[emilyjune]

I've been seeing a psychiatric nurse for a little over a year. She prescribes my meds and I've always felt like I could trust her, and like she cared about me. Two months ago, I needed a refill on my Wellbutrin. I emailed her, left her multiple voicemails, had my pharmacy try to contact her, and even ended up calling her emergency line- and I got no response. It took two and a half weeks for her to get back to me; by then I had already been without my Wellbutrin for about a week. She was very apologetic but would not give an explanation for what happened. She said she just didn't get my calls. Once I got back on the Wellbutrin, I had a seizure. I suspect that going off suddenly (because of her not refilling it) and then going right back on may have been what caused the seizure (never have had anything like that happen before, and I had been on Wellbutrin for a while). Because I've had a good relationship with her up until now, I want to be able to accept her apology and move on. But I'm really angry at her and feel like I can't trust her. It also reinforces a lot of low self-esteem beliefs I have because of my depression (nobody cares about me, I don't matter, etc). Should I terminate with her?

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by emilyjune

I've been seeing a psychiatric nurse for a little over a year. She prescribes my meds and I've always felt like I could trust her, and like she cared about me. Two months ago, I needed a refill on my Wellbutrin. I emailed her, left her multiple voicemails, had my pharmacy try to contact her, and even ended up calling her emergency line- and I got no response. It took two and a half weeks for her to get back to me; by then I had already been without my Wellbutrin for about a week. She was very apologetic but would not give an explanation for what happened. She said she just didn't get my calls. Once I got back on the Wellbutrin, I had a seizure. I suspect that going off suddenly (because of her not refilling it) and then going right back on may have been what caused the seizure (never have had anything like that happen before, and I had been on Wellbutrin for a while). Because I've had a good relationship with her up until now, I want to be able to accept her apology and move on. But I'm really angry at her and feel like I can't trust her. It also reinforces a lot of low self-esteem beliefs I have because of my depression (nobody cares about me, I don't matter, etc). Should I terminate with her?

I think termination is a radical step. I would try and work out a back up plan with her

1) telephone and email of emergency backup person
2) a 90 day prescription hopefully renewable when you have a 30 day supply.
3) check with the pharmacies and ask if they would spot you a week if in a bind. Change to that pharmacy.

In the meantime, do you have a therapist? Ask them if they can fulfill prescriptions. Also ask them about what reasonable expectations are.

If you feel you must change, get a psych doc and meet with them and see if they are onboard with your diagnosis and meds. See how easy they are to work with. If you have to cancel with sufficient notice the nurse appointment while you are under the pdoc's care. Then after you are secure and certain with another pdoc, it would be safe to give notice to the nurse if that is what you decide.

[eeyorestail]

Two and a half weeks is a LONG time to not respond to a med request. I would be very upset if that happened to me.

I think if, based on your relationship up to that point, you can forgive her and move on still trusting her, you should stay. But if you feel your trust has been broken irreparably, I would move on as long as you can find someone else you like.

I don't think it's healthy to have to see a provider you can't trust anymore.

3) check with the pharmacies and ask if they would spot you a week if in a bind. Change to that pharmacy.

Is this legal? I didn't think a pharmacy could give you a prescription med without a prescription.

Originally Posted by krminnj

Is this legal? I didn't think a pharmacy could give you a prescription med without a prescription.

If you are a regular customer with a prescription on file and this is clearly a matter of communication problems about a refill on a med you already have a history with, yes, many will give you a few days of a med while things get clarified. It isn't particularly unusual.

[emilyjune]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

If you are a regular customer with a prescription on file and this is clearly a matter of communication problems about a refill on a med you already have a history with, yes, many will give you a few days of a med while things get clarified. It isn't particularly unusual.

Thanks for the response. My pharmacy knew what was happening and they wouldn't give me any They just kept trying to get in contact with her.

[eeyorestail]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

If you are a regular customer with a prescription on file and this is clearly a matter of communication problems about a refill on a med you already have a history with, yes, many will give you a few days of a med while things get clarified. It isn't particularly unusual.

Wow, I had no idea. I wish I had known that last year when I was having issues with my prescription.

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[slummerville]

I personally would terminate. A prescriber of psychiatric medication needs to be responsible and available, or have a reliable back-up (NP or PA on call to cover while they are away, etc?). I know someone said that it would be radical to terminate, but I wouldn't have a problem with it. I think it would suck going through a loss of trust (in addition to the medical crisis!) and having to build back up from that, but I wouldn't be able to go in without thinking of the time she didn't have my back and I got a seizure.

I also think if you are part of a medical group with your health record available to other MDs, etc., then maybe one of them would have filled it or helped you get in touch with her. But the point is this did not happen. I'm sorry you went through this.

[RisuNeko]

I think termination is not u reasonable. If a prescriber left me without a med that long and caused me a seizure I would totally lose trust in that person. Especially since they gave no explanation or apology. That's medically completely irresponsible and I feel like that person should be put on some sort of probation to make sure they stay on top of things.