Why is it so difficult?

belyro · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 06:27 AM

You know, every day it frustrates me more and more how much we as diabetics have to work to keep ourselves (a) alive, and (b) as healthy as possible. I mean, clearly there's the issue of balancing food, insulin (or other meds), excercise, stress, hormones, sleep or lack thereof, illness, yadda yadda....but I'm used to that...I mean BEYOND that. I mean the stupid fights we have with the people who seem determined to keep us from having the quality of life we strive so hard for. For some of us it's our endos, for some of us it's our pharmacists, for some of us it's our insurance companies, and for some of us it's our family/friends/co-workers. It's just frustrating - truly frustrating.

My "diabetes nemesis" is the pharmacy - no one particular pharmacist in general, just "the pharmacy". My current issue is this: I phoned my regular pharmacy yesterday morning to ask about pump supplies (since I'm planning to start on the pump later this week). There is less rigamarole with my insurance company re: getting the supplies covered if I go through the pharmacy than if I go directly through Medtronic for supplies. (And since I paid for the pump mostly out of my own pocket, I want as much coverage as possible for the supplies.) The pharmacist said that they have another client who gets supplies from Medtronic and they order them for him. It takes them 3-4 days to get in and then the client comes to pick them up. He said it wouldn't be a problem to do this for me too. I said I didn't have my order ready yet, but if I called back would there be anyone in particular I should ask for to place my order. He said no, and that anyone there would be able to help me. No problems.

So I phoned in my order last night and I got this:
"I don't think we do that"
"Nobody here knows what you're talking about"
"There's nothing I can do for you"
"You'll have to phone back tomorrow night when the pharmacist you were talking to is in."

GAH! And I really need the supplies by Friday! So the order has to go in TODAY - not TONIGHT! If not, I probably can't start on the pump until next week. I only have one Quickset and I've decided I don't want to use those crazy Silhouettes.

This isn't the first time I've had trouble with the pharmacy - this one and others too. Whether it's being told I test too often (I test a lot, yes, but I know I don't test more than most of you other in-control type 1s out there...and hey - my life, my complications, so give me a break), being told the the pharmacist knows more about diabetes than me (a 25-year veteran) b/c her husband has Type 2, or being scolded by some kid pharmacy tech who wasn't even born when I was diagnosed, it's just too much. I'm at the end of my proverbial rope. Enough already.

*rant over (for now)*

Injecto · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 07:56 AM

I know I'm new so I hope my opinions count....

I know how you feel (in my own newbie/later in life ways of course).

As for the supplies, have you checked to see if there is a pharmacy around you that has pump supplies in stock? Like I've mentioned, we have a Guardian Pharmacy that does that specifically for pumpers. They are really great. Not cheaper but still available.
I also know that many pumpers do order from Minimed.ca direct. And I was just introduced to the new "batch order for reduced pricing" option to Canadians (not sure about anyone else sorry).

HollyB · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:03 AM

Hey Bethany,

On this particular frustration, you might want to check out Diabetesdepot.ca. We use it and the service is great.

This is a pharmacist who specializes in pump supplies, keeps a wide range of stuff in stock. He has good prices, ships free for orders over $180 (basically a box of infusion sets + cartridges does the trick) and Purolates the stuff to you.

We live in the same province, so your order might not get to you in Manitoba as fast. But we get delivery in 2 days, so I bet he could match or beat your pharmacy.

belyro · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Injecto

As for the supplies, have you checked to see if there is a pharmacy around you that has pump supplies in stock? Like I've mentioned, we have a Guardian Pharmacy that does that specifically for pumpers. They are really great. Not cheaper but still available.
I also know that many pumpers do order from Minimed.ca direct. And I was just introduced to the new "batch order for reduced pricing" option to Canadians (not sure about anyone else sorry).

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollyB

On this particular frustration, you might want to check out Diabetesdepot.ca. We use it and the service is great.

