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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get formula on prescription?

127 replies

Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 15:12

I can't work out if IABU or if my Doctor is so would like opinions.

My DD was diagnosed by HV as having lactose overload and suggested trying Lactose Free formula which I bought and tried and it worked miracles, as it worked HV told me to try and get it on prescription.

Saw DR today who agreed its lactose overload considering the symptoms cleared as soon as milk was changed, and to be fair he did prescribe the milk but did make a big show of it asking why I can't just buy it.

The thing is Lactose free milk is considered to be medicinal and not needed unless a problem with lactose and I can only buy it in pharmacies at a stupidly inflammed price compared to other 'normal' formulas and seeing DD is entitled to free prescriptions then I don't see why the doctor had an issue prescribing it.

I was breastfeeding and didn't plan to use formula at all so having to go from free breastmilk to spending £20 a week on formula (would have only been £10 on normal formula if I had stopped breastfeeding for no other reason) and its a lot out of my weekly budget.

So AIBU asking for it on prescription?

OP posts:
girlsyearapart · 04/10/2013 15:19

Dd2 was on prescription formula as she was cmp allergic.
They never had any problem prescribing it.
Think it was something like £28 a small tub.

Don't see why the doctor was making a fuss?

coffeeandcream · 04/10/2013 15:20

YANBU, why deny a baby a prescription which will make them and you so much happier.

I'm sure the doctor was thinking about his budgets and overspend!

If you we're given the prescription then don't feel guilty for using it.

Hope it helps Smile

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 04/10/2013 15:22

YANBU in that your child has a medical need for this specialist milk, and you are well within your rights to have it prescribed.
But I don't think the GP was being totally unreasonable in asking why you couldn't pay for it yourself. It is something that is available to buy, not a prescription only item. It costs the NHS money for all the items the GP prescribes, sometimes at inflated prices to what the general public may pay. Given that I don't think that a GP considering his budget is totally unreasonable. I have a friend who gets calpol on prescription to have in her cupboard "just incase" - and she says a lot of people she knows do it - even though she can easily afford it. Due to things like that I can see why GPs question prescriptions.
Unless he was very rude I don't think he was unreasonable to ascertain whether you were able to afford it or not.

But as I said your child needs it, and you are not unreasonable to ask for it on prescription as it is for the good of her health.

absentmindeddooooodles · 04/10/2013 15:22

Yanbu. Ds was on prescription formula. I intended to breast feed. It was out of my control......so why not gwt it free! Its a medical problem, therefore I didnt feel bad about not paying for it.

FatimaLovesBread · 04/10/2013 15:23

Did your HV give you any suggestions on how to help the lactose overload while continuing to BF or did she just tell you to switch straight to lactose free formula?
Sorry I know that's not answering the question.

If your DD needs a more expensive, medicinal formula then I can see why you'd begrudge paying the extra for it

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 15:23

Yanbu. Those special formulas are bloody expensive nearly three times the price of the regular ones. Dd2s was £28-30 a tub there's no way we could have afforded that despite being ok for money and fully intending on paying for her formula.

meddie · 04/10/2013 15:23

No you are nbu. Your child requires lactose free milk for medical reasons. If he was coeliac he would be entitled to foods on prescription .this is no different and £40 a month extra is a lot if you are on a budget

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 15:23

Yanbu. Those special formulas are bloody expensive nearly three times the price of the regular ones. Dd2s was £28-30 a tub there's no way we could have afforded that despite being ok for money and fully intending on paying for her formula.

bluestar2 · 04/10/2013 15:29

I was going to say yabu as I thought formulas were similar price I didn't realise how expensive it was. You should def getting it on prescription. I hate doctors anyway. On the rare occasion I go to see them there first question is how long do you want me to sign you off?!? Er I don't want to be signed off I want you to do your job and fix me!!! Seems to many ( not all) doctors are concerned by budgets and other such like these days.
Hope the milk is working well for lo.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 15:30

Oh I feel relieved I was expecting a flaming.

I have dietary issues myself so cutting out lactose as well as the other things I have to go without would be bad for my health unfortunately so not much the HV could advise.

I have to go back to the Drs next week as he only prescribed enough for one week whilst he questioned whether he can prescribe it or not so at least I can be a bit more confident in asking for it.

OP posts:
Turniptwirl · 04/10/2013 15:30

Yanbu

You're not doing it for any other reason than your DC's health and dr has agreed it has cleared up the symptoms. Definitely keep getting it on prescription and don't feel guilty! I live in wales and have had ibuprofen on prescription before (no , I didn't ask for it! I had laryngitis and it's what they prescribed. I would normally buy generic pain killers over the counter but then they cost pence not £28!)

Dawndonnaagain · 04/10/2013 15:32

My oldest was lactose intolerant. He was put onto Soya milk formula. I too went from feeding. He had a regular prescription for it. That was 28 years ago!

LaGuardia · 04/10/2013 15:46

Is £28 a lot of money then? I would absolutely hate to be poor.

trixymalixy · 04/10/2013 15:48

YANBU, those specialist formulas are extortionate.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 15:48
Confused

£28 is a lot of money when you muliply it by 4 or 5 which is how many tubs you would need roughly for a month. That's a heck of a lot more than the £40-50 you would expect to spend on formula.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 15:48

LaGuardia do fuck off..

OP posts:
EeyoreIsh · 04/10/2013 15:48

Is that a serious question laguardia Shock

OP, YANBU.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 15:51

Or if you wish laguardia the nhs could pay just as much if not more on constant appointments, habits com and other medication, eczema creams and all te other stuff the baby would need if not given it all to produce a still miserable baby just so not to have to provide formula

hippo123 · 04/10/2013 15:51

Depends whetever you could comfortably afford it really. The nhs is severely stretched, no doubt your gp is under pressure to save money.

JoandMax · 04/10/2013 15:52

YANBU - my DS was on Neocate until he was 3 and it was always on prescription, my GP never questioned it. I once forgot to take some away to my parents and a small tin cost £35, it only lasted 3 days!!

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 15:52

Habits? Ffs dam phone gaviscon or whatever

Dontletthemgetyoudown · 04/10/2013 15:56

Wow laguardia. Even rich people know £28 can be a lot of money for some. You have to be a troll as the alternative is an utter idiot.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 15:58

Its a lot of money but if I had no chance of a prescription I would have to pay it, the other problem is the pharmacy only have a small stock so order it in per prescription if you see what I mean so its not something that is readily available like calpol IYSWIM?

OP posts:
Katiebeau · 04/10/2013 16:03

Our GP prescribed soya formula for exactly this issue. No discussion!!!

Tight fisted.......???

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 16:05

I don't see how not giving a required medication would save dr any money. It would just be spent in other ways with a poore result and probably for longer.