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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Discharged post section and they've forgotten to give me my medication..

56 replies

Bloodylovely · 28/10/2021 21:19

I had a cesarian on Tuesday, hemmoraged so was kept in until today when I was discharged under strict instruction to take a high dosage of iron prescribed.

I was given blood thinning injections and said liquid iron to take home because I'm very anemic.

Before discharge a doctor came to the ward and asked for my bottle of iron so he could change the prescribed label on the bottle as they wanted to double my dose after reviewing the latest bloods.

They were super busy and he forgot to return my meds to me before I left. I didn't realise until i got home as we were rushed out.

I called the ward of the hospital (which is an hour away) and explained what happened, asking them if they could send a prescription to my local pharmacy as I really need the supplement and feel like death.

Midwife on the phone says they don't send prescriptions and I'll have to go back to the hospital in the morning and collect an outpatient prescription then collect it from the hospital pharmacy.

It's not possible, I'm not mobile enough to get 2 busses there and we don't drive. They asked if there's a family member who can go for me. DH could in theory but he's already doing 99% of the night feeds and caring for newborn alongside our other children as I can't lift etc. He doesn't particularly want to leave me with all 3 kids post section and spend a morning going there and back, not least because our eldest has severe special needs and I'm in no fit state.

AIBU to think they should just send the prescription?

Going through my GP will take days as you can't put in requests online or through the receptionist Sad

OP posts:
Wynston · 28/10/2021 22:19

Is it just the iron or is it those injections you have to do that you haven't got???

Wynston · 28/10/2021 22:20

Also congratulations op Flowers

Original poster
Bloodylovely · 28/10/2021 22:21

Thanks all Smile

It's the Galfer one. They prescribed that as I said I found ferrous sulphate tablets harsh on my stomach when I was prescribed a short course of that after my last baby.

I only lost just over 500ml this time which they said was 'borderline' but I was already low before the hemmorage so it's tipped me over into anaemia and I feel pretty rough for it.

I didn't know I could buy the prescription strength stuff OTC but have been looking at spatone online after seeing it reccomended on here.

I do have my injections fortunately, aswell as peppermint oil tablets for the trapped wind which are making me feel quite sick 🤢

OP posts:
LooksBetterWithAFaceMask · 28/10/2021 22:27

If you live in a well connected place your local pharmacy may even be able to get Galfer in the same day if you call them first thing but they may have it in stock we usually have at least one bottle on the shelf from a previous prescription.
Give your pharmacy a call I’m sure they can help.

EllaM777 · 28/10/2021 22:33

I am a pharmacy technician. You can buy Galfer Syrup it’s a P-Med meaning pharmacy only but doesn’t need a prescription. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have it in stock, most pharmacies can get stock in on the same day. Make sure you ring in the morning, so they have time to order it if if they don’t have it. We usually keep it in stock in ours.

Kummerspeck · 28/10/2021 22:38

Don't buy Spatone, it is good as a general supplement but not strong enough for your need at the moment.
You can buy Galfer at pharmacies so worth a call to your local one in the morning if midwife is not able to help

stingofthebutterfly · 28/10/2021 22:50

Hospital and GP prescriptions are completely different so the ward is correct in what they've said.

You should be able to get a GP to prescribe, or get your community midwife to get your GP to sort it for you.

You may be able to buy iron over the counter, depending on medication but you'll need a prescription for the injections, if you need to have anymore.

Wynston · 28/10/2021 22:52

Oh the wind build up was probably one of the worst parts......along with not being able to move, scared you're insides were going to escape and generally feeling like shit!! But then you look down at the beautiful newborn baby and it seems all worthwhile x

Yubaba · 28/10/2021 22:52

Hospitals can’t send prescriptions to community pharmacies, they are 2 completely different systems, inpatient prescriptions can only be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy.

blubberyboo · 28/10/2021 22:57

Can your Dh nip to Tesco’s tonight and buy some iron tablets or spatone . Drink spatone with pure orange juice for better absorption.

At least it would get you started until you speak to midwife. She should be able to get the GP to issue a script

KeyLimeFly · 28/10/2021 22:59

As a midwife, this literally made me laugh out loud.

Sadly OP I had to vote YABU. You are right that things SHOULD work like this. But sadly they just don’t. There is no system to send hospital prescriptions to local pharmacies. Community services and hospital services very rarely join up neatly. You’d be best off phoning the GP or buying it OTC if possible. Was it Sytron?

Original poster
Bloodylovely · 28/10/2021 23:16

@KeyLimeFly

As a midwife, this literally made me laugh out loud.

Sadly OP I had to vote YABU. You are right that things SHOULD work like this. But sadly they just don’t. There is no system to send hospital prescriptions to local pharmacies. Community services and hospital services very rarely join up neatly. You’d be best off phoning the GP or buying it OTC if possible. Was it Sytron?

