Anyone else experience this?

[AngryOldDem]

I have to vent because I am in one hell of a lot of pain. I realize this is small potatoes, but I’ve had it.

This morning I was diagnosed with a corneal abrasion. The pain with this is intense. Direct light — especially sunlight — makes me want to scream. Thank God I was able to get an appointment with my opthamologist early today. He submitted two prescriptions to CVS at 9 a.m. — I watched him do it — and wanted me to start by midday.

I had to leave work around noon. My job involves editing, so I’m kind of screwed until this gets under control. I got to the CVS around 1:15. “Sorry….it’s not ready.” Exactly what they told the man front of me. “It will be about 30 minutes.” Exactly what they told the man in front of me. Do they wait until people show up to fill stuff?

I don’t remember the last time any prescription of mine was filled in a timely manner, and this is before COVID. I’ve called in refills a day or two before, and they STILL were “not ready, come back in 30,” even though I gave them a generous window of time. Although I pay through my HSA, I have to use CVS because of insurance, and I am sick of being told how to manage every damn facet of my health care by insurance. I would love to take my business elsewhere.

The excuse is, “we’re short staffed,” which more and more I’m taking as code word for “we don’t give a shit when this gets filled, or how you’re feeling.” I think of people who are much worse off than me here.

I was hoping to get these eyedrops, get home, and rest my eye for the rest of the day. But I have to go back out into the excruciating light, and hope they’ve gotten around to filling it. Maybe I’m just getting crochety, and I don’t tolerate pain well, but things that used to be no big deal are the equivalent of dinosaurs mating these days. Fucking tired of it.

Thanks for letting me blow off steam.

[elleng]

1. SORRY you're going through this.

I had corneal abrasion years ago and, as I recall, eye was patched/closed for a while, after which things went well.

As to CVS, fortunately mine has been quick and cooperative; they sure should be, especially considering the 'emergency' nature of your need.

Good luck.

[lark]

2. Yeah I experienced that with CVS and it's why I switched.

They were bad about not pulling their faxes off the machine. Soon as I could, I switched to a Walgreens near my house. I almost never have any problems there and my rx's get filled timely.

[True Dough]

3. You put the "angry" in AngryOldDem today!

I suffered a corneal abrasion once myself. Was cutting through some boards when a fair sized piece of sawdust lodged in my eye and scratched things up pretty good. Like you, I was prescribed eyedrops.

Unlike you, this was quite a long time ago and I haven't had any reason to go to the pharmacy for anything since.

Hope you're on the mend really soon.

[Ocelot II]

4. I don't have any insight into the problem at CVS, but

I have had an abraded cornea and it does, indeed, hurt like hell - I couldn't even open my eye for a whole day and was told to just stay home with my eyes closed (I couldn't have driven anywhere to get medication anywhere). Fortunately it healed quickly but it was really painful, so I get how frustrating it must have been that you couldn't get that prescription filled.

[AngryOldDem]

15. Already got a flu shot through my employer.

All I need is a COVID booster, which I’m not eligible for yet.

[Croney]

6. I'm sorry this happened, you really needed those meds promptly.

We have the opposite problem, so it's not really a problem. CVS hounds us by voice mail until we go pick up a prescription. They fill them and don't care if we still have a month's worth, we signed up for automatic refills so we'd better get our butts in and pick them up! I guess we need to change that.

[ShazzieB]

29. I know what you mean!

We have that situation, too!

Like you said, it's a "problem" that's not really a problem. I don't really mind. It's so much easier than having to call in for refills all the time.

[drexelkathy]

7. Corneal abrasions are tough

I'm sorry for your pain.

I've been complaining about dealing with pharmacies for years. Never prompt in getting prescriptions filled and there always seems to be an issue with insurance.

I recently switched my regular prescriptions to Amazon. Has made my life a lot easier.

Can you check and see if you are able to have your prescription delivered? Perhaps save you having to go back out into the sunlight at least?

[calimary]

40. Welcome to DU, drexelkathy!

Oh man, eye problems. I've had my share, too, including a scratched cornea. And it hurt!!! Maybe because it injured the inside of the eyelid? I always thought there weren't pain nerves in the cornea.

My sympathies!

Covering the eye, or wearing an eye patch to bed, might be a good idea. Helped me, anyway. That thing covering my eye reminded me to leave my eye alone and not rubbing it without thinking.

