Non-neurologists refusing to write prescriptions.

[Matthew74]

To make a long story short I'm loosing my Medicaid from MN, and haven't been approved in FL. I'm worried about running out of my medication. So, I went to the local urgent care and asked the doctor to write me prescriptions and fill out the forms for the drug companies' Patient Assistance Plans. This would ensure I continue to get my meds. I took my bottles and my medical records. He wouldn't do it, which didn't surprise me, but his reason did. He refused to look at my bottles, my medical records, or ask any real questions. Basically he treated me like an idiot. (What else is new?)

He said simply that "We don't do that. Only neurologists write those pescriptions."

I know this is not true.

He wouldn't say so, but based on his reaction I was wondering if he was afraid to write them. It reminded me of before I had back surgery and no one would treat me adequately for my crippling pain, and I got treated like a junkie.

Have laws changed so that doctors get in trouble for writing legitimate prescriptions for AEDs?

 

[resaebiunne]

I think it's a liability issue. A general practitioner doesn't understand the medications used for specialized purposes. The issue with bringing in prescription bottles is that they could be faked, just like medical records.

Urgent care probably isn't the best place to get your meds. If you really are running low, I would suggest the ER instead who can pull up your previous doctors records. A good ER will have a neurologist on staff who can pull your records and write the prescriptions. In the meantime I would find a new neurologist asap.

 

[Matthew74]

Obviously, the situation is not ideal.

The issue is not so much that he wouldn't write the prescription. He could have looked at my records, suggested I go to the ER, offered some other help, or told me to call him if I couldn't see someone else, or just made sure he understood why I was coming to him. Instead he treated me like a criminal.

I just think it's wrong for doctors to treat patients like criminals. It's immoral, unprofessional, and unbecoming. They would be ashamed of themselves if they could see how they were acting.

Getting your meds should not be an endless drama, as it too often is. People don't seem to want to understand the seriousness of the situation. I end up having to make a bunch of calls, do people's jobs for them, and even get mean with people. That's the last thing I need.

I really loved being in Rochester and being able to walk to the Mayo, because they were so professional. Everybody was on top of it. Insurance and government make everything so difficult that there are frequent hang ups, but the people at the Mayo take care of it.

 

[Matthew74]

I did manage to get some of my meds refilled, but I'm going to have the same problem in less than a month.

If the guy at urgent care had helped me, I'd be good for 6 months to a year, and by then should have Medicaid.

Do you have first-hand experience the emergency room for that sort of thing? I can't afford it right now, but my experience with them hasn't been great. They treat you like a junkie there too. I don't think they have access to records that are not in their system. I suppose I'd do it if I ever actually ran out.

 

[resaebiunne]

I was just in the hospital 2 weeks ago and I got all of my prescriptions refilled (for at least a week or so while I was out on vacation). It's really not a big deal albeit expensive (but insurance pays out). The hospital I was at was able to access my records based on references from my family and my Medic Alert pendant. Everything they needed, records and emergency contacts, was right there for the hospitals perusal.

If you need the meds, you need the meds and shouldn't be concerned with others judgemental attitudes. I had to put up with the doctor's attitude when I was in the hospital. According to them, I wasn't compliant with my treatment, hence the seizures I had. It's not that I wasn't compliant with the meds, but I was titrating up after my docs instructions at my last appointment. According to the ER, my meds were low (DUH!). My edoc should know this and my records should show this (at least I hope). What a bunch of idiots.

Be assertive and get the treatment you need.

Is there any possibility you could get the prescriptions transferred to a pharmacy in your local area? You may not need a new prescription to get your meds refilled locally. This was the case for me when I moved from Texas to Florida. I had just enough refills to last me until I was finally able to find a new doctor.

 

[Matthew74]

I know that doctors try to do the right thing, but they are often condescending and full of themselves. I don't think it's all their fault. Being in Rochester was enlightening because the Mayo is Rochester, and there are doctors everywhere. I had several young ones as housemates. They're trained that way, everybody looks up to them, and they boss everybody around at work...and they are usually in good health. I would be the same way in their position.

