Dr won't prescribe the meds I need..what's the deal?

[KimR]

I don't understand this at all....I called the Dr's office today to try to get in to see the Dr. about getting a script for Ambien. I suffer from sporadic bouts of insomnia and I've found that this drug works wonders for me. So I called the office, explained my problem and was told that they do not prescibe sleep medications. They told me they'd be happy to give me an appointment to determine the cause of the insomnia, etc, etc, but did not want me to come in thinking I'd be able to get meds!

Don't get me wrong...in most cases I'm all for finding the underlying problem and fixing that rather than simply treating the symptom with meds. But the thing is, this is not a chronic problem for me....most of time I have no trouble at all sleeping. But once in a while I am unable to unwind at night and cannot fall asleep, subsequently my sleep patterns get disrupted and I am unable to fall asleep the following night, and the night after....it's a vicious cycle. It's been 3 nights so far... This can sometimes go on for weeks. I have 3 kids and a full-time job....this is unacceptable...I need my sleep! Most OTC brands don't work at all for me, I've found one brand that usually works fairly well for mild cases, but seems to work less well when the insomnia has 'set in'. Also, I hate that 'groggy' feeling. OTOH, a few nights of taking Ambien always does the trick, yet this Dr.'s office won't prescribe it for me!

I did notice this Dr. is a DO rather than an MD. I'm not totally clear on the distinctions between a DO and an MD, but I do know that DOs do prescribe meds, so that's not the issue. I didn't pursue the subject because we've recently switched insurance and this is a new doctor, but it looks like now I'm definitely going to get DH to choose a different PCP! I'm just wondering how common this is for a Drs office to have a blanket policy whereby they don't prescribe sleeping medications. That's about the only thing other than BC pills that I ever take! It makes no sense to have a legitimate need for a medication and not be able to get it.

So frustrating....guess I'll be taking a Unisom tonight and hoping and praying it works!

 

[Mermaid02]

Osteopaths have a different philosophy than MD's.... kind of a "whole body" train of thought I believe (if anyone else knows- please speak up) Go in and have the appointment... if you haven't seen him before he probably just wants to make sure you really need the pills.

 

[Blondie]

I know if I called my MD's office and asked for something to help me sleep, they'd offer me an appointment. They would not just phone something in for me.

I don't think I'd have a problem if I had already seen him about a sleeping problem in the past....but if it is a first time issue with that doctor, NO--they would not phone something in.

I think it's that way with most MD's.

 

[Sharon A.]

Heck my doctor makes me come in for my allergy medicine refills if it's been a while. I know it's a pain, but I admire your doctor for not wanting to prescribe meds without seeing you first. I wouldn't want a doctor who takes the easy way out.

 

[KimR]

Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear. I didn't expect them to phone it in especially since I had never seen the Dr. before. I requested an appointment but when she asked me what the problem was and I explained it to her she was very clear and specific that their office does not prescribe sleeping medications. She didn't want me to come in for the appointment and then be upset when I did not get a prescription. I've no idea how they expect to help me without meds....I know all about avoiding caffeine, relaxation techniqes, avoiding sugar and heavy meals, strenuous excercise before becdtime. I've tried relaxing baths, melatonin, reading to unwind. I've even resorted to having DH explain macroecomics, interest rates, and mortgage amortization...believe me, if that doesn't work, nothing will Right now, I just need a 'quick fix' to get my sleeping patterns back on track. I've already missed 3 nights of sleep, I'm grouchy, and I don't have time for a 'whole body' approach....I want to sleep....TONIGHT.

 

[Mermaid02]

Gotcha Kim... fire him and get an MD.

 

[Keli]

I would find a different doctor also. I wouldn't like a dr that had a blanket rule on prescribing any specific type of medication.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Yeah, if you really need it I would find an MD that will prescribe it for you. I know how it feels not being able to get sleep. I have had a dr that didn't like prescribing medicines that weren't neccissary, and das misrable as sleeplessness is, it's not life threatening. I think it's because they don't want you to build up an immunity to it...I know that's how it works with antibiotics. And if you've over-used OTC sleeping meds in the past then that could be the reason they don't work anymore...I know they don't work as well on me as they use to. I'm sure the dr is just thinking of your overall well being though, and that's very rare in dr's these days.

