Dr won't prescribe my medications as I'm breastfeeding

[AubreyBeardsley]

I've just been for a GP appointment to sort out my medications- prochlorperazine/cyclizine for IBS related nausea, and antihistamines (fexofenadine) for when my hay fever starts. Also had propranolol for anxiety but haven't taken that since getting pregnant, baby is 3 months old now, so not as fussed about that one. She said I couldn't take any of them because they were untested in breastfeeding women and sent me away without any prescriptions.

My hay fever is really bad and can't be managed with just eye drops and nasal spray. It's bad to the point of me needing an inhaler. I took all those meds, plus others (not the propranalol) in pregnancy as okayed by my consultant and another GP.

Not sure what I'm supposed to do now...appointments are so hard to get, do I try and go back and see another GP? If I take printouts from the national breastfeeding network that say these meds are ok in breastfeeding (I've looked them all up and they all seem to be as safe as can be without clinical trials) will she be more likely to prescribe?

If this has happened to anyone else please let me know how you handled it! Thank you

No personal experience, but I'm a member of a BFing group on FB and they advocate using the drugs factsheets on this website. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

If you haven't seen this before, you may want to read about the medications you want, and then you'll have information to bring to the GP if they're suitable. Good luck.

You will probably have to see another GP. If these meds are not tested in breastfeeding, then I'm not sure you can insist if she is not comfortable.

Sorry, I'm clearly suffering with the sleep deprivation today, you've very clearly stated you've done that! Sorry OP, best of luck, hope you get sorted.

Speak to Wendy at the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline. She is an expert pharmacist who is THE authority on medications and breastfeeding. She can confirm whether your usual medications are OK to use in breastfeeding or whether substitutes may be advised. If your GP won't listen, consult another one and if necessary make a complaint to the practice - it is not acceptable for the GP to deny you your medication on the basis of their own ignorance.

You can email or DM Wendy here and she replies fast: m.facebook.com/BfNDrugsinBreastmilkinformation/?locale2=en_GB

That looks great thank you I'll definitely check that out, and will print off the fact sheets that say the meds are ok. She (GP) told me I couldn't even take over the counter antihistamines which the NHS website says are ok 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Greenlegobox Most medications aren't tested on pregnant/breastfeeding women as it would be unethical. E.g. I'm on Sertraline, it hasn't been tested but there are no significant issues to the best of everyone's knowledge to the baby while I'm breastfeeding. GP says it would be preferable that I was not on it, but it was better for baby to have me well than to worry about any tiny side effects that may or may not happen.