[MSCherokee]

First a little background. I have not seen my neurologist since 2005, when I had a follow-up MRI a year after going off Avonex and there were no changes to the MRI. My MS has been relatively stable, although I deal with fatigue to a varying degree every day of my life.

I’ve never had a problem getting medication refills in the past – all I do is call up the doctor’s prescription refill line and while it takes them a while – usually two weeks – I get my prescription refilled. Even though my prescription for Provigil is 100 mg once a day, I cut them in half and use it only when I absolutely need it to make it through the day.

So I did my usual and called in my prescription and after almost two weeks, it was called into my pharmacy. When I went to pick it up last Thursday they said they couldn’t fill it until the doctor submitted a prior authorization form because of my absurd Anthem insurance, which I hate. So I thought, OK, so I’ll have to wait another week or so, but at least I’ll have it in time for my upcoming business trip at the end of October.

When I called the pharmacy today the woman was so apologetic and told me what happened. After her second call to the doctor’s office to obtain this prior authorization, she was finally able to talk to a PA.

The first comment from this PA was that I was not taking the medicine as prescribed and therefore she wouldn’t fill out this form. LOL no kidding, at $50 co-pay for a one month’s supply I conserve as much as possible! Let me get this straight, I’m being punished for not taking enough Provigil? WTH?

Next, she pulled my records and changed her excuse to “she hasn’t seen the doctor since 2005 so we won’t fill out this form until she sees the doctor”. Well, that’s all fine and dandy but there’s a three month wait to get into see him, so WTF do I do in the meantime? I left a message on this PA’s answering machine, practically begging for even a one month’s supply until I can get in to see the doctor but I frankly don’t see her helping me.

So, what to do? One thought I had was to go to the emergency room, which I’ve never done and hate to do for something so insane as needing a prescription refill. Heck, I doubt they’d even see me.

I would call my GP but I know for a fact he won’t prescribe Provigil – I’ve tried in the past. He doesn’t like to step on the specialists toes so he won’t prescribe any MS related med.

Another thought I had was to try one of those nifty online pharmacies. My concern, besides having to pay triple the cost for a month’s supply is if these places are legit and the meds safe.

Any suggestions or personal experiences anyone cares to share? Provigil is the only reason I can continue to work full-time – without it, I’m screwed.

[MooseasaurusRex]

UGH.
Stupid doctors and pharmacys and paperwork.

I don't have any advice other than explaining to your doc why you can't take them on the schedule he prescribed. ($$$$). Maybe he can even give you some free samples to help you.

MOOSE SIZE THREAD BUMP!

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Call your neuro's office and get a fax number. Then write the doc a letter and fax it. Once you put it in writing and they see it in black and white, I am betting that your neuro has no idea what's going on.

I ran into a similar situation with my PCP a while back and found out that he was totally unaware of what was going on. The PA and the PA's nurse were not telling him anything. From that point on, I insisted on putting everything in writing.

The letters go into my chart and if I have any problems, there is a written record of the situation.

Good luck and I hope you get your medication refill.

[MSCherokee]

Thanks so much for the suggestion of writing a letter Cheryl - I was way too tired and PO'd yesterday to be thinking clear. LOL In this economy I simply cannot afford to lose my job and I really felt like they were messing with my paycheck yesterday.

I've had issues with my docs office staff in the past. When I called the idiot who talked to my pharmacy I got her voice mail of course - her recording said she was the other doc's assistant so I'm betting my doctor and his assistant were off yesterday and I got stuck with his partner's assistant.

I'll be calling them today for that fax number and crossing my fingers that my doc is in today and my letter doesn't get "misplaced".

[ewizabeth]

I take Provigil the same way you do. I break the 100mg in half and take it a few times a week. It works best for me that way. My doctor doesn't always really like the way I do things, but he knows that I know generally what's best for me and I do best on small doses of meds.

I hope you can get a refill soon!

[MSCherokee]

Sigh. I had my very professional letter all typed up, just waiting for me to fill in a blank about when I had scheduled my appointment. Well...no need to send this letter.

Not only will the neuro's office not call in even one month of Provigil for me, they will not even schedule an appointment for me. I have to be "re-referred" as a new patient before I can schedule an appointment.

My insurance plan administrator told me that she was surprised they had kept refilling my scripts without seeing me. Apparently there's a law that they must see a patient annually in order to keep prescribing meds? LOL I've been getting them for three years now! WTF!

Whew. Deep breaths. Gee, didn't the neuro tell me that stress was bad for MS?

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Originally Posted by MSCherokee

Sigh. I had my very professional letter all typed up, just waiting for me to fill in a blank about when I had scheduled my appointment. Well...no need to send this letter.

Not only will the neuro's office not call in even one month of Provigil for me, they will not even schedule an appointment for me. I have to be "re-referred" as a new patient before I can schedule an appointment.

My insurance plan administrator told me that she was surprised they had kept refilling my scripts without seeing me. Apparently there's a law that they must see a patient annually in order to keep prescribing meds? LOL I've been getting them for three years now! WTF!

Whew. Deep breaths. Gee, didn't the neuro tell me that stress was bad for MS?

Write the letter anyway. Add a paragraph explaining the past three years of getting the meds. Let them KNOW that you have been getting the meds and it would be appreciated if they could see you for a "visit" with a follow up as a "new patient" in order to get the rx filled NOW. Make it easy for everyone as you have MS, not them. You are the sick one...not them.

[Kitty]

I agree with Cheryl.....write the letter anyway. I'd fax a copy and also mail a copy. And request that it become a part of your file.

In this day of law suits for every little thing and doctors feeling like they have to CYA all the time I sort of understand why they are being like this. Still though, it doesn't help you!!

Maybe if they understand how important it is to you and that you simply cannot afford to be without it or start over as a new patient they will lighten up a bit.

BTW.....doctors negotiate rates with patients. If you cannot afford something let them know. I spoke with the office manager at my Neuro's office about this as I will be without insurance at the end of December. I asked if they would charge me what they accept from my insurance as payment should I need to be seen. She agreed!! I only go twice a year - and I'm seriously thinking of changing doctors anyway - but if I need to be seen it's good to know that it won't break the bank!

[Blessings2You]

Certified mail with return receipt?

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

Certified mail with return receipt?

Even better!!