My neurologist called a prescription into CVS for methadone but CVS said they couldn’t fill the prescription because the doctor wrote it for “restless leg syndrome” and they will only fill it for “pain”. Of course the real reason is being prescribed is to get me off from pramipexole! Does anyone else have a problem getting there methadone prescription filled? How do most physicians write the prescription?
I called the doctor's office and the person I talked to said it would look "suspicious" if they changed the reason. I told him what I thought of that notion and ask them to simply rewrite the prescription. Has anybody else had problems like this?
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tagaxel
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I'm in Ireland and was prescribed opioids for post spinal reconstruction.
The doctors now accept that it is mostly for Restless Legs, but since my prescription is emailed direct to the pharmacy, I don't know what it actually says.
My doctor wrote me a script for Buprenorphine tablets and put it was for chronic pain and my insurance would not cover it. I think the pharmacy would have filled it. Not sure though.
Dr John Winkelman has done a talk on this on YouTube and he did stress that doctors in the US had to say opioids were for PAIN when requesting prescriptions.See if the doctor will rewrite it as '-for pain.associated with RLS.'
That's the ironic part! My doctor said he studied under Winkleman! He also told me he had several patients on methadone so you would think he would know how to write a proper script.
Dr Winkelman talks about augmentation first and then reducing with the help of gabapentin. Further along he talks about opioids and stating they are 'For Pain'.
I get my methadone script filled at RiteAid in California. I’ve never had a problem and the bottle reads, “Take nightly as needed for Restless Leg Syndrome”.
I take methadone for RLS but the prescription says " take for pain".Have your Dr. rewrite and it shouldn't be a problem. I use CVS as well. Methadone is a great help in calming RLS so work it out with your doctor.
hey tagaxel… sorry to hear this but yes, I had the same issue with CVS (also in USA) - ended up getting it through Walgreens. It’s hard to understand a system that now allows the pharmacy to override our physicians… but that’s the way it is.
I don't think my doctor writes anything about what it is for and it has filled at the CVS mail-order pharmacy for at least a year. Mail order will give me a 90 supply too if the doctor writes it that way so I don't have to go running to the pharmacy every 30 days.
I was on dopamine against meds for years and the last one was a neupro patch’s side effect was gambling—horrible consequences. Coming off of it was not good. My neurologist prescribed Lyrica (pregabalin) and low dose of methadone and take these twice a day. I also had an appointment with a specialist at the Rochester, MN, Mayo Clinic and was told to continue these two meds.
Every month I have to call my neurologist and ask his staff to call Walgreens for a month’s supply of methadone pills. They will not take a written prescription. It has to be called in by the doctor’s office. I hope this helps in some way.
I get really upset that doctors and other non- sufferers say that rls is not pain. When I described my symptoms to my gp she wrote on her notes neuropathic pain. Rls is painful. Nerve pain is torturous pain. Even scholarly Paterson always say ‘uncomfortable’ etc like it’s a minor issue.
I asked my dr to put methadone was for rls AND PAIN as I had read something similar. He was happy to oblige and I had no problem. But then, I am in New Zealand.
6 years ago, when I asked my PCP (Personal Care Physician = GP in UK) for cannabis or an opioid for my RLS, she merely sneered. Then, after hearing about Dr. Buchfuhrer on this site, I drove 5 1/2 hours to see him, (without referral), and was eventually prescribed methadone 10mg/day, but was refused by my Walmart to fill it, no questions allowed.
Then I went to my local Smith's Grocery pharmacy and after some haggling wherein I told them it was for RLS, not Opioid Use Disorder, they filled it. Even so, it would depend on which pharmacist I encountered as to whether it would be filled. I was told that, at least in my state (NV), each pharmacist was empowered to refuse opioids, apparently based on personal feelings.
Since then, several times, whenever Dr. B would forget to include the ICD 10 code, he would have to be phoned by Smith's to give the code before they would dispense. There is a different code for methadone depending on whether it was for RLS or OUD.
Finally, 5 years later, after switching PCPs and faithfully adhering to prescription requirements (never asking for early refills or to increase dosage), my current PCP relented and is writing the prescription herself so that I no longer have to drive to the West Coast twice yearly to see Dr. B in person - but this only after being informed that my advancing AMD made me fearful of making such a long drive.
This is all just to inform you that indeed, the prescribing of opioids for RLS in this country is fraught with hassles and hazards.
I'm still getting nowhere with methadone since Wednesday! First CVS says the doctor has to rewrite it for "pain". Then when he does that, they still won't feel it because the doctor was supposed to get it approved by Medicare. I asked them how much it would cost without insurance and they said they won't fill it unless I have insurance! This is insane. I was supposed to start methadone tonight!
That is insane! I would think they would love to have you pay out of pocket as they get more that way. And it is not your doctor's job to see if it is approved by medicare. It is the pharmacy's.
they need to rewrite it it to say chronic intractable pain!! It’s unfortunate that we have this disease and methadone is one med that can actually help … but doctors can’t wrap the actual true diagnosis!! It’s just absurd!!!
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