My meds being withdrawn

[Beth1471]

On Thursday of last week (24 October 2019) I had an appointment at my GPS surgery for what I thought was an assessment of my foot my a physiotherapist. I was tricked, when I got there, there were a panel of people ranging from a physio, pharmacist, mental health person and a counsellor. They were there to review my meds and have told me they are taking me off Gabapentin, Amytriptyline, fluoxatine, naproxen and cocodamol. I was put on Gabapentin 8 years ago, they gave me my life back. I have had fibro for 30 years or more. They also told me that at 10st I am much heavier than they'd like. They want me to lose a stone and a half. I am still in shock and don't know who to turn to about this. I am 67 years of age. Do I have any say in this. I live in Wales, UK.

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi Beth1471,

That seems an awful lot of medication to be reducing all at the one time. Did they tell you to reduce slowly? I certainly hope so, as it would be highly dangerous to stop everything completely all at once.

I'm sorry I can't really offer any advice, other than to suggest that you contact PALS - (Patient Advice and Liaison Service).

If you google PALS you'll be able to find out what they do. Your local surgery should be able to give you a contact number for them, or your local hospital should also be able to give you contact details for them.

Good luck. x

[chronicallychloe]

As someone with an anxiety disorder, being tricked into that would have led to a complete meltdown and I feel they should have communicated properly with you unless there was a reason or need not to.

As someone else said, that seems to be a LOT of medications to be taken off of at one time. How did they propose managing this?

I’m sorry I don’t have advice but thought I’d still reply and say that as alone as you may feel right now, we’re all here for you xx

[Treewade]

Wow they cant just stop your meds are they weening you off n i just wish i was 10st have they done any bloods recently as thats the only reason i can think of for them stopping ya meds if its affecting your organs but then they should have explained whythey re stopping them sorry im in shock xxxx

[agni63]

I would complain to the practice manager in writing. Do you see anyone in a pain clinic. If not make an appointment to see your GP to talk about this. Take someone with you

As has already been said you shouldn't reduce the meds all at once as how do you know which one affects your symptoms, also some have to be reduced slowly.

[Midori]

You can complain about being 'ambushed' in this way. Try the CQC and PALS, Then escalate it to the Health Trust.

That is unethical, smacks of the worst kind of Employment methods, and should have no place in Medicine, giving you no time to prepare, nor any inking of what is to come.

Ooh I am angry on your behalf!

[Hidden]

Morning,

I don’t know what advise to give, but my heart goes out to you. Completely unacceptable way to treat you.

Maybe you should speak with the practice manager? They weren’t on the list. Make a complaint and demand answers as to why they’ve taken you off. If I was in your situation, this is what I would do.

You are not alone, I have been mistreated too by GP and specialists. They can be completely unprofessional and in compassionate at times.

Look after yourself xxx

[Vivalaviv]

Thats an awful lot of medicines to be one for 30 yrs. 2 anti- depressants & 30 yrs of Naproxen ! Am surprised they've left you on all these drugs for so long without any reviews. All of them have side effects & all lose their effectiveness over time.

As for your weight - you dont mention how tall you are. They do go on bmi these days which can give some strange results.

I think you should complain, the procedure should be on display in the surgery. Follow its procedure.

[Hidden]

Hi

The way you have been treated is appalling. I would complain to practice manager and pals. You weren't expecting to be greeted by a panel, that just isn't right. I wouldn't have have thought you could come off all those meds all in one go. Pm me if you need to. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[KateMaguire]

That's awful, they can't expect you to come off everything at once surely, it is diabolical. Get on to PALS and the practice manager and see what they suggest. I'm so sorry for you,not least of all because of the huge shock that you have had. I think if I was 10 stone my gp would be delighted. Hope you get some help.

[Sarahvit]

I don’t live in the U.K. but I would think you could get a second opinion. I had a similar experience with the pain clinic a few years ago. They ordered a MRI of my back which when they got the results the doctor said “my medical license won’t allow me to continue to prescribe the morphine or any opioids anymore”. They were the ones who put me on the morphine. I was shocked and scared of being in a lot of pain. He wrote a wean down and off prescription of the morphine. I went through a lot of pain and withdrawal symptoms but after a few months off of it my body adjusted to not being on it. I never went back because he said that my family doctor can write the tramadol and gabapentin prescriptions. I do get 30 hydrocodone every 4 months for the really bad days and I only take 1 a day on those really bad days.