fullofpain
Stranger
Reged: 04/11/05
Posts: 22
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was wondering if anyone had any pharmacy horror stories? i know i hate those looks i get when picking up one of my many prescriptions i am only 24 and have fibro i walk in there with my 4 and 6 year old and they look at me like i am white trash! WTF?????
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sky2761
Journeyman
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 64
Loc: Massachusetts
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Hi -
Don't let anyone make you feel that way! You have a legitimate medical condition. Hold your head up high and smile, smile, smile even if it kills you. They do not sit in judgement of anyone. You're not doing anything wrong.
I have chronic pain and it got to the point when I was dropping off prescriptions, the pharmacist would say "Hi Pam!" before even taking the script out of my hand. He knew me by sight because I was in there so much. I was horrified so I just made a joke of it like saying something like "geez, I feel like I live here, I'm in here so much!"
There were a couple of the girls who work there that give me that look but you know what? Too bad. 
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monkeyshine
Newbie
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 30
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You need to go to a pharmacy where "white trash" go and then you will be their favorite customer and greeted with a smile.
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sky2761
Journeyman
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 64
Loc: Massachusetts
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Excuse me???!!! Not sure what that's supposed to mean or imply...........................
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fullofpain
Stranger
Reged: 04/11/05
Posts: 22
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i don't understand monkey's comment either, ?????
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sky2761
Journeyman
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 64
Loc: Massachusetts
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Something didn't seem quite right with the comment. Maybe Monkey will explain the comment to us...
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doglover82
Board Addict
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 332
Loc: Idaho, US
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I assumed the post was saying find a pharmacy where they are happy to get your business but maybe I'm wrong. I do business at a very small pharmacy. I hate chains. I actually had a pharmacist tell me that he presumed every customer to be a potential drug addict and forger. I couldn't believe it. He said it doesn't matter how old they are or how nice they are.
It was right after that that I found a nice small pharmacy and the people there are great.
doglover
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prettyday
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 1136
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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Quote:
was wondering if anyone had any pharmacy horror stories? i know i hate those looks i get when picking up one of my many prescriptions i am only 24 and have fibro i walk in there with my 4 and 6 year old and they look at me like i am white trash! WTF?????
This was the first comment....
Quote:
You need to go to a pharmacy where "white trash" go and then you will be their favorite customer and greeted with a smile.
and that was the second comment...not to make peace before asked but I really think what was meant was go where people expect to fill a prescription and are used to doing it and understand that means "for pain" a heck of a lot, since most people will put anything other reason off for going to a doctor...
I swear a lot of drug companies have done their job, and now even though Vicodin is one of the higher rated in amt per year RX'd meds (I forget that list, but I will look for it, shows the top 20 most RX'd meds; or someone can Google it...)
Anyway, Bextra, Vioxx, Celebrex, all that was going to take those nasty narcotics away unless the person was dying (on schedule,) and you see the fallout...maybe we do look different to an "outsider's" eyes...I am so sorry for that...I never wanted to grow up to this...and the only lift I USED to get was the knowledge that my pain would be gone...not anymore...so....anyway...I think that was the message.
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ele123
Member
Reged: 09/20/03
Posts: 197
Loc: In a shoe with some old woman
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I don't think monkeyshine meant it to be insulting.
I think they were trying to make a joke? I hope so . . .
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DonBarba
Board Addict
Reged: 04/02/04
Posts: 384
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Quote:
You need to go to a pharmacy where "white trash" go and then you will be their favorite customer and greeted with a smile.
Jeesh, don't be so sensitive.
I take it as a joke, poster said they make her/him feel like "white trash" - just keying off that comment I suppose.
Anyway, my local pharmacy is very professional and helpful.
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darthvarga
Stranger
Reged: 11/10/04
Posts: 19
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Pharmacists work for you. If any one gives you an attitude. Ask for a district managers phone number. Then ask the pharmacist how they think their boss will respond when he/she hears about their attitude. Watch their disposition change. It'll be fun. These people are not gods. They are clerks at a store!!!
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lancelot
Enthusiast
Reged: 02/10/05
Posts: 203
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Pharmacists hate their jobs, but stick with it everyday because they they get paid +100K/year. Ask any phamacist how much they luv filling bottles all day long. they have job security because of the big pharms, but have low job satisfaction and no sense of accomplishment working in the health care industry.
the vets gets jaded and see how drugs are being stacked one on top of each other and all the junkies getting their scripts filled every week. In a survey, phamacists rate the lowest in job satisfaction of all health care workers.
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odorizer
Newbie
Reged: 04/09/05
Posts: 28
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Do they really pull in $100K a year?
