The most horrible thing happened to me at the doc today

My doc and I have an agreement that I can come in first thing in the morning without an appt if I need a torridal shot for my migraines. This morning I showed up right before 8, and the nurse showed me to a darkended room, where I waited, and waited, and waited... Eventually she (the nurse) came in and said that I was fired from the practice for using two diffirent pharamacies. I told the nurse I was not even using two differnet docs and she said that didnt matter that it was in violation of their policy. I asked to see Dr. XXX, and she refused to see me. My doc prescribes hydrocone on a normal basis for my migs then in Jan when this did not work whe gave me a script for Stadol NS. I had my hubby take me to Walgreens to fill it b/c I simply could not wait forever at Walmart in extreme pain. This doc also Rxs all of my anti seizure meds (including topomax 200 mg 2 X /day that does double duty for seizures and migs) that I desperately need and now she has left me between a rock and a hard place. Then to add insult to injury, the nurse escorted me out the BACK door of the clinic like I was a criminal. I wasnt throwing a fit or anything. I was in too much pain. She instructed me to go to urgent care. My whole family goes to this doc and I cannot beleive she would treat me this way. I am so hurt.

One more piece of info: this is a family practice doc. Not a specialist of any kind. I am just exasperated.

How very harsh!! If you were using only one and the same doctor, the circumstances are bit different! They surely could give you a second chance!
How awful! I am so sorry for you. I have no advice for you at the moment though... I hope someone else will though.

Risa

That is just awful. I can't imagine a doctor doing that...I guess why is it such a big deal that you went to two different pharmacies? I think everyone has done that at one point or another. I can sort of understand it if you have multiple doctors writing Rx. I guess is this policy in writing and did you sign something saying you wouldn't do this?

I guess I'd be writing a letter to either the clinic manager or seeing someone in the patients advocacy office. That sort of behavior is not acceptable. If they had a problem they should have contacted you well before this to work out the differences rather than just telling you to get out when you show up in pain to receive something that was agreed to. It also seems inappropriate that a nurse told you this rather than the doctor or one of the administrators.

Just my 2 cents and I hope you are able to get this situation remedied.

Oh, I would DEFINITELY be writing a letter. I have used two pharmacies. The one I prefer doesn't have as long of hours as Walmart so if I have a script and it's after hours for my regular pharmacy I'll go to Walmart.

Plus, I've been sent to another pharmacy by my regular pharmacy when they haven't carried what I needed.

This is absolutely unbelievable and OUTRAGEOUS. I am so sorry this happened to you!

Charlotte

HeelerLady wrote:That is just awful. I can't imagine a doctor doing that...I guess why is it such a big deal that you went to two different pharmacies? I think everyone has done that at one point or another. I can sort of understand it if you have multiple doctors writing Rx. I guess is this policy in writing and did you sign something saying you wouldn't do this?

I guess I'd be writing a letter to either the clinic manager or seeing someone in the patients advocacy office. That sort of behavior is not acceptable. If they had a problem they should have contacted you well before this to work out the differences rather than just telling you to get out when you show up in pain to receive something that was agreed to. It also seems inappropriate that a nurse told you this rather than the doctor or one of the administrators.

Just my 2 cents and I hope you are able to get this situation remedied.

I'd want to pursue it as well, but I have to admit I would have real problems seeing that Dr. again after something like that happening.

I'd place equal blame on the clinic and the Dr., especially after the Dr. wouldn't even tell you face to face what was going on. That is ridiculous. Again, I wouldn't be able to trust that Dr. again after that.

That is just awful. I've used different pharmacies if I need to. Walgreens is open later than Costco and right across the street so if I need something quickly or after hours, then Walgreens it is. I just don't understand why they wouldn't at least discuss this with you. Seems unduly harsh.

I hope you can get a better doctor quickly.

Hi,

That sounds like an awful experience. I am surprised that your doctor would not even hear you out. I have had to use a different pharmacy ocaisionally- when my pharmacy did not have a medication my doctor prescribed. I explained the situation and there was no problem. It is just ridiculous, especially since this is the first time it happened. I would definitely write your doctor a letter explaining the situation and why you used a different pharmacy. You might want to send the letter by certified mail because your dr will have to sign for it and you will have a tracking number to make sure that your dr recieved the letter.

Do you have any kind of pain contract with this doctor? I know that some pain contracts do specify that you use one pharmacy, if that is the case, I suppose it could be a violation of the pain contract, but it should not be. (I once had to use a different pharmacy for some pain medication because the usual one did not have it. I explained the situation to my dr and he said that was fine. I did have a pain contract with him.) However, if you do not have a pain contract, there should be no problem. You could also bring in your pharmacy records, which would indicate that you only had one prescription filled at Walgreens, rather than walmart.

