sudsy
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Post by sudsy on Jan 28, 2024 12:13:29 GMT -6
Because what even is my life at this point 🙄
Over the past few months, intermittently, I was having these weird episodes at bedtime where I was getting incredibly thirsty and peeing every 15-20 min. I was even waking up at night having to go which is not like me at all. By the next morning the symptoms were gone. And they’d stay gone for days to weeks and then would happen again. I didn’t say anything to my doctor because I had recent bloodwork which was normal (including an A1C), and the symptoms would go away. I thought I was going crazy.
Long story short, I take 4 prescription medications every night along with 2 OTC meds. I get a 90 day supply, and I fill a M-Sun pill holder every week. Last night I discovered a pill in one of the bottles that looked a little different from what I was used to seeing. When I poured out the rest of the bottle, approximately 9 other tablets looked different than my usual tablets. I’ve had this particular refill for a couple months already. I looked up the markings on Drugs.com, and it’s Torsemide, a loop diuretic used in congestive heart failure patients. My actual medication is for anxiety (not even close).
I know mistakes happen, but this could have ended up a hell of a lot more serious given that I have idiopathic urticaria and angioedema, and some medications try to kill me if I take them. Looking at you, NSAIDS. Anyway, I’ve emailed my doctor and I plan to go to the pharmacy tomorrow to show them the mistake. Should I do anything else? Do I need to contact a lawyer or the pharmacy board, or just let it go? I feel like something needs to be said/done, but I don’t know quite how to navigate this.
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klw
Opal
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Post by klw on Jan 28, 2024 12:32:27 GMT -6
Take pics of the incorrect pills as well as your actual bottle just in case you need it. I would start with the pharmacy, but maybe contact corporate as well. They should also replace the incorrect pills with the correct ones since you already paid for them.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Jan 28, 2024 12:58:48 GMT -6
well shit! that sounds scary! I'd notify your dr sure, but I'd start by seeing if there is a report rx error on the pharmacy website, take the pills back to the pharmacy and ask they to verify alllllll of your meds in that bottle are correct I'd maybe ask for new bottle of rx meds just in case. and how they recommend you handle this.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Jan 28, 2024 13:22:36 GMT -6
Oh crap, I’m sorry. That’s really scary for a lot of reasons. I’d absolutely be reporting them to the pharm board. In a patient who isn’t in otherwise as healthy as you, that mistake could have been deadly.
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Post by gallagher on Jan 28, 2024 13:25:38 GMT -6
Im so sorry that happened to you. The faith we put in pharmacists is sometimes overlooked. Document. Take pics of remaining pills. Write down symptoms and time-line. If you go the legal route, information and facts are everything. Things you think you may remember...you won't. Write everything down. I don't know what long term effects can happen as a result of this, but I wouldn't blow it off as a "I'm ok now" thing. And your short term effects are not your fault so don't feel bad about pursuing legal recouse. Maybe you don't do a thing because everything is fine but having this info is power if you do end up having issues. I would make an appointment with my primary care physician asap to document and record the mistake (and symptoms!) and it becomes a part of your file regardless of your intent to pursue legal recourse. Most medical malpractice lawyers are free so a consultation to get your ducks in a row would not be impractical.
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Post by gallagher on Jan 28, 2024 14:59:26 GMT -6
Also...I'm a very whatever kind of girl...no grudges, no ill will. This is not one of those situations in my opinion. I don't take a fucking advil without it being necessary so for me so to be taking drugs that affect my heart lung liver, etc...I'm going off! I'm mad for you that this happened. Not mad that a potentially innocent and perhaps overworked pharmacist did this...but damn girl...someone has to be responsible for this and it isn't you.
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sterling
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Post by sterling on Jan 28, 2024 15:33:42 GMT -6
I’d be tempted to talk to a lawyer, tbh. That’s a SERIOUS mistake.
