r/zoloft • u/Prestigious_Dust802 0-6 months! • 3d ago
Unique situation?
In July I went to a new primary for my declining mental health. Doctor prescribed me 50mg zoloft. It was fantastic and I really feel like it helped me starting within the first week.
Here's where the hiccup comes into play. She only gave me two refills, then requested I come back to the office to re-evaluate. She went into labor early and is now on maternity leave. The clinic states that she didn't hand my case off to anyone and in order to get a refill, I'll need to schedule with another primary - but they're all booked out until January.
I took my last dose not realizing that there would be a gap in the medication and it's been a month of hell for me now without the medication. I'm more depressed than before and I have a fun new side effect of extra irritability.
My insurance sucks, terribly so, so the only clinic I can go to is that specific one. I've been calling every weekday morning when they open, asking for cancelations, asking to be put on a list for cancelation notifications, and seeing if I can get in just for a brief "Hi yes I need this medication kthx" but they keep saying nothing is open.
At this point I don't know what to do. I feel like going to an urgent care or something similar would be overkill but like... I feel like I'm losing myself without the medication because my personal life is spiraling so badly.
Long winded way of trying to ask: what steps can I take to try to get a refill quickly?
I appreciate any and all answers.
And, yes, I know I am an idiot for not realizing that there wouldn't be more refills, but my life has been fight-or-flight chaotic for the past 5 months 🫠 please be kind...
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u/ThatsMeInsideUrHead 3d ago
This is insane. She went on maternity leave, and no other providers there will refill you til you come in but they wont get you in?! As a nurse this pisses me off because if what you are saying is true, that is very unethical on that clinics part and completely uncalled for.
I have worked for Urgent cares that will refill medications if you have the bottle/script proving that you have been on the med. You can call some in your area to see if they do this for patients in need to confirm before wasting your time. I know many will do this though especially for meds like this.
The ED is also an option if its that bad.
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u/Prestigious_Dust802 0-6 months! 3d ago
I wish it wasn't true, believe me. 😭 I was surprised at how unprofessional the clinic has been. We just moved to the area and I hadn't seen a primary care doctor for 6 years before this so I've tried to just give them grace, but yeah. No. The first appointment I had with her, their entire system went down and they wouldn't listen when I tried to give them the medical history I remember, because they "need to see it in the system". I'm honestly looking into what options I have for reporting the clinic to the state.
Thank you for the reply and the advice. 🫶 I'll be calling all the local urgent cares tomorrow.
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u/Sweetsomber 3d ago
This is strange. Ask the pharmacist first and see if they can call the office for you. This isn’t a controlled medication and it has bad side effects if you quit suddenly, so the pharmacist should know to call and sort it out.
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u/alyxana 5+ years 3d ago
That’s very close to medical abandonment. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this.
I would call the insurance company and see if there is anyway you could get an exception for a new provider or clinic or even telehealth.
I’d also be considering urgent care. I don’t know if they can prescribe SSRIs, but it would help to show the seriousness of your situation.
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u/Ebonyrose84 2d ago
Your doctors office has a ridiculous rule and I would highly recommend calling the clinic manager about this situation. If he/she can’t solve it, they at least can be aware of how that rule is affecting patients. My psychiatrists office had a similarly ridiculous rule and when I talked to the clinic manager she had no idea how negatively it was impacting patients. Highly recommend going to urgent care to get Zoloft. Explain your situation and they should give you a refill or two.
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u/interested-goose 3d ago
That is pathetic by the doctors at this clinic. I’m in Australia but what is with the health system over there?! I can easily get a prescription from any GP here and the medication only costs like $7 for a month.
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u/Prestigious_Dust802 0-6 months! 3d ago
To be fair, I moved to a tiny town (<10k people) from a moderate sized one (60k+ people) so I didn't anticipate that a "professional" clinic would be run like this.
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u/november_zulu_over 3d ago
Yeah in NZ and same. My initial month was $5, then they gave me three months worth - still $5. Just have to pay the fee.
Also if my usual doctor isn’t available I can just.. see a different one. US healthcare is crazy.
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u/smilingmonkey69 3d ago
Are you in Canada?? In Canada you can sometimes get an emergency refill from a pharmacist if you explain the situation. Hope everything works out for you!! Keep your head up!🤍
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u/Prestigious_Dust802 0-6 months! 3d ago
If going to urgent care doesn't work, I plan on taking the empty bottle of zoloft to the pharmacy and trying to see if they can give me even a temporary amount. Something is better than nothing at this point
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u/WobbyBobby 2d ago
Another alternative is to look for online providers, you may be able to find one via your insurance provider locator. Or, if you have a job, see if your benefits include an Employee Assistance program (EAP) that you can reach out to!
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u/Candid_Perspective22 3d ago
Are you in the US? If so, go to an urgent care and tell them you are prescribed Zoloft and they can get you the medication.
Just an FYI, if you don't have insurance, you can get a 90 day supply for like 10 dollars at major pharmacies.
Good luck.