Dr. limiting medication refills until I make an office visit…

[quietpraiyze]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

 

[eleos1954]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

Did you ask them what the purpose of the appointment was for? Could be you are due for an overall health check up. ???

 

[seeking.IAM]

It sounds par for the course to me. I think there could be a several of reasons. Docs are under increasing scrutiny over medication prescribing due to rampant abuse of prescription meds, including meds that are siphoned off for illegal street sales. Seeing patients to check medication and medication compliance is one way of protecting Docs' liability if anything goes amiss. When the lawsuit or investigation comes, the first thing they are going to be asked is, "When did you last see this patient?" They want to be able to answer in a way that satisfies best practice.

A second, and equally plausible thing, is that many Docs are now practicing according to regimented computer-generated clinical pathways. The computer tells them, "If X happens with this patient, you do Y." Failure to follow the computer's clinical pathway can get the Doc in trouble w/ his/her employer. When my own Doc's system installed such programs (Epic), my Doc ran my session over complaining about how she thought it was horrible for medicine, that Docs were going to get lazy and stop thinking for themselves while doing whatever the computer tells them to do.

Finally, it could just be good medicine. Some drugs interact with other drugs, and careful monitoring helps ensure one's patient stay healthy.

 

[Michie]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

They usually do this when there may be need of adjustment to meds and lab work. It’s perfectly normal in my experience of dealing with my mother in law’s medical issues. It’s probably due to your numbers and trying to offset you from going full-blown diabetic. Certain medications only work so long. And your condition may have changed where they need to keep a closer eye on it.

 

[All4Christ]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

I have asthma, and my doctor will only give me a 30 day prescription for the preventative inhaler if it has been a year since I was in the office. After I have an appointment, she prescribes 12 months of inhaler meds. It seems like a pretty standard policy from what I’ve experienced.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

A good doctor will want to check their patient periodically. Your lucky to have one.
Blessings.

 

[mama2one]

my husband had been getting a 3 mos supply of his heart meds
then they wanted him to get the meds by mail which he doesn't want to do

now he can only get one month of pills at a time
so EVERY mos he has to go to pharmacy
they are punishing him for not getting pills by mail

 

[quietpraiyze]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

I am open to a video appt. but the appt. is for my "glucose level". I think it's called a A1c where they have to prick my finger. So I think that's why the "video appt." wouldn't work.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Did you ask them what the purpose of the appointment was for? Could be you are due for an overall health check up. ???

The purpose of the appt. is to check my A1c, which is simply just pricking my finger. I'm not on any diabetic medication. My usual check in for overall health is in June and has been for years.

 

[quietpraiyze]

It sounds par for the course to me. I think there could be a several of reasons. Docs are under increasing scrutiny over medication prescribing due to rampant abuse of prescription meds, including meds that are siphoned off for illegal street sales. Seeing patients to check medication and medication compliance is one way of protecting Docs' liability if anything goes amiss. When the lawsuit or investigation comes, the first thing they are going to be asked is, "When did you last see this patient?" They want to be able to answer in a way that satisfies best practice.

A second, and equally plausible thing, is that many Docs are now practicing according to regimented computer-generated clinical pathways. The computer tells them, "If X happens with this patient, you do Y." Failure to follow the computer's clinical pathway can get the Doc in trouble w/ his/her employer. When my own Doc's system installed such programs (Epic), my Doc ran my session over complaining about how she thought it was horrible for medicine, that Docs were going to get lazy and stop thinking for themselves while doing whatever the computer tells them to do.

Finally, it could just be good medicine. Some drugs interact with other drugs, and careful monitoring helps ensure one's patient stay healthy.

I understand everything you said and the last part would make sense if I was taking medication for diabetes but I'm not. I had already been going in to see the Dr. more than twice a year even though my refills were for a year. We've been working like this together for years. The only difference now was that I had an unrelated hospitalization early July. He knows all about it and I'm pretty sure I had a video appt. with him. So he knows my appt. trajectory changed and I don't go to clinics/hospitals in the winter. This was before Covid and so I definitely don't go now.

The other thing is that when I really settled down and started thinking about what this Dr. had already done by limiting my refill amount for my other medication (medications he's not checking for by the way), I realized that this is not the kind of relationship I want with my Primary Care Physician (PCP). This doesn't feel like a "partnership". It actually feels like I'm being "bullied" and can't shake this.

 

[quietpraiyze]

They usually do this when there may be need of adjustment to meds and lab work. It’s perfectly normal in my experience of dealing with my mother in law’s medical issues. It’s probably due to your numbers and trying to offset you from going full-blown diabetic. Certain medications only work so long. And your condition may have changed where they need to keep a closer eye on it.

I've been "pre-diabetic" for well over 25 years. He wasn't checking for my other medications. All I would do is go into the office where they would prick my finger. There are no "labs" other than pricking my finger and getting my A1c results.

 

[Michie]

I've been "pre-diabetic" for well over 25 years. He wasn't checking for my other medications. All I would do is go into the office where they would prick my finger. There are no "labs" other than pricking my finger and getting my A1c results.

