Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

AIBU?

Refused co-codamol at Sainsbury's

112 replies

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 08:35

Because I'm pregnant :(

Genuinely unsure if this is something I should be peeved about or not which is why I didn't make a fuss at the time but have been thinking about it since!

Am 25wks with DC2. Last pregnancy I took an absolute killer migraine one night and DH called the doctor who gave me a couple of paltry ibuprofen because I was pregnant. It was a nightmare I was debilitated with it for days.

When I next saw the GP she was pretty unimpressed and said if it happened again to get something stronger regardless as a once off. Normally For a migraine I have either taken tramadol or co-codamol 30/500.

I don't want to take either of those during pregnancy but when I was out yesterday thought I'll buy some weak co-codamol (8/500) to keep just in case.

The lady asked if they were for me and I said yes then she looked at my bump and said "oh I don't think I can sell you these you aren't really supposed to take them"

She had taken them back off the counter and put them back on the shelf and wasn't making any attempt to clarify with the pharmacist or anything. It was hot and DD was getting impatient so rather than make a fuss I just left and bought them in Boots.

I did feel like pointing out that I hadn't actually told her I was pregnant (how rude etc... I might just be very very bloated!) but DH laughed at me though he agreed it was silly considering I could freely buy a bottle of whiskey and a pack of cigars but not some painkillers! I know medicine is probably regulated differently and they may have the right to refuse but still.

I went away feeling a bit patronised nonetheless. Possibly hormones! Has anyone else been refused a chemist sale like this before?

OP posts:

Report

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 08:36

P.s I didn't actually buy whiskey and cigars :)

OP posts:

FloraDance · 13/09/2013 08:39

I am a student midwife and we are suddenly having trouble with pharmacists refusing postnatal women that co coda mol strength. We usually try and get a prescription so it's free anyway but that can be a faff. Have had a deadline today but do mean to check whether new guidance has been issued, I assume it has!

ArabellaBeaumaris · 13/09/2013 08:39

I bought co-codamol when I was heavily pregnant - my midwife had told me to have it in for after the birth as I was planning a homebirth. The pharmacist did question me as to whether it was for me & told me I couldn't use it while pregnant, but she did sell it to me when I explained the situation.

I dislike the nannying of pregnant women & I suppose I think the salesperson should have made you aware that you can't use cocodamol safely in pregnancy & then left it up to you. I understand that you feel peeved.

Groovee · 13/09/2013 08:39

I was refused co-codamol in pregnancy with my dd by my GP. If you need something I would go via the GP, than a pharmacy. I think the assistant was only covering themselves.

FloraDance · 13/09/2013 08:40

I agree that she shouldn't have assumed and should have referred you to the pharmacist.

Pollywallywinkles · 13/09/2013 08:45

I believe that codeine should only be taken during pregnancy if your doctor thinks you need it, so I'm not suprised that they wouldn't sell it to you.

Go to see your GP if you do find you need some stronger pain relief and if its thought suitable they should prescribe it for you.

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 08:47

I suppose a prescription is always free at the minute so might be worth bringing it up with GP just to see.

I didn't want to risk making an arse of myself in the shop when I wasn't sure what the score was but I just felt a bit like I was on the naughty step!

I could have queried it further but her manner was pretty much "this conversation is over"

OP posts:

intitgrand · 13/09/2013 08:48

Why not just say it is for your DH

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 08:51

intitgrand I went into Boots afterwards with the intention of doing just that but all they asked was "have you taken it before?" as they were ringing it through the till.

OP posts:

coraltoes · 13/09/2013 08:56

i was refused sushi once. I kicked off in a big way. My brain, my body, my choice. I may have ended up with a lot of free sushi as an apology.

Sephy · 13/09/2013 08:56

I had similar when trying to buy the mini aspirin that had actually been prescribed to help prevent pre eclampsia (had forgotten my prescription!). Almost had to get a colleague to go out at lunch for me but in the end persuaded them I had a genuine need for it. So frustrating!

