DUH Sunny

[Guest guest]

I had a rough weekend because Wal-Mart said my doctor wouldn't refill my pred until he saw me and I had just seen him the day before. That all happened on Thursday and my doc is off on Friday. Well, all I talked to was Wal-Mart that first time on Thursday after 5pm when Rich took me to pick up the refill and they didn't have it. I had a miserable weekend with a itchy rash, vomiting, headache or more. I asked someone I trust that is a nurse and she told me that what I was experiencing was probably prednisone withdrawal and I should (drum roll) go to the ER. Went to the ER Sunday night because the symptoms worsened and new ones kicked in. Like: heart beating a zillion miles a minute, could barely walk, felt all confused, so tired I could barely stand, shills all over. I thought I was surely dying. ER doc said that I had a flu bug and he wasn't comfortable giving me prednisone if my primary didn't want to renew the prescription. They did some extensive blood work but I didn't get the results because being the stubborn fool that I am as soon as he gave me the spiel about flu and not comfortable I walked out crying. Rich was not happy with anyone at that point including me and he wanted to go to a different ER but I told him they are all computer connected so they would all say the same thing. Anyway Rich called my doctor this morning and insisted on talking to the doctor. Rich is the kind of guy who usually gets his way. He is a big quiet man but when it comes to my health he has had it up to here and let my primary have it. Told him all I had gone through over the past 4 days and how much pain I had been in. Poor doctor, he was so confused. He had indeed talked with his assistant on Thursday and told her to call in my refill and make it a 90 day supply because he didn't want me waiting until the last minute to refill then missing a dose. That conversation and her subsequent call to Wal-Mart with the order happened after he had seen his last patient, done the evening wrap up with the nurses and whatever else docs do after the patients leave and before they go home. Doctor's nurse faxed or called (can't remember what Rich said) the order to refill in Thursday evening sometime after 5pm when I was there. DUH! Why didn't I check back with Wal-Mart? I just thought that it was after 5pm so doc was gone no refill order given and I was up a creek in a leaky boat with no paddle and piranhas in the water. I just never thought they would get the order so late. I guess Rich called and gave Wal-Mart an earful too but their stance is that with thousands of refills they can not call each person even in special circumstances because there are a lot of those as well. So, now I have my prednisone back with enough for 90 days and refills for the 90 script. I won't be running out again. And miracles do happen, the doctor's office called a little while ago to see how I was doing and explained exactly what to watch for over the next 24 hours (pred doesn't kick in immediately I guess) hours that would mean ER and she had already called the ER supervisor and gave her "what for" and told them to put it in the computer that if I come in with anything even remotely related to pred withdrawal tonight to make sure whoever treats me knows exactly what is going on. I guess everyone's ears are full now! I am still very miserable but knowing that it is going to get better makes it easier to deal with. I blame my "Air Family" for it getting straightened out. You guys have given both Rich and myself the support we needed to start demanding that I get the right care when it is needed. You all ROCK! I was a big chicken when facing doctor's. They always made me feel foolish and inferior. Now, I am keeping my own records and beginning to stand up for myself. AND someone on this site evidently told that when I was really bad he should put his foot down and not let me jeopardize my life over money or anything else. Whoever you are (Sher, MB?) your words planted themselves in his heart and he has put his foot down on all my excuses and reasons for not taking things like this pred withdrawal as an ER situation. Also, he has NEVER called my doctor and let loose before. He is such a big teddy bear but you guys somehow helped him see that if I wouldn't stand up and be counted, he'd prop me up while he stood up. You cannot imagine how wonderful that makes me feel. But still, I am going to continue to become more aggressive (in the nicest possible way) and more responsible about the care of feeding of all my various illness'. So guys, it seems redundant to keep saying it but thank you and Rich says thank you too. HUGS and then pats on the back all around.

Sunny, PF '09, Lupus/Sjogrens/Arthritis '04, Chronic Aspiration Ph. '09, Idaho