[AstridLovelight]

I moved to a new town in September, to stay with my mom, due to my poor mental health. I was receiving services where I was, and had a tough time finding services here. Finally got a slot in one mental place and then another slot in a different place. I decided to keep both appointments to see which one I liked best.

So last week I made my second visit to the first pdoc, asked for and received a prescription for Seroquel. But I haven't started it yet.

Today I had my first appointment at the second place. I didn't tell the nurse practitioner about the other place or that I had been prescribed Seroquel, because I wanted to see what her diagnosis and prescription would be. And after a thorough assessment she agreed I was BP1 and decided to also put me on Seroquel. Wrote me a script. I still didn't tell her about the other place.

Now I'm feeling awful that I didn't tell the np today about the appointment last week and that I already had some Seroquel. What do I do? Obviously I need to cancel my next appointment at one of the places and just stay with one person. But I don't know which one. There are pros and cons to both. I'm thinking I want to stay at the place I went to today.

But I'm also worried that I'll get in trouble for 'doctor shopping' and that I shouldn't pick up the prescription at the new place. Would that be illegal to get two prescriptions for the same med in one month? But if I don't pick it up the np might think I'm being non-compliant. Should I just call her on Friday and confess everything?

Ugh, why do I get myself into these messes? Anyone have any advice?

If you've decided to go with the place you went today, just call the NP. Explain that you tried two different places to make sure you were making the right decision, that the other one had made the same dx and rx (which they filled) and that you needed to go home and think about which one to go with. Having decided to go with her practice, just tell her that you'll fill her prescription later, after the other one runs out. She'll want to make sure it's the same dose and instructions, (maybe ask you to fill the one she prescribed, who knows how picky they get) but I don't see this as a big deal. It all makes sense. You did nothing wrong. Just call and clarify on Friday. And enjoy your holiday.

[sideblinded]

AstridLovelight

You ask some very interesting questions. I don't think it is bad to doctor shop at all. I have two appts for 2 different pdocs right now. I want to see if I like the new pdoc that comes before my current pdoc's appt. I will cancel my appt with my current pdoc if I like the new pdoc better.

As far as filling two scripts, I wouldn't do that. My insurance would only cover one of them anyway.

I also have a question. Does the NP who prescribed your medication know if you filled it at the pharmacy? I would think that they can find out but if they are busy maybe they would not know. My pdoc keeps handing out scripts and I have not filled the previous ones. I find this very odd.

Hope someone can help.

[AstridLovelight]

Originally Posted by licketysplit

If you've decided to go with the place you went today, just call the NP. Explain that you tried two different places to make sure you were making the right decision, that the other one had made the same dx and rx (which they filled) and that you needed to go home and think about which one to go with. Having decided to go with her practice, just tell her that you'll fill her prescription later, after the other one runs out. She'll want to make sure it's the same dose and instructions, (maybe ask you to fill the one she prescribed, who knows how picky they get) but I don't see this as a big deal. It all makes sense. You did nothing wrong. Just call and clarify on Friday. And enjoy your holiday.

Whew, thanks so much licketysplit, you've put my mind at ease. I'll do what you suggest.

Originally Posted by sideblinded

AstridLovelight

You ask some very interesting questions. I don't think it is bad to doctor shop at all. I have two appts for 2 different pdocs right now. I want to see if I like the new pdoc that comes before my current pdoc's appt. I will cancel my appt with my current pdoc if I like the new pdoc better.

As far as filling two scripts, I wouldn't do that. My insurance would only cover one of them anyway.

I also have a question. Does the NP who prescribed your medication know if you filled it at the pharmacy? I would think that they can find out but if they are busy maybe they would not know. My pdoc keeps handing out scripts and I have not filled the previous ones. I find this very odd.

Hope someone can help.

And thanks to you too, sideblinded! I'm reassured there's nothing wrong with doctor shopping. I guess it's only a problem if you're doing it to try to obtain controlled substances for illicit purposes.

I'm indigent with no insurance so I get prescription assistance at both places. The first place the meds are free, the new place today will be $10.00, but I'll wait 'til I need it to pick up the new script.

As for your question I don't know if the np would know I filled it or not. The pharmacy they use is on premises--part of the prescription assistance deal--so if I don't pick it up they might give her a call. I don't think in general np's or dr's keep tabs on whether or not a prescription has been picked up--I can't imagine they'd have the time.

It was an interesting perspective to compare the dr and the np, though. Both are very nice and very competent, but the first doc told me it was okay to stay on the Prazosin I take with the Seroquel. He said there might be some mild interaction but he wasn't concerned about it. The np today wants me to wean off the Prazosin before taking the Seroquel, as she was concerned about the interaction. I'll probably err on the side of caution and wean off the Prazosin (it did interact with Saphris when I was on that.) But I do love my Prazosin.

And of course there's still my pharmacophobia to deal with. But that's in a thread in a different forum