Anyone been refused medication by the chemist?

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L1985
L1985 Member Posts: 120
edited 4. May 2012, 19:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

Im so frustrated so apologies in advance as think this is going to be a rant.

Just been to the chemist to get a prescription for colchicine which I was but on by the behcets specialist to help with my joint pain. Just been to get some more tablets and the chemist have refused to give me them as they said your only allowed to take these tablets for a few days and I shouldnt have been taking 3 a day and certainly not for a month...her words!

I understand why she needs to ring and check etc but still frustrated as im now wondering is this medication safe to be on? Also if you only normally take them for a few days that makes me think he joint pain should reduce in a few days whereas mine is no different from when I started taking them.

Just getting so frustrated by it all and having to jump over hurdles with everyone.

Im sure im not the only one this has happened to.

Lulu xxx

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  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I've never had this happen to me but I know there is a lady on here who is on colchinine for her imflammatory arthritis and has been for some time. The same med can be used to treat different conditions and thus the usage/dose of the drug can vary. Your pharmacist is doing the right thing - has your consultant written to your GP about the drug and its dosage? If so, a copy of that letter for you might be worth having. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,427
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Lulu

    a GP at the practise tried to do the same to me for the same drug :(

    We should be having ours livers checked you know....

    They are usually only temporary yes, but in fact can be used with inflammatory arthritises like pallindromic.

    Don't know what to suggest other than getting your GP to ring them for you?

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi
    No its never happened to me but I can see their point in a way....is it not just a simple matter of standing yourground and insisting they ring the doc while you are there and see what the doc says??

    Love
    Hileena
  • L1985
    L1985 Member Posts: 120
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi everyone thanks for the replies

    Toni - How long have you been on Colchicine? Nobody mentioned to me about checks on my liver :roll:

    The Rhuemy nurse rang me back yesterday and said this wasnt a medication that is commonly used and users are normally on it for just 6 weeks. She said my specialist didnt say when im to stop so she is chasing it up....I was under the impression I just kept taking it. I said I havent noticed any benefits yet are they tablets which take time to work? and the nurse didnt know. More confused and worried now.

    Feeling the stress at the moment. Went for an ultra sound scan the other day to find out why I was bleeding continually....I assumed it was just from taking steroids and when I rang the doctors I was expecting the results to be just that but they have found some scarring so now need to take a biopsy. Waiting for my luck to change but feels like everything is against me at the moment.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Usually with these meds one is supposed to have regular blood tests - it's when these are done that liver function etc is assessed. Are you having any bloods taken on a regular basis? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • L1985
    L1985 Member Posts: 120
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    No i havent had any bloods taken or any mention that I needed to. I have been taking them for 5 weeks now. If I dont hear back from the rhuemy team by friday then ill ring them again and mention the blood tests!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,427
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Sorry

    l am late on, but l have been on it for about 18 months l think. Supposed to take at least 2 a day an increase that when things are flaring.

    Officially l think it's for acute gout, which l don't have :?

    Does it really upset your stomach??? :oops:

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • L1985
    L1985 Member Posts: 120
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi hun

    I have increased to x3 a day which I have taken that dose for the last 3 weeks.

    I felt abit queezy when the doses were going up but nothing major. Touch wood it hasnt given me the runs which I was surprised at as my tummy seems to get upset fairly easily ... sorry for too much info lol.

    How long did it take you to notice a benefit? I havent felt any different ... apart from the queezyness.

    I dont have gout either but from what I can understand the tablet seems to prevent inflammation. Do you take anything else? My rhuemy talked about taking sulphzalaine too.

    Also you have routine blood test on this tablet? I wasnt told to have any.

    Sorry for the 20 questions lol

    Lulu x x x
  • Cez
    Cez Member Posts: 46
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I work in pharmacy. They should not have refused you medication that your doctor sees fit to supply. It is the pharmacists job to check dose etc but without knowing your medical history, they don't know that you 'shouldn't be taking them' for so long etc. There should be an immediate call made to the GP to confirm dose and duration and that's it. How dare they tell you your doctors advice is wrong without knowing the facts. There should be an understanding that some cases are complex and require treatment outside 'normal' guidelines. I would speak to the manager, that is such poor customer service and lack of experience.

    Hope you can srot it out quickly!
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