Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Cakeorchocolate · 04/08/2017 11:47

But obviously in practice that would be dangerous as those on low incomes couldn't afford it and therefore would use regular formula putting the little ones at risk. So to avoid that obviously shouldn't happen.

Cruciatus · 04/08/2017 11:49

Why don't you pay for it? The GP/NHS pays for your baby's formula????

HeartburnCentral · 04/08/2017 11:50

Yab a bit U. I was told previously, the medical item I needed was expensive but if I knew anyone in Poland, they could get it for me a lot cheaper. I blame the Government not the Doctor.

Original poster
Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 11:50

But patients don't know the cost do they? Or do they? That was actually my original question about it being common practice not whether it SHOULD be! So why is it of relevance to just me that this formula is £30 a tin?

Maybe I should tell an alcoholic who has been admitted for the 3rd time that month how much their stay/investigations are costing? But no of course I wouldn't do that, because that person has an illness/addiction & that would consider me to be judgemental.

BUT equally I can be judged that I am going to be careless/waste/or even sell the formula on Confused when my DS also has an illness, through no fault of his own Hmm

OP posts:
Juliancopescat · 04/08/2017 11:53

If you can get baby to eat it you're a better woman than me. We tried every brand imaginable, they were all pretty rank to be honest. After multiple projectile vomiting incidence we gave up and just gave a supplement and fed her whatever she naturally wanted to eat. Think it's a bit weird that we expect children to eat something that tastes so bad.

Spuddington · 04/08/2017 11:53

My GP routinely tells patients the cost. I don't see the problem. He gave you the formula.

Hissy · 04/08/2017 11:54

I think that if more people knew the real cost of medication it would give them a better idea of the value of the NHS and how important it is to protect it.

I'd love to see drunks scooped up off the streets by ambulances being given a leaflet telling them their inability to know when to stop has deprived a trust of money that could have been put to more effective use.

Sirzy · 04/08/2017 11:55

I always look up the cost of DS drugs mainly out of interest Blush I was amazed at the cost of his inhaler!

He has recently been prescribed a build up drink and I was amazed to find out they are about £4 each and he has two of them a day.

I think it if right that people are aware of the cost of prescription meds.

Tobuyornot99 · 04/08/2017 11:55

Some CCG''s do put the cost of expensive drugs on prescriptions, I think it's anything over £20. There are lots of campaigns about not wasting meds. I don't think the GP''s comments were a personal accusation.

SaneAsABoxOfFrogs · 04/08/2017 11:55

Just thought to add - are you also being referred to a dietician? If it's a true milk allergy rather than an intolerance it takes longer to grow out of it, if at all, and it can be very hard to get the necessary fats into your little one. Avocado is your friend here! My son has had oatly milk since 8 months for drinking, as it is fortified with vitamin d and calcium, but has a very low fat content (hence formula once a day in porridge). Soya products should be avoided until at least a year old as there is some evidence that the phyto-oestrogens can mess with the reproductive system, but coconut milk yoghurts are fine.

whattodowiththepoo · 04/08/2017 11:55

YABU but not massively so.
I think everyone should know how much prescription medication actually costs.

wowfudge · 04/08/2017 11:56

My DSis had this kind of thing with her firstborn who had CMPA - she said at the time that getting a repeat prescription was a rigmarole because the doctors didn't really want to do it due to the cost. It's not the poor child's fault so why make things worse for the parents by being awkward over things they are entitled to. They had enough on their plates dealing with his allergy.

picklemepopcorn · 04/08/2017 12:01

Formula is not something people would expect to cost tens of pounds though. I complained at the pharmacy about only getting two small tins at a time, and realised why when they told me the cost.

We all make choices based on value- shall I leave the tail end of the time after a holiday and start a new one when I get home? At £3 a box, probably. At £30 a box, then no!

AvoidingCallenetics · 04/08/2017 12:01

I'm alone in thinking that the doctor shouldn't have told you to be careful with it. I think that is infantilising you and is patronising - the consultant has said that your baby needs this. You are unlikely to be pouring it down the sink!

Just because other places pay for it, we shouldn't be sinking to that low level - they should be rising to meet the higher level of necessary medication being available at low/no cost!

picklemepopcorn · 04/08/2017 12:02

I was shocked at the cost of a brown inhaler. I hadn't realised. I have probably lost the odd one over the years. If I'd known the value of them, I may have kept a closer eye on them.

Original poster
Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 12:04

Did someone miss the part about this is following consultations advice? Hmm I specially asked about alternative milks & she does not wish DS to have them at present.

Maybe I should be grateful that my DS has an allergy & consider myself lucky that I get it for 'free'!! Hmm

Under 16s do not pay for prescriptions & this is a prescribed milk.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 04/08/2017 12:06

Just because it's under consultants advice I don't see why that means you shouldn't be aware of the cost of it.

Pp who made the point about the end of the box is spot on about the difference between knowing and not knowing.

BalloonSlayer · 04/08/2017 12:07

I was always told not to bother with those formulas because they are so disgusting a baby will only tolerate them if there is nothing else to eat.

But then my DC is 17 and things have changed since he was a baby. He was expected to get his calcium from me through BF, and when he stopped that, he had rice milk (now not recommended for small kids) and I analysed his food carefully and I used to give him osteocare syrup. (Ready Brek with fortified milk will give them almost all the calcium they need for one day)

But many other cultures do not eat a lot of dairy (Japanese for instance). How do you think Japanese kids get calcium?

Floggingmolly · 04/08/2017 12:09

How are you "saving them money"? Why aren't you paying for it yourself?

BarbarianMum · 04/08/2017 12:10

Meh, I was told the same thing 10 years ago. It's expensive stuff so fair enough. Millions in prescription drugs are wasted every year - by hospitals, by GPs, by patients themselves. Being careful is no bad thing.

AvoidingCallenetics · 04/08/2017 12:12

Why should she pay for it herself? It is medicine. Her child needs it, the consultant wants this particular milk - the OP isn't asking for it on a whim.
And anyway, it has been paid for, via taxation.

Original poster
Ilovejonahhill · 04/08/2017 12:16

Obviously if my DS doesn't like it/or won't eat the food I make it in, I can then go back to the consultant to tell her that & go to plan b Hmm I've asked for one tin to trial under the advice given.

As one user said I did feel it was a patronising comment to one he back tracked on when I pointed out that I BF!

It is hard enough without comments about cost. I have BF through milk allergy & severe reflux & have been diary free for 5 months (bloody shit crumpets for me every day!)

& yes we have a dietitian & skin prick test was positive.

OP posts:
bostonkremekrazy · 04/08/2017 12:17

Good luck getting baby to eat it!
(disgusting stuff.....my baby never would....used BM on cereal, then used oatly in cooking etc, age 4 still drinks oatly - its the nicest one :) As baby is BF you won't need Formula - not sure why consultant said that...all his goodness comes from you, don't sweat it when he won't drink it, try all the other options and use the one he'll tolerate best, Rice milk, Oat milk etc....Good luck - they are all pretty grim!)

aintnothinbutagstring · 04/08/2017 12:17

I get you OP, I also have a child with asthma and a potentially life threatening allergy, we have been guilted by clinicians over the years over our request for our son to be prescribed oral steroids for an asthma attack or have the required number of epipens (4, 2 in each setting, as recommended by his consultant and even the school nurse requests this). The only person who will fight our side is my sons allergy consultant, our experience of GPs is absolutely abysmal.

GlitterGlue · 04/08/2017 12:18

Patients should be told the cost. It may help reduce waste.