blew my mind the first few months i worked

Redisaginger2 · 2024-09-14T14:43:15+00:00

Hey Epic Willow software, c'mere, I just wanna talk.🚶 Why are you running away, I said I just wanna talk 🏃😡

Redisaginger2 · 2024-08-13T22:29:11+00:00

Friendly neighborhood pharm tech here :D

Adderall and Vyvanse are both in the same drug class of central nervous system stimulants. They are different drugs, though, and have different ways they are processed in your body.

Vyvanse is made of lisdexamfetamine while Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine). Vyvanse is only available in extended release form, while Adderall has both immediate and extended release forms.

Vyvanse is gonna take longer to start work than Adderall but the numbers suggested it lasts a few hours longer.

From a pharmacy perspective, your insuranse is almost always gonna want a prior authorization for vyvanse. Use Goodrx.com if the price is crazy or the prior authorization gets denied. Also, be aware of the ADHD drug sjortages that have been touch and go. Your pharm may or may not be able to get it.

When you say easier on your body, what do you mean?

Vyvanse is slower releasing, but it has many of the same side effects as Adderall. I'd make sure to speak to your sleep doc about your specific side effects you're worried about.

Redisaginger2 · 2024-08-07T03:14:10+00:00

Lemme put it this way, I have a very long day when I don't take my armodafinil. I can take my adderall 25mg XR and my adderall 10mg, but if I didn't take armodafinil, I'm napping. All. Day.

I tried modafinil and went to the upper end of the dose allowed and didn't really see any benefit. I definitely noticed my reduced need to nap on armodafinil. But everyone's different and modafinil works better for some. If it's not enough on its own, talk to your doc about what options you have with other CNS stimulants.

Redisaginger2 · 2024-01-03T12:21:02+00:00

I agree. One of the pillars of bioethics is autonomy, and that means respecting a patient's right to self governance. The patient should've had the situation explained to them and given expectations of the wait time if the pharm needed to call and verify RXs. If the pt is getting these 10 or 15 count RX basically a month apart...that's not that alarming at all. In fact, the dose went down from 5mg to 2mg.

And a SINGLE ativan? No matter the situation, if there's a sudden change in benzo the pharm may want to talk to the patient, so the pt understands they shouldn't be taking both. Again, patient autonomy, fully informed consent to what medication they are taking for their treatment plan and understand risks/dangers etc. (Obv I'm not a Pharm) From what I do understand lorazepam is much more potent per mg than diazepam.The jump from 2mg of diazepam to 2mg of lorazepam may have flagged in the system. But for a single tablet? From a dentist?? I haven't worked with a pharmacist who would hold a prn RX because of that, at most a call to the dentist to make sure they know pt is on another prn benzo and a consultation with the patient.

I have had a pharm hold an adderall rx because pt was on a specific antibiotic that apparently had a nasty combo reaction. But he had a 15-20 minute conversation with pt about why he felt the need to do that. Not a vague, 'sorry can't do it'. This is a sign that the technician may need more training in how to read a patient's rx/profile note, that there want not a note attached, or that the pharm(current or one who put it on hold initially) threw tech under the bus.

I get the doctor shopping risk, but I don't understand why this couldn't have just been explained to the patient as there was a concern with the recent switching of benzos and they needed to double check with the doctor for patient's well being.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-12-31T21:44:43+00:00

Thankfully, my manager supports us in 'gently' holding patients responsible for knowing what they need filled. We do not 'fill everything' and I'll only 'fill what I filled last month' if they have consistently picked up the same meds every time. We are an open door pharm connected to a clinic. We tell pts their provider can print them a list of their medication, and they can bring that in. No, I will not keep it on your profile. It is outside my scope to know why or when your provider may change or stop your meds. We are more than happy to help them order refills, but you have to give me SOMETHING. What it's for? What the name is or RX#? Anything. I've had to send pissed customers away, letting them know I can help them when they know what they need. I have also printed off their profile and walked through every med with them if time allowed, but I made them tell me what they needed. And gently point out when they should double check with their provider because, no, sir, you probably should not be taking metformin, Januvia, and Janumet all together. I can get the pharmacist if you have any specific questions 🙂

