Doctor has to meet me every 60 days. Doctor gives script for 60 days of medicine. Pharmacist treats me like drug addicts. Pharmacist requires ID. Pharmacist puts the order in after a hold to verify with doctor (1-3 extra days). Insurance then requires Pre-authorization every single fucking time. That adds between 2 days and 2 weeks. Then I can pick it up but remember to bring ID.

Wait 50 days. Call Doctor - he says can't see me till it's been 60 days. Call on 60th day. Well we're booked - can you wait another week, maybe 3?. Repeat everything including pre-authorization every time.

Jesus Fuckin Rice. I've never been so frustrated in my entire life.

Oh Bonus points for a call after pre-authorization. "We're out of your medication. You'll need to go back to your doctor for a new script to try another pharmacy even within the same chain. No I can't give you your script back". Also no the doctor cannot give you one without meeting you in person.

[–] damnthefilibuster@lemmy.world 17 points 7 months ago (2 children)

What the fuck is wrong with western medical systems?

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 21 points 7 months ago (1 children)

America's drug war is the culprit here

[–] something_random_tho@lemmy.world 13 points 7 months ago

Don't forget our insurance being tied to employment and every hospital being bought out by private equity! 🤗

[–] GoosLife@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have no clue brother, my experience is nothing like this. I have to see the doctor to renew my prescription each time, because people can become addicts, but it is mostly a formality. Obviously, you book the next renewal appointment when you go to a renewal appointment, so not being able to get an appointment sounds kinda wacky. Also, if the doctor for some reason is booked 60 days in advance, they will usually give me an earlier time, so I don't have to be without meds.

When I go to the pharmacy it's none of their actual business what I'm getting. The prescription is already from the doctor so I have no idea why they would have to call the doctor to confirm?

Also, all insurance is handled automatically. If you go to a completely new pharmacy, you can let them know, but most are on the same system and you'll just receive the money automatically every ~3 months if you don't withdraw it manually. The part that's covered by universal health care gets automatically subtracted when you pay so that's not an issue.

Just a different take. Obviously two sides of the same coin, but I dont think it's a problem with the western medical system because it sounds very foreign to me.

[–] damnthefilibuster@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

What country are you from brother? “Insurance is handles automatically”? Never heard of that.

[–] 1371113@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

It’s true in NZ for a number of insurers. Probably true elsewhere

[–] sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml 12 points 7 months ago

My general practicioner who has been seeing me since i was like 12 also has ADHD and has made it so fucking easy for me to get my meds. My meetings with him are essentially a 10 minute zoom call where he asks if im doing ok. I can call in med refills by shooting him a message on an online portal. Your doctor just sucks

[–] Mocheeze@lemmy.world 10 points 7 months ago

Your doctor is doing it wrong and being lazy.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 9 points 7 months ago

So many hoops and so state- and country-dependent! It’s ridiculous we can’t just get our meds because of the war on fucking drugs.

I can meet my doc virtually every 3 months, and then call the pharmacy to get the script filled. It’s a pain, but not like what you have to go through.

[–] Noodle07@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago (3 children)

60 days?? I have to see my doctor every 28 days!

[–] Patches@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Oof. I don't know how you do that.

I've straight given up. Just fuck it. I guess I'll run at 50% capacity for the rest of my life.

If I need a boost I'll chug 2 energy drinks.

[–] Noodle07@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

Well it's annoying but here it's free and I have the meds either right away or the following morning

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 8 points 7 months ago

Mine is every 90 days. Ridiculous how there is no actual medical standard.

[–] Droggelbecher@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

My antidepressants last 30 days, my thyroid medication 50 days, my heart medication 40. It's impossible to manage.

[–] Vex_Detrause@lemmy.ca 6 points 7 months ago

One time I ran out of refill my pharmacist released 7 days of meds while my doctor signs and fax a new script. -not from US.

[–] Laticauda@lemmy.ca 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Damn. When you call after 50 days can't you just book an appointment for 10 days later then?

I'm glad it's not so hard to get my meds where I live, I typically get 90 days per visit but can get more if I request it for some reason (when my family doctor moved during a local doctor shortage and I couldn't get a new one for a while, I had a doctor I saw during walk-in hours straight up give me a full year worth of prescriptions, bless her lol. I've also had pharmacist's give me extensions on my meds during times where I couldn't get in to see my doctor right away) though it's still expensive to pay for sadly. I'm not sure if it's dependent on where you live or what you take, but I take vyvanse which is definitely a controlled drug so I'm thinking maybe it's a location thing (I live in Canada).

[–] Jackcooper@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Are independent pharmacies an option for you?

[–] li10@feddit.uk 27 points 7 months ago (2 children)

It’s never quite the same as the first week though.

Still extremely helpful, but I think you do get a bit of a euphoric side effect that wears off after you start to develop a tolerance.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 8 points 7 months ago

So true, it’s not the same anymore although still crucial to my life functioning well.

[–] BuryMyHorse@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

Reuptake gang