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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
I'm just wondering if anyone else feels kind of embarrassed when filling prescriptions for psychiatric medications. I feel like I go in practically every week with a prescription for some psych med (and never anything non-psychiatric for the most part). And my prescriptions are more and more getting to be for drugs that are rare and "exotic", as my struggle continues to find something that actually works. Anyway, although I've learned to suck it up and not let the embarrassment prevent me from filling them, and although I know that I should not feel ashamed... well, I still do.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 11, 2003, at 10:27:18
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
Naw, I got over that a long time ago. Part of the reason I waited so long to get any kind of psychiatric help (and even then it was kind of "forced" on me with an involuntary commitment)
was the stigma associated with mental illness, and it nearly killed me. Now I regret not getting help a long, long time ago - I feel like I wasted a lot of years being crazy and miserable. So my attitude towards psychiatric medicine is that I need this stuff for a medical condition just like I need the hypertension medication that I take.But it did take awhile for me to get around to this way of thinking, I'll be the first to admit.
Also, I live in a rather bohemian part of town where everybody does their own thing and minds their own business - if I lived in the suburbs with the WASPs and yuppies, I would be a lot more self-concious about the people around me when I got my prescriptions filled. I guess that's part of the reason for this new "confidentiality" law
which I think is generating a lot of unnecessary paperwork and stupid rules, it's just another example of things being taken too far IMHO (and they call ME crazy - huh).
-Gracie
Posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 11:42:21
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » mmcasey, posted by whiterabbit on June 11, 2003, at 10:27:18
Yeah, I try and tell myself "who in the hell really cares what they think?".... I mean, I'll never really see them except for at the pharmacy, and I'm sure that they really don't think that much about each and every person filling prescriptions. But I hate handing them the prescription and having them look at it while I stand there, and they usually say "let me check to see if we have this" because I feel like my prescrips are somewhat uncommon. I'm afraid that they are analyzing me when they see what it's for, like, hmmm she does seem depressed or something. Plus, it doesn't help that many of the pharmacy techs there are very good-looking young men. OH well. You're right, Gracie, I need the medication, so I just need to deal with it!
Posted by Ted on June 11, 2003, at 12:08:18
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
> I'm just wondering if anyone else feels kind of embarrassed when filling prescriptions for psychiatric medications.
Not yet. Look at it this way: your meds are there with the 40-year-old guy's viagra (who can't get it up even at that young age), the 15-year-old girl's birth control pills (whose mom doesn't know), and the 30-year-old mom's diaphram (whose husband has been fixed and she is having an affair), and everything else. When you look at all the other meds packed and ready for pickup, your's hardly stand out.My only embarrassing moment was when I was waiting in the prescription pickup line with my then 9-month-old son before I got a vasectomy. I was holding a box of 30 condoms when a friend walked up to chat..... (I am sure others looked at me and my son and wondered if the condom broke....)
Ted
Posted by bobby on June 11, 2003, at 12:25:50
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by Ted on June 11, 2003, at 12:08:18
Where have you been dude? It's mangoe and ackkee season
Posted by Dinah on June 11, 2003, at 17:11:33
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
Doesn't bother me a bit. Not even with the anti-psychotic drugs. I figure they really don't care, and even if they do, they've probably seen worse. And I live in the most uptight WASP-y neighborhood possible.
It did disconcert me when I realized they know me. I have an unusual spelling to my name, and I usually have to spell it out in order for them to get it right in the computer. One time one of the techs behind the counter spelled it for me to the person taking the prescription. I was surprised, but then I just thought it was funny. And an indicator of the many failed med trials I was going through at the time.
There's no shame in emotional or mental health problems. Half the people I know are probably diagnoseable. At least we realize it and are getting help.
Posted by noa on June 11, 2003, at 17:38:29
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
I understand the feeling, but I guess I've gotten over it out of necessity. Also, I just have noticed over the years signs of how many other people are taking all kinds of meds!
With the new HIPAA privacy rules, by the way, pharmacists and their workers are supposed to take a lot of precautions to be very discreet, like not saying the names of meds out loud, etc.
