Here on a Sunday I'm requesting an O2 prescription via my online "patient portal" with my GP doctor's medical group, in hopes of them seeing the request first thing Monday morning, and my being able to fill it on Monday.

I had asked the doctor for a prescription weeks ago when I suspected a cycle could be starting up, and now that I know one is indeed getting in gear, I've learned no prescription was called in. Maybe because as a GP he'll have no experience with CH and not know what to write.

So I think I'll offer an example of exactly what he could write in my request today, and although maybe I should be an activist about educating him on high flow 100% O2 just in case he ever encounters another CH patient, I'm a little more about the most pragmatic way to ensure he'll write a prescription at all right now. It has been my habit in the past to work the system by getting whatever sort of prescription, then yanking the whimpy low flow regulator off the M tanks delivered from Apria and throwing out their joke of a rebreather mask practically before the door even hits them on the way out, while fastening my hot rod high flow regulator on there in order to get down to some real business.

So who here knows exactly what a GP would be likely to automatically and unquestioningly agree to write for a CH O2 prescription (that I could then do my own thing with)?

Welding O2 will be my backup plan, and I'll be seeing if per chance there is a local headache specialist that doesn't engage in the standard and grossly negligent practice of making CH patients wait for months for an appointment. Also I'm busting, D3 regimen with benadryl, Know about all the pharma, blah blah.

bejeeber,

Here's what's on mine, which is a repeat x 9.

Peter.

---

Super appreciate ya scanning and posting that Peter!

Now I'm trying to read what's on the 3rd line....

PRN / 5117..???

The term PRN means "pro re  nata" or as required, as opposed to a specific dosage.

I honestly don't know what the other is, so I would ignore it.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Peter.

LOL...

Use as needed... STAT!

STAT = Without delay...  Immediately, if not sooner...

It's also very important to ensure the condition being treated is specified as cluster headache when writing an Rx for oxygen therapy...  If it's not there... the droids in most National Medical Systems and home oxygen providers will suspect COPD...  and they'll send you back to your doctor for a blood oxygen content...

Doh - 5117 = STAT!  ;D

I've sent my RX request up the flagpole, based on the copy of your RX Peter510, thanks.

Now we'll see if any saluting occurs....

bejeeber wrote on May 8^th, 2016 at 11:52pm:

Doh - 5117 = STAT!  ;D I've sent my RX request up the flagpole, based on the copy of your RX Peter510, thanks. Now we'll see if any saluting occurs....

Okay.....I appreciate Latin as much as the next single language speaking American can...and
have PRN'd on a STAT basis regularly...see O2...but in what universe does 5117=STAT.....
I don't get it...and ignorance is fixable....so?

Jon,

What Bejeeber was reading as 5117 in the photo, is in fact STAT (in Doctor's handwriting).

Thus: PRN/5117=PRN / STAT

Translation: To be taken as needed / immediately at onset of Cluster Headache attack.

Bejeeber,

I hope it works and you get relief very soon.

Peter.

Still confuses me as to why medical doctors need to continue to use Latin in medical abbreviations.

Doctors spent a lot of time learning latin so they use it...

Mike,

It allows them to charge more. Same as Lawyers!


Peter.