[hlthe2b]

8. I hope they told you to patch the eye as well.

Good news is that corneal abrasions heal quickly. I am a little surprised your ophthalmologist did not instill some numbing drops-- e.g., proparacaine (or perhaps they've already worn off)

Best wishes.

[EndlessWire]

10. The timing is perfect!

Sorry you are injured, Oldie, but you get to wear a Pirate eye patch! Go buy one where they are selling Halloween costumes, and surrender to your inner child! Put a basket on your desk demanding free candy or vacation days, and protect that eye!

[Irish_Dem]

9. CVS has been like this for the past two years.

Last edited Mon Oct 18, 2021, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Nothing is ready on time. And they have attitude.

I broke my leg and ankle and could not get into the hospital for immediate surgery due to Covid impacting the availability of beds and surgery appointments. So I had to go home from the ER until something opened up surgery wise. The ER doc phoned in pain meds to CVS and hours later it was not ready. I had to sit in my car outside of CVS for quite some time while they filled it, all the while in significant pain.

The kicker for me is that CVS is very expensive in terms of drug costs. I finally switched over to Kroger's pharmacy. They are very reasonable priced. And meds are ready at the appointed time.

I had some serious eye problems some years back and I hear you on the pain level.
Regarding your current situation, perhaps CVS will deliver the meds to you today.
Check with them, there is a cost of course, but would be worth it in terms of your ability to drive and pain level.

[Jilly_in_VA]

17. Two years, my sainted Aunt Matilda!

CVS has been like this for as long as I can remember!!!!

I used to, many years ago, get my Rxs filled at a local Eckerds pharmacy in the town when I lived in Tennessee. I loved my pharmacist, Bobby, who was always cheerful and had my stuff ready when I needed it. Then CVS bought them out and the place went straight to hell. Bobby finally quit because they were so awful to work for. I switched to a locally owned pharmacy because I frequently dealt with them in my home health work and the guy who owned it was great to deal with. Also a friend from church who was a pharmacist worked there. After several years they had to close because the owner died suddenly and my friend couldn't raise the money to buy it. He went to work for CVS and was miserable there. CVS was continuing their same old ways, not getting their stuff out timely, excuses, excuses, everything you mention. They had moved to a new location by then too. Well, I changed pharmacies again, this time to another one owned by a guy whose mom had been my next door neighbor for years, and I was fine with him. The hours were not super convenient but that was okay. Meanwhile...TA-DA!...a 24-hour Walgreens opened up kittycorner from CVS and took at least half their business. I moved away after that.

I've dealt with CVS in a couple of places since then. They are just as bad everywhere. I think it's company policy. They are unfortunately on my list of "preferred" pharmacies for my Medicare Part D but I'm staying away from them. Currently I'm with Kroger and very happy with them. Everything's ready when I need it and they also have Good Rx for things that Medicare might not cover. So pardon my language, but fcuk CVS!

[Irish_Dem]

22. The Kroger prices are great. CVS is expensive.

CVS charged me $700 for a prescription I had to have, but I got it down to $500 with GoodRX.
Can you guess what Kroger's charged me for the same damn drug? Only $79.
I have no problem with Kroger's at all.

There used to be a pharmacist at CVS that was great.... she left, soon thereafter the store went to hell in a hand basket.
Yes, must be company policy.

[jaxexpat]

38. CVS + Walgreens I have a story

A few years ago I overheard a conversation over a plan table between a land developer and a design engineer working on his project. The engineer was remarking that the permits for Walgreens to start construction at the intersection of 2 projected streets were being finalized on schedule. He asked about permitting status for the proposed CVS located diagonally across the intersection. The developer said it's no hurry because CVS usually waits until the Walgreens is up, running and too busy before swooping in to build and catch the dissatisfied new customers. It's like a game of checkers.

Too funny. Cynicism from the ground up.

[Irish_Dem]

45. Oh my.... now Krogers is catching all the CVS dissatisfied customers.

Right, like a big game of corporate checkers.

[csziggy]

43. CVS has sucked for far longer than two years

Back in 1999 when my back totally seized up and I was in absolute agony, my doctor prescribed some kind of muscle relaxer stuff. His office staff called it into a CVS we usually didn't use because they were closest and on our way home. My husband went in to pick it up and was told 45 minutes. If we drove home, and he left me there to turn around and drive back it would have taken an hour and a half to get the medication. So I elected to stay in the car and wait while my husband hung around in the store to pick up the prescription as soon as it was ready.

