Feel gutted. Sick. Stupid. Prescription charges.

[SharonBottsPoundOfGrapes]

feel so upset. Life has been nothing but a struggle. We never have anything left at the end of the month, I've been ill and in constant agony. I've had to quit work due to my pain. We've never had a family holiday and dh is driving a 13 year old car. Yet I managed to scrimp the money for prescriptions (and sometimes went without the odd one because we simply couldn't afford all 6 at once). 8 bastard years I paid full price. Only last year did I invest in a prepayment certificate to help with the costs as it was suggested by a pharmacist who was shocked at the amount I had to pay. Not one GP or pharmacist ever told me I could get all my meds for free. We're not entitled to anything back. I spoke to a nice Geordie lad who was astonished and said it was a disgrace but they only backdate 3 months. Can't stop crying.

If you believe you are entitled to free prescriptions please make sure you get the form from the GP and fill in and send off - they send you a card similar to the prepaid cert card otherwise they can fine you - don't just take someones word for it you have to apply and it will generally run out at some point and you have to reapply

Sorry should say the exemption form is from GP (they have to sign to confirm) the paid for cert is from the pharmacist. I got my first prescription for metformin and knew of the exemption so asked the pharmacist and ended up having to going back to the Dr, I had just paid for a full cert the week before and got a full refund from them in the post by cheque. But I agree it seems to be by word of mouth people find out.

Ooh, free headlice, yes please!

Have lots and happy to share!

I feel for you OP. I collect 2 prescriptions a month and have done for the last year and I've only just found out via a leaflet I picked up at the chemist that I can make one payment a month instead of 2 charges.

Try not to think about what you've spent and think about what you'll now save

Thanks crisps. I'm not normally so highly strung but just can't ever catch a break.
Im thinking more clearly today. Im sorry for posting here though. I think I was hoping that I wasnt the only one or someone would magically have all the answers. I've been on MN for 8 years. You'd think I would know that very rarely does a post not attract one or two snarky comments.
My life is one big crisis after another.
As I've said I'm in agony on a daily basis and take 3 different painkillers. I am on metformin for t2 diabetes (undiagnosed gestational diabetes hangover).
Also have to take vitamin d replenishing capsules once a week.
I'm also on mirtazipine for severe depression.
Two of my kids are waiting on appointments for mental health issues. Its been months and no one can tell me when to expect help. (Ds feels suicidal and I'm afraid I'm going to walk into his room and find him dead. Its like a black cloud hanging over all of us).
Dd is 9 and gay. She's also a bit tubby and being bullied at school. I admire her because at that age I wouldn't have dared to stand out from the crowd.

I managed to get a part time job. Worked one shift and boom the next morning my sciatica returns with a vengeance. My gp (one of them) told me to go to work anyway. Tell my bosses the issue and they'll help me.
Well no I can't. Its steward work at my local fc. I can't take it easy. You can't work? Then you don't get paid. They have 100s of staff. They're not arsed about one with 2 herniated discs.

What else? Ooh my house is falling into disrepair. We can't afford to pay for repairs. Dh has been biking 30 mile round trip to work to save the car. Both upkeep and fuel. My cat died in March and I miss her so much. My mum has a tumour in her lung and is waiting on a biopsy. So I'm trying to be there for her. My friend's have all dropped me. I need support and not one of them has been there.

Let's see. Good things.
Well hopefully I'll be starting Open University in Feb.
I've lost 5 stone.
I quit smoking in August and though I've been tempted I haven't caved and started again.
Oh and I won't be spending £s on medication anymore.

Oh, OP. That sucks, you poor thing. Unmumsnetty hugs for you. Hang in there, it will get better. x

Cheers Memory x

GP and consultant never told me about them but after about 6mths I changed pharmacy and they couldn't believe no one at the Previous pharmacy had mentioned pre-payment to me. In fact the pharmacist said she couldn't in all conscience allow me not to buy one.
At the time I was having to buy 6 - 8 prescriptions a month.
I now tell everyone I know on long term meds about them just in case.

Yep. Will definitely be doing the same. I understand not being told. Why would a gp care about my finances? But to never have it even mentioned? That's really unfair. Anyway. I am the lesson everyone can learn from. To those bitching about me on another forum. Just fucking stop it. I'm a human being and this really is my life.

so, basically, any pharmacist worker taking money over the counter for dispensing any medication for diabetes or hypothroidism, is doing so kmowing full well that the patient shouldnt be paying for it, as they are covered under the list of exempt conditions. I would be upset too

Baron/Sharon (That sounds like a condition in itself) you've done a service to other mumsnet users who may not have been aware. So thank you for posting. I love mumsnet but people can be cunty. Fuck them. You actually sound very resilient and (I've seen you on other posts) you have a cracking way of looking at things. Chin up. It can only get better.

@GreenTulips it's. It quite as straightforward as that. I remember when it was all over Facebook and all the scumbags were trying to get free stuff from the nhs that they could afford to buy. It's. It available in many many areas either

I've just Googled 'Prescriptions' and the first entry is the NHS - How to Get Help with prescriptions costs.

Also OP, I wouldn't bother trying to phone my GP in the mornings as the lines are always busy. Next time try around lunch time or afternoon - Im sure you'll get through quicker. Waiting 45 minutes is silly.

Pleased for the good news for you OP.

We only found out about the pre-payment card last year after moving to England 3 years ago and DH being on regular asthma medication (we were in a free prescription area before). Some months we did have to think about whether we could afford 3x prescription costs but at least I can budget the £11 a month now.

I work in pharmacy and always keep an eye out for a people who I think may be entitled to free prescriptions/get a large number of items and try to speak to them, many people are unaware

www.boots.com/prescription-support/minorailments