Also, what could urgent care do for the migraine? If they do give you some form of pain medication, would you have to report that to your dr as well. Or did she send orders. It seems stange that she would refuse to give an anti-inflamatory for this reason. I hope you had good luck at urgent care.

I hate the fact that people in legitimate pain, especially those of us with invisible disease, such as migraines, have to jump through hoops to recieve adequate treatment. It almost feels like you have to somehow prove that the pain is real and that it should be treated. I wish doctors would realize that migraine, and especially migraine pain, is a disease or disorder, just like other diseases or disorders that require treatment. No doctor would deny medication to a person with high blood pressure, diabetesm, heart problems, depression, etc, but those of us with pain have to jump through hoops in order to get treatment.

I am so sorry that you had to go through this. You have not done anything wrong. I would definitely write a letter to the doctor detailing the reason. It might be time for a new doctor as well. Do you have a neurologist who might be willing to take over the migraine treatment? This is just a thought. I really wish doctors would take pain seriously and would listen. If nothing else, she should have listened to your explanation.

Pain free days,
sailingm

I also take stadol, and I am not able to fill this script at Walmart. The one time I took a script for stadol to Walmart, the pharmacy refused to fill it. The pharmacist said, "we don't stock that medication, you'll have to take the script to a different pharmacy." They refused to even order it in stock to fill my script.

You might want to check with Walmart to see if this is true for your Walmart too, then put this in your letter to your dr. If you were actually not able to fill your script at Walmart, how would that be your fault if you had to take the script to another pharmacy?

First of all I am so sorry this happened to you.

Definitely the doctor should have seen you so that you could have explained to he or she WHY you used a different pharmacy.

Unless you signed a pain contract that specified the use of only one pharmacy, I really don't understand why they had such a big problem with it.

I know in our state, if I fill any controlled substance at any pharmacy by a doctor other than the one that I normally use, my MD is made aware of it.

Once I remember a doctor at the ER gave me a few MS Contin to get me thru the weekend because I was out.

When I saw my MD on the following Monday, the nurse mentioned it and asked how many he gave me because she didn't have the report yet from the ER.

I asked how they knew I had been there and she told me that the pharmacy sent a fax that morning to let them know another doctor had prescribed a controlled substance to me and that they had filled it.

So, it isn't like you could really get away with doctor shopping anyway.

I wouldn't think twice about using a different pharmacy if I needed to.

I always go to Walgreens because it is convenient for me and my copay is the same anywhere I go.

But for many people, maybe who don't have insurance, or their copay fluxuates, they might want to check price and use the cheapest one.

My son recently had MERSA and his antibiotic was $4.00 at Wal Mart but would have cost him $50.00 at Walgreens.

Anyway, please do send a letter to this doctor and tell he or she how you feel about what they did and how they handled it.

Then maybe ask around and look for a new doctor.

There is a website, Ratemd.com where people rate their doctors on several different points and even write a paragraph or two about why the like or dislike the doctor.

I will pray that you are able to find an awesome doctor because you deserve one!!

Take care,

Cindy

What does the number of pharmacies have to do with anything? You still can't get more than what was prescribed, and even if they give you a paper script, you don't get to keep it. Pharmacy shopping an doctor shopping are two different things. I use two different pharmacies with no problems at all.

Something else is wrong, and it's awfully suspicious that she wouldn't tell you herself what the problem was.

I'm so sorry. What awful treatment and especially when you're in great pain and suffering already.

I agree with writing a letter. Explain all the details and that the doctor had instructed you that you could come in for a shot of toradol. The administration that employs this doctor and nurse should be made aware of this treatment.

I hope you were able to find something to help with the pain. You didn't deserve such rude and neglectful treatment.

Take care,

Becky

02R96 wrote:What does the number of pharmacies have to do with anything? You still can't get more than what was prescribed, and even if they give you a paper script, you don't get to keep it. Pharmacy shopping an doctor shopping are two different things. I use two different pharmacies with no problems at all.

Something else is wrong, and it's awfully suspicious that she wouldn't tell you herself what the problem was.

That's my question as well. Is it because its harder (conceivably) for multiple pharmacies to report back to the dr. what you're fillling, and that would thus make it easier for you to dr. shop if that's what you were inclined to do?
I mean, if all your scripts are from the same dr., it would seem to be a moot point, but I guess they could make the argument that if you're using more than one pharmacy you could be dr. shopping undetected because you could be on file at a pharmacy they aren't aware of?

I think it sounds so unfair also. I used to use two different pharmacies, depending on if I would be picking up my RX on my way home from work or my hubby would be picking it up for me

I am wondering if there was a pain contract in place that had some fine line you were unaware of??

Regardless... A doctor refusing to see u face to face is lame and unprofessional... And escorting you out the back door is just plain AWFUL!!!

Sorry. I hope you get things sorted out soon!

