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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed???

148 replies

Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 09:17

AIBU??

My DS 6 months has just been diagnosed with a milk allergy, I BF but avoid milk in my diet. As I have started weaning I have requested a tin of special formula via my GP (to add to cereal, cooking etc).

He asked me the name, then how to spell it, then said 'oh be careful with that it's £30 a tub'. I did point out to him if I didn't BF he would be requiring a tub every 3 days so am in fact saving them money!!

Should I be annoyed? Just to add I am in health profession & would never tell patients 'this has cost x amount etc'.

He's a baby, he has an allergy, he needs it!

It's bugging me so would like others views on it Wink

OP posts:
Migraleve · 04/08/2017 09:19

I'm not sure what you are annoyed about. He was telling you it costs a lot so to be careful. That's a perfectly reasonable thing to say.

I'm not sure why the fact that you BF has anything to do with it. I'm sure they tell the FF mums the same.

Witchend · 04/08/2017 09:25

The advice when mine were that age was that using standard milk was fine from 6 months for adding to cereal/meals as long as main drink was formula/bm.
I'd ask if that's true for milk substitutes as well-friend who had to use that milk (at least I assume it's the same) said that it was really revolting.

Pengggwn · 04/08/2017 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BenLui · 04/08/2017 09:39

I actually think that's fair enough.

I'm sure that you are careful and sensible but he probably could tell you a thousand stories of parents who aren't and have done stupid/wasteful/careless things with their special formula.

It wasn't personal, I'm sure he says it to everyone.

I remember my NHS orthodontist telling me as a child how much my treatment cost and using it as a way of making sure I wore and looked after my braces. Seemed reasonable to me at the time.

MeanAger · 04/08/2017 09:42

Why don't you just add your BM to his cereals?

Original poster
Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 10:16

Great to see from others perspectives!

I mentioned BF as if I wasn't he would require lots more of the formula as I would also be making up bottles with it.

I have asked about alternative milks but they want him to go use the special formula for calcium etc.

I can only do so much with this formula so bar DS not eating what the formula is in there isn't going to be waste.

I can't express enough to add to anything unfortunately.

He had no idea what this milk was called & how to spell it so doubtful that he has one across it before.

I just wondered if it was common practice in other areas to tell people the price of medications etc? I have never or never heard colleagues where I work doing so. Where does that end?

OP posts:
SPARKS17 · 04/08/2017 10:20

I think the NHS should put the actual cost of prescriptions on your label so you know actually how much it costs.

I have been guilty of not using up medication and if I knew it cost £50 a pack (for example) I would be a lot more careful about ensuring I use it all.

Bluntness100 · 04/08/2017 10:21

I think you're over reacting a bit. So what if he told you the price. It's a fair enough comment, not like he refused to give you it. Confused

I think I'd have responded with " holy crap, really, that's extortionate" and found it to be no more than an interesting fact.

StripySocks1 · 04/08/2017 10:29

My doctor asked if I really needed my repeat prescription for epi pens as they're £60 each, I was pretty shocked that she even thought about the cost, surely the cost of prescriptions shouldn't be something GPs worry about.

pigsDOfly · 04/08/2017 10:33

Your baby needs it and your GP is making sure he's getting it. Really can't see why your GP mentioning the fact that it's expensive would annoy you.

It's expensive, it shouldn't be wasted. Reasonable enough.

People are prescribed things all the time that they either don't take properly or leave at the back of a cupboard - not saying he probably thought that was the case with you - but so much is wasted. Perhaps people should be made more aware of how much medicines etc actually cost.

abigcupoffuckyou · 04/08/2017 10:45

YABVU. You are getting an expensive item at low cost. An item that many people waste, and others get to sell on for a profit. Why should you have a problem with him telling you the cost of it?

Migraleve · 04/08/2017 11:09

surely the cost of prescriptions shouldn't be something GPs worry about.

Of course it should Confused

WineAndTiramisu · 04/08/2017 11:12

surely the cost of prescriptions shouldn't be something GPs worry about

And who should worry?!I see patients all the time that come in with 6 months worth of meds they aren't using, I agree the cost should be printed on the side to make people think twice before just getting their entire prescription filled just because they can.