It didn't take 45 minutes - it took an hour and a half. My husband brought out the meds and some water and I took the first dose right away. My back was so badly seized by the time I got home, I had trouble getting back into the house with a walker and my husband's help.

I will not have a Part D plan that forces me to go to CVS - ever.

[Maraya1969]

11. CVS doesn't hire enough people and they pay their employees shit. I spoke

to them once and asked what the CEO made and one of the employees said he made about $10,000/hour.

It is corporate greed. I'd contact the corporate office and complain.

[joetheman]

47. And now the cashiers have been replaced with self-check outs machines that don't work. nt

[rsdsharp]

12. I LOVE the "short staffed" excuse. Recently, I was hospitalized for a few days.

I was discharged with a catheter, and instructions to go to the urologist the next week to have it removed. This was a Monday, and the hospital had called them for an appointment, but was told they would call back the next day to schedule. They didn’t.

I tried on Wednesday. Same story — they’d call back tomorrow. Ultimately, it took six calls to get an appointment; one by the hospital, three by me, and two by my doctor, who was successful only by threatening to refer me to a urologist out of their practice group.

The appointment was finally set for 8:15 AM — eleven days after I had received the catheter. They were to remove it, and I was to return several hours later to see if my bladder was emptying. We were finally called (by my very common first name) after waiting nearly an hour.

As they were taking vitals, they said Dr. X would be in to see me in a few minutes. When we said we didn’t have and appointment with Dr. X they said, Oops, wrong patient. We’d have to go back to the waiting room. When I erupted, they said they were “short staffed.” I got the same excuse when I pointed out it had taken six attempts to get an appointment. They weren’t the ones being inconvenienced, so they just didn’t give a damn.

[haele]

13. Yup. And don't get me started on the pre-authorization circle jerk.

Laz is a large redhead with multiple health issues.
One of his sleep apnea meds is "double" the recommended dose so he can stay awake from 0430 in the morning to at least 6 at night - so he can drive the grandkids safely back and forth to school and still be functionally awake for most of the day.

Every time he gets this medication, no matter if it's mail order or at the pharmacy, he needs to go through "pre-authorization", sometimes it's just a code, but they need to call his doctor every time the refill runs out. Even though he's been taking the same dosage for 5 years.
And then, sometimes the insurance just drops this medication - or sometimes his arthritis medication from the formulary for what seems to be shits and giggles that year, causing us to keep a GoodRX account just to be able to get his medications at a reasonable cost - like only $50 instead of $10 when it was covered.

I don't understand it. No flags for doctor shopping, no reason for pre-authorization once the prescription has been filled, but still, he has to keep begging for the medication he needs to function almost on a monthly basis at times.

Haele

[AngryOldDem]

14. Thanks, friends, for all the responses.

I have no idea how this happened, and I was surprised that it was an abrasion. I’m guessing a small piece of debris got behind my contact lens, or the lens itself may have had a small tear. Surprisingly, the doc did not suggest an eyepatch, but said things should begin to feel better once I get the drops in. I’m to stay on the drops through Saturday, and not wear contacts. When I go back to CVS, I’ll get an eyepatch. I’m fine, though, as long as I’m not in light and otherwise being quiet.

CVS has been on my last nerve for a good long while. Thry used to bombard me with voicemails about automatic refills, and I had to call the corporate office to get them to stop.

Using COVID to excuse poor customer service wore out its welcome a long time ago. They have the same number of people working behind the counter as they always have.

Going to go back soon to see if they’ve gotten around to it yet.

Again, thanks.

[Demsrule86]

16. Years ago...I used a contact solution that contained thimerosal as a preservative.

I had an allergic reaction...my eyes swelled shut before I could reach an ER with the contacts in them...very fast it all happened. I had scratched my cornea and had to get injections in my eye...it hurt like hell even with the numbing. I also had eyedrops. I was in college then and missed almost a week of school...it was very painful and I never forgot it. Too this day, I make sure all vaccines, lens solutions whatever...are thimerosal free. Hope you feel better. Believe me, I get it.

[mcar]

18. My husband has had corneal abrasions

I sympathize with your pain. We haven't experienced such long waits with CVS but we don't have to get scrips filled that often.

I hope your condition improves soon. He found that it was disposable contacts that were causing the problem. He now has to get these very expensive hard contacts that are, fortunately, covered by insurance.

