Am on Tacrolimis causing my hair to coming out in handfuls. Can I get help with wigs on the NHS?

[nickyj]

I had a transplant in 2004 after many years of PKD.

One of the outcomes of taking the immuno-suppressants has been that my hair is becoming very thin (I always had a fine head of hair despite being ill) and I would like to investigate support with purchasing a wig. It appears kidney patients are not entitled to a wig on the N.H.S. Is this right? What is the criteria? Can anyone make any suggestions or empathize?

[googie]

Had a look and it looks like you can get help if you fit a certain criteria

You can get free wigs and fabric supports if you:

are under 16

are 16-18 and in full-time education

are a hospital inpatient

are a war pensioner and the wig or fabric support is for your accepted disablement and you have a valid war pension exemption certificate

You are entitled to help if you receive either:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit,or

You are named on, or entitled to (use your award notice as evidence) an NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or

are named on a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs)

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

Partial help:

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate (limited help), you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS dental treatment. The certificate tells you how much you will have to pay.

Take a look at some of the links on this website x

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcos...

[nickyj in reply to googie]

thank you so much. I have a medical prescription exemption card. Is that the HC2?? i get free drugs on prescription.

[googie]

That is how I would take it. Not that you get it for nothing, but that you may be able to get some help towards it. Another option, but not sure on your age (sorry, and don't want to be rude) are the hairpieces you can get that are attached to a bandana. you can get these off ebay, and my friend who lost her hair when having chemo used to buy and they look fab. i will see if i can find a link. You could get one just as a stop gap while waiting for info on the wig x

[googie in reply to googie]

This is the sort of thing. So instead of paying £165 they are around £35, not sure if this helps x

wigstoreuk.co.uk/headband-j...

[nickyj]

thank you very very much - so appreciated x

[weesprout]

my heart goes out to you nickyj, i wasnt well at the begining of the year and lost alot of hair which is now growing back, thankfully, its horrible, i hope you get sorted out.