day supply thing...but I guess it's better than nothing? I could be on 60 a month meaning 2 a day and I was truthful at my June 14th appt when I said "I am taking a pill every 4 hours..its controls the pain".
I do have my meds and im good for now...like i stated I never know when they're gonna pull their crap (front office) and tell me I cant pick up my script!! I can't go thru w/d's again...so hopefully when i was truthful about taking 1 every 4 hours and it prompeted her to rewrite the script to say take every 4 hours For pain as apposed to "take 1 every 4 hours or as needed for pain"..my pharmist said that I they will fill my script every 12 to 15 days due to the wording....who's right??? I dont know Im just along for the ride??? LOL...

happy 4th take-write back when ya can..
Kim

[RunningMom]

My pain clinic works a little different then this.  They do not go by the date I had my medications refilled.   I have what they call a track sheet.  The clinic goes by the first day they prescribed and my pain clinic keeps close tabs on this.  This makes it easier for them to do a pill count too.  With the pharmacy, I'm allowed to fill any prescription 6 days early according to my insurance.  

[pmartin1664]

Federal Law when written, certain drugs must be filled within time limitations. This is why some drugs can be filled up to 30 days from being written, others 12 months and others 36 hours

[mummy3too]

Are you seeing PCP? Maybe that is why the prescriptions are only a couple of weeks at a time. Have you been to pain managment?

Glad to know you are covered.... and not without.

[Going2WinN2010]

My doctor usually lets me pick up my paper script within 15 to 20 days due the way it is written NOW on my bottle: to take every 4 hours for pain. Just an FYI on my crazy doc... I had a paper script on the 10th which I filled and then had an Actually doctors appt on the 14th where I was given ANOTHER script .. I filled that script on the 21st which was "12 days" from my last one??? These are the same people that WOULDN'T give me a script back in May causing me to have miserable W/D for 11 days ????? They are SO screwed up...
I'm in Florida and I have a very crazy PCP and for some STRANGE reason they choose to make me go through this twice a month..So I obviously can get them filled it's dealing with the docors office. The past couple times have been fine now I'm not trying to jinx myself but I swear to Goodness if they put me through crap again next Thursday when i call in my refill to pick it up they had better not start again!!!
So, I  hope all this makes  my question about REFILLS understandable for Why I asked... I live confussed with this practice and thank you all for your advice..So appreciated!!
Thanks again-
Kim
I

[Tuckamore]

In my state it isn't necessarily true that you have to wait 31 days. It depends on how the prescription is written and what it is for. For example if the RX reads take one or two every four hours and you are prescribed enough to take two every four hours a new one can be written in say 27 days and it will be refilled.

One of the opiates my dad was on was oxycodone. If the physician wrote his RX 2 days early I could also fill it regardless of the amount of tablets he was given the time before. I don't know why this is but it has always been my experience.

However I have seen prescriptions that had said one or two every four hours and also said "must last 30 days." Well if the number of meds was only 25 you knew it wouldn't come close to the written number that could have been taken however the pharmacy would not refill that RX.  Why? That's right, it said, "Must last 30 days." Now that's a crazy way to write an RX in my opinion.

Just thought I would share my experience.

Peace,
~Tuck  

[Tuckamore]

I agree basically with mummmy3too.

Although I think your question is will your physician KNOW the date that it was filled. Is that correct? Your physician will not know that date unless he checks with the pharmacy OR the pharmacy calls him if you obtain another prescription and bring it to filled is less than 30 days from the date they they filled your last RX. They may have shredded the actual prescription but the made a notation of all the information on the script such as when it was written, who wrote it, the number of pills that were ordered, the physicians DEA number and so forth.

If you take the next one to another pharmacy they will be able to check it with all the pharmacies records, if your state has a connecting opiate monitoring system.  There are many safe guards in place to check on and control opiate prescriptions.  

And yes it does show in your file the date that you actually picked up your RX. All those things are closely monitored and tracked. Ppl get caught everyday trying to beat the system or even if they are doing what they beleive to be is harmless. Don't be fooled, everyone with opiate prescriptions is being monitored.  

Hope this information is helpful

Peace,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

Hi Mummy,

Yes, It's from the day you have it filled.

The reason that the Pharmacist shredded your Paper Script is because it is NOW int the computer system. They don't have room to keep ALL of the paper scripts, so once it's been entered they destroy the Paper copies.

The computers is what will kick out your refill if it's too early. It wasn't entered until you had it filled.

However, remember that your Doctor ALSO has a record of when he wrote the script. If the script has refills on it you can't get them filled until the regular refill time based on when the ORIGINAL prescription was filled. If you are picking up a refill from your Dr.'s office then he will probably base giving you the refill prescription on when he gave you the FIRST one. HOWEVER, you STILL wouldn't be able to get the NEW refill until the Pharmacy told you it was time.

Hope that helps with what you needed to know. Good Luck.....Sherry

[mummy3too]

I believe that it is from the day you have it filled. I know that I am not allowed to even pick up my refills until the day I run out - not even 24 hours in advance of it. It must be my Dr's policy or maybe it's everyones?

So if I have a 30 day supply, I can pick up my refill on day 31 - no sooner..

How about the rest of you?