Hi,
How’s it going?
I had to do a lot of thinking for this daily email. I started it last night and finished it at 4:30am today : )
I must say I am dead tired.
I have a super long day ahead of me.
Actually today I was amazed at the fact that I have been doing this so long and not run out of things to say.
My friend George says it’s because I like talking about bipolar disorder but he doesn’t understand why : )
Okay, so let’s go.
When you think of your medication, the one person you think about in relation to them is your doctor, right?
But what about your pharmacist? He can be just as important.
In my courses and systems, I talk about your medications and give suggestions on how to manage them.
I also talk about how to build a strong support system and who you should include in it. People such as your supporer, other loved ones/family, doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, and yes, even your pharmacist.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
But it’s your pharmacist who fills your prescriptions and who can be invaluable in other ways, so that’s why today’s email is so important.
Here’s 16 things you should know about your medications and your pharmacy/pharmacist:
1. Prescriptions for sleeping pills or painkillers get extra scrutiny.
2. Don’t use the drive-thru. Working there can distract your pharmacist.
3. Pharmacists are only human, and they do make mistakes, so always check your prescription before you leave he pharmacy.
4. Sometimes the pharmacist can’t read the doctor’s handwriting (another reason to check your prescription).
5. They hate your insurance company as much as you do (because much of the time they’re stuck in the middle and can’t help you).
6. They can give flu shots in many states.
7. It may only be a pharmacy tech, and not the pharmacist himself, who filled your prescription.
8. Generics are a close match to brand-name prescription drugs, but be careful when it comes to thyroid medications and blood-thinners.
9. Even if you start off with a name brand prescription, you may be able to get a generic refill. Just ask.
10. Pharmacists are not mind-readers. They don’t know what other medications you’re taking if you use other pharmacies, so they can’t warn you of possible drug interactions. You’re better off sticking to only one pharmacy.
11. They can usually give you a print-out that tells you all about your medication. If not, they are usually available to give you a free consultation about it.
12. Most refills and new prescriptions come in on after the weekend, so the pharmacy is busiest on Mondays and Tuesdays. Avoid getting your medication on those days if you can.
13. Try to get the $4 generic prescriptions that most pharmacies now have. They may not automatically offer it to you. Even if your pharmacy doesn’t offer it, you can ask if they will match the price.
14. You can usually have someone else pick up your prescriptions for you if you give written, signed permission. It is always best to bring them with you and introduce them to the pharmacist and pharmacy staff in advance, however.
15. Yelling at your pharmacist will get you nowhere. They fill the prescriptions in the order they come in. If the wait time is too long for you, come back and pick it up later.
16. Don’t get frustrated with your pharmacist if they’re unable to fill/refill a prescription for you due to physician error or insurance problems. It’s not their fault. And if they bypass either one just to give you your medication, they would be breaking the law.
If you keep these 16 things in mind, your pharmacy experience can be a better one, and your pharmacist can be a strong part of your support system.
Your pharmacist can help you manage your medication better, too.
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
Hi Dave,
Number 17, if you don’t have children around, you can get “Non-Safety” caps that are “MUCH” easier to open. If your like me and have a million bottles to open each day, it sure helps to not have to open those child-proof caps they make that can be stubborn. However, my pharmacy is busy and I often have to check the lid before I leave to see if they did indeed give me the non-safety cap, but it is also a good idea to make sure you get the right thing “Before” you leave the store! I didn’t get a wrong Rx before, but another one of my medications instead of the one I went to pick up! So what ever you do, do NOT just open the bottle and take one without reading the label whether it is at home or at the pharmacy! Always read the bottle and if you are familiar with what it looks like, open the bottle to see if it is indeed what you were prescribed : )
Other than that, you did a great job of covering the pharmacy. I do use the same pharmacy for all my medications… I think it is safer that way because they know everything you are taking and can warn you if they catch a couple meds that conflict each other.
Have a productive day!
