AIBU to think the GP just needs to issue the prescription?

[lawandgin]

Not sure if this is an AIBU, but donning my hard hat and posting anyway.

DD is 4 months old and has suffered terrible reflux since she was a newborn. We're all getting through 3+ sets of clothes a day, I'm constantly worried about how much milk she's actually keeping down and it's very stressful all round. For context, she was small for gestational age weighing 5lb 8oz when she was delivered at 38+3. She lost 8% of her birth weight and took over 3 weeks to regain it.

Just over a week ago, we ended up in A&E when she just would not stop screaming. I'm talking 7 hours. The long and short of it was that they thought it was a delayed reaction to her 16 week vaccinations, but the doctor said we needed more support with her reflux and that she likely had CMPA. Knowing that she wouldn't be a priority on the NHS as she's gaining weight and there's a several month long waiting list to see a paediatrician, I paid to see a private paediatrician the two days later. He confirmed he thought she had CMPA and needed dairy free milk and also omeprazole to treat the reflux. We happened to have some dairy free milk left over from a previous trial, so were able to put her straight on that and we saw a huge improvement in some of the other symptoms, but the reflux remains. The doctor prescribed omeprazole privately and wrote to the GP and asked them to continue the prescription.

The pharmacy ordered the omeprazole off the back of the private prescription, but it's £400 for a six week supply. I requested an NHS prescription for the same on Wednesday, chased it twice on Friday (each time being told it would be done that day - their turnaround time is 2 days) and it STILL hasn't been done. The doctors haven't phoned me to explain the delay and neither we nor the pharmacy can understand what they're playing at. I have a sinking feeling they're going to refuse the prescription due to the price and I'm ready to do battle with them on Tuesday as DD needs this medication and we simply can't afford £400 every six weeks. Especially as I'm only on SMP and with bills going through the roof.

So....AIBU to think the GP is out of order for not completing the prescription within their specified time frame and AIBU to think they shouldn't refuse to prescribe it at all (as I am anticipating)? Bonus points for tips on how I might tackle the conversation with them!

I'm seriously saying that that is what credit cards are for. You saw the consultant (which you paid for), you were given the prescription (which you chose not to pay for). I'm saying that if it was my child that's what I'd do (and have done, for a different condition).

You don't get to kick up a stink with your surgery because they're not supplying the medication quickly enough when it's your decision to not already have that medication.

@Rooberoobe she is on neocate which is aa.

No @mumda I don't think it is. Do you?

Picking and choosing, going for private for initial consultations and diagnosis etc is fairly common, with patients then redoing the nhs for ongoing treatment after diagnosis.

Infact our GP recommends it in some situations, as do many of my family and friend's GPs.

This thread suggests it shouldn't be done and it isn't something nhs staff recommend but my experience is the opposite. Many are advising patients to do just that and it's not an issue.m when they come back.

Re the timeline for the script - ar our Gp the timescale for repeat prescription has more than doubled recently from being 24-48 from putting it in and receiving the meds at the pharmacist to over a week now.

YANBU
I did the same. I started having fits. GP made a referral to neurology which was a 9-12 month wait - while I continued to have these epileptic fits several times a day. GP wouldn't do anything further, so I went private, took the private epilepsy prescription to my GP and they proscribed them the same day. Best £250 I've ever spent.

I don't see why anyone would have a problem with this.

Okay @PortalooSunset, you think iabu and that's fine. I personally don't think it's reasonable to get into debt I have no realistic prospect of being able to pay off any time soon as I'm on smp until January and then zero pay. But that's what aibu is all about after all!

Me neither @IsJohnReadyToMakeAComeback but there at go. Maybe they think we're just supposed to bow and scrape to the NHS and must never question an obviously ridiculous process. Sorry to hear about your fits, I can't believe the gp was prepared to leave you like that, so dangerous. Glad to hear it's under control now.

@poordrygarden sorry to hear you had that experience, it resonates with me. You can't get ranitidine anymore and I've just discovered there's a manufacturing issue with omeprazole tabs which is just great!

I think you
meant to say I can’t believe the government has underfunded and destroyed the NHS to the point that someone who is having daily fits cannot urgently see neurology . Not that the GP is at fault for being unable to prescribe out with of their knowledge.
Starting anti epileptics is a decision for consultant neurologist not GPs.

