For those prescribed Gacviscon Advance - How long does a 500 ml bottle last you?

[Doctorbrownbear]

I went to pick up my prescription yesterday and was handed a skrawly note written by the doctor saying that I should not use excessivly and that I wasn't allowed a prescription! I last put a prescription in on 17 Dec and went to pick this up om 31 Dec so that is 15 days that a 500 ml bottle has lasted. The instructions say take (up to) 10 ml 3 x per day after meals and at bedtime (40 ml per day max.. so a bottle should last at least 12 days? I don't measure and swig straight from the bottle but do not think it Is excessive. I am annoyed that I did not get offered an alternative and had to go straight to asda to buy my own as my heartburn is chronic and would not have survived without it. I was unprepared and did not challenge the receptionist as had not done my sums.. she said a bottle should last 20 days! I put in another repeat prescription to prove a point and will collect tomorrow when I intend to make my point and take a note back for the doctor.
How long does a bottle last others?

I have a bottle which I got 10 days ago and there's just under half of it left. I just use it when I need to which does work out about 3 times a day and I don't always have to have the full 10mls. But my doc doesn't seem worried about prescribing it. Having said that, this is my first bottle of it so we'll see what happens when I ask for a repeat. It's amazing stuff! I hope you're still able to get it on script.

Last one I got lasted about a month, this one (I'm now 28 weeks, also on Ranitidine and had serious problems around indigestion ending in repeated hospital visits last time - fun fun fun) just less than two weeks. Going to get some more tomorrow.

Should have added that I am 40 weeks and HB has been getting worse and have been using more recently. Thanks for your response ladies... I know that I have been using the maximum dose but don't feel that is excessive as HB is so bad. Or am I supposed to just suffer as (male) doctor seems to suggest. I just think it comes down to cutting budgets.

I'm the same - swigging from the bottle at almost 36 weeks. I have been prescribed ranitidine now and thank God. A bottle wasn't lasting too long, maybe 2-3 weeks at most.

Thanks timpani I might ask about rantidine tomorrow as it could be another 2 weeks of this! (I hope not).

My doc told me to just buy it, wouldn't prescribe! I'm 38+3 and am swigging my way through a 500ml bottle every couple of weeks (at least). Reflux is getting worse, I always seem to be feeling it and it's made worse by a sodding cough.

What's ranitidine? I'm seeing my doc tomorrow, is it worth pushing for some?

Ha, I was downing the stuff, 300 ml bottle lasted about a week. I've had my dd2 today, best thing...I've eaten and drunk and no heartburn. Hurray

That is the cure I am hoping for onedog... congratulations! Yoni that is shocking that they wouldn't prescribe a cure for an ailment... what else are they there for. As for rantadine, I don't know what the difference is but I am going to ask!

Why can't you just buy your own?

I could saucy but does that not go for alot of medicines that people are prescribed and actually why shouldn't I get it on prescription? How helpful of you to offer such an input! Maybe you have plenty of spare cash to spend but when I have a valid exemption certificate which entitles me to free prescriptions at a time when money is tight, I think I will use that right. I work and pay taxes so why the fuck can I not claim my prescription? Why did you feel the need to comment. This section is called talk not bitch.

I commented because you're bitching when you're the one in the wrong.

You don't need a prescription or medical guidance for Gaviscon. You can just pick it up off the shelf in Tesco. Getting stuff like that prescribed is an outrageous misuse of your GP's time and the NHS's resources.

Just don't come crying to me when you can't get the medical care you need during labour/ante-natal appts because the NHS has used up its limited budget on handing out free antacids.

Even if you do get it on prescription could you not just pick up a bottle to tide you over until you're allowed another one from the doctor?

I get through a bottle a week but I just see it as one of those pregnancy things I guess. Not spending on booze or much fun at the mo . My midwife told me to just buy it if I needed that much as the doctor wouldn't prescribe in the quantities I drink! (Can't take ranitidine)

Mind your business saucy I didn't ask your (opinionated) opinion! Read the thread title and if you have anything to offer in relation to that pleade do. I have a valid pregnancy related ailment and the NHS have decided that they will give peescriptions of antacid to pregnant women with heartburn... who gives a stuff what you think. They hand it out to people with ulcers and other non pregnant people with heartburn to relieve their symptoms so why not pregnant women that are suffering, along with many other medicines which ease discomfort. You are obviously very righteous so go and stand on your soap box somewhere else and let me ask for advice on a forum that is here for that reason.
Pinkbell I have already bought some to tide me over.

One bottle per week towards the end for me. Heartburn was terrible.

And I do not think I have used an awful lot of my GP's time when all he has done is scribble out a prescription and I have not asked for advice from him, I can read the bottle. Why don't you go and.comment on something useful.

Thank you puppy I am really suffering too. There is nothing worse!

And.....needed it in labour too.

Amazingly, as soon as dd was born, heartburn went instantly. At least you have that to look forward to!

I did feel bad getting it on prescription, but midwives and drs suggested prescribing it, so i took it.

I didn't take up valuable nhs time...was just on a weekly repeat. Was never questioned by anyone. I needed it.....i took it. It helped.

Blimey there's no need at all to be so judgemental Saucy. Gaviscon is really expensive and nobody should feel bad about getting it on script. Heartburn is really painful but apart from that the acid can cause a stomach ulcer if not treated so although you can buy Gaviscon it certainly counts as a medicine and it's not only pregnant people that get it prescribed.

Thanks puppy yes I am hoping that baby will come and relieve the hodeous heartburn. Some mild contractions tonight so fingers x'd. Thank you too weebigmama... my thoughts exactly! I don't even know why saucy felt the need to say anything.

Hi I feel like I can't go anywhere without my bottle to be honest! Such bad reflux its awful. I now detest gaviscon. But not too much longer hopefully. I am nearly 37 weeks and been taking it since about 28 weeks. Just read that coconut water can help so bought some today with quite good results. Got it from tesco but its not cheap.

i started buying tescos own brand heartburn and indigestion stuff way way cheaper tastes more or less the same and i think it actually works better i go through a bottle a week and just swig it