Furious!!!!!!!!!!!!

[haiku]

You're right. So Faith shouldn't even bother to call the doctor and see what can be worked out. Now THAT makes a lot of sense.

And gee.... it's possible to go to a different pharmacy. Or call the insurance and see if they'll authorize payment for a smaller script. Or perhaps the doc will agree to write two scripts - with amounts that the insurance will still pay for, but allows Faith to have enough for him on her time.

No, instead let's sit with our thumb up our butt and complain about the ex. Sheesh. Mine is a pita, too - but at least I'm proactive about things.

I agree with you. clearly there is a miscommunication problem, and I think its not wise when you do have a child with special needs to act like a mushroom. The non custodial parent needs to be on top of the childs latest treatment, with or without moms onvolvment.

 

[GAMOMtired]

At one time I worked for a pediatrician, Concerta is a controlled substance. The pharmacy is only allowed to dispense the presribed amount on the due date. You can not get extra or fill it before the due date. The only way to split the meds is talk with your ex or ask the court to order the pharmacy to split the pills and dispense one bottle to you and one to the father. I don't know if that is possible or not but it won't hurt to check into it with your attorney. Some children only have to take it during school hours to help with concentration and dosing is up to the physician. I suggest making an appointment with your child's Dr. for yourself. Even if it's a pediatrician he will make you an appointment by yourself to discuss your child's case and records. Make sure you take proof to that appointment that you are entitled to his medical information.

 

[faithnlve]

I do keep in touch with my son's doctor, when needed. But recently in the last 3 months he has not been sick. Plus, this medication he has been on for a little over a month was not something I had esp about. I contacted his doctor to get the name of the medication, and what its purpose was. I cannot get my own prescription without the consent of his father. So I hope this enlightens the opinions of me as the NCP and accusing me of not being involved or thinking appropriately in regards to my son. Thanks....faith

 

[haiku]

I do keep in touch with my son's doctor, when needed. But recently in the last 3 months he has not been sick. Plus, this medication he has been on for a little over a month was not something I had esp about. I contacted his doctor to get the name of the medication, and what its purpose was. I cannot get my own prescription without the consent of his father. Thanks....faith

So if you spoke with the doctor, what was the doctors opinion on your having the medication? does the child need it for the times he is with you? I am missing something here....

 

[faithnlve]

My son takes it every day. It is to help him focus and keep his aggression in check. The doctor agreed to send me any further changes made or new medications needed when his father makes these decisions without letting me know. But, I cannot get my own prescription, it is regulated, and his father needs to either do a count on the pills and gives me the number of pills for the month when I have him. I left a message again with him, and don't expect a call back since this is my 4th time trying to get him, and I sent him a letter 3 weeks ago asking him to please sent his meds with him when he comes over. So I feel I have done what I can on a personal level, and hope you all now agree as the NCP, I am doing the right thing. Faith

 

[faithnlve]

Well, you could ALSO call his doctor and ask for a prescription for you to fill for when he's with you. And I have to marvel that you're apparently not in touch with his doctor, since you didn't know he's being medicated. It's not all that hard to get that info.

Was it this remark that began the horrific attack as a NCP? I

 

[LdiJ]

You're right. So Faith shouldn't even bother to call the doctor and see what can be worked out. Now THAT makes a lot of sense.

And gee.... it's possible to go to a different pharmacy. Or call the insurance and see if they'll authorize payment for a smaller script. Or perhaps the doc will agree to write two scripts - with amounts that the insurance will still pay for, but allows Faith to have enough for him on her time.

No, instead let's sit with our thumb up our butt and complain about the ex. Sheesh. Mine is a pita, too - but at least I'm proactive about things.

I am not suggesting that she shouldn't call the doctor...heck, the doctor might even have some samples that he is willing to give her for her house. I just don't think she is going to be able to get a second prescription.

A friend of mine lost the prescription her doctor gave her for her son's ADHD medicine, and because it was a controlled substance the doctor could not issue her a new one until she jumped through alot of major hoops.

She should absolutely call the doctor, but she may also have to take this to court and get the judge to order dad to provide her a supply of the meds.

 

[CJane]

I am not suggesting that she shouldn't call the doctor...heck, the doctor might even have some samples that he is willing to give her for her house. I just don't think she is going to be able to get a second prescription.

No one suggested she shouldn't call the doctor. No one even suggested that she shouldn't try to get meds for her house.

The nasal spray my girls take is hardly 'controlled', but if I want a bottle for my house for each of them, and a bottle for their dad's house for each of them, I get 2 samples from the doc for each prescription I fill. That way I have plenty. Otherwise, insurance will NOT cover it. We've tried having the doc write each of us a prescription, we've tried using different pharmacies... the 'drug seekers' have pretty much shut down any ability to overmedicate (which is how they see this) no matter how justified it is. And paying for anything like Concerta out of pocket is cost prohibitive.

 

[CourtClerk]

Faith, my son is on Concerta and has been for a few years. Not giving it to him for a couple of days at a time won't bother him, I don't give my son his on the weekends at all, his pediatrician sees no problem with it. Also, you should know, Concerta is extremely expensive if you are considering paying out of pocket. A 3 month supply I believe is a few hundred dollars, says the receipt I get when I get my son's (thank God for insurance).

It seems silly, but you need to go into court and have the judge order that he send Jr.'s meds with him when he comes to visit. It's probably not a big deal if you're staying home, however, when I'm planning to have my son out for the entire day (school amusement park, day camp, summer camp, etc)... I give him his meds.

As far as samples go. That's a no go. Can't give samples for controlled substances.