 

[doxdogy]

My doctor is hesitant about prescribing me sleep aids. I also suffer from bouts of perodic insomnia. I told him that I take benadryl when I have a hard time sleeping. He did prescribe me a muscle relaxer to help me sleep and it works wonders.

 

[ahutton]

I found that 2 Benadryl and 2 Tylenol put me out - and I'm less groggy that when I took an Ambien. The are adictive, which may be why a doctor would be hesitatnt to prescrible them. I also would find a new doctor, I don't find it is reasonable to make a blanket statement of "we don't prescribe" something as there are cases where it is truly warrented.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Can you get it from your other doctor? Sometimes when I have to make changes due to insurance the offices tend to be nice and help.

 

[DocRafiki]

Congratulations for firing a responsible doctor and supporting one who cares more about money (=keeping patients happy) than medicine (=doing what's best for the patient). Of course I don't blame that at all and will do it myself since our business is much more reliant on "happy clients" than physicians' are.

If that dr has never seen you before, he could lose his license for giving you an Rx. Of course, that's just an assumption based on veterinary laws, but I would assume that standards for human are equal to or higher than those for pets.

And don't you realize that as much as you can explain your case to us, that dr doesn't have all that info you gave us? He may very well give you an Rx if he saw you and got a thorough history. Or he may have something else for you to try first.

Oh, and I think Mermaid02 is right about...

Osteopaths have a different philosophy than MD's.... kind of a "whole body" train of thought I believe

My OD psychiatrist would only give me an Rx as long as I stayed in counseling.

 

[abaldacci]

"Change your PCP It is al simple as a phone call to the INS. co.

 

[tedsmom]

Ambien is a controlled drug, and therefore no physicia(whether an MD or a DO) will prescribe it without a visit. If your DO further states that he/she prescribes "no" sleeping pills, no matter what, even after an evaluation, then you probably should find a different doctor, since you need an occasional sleep aid and he/she is unwilling to prescribe it.

 

[snoopy]

I had a specialist tell me he wouldn't give me Ambian because they are addictive. At that time I was in a lot of pain from a chronic disease I suffer from, and I had a lot of difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep. I asked him if would prefer me dead at the wheel from lack of sleep and left his office never to return.

I'm a big girl, and I know the dangers of these type of drugs, and I could see if I were asking for refills on a regular basis, but I wasn't. I take an Ambian about once a month when I get a bout with insomnia, or if I am in pain and I cannot fall asleep on my own, and I would never abuse this drug. I think most people would be the same way.

Anyway, I found another specialist. He had no problem prescribing me the drug.

 

[doxdogy]

DocRafiki you are correct in your statement. They are held to the same rules (from what my own doctor) has told me. My doctor is also required to check my tegretol levels every year to make sure it is in a "good" range. He also explained to me that Ambien is addictive and that he would rather not prescribe it to me since it is not an every night ordeal. He actually falls into the category of wanting what is best for his patients. I guess that is why he has been my doctor for almost 20 years.

 

[Judy from Boise]

well, I would find another care provider.
I have actually taken Ambien nightly for about 4 years. I make myself do a good drug holiday every year ( 2 weeks ) then go back onto it ! I don't think it is addicting, i think the word is dependancy.

 

[Kermit]

I don't think that Kim ever said that she wanted the doctor to call in the script without going in for a visit. She was saying that the receptionist told her that the doctor probably wouldn't give them to her even if she went there because he just doesn't give them at all.

I would give him a chance. Personally, I like DOs, but there aren't any on our insurance plan. He may give them to you if you tell him everything you've told us, but he probably doesn't give them out as often as some other doctors. He will, being a DO, want to make sure there is no underlying medical condition causing the problem. But if he doesn't find a solution that works for you, I agree that you should try someone else.