Medication frustration - and at such a time as this.  My father died unexpectedly while I was in Germany.  I flew straight to my mom's house in California for the services instead of home to Virginia.  When it occurred to me that I would run out of my prescriptions, I began the phone calls to doctors offices and pharmacies to line everything up.  The good ole days of having a prescription with a chain of pharmacies that easily transferred them as needed, is gone.  I managed to get everything covered except pain management, which is disturbingly ironic in the midst of my powerful grief.  I am equally irritated and sad that not only can I not get my prescription without going to a doctor or urgent care center, everyone I talk to about it has had the element of suspicion in their voice that comes from their hyper-sensitivity to watch for drug abuse. This added layer of emotional stuff is tiring and unwelcome.  I have easily verifiable records about my protocol for all my medications.  My doctors' offices are just a phone call away.  How hard can it be?? I'm irritated with the system and the people who abused the system enough to make it so tough on the honest folks.  Urrrgghh. 

Healthcare in Germany? I'm impressed!

I'm sure it has it's problems, but this is the second time they've come through in a pinch.  Before I left home, I counted all of the various pills I'm taking to determine if I needed refills and vacation waivers before I left home.  (At this point, I should be using a spreadsheet to keep it all straight.)

I dutifully called my pharmacy and my doctor's office to line everything up.  One little snafu - one of the drugs was back ordered at my pharmacy and I forgot to pick it up on my way out of town.  Sadly, it was the antibiotic which is likely the most important one to take continuously.

After a few days in Germany, Cassandra (my friend and hostess) suggested we go to the pharmacy and ask if someone there could help us.  I only needed 6 pills to tide me over.  The pharmacist explained to us that this isn't legal, but he examined my prescription bottle and talked to her a bit, then looked us over.  After a moment, he got the pills and told us we looked trustworthy.  He even stuffed the bag with fruity bonbon samples.  

Last year, when Crow and I were here, he needed an outpatient procedure and prescriptions.  He had the same thing done at home a few months before and after our insurance kicked in, we still paid $700 plus prescription costs.  What did we pay in Germany, you ask?  Nothing.  Not a thing.  Not at the doctor's office.  Not at the pharmacy.  They conspired to take care of us in a way that was incredibly charming, efficient and free.  Wow.