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JethroMole
Member
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 139
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Yeah, they really do pull in 100K a year. Pharmacists working in a K-Mart in BF Egypt Arkansas start out around $60K. And that's true that most pharmacists have a chip on their shoulder. I was on chemo and was prescribed OCs. This little $#!t pharmacist decided to try to impress his boss or maybe his girlfriend laughed at his manhood that morning, but he refused to fill a perfectly legitimate (and much needed) script. He said I'd filled it too often over the past year after spending 20 minutes making me wait, tapping on his computer to figure this out - he apparently had nothing else to do. I pointed out that the dates he had in his computer were the dates I dropped off the prescription - not necessarily the dates I picked them up and he didn't have *those* dates in his computer, did he? Boy that peed in his Cheerios. I was also filling my chemo so it wasn't like he couldn't see I had something wrong. Anyway, I'd had enough. I demanded my prescription back. He wrote all over it in red ink that I tried to fill it early. (He counted up 6 days total in over a year, btw - woo, that's a lot!) So, I took the script back to my doc who shook his head and apologized for the pharmacist being a flaming moron, tore it up and wrote me a new one. To this day, I've never set foot in that pharmacy again and I never will.
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darthvarga
Stranger
Reged: 11/10/04
Posts: 19
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My mother is a Pharm D. Only after she received her doctorate did she come close to that figure. Pharmacists can be helpfull professionals but lets not make them out to be more than they are.
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SandyFeet
Member
Reged: 03/21/04
Posts: 176
Loc: By the ocean
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Quote:
It was right after that that I found a nice small pharmacy and the people there are great.
doglover
I truly dont believe there are any small pharmacies in my area. The suburban sprawl leads to endless chains. I have to drive a good distance to find a nice small bookstore.
I use my local grocery store for scripts
its either that or a chain.
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rsamum
Stranger
Reged: 04/26/04
Posts: 20
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Fullofpain,
I can really relate to what you are saying. That is how I felt when I first started getting treatment for my fibro..Yes me too hun, but I am 42 not 24 like you are and my heart bleeds for you. That is one tough road you have and you need to have understanding people around supporting you. Bless your little ones. I know how hard it is to be a mom with fibro..(along with a half dozen other conditions)...I have 3 kids...2 are teenagers and one is 9. You need your meds so that you can function and be a good mom. No question about that. i'm glad you have a doc that is willing to treat it at your age because most will not. I believe in quality of life not quantity.
As far as the pharmacist, if you dont feel comfortable go to another. I have stayed with the same pharmacy for a few years now and yes they know me by face and name. They have seen me at my worst and my best but until I was a customer long enough to "earn" their trust I also got "those looks". I love the manager. He will special order any brand that I prefer because he doesnt question that patients, esp chronic pain patients, know their bodies and know which brand works best for them.
I believe it will get better over time. Once a pharmacist gets to know you and he/she understand chronic pain you will get great care..they are out there.
To another fibromite if you ever want to talk just send me a PM....the more support you have the easier it is to help deal with this insideous condition.
Take care,
rsamum
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monkeyshine
Newbie
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 30
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Well it was kinda a sarcastic joke but I thought she shouldn't use that term. I was just responding to the first post on the thread where the other poster said
Quote:
they look at me like i am white trash!
So I just responded to that, but I put it in quotes in part to say that I thought it was offensive but yes, also to mean go where you will be appreciated. I guess cuz I put it in quotes it drew attention to itself.
I didn't mean to offend. Sorry to all who was offended. Thanks to those who defended me.
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Corgidude
Stranger
Reged: 12/31/04
Posts: 21
Loc: on the Trinity River,near the ...
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I really do not have any horror stories however I have had some minor run ins with Pharmacists with a snippy attitude..they have bad days just like us...and as someone else has said they are providing a service for whomever they work for..their job is to fill the prescription not judge you...I know some will go the extra mile to check fill dates when dealing with narcotics however it's up to you to not draw any suspician..if you are bringing a legit prescription in to be filled at any pharmacy they should deal with you in a curteous manner as most pharmacies like most businesses are in it to make money..if you encounter a pharmacist that is rude or combative then go elsewhere..believe me there are plenty of pharmacies to choose from..I mainly use two Grocery chains and all the pharmacists are extremly kind to me as I get Lortabs and Tramadol filled monthly...in my State there is a rule that is allowed for Pharmacists to fill a prescription early which is called the 75% rule..for instance if you are on a 25 day supply some pharmacists will fill it after 19 days..and believe it or not contrary to what I have read here I have had insurance companies allow the same rule and pay for my Prescriptions filled early at 20 days on a 25 day supply..but again I understand there are Pharmacists that are egomaniacs and just looking to tag someone as a "seeker"...which IS NOT THEIR JOB!!..and calling doctors and other pharmacies to pass on patient information in my opinion should be against the law...if they do not want to fill the Rx that is ok..however they shouldn't have any right to tattle...