I do think it is important, however, to find a pharmacy you are really comfortable in and with, and make it your regular pharmacy if you can. Also, if it helps you, see if your plan has mail order meds--if this helps you feel more comfortable.
Posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 19:29:24
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
Well, to be honest with you, I DID feel that way about a decade ago, when the stigma of so-called "mental illness" was still so prevalent. Today, I couldn't care less. I would be more embarrassed buying hemmorhoid cream or "rubbers". Gesse, now-a-days there are so many TV and print advertisements for AD meds, that I think the "people" have become immune to that previous mind-set about medication as "necessary" to keep us "crazy people" functional.
PAX
Posted by Snoozy on June 11, 2003, at 19:46:09
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » mmcasey, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2003, at 17:11:33
I think every person who works in my pharmacy knows me! Seriously, I never have to give them my name, they just go right to their bins and get my meds. Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.... lol
It is nice with the new privacy laws, you can be at the counter without a gaggle of people right behind you. My pharmacy also has another separate area if you need to discuss things with the pharmacist.
Posted by judy1 on June 11, 2003, at 23:04:54
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
I truly don't- simply because I can see how stocked the shelves are with psych drugs waiting to be picked up. I see my pharmacist as part of my health team, he has helped me tremendously more than once. take care, judy
Posted by noa on June 12, 2003, at 4:14:11
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » Dinah, posted by Snoozy on June 11, 2003, at 19:46:09
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name....
LOL
Posted by mmcasey on June 12, 2003, at 9:57:25
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » Dinah, posted by Snoozy on June 11, 2003, at 19:46:09
> I think every person who works in my pharmacy knows me!
That's how I often have ended up feeling at the various mental health facilities I've gone to - my college Counseling Services, a clinic here in town - like the secretaries all know me by name, say "hey meghan, how are you?" stuff like that! And also, usually, a number of the therapists seem to know me...
>Also, another thing about the pharmacy embarrassment - I have NEVER talked to the pharmacist when they ask if I have any questions. Usually I really don't want/need to, but the other day when I filled my new Parnate prescrip, I wouldn't have minded asking a few questions.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 12, 2003, at 10:07:04
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » Snoozy, posted by noa on June 12, 2003, at 4:14:11
It's true, I find it VERY nice to go to the same little pharmacy all the time where they know my name...it's not exactly a mom-and-pop place, but it's a small pharmacy in an older neighborhood grocery store where I deal with the same people every time.
Sorry to say I used to have no end of trouble at Walgreens...they weren't incompetent, but I guess out of necessity they were very strict and sometimes, I thought, almost overly suspicious.
I remember trying to refill a prescription a little early because I was going on vacation...you would think I'd walked in there and asked for morphine. Everything was a very big deal.So it's nice to find a place where they aren't so impersonal. Even though the pharmacy I go to now isn't quite so convenient in some ways - they aren't open on Sundays or late nights, and of course there's no drive-through window - I much prefer it to Walgreens. They're friendly and helpful and don't mind cutting me a little slack
now and then...such as, if they haven't been able to get hold of a live person at my doctor's office to okay a refill, they'll give me a couple of days worth of pills if I'm out. I really appreciate their kindness.
-Gracie
Posted by noa on June 12, 2003, at 18:48:40
In reply to Where everybody knows your name..., posted by whiterabbit on June 12, 2003, at 10:07:04
Me, too. Except for rare occasions when I have to fill something at odd hours, I use a small pharm that is wonderful but doesn't keep great hours. I feel better about them and their knowledge, and fewer mistakes. They have very consistent staffing--long term. And everyone speaks English (I'm not an anglophone bigot or anything but when it comes to communicating in a pharmacy, fluency is pretty essential).
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 13, 2003, at 0:27:48
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
i felt this way when the pharmacist's eyes popped out one day when he went back to the computer to check and see my interactions. In the same month, but not at the same time (I was changing meds), I had rx's for zoloft, serzone, and straterra, in addition to thyroid meds and verapamil. He must've thought I was a serious nut case! Like I was gonna jump off a bridge without 3 AD's!
