Okay, so I went to the doctors on Friday. I got my bloodwork done and everything looks good. I was self medicating kinda... But I'm glad I didn't hurt myself in the process. But while I was there I asked to be switched to self injections. Since they are all around better. (IMO)

So I went to get the script filled today at the pharmacy, apparently I have to go to a special pharmacy since it is a compound. So, I couldn't go to my normal one I have been going to for almost a year and I assume know what the situation is. So when I initially drop off my script I get this really nice girl who is super helpful, but still kind of giving me the one eyebrow raised like "OMG I GET TO SEE ONE". Well thats what my brain tells me they are thinking. The problem is when I picked up the script.

Pharmacist: "Okay so I have to ask, whats this for?"
Me: "Uhmm, its for hormone replacement therapy..."
Pharmacist: "Well that may be true but the dosage is pretty high, even for HRT"
Me: "Well that is what the doctor prescribed, you can call and varify if you like."
Pharmacist: "No, your doctor confirmed the dose its just for some reason he is giving you the dose of a woman"
Me: At this point I am in a what the **** state. "That is the point I'm on HRT"
Pharmacist: "I understand but the dosage is still higher then it should be."
Me: "I'm on HRT because I'm transgender"
Pharmacist: "THATS WHAT I WANTED" ..."lets go ring you up"

Are they allowed to grill me about this? Has anyone else had this happen too? To his credit, I don't think he was intentionally prying for me to say that. I think he was really just trying to figure out why my dose is that high. But, I don't think thats for him to figure out if the doctor has already confirmed the dose.

<3 Liv

My two cents worth: He got his answer, you got your medication, tomorrow's a new day. Let's enjoy it! Hugs, Devlyn

.

I don't think that's necessary at all. If it happened to me, I would email the pharmacy. If your doctor wrote the script and it's verified, it shouldn't matter what the script is for.

I've had an experience somewhat like this but I didn't play their game, I just left... I lost my health insurance and thought, I bet Wal-Mart's pharmacy is the best value, right? Took my scripts in and I got a nice women who said I could go shop and they would be ready in 30 minutes. When I returned I was greeted by a very rude head pharmacist who insisted that the dosage didn't make sense and she couldn't fill it. It was quit embarrassing since 3 other employees decided to stand there staring me down.

Quote from: kkut on June 03, 2013, 09:07:12 PM
Based on your avatar, he had to ask? 

Apparently so  I am really starting to get some strange looks dressed as a male. Maybe I should have said that I was presenting as a male in this situation. I am still not full time yet.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 08:57:29 PM
My two cents worth: He got his answer, you got your medication, tomorrow's a new day. Let's enjoy it! Hugs, Devlyn

You are very right. I'm not terribly miffed from his interrogation. I just thought it was a bit innapropriate...

<3 Liv

Quote from: iiii on June 03, 2013, 09:08:37 PM
Doesn't really justify that mistreatment... If it counts as it, that sounded really personally invasive.

I was relating how I would react. Next time in I'd flash a big smile and say "I'm still transgender". I try to get along with people, it's not for everyone, iiii. I understand that.

Quote from: Michelle S. on June 03, 2013, 09:11:06 PM
I don't think that's necessary at all. If it happened to me, I would email the pharmacy. If your doctor wrote the script and it's verified, it shouldn't matter what the script is for.

I've had an experience somewhat like this but I didn't play their game, I just left... I lost my health insurance and thought, I bet Wal-Mart's pharmacy is the best value, right? Took my scripts in and I got a nice women who said I could go shop and they would be ready in 30 minutes. When I returned I was greeted by a very rude head pharmacist who insisted that the dosage didn't make sense and she couldn't fill it. It was quit embarrassing since 3 other employees decided to stand there staring me down.

The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

I think it's inappropriate as well, but they might question all high doses of everything.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:14:37 PM
I was relating how I would react. Next time in I'd flash a big smile and say "I'm still transgender". I try to get along with people, it's not for everyone, iiii. I understand that.

I feel the same way Devlyn. I just wasn't really expecting the conversation. I think those drugs kind of say I'm trans for me. But I guess some people don't think so. In any case they made a note in my file, and its now automatically filled. So I just have to pick it up when they call next time.

<3 Liv

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:15:09 PM
The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

I think you handled it very well - better than I would have, I'm sure! I agree with above, you don't look like you should have been questioned at all!!!!

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:15:09 PM
The problem is that I had no idea if he was within his rights or not at the time. I thought he was overstepping a little bit. He had my script filled already with my name on it and everything while he was asking me this. Dunno, honestly I was caught off guard a little bit as well. Like an "is this really happening right now" type reaction.