Which strength? We get 10mg and 20mg tabs and touch wood haven’t had a problem yet

Does your baby not have another parent who can pay for the prescription, which I thought I read was waiting at the pharmacy for you? (Happy to be corrected, but tracing back isn't easy on the Android app.)

If not, it must be terrifying to be solely responsible for the baby, be on SMP, have zero pay looming, and have no savings which means £400 will put you in debt. Or is it just expensive and quite understandably, you would rather it be free?

I feel for you. I was at the end of my tether. I hope you get the prescription and the meds asap. X

@lawandgin I first heard about it on thyroid forums (as many are prescribed it for reflux) and heard about people's terrible times getting off it.

A scientific paper and medical articles outlining this, if you have any doubts, but am sure you can find more examples on the 'net:

www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/June2019/Proton-pump-inhibitors-and-rebound-acid-hypersecretion.htm

www.practiceupdate.com/content/my-approach-to-tapering-off-a-proton-pump-inhibitor/36802

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29195714/

Thanks @CrunchyCarrot will have a read.

@Sirzy 10mg. Am currently waiting for new prescription for 20mg abs instructions on how to prepare and administer based on her weight.

@FelicityBennett well yes quite, but ime those conversations don't always go down well on MN.

@hedgehoglurker yes baby does have another parent who is busy paying mortgage and bills which are also, quite frankly terrifying.

Thank you @poordrygarden - hopefully tomorrow.

Don't assume not completing in 48hrs is a sign they are about to refuse.

My local GP practic that had been issuing repeats within 48hrs during covid no problem, has been struggling recently, officially its still 48hrs for a repeat, but actually most recently when arrived at pharamcy 4 days after ordering reception had to chase up. I appreciate its horrible when your baby is in pain, but its far more likely your GP is understaffed and completely run off their feet hence the lack of phone calls to get back to you. Hopefully theey can resolve for you on Tuesday.

OP how long has she been on the neonate? Only ask because it takes up to 4 weeks to have milk leave the system fully. Usually most improvements around the 2 week mark so if she’s been on it less than that it could be you may not need the medication. I know that’s hard because I say that as a fellow mum of a cmpa child who wanted to do anything to make it better for my child from day 3 when I realised something wasn’t right.

ps i found a dietician pointless. They couldn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know from educating myself. In fact I’d say at the point I saw one I knew more about cmpa than they did however I was lucky that my child already had a pead from birth due to another issue.

You’re getting cross and assuming they won’t prescribe it, when in all likelihood, they will but perhaps the day before a bank holiday weekend, they were dealing with other issues? Please don’t panic and get angry. You may very well find the script will be done but that they’re running a delay.
The receptionists obviously told you it’s usually a 48 hour turn around but this is slightly unusual due to the fact it was a private prescription and a baby which may have slowed it down. It’s unfortunate this is right before a bank holiday weekend for your sake and your baby’s sake.
I hope next week sees this all sorted out. 🤗

Thanks @Rooberoobe, that's actually reassuring. She's been back on it 8 days. Initially great improvement, but the severe puking and associated discomfort remains 😭 I hope you're right because I'd really prefer for her not to be medicated but what do you do when that's what is recommended?!

@Teder it was requested on Wednesday. 3 full days before a bank holiday weekend. I find it quite astounding no one in the whole surgery (actually 2 surgeries as its part of a group) has found 10 minutes to deal with this in 3 days - especially when they know it's for a baby. On the other hand, another prescription for her was ready literally 12 hours after being requested - and the request was made on a Sunday and we all know how busy surgeries are on a Monday.

Receptionist at a doctors surgery here!

Have skimmed through so hoping I’ve not missed this or misunderstood your situation.

Does she have any omeprazole left from the consultant? Doctors at my surgery won’t prescribe repeat meds unless the patient has 7 days worth or less. For obvious reasons.

@ThorsMistress she never had any from the consultant because I can't afford £400 to get it for her. The GP is aware of this. Private consultant has now prescribed much cheaper dispersable tablets (£22 for 2 months supply) but there's a manufacturing problem so I'm struggling to get them. Am awaiting third private prescription for 20mg instead of 10mg along with dosing instructions based on her weight. I could really do without all this tbh. We spent 7 hours today at the hospital for a skin prick test - thankfully it's not an iGE allergy - have paid £150 for that in case anyone wants to trash me about that too, but they might like to consider ive not had a great day with 3 failed blood draws on baby and then hours at various pharmacies trying to get hold of some actual medication.