I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for two years and I love everything about it to the point where I can’t think of a single negative to thing to say about it. Recently I informed my OBGYN that I was running out of pills (I usually pick them up at their office). Well this time they told me that I would need to pick them up at the pharmacy which I didn’t really have a problem with. They called in the script. Well when I went to pick them up it was not Ortho Tri Cyclen but instead the generic Tri Sprintec. Normally I don’t have an issue with generics but when it’s a daily pill that varies so much across the board I don’t like it. The generics have different fillers so some people react much differently to them than the “original” medication. NYS has a prescription policy where if your script doesn’t say “dispense as written” it will automatically be filled with a generic (which is why I received it). I called my OBGYN office and they notified me about this policy so I asked if I could have my prescription changed so that I could get the regular pills since apparently I have to go to the pharmacy all the time now. They refused. My OBGYN said she will not change my script unless I try the generics for at least two months. Money isn’t an issue. My insurance is fine but honestly I would be willing to pay a lot out of pocket for these pills and I told her that but she still refused. I am extremely upset about this. Why should I have to switch when I have something that works great for me? I can’t see any reason why I would have to. Are doctors being pushed to prescribe generics? I just don’t understand this..
OBGYN pushing generic birth control pills.. advice is appreciated.
06/24/2011
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She can't deny you the brand name and force you to take the generic for 2mths. Either tell her you want the brand name pill or you are going to see someone else, or just go to someone else and make it explicitly clear you want only the brand name pill.
06/24/2011
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have ever had with her and to be honest I am very surprised that this is an issue. My college offers a birth control program but I won't have an opportunity to do that until September. Plus I'm in between primary care doctors at the moment. Its frustrating. Am I being slightly irrational here? Would anyone else just try the generics? I was thinking about exaggerating bad side effects to see if she would just let me go back the regular one but I don't really want to stoop that low. Maybe I'll just try to stick it out.
06/24/2011
Quote:
I'd try to ask her why she's so adamant about you trying generics. I'd stress that you're not worried about the brand name being more expensive. I'm pretty sure you're allowed to request a brand name over a generic if the brand name has never caused a health issue...
Originally posted by
Rain.
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have
...
more
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have ever had with her and to be honest I am very surprised that this is an issue. My college offers a birth control program but I won't have an opportunity to do that until September. Plus I'm in between primary care doctors at the moment. Its frustrating. Am I being slightly irrational here? Would anyone else just try the generics? I was thinking about exaggerating bad side effects to see if she would just let me go back the regular one but I don't really want to stoop that low. Maybe I'll just try to stick it out.
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06/24/2011
Quote:
you are right, if you have no issue with the price and your insurance covers it or you can pay out of pocket, she can't stop you having it. I don't think you are being irrational, it is your right to get the birth control you want.
Originally posted by
MaryExy
I'd try to ask her why she's so adamant about you trying generics. I'd stress that you're not worried about the brand name being more expensive. I'm pretty sure you're allowed to request a brand name over a generic if the
...
more
I'd try to ask her why she's so adamant about you trying generics. I'd stress that you're not worried about the brand name being more expensive. I'm pretty sure you're allowed to request a brand name over a generic if the brand name has never caused a health issue...
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Do you have a planned parenthood in your area?
06/24/2011
Any physician who tries to make a decision about MY BODY (!) that I have not first discussed with them and approved is not only losing my business but is also getting a complaint to their locally affiliated hospital.
Having a discussion with a patient about trying a new medication is one thing; insisting that they discontinue another medication is another thing; forcing a patient onto a medication with no discussion or disclosure? No.
Unacceptable behavior.
Having a discussion with a patient about trying a new medication is one thing; insisting that they discontinue another medication is another thing; forcing a patient onto a medication with no discussion or disclosure? No.
Unacceptable behavior.
06/24/2011
Quote:
I've actually been on the generic tri-sprintec for a couple of years now and it's the only birth control I haven't had an issue with. However, if a doctor refused to let ME make the choice about what brand makes MY medication, I'd be finding a new doctor!!!
