Is this a ridiculous reason to go to the ER?

[MattiesMama]

I need advise not as a nurse but as a potential patient. Here's the situation in a nutshell-I'm on Zoloft, Klonopin, and Ritalin. Have been for quite some time, and that combo has worked wonders for me. Recently my treating MD/prescriber told me he was moving out of state-in his defense, he gave me plenty of time to make arrangements with a new doc, and in my defense, I did. I made an appt. for this coming Monday-but they just called to tell me that the doc i was meeting with has a family emergency, and I have to wait another 2 weeks for a new appointment.

In the meantime, I am about to run out of my medication. I thought I had refills left at the pharmacy but apparently I don't, and we have both been trying to get ahold of my original doc for the past few days, with no luck (I'm assuming he's in the midst of moving).

No outpatient clinics in my area will prescribe these meds to me (I've called around), and the new place will not prescribe anything until they have done a full eval (understandable). I lost my insurance 6 months ago, and my PCP in the process-I feel like I'm out of options here. I hate the idea of going to the ER for something so...non-emergent but I also know that going off of my meds cold turkey is potentially dangerous.

Can anyone think of an option that perhaps I haven't thought of? Or should I just swallow my pride and go to the ER?

TIA

[LouisVRN, RN]

We can not give you medical advice, but that definitely not what I would consider an emergency. Have you considered an urgent care? Or perhaps seeing another doctor at that facility who made has some availability.

[merlee]

Even though you lost your insurance, call your PCP, who probably still has your records and may be willing to write for a 2 week supply.

Best wishes!

[MattiesMama]

Thanks Louis...I'm really not asking for medical advise, more like "navigating the healthcare system" advice...I have tried urgent care, they were the ones who told me to go to the er...they also would only take me if I had $300 upfront payment which I do not.

Even though you lost your insurance, call your PCP, who probably still has your records and may be willing to write for a 2 week supply.

Best wishes!

good idea, I hadn't thought of that...but do you think he would write for it even though he wasn't the one who prescribed me these meds?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

As previously mentioned, we can't give advice of this type.