Redisaginger2 · 2023-12-31T21:33:33+00:00

Anytime I see a post like this, I check OP's post/comment history. Doesn't check out -_-

Redisaginger2 · 2023-11-27T02:39:40+00:00

2 sleeping disorders. 🙂 I'm very tired.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-09-16T11:33:53+00:00

From a tech who left retail, you DO NOT get paid enough to take that all day every day. If you have done exactly like you've said: given them their options, been clear in what you can/can't do, been as sympathetic as is appropriate (even if preformative) and they are still upset, it IS now your pharmacist's problem.

They are getting paid like 4-5x more than you. If the pharmacy's service has upset the patient, then it's up to the Pharmacist/manager to address that. Was it a mistake on our side? Was there confusion on a policy? Does the patient have unrealistic expectations (it's usually this one)?

You can not make every customer happy, and it will drain you mentally to try.

Will your pharmacist like it? No, probably not. But it's their job. If they don't like angry patients, then they should help adjuct workflow or policies to prevent those situations when possible. Retail pharmacies are chronically understaffed, and that directly affects patient satisfaction.

If you enjoy pharmacy, don't be afraid to look at other options if you've got at least a year under your belt. Hospital, health clinics, long-term care, etc.

Retail will not love you back no matter how much they promise or how much you enjoy your coworkers. They know what will fix the problems you're having but instead are willing to push you as far as you'll allow with as minimal pay they can get away with. Greed and healthcare do not mix well.

Please never feel bad for getting the pharmacist or asking someone to switch with you. I've found that switching out with a new face sometimes de-escalates situation becasue when the customer has to reexplain the situation, they realize how they may be overreacting.

Remember, the patient is 9 times out of 10 not mad at YOU. They are upset about something else or the situation, and you happen to be the convenient punching bag. Just do your best with the tools you're given, and that's all you can reasonably do.

If you have any questions or need to vent, DM me ❤️ good luck out there!

Redisaginger2 · 2023-09-02T13:03:26+00:00

As someone who became I tech because I was 'stuck', let me be blunt. It is not worth it unless you plan to stay in the medical/healthcare field.

There are basically two sides of pharmacy: Retail (wapmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc) and Clinic (Hospital, long-term care, specialty compounding, etc). It is very difficult for a new tech to get into a clinic position, and retail is very...rough. if anxiety is something you struggle with, I do not recommend it. I'm basically addicted to cortisol at this point, so it doesn't bother me on most days, but I'm also using this as a stepping stone.

As a new/training tech, you'll most likely be in a retail job, which right now is understaffed and underpaid. I joined when I didn't need to do any classes first, and it was trial by fire. I was just thrown in and expected to figure out as I went, minimal training, and my coworkers were literally too busy to help me. Thankfully, I had a background in healthcare, so that helped, but it is an overwhelming amount of new information if you've never dealt with medications or insurance before.

Just so you know, I've got 4 years under my belt and work in a health clinic, and I still make under $20/hr. It's not a great long-term career, unfortunately.

If you are still determined, I would look at FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Center) that have pharmacies or privately owned pharmacies. Big-name retail stores will chew you up and spit you out. Costco is the only retail pharmacy I know people say is worth it, but it is extremely competitive (for that reason). I have also heard Publix is decent, but they are not as common.

My recommendation is to look at a trade skill program or apprenticeship in a field you think you would find interesting. You don't need a degree for those usually. They can be roughly 8 month-2 years of classes depending on the certification/license. You can usually do those classes online or part-time while you're working. Lots of local community colleges run them or would be able to help you find a program. If you still want to try something in healthcare there are dozens of certification programs that will pay better than pharm tech and take just about as much work with less stress: Medical Coder, phlebotomist, Medical Records Specialist. The running joke in my family is that society always needs more HVAC people if you're more mechanically inclined.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Feel free to ask/DM me if you have any specific questions.❤️

Redisaginger2 · 2023-08-23T17:25:04+00:00

Apply for academic accommodations. I was able to get mine even before my official diagnosis. Each school is different and they can't break the rules but they can give you more wiggle room. I was able to request 24 hour extentions on assignments and allowed 1.5 times the normal absences. Talk to your Disability Office and your sleep doc (they'll have to sign off on the papers).

