Self medicating and non-related prescriptions

[Alanna012]

Has anyone told their GP that they are self medicating? What was the reaction? Has it affected you receiving other prescriptions at all? I have an upcoming appointment and will have to explain not collecting my levo prescription. My surgery has a habit of making dispensing of prescriptions for my other conditions contingent on my getting tested. