[robcalher]

Just moved from CO to FL last month. Was prescribed Wellbutrin, vyvanse, temazepam, and clonazepam. All these meds except well are considered schedule to drugs here and are very hard to get. Trying to get the same kind of mental health treatment that I got in CO. Psychiatrist, therapies, casemanager, meds, etc. Finally got an evaluation ad my pshyciatrist appt isn't for two months. Also the only place that would accept me, the rest are all private psychiatrists, does not prescribe three out of the four meds. Also did not diagnose me with ADHD here. What am I supposed to do quite everything cold turkey and wait two months!? AAAHHHHH!!!!!

[Smileonmyface]

idk but that sounds awful. sorry you are going through a rough time. i have moved many times and know how hard it can be especially with doctor related stuff.
is it possible you could have your old doctor from CO call in prescriptions for you to pick up in FL that would tide you over until you see the new psych? I don't know if they do that but maybe it's worth a phone call if you haven't tried already.
hugs.

[Victoria'smom]

I had to go through community health and the ER to get my meds when I moved.

[robcalher]

Well smileonmyface my Dr was a good Dr and we had that planned. She gave me 3 mos of refills on 3 of em and 3 paper scripts for the vyvanse. As soon as I got here none of the pharmacies would accept any of them because she's a nurse practitioner. The laws are very strict here and they will only fill scripts from Drs or psychiatrists. Some only fill meds from psychiatrists only. So it all did no good. The new psychiatrist doesn't even prescribe the clonazepam, temazepam or vyvanse. They said they are narcotics.They didn't diagnose me with adhd here either. I did call my old Dr twice already. There's not much she can do to the laws but I called her again today for some suggestions and will here back from her on Monday. Florida health care is terrible...

[robcalher]

Can't go to the ER either. I had medicaid in CO but don't qualify here. Expensive. I fear the withdrawals

[thecrankyone]

Is there anyway to fill them at your old pharmacy and have them mailed to you?

[robcalher]

Actually that is what I have done with the most expensive med I take. Cuz it is $270 without medicaid over here and only $3 in CO with my Medicaid card. My only worry is if it is legal? I'm out of it right now. My sister used a copy of my medicaid card in CO and sent it to me. The clinic in CO that I used to go to said that is what I should do. Still, Hesitant to do it again. It saves so much money. My mom and sister assures me it is ok but I don't know.

[avlady]

i hope its legal and wish you good luck

[iwonderaboutstuff]

Schedule II is a federal classification, not state.

I'd fear withdrawal too.

A nurse practitioner is not qualified to make the diagnoses listed. If depression, anxiety disorder and ADHD had been diagnosed by a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist in CO, then providing a copy of those medical records / a release authorization to a FL psychiatrist will aid you in getting continued treatment.

[Perna]

Why did you move to Florida? I'd move back if it is going to be that much hassle and I don't have anyone to help me make the transition in Florida.

[thecrankyone]

If it wasn't legal, I don't think the pharmacy would do it. I would do what you did if I were in your situation. That's a lot of money.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by iwonderaboutstuff

Schedule II is a federal classification, not state.

I'd fear withdrawal too.

A nurse practitioner is not qualified to make the diagnoses listed. If depression, anxiety disorder and ADHD had been diagnosed by a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist in CO, then providing a copy of those medical records / a release authorization to a FL psychiatrist will aid you in getting continued treatment.

What do you mean by sch. II is a classification not a state? In CO an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner is qualified to make the diagnosis and prescribe the sch. II meds. Not here in Florida. Florida is one of two states that do not let ARNPs prescribe sch. II meds. It is also the state with the most restraints on what Adanced Registered Nurse Practitioners can do. I'm sure I can find a psychiatrist that would help me, I just can't afford one without medicaid, which I do not qualify for here. Or to pay for my meds.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by Perna

Why did you move to Florida? I'd move back if it is going to be that much hassle and I don't have anyone to help me make the transition in Florida.

I moved because of money problems and depression thought living with family would help. Did not not know I would have so many issues with the mental healthcare. Not knowing Florida is one of the worst and strict. No expanded medicaid. I have thought of moving back but no place to live. I have enough money to fly but not to live off of. The only places that I can afford here is the cheap low quality county mental health centers that are pathetic in care. Those are the places that won't prescribe 3 of the meds I take. Also I have applied for disability so if I did go back to CO I don't feel I would be able to work. My depression and anxiety are so severe right now.

[thecrankyone]

I live in ND and I have a nurse practitioner who is excellent and qualified in our state to write any prescription. There are some things she can't do, as she isn't an MD, but she very close and much more than an RN who can't write scripts.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by thecrankyone

If it wasn't legal, I don't think the pharmacy would do it. I would do what you did if I were in your situation. That's a lot of money.

But is it legal to use my medicaid there since I no longer live there? I believe it ends this month. So it's not something I will continue to do. I just don't wanna get in trouble. And my nurse practitioner was excellent also. you

[thecrankyone]

Originally Posted by robcalher

But is it legal to use my medicaid there since I no longer live there? I believe it ends this month. So it's not something I will continue to do. I just don't wanna get in trouble. And my nurse practitioner was excellent also. you

I'm not a lawyer so don't take legal advice from me, but I can't see why it wouldn't be. I may be wrong, but I think if you haven't been in a state for 30 days you aren't technically a resident yet.

Any one know more about this?

[iwonderaboutstuff]

Originally Posted by robcalher

What do you mean by sch. II is a classification not a state? In CO a nurse practitioner is qualified to make the diagnosis and prescribe the sch. II meds. Not here in Florida. Florida is one of two states that do not let ARNPs prescribe sch. II meds. It is also the state with the most restraints on what Adanced Registered Nurse Practitioners can do. I'm sure I can find a psychiatrist that would help me, I just can't afford one without medicaid, which I do not qualify for here. Or to pay for my meds.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is the one that classifies drugs as Schedule 1, Schedule II, etc.

Yes nurse practitioners can write prescriptions, and often diagnose and treat people for common ailments much like a doctor. They do it where I live too.

That said, an ARNP does not have the education and experience necessary to make a clinical mental health diagnosis. It is possible to exhibit symptoms of a mental health disorder and still not meet the clinical definition of said disorder(s).

You said you "got an evaluation and my psychiatrist appt isn't for two months." I read that to mean you have not yet seen a psychiatrist in FL. Again, I strongly encourage you to do the paperwork early, sign the medical release authorization form, so they can get copies of your medical records from CO before your appointment, so the doctor knows your history and can start helping you right away. Also, there is more than 1 drug to treat any given condition, so don't freak out about the idea of not getting the same ones.

In the meantime, get current meds mailed. Those drugs are schedule II for a reason and any change in taking them should be done under medical supervision, as there are risks associated with them all.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by iwonderaboutstuff

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is the one that classifies drugs as Schedule 1, Schedule II, etc.

Yes nurse practitioners can write prescriptions, and often diagnose and treat people for common ailments much like a doctor. They do it where I live too.

That said, an ARNP does not have the education and experience necessary to make a clinical mental health diagnosis. It is possible to exhibit symptoms of a mental health disorder and still not meet the clinical definition of said disorder(s).

You said you "got an evaluation and my psychiatrist appt isn't for two months." I read that to mean you have not yet seen a psychiatrist in FL. Again, I strongly encourage you to do the paperwork early, sign the medical release authorization form, so they can get copies of your medical records from CO before your appointment, so the doctor knows your history and can start helping you right away. Also, there is more than 1 drug to treat any given condition, so don't freak out about the idea of not getting the same ones.

In the meantime, get current meds mailed. Those drugs are schedule II for a reason and any change in taking them should be done under medical supervision, as there are risks associated with them all.