Originally posted by
Rain.
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have
...
more
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have ever had with her and to be honest I am very surprised that this is an issue. My college offers a birth control program but I won't have an opportunity to do that until September. Plus I'm in between primary care doctors at the moment. Its frustrating. Am I being slightly irrational here? Would anyone else just try the generics? I was thinking about exaggerating bad side effects to see if she would just let me go back the regular one but I don't really want to stoop that low. Maybe I'll just try to stick it out.
less
06/24/2011
Quote:
Are you sure your doctor said this, or did the receptionist say it? I'm a nurse, and I have heard and seen receptionist actually LIE to patients, so they don't have to write out a form for the doctor and deliver it to him or her.
Originally posted by
Rain.
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have
...
more
I was thinking about going to see someone else however there really isn't anyone else in my area. I really like her and shes the only female OBGYN within a hour drive of my house (I live in the middle of nowhere). This is the first problem i have ever had with her and to be honest I am very surprised that this is an issue. My college offers a birth control program but I won't have an opportunity to do that until September. Plus I'm in between primary care doctors at the moment. Its frustrating. Am I being slightly irrational here? Would anyone else just try the generics? I was thinking about exaggerating bad side effects to see if she would just let me go back the regular one but I don't really want to stoop that low. Maybe I'll just try to stick it out.
less
If you WANT the brand name, she should give it to you. Why should you have to change, if you're willing to pay the extra? It makes no sense.
BC pills are not usually the kind of pills where the fillers make a difference (this applies more to time release and Long Acting drugs like Extended Release epilepsy drugs, Oxycontin, MSContin, Midrin, certain pills for asthma and drugs like that)
But, you should be given the brand name if you want.
Personally, I prefer male doctors, I think they are more amendable to doing what the patient likes, whereas many female doctors feel patients should just do as they say. Given a choice, I would rather have a man for my doctor (ALL my docs are male) and I'd rather work with male doctors. That's just me, though. I've found female doctors are usually less sympathetic to female woes than men. (And there is a special place in Hell for female doctors who are mean to nurses!) Occasionally, you do find a sympathetic, empathetic female doctor, but most I know are so busy trying to "prove" they are as "tough as men" that they leave their empathy behind. That's just me, though.
Has she ever insisted on drugs, tests or procedures you didn't want before?
06/24/2011
Quote:
Once upon a time Doctor's got very nice 'thank-you' gift from pharmaceutical companies for prescribing brand name medicines. Now many insurance companies, which bore the brunt of those brand-name costs, are pushing back and a doctor will come under scrutiny if they don't choose generics.
Originally posted by
Rain.
I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for two years and I love everything about it to the point where I can’t think of a single negative to thing to say about it. Recently I informed my OBGYN that I was running out of pills (I usually pick them up at their
...
more
I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for two years and I love everything about it to the point where I can’t think of a single negative to thing to say about it. Recently I informed my OBGYN that I was running out of pills (I usually pick them up at their office). Well this time they told me that I would need to pick them up at the pharmacy which I didn’t really have a problem with. They called in the script. Well when I went to pick them up it was not Ortho Tri Cyclen but instead the generic Tri Sprintec. Normally I don’t have an issue with generics but when it’s a daily pill that varies so much across the board I don’t like it. The generics have different fillers so some people react much differently to them than the “original” medication. NYS has a prescription policy where if your script doesn’t say “dispense as written” it will automatically be filled with a generic (which is why I received it). I called my OBGYN office and they notified me about this policy so I asked if I could have my prescription changed so that I could get the regular pills since apparently I have to go to the pharmacy all the time now. They refused. My OBGYN said she will not change my script unless I try the generics for at least two months. Money isn’t an issue. My insurance is fine but honestly I would be willing to pay a lot out of pocket for these pills and I told her that but she still refused. I am extremely upset about this. Why should I have to switch when I have something that works great for me? I can’t see any reason why I would have to. Are doctors being pushed to prescribe generics? I just don’t understand this..