Posted by Dinah on June 13, 2003, at 8:21:37
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by bookgurl99 on June 13, 2003, at 0:27:48
I would hope he wouldn't be that unprofessional. Even if he did think you were in danger of jumping off a bridge without your AD's, that shouldn't lead him to think you're a nut case.
(Sorry if I'm a bit abrupt. :) You hit a sore spot there.)
Posted by mmcasey on June 14, 2003, at 16:13:37
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by bookgurl99 on June 13, 2003, at 0:27:48
> same month, but not at the same time (I was >changing meds), I had rx's for zoloft, serzone, >and straterra, in addition to thyroid meds and >verapamil.
Yeah, that's how I've felt. Over the past 2 months or so, I've gone in with prescriptions for: risperdal, desipramine, trazodone, ativan, lamictal, and last but not least parnate!
Posted by Emme on June 16, 2003, at 23:31:16
In reply to filling prescriptions, posted by mmcasey on June 11, 2003, at 9:19:15
Well now, you never know what the techs and the pharmacists themselves may be taking.....
But there's something I do wonder about. A while back, if I didn't get a refill on time, I used to get annoying notices from Rite Aid. Condescending little reminders about how important it is to take one's medication. And of course with so many med and dose trials, my refills were always lapsing. Now they don't do that anymore. So I wonder if Rite Aid stopped that practice, or if they looked at my prescription history and realized that they are all over the map! :)
Emme
Posted by kalyb on June 17, 2003, at 4:41:21
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 19:29:24
> now-a-days there are so many TV and print advertisements for AD meds, that I think the "people" have become immune to that previous mind-set about medication as "necessary" to keep us "crazy people" functional.
Interesting, Pax!
Where I live, drugs are not advertised at all, only OTC medicines. No shiny happy AD ads on TV or in magazines here.
(Funny though, I do remember seeing a commercial on TV for Effexor when I was in the US last year. Little did I know I'd be taking it a year later).
So.... I think you might be right. If you're seeing commercials for AD meds on TV every day, even the most sceptical person must realise eventually there's a LOT of people out there taking them. Unless you're ultra cynical and think the drug mfrs are pushing them on people who don't need them.... Just how do people view these commercials? Do they lodge in people's minds any more than, say, the endless array of personal finance advertisements?
BUT if you live in a country like mine, where the only drug advertisement you'll ever see is a brand-name written on your doctor's pen or notepad, you will have no idea what these drugs are named, what they do, or what kind of people take them, unless you or a friend or relative has been prescribed them.
So on one hand, we here automatically have some degree of anonymity (except to the dispensers at the pharmacy) but at the same time, the absence of drug adverts does tend to preserve the prejudice among the populace that AD meds are a thing to be feared, kept quiet about, and only crazy people need them.
Kalyb xx
Posted by giget on June 17, 2003, at 15:09:22
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » paxvox, posted by kalyb on June 17, 2003, at 4:41:21
I usually go to one or two pharmacy's.... Sometimes once a week. I think they are trying to be polite in asking my name, but there alot of elderly people who fill alot of perscriptions there too.
I was never embarassed to get my meds, I have been on everything from UI meds, bc, vicodin, ad's... some at the same time. I say my name proudly and tell them exactly what perscription I need. If they have a problem with me... I just look at them like they are the crazy person... or smerk and think to myself that they are probably afraid of me. I think it is funny.
For new meds they ask if I want to talk to someone and usually I do, and ask if it will interact or how to take it. I am proud to get my perscriptions, I am helping myself and society by being on them....
Who cares if the pharmaist thinks you are crazy, ham it up... there has to be something fun in everything you do!
Posted by noa on June 18, 2003, at 16:48:00
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by Emme on June 16, 2003, at 23:31:16
Did it stop around the time that the HIPAA privacy rules went into effect?
I just filled a scrip at Rite Aid and they are really taking these new regs seriously. Each time you pick one up you have to sign a statement that you are the person prescribed to and not someone else.
I'm wondering if these mailings are not done now because of the new privacy rules.
Posted by Emme on June 19, 2003, at 9:04:49
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions » Emme, posted by noa on June 18, 2003, at 16:48:00
> Did it stop around the time that the HIPAA privacy rules went into effect?