ConstanceCraving · 04/08/2017 11:14

It is expensive though.

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2017 11:14

surely the cost of prescriptions shouldn't be something GPs worry about.

Did you miss that the NHS has absolutely no money? Confused

Raindancer411 · 04/08/2017 11:23

You are lucky they let you have it!! My son was the same and as I breastfeed and they didn't actually give a proper diagnoses that he was allergic to milk, my gp would not issue it.

It took from weaning to 2.5 before they actually said yes, it is an allergy and by then, we was not entitled to it.

He is 5 and still has the allergy :( He had a spt at 2.5 and was 12mm, another this June and it was a 10mm... so keeping fingers crossed for testing in 3 years time.

I hope your little one grows out of it within the year as most do :)

SaneAsABoxOfFrogs · 04/08/2017 11:30

My son is allergic to dairy and still has porridge made with £30-a-tin special formula for breakfast each morning, and he's 2.5 years old. Alternative milks (oatly etc) just aren't as fortified. I agree your doc may have just been trying to get you not to waste it, but our doc was a bit more subtle - he said to make sure we order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, because if I had to buy it privately the cost would be £30 a tin. Incidentally it is pretty rank, but the weird fishy taste is hidden when you use it in food.

SuperBeagle · 04/08/2017 11:33

You'd have to pay for it here in Australia.

Being blind to the costs is hardly a good thing. It's the reason the UK health system is in the mess it's in.

Tobuyornot99 · 04/08/2017 11:34

Why on earth are you annoyed? GP didn't say you couldn't have it. He / she probably saw the price on the computer screen whilst printing the prescription and commented on the price. Why has that upset you?

Spuddington · 04/08/2017 11:34

Is it Neocate? You're lucky that it's still covered. Our trust has scrapped prescriptions for infant formula. If I have another child and they have an allergy like my DD I'll be paying £150 a week.

Original poster
Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 11:41

I think what stripysocks1 is saying is that if you NEED medication as without them you would be very unwell/die etc then should cost be an issue? Confused ie epipens??

If medication is being stored in cupboards/not used/not taken then maybe GP's should do a regular medication review & stop medications. Obviously I realise that if people aren't honest about not taking their medications GP's can't do anything about that Hmm.

Through choice I would not want to give the formula (as I've heard it's not pleasant!) but am following consultants advice regarding this.

Why should cost be mentioned for one thing & not others?

OP posts:
CPtart · 04/08/2017 11:43

I'm a practice nurse. Absolutely the patient should have some idea of the cost of medications. It might go some way towards some of the ridiculous requests and hoarding of medication and dressings that goes on.

abigcupoffuckyou · 04/08/2017 11:45

Why should cost be mentioned for one thing & not others?

Well for one thing you don't actually need the formula, as in real need. It's not like an epipen, is it? And in most other places you'd have to buy it yourself.
And why shouldn't everyone be aware of how much things cost? You're all so blinkered with your NHS, you don't realise how expensive things are that you take for granted.

Cakeorchocolate · 04/08/2017 11:45

YABU. I think it's perfectly reasonable to tell you what it costs. Agree with pps that since cows milk can be used in foods from 6 mths there's no reason soya or oat milk couldn't be used for that. I also agree that all prescriptions should have to associated costs printed on them, and I think all NHS care should be invoiced so that people are more aware of what care actually costs. When a relative of mine had a baby in europe they were given a breakdown of what it costs (e.g. epidural, scans, etc.) Even though the care was covered by national insurance same as here.

As for costs of special formula not being covered in some regions I think if you can't breastfeed then they should be covered, if choosing not to breastfeed (as is anyone's right) then the costs shouldn't be covered.

Tobuyornot99 · 04/08/2017 11:47

I'm with the GP on the epipen too. I know someone who likes to have 3 or 4, one for home, one for handbag, one for car, one for desk drawer at work. One pen would absolutely suffice and she could carry it with her.
GP's only prescribe when clinically indicated so no one is suggesting that you shouldn't have the formula, just that you shouldn't be annoyed at being told how much it costs the NHS.