This just begrudgingly added to my records... ๐
Shout out to ย ย ย helvella ๐๐๐
I just had the most fun talking with the surgery pharmacist who insisted she needn't specify a named brand or lactose free even though that is what my Endo prescribed... started quoting costs etc.. Also, are you really taking Levo and Lio??? ๐
I quickly ๐ฒ๐ pulled up Helvella's list of drugs, ingredients and costs and totally whitewashed her, she had no idea of ingredients and I knew the up to date costs of all of them ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃstuttering ensued
That was so satisfying ๐๐คธโโ๏ธ๐คฉ
She begrudgingly said she would add these details to my script but it didn't mean anything and I would get what I'm given! I think not as I won't fall for letting them supply me ever again! ๐
When told I need to prove lactose intolerance I said "yes please sign me up for whatever test to prove that and add to my records"... ๐ฏsilence
She muttered that the Endo stated that this treatment could be withdrawn if unsuitable, I said if it were to be withdrawn then sign me up for a nursing home as I don't function without it! Some more muttering and the gone.
What's the worst that can happen eh? ๐
Helvella you are a ๐ ๐
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wonder how it feels to be that 'wrong' having left written evidence lying around saying 'we can't possibly prescribe it, go away ' and then have a myopic donkey wipe the floor with you ??
Brilliant, well played, Eeyore. Another member of the helvella appreciation society here. It can make all the difference to be able to cite facts and data in these situations.
This business of requiring evidence of requiring lactose free medication must be costing them a fortune. It's pretty disgusting that they simply don't believe their patients and contantly rely on unreliable (sometimes) tests.
Years ago it took me several years of beating on my GPs door with horrible symptoms from forcing myself to take lactose containing Levo to get heard. As with everything else of mine they didn't want to listen as it was 'clearly psychological'. In the end I saw a private GP, got prescribed liquid Levo, paid for it myself and totally shamed my NHS GP into finally prescribing it for me on the NHS. They didn't even concede I felt better due to the lactose free formula, they said it was because it was a liquid and therefore I was absorbing it better.
It's just yet more gaslighting at the end of the day but glad you got what you needed.
My memory is terrible but if I remember right, I got sent to an allergist who did blood and scratch tests for various things including dairy and lactose. The correct test would be a breath test done probably by a gastroenterologist. So they sent me to the wrong place and got negative results. Have to say though that a lot of my issues with foods etc are just intolerances which aren't likely to show up in any blood, scratch or breath test, which brings us back to 'it's all in your head'. ๐คก
I don't know why it's an issue to them... lactose is just an excipient that doesn't agree with us like mannitol or acacia and makes us feel unwell, when in the business of wellness you'd think that would suffice.... LF doesn't cost them any extra so why the battle?
Back when I was having lactose issues there was only the option of liquid levo, not even sure lactose T3 existed then either. It was well before Teva and is it Aristo arrived. So the issue then was cost. There's not so much of an excuse now although they did try and force me to trial Teva Levo which I politely refused. ๐
Pretty sure I have asked for a lactose test when I was trying to work out my intolerances, IBS, nausea and migraines and they sent me off with a FODMAP list and refused me saying they just go on symptoms so cut it out?? ๐
Yep, with hindsight I realize they have been all round pretty ๐ฉ as a form of therapy (available on the NHS DIY service) I am now enjoying re-educating them ๐ and working through my anger issues ๐คฌ whilst sharing the hard found knowledge with others ๐
Omg that is absolutely brilliant to read well done thank goodness we are so
informed from here. Lactose test please.. pure class haha.
Honestly I had to keep telling the staff in my pharmacy to stop giving me teva levo & explaining the mannitol they just go oh really
now I finally have it on my notes - after returning another 3 boxes - *no Teva levo & another note for another brand of meds that I can't take.
Now they order mercury in for me, I dunno what happened to wockhardt.
it's just a 2 minute job to type that under your name, they have to order the Roma in anyway.. ๐คจ
*Edit - oh I see it was the surgery pharmacist so called 'clinical pharmacist'
funny how the only time I knew of his existence was when he rang me regarding my prescription request.
my GP tells me they are looking at absolutely everything, and sending gp's emails with names of patients who they believe shouldn't be prescribed a+b anymore for example..
Yes they have taken over the prescription from the Endo who prescribed Roma.....That's the joke really my surgery will alter the prescription and fob you off with any old crap even if stated on the (corrected) prescription they issued.... I argued the toss to get Aristo put on so thought it only right I make the same point with Roma ๐ฌ
My Fabulous Basket Pharmacist is brilliant and gets me what I need and tells me what to get them to write as this bunch seem resistant to writing the right words on a prescription, even though I very helpfully gave then ๐'s guide to brand prescription writing last time ๐
I am very lucky as I go to Boots the chemist they have noted my records and they make sure that I do not get teva, as I have problem with mannitol in the Teva brand. They make up the prescription at the local shop rather than it go to the central pharmacy to be dealt with.
Luckily many pharmacists realize the importance of these things... it seems to be hard for some GP's to grasp? Such a small request makes the difference in successful treatment, also taking the anxious lucky dip drama away each time you stand at the counter ๐
It's the little things that make a big difference... you would think GP's would understand the mental stress side of it too ๐
Did you get started on T3? How are you getting along with it?
Saw your last results and thought you were thinking of trying T3 as you weren't converting so well, did you manage to tweak things enough to stay well?
Withdrawn if unsuitable, would be if it didnโt suit you not the snotty pharmacist! It wasnโt ever license for her to please herself. Also guidelines state a personโs brand can be fixed if this is found to be beneficial to wellness of patient. Sort I just canโt remember if it is NHS or NICE - Might be both. You might want to seek it out and get it ready for future salvos!
Thanks Charlie, she's a bit snotty with me because I've sent her the guidelines in the past ๐ฌ and I've had to walk her through testosterone, naming Aristo and only last week she was adamant she couldn't issue T3 let alone deal with this weeks request to get it right and name the brand.... if I leave it to them to dispense they ignore what's on the script anyway and just hand out whatever came in ๐
Your right, I'll go find that guidance as the surgery has been taken over and the new bunch need bringing up to speed, looking at open dispensing they have never issued T3 before.... and it makes me smile seeing it on my records ๐
Iโm seeing glaringly embarrassing contradictions from one sentence to the next in my reading- unbelievable. We have to guide them to the truth because (for whatever reason) it is being obscured ๐
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Keep away from surgery 
Urgent call from GP
Pharmacist blocking prescription
Pharmacist demanding blood test
Update and thanks - oh and pharmacists!