[FakeNoose]

19. It's unfortunate that your ophthalmologist didn't give you a "starter" to tide you over

This used to be a regular thing. The doctors would have emergency "samples" to give their patients before they leave the office. As a matter of fact, I remember when pharmacy salespeople made sure the doctors were supplied with samples. This was before the days of generic drugs though, so maybe that's not allowed any more.

But still, the doctor surely understands that you're in pain and you need immediate relief. It's not realistic to send patients out the door empty-handed. They know how pharmacies behave now, it could be several hours before your prescription is filled.

Is there any chance that the pharmacy could deliver your prescription to you? They need to be more responsive to their customers, that's for sure.

[AngryOldDem]

24. A sample would have been nice.

Honestly, other than trial pairs of contacts before I buy a new prescription, I don’t remember the last time I got a pharmaceutical sample from a doctor. Another convenience gone by the wayside, I guess.

I was just grateful they could see me on very short notice. I had to drive from my job downtown to the ‘burbs basically one-eyed, and I’m glad I made it on time with no traffic ticket.

[stillcool]

20. I always call and make sure the scripts are ready...

of course, you have to allot at least a half-hour hold time to get through to the pharmacy. On-line it will say 'ready for pick-up', but I guess that has some other meaning than 'ready for pick-up'...by me.

[AngryOldDem]

23. Just got back, just took my first dose.

No eyepatch, sadly.

I did get a laugh out of this, though. On the prescription information sheet stapled to the bag, it said PROMISED 10/18 10:27 am.

Psst, CVS…your promises don’t mean much.

[Stinky The Clown]

21. Vent away, my friend! I know someone who had that same issue. You have my sympathy!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

25. You have my sympathy.

I have had a sudden flare-up of bursitis in my left shoulder and have been told I need to see an orthopedic doctor to get the cortisone shot which I know will immediately cure it. First appointment available is Nov 4, with a PA there, who may or may not be able to give the cortisone shot. Meanwhile, the urgent care place, connected to the practice that has my PCP, won't give me a prescription for pain medication. What the fuck is that? I'm rapidly losing mobility and range of motion in my left arm. I feel like I'm in some third world country. If I knew a source for some kind of pain meds I'd contact them. Alas, I don't.

[lillypaddle]

26. Something similar happened today at Kroger Pharmacy

Drive in window was closed due to "staffing issues." Went inside. There was a sign saying that the first hour would be only available to people getting vaccines, prescriptions would have to wait. WTF??

[Paper Roses]

27. CVS in my town leaves a lot to be desired. I have no other option.

I would switch in a minute if the nearest pharmacy was close. Customer service is non-existent.
Just a clerk who tells you to "sign here". The pharmacy is always too busy to answer any questions. How do you know if you have a question if you get a new RX and have not even had an opportunity to read the paperwork? You have already paid for it and there are no returns after that point.

As another comment, how many trees does CVS destroy with their silly coupons. Only good for stuff that is not on sale. Sure...just the stuff they want to get rid of. Never on the things you might buy.

Hope you are feeling better.

[leftieNanner]

28. Sorry you're going through this

Rite Aid is just as bad as your experience with CVS. We have two local pharmacies here in my small city who give much better service. Can you call the pharmacy and ask if the prescription is ready? Or maybe put your phone number on your account and have them call/text you when it's ready to be picked up?

Good Luck.

[CMYK]

30. Ask to try Ilevro

I had a severe corneal abrasion, now it's 'just' corneal distrophy.
Any light would be like my eye was being stabbed by a broken plastic fork. Such a sharp pain. Totally incapacitated. I had to hide in a closet - no exaggeration. The light from the flame of a candle would be too much.
My ophthalmologist had me put RefreshPM in my eyes every night - its basically extra pure vaseline. It was difficult, no fun, and a mess. (I'd wake up with my pillowcases stained with the grease - until I got smart and covered it with a hand towel). And it didn't seem to help for the longest time.
After about a month (with some progress), he gave me a sample of Ilevero drops. Prescription is $300 for the tiniest damn vial you've ever seen. But it worked. And now, four years later, I can feel the sensitivity build up and I run for the drops, which I keep in the refrigerator.
If you get a sample, and if it works, get a written prescription and find a Canadian pharmacy. A vial twice the size is only $60. I'll be using it for the rest of my life.

Best wishes for a speedy, total recovery.

[sinkingfeeling]

31. My son's had it twice. This last time, it would not heal after 7 months. So, they went in and kind

of scraped it and put a contact bandage on. It took about a month after that procedure to proclaim success.