Pricking your finger is labs of a sort. Just follow your doctor’s instructions. Next visit you can ask any questions you may have. I’m sure that there may be something you missed or do not know. Just go with the flow and ask your next visit. I’m sure there is a valid reason. Something in your condition may have changed. Be sure to keep us updated. Prayers that all goes well in the meantime!

 

[quietpraiyze]

I have asthma, and my doctor will only give me a 30 day prescription for the preventative inhaler if it has been a year since I was in the office. After I have an appointment, she prescribes 12 months of inhaler meds. It seems like a pretty standard policy from what I’ve experienced.

What you're describing is what we had been doing but he chose to change it and I wasn't paying attention believing I had my regular refills.

 

[quietpraiyze]

my husband had been getting a 3 mos supply of his heart meds
then they wanted him to get the meds by mail which he doesn't want to do

now he can only get one month of pills at a time
so EVERY mos he has to go to pharmacy
they are punishing him for not getting pills by mail

I'm so sorry you and your husband are having to experience this. My heart goes out to you.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Pricking your finger is labs of a sort. Just follow your doctor’s instructions. Next visit you can ask any questions you may have. I’m sure that there may be something you missed or do not know. Just go with the flow and ask your next visit. I’m sure there is a valid reason. Something in your condition may have changed. Be sure to keep us updated. Prayers that all goes well in the meantime!

I'm not so sure I can go with the flow because of his actions. Like I said I'm NOT on any diabetic medications, he's not checking my other medications, and I don't go to the Dr. in the Winter. What he did makes me now have to go to the Dr.'s office in February when Covid/flu Season is sky high. So for me the bottom line is that this is not the kind of relationship I want with my Dr. Nobody (man) cares more about my health than I do.

 

[Michie]

I'm not so sure I can go with the flow because of his actions. Like I said I'm NOT on any diabetic medications, he's not checking my other medications, and I don't go to the Dr. in the Winter. What he did makes me now have to go to the Dr.'s office in February when Covid/flu Season is sky high. So for me the bottom line is that this is not the kind of relationship I want with my Dr. Nobody (man) cares more about my health than I do.

Okay. Well you should discuss it with him or the nurse. It’s up to you.

 

[tturt]

A prick is cheaper than blood work. At your visit,, you could talk with the dr about picking up a blood glucose monitor and strips. Reli On is pretty accurate. Read online about when to test, etc The monitor gives you the current test results and maintains a recent history of readings. A dr prescription is not required for this purchase. You would be indicating a determination to closely monitor your situation.

Then there are free online calculators to convert blood glucose numbers to A1c

 

[Hazelelponi]

*Please no comments about healing and how the Lord can heal me


I am “pre diabetic” and was going in to the Dr.’s office about every 3 months just to have my finger pricked and blood glucose tested in office. I’m not on any diabetic medication but I am on other medications. Soooo I’ve been receiving 90 day meds with 3 refills which usually last me a year for years. This seemed to be going fine until I received a phone call from the Dr.’s office trying to schedule me for an appointment.

While I had the Dr.'s receptionist on the phone, I checked the medications that had just been delivered to me and found out this Dr. only gave me refills for 30 days until I come in for an office visit. I personally feel like he’s holding my refills hostage for an office visit for something I don’t even take medication for. Furthermore I don’t go to the Dr.’s office in the winter months, especially with Covid, Flu etc. I explained this to his Receptionist. I told her to check my records.

Has this happened to you or someone you know? How did you feel/resolve this issue because this doesn’t feel right to me.

There are guidelines doctors are supposed to follow when prescribing various medications.

You have to get checked periodically, and seeing the doctor in person gives him/her a better idea of how you are doing than just your word.

As we age the guidelines change because our bodies change the way we metabolize each medication.

It's likely that the doctor needs a physical checkup on you now, due to a change in prescribing guidelines for one or more of your medications.

Be thankful your not me - I have to go to the doctor in person every single month.

If you're worried about catching something from others, know that I haven't caught anything at my doctor's office yet - though since COVID I do wear a facemask while there.

To add to what I said above - if you slip into full blown diabetes it may end up creating an issue with how you metabolize one of your medications. It might be why they feel they need to check it now.

It's best to sit in person and speak to your doctor face to face and about your appointment schedule, your health, and why he felt the need to change your schedule from what it's always been. A good doctor will explain.

 

[eleos1954]

The purpose of the appt. is to check my A1c, which is simply just pricking my finger. I'm not on any diabetic medication. My usual check in for overall health is in June and has been for years.

don't they then runs tests on your blood sample?

 

[quietpraiyze]

don't they then runs tests on your blood sample?

All I know is that they prick my finger, run it through some machine, and then come back and tell me the number. I've never gone over the number to be considered diabetic in the sense of having to take medication. I have full lab blood work as well as UA done at least twice a year where I have to fast prior for 12 hours and EVERYTHING is checked. This was not that kind of appt.