Bob
Some friens some people are. A life long friend of my bipolar son has quit being his friend. I asked his wife why? She said her husband did not like my son for using. He has quit pot over a year ago. He also quit drinking 5 years ago. I told his wife he is bipolar. His friend did not know this. His stupid wife says my son is a big boy and will work it out. She said she kbows all about bipolar. I told her he wont not without meds. They are both goodie two shoes know it alls. I could never stand either one of them. My son daughter knows he is bipolar but has put him down for good and won’t forgive his behavior since he got this ways five years ago. His stupid girlfriend says he isn’t bipolar. What a bunch of cold uncaring people they all are and ignorant and selfish. Not enonough is known about bipolar even doctors and psychiartrists don’t know enough or care enough. Thats how I feel about all of ths. Mary Sanders
David, My loved one has major depression, PTSD, anxiety, and has had some mania due to a anti-dep. w/o a mood stabilizer and a “second hit”(3-4 of those!)
Anyway- your emails and information help tremendously! Even though he is not diag. “bi-polar”. THANK YOU!!
I just wanted to comment on prescriptions- anti-depressants. We have found at least 2, WELLBUTRIN and EFFEXOR generic, NOT to be the same as the name brand. There are blogs out there from people who will attest to not getting the same relief from the generic when it came out and their insurance changed them. For some people it is a BIG difference!
You can fight the switch with the help of your pdoc or the dr who prescribes the meds for you. The company who you go through to GET your ins. should have a person on staff that can help you with that also.
Calling the ins. company directly and having them note your concerns is recommended too.
Its time consuming and a pain in the neck but its worth it to get the meds that make you feel better! Don’t give up!!!
Thanks, again Dave! Kathy
To give credit where credit is due, I have the GREATEST pharmacist in town! I have known John for more than 30 years, and get ALL my prescriptions from his “Mom and Pop” drug store.
Not only does it help that we know each other so well, he sometimes bends over backwards to get my meds OKd even before the due date, because he knows I need them. And, he KNOWS what prescriptions do and don’t do in regards to side effects, and brings that to my attention.
Case in point: someone stole my Fentanyl patches, and with a LOT of footwork, I got the prescription from my Pain Specialist. Although it wasn’t due for another week, I explained the situation – and the insurance company allowed it! And in another case, it wasn’t quite time to get my Percocet filled, so he worked with the insurance company and got the release to fill it about 3 days ahead of time!
As far as my antipsychotics, I get them through the same pharmacy, but they are sent to the Community Mental Health Clinic, where the nurses put the daily pills in the box for me. They charge $1/box per week, but at least it’s always the SAME drugs, and I KNOW what they look like. You HAVE to have TRUST when you’re working with med boxes!
Right now, my shrink has given the order for “samples” of Zyprexa, which costs $150/month CO-PAY to cut down on my almost $100/month prescription bill. Without that allowance, it costs nearly $250/month out-of-pocket for my psychotropic medications. If you try, you can work out these kinds of allowances with your pdoc or pharmacist.
Build up a working, professional and friendly relationship with whomever is responsible for your meds; it ALWAYS works out best this way.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. My prayers are with you.
As a pharmacist- I applaud you for todays post. Thank you!
So, what should we tell those wonderful supporters who tell us, “Get off those medications…that is what your problem is?”
Why do they say that? They don’t understand what we are taking meds or why we are taking it.
I guess it is some kind of helpful advice? What do you think? What should be the appropriate response?
Oh, by the way, it was one of my rich aunts who told me to flush the medication down the toilet.
Now, I also hear that it is not safe for wildlife or humans to have the meds in our water. So, what do you do with unused meds?
More importantly, what do I do with my rich aunt?
I enjoy reading everyday your articles.
I use the same phamacy for years. And everytime I get my refills the pharmacist alway goes over my med one by one. It safer way to make sure no error with meds. Best to be safe always.
Thanks for all the great reads.
I am bipolar 1.
one day at a time.