Wellness

[Sage04]

@I am still oxox  so glad you got through. So did you ask them to send it to the CVS where you are?  Hope you won't have to go through this again before you get home.

[RedTop]

@I am still oxox 

I have dealt with this process EVERY month for 5 years!  I am dealing with the VA, but assure you the refill process for a controlled substance is the same regardless of the doctor or pharmacy; changing providers is not going to make a difference.  It is what it is, and you have to figure out the time frame for renewal, waiting on Dr. approval, refill process, and shipping time, in order for your husband to not run out of medication.  

This level of medication is a necessity; my husband needs it for advanced neuropathy and cancer.  The prescription is filled for the exact number of days in the month.  By now I know to start the refill process 14 days before the med runs out.  It usually takes 3 days for the provider to submit his approval, at least 4-5 days for processing and 6-7 days in the mail, in a good month.  

The slow VA process resulted in my husband actually running out of medication once.  I spent 2 days pushing this locally to get an emergency fill, which meant driving to the VA facility in another county to pick up the prescription, 2 hours before closing for the weekend!  

In our situation, I make a note on the calendar when the medication arrives.  10 days later, I start the renewal process all over again.  My husband cannot get thru a day without this medication; he would literally be up the proverbial creek if he runs out, as he cannot go to ER for treatment in order to get the meds.  We MUST keep up with our timeline for refill.

[AZfem]

1. From what I've been told & do, you contact your pharmacy for the refill. They then fax the doctor. Someone at drs. office should be checking faxes for this. 

[speedy girl]

I would bypass My Chart and call the Doctor's office and ask how "Should I handle refills for this particular medication"? Then you'll know how they want to handle it each time. 

[NEvans2]

I know that with the practice my husband and I see you have to go to the office in person for a paper script for a controlled substance. And that goes for any specialists also.

[Sage04]

My friend gets a controlled drug every month. I usually call the Pharmacy when it's time to be refilled and they contact the Doctor.

For the past three months she hasn't been able to pick it up from the pharmacy so she called them and gave them my name so that I could pick it up. Once I got there they took a copy of my ID and also added my phone number to her account. Everytime I pick up for her I still have to show my ID and give my phone number.

[I am still oxox]

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@Sage04 wrote:

@I am still oxox  so glad you got through. So did you ask them to send it to the CVS where you are?  Hope you won't have to go through this again before you get home.

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@Sage04 Yes and no we called the doctors office and they said i would be be sent today and so far nothing, I am really being to despise this doctor. 

[Q-Checker]

A practice of that size likely has a Practice Manager. I suggest that your husband  contact that person and inquire about the most effective method and timing for subsequent prescription refills. 

[Franklinbell]

Most physicians that prescribe opioids , have the patient sign and discuss their respective opioid policy. Most practices take prescribing opioids extremely seriously. I would check the policy and see how this practice handles refills. All your questions should be handled.  I would imagine a practice this size has a plan in place. Physicians really monitor prescribing opioids. Ask the practice manger how this should be handled in advance.Opioid prescription are not the same as other medications. Good luck!

[Puggywuggy]

If I am in need of a refill, I follow up after 24 hours. If it is an emergency situation, I follow up within a few hours and talk to as many people as necessary to get my Rx filled.