Pharmacy Phuck Up - Or Why 3mm Makes All The Difference In My Diabetes World

This Post is late, and now I know why I didn't publish the post I had originally intended this morning. It didn't feel right or finished. And then this happened tonight. Diabetes blogging works in mysterious ways~

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Time: 6:26 PM

Date: 3/10/11

Weather: Torrential rain & wind

Blood Sugar: 70

Mood: Angry

Cause: CVS Pharmacy Phuck up

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Dear CVS Pharmacist:

You know me, and have for a long time.

You refill my insulin and pills and the likes there of.

You know how hard I work on my health; you know my insurance company has" issues", and you know that I'm a loyal customer.

You ask me to trust you, and I try, but it's my health and I'm always skeptical.

Especially when I see poor choices being made by healthcare professionals that are supposed to be there to answer my questions and concerns and assist me in making positive choices regarding the diabetes Rx tools that I must use every single day of my life.

Tonight the wind was howling and the rain was pouring and I wanted nothing more than to get home, eat some dinner, pack for my trip and pay some bills.

I'm tired, it's been a long day, and to be perfectly frank, I JUST DON'T NEED COMPLICATIONS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW - Diabetes or otherwise.

BUT I had an RX to pick up: BD- Ultra-Fine III Mini Pen needles, 3/16' (5mm) length needles to use with my Symlin Pen.

1 RX, it should have been SO easy.

So simple in fact, that I didn't even open the brown paper bag you handed me, so I'm partially to blame.

But there was a long line behind me, and I wanted to get home.

And I trusted your judgment.

I finally made it home, wet and cold and ready for dinner. I peeled off my clothes and threw them in the washing machine, put on my PJ's and opened the fridge. The left over salmon and 1/2 a sweet potato looked good, as did the broccoli. SOLD!

Before I tested my blood sugar I grabbed my Symlin pen, and just for shits and giggles I decided to compare my new pen needles to the ones my Dr. gave me.

But here's the thing, you gave me BD Ultra Fine Pen Needles, #31 Gauge, 8mm and 5/16".

Nothing mini about them at all.

When I called you up, you told me that my Dr. Had written an RX for 6 mm, which apparently they don't make, so the Pharmacist thought 8mm, (instead of the 5mm that they also had plenty of,) would be just dandy.

REALLY, a longer needle works for you?

Because I got news for you, it doesn't work for me, not one bit!

My body is a human pincushion and damn it, I rely on smaller, finer, less piercing to the skin needles whenever I can get them!

I jab my fingers 10 to 15 times a day to keep my blood sugars in check and I have the finger callouses to prove it.

I'm hooked up to an insulin pump almost 24 hrs a day and I'm taking the Symlin shots to makes said insulin work more efficiently. So yes, I want the smallest Symlin needle possible.

I do all of the above willingly for better control and good health - Regardless of how annoying, time consuming and painful diabetes tools can be.

Needles are just the tip of the freaking diabetes iceberg.

And go ahead, call me a bitch; I could care give two shits!

And then I literally Asked you: REALLY, a longer needle works for you? Seriously? If you were me, which needle would you would prefer piercing your skin with?

And then you mumbled something about the 5 mm being the one you'd go with.

SHOCKER.

So why didn't you consider that choice for me?

More importantly, why didn't you call me and ask me which needle I'd prefer?

Yes, my Dr. was one mm off in his RX, and that right there is why you should have called both of us!

So tomorrow morning, when I should be working, packing for D.C., writing, etc. I'll be discussing your mistake with your boss, and getting my RX filled properly.

I don't have time for this!

Why do I care so much about a lousy 3 mm?

Because I never get a break or a day off or a vacation from diabetes and I get tired of it sometimes.

And tonight, I could have used having one less thing to worry about or do.

And I'm mad at myself for allowing 3mm to make me tear up in anger and frustration - but I can't help it.

Because sometimes in the world of Diabetes, it's the little things that make all the difference~