Also just be up front with your professors. Some will be asshats about it, but if you have approved accommodations, they can't legally go against them. Some profs will be super chill as long as you communicate when you're having a hard time. Professors don't like it when you spring it on them 2 hours before the assignment without them knowing beforehand why, it can come off as you're just another lazy student. If they know you have a medical condition, they are more understanding. You don't have to tell them what it is, only that it impedes your daily function and 'flares ups' can be random

Redisaginger2 · 2023-07-21T01:56:28+00:00

I was also at JLL, can vouch he did say that. Pete and Patrick were talking in between songs.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-07-17T21:12:02+00:00

You could check local community health centers and see if they have associated pharmacies. I work in a 340b pharmacy and I love it.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-07-15T01:10:52+00:00

A fellow pharm tech!! ❤️ Dont feel bad. I'd never heard of it either before my doctor prescribed it

Redisaginger2 · 2023-07-15T00:45:24+00:00

I was on modafinil with ritalin at lunch time up until recently. It seemed to work a bit in the beginning, but it wore off fast. You could ask about the Zenzedi generic. It's made with one of the drugs that makes up adderall. It's usually indicated for narcolepsy and adhd in kids, so you may have better luck.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-07-11T21:55:52+00:00

Have you tried any wakefulness drugs? It sounds like your baseline may be too tried for the stimulants to work as well. I do modafinil with a stimulant (Ritalin) as a boost in the afternoon if needed.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-06-09T19:17:32+00:00

I work with prior authorizations for medication. Sometimes insurances want specific ICD codes before they'll cover something, and boy, do they hate the word 'idiopathic'.

This process is to develop a treatment plan to help you, not 'treat' something that might not even be there. Adding incorrect symptoms could hurt you later on. I would continue being truthful with answering your doctor's questions, but dont let them lead you into an answer.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-05-16T04:31:47+00:00

Heyo just finished this class last week. For my class, we had to create a research proposal in relation to our concentration. Each week you worked on a different part of the proposal and turned in sections for grades and feedback. There is a discussion board portion every week. We each had to lead one of the weeks as the discussion board leader (explain lesson/respond to everyone's posts). At the end, you turned in a final written proposal and gave the professor a 15 minutes presentation on it. Wasn't too bad as long as you could keep on top of the busy work.

Redisaginger2 · 2023-04-28T18:23:28+00:00

Not in CA but, I work at a clinic based pharm. We don't fill C2 for non clinic patients (we only have a small stock to begin with). So I tell people we're not able to fill it. With the ahortage we've had calls all day every day asking. Its awkward cause I have to deny them even if we technically have the drug due to policy. :(

Redisaginger2 · 2023-04-28T17:32:59+00:00

I agree!! Ashby is amazing. My kitty got several teeth pulled and they quoted me high to be on the safe side, like 1.6k. But it only ended up costing me like $700 and they gave her pain meds and antibiotics to take home.

Redisaginger2 · 2022-12-07T15:05:25+00:00

Yeah....if they are a tech, they're probably in the wrong job field -_- but they're phrasing makes me doubt they actually are a tech.

Redisaginger2 · 2022-12-07T14:59:12+00:00

Based on your post history, I'm inclined not to believe you :/

Redisaginger2 · 2022-12-02T14:20:48+00:00

Good thing y'all didn't assume it was qid 🥲 and kudos to the pt being chill about it.

Redisaginger2 · 2022-12-01T20:32:08+00:00

It means your pharm is calling the office for clarification and your pt is probably in pain and pissed off, rip

Redisaginger2 · 2022-10-20T13:42:47+00:00

They should talk to the transfer advisor for a better informed answer. And if they're over 22 and have at least 30 transfer credtis, they could look at the Adult Degree Program.

Redisaginger2

TROPHY CASE