 

[Gracie3787]

I see a bigger and potentially more dangerous problem here. That is that the father is endangering the child's life and health by not sending the meds. Once a person is on a medication, suddenly stopping, or missing several doses can trigger very dangerous side affects.

OP, do some research on the medication, if it is the type that has warnings to not stop taking without a Dr's guidance, you should print the warning out and send your ex a certified letter stating that he is placing your child in danger. Then insist that the medication be sent every time, and nicely, but firmly state that if he doesn't, you will be forced to report the problem to the Dr, the court or CPS if needed. Hopefully, this will make him realize how important the medication is and he'll start sending it.

 

[Gracie3787]

Faith, my son is on Concerta and has been for a few years. Not giving it to him for a couple of days at a time won't bother him, I don't give my son his on the weekends at all, his pediatrician sees no problem with it. Also, you should know, Concerta is extremely expensive if you are considering paying out of pocket. A 3 month supply I believe is a few hundred dollars, says the receipt I get when I get my son's (thank God for insurance).

It seems silly, but you need to go into court and have the judge order that he send Jr.'s meds with him when he comes to visit. It's probably not a big deal if you're staying home, however, when I'm planning to have my son out for the entire day (school amusement park, day camp, summer camp, etc)... I give him his meds.

As far as samples go. That's a no go. Can't give samples for controlled substances.

You posted while I was typing my reply. I don't know the side effects of suddenly stopping the med, but it's still a good idea for the OP to check it out. Although your son isn't having a problem now, he could develope one in the future. Plus, each person's reaction isn't going to be the same. It's never a good idea to suddenly stop any controlled medication without a Dr.'s assistance.

 

[GrowUp!]

Clearly some of you are not aware of the severe crackdown over the past couple of years -- whether it's via prescription or OTC because of the "uses" that are being concocted with alot of this stuff.

Plus, a doctor is no way in hell going to risk his license by immediately writing another prescription without that person going through a ton of hoops to prove it was indeed lost. Or the doctor might just outright refuse until the time has passed for a refill. The doc is covering his/her own ass. And, as CJane pointed out (IIRC), insurance companies are cracking down as well on what they cover and how much of it might be covered. The insurance company will do what it can to not pay what it feels it doesn't/shouldn't have to.

While the OP would be able to contact the doctor and find out what the child is on and the details involved in the taking of this medication, the chances of getting a duplicate prescription are very slim.

If anything, contacting the doctor -- and including it in the letter to your ex (i.e. "per my discussion with Dr. Giggles on _____, I was told that Junior is to be given this medication ___x per day, etc."). Then if your ex continues to want to play this game, you use this letter you gave him as evidence of your attempt(s) to get the medication when you file a show cause for contempt. And if you and/or your attorney is crafy enough -- you could research the statutes on child endangerment and toss that in as well. Rest assured, judges don't play around when a child is on prescribed meds and the other parent is pulling this crap. He should hope it doesn't cost him custody...it's THAT serious.

 

[MrsK]

Concerta is not the kind of drug that will cause harm if it is not taken every day. Its a medication generally used for ADHD. There are a lot of children who only take their ADHD medication on school days. You can ask his Dr, but it may not be neccessary for him to take it when he is with you, unless he is in school on those days, or preschool, or daycare, etc.

Because of the nature of Concerta, samples are not given, and insurance can not be used to get 2 different prescriptions. You could pay for it out of pocket, but it would be very expensive, although since you dont need it every day, that may be a feasible option for you. Its hard to find exact info, but it looks like Concerta may cost about $3.20 per pill, but you could contact a pharmacy and ask them. Although, generic Concerta is called "Methylphenidate" and may be cheaper for you to get.

Otherwise, your options are to ask him again to send the meds (if his ped thinks he should not be off it every now & again...) and tell him if he will not, you will take it to court to order him to send it & have him pay your court & atty fees.

 

[Gracie3787]

Concerta is not the kind of drug that will cause harm if it is not taken every day. Its a medication generally used for ADHD. There are a lot of children who only take their ADHD medication on school days. You can ask his Dr, but it may not be neccessary for him to take it when he is with you, unless he is in school on those days, or preschool, or daycare, etc.

Thanks for the info. I know that alot of my own meds and my son's meds are the kind that cannot be missed or stopped suddenly. I wasn't sure about Concerta though, and I have to admit, I was just too busy to look it up real quick. Anyway, glad to know that the OP's son isn't in danger in this situation.

 

[CourtClerk]

Also OP, I don't know if you mentioned anywhere how old your child is, but I know you mentioned that he is autistic, but did not mention the severity of his autism. I have explained to my son that Concerta is his "helper" medicine. Like anything else in life, anything in life that helps doesn't do it for you, and neither will this medicine. As far as his staying calm and remaining focused, it is important for you AND his father to stress to him that he still needs to learn how to practice self control on his own so that this medication doesn't become a crutch for him. It would also help if the 2 of you can find a way to communicate effectively especially since your child has such issues and this really can become a burden on his medical issues. Children with ADD/ADHD need structure and schedules like no other child. Therefore, it may be helpful to find out from the CP what his schedule is at home and try your best to adhere to that (bedtimes, when baths are, what happens before bed, etc.). That is not legal advice that is advice from a parent who also has a child on the same meds.

As I said earlier, doctors have no problems with Concerta and "medication vacations." It won't hurt him not to take it. In fact, like I said, I let my son go at it on the weekends so long as we don't have plans for him to go somewhere where it would be integral for him to remain focused (amusement parks, etc.). My son when he was a bit younger was very impulsive and tended to wander, so having him in some congested area without meds was a disaster sometimes. I don't have much of a problem now, because as he is becoming a preteen, I tell him that it's his responsiblility to fight the urge to do the wrong thing and do the right thing.