How long have you been in Florida? This has been a nightmare. I should qualify for Medicaid based on income alone, but they seem determined to make it as difficult and long as possible.

 

[resaebiunne]

I've been in Florida for a total of 12 years. I was here for 10.5 years and then moved to Austin (TX) for 3.5 years. I wanted to move back to be closer to family so I moved back to FL again. It was a really good decision on my part to move back because my E flared up really bad. Unfortunately I got laid off from my job back in January and haven't had any luck finding a new job that is a good fit for me. Really disappointing.

I'm not sure that I would call all doctors arrogant, but to be fair, doctors have to jump through a lot of hoops academically. Undergrad + Grad school + Medical school. Coming out of school with 100k+ of student debt. Then there's the internet. People browse all over for information on their conditions and at the end of the day, you wind up with misinformation, research articles taken out of context. It's only fair to listen to your doctor. You can always get second opinions from other doctors but you have to trust your doc. If you don't like a particular doctor, find another who you trust more. This has worked well for me so far and (at least for now) I'm pleased with the direction that my epileptologist is taking me.

 

[seagull]

My son a doc he far from arrogant he do get dishearten with lack of respect he also quite happy to listen to reasonable argument what you googled and he will in nicest possible way tell you proberly better listening to 6 year trained and 15years gp who will either back it up or tell you it cobblers still disagree then nicest possible way get google listen to your chest

 

[Music36]

I grew up in South Florida, but moved away many years ago. They brought a neurologist into the ER when I was brought there in an ambulance after having a tonic-clonic. I was diagnosed that day as having epilepsy and was prescribed an AED.

 

[CQ:)]

I know the health system is very different over in USA then it is here in Australia.
We do get help from government & don't need medial insurances to be able to get medications.

My neurologist is the only one who adjusts my epilepsy meds eg whether it is new medications or adjusting doseages. I go to an epilepsy clinic in the city (4 hours each way) to see a neurologist & usually go for follow up appts every 6 months so get my scripts then.

But my GP is able to give me a repeat if I need it, usually when I go to the GP they will ask me if I need any scripts. I've only ever needed scripts once last year & that was because I had to change my appt at the epilepsy clinic due to death in the family (week before I was due to go see my neuro). My neuro at the epilepsy clinic keeps my GP & my local neuro up to date with all my visits at the clinic so the GP has on file all meds/ dosages I'm on at the moment.

 

[seagull]

I just took my scrip to chemist and he tided me over till I got back 5days worth but I had pay full cost of medication as they won't do that NHS and why should they for my stupidity.aslong s you got print out of what you on and has day last depenced.i did that in Tacoma America Sydney Austria Capetown and NZ.many countries in Europe If rest of world allows chemist do that America must.i paid top price in Tacoma Washington.i got my Meds plus good telling off.
It appauling you not get e Meds if things get bad someone get ambulance I have go at doctor saying doctor take full responsibility if have seizures and possibly mal practice action.deep breathe get confidence try again

 

[Music36]

I always would find a neurologist and make an appointment immediately every time I have moved to a different state or a different part of a state. If I had to I would make an appointment with a PCP and have them call in/fax my prescriptions. You can usually get in with a PCP quicker.

 

[hydrogyrum]

Push your doctors. Under the current political climate, that's all you can do.

I'm currently in a situation where I might have to go under the radar (marijuana). The doctors dictating my situation have pushed me into this situation. Fortunately, I live in a state where medical marijuana is legal; unfortunately, I live in a state whose police are fighting the will of the people.

Fight for your right to live.

 

[hydrogyrum]

Seagull, you have really good content in your posts. The problem is that it's hard to dicepher your content because you rely on text-speak rather than human-speak. Seriously, please consider your readers when you post a reply. Other than that, your content is really good.