My problem right now with mail-order is this:

My insurance company needs a "prescription" for the supplies, in addition to a "doctor's letter". My doctor phoned the prescription in to the pharmacy, so I have no prescription to give them. At this point it'll be easier for me insurance-wise if I can go through the pharmacy so I have a prescription receipt to give the insurance company. Once I've claimed them once I'm guessing I could go to mail-order and still be reimbursed without a prescription receipt every time.

Also, Puralator delivers during the day when I'm not home. Their drop-off place (where I have to go to pick up the supplies) isn't very convenient for me. I've thought of having them delivered to work, but my understanding is that your ID has to match the address on the package, and clearly my driver's license doesn't have my work address on it.

As far as other pharmacies, Injecto...yeah, I've been checking them out, but there aren't many different ones that have good hours. I'm kinda picky about diabetes supply availability. I want to be able to get them on a Sunday morning, or late in the evening if I suddenly realize I'm out of something. It's a big "IF", but it really does help keep my anxiety about my diabetes down. For pump supplies, though, it wouldn't be a big deal b/c it would be pretty planned, and I'd order lots in advance. I may end up going to a different pharmacy for pump supplies and then sticking with my current one for my test strips, etc.

*shakes head*

Gangrel · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:21 AM

Beth, something I just thought of is contacting the head office of the drug store via their website, and relaying your story. I have had issues in the past at my drug store, and contacted Shopper's on their site about it.

I'm not sure if it's an ombusman, or whatnot, but someone emailed me back a day later. At the very least, it let their head office know of the issue.... although I doubt anything was ever done with it.

duck · #6 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:40 AM

Beth, MM should be MORE than happy to send you some Quicksets as samples. Call them up and tell them your predicament and they'll help you out. If they don't, tell them to check out diabetesforums dot com and remind them we are quick to burn companies down that don't help us out.

Seriously.

Injecto · #7 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belyro

I may end up going to a different pharmacy for pump supplies and then sticking with my current one for my test strips, etc.

That is exactly what I currently do.

I get my pump stuff from the pharmacy that stocks them. I get enough for two months at a time (that way I'm only out every two months to make the trip and the $$$ until insurance pays up).

I get my insulin/strips and everything else at the shoppers right around the corner.

See how smart you are? Great asset I tell ya.

Plus, I'd do what Gangy boy said.

belyro · #8 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Beth, MM should be MORE than happy to send you some Quicksets as samples. Call them up and tell them your predicament and they'll help you out. If they don't, tell them to check out diabetesforums dot com and remind them we are quick to burn companies down that don't help us out.

Seriously.

LOL - good point.

I did just talk to someone else at the pharmacy. It sounds like the other MM customer doesn't use this pharmacy anymore (go figure), but that they are more than willing to try to help me out. He's looking into it and calling me back today. So I'm going to probably order some 6mm Quicksets from them, but then maybe I'll ask for some 9mm Quicksets from MM to see how I like them. I'm only ordering a box of 10 to start in case I don't like them and want to switch.

xMenace · #9 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:50 AM

Your MM rep should have a good handle on the pharmacies in the area.

Pharmacy Contact:

Drug Trading Contact Information

The Rexall™ family of pharmacies

xMenace · #10 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 08:54 AM

I recommend dealing with an established pump store. You want to know they stock supplies when you suddenly go through your last four sets in one day. I deal with one and even they screw up my order sometimes.

belyro · #11 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

I recommend dealing with an established pump store. You want to know they stock supplies when you suddenly go through your last four sets in one day. I deal with one and even they screw up my order sometimes.

The one I'm working with has done orders in the past but currently doesn't have anyone else ordering them, so I doubt they'll stock them for me. That said, it sounds like it only takes a day to get them in, so if I ever ran out all of a sudden, I could make do for a day until they got more in. It sounds like they're going to be very accommodating and they're making notes in the store so that everybody who works there understands how to deal with these orders for me.