As for Pharmacist pay..I used to work as a Tech in a major mail order pharmacy..newly degreed Pharmacists' started out at $40 an hour...they also had a tremendous amount of overtime and holiday pay..I can guarantee you many of the senior pharmacists' were making well over 100k...some were driving cars worth about half that much...if you want to see Pharmacists with an attitude just work for a mail order pharmacy where everything is go go go..that is why I would never have my Rx's filled there..the controlled area Pharmacists were just looking for a reason to not fill any kind of controlled drug..to them everyone was trying to get high..I am not kidding..that was the mentality...if any tidbit of information was suspect the Rx would be put on hold thus not only do you have to wait on shipping you are going to have to go through MD calls hell and then have your order go through all the processes a-z...again I would rather walk up to a local pharmacy and cut out all the "eyes" and handling it takes to go through mail order...
Point being there are good people at all types of pharmacies..most want to give you good customer service and want you to come back..believe me they like making the $$$!!
Be well all,
C-dude
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lancelot
Enthusiast
Reged: 02/10/05
Posts: 203
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Quote:
Do they really pull in $100K a year?
In california they pull $100K working at any drugstore or supermarket, but they all hate their jobs. They fill pills all day and have no job satisfaction.
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dmg
Member
Reged: 10/27/03
Posts: 160
Loc: Earth
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On the topic of Pharmacists hating their jobs:
I was down in Long Island one weekend and got into a fender bender on the expressway (I was crunched between two cars). Anyway, I went and got checked out because I had strained my lower back - I have no idea how it happened but right after the crash - I felt like I had been lifting 100lb. boxes all day long - sharp pains. Anyway, the doc at the hosp. gave me a script for some 5/500's and I went to a 24-hour Walgreens - which are a dime a dozen down there, and went it and gave it to the pharmacist. Maybe it was because it was quiet - being 11pm at night, or maybe this is what the pharmacists always do there, but the pharm. behind the counter was sitting on a stool with his head in his heads reading some pamphlet. When he was filling my script, I look at what he was reading - and it was a guide to Texas Hold'em..from Mohegan Sun in CT. It was like a how-to brochure with all of the tips to playing. I thought that was pretty funny - the guy looked totally bored.
This was one of those places that uses the automatic pill counters - so you just punch in what you need and how many, and everything is done for you - so the pharm on duty probably just sits around - has the script filled for him/her - and hands them over and takes some money. I guess the pay is worth it for the actual physical and mental work being done - but talk about mundane and boring.
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lincoona
Old Hand
Reged: 11/24/04
Posts: 414
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I guess i'm luckier than most...my overworked pharmacist at the local 24-hour "white trash" Walgreen's has been very kind to us. She is always in a hurry (this place is a beehive) but will take the time to stop and answer any questions we may have in a friendly manner. Next to our doctor, our pharmacist is the most knowledgeable health professional we know and we value her advice and opinions greatly.
She works her butthole off and still takes time to be sociable with customers, even checking out our other stuff at the pharmacy desk. I hate asking her to be a cshier, but I get no negative attitude just the opposite, a friendly, smiling face through all the craziness. She's a gem. Now those other staffers...
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fullofpain
Stranger
Reged: 04/11/05
Posts: 22
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ok i think some people misunderstood the "whit trash" comment me personally i would never call someone whit trash i don't belive in labeling anybody i also don't call people other racial slurs i just mean't they look at me like i am a druggie or just a bad person, excuse the comment i really didn't mean anything by it. as for the other poster with fibro i will definetely be pming you this painful fibro is really a lonely sickness.
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sky2761
Journeyman
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 64
Loc: Massachusetts
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I knew what you meant and was sure monkeyshine was spoofing on your comment as well. No worries!!
Edited by sky2761 (04/22/05 10:19 AM)
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MetsFan
Member
Reged: 09/21/03
Posts: 181
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I am very lucky to have a choice of about 5 major chains in my area. My family spends a lot on various prescriptions. The only problem I have ever had is with Rite-Aid. I just don't spend my money there. I am sure there are great Rite-Aid pharmacists around but it hasn't been my experience. I have found that if you treat the people behind the countr with respect, you will get it in return.
