Huge problem... need advice please

[stressed444]

I have been seeing a psych Dr for roughly 8 months for PTSD, Gen anx W/panic and depression.   I recently switched Dr's since I moved about 45 mins away from where I was previously living.   I have all of my prescriptions filled at one particular chain pharmacy since it is close to my home and they are open 24 hrs. 

Fast foward to make important parts....

I had my 2nd appointment with my new Dr and when I left the office I did my normal thing and dropped my scripts off.  One was for Zoloft, 100mg 2 per day (qty 60) with 1 refill.   Another is for Ativan, ( 1mg ) qty 90... 3 per day.  And the other is Xanax 1mg taken as needed for panic attacks ( qty 10 ).

I go back to Pharmacy ( X ) to pick up my scripts and they say " $10.00 please "....   I didn't think much of it,  handed them my card and off I went.  Then I thought to myself... something isn't right because my scripts are $5.00 each and I dropped off 3 not 2.  Should have cost me $15.00.....

I drive back to pharmacy ( X ) to tell them I dropped off 3 and only received 2 back.  They said hold on and we will check....  2 young girls approach the pick up window drive thru and tell me that they need to call Dr to confirm qty since he wrote me a script for more than 1 month's supply.  I told them that is impossible since I was prescribed 10.  They held the script to the window and she said " No, it say's 100 "..  ...   ...  Ok,  Now I am thinking WTF.  The only other issue I have ever had with this pharmacy is when they tell me they are out of Zoloft and give me a partial script and come back next week or something. 

I am thinking someone in the pharmacy was trying to take advantage of a situation and planned on pocketing 90 pills and giving me back 10.  As you all know when you are prescribed Xanax, Ativan etc... for daily use they QTY is very large.  I have suspected being shorted in the past but really thought nothing of it until now.

I call my Dr's office first thing the next morning to tell them what had happened and the secretary said they have had similar issues in the past like this and she was kind enough to ask me if she wanted me to have her call in a 5 day's supply.  I said yes at first, Then thought... Wait... they are going to call it into the same pharmacy that basically is accusing me of RX fraud.  So I called her back and said not to call it in.  She said OK... no problem.

Fast foward 24 hours.... I recieve another a call from Dr's office while I am at a rehersal dinner for my sister in laws wedding to hear that they are "closing my case" since they have recieved back a tampered prescription.  I told the lady really quick what had happened and she said for me to call the local police and prosecute against the pharmacy since it is my reputation that is on the line.... What the heck does that mean?   How would I even know who it was that did it?  It's a 24 hr operation with about 10 people working there.

Anyway,  I have been having trouble sleeping over this...  I am married with a child and have a 8 month pregnant wife at home.  I told her what had happened and she said she was going to call that pharmacy to give them a ration of heck...  I told her I already did and the pharmacist was very unpleasant and said that " We are not in the business to alter prescriptions "....  Well no kidding.  Who is?

So......  What do I do....   Do I find another Dr?  Should I report this to the police?  I am an extremely nervous person by nature and try to avoid conflict at all cost.  The thought of me even having to go fill out a report makes my hands sweaty and heart starts to race.  I am very upset about this.  I cannot believe the Dr's office would do something like this until they spoke with me. 

Any help is appreciated.

[SanDiegoMom]

"Reputation on the line" means that you may be flagged.  Being flagged means essentially you could be "blacklisted" and they will only let you see 1 doctor and go to only 1 pharmacy.  They flag people who suspected as being drug seekers.  This puts you on some sort of list that goes to all pharmacies to be on the look out of your name here.

As far as what to do, I have no idea.  Maybe someone on the site has been in the same situation and can help you more than I can.  I also get Rx for Xanax and I've done a lot of research on the drug and this sort of thing happens when they think you are doctor shopping or tampering with Rxs.

My suggestion would to be to find a new doctor, bring in your current Rx bottles, and ask for the same Rxs.  Don't mention the going ons of what happened.  Just say you weren't happy with your old Doctor and 9 times out of 10 they won't ask for a medical report because they are too lazy and only want your money.  I would also suggest changing pharmacies once you get your new Rxs.

Do not have your 8th month pregnant hormonal wife (I can say that, right?  I've had a kid... I've been there) as it may cause more issues and the pharmacy does have the right to flag you.  Don't add fuel to the fire.

Hope this Helps... Hang in there and good luck!