It's Galfer, I'm going to phone my local chemist in the morning and see whether they have any I can buy OTC.

I've re read my OP and think I probably sound quite entitled. Not my intention Blush

Just feeling a bit hormonal and wiped out at the minute and keen to feel better ASAP.

OP posts:
SusieSusieSoo · 28/10/2021 23:45

OP things can be joined up if you want them to be. DS is 9 shortly. I was discharged without my meds & I was on antibiotics and painkillers. My dsis rang the ward & managed to persuade someone to fax my drs and then my dm picked up my prescription and took it to the chemist for me.

I think it took a bit of persuading at the time.

Vispa · 28/10/2021 23:54

Don't try Spatone etc - I was already taking it when I became very anaemic postnatally and was told its just not strong enough.

Hankunamatata · 29/10/2021 00:14

Get some fybogel to go with it as high dose iron will make you super constipated

Saoirse82 · 29/10/2021 00:27

@TotallySuper

I think you need to suck it up for the sake of a few hours and let your DH go and get it. Sorry but you'll be fine, I had a c section with a similar outcome to you and was up and about day 2 doing all sorts and caring for my daughter. You'll be fine for a few hours.
Oh give over ffs. Depending on how anemic the OP is she could potentially pass out, just because you felt fit and well doesn't mean everyone else will Confused.

Depending on how anemic you are OP spatone is unlikely to do much as there's only 5mg per sachet. For instance I'm on 2 spatone and 610mg of ferrous fumarate daily and my iron has only come up from 98 to 102 in the past 6 weeks. I fainted twice when mine was at 98 so it's definitely not something you want to happen when you're holding a baby.

verymiddleaged · 29/10/2021 00:27

My HV brought a prescription to my house after my dc so I didn't have to go out and get it.
But that was 13 years ago when funding was better, might be worth asking though?

Original poster
Bloodylovely · 29/10/2021 00:43

IIRC they said my levels were in the 90's at the point of being prescribed the iron. I do feel very wiped out and light headed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bloodylovely · 29/10/2021 00:46

Also, I am up and about now I'm home. I'm not just laying about, though I could probably benefit from doing exactly that with the way i feel atm.

OP posts:
KeyLimeFly · 29/10/2021 01:20

Sorry OP just re-read my post and it sounds really insensitive! I was laughing at another poster’s suggestion of sending meds via hospital transport rather than at you! It doesn’t seem to have quoted!!

ittakes2 · 29/10/2021 01:36

I had emergency c section and lost 2 L of blood - poo to the person who said they had similar and were up the next day! Everyone is different. I don’t think you were being entitled in your op. You do you and get the rest you need.

Boscoforever · 29/10/2021 01:49

OP, I'm a nurse, and your discharge letter can be photocopied and given to your GP tomorrow and they can sort the script.
Good luck! You'll feel rough for a while yet, my love. The iron won't work overnight.

DriftingBlue · 29/10/2021 01:56

Make sure you take something for constipation or eat a diet very focused on avoiding constipation. Iron supplements + csection can potentially get very uncomfortable.

EarringsandLipstick · 29/10/2021 02:07

@Bloodylovely

IIRC they said my levels were in the 90's at the point of being prescribed the iron. I do feel very wiped out and light headed.
You don't sound entitled at all OP. You've a huge amount going on 💐

However, you have been given very unclear information by the hospital.

Galfer is a very standard OTC form of iron. Pharmacies will routinely have it. Prescription not needed.

As PPs have said, Spatone isn't strong enough.

Regarding levels; you are only a little bit under the lowest range, with the figures you provide, so don't worry too much.

Good luck!

Redsquirrel5 · 29/10/2021 03:05

@ittakes2

I had emergency c section and lost 2 L of blood - poo to the person who said they had similar and were up the next day! Everyone is different. I don’t think you were being entitled in your op. You do you and get the rest you need.
I agree. Everyone is different. Baby and I were extremely ill when I had my CS. I didn’t see him until he was 6 days old and I was taken to SCUBA in a wheelchair. I struggled to get out of bed on the eighth day and complained about the pain. One of my stitches was over tight and it gave me hell.

Get DH to get you some dried apricots, broccoli and spinach. Natural iron the apricots you can snack on two or three. You might want to throw in some prunes or dates and porridge. If you haven’t had a CS before it plays havoc with your bowels as someone mentioned.
Floridix from the Chemist helps too. Another knowing mum bought me it instead of a baby present! Baby 3 all boys. It was a great gift and really helped.

Congratulations! Hope you feel better soon. A nap every afternoon helps. 20-30 mins if you get a chance.

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