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sterling
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Post by sterling on Jan 28, 2024 15:34:51 GMT -6
well shit! that sounds scary! I'd notify your dr sure, but I'd start by seeing if there is a report rx error on the pharmacy website, take the pills back to the pharmacy and ask they to verify alllllll of your meds in that bottle are correct I'd maybe ask for new bottle of rx meds just in case. and how they recommend you handle this. I wouldn’t do this. I’d keep the evidence you have of their mistake.
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sudsy
Opal
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Post by sudsy on Jan 28, 2024 15:40:03 GMT -6
Also...I'm a very whatever kind of girl...no grudges, no ill will. This is not one of those situations in my opinion. I don't take a fucking advil without it being necessary so for me so to be taking drugs that affect my heart lung liver, etc...I'm going off! I'm mad for you that this happened. Not mad that a potentially innocent and perhaps overworked pharmacist did this...but damn girl...someone has to be responsible for this and it isn't you. See this is me too. I don’t want to come across as someone suing for something frivolous, but this could have been bad. I just don’t want to sound dramatic.
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sterling
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Post by sterling on Jan 28, 2024 15:43:09 GMT -6
Also...I'm a very whatever kind of girl...no grudges, no ill will. This is not one of those situations in my opinion. I don't take a fucking advil without it being necessary so for me so to be taking drugs that affect my heart lung liver, etc...I'm going off! I'm mad for you that this happened. Not mad that a potentially innocent and perhaps overworked pharmacist did this...but damn girl...someone has to be responsible for this and it isn't you. See this is me too. I don’t want to come across as someone suing for something frivolous, but this could have been bad. I just don’t want to sound dramatic. Not dramatic. This is egregious.
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sudsy
Opal
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Post by sudsy on Jan 28, 2024 15:43:47 GMT -6
I’d be tempted to talk to a lawyer, tbh. That’s a SERIOUS mistake. I have a friend that is a nurse practitioner, and she told me to write a letter and send pics to my doctor so that I have something time stamped then contact a lawyer before saying anything to the pharmacy. Do you think that’s the right way to go about it? Also, this could have been a hell of a lot worse because my prescription is actually for use up to three times a day, but my doctor knows I use it just once daily because I’m fairly well controlled. Imagine taking a diuretic 3 times a day? I’d be a dehydrated mess and would have likely ended up in the hospital without knowing why!
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beepers
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Post by beepers on Jan 28, 2024 15:44:39 GMT -6
sudsy I don’t think you’re being dramatic. While lasix is a “common” rx med, it can have SERIOUS side effects, one of the most common being electrolyte abnormalities. Low potassium is not a minor thing. I’m so glad you are okay. I agree don’t throw anything away, and don’t give it straight back to them without documenting as much as you can. if you have the pharmacy bottle it may have info re: who physically filled the rx. (Like initials or something) At the very very least the pharmacy needs to review how this was able to happen. ETA: I was a pharmacy tech prior to my current career and there *should be* several safeties in place to prevent this kind of mistake.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jan 28, 2024 15:45:19 GMT -6
See this is me too. I don’t want to come across as someone suing for something frivolous, but this could have been bad. I just don’t want to sound dramatic. Not dramatic. This is egregious. I agree with this.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Jan 28, 2024 16:27:02 GMT -6
well shit! that sounds scary! I'd notify your dr sure, but I'd start by seeing if there is a report rx error on the pharmacy website, take the pills back to the pharmacy and ask they to verify alllllll of your meds in that bottle are correct I'd maybe ask for new bottle of rx meds just in case. and how they recommend you handle this. I wouldn’t do this. I’d keep the evidence you have of their mistake. document everything, take pics etc, message your dr. but it's important to get the rx checked out by a pharmacist and corrected. I wouldn't trust any pills in that bottle, and want an all new rx from a different pharmacy. I would call insurance letting them know that there was an error and seeing what their protocol is for a complete redo of the bottle of pills
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Jan 28, 2024 18:29:36 GMT -6
I’m sorry that happened to you and I’m glad the outcome wasn’t worse. I think you should report it but I don’t imagine a lawsuit will really go anywhere without any tangible and lasting damage. I know that “it could’ve been so much worse” is scary and unnerving and I don’t think those feelings are dramatic but realistically I don’t think that will be enough for legal action.