Stillhurtin wrote:I think it sounds so unfair also. I used to use two different pharmacies, depending on if I would be picking up my RX on my way home from work or my hubby would be picking it up for me

I am wondering if there was a pain contract in place that had some fine line you were unaware of??

Regardless... A doctor refusing to see u face to face is lame and unprofessional... And escorting you out the back door is just plain AWFUL!!!

Sorry. I hope you get things sorted out soon!

I have never heard of the 'pain contracts' people mention. That's interesting.

It's tough to imagine even a contract where they can just sever services with you without even having to explain properly, or give a chance for you to give your side of the story though. I'd guess if you had one of these contracts, you would know about it and have mentioned it in the post.

When the VA refused to give me pain pills that would take care of my pain, I had to go to another "outside" MD. They gave me the proper meds and at times I have to go to Walgreens next to the CVS pharmacy when CVS doesn't have what I need. No complaints.

All I can say is ,wow..... Can`t believe the way you were treated. Stupid people... I definitly would write a letter or call the head personal.

I have never heard of the 'pain contracts' people mention. That's interesting.

It's tough to imagine even a contract where they can just sever services with you without even having to explain properly, or give a chance for you to give your side of the story though. I'd guess if you had one of these contracts, you would know about it and have mentioned it in the post.

There's a whole thread on pain contracts, its a bit further down on the page. They (pain specialists) can do all sorts of things once you've signed one. Of course, we don't know if there is a pain contract in place in this case, but it sounds as if that might be the case. We'd need that info from the OP.

I am wondering now if the doctor was only so nice and caring on the surface but in reality was waiting to drop any patient who require many narcotic Rx?...

because , really - after reading all the responses I agree it's unprofessional to be dropped off just like that without being given a chance of a word of explanation, plus not seeying face to face.
what the heck??? this IS unprofessional, and let's face it, simply cruel.

Risa

I will make this short:

1. Find a new doctor - this one is a real loser to treat you that way

2. Look up your state's AMA - American Medical Association - chapter and file a complaint against this loser doctor.

3. If you paid this doctor with insurance and/or used insurance at the pharmacy, contact your state's Division of Insurance and file a complaint against this doctor.

Richard,

Can the insurance company rescind payment from this doctor if he is found guilty of mistreating his patient? I've never heard of this happening, it is interesting to me to know an insurance company is capable of doing this if the service has already been provided by doc. Would they sue to get the money back or would they just take it back forthright?

I do not know what posers are granted by each state's legislature and Governor to its insurance commission. I DO know that ALL hate to have to have answer questions when investigated by the insurance commission and the AMA ... especially the AMA.

Doctors in the USA are a self-governing lot. They guard that such distinction with ferver. The AMA is the body for self governing and discipline AND the AMA takes its role seriously ... if the AMA does a bad job of self-policing, the state or feds will take it over ... and the doctors do NOT want that.

Victims of poor treatment really ought to file complaints with the AMA first. Your state's AMA ought to open an investigation, take all your facts, really interrogate the doctor (they hate that) and make findings of fact and a judgement - against the doctor. They can require a physician to attend classes, go into rehab, or take away his license to practice medicine. It is serious and worthwhile when one is mistreated.

Go for it! This doctor deserves to be investigated. Her behavior was simply outrageous!

In addition to the suggestions here I would contact the state medical licensing board. Every state has one.

Anna

But, if the OP did sign one of these contracts, wouldn't all these suggestions be kind of useless anyway? What if the contract specifically says they can sever services with the patient if the patient violates it? It take it it's like any other contract, and if you sign it you are bound by the conditions?

The OP really needs to clarify if there was a contract of any kind in place. I still don't believe that excuses the behaviour, but it might cover it legally.

I signed one with my pain doctor. One clause is that I use only one pharmacy. I was told this is primarily for safety reasons so the pharmacist can double check all my medications for interactions - I go to three different doctors: my primary, a neurologist, and the pain specialist. I suspect it also helps control the number of prescriptions a person gets.

I've had minor violations with my contract before and my doctor didn't "fire" me, only pointed out the violation. I'm sure he would never "fire" me for a technical violation I didn't know about like in your case.

I just recently ran into such a situation. Whenever my primary or pain doctor prescribes me a medication, I always make sure to mention it to the other one so they have it in their records. In this case, my primary renewed and old anti-spasmodic med for me because the one my pain doctor had prescribed wasn't working. When I mentioned this to my pain doctor he got mad because he said he's the only one who is suppose to prescribe "symptomatic" medications (stuff that relieves the symptoms without treating the cause of the disease). I had thought he was only for my pain treatment, so this caught me by surprise. Live and learn. BTW - the pain doctor wasn't mad at ME, he was mad at my primary for issuing a symptomatic prescription, saying the primary should have known better.

I have NEVER been treatedlike you and I would definitely file a complaint.