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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:
Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 17:23

Why is everyone arguing the price with me?
You are basing it on having normal sma milk which I wouldnt buy even if she was on formula I would buy cow and gate (DS1 had formula and had no end of trouble with SMA) which is only two pound more for over twice as much.

One tub of Cow and gate a week.
2.5 tubs of lactose a week so I have to buy 3.

It adds up when you don't have a lot of money anyway (yes I know shouldn't of had another child if couldn't afford one, wasn't planned, was apparently infertile, had hysterectomy booked DD happend, against abortion. long story short)

I asked for your opinions as I was unsure if IWBU and had a mixed response but will take them all on board.

OP posts:
ZippityDoodahday · 04/10/2013 17:24

YANBU. If you or baby can not bf for medical reasons then the NHS should pay for it. Bloody shocking that some mothers get 'healthy' start vouchers to pay for formula when they ff as a lifestyle choice.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 17:29

Zippity very good point if my DP didn't work then we would be entitled to milk vouchers which would pay for babies (just not my DD) formula and free prescriptions for the adults so not sure how this is different.

OP posts:
Minnieisthedevilmouse · 04/10/2013 17:31

Op yanbu. It's a medical reason. If it wasn't allowed it wouldn't be possible. Greater medical minds than us have decided you can so go on guilty free.

You are not 'cheating' another out of treatment. Not whilst medical NHS surgery includes boob enhancements. On the sliding scales IMO your not one to worry over.

applepieinthesky · 04/10/2013 17:33

My DS has lactose free formula on prescription. The doctor wrote it out without asking me and it's on repeat too. However, if they told me I had to buy it I wouldn't argue about it.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 17:36

It's not a medical need in the same way that people with an underactive thyroid need thyroxine. I think YABU and you should pay it.

PeriodFeatures · 04/10/2013 17:36

Hi OP. babycareadvice.com have some info on lactose overload. Read this page as there is some interesting advice on making changes to feeding management before going on to lactose formula. DH is HV and suggested this...

apologies if you already have this info....

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 17:42

? Of course it is a medical need or are you just comparing illnesses?

If DD has lactose she vomits her milk, has diarrhoea severe that we go through 12 nappies just on poo a day and her bum ends up red raw and bleeding.

Her tummy hurts that she screams in pain and she cannot sleep because of this.

So tell me again how it is not a medical need?

OP posts:
candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 17:42

If people stopped getting OTC medications/treatments on prescription (when they could - even at a stretch - afford it) I wonder how much the NHS would save?

MissPlumBroughtALadder · 04/10/2013 17:43

Such ignorance about breast milk displayed on this thread! Humans are mammals: our breasts MAKE lactose, no matter what we eat! So the OP cutting our lactose will make no difference to her baby.
The question is: why is this baby not breaking down lactose? The HV should have advised you to try expressing milk then adding the enzyme lactase to it. This will break down the lactose, effectively making lactose-free breast milk. This would then have confirmed it was an issue with lactose and would have allowed the baby all the benefits of breast milk without the lactose. It makes me sad that a mother who wanted her baby to have breast milk is now giving a vastly inferior product due to poor advice.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 17:46

Thats interesting and a little gutting Missplum I wish I knew I could have done that Sad

OP posts:
HappyMummyOfOne · 04/10/2013 17:50

Lots of things are medical but cures etc can be bought over the counter.

Given you believe its your entitlement i dont see the point in posting.

MN recently had a thread where people dont want to pay for anything the school asks them to as why should they, now people dont want to pay to feed their own children! Children cost money, its not like it comes as a complete shock.

Presumably you dont claim tax credits or child benefit for any if them if you are unwilling to pay for the babies only food source. Somehow i doubt it.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 18:01

Happy mummyofone I was referring to the posters attitude of why one illness is worse than the other not the entitlement of medication.

I have several times explained my reasons for posting and not once said I am not willing to provide for my child if you care to read my posts fully or continue believing what you like about me whatever you want.

OP posts:
LittleMissWise · 04/10/2013 18:02

Cow and Gate £9.49 for a 900g tin. That's £1.49 a tin more than standard Cow and Gate.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 04/10/2013 18:04

Oooh can I use that one?
See I can only go on what the HV told me to get as I don't understand the differences myself.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 04/10/2013 18:06

yanbu where i work a few babies have been on prescription milk and at nearly 30 quid a tub get it presribed your baby can't take ordinary formula that is available it is like a specialist diet the baby is on, dont worry about what the Drs say see if you can get a repeat so you don'tneed to go back,

one of the parents at work told me that a few of the chemists she tried only kept a small stock of it so maybe there is a reason for it

FatPenguin · 04/10/2013 18:07

Cow and gate infasoy Cow & Gate Infasoy milk is suitable from birth onwards. It is suitable for infants who require a diet free from cow's milk protein, Lactose, and Sucrose. It is also suitable for vegetarians or halal diets.

judgejudithjudy · 04/10/2013 18:09

i think op should pay for a "normal" formula with the nhs topping up the £2 odd pound for the special formula. yabu in thinking that the tax payer should feed your baby. shit happens & whilst i really feel for your dc you should pay the top up :-)

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 18:10

disagree with that. The NHS is stretched to almost the point of breaking. People are being told they can not have the drugs they need to prolong their lives, yet someone who can afford the formula for their baby gets a prescription for it because it's " easier and cheaper!" In my mind that is wrong.

Oh stop it seriously this is a specialist diet for a baby who will be on it a short time give yourself a break . this little baby is not stealing from the NHS

MammaTJ · 04/10/2013 18:11

YANBU! My DS had to have it and he had it on prescription too!

candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 18:12

Well, yes I am comparing because her condition (for lack of better word) can be controlled with OTC treatment but many cannot.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/10/2013 18:13

op are you using a pepti formula or are you after just a lactose free one? They are different things and prices vary immensely. The pepti is what coats nearly 30 pound a tub or there is the lacto free sma ones that are around normal price or there's the soya. Soya may not be suitable of your baby struggles with the proteins as well. What one did you get first time?

candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 18:13

If you have said, you were struggling so much that you'd have to go without food yourself or turn the heating off, responses would be very different. You have not said you are on the bare bones of your arse.

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 18:13

and if this milk wasn't medicinal then it would not be available on prescription you don't get sma on prescription do you

candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 18:16

I didn't say it wasn't 100% necessary, (it must be horrible for that poor baby to have such bad diarrhoea) just that if the OP can pay, she should pay.