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sudsy
Opal
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Post by sudsy on Jan 28, 2024 18:33:43 GMT -6
I’m sorry that happened to you and I’m glad the outcome wasn’t worse. I think you should report it but I don’t imagine a lawsuit will really go anywhere without any tangible and lasting damage. I know that “it could’ve been so much worse” is scary and unnerving and I don’t think those feelings are dramatic but realistically I don’t think that will be enough for legal action. I don’t imagine so either.
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zoeylucy
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Post by zoeylucy on Jan 28, 2024 19:00:04 GMT -6
I’d be tempted to talk to a lawyer, tbh. That’s a SERIOUS mistake. I have a friend that is a nurse practitioner, and she told me to write a letter and send pics to my doctor so that I have something time stamped then contact a lawyer before saying anything to the pharmacy. Do you think that’s the right way to go about it? Also, this could have been a hell of a lot worse because my prescription is actually for use up to three times a day, but my doctor knows I use it just once daily because I’m fairly well controlled. Imagine taking a diuretic 3 times a day? I’d be a dehydrated mess and would have likely ended up in the hospital without knowing why! I think your friend has it right. I would also transfer any refills to another pharmacy chain. When you do go to the pharmacy, I would ask for the district manager’s information and start with them. Or let your lawyer do it. I’m team lawyer here.
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trueblue
Sapphire
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Post by trueblue on Jan 28, 2024 19:01:54 GMT -6
I would absolutely document everything you have, you can google the letters/ numbers on each different pill to verify what it actual is & dosage (or search what’s on the label and sort by images), and report to whatever the governing board is for your state before going to the pharmacy to report it there. That is probably where you will get the most ‘justice’ for what happened to you.
I would talk to your doctor about what your next steps are-do you need some monitoring and follow up? Or is this a situation where if there were going to be negative impacts they would have shown themselves already? If you do I would demand the pharmacy pay for those tests/followups etc and it never hits your pocket.
As far as talking to a lawyer goes that is certainly your right but don’t be surprised if the answer back is something along the lines of that sucks but (assuming no long term impact to you) the payout at the end won’t be big enough for a malpractice attorney you would want to represent you* to take the case.
*because there are bad attorneys out there who promise things to clients they can never deliver.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Jan 28, 2024 20:02:11 GMT -6
Yes @ trueblueUnless there is actual damage to you, hard to sue for damages. There may be official fda or state pharmacy type place to report this as well as the corporate office and pharmacy manager.
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Post by CurlieWhirlie on Jan 28, 2024 22:43:24 GMT -6
Holy shit I’m so mad that that happened to you! How lucky that you caught it before it went any further, and while I totally get the feminie urge to “not seem too dramatic” you should definitely take all the advice given here and report this. The pharmacy needs some kind of compliance review to see how their multiple controls failed to allow this to happen, so they can fix it and not allow this to happen again.
I’m glad you’re ok!!
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Post by sweptaway on Jan 29, 2024 7:14:10 GMT -6
This is really scary. I have been thinking about what I would do. I would document all the nights I thought I took the wrong pill.
I think I'd start with my prescribing doctor to explain the situation and make sure I don't need any additional physical care first. (I hope you don't and everything is ok).
I would take photos of everything and I'd call the pharmacy first to talk to the head pharmacist, explaining only that I thought there was a mix up of my prescription. I'd bring everything in, get the corrected prescription filled, get all my records in print,then transfer all my meds elsewhere. Once I had everything in hand I'd go up the chain at the pharmacy and report to the pharmaceutical board.
At my CVS they take photos of every prescription they fill. I know this because once I got a 30 day supply of something that was supposed to be 90, and I didn't realize for a few weeks. When I called she pulled up the photo right away and said oh yes we gave you the wrong amount. So maybe they'll have something on record too.
Good luck.
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Post by sweptaway on Jan 29, 2024 7:15:30 GMT -6
Unless you need long term medial care as a result of this I really wouldn't bother with a lawyer. For what?
