To be angry that my doctor won't prescribe the drug I want

[DazeyandConfused]

I went to the doctors today to try and get a prescription for diannett. It is a 'skin friendly' contraceptive pill. In other words it nukes spots and considering I'm long past the age when spots are appropriate, it is a god send. I've been on and off it for 9 years. There is a slight increase in the risk of blood clots/stroke/heart attack after two but that has never been a problem. I'm fit, healthy and every time I try another pill/acne combination, it doesn't work/I feel ill. Today the doctor put his foot down and wouldn't prescribe it. AIBU to get really angry over this? Is there anything I can do?

YY to Yasmin. Safer than Dianette and was just as effective for my skin.

Go to another GP. I could only find one sympathetic female GP who will prescribe me Yasmin which I take for the same reasons - no skin problems and doesn't cause bloating or other symptoms.

Yasmin is more expensive than any others so you have to make a good case and find someone who will listen.

side effects are very personal so unless you've tried the pill yourself before, you don't know how you will react. Also means that saying another pill is 'crap' only applies to you.

however the OP does seem to have tried it, and tried others, and it works for her. BUT if it is against clinical guidelines, the GP can't prescribe it.

look up those clinical guidelines and see if there is anything the GP may not know that could change his/her opinion.

The prescriber should not prescribe something bad for your health just because you want it - there are many reasons that the risks of Dianette could outweigh the benefits.

If your acne is severe, ask for a proper acne treatment or a dermatology referral rather than messing about with hormones.

As far as I know it's also thought to increase your chance of hepatocellular carcinoma, but I'm not sure of the evidence.

Yes YABU. The doctor has a responsibility NOT to prescribe something which could harm you. Thank them for their professionalism instead of berating them. And yes go with a dermatologist referral and consider a no hormone route.

Private prescription. Initial apt prob £150 then the cost of the prescription for as long as you want it.

I use my GP some stuff and have a private GP for other stuff. I also take the kids to the private GP when our regular GP is being crap.

Dianette has no licence as a contraceptive - it is a skin treatment that also happens to have a contraceptive action, as a side effect if you want.

It should never be used for contraception alone and for skin for a few months and then changed to a skin-neutral pill (if the pill is the contraception of choice) such as Yasmin or Cilest.

Have you had specialist advice re your acne?
Lymecycline?
Roaccutane?
Yy to considering non-hormonal contraception.

As an aside, are you sure you have 'normal' acne or acne rosacea?

YABU to be angry at having been given appropriate medical advice.
YANBU to want contraception and clear skin - Dianette is not a longterm strategy.

Private or not they still shouldn't be prescribing medications which are contra-indicated. I wouldn't want to see a medic who was a pushover if I'd paid £150.

Jesus christ they can't win can they.

Stop prescribing you something because it can potentially kill you but is the bad guy.

Our Health Board have issued guidelines that we have not to prescribe Dianette for contraception or acne. The progesterone that it contains had a much higher risk of Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. There are safer pills for contraception and different more effective ones for acne.
So YABVVU to expect your GP to prescribe something that may be detrimental to your health,

?

I had a 3ft long DVT when I was 24 ...a few months after what was likely to be a PE diagnosed as pneumonia. (I may have a blood disorder ...however equally it could have just been a long haul flight on the contraceptive pill -coupled with a few other risks like long term bed rest for my 'pneumonia')
I was 'young, fit and healthy'...
I very nearly died. I really am lucky to be alive.
My leg was so badly damaged that I had a disabled badge for my car for years....I had to wear a full length surgical stocking that tied round my waist every day for the next 15 yrs. Apparently the only reason it is now 'near normal' (bar some attractive broken veins around my ankle and distended veins on my stomach) was because I was so young. My MH collapsed. I became suicidal.
I was put on life long warfarin (regular blood test, limited diet etc). I will never be allowed to take the pill again (coming up to that stage I won't be allowed to take HRT) ...
So let me think...a bit of acne ....or a DVT/PE...I know I wouldn't risk it...

Unlucky83 you need to change your name to lucky. Dvt and pe not to be risked. Awful

My acne cleared up when I stopped eating dairy products and sugar.
I was 35 by then.

I feel your pain. Dianette was amazing for controlling my skin. I took it for a few years even when I had been sterilised. Dr recommended I came off it and my skin erupted. Ended up on Roaccutane.

YY greys !

op I had a roll on thing for a while but loosing weight really helped more than anything.

sister are you on the right thread?

I think Sister means MJ demanding drugs & treatment off his doctor despite it not being recommended - and ending up dying as a result.

Poor GPs. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

YABU

Get a Gynaecologist to perscribe it for you and recommend that your GP carries on perscribing it for you. That's how I had to do it.

A gynaecologist?!
For what gynaecological indication would a gynaecologist recommend Dianette?