[AngryOldDem]

39. If things don't improve by Sat., I'll have to go back

But doc seems to think this should resolve itself by then. Here’s hoping.

Still very much a mystery how it happened.

[marieo1]

32. Total Agreement

I had the same experience with CVS...........they would tell me what time to pick up and it was never ready. I always had to wait. Short staffed was always the excuse!!

[multigraincracker]

33. I ditched the chain stores and

only use small local independent drug stores. Way better service. Find one near you and give it a try.

[KS Toronado]

34. Our local Kroger almost never has a prescription ready

even when they've had it a day or 2, they always say it'll be ready in 15 minutes. Believe our
local store does that to encourage people to look around and shop w/o outright telling us that.

[Pepsidog]

35. I hate CVS and Walgreens etc. I try and stay with small local pharmacy if I can. I walk in and out

in a few minutes with my scripts which they usually have in stock. I had one I really liked that was open for about three years then I went one day and a sign on the door said that the store was closed for good and all scripts transferred to Walgreens. Made me wonder if they opened up the pharmacy to gain a local following with the purpose to sell out to the big guys.

[Rebl2]

36. I get

scripts at cvs and I have a retina specialist, even though he supposedly sends scripts electronically, they never get it. Another eye dr. in the same practice that I see seems to get scripts sent just fine. I learned a long time ago order prescriptions as soon as insurance allows. Sounds like that cvs pharmacy is poorly managed. Might try a different CVS if you have another close by.

[joanbarnes]

37. Yes, CVS, Walgreens and a few restaurants.

YOU bring them your business in person….you stand there while they ignore you to answer drive up window, phone and take out. Broken business model everywhere.

[Jilly_in_VA]

41. I HAD a local pharmacy

that was on my preferred list. The owner retired and switched everyone to Walgreens, which had previously been Rite-Aid and had been on my preferred list, but now is Walgreens. Prices for everything were suddenly much higher and when I finally inquired, I found out that no, Walgreens was not on my preferred list. So I transferred everything to a CVS down in Harrisonburg, but when I found out that after I'd had a long session with one of the techs during which he took down all my Rxs, the next time I tried to get one of them refilled, they mysteriously "didn't have a record" of any of my Rxs. ANY of them! I raised complete hell with the pharmacist right then and there, made a bit of a scene in the store I fear, and marched myself right down to Kroger where a very nice young man took down everything and entered it right in front of me. I did have to have my doctor call in the gabapentin, which for some stupid reason is a "controlled substance", but other than that everything has been smooth sailing since.

[mnhtnbb]

42. I had a corneal abrasion as a young teen

and my eye was patched until my follow up appointment.

Did they give you instructions to wear a patch but not apply it?

I remember it being quite painful when it happened. Hope your eye heals well.

[csziggy]

44. Corneal abrasions hurt so much!

I've had two - first was at the age of five, a friend stuck her finger in my eye accidentally. mom took me to an ophthalmologist for treatment. It was actually a good thing - they found that the uninjured eye was extremely far sighted. The treatment for getting me to use it more would have been to wear an eye patch anyway and I spend the summer before first grade with an eye patch and a very bad eye. The friend who had injured it appointed herself my guide and she led me around most of the summer. I've worn glasses ever since then.

I had another one, not as bad, about twenty or more years ago. The optometrist said it looked as though a divot have been cut out of the surface of the eye. This time it was the bad eye, so at least I could see to get around and read. We never did figure out how that happened. Fortunately, the eye doctor had some drops in his office and gave me a small bottle to use for the week or so until it healed.

See my other post about CVS.

[raccoon]

46. I feel your pain had a corneal abrasion in the 1970s.

As for CVS, I used to go to them too, and they were just too damn slow. They say they’re short staffed but I think the thing is the company is too damn cheap to hire enough people to take care of peoples prescriptions in a timely manner. Sorry that you are stuck with them.

[BComplex]

48. CVS is the WORST!! They give the standard "30 minutes" blurb to anyone and everyone who

gets a prescription filled there. One time, a person at the pharmacy blurted out my prescription name along with my name....so everyone in our small town knows my medication? That was embarrassing.

[AngryOldDem]

49. You're not the first to notice this...

….and I feel damn stupid and naive now not to have picked up on this ploy.

I’m beginning to think that in addition to a healthy skepticism, one needs a hefty dose of cynicism to survive in this climate as well.