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Jan 29, 2024 9:16:11 GMT -6
What if this had been medication for a baby or something? They CANNOT make mistakes. It is one field where it's just not okay.
You are fully justified in burning down whatever you want. It's so egregious.
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Jan 29, 2024 9:17:07 GMT -6
Eh, if your doctor so much as prescribes vitamins to counteract it, I'd be going after them for payment. This is a HUGE error.
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Post by icedcoffee on Jan 29, 2024 9:53:10 GMT -6
What if this had been medication for a baby or something? They CANNOT make mistakes. It is one field where it's just not okay. You are fully justified in burning down whatever you want. It's so egregious. I agree. I already double check my kids dosages, especially when they were babies. I cannot imagine giving them a med that could seriously hurt them because the pharmacy added something extra. Who knows what other mistakes this person/pharmacy has made??
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Post by angelashly on Jan 29, 2024 10:02:52 GMT -6
Eh, if your doctor so much as prescribes vitamins to counteract it, I'd be going after them for payment. This is a HUGE error. She should absolutely go to corporate and report the pharmacy. They will investigate and the person who filled will 9/10 lose their job and the pharmacy will be fined and put on watch as they should be. But she will not be able to sue unless she can show damages. She should keep her documents and 100% talk to her doctor about possible side effects and I personally would do that before working with the pharmacy corporate in my opinion just to rule anything out
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Jan 29, 2024 10:08:27 GMT -6
Eh, if your doctor so much as prescribes vitamins to counteract it, I'd be going after them for payment. This is a HUGE error. She should absolutely go to corporate and report the pharmacy. They will investigate and the person who filled will 9/10 lose their job and the pharmacy will be fined and put on watch as they should be. But she will not be able to sue unless she can show damages. She should keep her documents and 100% talk to her doctor about possible side effects and I personally would do that before working with the pharmacy corporate in my opinion just to rule anything out Obviously she should go to the dr and no one said file suit before that. I said “go after them for payment if the dr prescribed something.”
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sudsy
Opal
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Post by sudsy on Jan 29, 2024 10:14:40 GMT -6
My doctor responded to my letter yesterday. She told me that I would likely not have any long term side effects but she would keep a standing order available to recheck my kidney values just in case. I sent pictures as well just for completeness. She resent me my most recent chemistry values to have on hand for comparison.
I’m going to attempt to talk to the pharmacy manager today to see what they say. I’ve been using this pharmacy for years, and I know who I’d need to speak with. Then, I’ll write to corporate as well. I guess my next step after that will depend on how they act and how they respond. If I feel like nothing was accomplished by talking to them, I’ll probably make the next step calling the pharmacy board.
I don’t know. I’m overwhelmed and pissed and I don’t want to go in being emotional and look like a Karen with a pitchfork, but my gosh.
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Post by GhoatMonket on Jan 29, 2024 10:18:40 GMT -6
My doctor responded to my letter yesterday. She told me that I would likely not have any long term side effects but she would keep a standing order available to recheck my kidney values just in case. I sent pictures as well just for completeness. She resent me my most recent chemistry values to have on hand for comparison. I’m going to attempt to talk to the pharmacy manager today to see what they say. I’ve been using this pharmacy for years, and I know who I’d need to speak with. Then, I’ll write to corporate as well. I guess my next step after that will depend on how they act and how they respond. If I feel like nothing was accomplished by talking to them, I’ll probably make the next step calling the pharmacy board. I don’t know. I’m overwhelmed and pissed and I don’t want to go in being emotional and look like a Karen with a pitchfork, but my gosh. No, you go to corporate anyway. And copy the state board. You don't let your buddies cover this up. This isn't being a Karen. Stop that. You are enabling them to do this again by trying to be nice. These types of mistakes can kill people.
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Jan 29, 2024 10:40:30 GMT -6
sudsy, a Karen is someone who calls the police because people are having a picnic in a public park. You are making a valid and important complaint. What they did could have literally killed someone.
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