I need an asthma inhaler and the doc can't see me until the 15th

[gregk24]

I understand where your Dr. is coming from. It would have been nice of them to call it in for you, but if you haven't been seen since 2012 that's on you. You should at least be going once a year for your annual.

Go to and urgent care and have them write you a new script.

If you don't like your Dr, you need to find a new one.

 

[Leo99]

Some of you are confused on asthma inhalers. There are basically two kinds. One is albuterol which is a rescue inhaler for when you have asthma symptoms. It's sometimes used to prevent symptoms. The other kind of inhaler is a maintenance drug. It's typically a two drug meter dosed inhaler dry powder inhaler with a bronco dilator and a steroid to prevent asthma symptoms. I take a maintenance inhaler twice a day. I've taken Symbicort. I'm taking Dulero now. I hear Advair just came off patent and there are generics for it. I might switch. My asthma doctor is pretty strict about seeing her to get Rx. Every six months. She'll extend it a month if I can't get to see her but that's about it. I don't have an issue with the Dr. not writing a script for a patient they haven't seen in 7 years and wanting to see the patient. If you're taking an important drug, don't wait until last minute to get your Rx sorted out.

 

[gregk24]

Side note, I work in a pharmacy and have seen it all. I can't stand it when a patient comes in demanding we fill an outdated rx. BE AN ADULT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. It's not the pharmacy or dr's job to make sure you have updated prescriptions.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by bullwinkle
Originally Posted by Imp4
Look, since you're an adult, let's treat you like one.
Go see a doctor.
There's many ways to do so and still be covered by your insurance.
Call your insurance company. They will help you.

Asking here is a fool's errand.

Your choice.
We are kind of foolish around here, so he fits right in. I try not to assume that people have extra disposable income, or even health insurance, when they ask a question like this. The best way to go is visit a decent doctor, get a prescription, go get it. Unfortunately the OP is in a somewhat difficult spot, at least he didn't just go to the closest taxpayer supported hospital (like UC Hospital here in Cincinnati) & let the government foot the bill!

Not that I think it's a great idea, but in a pinch Primatene Mist is back on the market. I heard that regulators were hesitant to put it back on the market with the new formula not because the inhaler technology didn't work, but they were dubious about people self-medicating without going to a doctor. Also - I've heard many doctors don't recommend it in favor of albuterol or something similar. If the OP ever discussed it before, it might be worth a try if it was recommended in case nothing else was available.

 

[meadows]

Call insurance co and find out who they will let you use that is close to your area. Make a list before you call. Try places like "Minute Clinic" etc.

 

[Hall]

I think the OP was expecting more sympathy or that everyone would be "outraged" at how he was treated... I understand the doctor's office stance. If insurance is making things difficult, I do sympathize. They certainly overstep their bounds many times I think.

 

[FirstNissan]

I think an urgent care is your best bet for a quick turnaround. I see the Dr.'s office point of view, in their mind you are not a current patient anymore.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Some pharmacies will give you an emergency supply, usually enough for about a week

 

[anndel]

What's the inhaler, Advair, Albuterol, Xopenex? Yeah, it's not oxycontin or other controlled substances. Go to an Urgent Care.

 

[dblshock]

Craig's List

 

[MoneyJohn]

That is the standard. Don't blame the practice. When you are on an ongoing medication, you must see the doctor at least once a year to make sure your needs (in terms of medication/doses) are correct. If the doctor keeps giving you the Rx without actually seeing you and you get a serious side effect, it becomes the doctor's liability. And in this court loving country, every practitioner is worried about who will sue them and for what.

I am not a fan of the medical community by any remote chance, but in your case, I side with them.

I am on 2 ongoing medications and I see those doctors only once a year. I really wish I could save those $750 but I understand the reasoning. One of the drugs I take prolongs QT wave on EKG and it must be checked, for example.

You should go to urgent care and get a script.

 

[Hall]

You get a prescription for the inhaler yet ?

 

[CT8]

Go to a clinic and change doctors.

 

[aquariuscsm]

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/p...Ygr6s4AIVKLCzCh2D8gOiEAQYASABEgKHxPD_BwE

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted by motor_oil_madman
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit ridiculous? I get a call back from the physicians assistant saying well you haven't been here since 2012 and we don't write prescriptions if it's been more than a year. Well no [censored], what happened to the first girl I originally talked to who said they would fit me in sooner than the 15th to get my inhaler. I bet I have like 3 more days at most left on my inhaler. I've never had to wait more then like 3 or 4 days to get into a doctors office. She can't put two and two together and think, hey maybe he switched doctors??? I only had like 5 days left on my inhaler and that was on Monday when I originally called.


Why did you wait so long? call your last doctor for a refill?

Hint some doctors wont even take new patients, they go on vacation, they get busy from their regular patients.... etc.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted by motor_oil_madman
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit ridiculous? I get a call back from the physicians assistant saying well you haven't been here since 2012 and we don't write prescriptions if it's been more than a year. Well no [censored], what happened to the first girl I originally talked to who said they would fit me in sooner than the 15th to get my inhaler. I bet I have like 3 more days at most left on my inhaler. I've never had to wait more then like 3 or 4 days to get into a doctors office. She can't put two and two together and think, hey maybe he switched doctors??? I only had like 5 days left on my inhaler and that was on Monday when I originally called.


Go to an urgent care place.

You have not seen a doctor in 7 years?. I think most doctors would not write a Rx without seeing you first if you had not been there in 7 years.

As for the time it takes to get you in, unfortunate..

 

[Rmay635703]

Asthmaneferin is over the counter at Walland, you will need to buy some form of nebulizer since it's a liquid.

There is also a powder type you can buy online.

In an emergency you gotta buck up for the big bill at the emergency or walk in.

 

[Dallas69]

What I find silly is you have medicine that you know you need but see a doc every decade or so.
I guess you wake up in a new world every morning.

 

[Al]

You wind in the craziest self made problems MOM..go to a quik-med place. Walk in walk out scheesch.

 

[The motor guy]

I switched to a different doctor from the one I had last year. I also want to get checked for a hernia and not be sent on a wild goose chase. I've switched to a doctor that's actually good and apparently I've been seeing crappy doctors the last few years and that's why they can get me in within 2 or 3 days is because nobody wants to go to them. Thus is the same bs doctor that said I could go back to work in 2 or 3 days after hernia surgery. Really???? I had a co worker who was out for 3 weeks after hernia surgery and all he had to do was was sit at a desk.