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But none of that is an excuse. If you don't want the generic, she really has no grounds to insist upon it. It's not a narcotic, you are aware of the increased price. I would keep calling the office until they 'fixed' the prescription.
06/24/2011
I've never really had an issue with the generics being different from the brand name, but I think it should be your choice. That said, I'm on the Tri Sprintec and it works great for me.
06/24/2011
i take generics and have no issue with them. they are cheaper on my wallet and they have the same effect. but i would try it for yourself; every lady is different
06/26/2011
Quote:
BC pills are not usually the kind of pills where the fillers make a difference
Originally posted by
P'Gell
Are you sure your doctor said this, or did the receptionist say it? I'm a nurse, and I have heard and seen receptionist actually LIE to patients, so they don't have to write out a form for the doctor and deliver it to him or her.
If ... more
If ... more
Are you sure your doctor said this, or did the receptionist say it? I'm a nurse, and I have heard and seen receptionist actually LIE to patients, so they don't have to write out a form for the doctor and deliver it to him or her.
If you WANT the brand name, she should give it to you. Why should you have to change, if you're willing to pay the extra? It makes no sense.
BC pills are not usually the kind of pills where the fillers make a difference (this applies more to time release and Long Acting drugs like Extended Release epilepsy drugs, Oxycontin, MSContin, Midrin, certain pills for asthma and drugs like that)
But, you should be given the brand name if you want.
Personally, I prefer male doctors, I think they are more amendable to doing what the patient likes, whereas many female doctors feel patients should just do as they say. Given a choice, I would rather have a man for my doctor (ALL my docs are male) and I'd rather work with male doctors. That's just me, though. I've found female doctors are usually less sympathetic to female woes than men. (And there is a special place in Hell for female doctors who are mean to nurses!) Occasionally, you do find a sympathetic, empathetic female doctor, but most I know are so busy trying to "prove" they are as "tough as men" that they leave their empathy behind. That's just me, though.
Has she ever insisted on drugs, tests or procedures you didn't want before? less
If you WANT the brand name, she should give it to you. Why should you have to change, if you're willing to pay the extra? It makes no sense.
BC pills are not usually the kind of pills where the fillers make a difference (this applies more to time release and Long Acting drugs like Extended Release epilepsy drugs, Oxycontin, MSContin, Midrin, certain pills for asthma and drugs like that)
But, you should be given the brand name if you want.
Personally, I prefer male doctors, I think they are more amendable to doing what the patient likes, whereas many female doctors feel patients should just do as they say. Given a choice, I would rather have a man for my doctor (ALL my docs are male) and I'd rather work with male doctors. That's just me, though. I've found female doctors are usually less sympathetic to female woes than men. (And there is a special place in Hell for female doctors who are mean to nurses!) Occasionally, you do find a sympathetic, empathetic female doctor, but most I know are so busy trying to "prove" they are as "tough as men" that they leave their empathy behind. That's just me, though.
Has she ever insisted on drugs, tests or procedures you didn't want before? less
this
I have never heard of a dr up here pushing for generics but that is here. They usually tell you you have name brand or generic and one is cheaper so what would you like.
I would not sweat it too much. But, of course, to each his own
06/26/2011
that's reallly weird, I wouldn't settle. Is there not a Planned Parenthood anywhere remotely close? Cuz I know if you just go there once, or maybe just have a prescription transferred there, you can get on a free birth control program with B.C. delivered every month.. ortho-tricyclin around my parts.
06/27/2011
Maybe try a mail-order pharmacy, there is one with my current insurance plan and they are wonderful, with a huge selection of varieties of every prescription. They are much cheaper than any local drugstore or pharmacy.
01/22/2012
I had problems with a generic once. For whatever reason, the Dr's office or pharmacy didn't have my usual pills available when I needed them. They gave me something else and said that it was the same basic pill, and that it was just made by another company and sold under a different name. My cramps that month were as bad as they were before I ever started the pill, and my mood swings were awful. I'll never settle like that again.
02/10/2012
Total posts: 15
Unique posters: 13