one of the staff at the office responded today, telling me that I can pick up the prescription at the office (which I won't be able to do until tomorrow, damn it), and that I should make sure that I get an appointment with a rheumatologist soon.

The staff is the actual WORST. (I know I've said that a billion times already.) I'm sorry they've been so difficult with your prescription, given that you're doing exactly what you need to do, and medical stuff does not move at the speed of light (which they know). I'm also glad you found a rheumatologist.

Ugh, Hil. Can they call the Rx into the pharmacy so you could pick it up tonight?

Painkillers have to be a paper prescription.

I liked the first doctor I saw at this practice (the one you recommended, Steph), but then she moved to Mason or somewhere, so they had me start seeing someone else there, and it's this new person that I've been having issues with.

In Ohio, opioid painkiller Rxs have to be written on paper and picked up in person by the patient. Super annoying.

I think that's a federal law now. In Pennsylvania, my doctor used to be able to write the paper prescription and then mail it to me, but a few years ago, it changed, and I had to pick it up at the office.

I liked the first doctor I saw at this practice (the one you recommended, Steph), but then she moved to Mason or somewhere

That's right -- my mom had been seeing her for quite a while, and she told me that. I totally forgot! If there's any way you can see Dr. C., he's pretty good. (He's hesitant to prescribe sleep meds, but he readily prescribed pain meds when my back was injured.) Or even if it's something else like a sinus infection, he's really good and incredibly personable.

I think that's a federal law now.

Man, I cannot keep up. It's a huge pain, is what it is.

I think that, when I first started there, I asked about Dr. C, and they said he wasn't taking new patients.

At my doctor's practice (and i think this is common in Canada) I can only get a prescription renewal with an office visit. My Dr. gives me and Rx for 6 months worth at a time so they can monitor my BP. Which is always high, unless they leave me alone with a BP True machine, because I get White Coat syndrome.

My Dr. gives me and Rx for 6 months worth at a time so they can monitor my BP.

Opioid prescriptions can only be for a month at a time.

Same with Adderall. Not that I've heard ANYTHING about that getting filled. Plus I have to have another office visit before she will do the first refill. I'm guessing that is another insurance thing.