Good question. I'm not sure.
> I just filled a scrip at Rite Aid and they are really taking these new regs seriously. Each time you pick one up you have to sign a statement that you are the person prescribed to and not someone else.
I've always had to sign something saying I did or did not want counseling by the pharmacist.
> I'm wondering if these mailings are not done now because of the new privacy rules.
Could very well be.
Posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 19:49:02
In reply to Re: filling prescriptions, posted by giget on June 17, 2003, at 15:09:22
> I was never embarassed to get my meds, I have been on everything from UI meds, bc, vicodin, ad's... some at the same time. I say my name proudly and tell them exactly what perscription I need. If they have a problem with me... I just look at them like they are the crazy person... or smerk and think to myself that they are probably afraid of me. I think it is funny.
Seriously, before I *knew* i was 'crazy', I used to think depression was "cool". Those guys are so cool... so elite.. so aloof.. nothing seems to impress them. Or when I was high i thought "man, life is too easy, i wish i had some real problems like drug addiction or depression to deal with so I could say i've been through something. Really lived. Really overcome".
I used to be embarassed, but that was part of my disorder. Now I look at it like this:
Power:
Fact. We know what it's like to be normal. To be sane. To be insane. To be happy. To be sad. To be *really* depressed. To be *really* anxious. To be *really* manic. And have probably done more things than the average joe could dream of. We have experienced more of life. We are the experts. We have the knowledge. They don't. We fully understand "normal". We've been there. They have no clue of mania. Real depression. Real anxiety.Pride:
We have faced *real* challenges. How do you measure challenges? I'd say if you want to die you are probably carrying more burden than those who do not. Who do I respect more than us? Perhaps people who have been tortured or are enduring terminal illnesses with physical pain + depression. (Fortunately, many of us have some chance of coming out of our struggle without a scar.) But not only do we endure incredible pain (guys, I do martial arts and I feel like i have the authority to say mental anguish is far worse than a happy go lucky fellow enduring physical pain), but we go through suffering without understanding or help from society. Hostility, fear, profound arrogance. Getting destructive advice from friends "you don't need meds, you're ok" or "meds are for the weak". Often having to educate ourselves. Major problems, all too common, with docs that are too busy, apathetic, or lacking knowledge.Guys if you can face these enormous challenges and through strength/endurance, aggressiveness, intelligence, finally come out okay -- how do you compare to someone who has just had an easy life and never faced anything? I think it's pretty obvious that YOU ARE TOUGHER, YOU HAVE MORE CHARACTER, YOU ARE MOST CERTAINLY WISER.
Posted by giget on June 23, 2003, at 7:47:35
In reply to I think this is a cool post - what do you think?:) » giget, posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 19:49:02
"Normal" people have no clue as to the anguish we go through everyday. They get a small cold or allerigies and it is the end of the world, a stuffed up nose is the worst of there worries. Through out there life time, they will more than likely not even go through a day of our pain. We are a strong people and should be proud of what we are and who we are. It is funny, that even through we have this pain, people don't even realize we are going through it, that is how strong we are. In the face of all this we stand up and push through to the next day!
We should all stand tall!
> > I was never embarassed to get my meds, I have been on everything from UI meds, bc, vicodin, ad's... some at the same time. I say my name proudly and tell them exactly what perscription I need. If they have a problem with me... I just look at them like they are the crazy person... or smerk and think to myself that they are probably afraid of me. I think it is funny.
>
> Seriously, before I *knew* i was 'crazy', I used to think depression was "cool". Those guys are so cool... so elite.. so aloof.. nothing seems to impress them. Or when I was high i thought "man, life is too easy, i wish i had some real problems like drug addiction or depression to deal with so I could say i've been through something. Really lived. Really overcome".
>
> I used to be embarassed, but that was part of my disorder. Now I look at it like this:
>
> Power:
> Fact. We know what it's like to be normal. To be sane. To be insane. To be happy. To be sad. To be *really* depressed. To be *really* anxious. To be *really* manic. And have probably done more things than the average joe could dream of. We have experienced more of life. We are the experts. We have the knowledge. They don't. We fully understand "normal". We've been there. They have no clue of mania. Real depression. Real anxiety.
