Will run out of meds and worried

[mellie4]

I am now panicking.  When I got my last prescription, the pharmacy, Walgreens, didn't have enough pills to fill the script.  Since it was early evening on a Friday, I had them fill what they had.  This meant the remaining pills, like 100, I would need a new prescription for.  I emailed by nurse practitioner and told her and then forgot about it.  Wednesday late afternoon the nurse practitioner calls me to check on how the new cream she gave me is working.  She also said, "No problem on sending the balance of the script.  I'll mail it today."  I figured I'd get the prescription either Thursday or if not, definitely on Friday.

Well, my mail just came and my prescription isn't here.  I called the pain clinic (thinking maybe I could drive up there and get another one before they closed, but she's out at a conference and won't be back until Monday.)  I am going to run out of my pills before Monday.

How best should I use what I have so I don't get withdrawals?  I can go to the clinic on Monday morning to get the prescription; so I just need to get to then.

I normally take 45 mg. oxycodone every four hours (I take 3 15 mg. pills.)  I have 9 15 mg. pills left.  How best should I space these out to avoid going into withdrawals?  I am so afraid of that and also afraid of the pain flare-up I'll get from this.

(In addition to the oxycodone, I also take 120 mg. Cymbalta (60 in the a.m. and 60 in the p.m.; 800 mg. Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours, Clonidine 2 mg. a day (1 mg. in the a.m. and 1 mg. in the p.m.) and I have a compounding cream to apply 5 times a day.  I will not be running out of any of these.)

Any suggestions?  I am seriously terrified of withdrawals.  I have 4 kids and no help with them for the weekend.

Thanks.

(I have never ran out of medication.   Even now, running out was not because I misused them but because the entire script couldn't be filled.)

[mellie4]

It's the policy of Walgreens.  Not sure if it's all of Massachusetts or just my town or what.  But I do know it will never, ever happen to me again.  From now on, I get the whole script or I take it somewhere else that can fill it.

[jamlws]

Not sure about where you live but I have lots of times if they don't have enough meds to give you they will give you what they have and the OWE you then rest, I have never heard of you having to have another script for the rest.
I wish you the best of luck you have had good advice.
Jamie

[mellie4]

There's no one at the pain clinic.  The close early on Fridays.  I did call the pharmacy to make sure there would be no problem filling it if it comes in tomorrow's mail.  God, I hope it comes tomorrow.

I'm not sure whether to not take any and when I start feeling crappy to start with one or to just take one at my usual times.

I will make sure this never, ever happens again.  If they can't fill the whole prescription, I'll ask them to call nearby Walgreen's to see if they have it.

[geminigirl1963]

When you called the clinic today, did you ask if they would check your record to see if she had written the script for the difference in pills before she left for the conference?  If she did, there's still a possibility that you may receive the script in teh tomorrow's mail (Saturday).

I'm guessing Walgreen's couldn't put the remainder of the script as "an available refill" because of it being oxycodone?  I've had the same type of situation happen before and my pharmacy gave me what they had in stock and listed the remainder due as a "refill available" on the bottle.  However, they may not have been able to do this because of the class schedule of the medication - I know I would have had this same situation happen a different time when I was using the duragesic patch - my pharmacy only had one box and my script was for two.  Because of the class of this medication, they could not write the other box as a refill.  Fortunately, they were able to call one of their other pharmacy locations and find out that that one had both boxes in stock, so I got my paper script back and took it to their other location.  

Even if they were not able to write the remainder as a refill, I feel they should have offered to check one of their other locations for you to see if they had it - that way you could have either gone to that other location and gotten your full script or possibly even had them transfer the medication from one store to your store and then be able to get the script filled in full.

At any rate, I would suggest that you give the clinic another call and a) find out if the NP did in fact write the script for the remainder of the script and b) if she didnt, find out if there is someone else in the office that can write that remainder for you to either pick up this afternoon (if they are still open) or first thing Monday morning.

Another thing you need to do is to check with your Walgreen's where you had the partial script filled and make sure they made a notation that they were unable to fill your full script when it was presented.  That way when you do take in the new script for the remainder there isn't any question either with them, your insurance company or possibly even the DEA (the DEA keeps track of all pharmacies and scripts) -- if they didn't put that type of notation in their computer/on their notes, there could be some question as to why you're trying to fill another script so soon - without that notation, it will look like they filled your full prescription just a short time ago.

As for what to do if you're not able to get your script until Monday - obviously you're going to be running out of the medication pretty soon.  When you call the clinic to check on the script, let them know when you will be out of the medication and ask them if there is ANYTHING that they can give you to help with possible w/d symptoms over the weekend.

Best of luck - please give the clinic another call and see what you can find out - it very well may set your mind at ease.

[namnam46]

I'm so sorry for the predicament that ou have found yourself in this predicament. Is there any chance that they sent the prescription to Walgreen's? You might call and be sure that they didn't. Also, can you call your PM and see if they have a copy of your script that was mailed and could you go pick it up or could your PM Dr. write one out for you and and IF you get the other one you could return it to them on Monday. Or maybe they could fax in the amount that yo need for the weekend and change the amount on the script that was mailed. (They could phone or e-mail Walgreen's and OK a certain reduction in the amount on the mailed script.)

Just trying to throw some things out to you. Otherwise you will have to cut more that half off of each dose this weekend. Possibly cut out your evening one altogether or which ever is the least painful for you.

Good luck...Sherry