AIBU to be upset at my GP?

[bluebelle2662]

As I have mentioned on various threads recently, I lost my little boy in April at 23 weeks gestation. He had some very severe neural tube defects which meant he would not survive.

I went to see the Fetal medicine consultant for my follow up and she told me to get some folic acid from my GP (the higher than usual dose - I need 5mg). So I requested it 2 weeks ago. It was refused because the GP (who I have never met) said I had "finished the course". So I requested it again, saying it was as per the Fetal medicine consultant. Went in on Friday... Not done. Explained to the ladies on the reception desk that it was consultant instruction. Fine. They said it would be done Monday. I was unable to get there on Monday, so I went yesterday and they were closed for training purposes.

I go today and it still hasn't been prescribed. They've opened the request but not done anything. I asked why it still wasn't done as she had said Monday (same lady) and she didn't know. I promptly got quite upset (not angry and not rude) and said my baby had died and that was why I needed it. Fetal med said minimum 6 months folic acid before TTC and to just start taking it. So I've requested it again. And I've got to ring to check it's ready tomorrow. I said it wasn't good enough. She apologised. Fine. But I'm upset by the whole thing. Am I wrong?

I also need to mention I am incredibly anxious and I find it really hard to go outside at the moment, never mind to the GP and every time I go I am panicky so it takes a lot of effort for me.

I'm fed up. It's not like I'm requesting something ridiculous. I'm following the orders of Fetal medicine! Argh.

[londonmummy1966]

Oh Bluebell - how awful. You are not being unreasonable at all. If the GP hasn't dealt with it tomorrow then why don't you try calling the consultant and ask if they could pick the phone up and give the GP a rocket? It is so grim when you are feeling ill about going out to then have to make repeated trips.

[Sneeze182]

Tabu. Get an appointment with the gp so you leave with the prescription.

[Sneeze182]

Yanbu.

[flanjabelle]

If it isn't done tomorrow then stop dealing with the gp and call PALS. They will fight this for you so you don't have to go through it any more. I'm so sorry op, this is appalling treatment.

[Witchend]

Thing is I think if the consultant hasn't told the GP then they can't prescribe it. The consultant should have prescribed it.
If you could just go onto your GP and say my consults says I need, then some people will try it on and the GP is liable.
Ask the consultant to prescribe it.

[PotteringAlong]

The GP cannot prescribe you medication on your say so. You are annoyed with the wrong person; this is the fault of your consultant, not your gp.

[Mouikey]

YANBU, not only should you get the prescription (why didn't your consultant write to the GP???), but you should get your folic acid checked regularly to make sure its going up (I'm on the same dose as you), every 3 - 6 months... its a simple blood test!

I would also write to the practice manager and complain about the treatment you have received, given your circumstances.

[Clickncollect]

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, it's the last thing you need on top of everything. I agree with the previous posters advice and I hope you get this sorted.

[Caken]

YANBU. I'm so sorry for your loss, there should be better communication between departments/teams so that things like this don't happen.

Not the same at all, but I had 2 miscarriages at 13 weeks in quick succession and both times I got calls from the HV team a few months after to book in for an ante-natal home visit and chat. It's heartbreaking to have to have to put it into words repeatedly when it should be easy enough for them to check. It's not fair that you should have had to explain yourself so many times, if the GP was refusing it repeatedly they should have questioned why it was being requested, or at least a quick look at your notes would have been a good indicator.

In your case I think the consultant could have done more for you rather than sending you to your GP to arrange it yourself.

So very sorry again for your loss

[BillSykesDog]

YANBU at all. This would make me want to change GPs.

[BillSykesDog]

So sorry for your loss.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

Has your GP received any written advice from your Consultant advising them to prescribe folic acid? If not, then the fault lies with your Consultant, for not communicating with your GP and/ or prescribing for you themselves if there was a delay in writing to your GP. The GP can't really prescribe based on what you request as some patients will make mistakes in relaying the message.

[trinity0097]

Why not just go and buy some?

[MatildaTheCat]

OK, the GP may need written confirmation from the consultant ( though I have seen plenty of women prescribed this dose without a problem). The issue is that OP has been given the total runaround at a time she least needs it.

YANBU and I hope you get it sorted very quickly. An email to the practice manager may elicit a speedy response.

[lljkk]

I know it's all very upsetting, but in short run you can just buy your own supplements over the counter. No reason not to.

[PotteringAlong]

lijkk the doses you buy over the counter are at a lower dose

[CPtart]

The GP will probably be waiting for the letter/instruction from the consultant hence the delay, but if that's the case, they could have explained that to you. Unfortunately the wheels move slowly due to the sheer volume of people in the system. It's the same in most departments. No help to you though I agree.

[britbat23]

As you are anxious about it and have been advised to take that dose of folic acid by the consultant, can you not just take the equivalent number of standard dosage folic acid pills?

Standard dosage is 400 micrograms, 12 of which would make almost 5mg.

Not ideal to have to do that much swallowing of tablets but at least you get the recommended dosage in the interim.

[lljkk]

@Pottering: so... why not take double dose. Or triple. Or 12. Whatever it takes to get to what OP wants. Is it so obnoxious to suggest a short term measure that someone can do to help themselves.

[PotteringAlong]

Fair point...

[expatinscotland]

GP probably waiting for a letter. But it's very cheap to buy OTC. I wouldn't have thought twice about buying it and taking it myself until it could be prescribed.

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

Buy it yourself. The consultant should have prescribed it, but this is easily solved until your GP gets the letter.

[bigbluebus]

Unfortunately Consultants letter seem to take much longer to get to GPs these days due to shortage of medical secretaries at the hospitals. It may be that your GP hasn't had a letter asking them to prescribe and is trying to contact the hospital for confirmation, which in turn has delayed the prescription being ready. Unfortunately this is just another symptom of the NHS underfunding. Having said that, the receptionist at the GP practice should easily have been able to look on their screen and established if a letter had been received from the hospital consultant, and explained the delay to you.
I hope you get your prescription soon.

[toastedbeagle]

YANBU I'm a GP and find this mystifying as to why this is so hard. I would call up and ask to have the Dr on call ring you back. They don't need a consultant letter confirming it at all, it's a common drug and 5mg is correct dose for high risk pregnancies. Only would need a consultant letter if it was a drug that GPs weren't able / allowed to prescribe.

Sorry for your loss X

[bluebelle2662]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies. I was on the 5mg dose up until I found out about the baby, so it's not like it's completely out of the blue, it was requested online where all recently prescribed meds are so that it's supposedly easier for you to get things.

I am currently swallowing 12 folic acid tablets. Along with 7 other tablets. Not that daft, I'm a nurse so I know there are alternatives.

The letter from the consultant has been received, including on my electronic discharge info from the hospital.

Just fed up. I shouldn't have to go 4 times to get one simple drug, it's not like I've asked for something I've never had before or something controlled. Fed up of bloody going!