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rsamum
Stranger
Reged: 04/26/04
Posts: 20
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It ok Hun,
I know what you meant by "white trash" because I have felt the same way. Yes it is a very lonely disease. Even this am my husband was trying to tell me what I should not be doing. He is not in my shoes and only other fibro people can understand. Im here for ya...PM me anytime.
rsamum
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Pickledoo
Old Hand
Reged: 09/20/02
Posts: 457
Loc: New England
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I have a story: I had back surgery on April 6th. I went to my ortho for a post-op check up on the 18th. He asked about my meds and I told him I had plenty for now but will be going on vacation next week. He told me to refill a few days early so I would be well stocked for my trip. When my hubby went to fill them (Soma, 10 mg. Percs & 20 mg. Oxy) they refused to fill the Oxy untill the 30th. I called & spoke to the pharmacist and she said I had to get authorization from the insurance company (understandable and not a problem) and WRITTEN authorization from my ortho. Now, is it just me or would'nt the written script from my ortho indicate that it is ok to fill it? It was dated the 18th! If it was'nt ok to fill it then why would he write it? My ortho promptlt faxed the authorization and it will be filled today. When I asked the pharmacist why they needed this from my ortho when he wrote the rx obviously for me to fill early, she said it was for their protection.
I just love it when a pharmacist tries to make up rules & attempt to mess with you. But I love it even more when their evil plans are thwarted!!!! MWAAAHAAAHAAAA!!!!!
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bumpkin2001
Journeyman
Reged: 02/26/05
Posts: 52
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I had a pharmacist at Walmart tell me (he was a new one btw) when I went to get my meds. filled 5 days prior to the 30 day refill date that I could get in troulbe with the DEA for tying to fill early. 5 days early! I told him he needed to talk to his head pharmacist, because once you've gone through 75% of your meds. according to the Docs. intructions they have to fill and the insurance with cover. I wan't going to wait around, but I did receive a phone call from the pharmacy manager with an apology.
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odorizer
Newbie
Reged: 04/09/05
Posts: 28
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Quote:
In california they pull $100K working at any drugstore or supermarket, but they all hate their jobs. They fill pills all day and have no job satisfaction.
Getting bored while working makes many people drug abusers ... especially when they've access to them ... I've heard dozens of stories about doctors and nurses drugging themselves!
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Benton
Member
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 150
Loc: Florida
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I have several but I have one from today. This one wasn't so much the pharmacy's fault as the doctors but a real fiasco non the less.
I have my refills for Duragesic and Percocet 10 mailed to me once a month. Well, last month I found out that there was now a new Generic Duragesic patch and the pharamcy had not had it in stock yet so I spent a couple of days trying to find it in stock somewhere. My regular pharmacy told me to make sure I bring the script in early next time so they have time to order if they don't have it. So now I am off schedule with the two presciptions by about a week.
So, I called my doc a week early, 4/15, to mail the scripts and he did. I go to the pharmacy and give them both scripts, the Percocet was due to be filled but the Patches were a week early, as requested by them.
Well, I tell the girl at the counter that I am only filling the one and to have them order the other for the end of the week.
15 minutes later they call me over the loud speaker, of course I am sitting 2 feet from them, to say there is a problem. They wrote on the prescription in RED, TOO EARLY.
I reminded them that they told me to bring it in early. Now she says well, we have it but the presciption is not signed anyway. Pain in the [censored]. So I take the script back, get my Percocet and go.
I call the Dr.'s office on Monday and find out he will not be in the office until today. So, over a week after he mailed me the script, I bring it back cause it is not signed. I am sitting there waiting for over half an hour. Finally a nurse calls me to tell me he can't now sign it because now that the pharmacy wrote in the script, it was no good. And, to get another one, I would have to be seen for a visit, even though I had a visit the end of March and usually come in every three months. This was today. So, I said fine. I am not about to argue with them. Now I wait another half hour so he can interrogate me as to why they wrote TOO EARLY on it. I explained the whole situation and he had no idea about the new Generics and totally understood. BUT, it cost me $25 for an office visit.
Then, I get a new script and notice right away, it has the wrong dosage. I give it back and tell him. Rips it up and writes a new one. This one has the wrong number of days in the instructions. I get 15 Patches to change every two days and it says three. I know the pharmacy will pick at that. He gets all flustered, rips it up and finally gets it right.
I think he was pissed off at himself for not signing it in the first place and was looking to take his anger out on me...but, I didn't let him get me upset so he finally just laughed it off and chalked up to a "bad day".
Why can't doctors ever just admit they can make mistakes? lol
So what should have taken 30 minutes ended up taking the whole day. I have been at this for over 13 years now so I have lots of stories...
B
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