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I went for a scope in January at Dartmouth. In February the gastroenterologist retired. I've been getting free VSL#3 through NORD for almost a year and my prescription is about to run out.

I called the Dartmouth office about a new prescription. They said I can't get one if I don't come in because my doctor retired. I don't understand why another doctor can't look at Dr. Levine's notes and write me a new script. It's a probiotic for God's sake. I think it's so silly for me to waste another gastroenterologist's time when the work has already been done. Dr. Levine expressed how well the VSL is working for me.

I tried calling my PCP on Monday and haven't heard back. When I tried to get them to write a prescrption for VSL last year I was told that they couldn't do it and I would have to get someone from Dartmouth. By the way, it's 2 and 1/2 hours to Dartmouth one way from here and it's over $500 for the visit. I pay the $10 copay plus the gas and agravation.

I'm fed up with Dartmouth. I've had a lot of trouble with the gastroenterology office and I've only had two appointments. I'm going back to the Lahey Clinic. Arrgh!

Theresa
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Is there a closer GI you can establish a relationship with? If your doctor is too far away for you to reasonably have an appointment without great hardship, that's not so good for anyone.

And of course they should renew your VSL to tide you over, but if you won't make an appointment a doctor you've never met will be reluctant to take care of you.
I understand your frustration, but since you're going to need a new GI anyway, why not make an appointment to meet with the doctor and establish a contact/relationship? If the wait to the appointment is going to be longer than your prescription runs for, perhaps the admin staff can have the new doctor forward you a temporary prescription that would cover you to the appointment, in good faith. You may even find that the doctor would be more willing to write you a prescription once you have an appointment booked.

If not, keep trying with your GP. I know my GP is usually pretty good about handling prescription renewals over the phone, and she has offered to give me prescriptions before when my surgeon was otherwise unavailable.

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