To be so annoyed with bloody paternalistic NHS

[MyKindHiker]

I am a lifetime migraine sufferer and as I'm getting closer to menopause they are getting worse in frequency and severity. At least half of all days I wake up with some form of aura, go through packs of nurofen and sumatriptan. Anyways it's been years since I considered any intervention other than just taking meds when one coming on (not necessary as not that frequent through adulthood), but I gather from talking to others there are some really effective meds available now which can prevent them entirely.

Go to GP who looks at recent bloodwork done to check my hormones and says as I'm still fertile and having periods, he can't prescribe in case I get pregnant while on them. I explain I have 2 kids and don't want more. In fact, can't technically have more anyway due to birth injury with second. And husband has had vasectomy to prevent accidental pregnancy as due to birth injury I could get pregnant but couldn't carry baby to anywhere near term. Which is beside the point as I do not want any more kids anyway.

Anyway doc says I still can't have the meds and the rule is for women of childbearing age the rule is they need to go to a special clinic with a 12 month waiting list and do all the steps first (elimination diet etc... I have TRIED THIS OVER 30 YEARS) and prove I'm not pregnant.

I mean what is with these people? If I was a man, I would have just got the meds to prevent a very debilitating condition. But because I'm a woman I can't have the meds 'in case' I become pregnant as though I'm just a uterus on legs who can't think for myself and decide not to become pregnant? Why is my word not enough that I will not have an affair with a non-vasectomied man and get myself up the spout. Ridiculous.

That is ridiculous. I've been on various migraine medications since 2012 when I was 23.

I've been told at least twice I can't have children if I'm on those meds. Every doctor has just made it clear not to get pregnant.

I have never been refused medication (any, not just for migraine) on the basis I may get pregnant and am not on contraception

This. Medical misogyny is far too common. Women aren't walking incubators.

I agree with you, it's a similar thing to not being allowed to take your kids on holiday during term time. Just nanny state blanket guidelines implying that we are all too stupid to make sensible decisions for ourselves!

On another note, have you been checked for chiari malformation (a brain scan would pick it up) just woth you saying you've had long term migraines which are getting worse xx

I've tried so many medications for migraine including topimerate, proponalol, canderstarten, gabapentin and anti CGRP injections - i havent been on birth control at all for any of this so it's definitely possible. I would ask for a neurology referral and get under a specialist

Why don’t you consider a long acting contraception like a more a coil ?

Doctors are very cautious as they quite rightly fear litigation.

Did you see that case of the girl with spinabifida suing the GP because they didn’t tell them to take folic acid ?

Yes because of her migraines, are you daft? Or just asking questions like this because you’re a wannabe lawyer!

Well you know it’s not so…

Well I can assume you’re intelligent enough that you know the undertones of your post … they were hardly coming from a place of being helpful. Anyway… I’m not here to police what you say … it just annoyed me tbh but I’ll deal with it

I was told this, too.

I must have just completely misread you.

What did you think? 😵‍💫

How is that similar?

Not being prescribed needed medication "in case you get pregnant" is nothing like neglecting your children's education for a week or 2 in the sun

It's not medical misogyny FFS. OP is of child bearing age and isn't using contraception and wants a medication where the GP can't prescribe unless the OP is using contraception.

It's very simple. She's not a victim of anything.

I have a copper coil and was refused life saving medication in a&e until the pregnancy test came back negative, it’s unbelievable at times.

I completely agree. The side effects of the topirimate were so bad, the migraines were preferable.

I’m about to start medication that you can’t get pregnant on. I said It was very unlikely to happen. And he said ok, but he had to make me aware and that was that. Not an issue.

A pregnancy test would have taken a few minutes

OP
read this
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/adults/

the GP should be following this pathway

if not, ask why not
if GP is, your Gripe is with NHS England not GP

if GP is not following pathway and won’t follow pathways contact https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

2 hours because they did it as a blood test and also so what if it was two minutes I could’ve died in that time 🤣

This is true, and I also hate this. I have endometriosis that has caused extreme pain, multiple cysts including one surgical emergency torsion, and anemia so severe that my ferritin count has been seven. Not seventeen - seven. I have always known I did not want children. I knew it when I was a teenager and I have never wavered on it (I'm now 38). I could have been spared so much with a single surgery. They can even do it keyhole now and people can be recovered in 2 weeks. In the long term I would have used up far less NHS time, resources, appointments and prescriptions. I would be more than happy to sign some sort of legal disclaimer that said if I regret this the doctor has no accountability. But women aren't trusted to know our own minds I guess.

OP YANBU.

They need a hard line because people lie the doctor has no way of knowing what you are telling him is true