Rx refill question

[derek27]

I was 40 prescribed xanax .5 mg to take twice daily back in early march and had 3 refills. So basically 20 day supply. I have ran out of refills so I put in a query through walgreens to contact my doctor for another. I have been refilling on the 20 day mark with no issue. I just got denied a fourth refill by my doctor and I'm wondering if its because my doctor is wanting me off of them or wanting me to come back in. I have heard nothing from them and left a message last week about maybe switching to klonopin or upping the dose with no response. I plan on calling today and asking why I was denied. What is the right thing to ask my doctor without seeming like I'm addicted and getting on some sort of shit list with them?

 

[Coraline]

When your refills run out its time to visit the dr again. He probably wants to examine you. I would not worry at this point. Just schedule a visit and see how it goes. Some dr will authorize refills and some won't. Good luck.

 

[Wsolstice95]

I agree. Most doctors will want to se you in person before issuing another script (especially for any kind of scheduled substance). I've been with the same doc for years, so she is willing to call in scripts for me without a visit, but like I said, I've been working with this psychiatrist for a very long time.

 

[Hybris]

^ These guys nailed it. I get a similar script of Xanax monthly and am usually issued a few months refills. When I run out of refills, I'll call the office and see if the doctor will call it in for me (save the time of an appt.) Usually they will call in another month supply and inform me I need to schedule a visit prior to my next refill. I would recommend next time you run into this situation to call the doctor's office direct rather than having Walgreens do the let work. This will keep things more personable with your doctor and keep you both in the loop as far as what's going on rather than you wondering why he didnt authorize the refill and him wondering why you didn't come in or call.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

And, even if this is obvious, don't go in there looking like you're desperate for the pills. Dress nice, look nice, etc. Just look at the generic drug user stereotype and try to do the opposite of that.

 

[ugly]

I have to see my doctor every third refill for clonazapam which is a benzo similar to xanax. Like JackiesBabyy says, dress and act nice, and don't seem the slightest bit anxious about the pills. Doctors have to cover their asses on scheduled substances especially, so once the doctor sees you and sees that you are benefiting, in other words, the medicine is doing what it was prescribed to do for you, you should not have a problem getting a new script.

Let us know how it goes. I'm interested to know what your doctor says.

 

[Hybris]

I don't think he'll say anything. It doesn't sound to me like he is abusing them and obviously the doctor prescribed them in the first place for a reason. Especially with Xanax any educated doctor isn't just going to end his prescription. If he wants him off of them he would need to ween him down otherwise the withdrawals can cause serious complications for the patient. Sounds to me like the doctor just wants a check up face to face to see how the medication is working out and for documentation.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

I don't think he'll say anything. It doesn't sound to me like he is abusing them and obviously the doctor prescribed them in the first place for a reason. Especially with Xanax any educated doctor isn't just going to end his prescription. If he wants him off of them he would need to ween him down otherwise the withdrawals can cause serious complications for the patient. Sounds to me like the doctor just wants a check up face to face to see how the medication is working out and for documentation.

One of those complications is a seizure-induced death, so, I don't think any doctor who doesn't want to be sued would just stop a benzo like that.

 

[tricomb]

I get "NO REFILLS" on pretty much every prescription I have, (except for some reasons, triazolam and zolpidem) and when I need refills:

1) I call a 24/7 automated prescription refill phone number and

2) it asks me for my medical record number, and

3) the prescription number(s) on the bottle(s) of whatever it is I want to refill, in my case it's alprazolam, temazepam, and triazolam, so

4) I type in all three prescription numbers and

5) press Pound (#) and it says "Some of your requested medication refills have no approved refills on them, we will contact your doctor for authorization." Then,

6) one business day later they're ready for pickup at my pharmacy.

I never go to see my psychiatrist in person anymore but I'm stable on my medications and have been for years. If I want to change my medications, raise a dose or try a new medication, just checkin, whatever, I can get in touch with him directly by phone or email.

 

[Hybris]

That's interesting, I've never heard of anyone doing that. I wonder if it would work for most people. What state do you live in?

 

[tokenname]

I get "NO REFILLS" on pretty much every prescription I have, (except for some reasons, triazolam and zolpidem) and when I need refills:

1) I call a 24/7 automated prescription refill phone number and

2) it asks me for my medical record number, and

3) the prescription number(s) on the bottle(s) of whatever it is I want to refill, in my case it's alprazolam, temazepam, and triazolam, so

4) I type in all three prescription numbers and

5) press Pound (#) and it says "Some of your requested medication refills have no approved refills on them, we will contact your doctor for authorization." Then,

6) one business day later they're ready for pickup at my pharmacy.

I never go to see my psychiatrist in person anymore but I'm stable on my medications and have been for years. If I want to change my medications, raise a dose or try a new medication, just checkin, whatever, I can get in touch with him directly by phone or email.

that's one of the sexiest things i've ever read...

 

[tricomb]

That's interesting, I've never heard of anyone doing that. I wonder if it would work for most people. What state do you live in?

Bay Area, CA

I have a strong relationship with my psychiatrist though he's awesome and has literally saved me from myself with the right combination of medications. Trust is key with doctors, if they can't trust you with something as common as xanax then they'll probably make you jump through more hoops.

 

[Hybris]

Hmm I'm in Indiana, we have automated refill options at the pharmacies but I don't recall any option for "medical record number". Is that issued by your doctor, through the pharmacy, or insurance?

 

[tricomb]

Insurance I think.