To want my medication?

[Thislittlelady]

My meds ran out. I reordered online. Online states ‘prescriptions no longer available’ and it’s the one I need. It’s a powerful medication which treats both pain and mental health conditions. I asked for it online on Wednesday. Ran out. Waited for text from chemist to say it’s ready..... nothing. Sometimes text comes on a Saturday. In the meantime I have become increasing I’ll and sick. ( before you say, I asked for it on my last dose, didn’t realise it was my last dose, I sometimes struggle to organise things so I don’t think I’m totally unaccountable)
Saturday no text. Last night was PURE HELL. I was having fits of sleep and awakened. I was having TERRIFYING DREAMS. I’m a grown woman and I have other severe painful disabilities which I need powerful pain killers for. I woke up in agony, but was son terrified ( yes, ima grown woman) of the radical extreme and disturbing thoughts and dreams I was having that I literally was TOO SCARED to get out of my bed to get painkillers. I didn’t want to wake DH as he WFH and that’s unfair. So I was in agony and going out of my crazy mind. Finally dragged myself out of bed this morning feeling sick and dehydrated and extremely dizzy and unwell. Called chemist to see if they had meds - no instruction to dispense them. Logged online to gp where it states my meds are ‘ being processed’. Called and called and was constantly on hold with GP and still haven’t managed to speak to anyone. I can’t make an appointment as A) I can’t get them to answer phone and B) I have managed to make two appointment online in the last 4 months and both times I was contacted and told not to attend they are not seeing anyone. I did try to see a GP online , but as I was struggling to get online and find the right bit the go was getting peed off with me and then my internet cut out so I couldn’t get a virtual appointment. So I’m here getting sicker, the surgery won’t answer the phone, and I have tried FOUR TIMES to get them online through prescription ordering and left a note to ask them to please call me. I’ve heard NOTHING. IM GOING CRAZY OUT OF MY HEAD WITH SICKNESS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF NO MEDS. .so my question ( finally, sorry) is - am I being unreasonable to say that it’s about time dr got back to surgeries ( we have an almost non existent COVID rate) and START DEALING WITH OTHER PATIENTS!!? is it unreasonable that I can’t get my meds cos it’s making me really really ill.........thanks for reading

Is your med a benzodiazepine? You will.get very sick stopping them suddenly. Really feel for you. Just keep ringing. Can the chemist sometimes issue a small amount to tide you over? We're you due a medication review?

I'd ring the chemist. I've been given small doses in the past when I've had problems like this. I always go to the same chemist so they know me. I think you'll find it easier to get in touch with the chemist than your GP.

good luck

Whenever I've ran out unexpectedly, the pharmacy have given me an emergency supply and ordered it themselves from the GP for me. Not sure if you can do that, it was a while ago and things may have changed. But you do need an emergency supply. I'd be tempted to ring out of hours docs later if you've no luck with your GP.

The pharmacy here issues 3 days worth and takes them back from the prescription- worth an ask?

It sounds like it's something like pregabalin or amatrypteline which you should taper down so you'll probably feel quite unwell if you just stop.
Speak to your gp immediately op. I had this issue recently where my gp refused to issue a repeat prescription because either I'd lost a tray or my box was given to me short (I think more likely but unable to prove either way. Ended up having to phone NHS 24, after vomiting and they immediately wrote me an emergency prescription

It sounds like the problem is with the GP, not the pharmacy, as the pharmacy have not received a prescription. Common sense to me would say that if the GP is refusing/reluctant to issue another prescription, an appointment (even if only telephone) should be offered at that point, rather than just leaving someone to discover the prescription has not been written and then try to make an appointment.

Go to the surgery. They cannot refuse to help if you sit in, especially in the state you are in.

I would personally call 111 if the pharmacy cannot help

Is it amitriptyline? Definitely speak to pharmacy, mine always say they can provide a few doses whilst the surgery catches up.

Call the pharmacy and see if they’ll issue an emergency supply, explain that you’ve run out and are having withdrawal effects.

Keep trying the surgery, they’re usually busiest first thing in the morning, especially on a Monday, so keep trying throughout the afternoon

I wouldn’t go there unless they tell you to, they probably won’t allow anyone in who hasn’t got an appointment at the moment

THANKNYOU EVERYONE. The gp has phoned and is sorting out my meds. They are going to try to bring them all in line so that they are not needing ordered all over the place. I will get them today. I just feel so desperately unwell. It’s really bad to stop taking something like that. Immsitter here with shivers and feel sick. I wish they had better systems in place. I just think seeing so many stories on here that people need doctors for other health conditions. I know Covid is serious. But so are chronic conditions left untreated too. I think we need a clear easy to use system
For gp access. This really can’t go on. Our ‘leaders’ need to fix this mess

I’m glad you got it sorted OP! Hopefully it’ll be easier to keep track if they can get everything ordered at once.

Apologies if you already do this, but can your pharmacy order all your repeats for you? I use Boots pharmacy and they do it all for me and I just have to collect it. If there is any error or delay from the surgery they chase it up and can give an emergency supply if I’ve actually run out. Using a pharmacy near my surgery means they physically go and collect prescriptions daily, so can sort any issues out for me.

I do actually use boots. And prescription goes straight to them They are a bit funny if you run out though. They have in past gave me a couple but seem reluctant now.. unfortunately when I’m this ill I can’t go down and see them. I can hardly
Move around the house tbh. I guess it’s more the problems people are having getting in touch with, talking to or seeing a doctor. I’m sure I can’t be alone in this? Thank you I wonder if this is equivalent of cold turkey? Not pleasant. My face is burning and swelling. I just feel so unwell. All because of a few missed meds. 🤷‍♀️