Hello Friends!
I am beyond thinking; Feeling like Charlie Brown.
Before receiving my last of 3 rounds of vaccines, the pharmacist told me I received the "wrong" one the last two times. Evidently, the orders were written for me to have the pediatric vaccine (Dtap) since I had no immunity, just like an infant. The pharmacist and nurse gave me the adult vaccine (Tdap) thinking the peds dose was wrong. The CDC recommended that I receive just a TD for the last round. I am wondering if I will have immunity to these diseases since all I really got was the boosters that adults get to keep the immunity. What ramifications are there from the error? I also received the wrong type pneumovax as well. Now I won't get any until October. Should I have tites drawn to see if I obtained an immunity with the smaller doses?
Besides being a patient, I am also a nurse. We are always told to educate! However, some of my doctors and friends tell me not to keep a journal/binder with all my info and say I am obsessed. I wonder where I'd be if I was just a puppet? If I don't look out for myself, who will?
I am also frustrated with specialty and mail in pharmacies. We had to change our insurance because I lost my benefits when I went on medical leave, and my COBRA is ending. Three phone calls and almost 2 hours on the phone, my Revlimid still isn't on it's way. Why do patients have to follow up to make sure we get our meds? We pay enough money for companies to give us good service and care! I give the very best care to my patients. It's a nightmare. If this change reflects where healthcare is headed, I am concerned about my future.
I am a person with a disease (in remission)...not a disease with a number or statistic!
Grace
PS I wonder if I should transfer to a different office. I love my doctor, but have lost trust in the staff.
Forums
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Errors and pharmacies
Hi Grace,
I'm sorry there was a mix up, and given that the pharmacist elected to do something different to the prescription, I think that it is their responsibility to help you sort this out. I do think that it would be very helpful to get titers to see where you are in terms of responses. That will also tell you what you need to do next.
Best of luck,
Alex
I'm sorry there was a mix up, and given that the pharmacist elected to do something different to the prescription, I think that it is their responsibility to help you sort this out. I do think that it would be very helpful to get titers to see where you are in terms of responses. That will also tell you what you need to do next.
Best of luck,
Alex
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Errors and pharmacies
According to my pharmacist DIL, the pharmacist could be in big trouble here. She said his obligation was to go back to who prescribed if he had questions, not assume.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Errors and pharmacies
There is nothing wrong with keeping your own journal. This is your life you are talking about and staying informed is important. I think you should have your titers checked. I hope you don't experience any more problems with your medication.
Best Wishes
Best Wishes
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Errors and pharmacies
no comment about the pharmacy issue. I don't live in the US
Where i live multiple myeloma patients are not required to get shots after their stem cell transplant. My doctor (not my oncologist) ordered a bunch of blood work to check my titres after my transplant and they were all fine. so no need to get all those shots. (the explanation was because I got back my own stem cells I got back some of my immunities?). Anyhow, if you are worried asked your doctors to order blood tests for titres. take care.
Where i live multiple myeloma patients are not required to get shots after their stem cell transplant. My doctor (not my oncologist) ordered a bunch of blood work to check my titres after my transplant and they were all fine. so no need to get all those shots. (the explanation was because I got back my own stem cells I got back some of my immunities?). Anyhow, if you are worried asked your doctors to order blood tests for titres. take care.
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
Re: Errors and pharmacies
I had my titers drawn, and I lost all my immunity except chicken pox. SInce I work in a hospital, I would like to have as much immunity as possible.
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Errors and pharmacies
Hi Gracie,
I'm with Wayne on this one - the pharmacist stuffed up. Depending on whether you want to complain you could make a big noise regarding the immunisation schedule particularly since you work in a hospital. BTW are you on Dex?
. I have been prescribed the ped vaccines as well but am still on too many immunosuppressors to take them.
With regards to your journal - does it hurt to keep the information yourself. I see my GP maybe every 6 - 8 weeks to keep her informed of the change in my medication. I take my diary with me when I see the specialist - sometimes its easier for me to look up a specific dose than for them to retrieve the information on the computer. It is easier to use the information when you have it.
All the best,
Libby
I'm with Wayne on this one - the pharmacist stuffed up. Depending on whether you want to complain you could make a big noise regarding the immunisation schedule particularly since you work in a hospital. BTW are you on Dex?
. I have been prescribed the ped vaccines as well but am still on too many immunosuppressors to take them.With regards to your journal - does it hurt to keep the information yourself. I see my GP maybe every 6 - 8 weeks to keep her informed of the change in my medication. I take my diary with me when I see the specialist - sometimes its easier for me to look up a specific dose than for them to retrieve the information on the computer. It is easier to use the information when you have it.
All the best,
Libby
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Errors and pharmacies
Thank you for sharing with me! I received my Revlimid today, 1/15/14 only one day late. Not after a whole lot of blood sweat and tears. Now I have to decide whether or not to investigate further as to why the medical errors occured and if I will have sufficient immunity, esp since I work in a hospital. That's right I am back to work after 13 months on medical leave. It's been tiring, but I did it. I am working one day a week.
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Errors and pharmacies
I also keep a binder and bring it to every appointment. write down what is discussed. Keep update list of meds and copies of all test results. The nurses at our hospital love it. When my boyfriend is admitted they ask right away for the binder and check his meds and side effect chart. I don't believe it obsession. It's a safety thing. This disease moves fast and when admitted for an emergency the er staff do appreciate having the most updated information possible.
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Terrilynnn - Name: Terrilynn
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Boyfriend
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Errors and pharmacies
I am part of a HMO that has facilities close to where I live. But when the time came to get my vaccinations again after my SCT they insisted I did not get them at local facility but go into the Bone Marrow Transplant center in Los Angles where I received them in their offices from the Oncology nurses to prevent this kind of mistake and make sure I got the right type of vaccine. I guess this happens a lot.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
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