<3 Liv

It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

He had no right to get you to admit to being trans. For all he knows you might have some rare hormonal disorder which requires said meds in said dosages. The HRT explanation should have been more than sufficient. After that, I would have referred him to my doc... or called my doc and asked to have the scripts sent to another pharmacy. Ignorance and rudeness sometimes know no bounds. It's none of his business what you are being treated for and why. That's why it's called a doctor patient relationship... not a doctor, pharmacist, patient relationship.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:18:53 PM
It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

I think you're right but he went beyond that. He didn't need to go further than, "No, your doctor confirmed the dose." At that point it's like duh you see it on the script and you heard from the doctor that this is what he/she is prescribing. I think this was clearly a case of inappropriate questioning, especially when he says, "Pharmacist: "THATS WHAT I WANTED" ..."lets go ring you up."

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2013, 09:18:53 PM
It sounds like the dosage threw him. Better to have someone who knows drugs throw up a red flag if something looks amiss, no?

Without question. I was actually pleased when he said "but this dose is for a woman."  Yes... yes it is

<3 Liv

Quote from: Michelle S. on June 03, 2013, 09:18:40 PM
I think you handled it very well - better than I would have, I'm sure! I agree with above, you don't look like you should have been questioned at all!!!!

Thanks for the compliment.

<3 Liv

P.S. OMG this needle is huuuge... 

I used to work in a pharmacy. If dosages have been confirmed from the doctor him/herself, a pharmacist is obligated to fill it, and hand it over. The ONLY thing they are supposed to do from there is ask if you need instructions or have any questions about side effects or potential interactions.

In simpler terms, coming from a formerly Certified Pharmacy Technician, the pharmacist was an intrusive ass.

Quote from: Adrian_Michael on June 03, 2013, 09:25:46 PM
I used to work in a pharmacy. If dosages have been confirmed from the doctor him/herself, a pharmacist is obligated to fill it, and hand it over. The ONLY thing they are supposed to do from there is ask if you need instructions or have any questions about side effects or potential interactions.

In simpler terms, coming from a formerly Certified Pharmacy Technician, the pharmacist was an intrusive ass.

Exactly what I was looking for, Thank you.

<3 Liv

Quote from: Olivia-Anne on June 03, 2013, 09:28:13 PM
Exactly what I was looking for, Thank you.

<3 Liv

No problem, dear. Glad to be able to give that insight. I feel like I should apologize for his behavior, even though I don't know him at all. That sort of behavior puts a dark smear on good pharmacists and pharm techs, and it just pisses me off 

That sounds fishy to me.  Especially since he said "that's what I wanted".  Pretty odd response.  I could understand if you came in with a script for an insane supply of oxycotin at the highest dosages, but he shouldn't be asking about hrt meds.  Perhaps, he was concerned about your health and wasn't being malicious.  He could have thought the doctor made a mistake and wanted to make sure you would be okay.  However, even then, it's not his place to inquire about it.  Whether he has rights or not, I am uncertain.

A Pharmacist does not need a reason to issue your prescription.  You should always refer them to your health care provider.

Quote from: learningtolive on June 03, 2013, 09:31:00 PM
That sounds fishy to me.  Especially since he said "that's what I wanted".  Pretty odd response.  I could understand if you came in with a script for an insane supply of oxycotin at the highest dosages, but he shouldn't be asking about hrt meds.  Perhaps, he was concerned about your health and wasn't being malicious.  He could have thought the doctor made a mistake and wanted to make sure you would be okay.  However, even then, it's not his place to inquire about it.  Whether he has rights or not, I am uncertain.

Yea if anything that was the response that got a rise out of me really. Like an "AHA! I gotcha now my pretty!" I love Wizard of Oz 

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on June 03, 2013, 09:36:52 PM
A Pharmacist does not need a reason to issue your prescription.  You should always refer them to your health care provider.

He said that he confirmed it with the doctor, which was my initial cause for suspision.

Quote from: JennX on June 03, 2013, 09:21:59 PM
He had no right to get you to admit to being trans. For all he knows you might have some rare hormonal disorder which requires said meds in said dosages. The HRT explanation should have been more than sufficient. After that, I would have referred him to my doc... or called my doc and asked to have the scripts sent to another pharmacy. Ignorance and rudeness sometimes know no bounds. It's none of his business what you are being treated for and why. That's why it's called a doctor patient relationship... not a doctor, pharmacist, patient relationship.

Thats what I was thinking after it had happened. The whole thing just left me a little confused to say the least

<3 Liv