MrsGarlic · 13/09/2013 09:00

I find it really condescending. In Boots once I picked up a tube of cream for my chub rub (i.e. to be applied on my thighs). I had the baby with me. Woman on the till asked if I was breastfeeding, I said yes. Cue enormous palaver where she had to go and find the pharmacist to see if I could apply this cream to my thighs while breastfeeding! I said I'd be happy to take the risk but no, they made me wait. FOR THIGH CREAM!

NoComet · 13/09/2013 09:06

Your great error is telling the truth. Co-coda mil is clearly for your DH who is curled up in bed with a terrible head ache.

It's just not worth the fuss.

bamboobutton · 13/09/2013 09:06

ive had this in sainsburys too, except I wasn't pregnant.

woman on the counter asked if they were for me, I said yes. she gave my poky-out but not in the slightest bit pregnant belly a look and asked if I was pregnant, no, I say. she looks very and is probably thinking I am some sort of raving codeine addict that would tell such a glaring lie about my pregnancy!

I really felt like saying "im really not pregnant, just fat, but not as fat as you" but im cursed with outward politeness.

NoComet · 13/09/2013 09:07

Fortunately they don't ask if your BF once the child is at school

TooOldForGlitter · 13/09/2013 09:11

YANBU but I don't think the assistant is the one to blame. She will have just been following rules and not wanting to risk her job. I think the problem is actually just how much pregnant women are seen as faceless incubators who need policing against their own stupidity and recklessness. Gets my goat it really does

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 09:16

Yes indeed that was my feeling (the faceless incubator thing!)

Just praying for no migraine this time. It is frightening that the sort of thing I've had to be heavily sedated because of normally is seen as something that I just have to suffer through because of the baby.

I know they have to be protected but I remember just weeping when DH came upstairs after the doctor left, with two ibuprofen for me - the type we probably had in the house anyway!

OP posts:

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 09:22

I'm not one for confrontation but in bamboobutton's situation I'd make an exception bloody hell!

I knew in the back of my head I'd be able to go elsewhere anyway but you know when it's a hot day and you've stuff to do etc... Little upsets seem more

OP posts:

giraffescantdanceallnight · 13/09/2013 09:23

Probably worried about being sued.

If Dr agrees it ok then just say they for someone else!

Deux · 13/09/2013 09:30

I was refused Brolene eyedrops when i was pg with DD. maybe they thought i was going to drink all 10 mls of it. I was mad as hell.

I had to go to another chemist and say they were for DH.

Featherbag · 13/09/2013 09:34

I've had to show my work ID to prove to a pharmacy assistant I was a HCP and promise to take responsibility for any harm I did to myself - for THROAT LOZENGES. I also had a jobsworth woman in Superdrug demand my maternity exemption card when getting a prescription filled, then stand with arms folded and a snooty expression while I spent ages raking in my handbag for it. I hadn't gotten it out ready as my bump at 28 weeks is ENORMOUS, I look almost full term!

DeWe · 13/09/2013 09:35

I took codeine during pregnancy with ds. I was getting killer migraines for 3 days +. I had seen a doctor who'd advised it. But this was my sister, who wasn't with me at the time. No problems were raised at all.

I was refused Vitamin B6 tablets in pregnancy. I had been told they were good for morning sickness, but they're not licenced in pregnancy in the UK apparently. That was from the same pharmacist, so they obviously were thinking about such things.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

HicDraconis · 13/09/2013 09:35

Please don't take any more ibuprofen! It's not safe in pregnancy.

Cocodamol on the other hand should be ok as long as you aren't using it constantly (the risk with any opioid in pregnancy is the baby going through withdrawal post delivery). Paracetamol is safe if you stick to the 4g/24h limit.

pianodoodle · 13/09/2013 09:39

Thanks Hic

Yes that's the first thing I thought last time as I've never taken ibuprofen in pregnancy and I wondered why I'd been given it by this doctor!

OP posts:

Sallyingforth · 13/09/2013 09:43

I think you should have some sympathy for the assistant. They are trained to be cautious and not hand drugs out without thinking. Otherwise the stuff would be out on the open shelves.
There would soon be trouble if they gave you something that harmed the child.
But yes they should be discrete.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.