>
> Pride:
> We have faced *real* challenges. How do you measure challenges? I'd say if you want to die you are probably carrying more burden than those who do not. Who do I respect more than us? Perhaps people who have been tortured or are enduring terminal illnesses with physical pain + depression. (Fortunately, many of us have some chance of coming out of our struggle without a scar.) But not only do we endure incredible pain (guys, I do martial arts and I feel like i have the authority to say mental anguish is far worse than a happy go lucky fellow enduring physical pain), but we go through suffering without understanding or help from society. Hostility, fear, profound arrogance. Getting destructive advice from friends "you don't need meds, you're ok" or "meds are for the weak". Often having to educate ourselves. Major problems, all too common, with docs that are too busy, apathetic, or lacking knowledge.
>
> Guys if you can face these enormous challenges and through strength/endurance, aggressiveness, intelligence, finally come out okay -- how do you compare to someone who has just had an easy life and never faced anything? I think it's pretty obvious that YOU ARE TOUGHER, YOU HAVE MORE CHARACTER, YOU ARE MOST CERTAINLY WISER.
>
Posted by cybercafe on June 23, 2003, at 23:25:12
In reply to Re: what do you think? I liked it!, posted by giget on June 23, 2003, at 7:47:35
Amen my brother .. or sister ..> "Normal" people have no clue as to the anguish we go through everyday. They get a small cold or allerigies and it is the end of the world, a stuffed up nose is the worst of there worries. Through out there life time, they will more than likely not even go through a day of our pain. We are a strong people and should be proud of what we are and who we are. It is funny, that even through we have this pain, people don't even realize we are going through it, that is how strong we are. In the face of all this we stand up and push through to the next day!
>
> We should all stand tall!
>
>
> > > I was never embarassed to get my meds, I have been on everything from UI meds, bc, vicodin, ad's... some at the same time. I say my name proudly and tell them exactly what perscription I need. If they have a problem with me... I just look at them like they are the crazy person... or smerk and think to myself that they are probably afraid of me. I think it is funny.
> >
> > Seriously, before I *knew* i was 'crazy', I used to think depression was "cool". Those guys are so cool... so elite.. so aloof.. nothing seems to impress them. Or when I was high i thought "man, life is too easy, i wish i had some real problems like drug addiction or depression to deal with so I could say i've been through something. Really lived. Really overcome".
> >
> > I used to be embarassed, but that was part of my disorder. Now I look at it like this:
> >
> > Power:
> > Fact. We know what it's like to be normal. To be sane. To be insane. To be happy. To be sad. To be *really* depressed. To be *really* anxious. To be *really* manic. And have probably done more things than the average joe could dream of. We have experienced more of life. We are the experts. We have the knowledge. They don't. We fully understand "normal". We've been there. They have no clue of mania. Real depression. Real anxiety.
> >
> > Pride:
> > We have faced *real* challenges. How do you measure challenges? I'd say if you want to die you are probably carrying more burden than those who do not. Who do I respect more than us? Perhaps people who have been tortured or are enduring terminal illnesses with physical pain + depression. (Fortunately, many of us have some chance of coming out of our struggle without a scar.) But not only do we endure incredible pain (guys, I do martial arts and I feel like i have the authority to say mental anguish is far worse than a happy go lucky fellow enduring physical pain), but we go through suffering without understanding or help from society. Hostility, fear, profound arrogance. Getting destructive advice from friends "you don't need meds, you're ok" or "meds are for the weak". Often having to educate ourselves. Major problems, all too common, with docs that are too busy, apathetic, or lacking knowledge.
> >
> > Guys if you can face these enormous challenges and through strength/endurance, aggressiveness, intelligence, finally come out okay -- how do you compare to someone who has just had an easy life and never faced anything? I think it's pretty obvious that YOU ARE TOUGHER, YOU HAVE MORE CHARACTER, YOU ARE MOST CERTAINLY WISER.
> >
>
>
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