Thread by @312BreakingNews

Sharing again because there's a huge population I ignored in writing this: Pharmacists. A recent interaction left me in tears- not for the reason you'd think- when yet another pharmacist refused to fill pain meds. We both yelled but it ended with a hug. 1/
chicagotribune.com/columns/ct-liv…

I was out of state when my Rx was due. the VERY pharmacist I quote in my column who invoked her right not to fill for me was working while I visited family in GA. She again told me no, again came with attitude. Knowing I would have to book a last-minute flight home and miss my 2/

twins' b-day party, I confronted her. I said look, I know nothing is changing today and you're not filling this. But this is out of control. I go between these two states often, I work as a reporter in Chicago, I actually just wrote a column about this. And 300 people wrote me 3/

to say they're treated as badly or (much) worse. I can't understand why at a national chain you can't see I filled this in Chicago the last 3 months. You know I'm visiting and have seen you before. What exactly makes me shady? Why're you treating me like a criminal? She got 4/

defensive. "I didn't say you were a criminal, you did. you gonna be here when the cops come interrogate me, AGAIN, for the THIRD time this MONTH? No. I have to deal with that. Not you. I got into this career to help people. I just put in my notice because I can't help anyone." 5/

I was surprised. "After all that schooling, you're quitting?" She told me she has an mba, plans to join a group studying treatment of #CPP in getting opioids. I'm blown away. not only is she quitting, but she is leaving to help my exact group? I realize she TRULY DOES care. 6/

we were both pretty animated and angry at first. I feel my blood pressure go back down. it's not a fight. it's a normal discussion, the way it should always be, but never is, in my experience. I can't help but always feel I'm auditioning for something, which is so wrong. 7/

but it IS high stakes b/c I know what could happen to me if I fail to secure medicine. they have me feeling like I'm trying to pull something off- isn't that insane? I went to see her 2 days early, hoping for a clear convo. wanting to know if I would have to fly home, knowing 8/

a $500 plane ticket was a real possibility. But here we were talking, and not for me to convince her but just out of a genuine need to tell a pharmacist my side. OUR side. She listened. I told her about the column, but first asked more about the cops screaming at her. Did that 9/

really happen? Yes, she said. Often. She explained years ago liability for phony Rx fell 100% to doctors. But recently it shifted, a little at first 75/25 for pharmacists. but since Dr.s can't issue meds on a fake RX and pharmacists can, they are now 100% responsible if they 10/

issue meds on a fake Rx. She's been accused of knowingly filling fake scripts, she said. She's had to deal with new corporate edicts that give her full protection for denying scripts, with zero encouragement to help patients. That's been her deal-breaker. She can't help #CPP 11/

30 minutes into this, we are laughing and commiserating. Swapping our nightmare scenarios. I tell her about being sent away and say at this point in life, I'd rather pay $ to fly home than to keep "pharmacy shopping" locally, b/c I know what I'll be told and I want it over. 12/

I gave her my card and the link to the column. She says she can't wait to read it. I admit she makes an (anonymous) appearance and she won't like it. She laughs, says it's ok. I thank her for hearing out and wish her luck in her new role; I turn to go. "Hey, wait," she says. 13/

"I'll fill this for you." I. am. stunned. That legitimately was NOT why I spoke with her. wasn't trying to change her mind, just listening to her side. and there's so much more she said and I could go on forever about all that touched me abt the crappy position she's in each 14/

time someone hands her an opioid Rx. there are few times it's cut and dry for her - and for all pharmacists. her best advice was to avoid chains at all costs and develop a relationship w/ an independent pharmacy (tho I know well the limitations many of those have w/ opioids). 15/

I'm not saying what I wrote was wrong, b/c it's my real experience. Not saying all pharmacists are this terrific, nor did I vilify all pharmacists the 1st time around. j/s it was eye-opening, for sure. that all she wanted to do was help and found she couldn't in this role- 16/

THAT'S what surprised me. Like a nurse, she wanted to heal, to take away pain. And her opinion is that's no longer possible for pharmacists in America. their hands are always tied. she said she filled it b/c she got to know me and now knows the kind of person I am. I also 17/

recently tapered down on the amount of fentanyl I take, so she felt that shows I am trying my best not to be over-medicated. (I might've argued that point with her earlier, but didn't then.) Sure, I think the fact that she's quitting may have played into it, too. So I'm not 18/

trying to focus on the fact it was filled, just that I got to have an informative, impassioned, honest talk with a pharmacist and I truly thought that would never happen. I teared up when she said she'd fill it, but more b/c I was grateful we both LISTENED and really HEARD. 19/

I can't give anymore synopsis on the state we're in as a country and how #CPP are being inhumanely treated than I already have. I just wanted to point out a key issue I think is missing: Well-meaning ppl in every role in this nightmare are doing their best every day. but it's 20/

currently just not enough. literally dogs that are being euthanized are given more consideration than humans who are on the cusp of wanting to be put out of their misery. something has to happen and I don't claim to know the solution. I just know I met a caring person and I'm 21/

better off for the interaction. I'll go forward with more compassion for ppl whose hands are tied. A good # of the emails I rcv'd were from pharmacists, some retired, who made similar points. their position isn't enviable. but that underscores how wrong we are now with our 22/

laws/ regulations. You're threatening an entire group of well-meaning, empathetic ppl's JOBS if they don't refuse to fill, or at least providing an out so they don't have to fill. as we know, it's the same w/ doctors. everyone's incentivized not to help. where's the outrage? 23/

As far as I can tell, we #CPP are screaming at the top of our lungs for help, but it's like screaming into a void. Until this affects you or a loved one, there's no reason to be angry.
But I for one am less angry at pharmacists today. Instead, I'm sad a good one is leaving us.

*Should also tag some incredible people in the #CPP community who opened my eyes to all those suffering. @jillyannjiggs @LelenaPeacock @painadvocateAR @tonirtx @fostergram4 @MoogieMonsters @chronicallykoa @jersey_gurl4 @melquack @johnnamagers
#opioid #chronicpain #painmanagment