You are right my evaluation here in FL was not by a psychiatrist it was by a therapist and I did not feel comfortable about it. She was not specific about each diagnosis and did not diagnose ADHD. I felt she wasn't qualified. Luckily I do have an evaluation by an actual psychologist in two weeks through vocational rehab. They will then refer me somewhere. Hopefully it will not be to the same place that I got the first evaluation from but I fear this will be the case. As I mentioned lowest of the low quality. Where they do not prescribe controlled substances. I would much rather prefer a private agency but I do not have and can not afford insurance. I am trying to get my records sent to myself or vocational rehab but am having trouble getting a hold of my old mental health center. As for the meds yes there are risks in stopping them cold turkey. Another problem with the center here. I asked if the psych could guide me off of them due to two being benzodiazepines and them not prescribing them. They said they don't do that. So I still do not know how that will play out. So I will get my one medication sent to me from CO. Two of you , my mom and sister, and my old clinic also suggested, that is what I will do. I just needed some advice, as I have trouble making decisions.

[Angelique67]

Hi Rob, I strongly urge you to find the money for a private psychiatrist before you run out of the benzodiazepene meds. It's likely no one there will prescribe them and you don't want to go through the kind of withdrawal I did. Take care.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Hi Rob, I strongly urge you to find the money for a private psychiatrist before you run out of the benzodiazepene meds. It's likely no one there will prescribe them and you don't want to go through the kind of withdrawal I did. Take care.

Thank you Angelique67. Still trying to think of options.

[iwonderaboutstuff]

Originally Posted by robcalher

You are right my evaluation here in FL was not by a psychiatrist it was by a therapist and I did not feel comfortable about it. She was not specific about each diagnosis and did not diagnose ADHD. I felt she wasn't qualified. Luckily I do have an evaluation by an actual psychologist in two weeks through vocational rehab. They will then refer me somewhere. Hopefully it will not be to the same place that I got the first evaluation from but I fear this will be the case. As I mentioned lowest of the low quality. Where they do not prescribe controlled substances. I would much rather prefer a private agency but I do not have and can not afford insurance. I am trying to get my records sent to myself or vocational rehab but am having trouble getting a hold of my old mental health center. As for the meds yes there are risks in stopping them cold turkey. Another problem with the center here. I asked if the psych could guide me off of them due to two being benzodiazepines and them not prescribing them. They said they don't do that. So I still do not know how that will play out. So I will get my one medication sent to me from CO. Two of you , my mom and sister, and my old clinic also suggested, that is what I will do. I just needed some advice, as I have trouble making decisions.

Requests for medical records need to be made in writing, always. If you sign the new doctor's form, they'll take care of getting in touch with the old place and you will avoid a copying fee.

If your new doctor doesn't have this information, it will be like starting over from scratch. No doctor will diagnosis you in 1 visit with the conditions you have listed based on self reports. They can't do it, it's impossible. They all require assessment over time to accurately diagnose.

I understand how frustrated and anxious you must feel about all this. Please keep in mind that doctors really do want to help you.

[robcalher]

Originally Posted by iwonderaboutstuff

Requests for medical records need to be made in writing, always. If you sign the new doctor's form, they'll take care of getting in touch with the old place and you will avoid a copying fee.

If your new doctor doesn't have this information, it will be like starting over from scratch. No doctor will diagnosis you in 1 visit with the conditions you have listed based on self reports. They can't do it, it's impossible. They all require assessment over time to accurately diagnose.

I understand how frustrated and anxious you must feel about all this. Please keep in mind that doctors really do want to help you.

I see what you mean but where would I sign a new Dr form if I don't know where I'll be going, or referred to?

[iwonderaboutstuff]

Originally Posted by robcalher

I see what you mean but where would I sign a new Dr form if I don't know where I'll be going, or referred to?

The appointment you say you already have scheduled - that doctor.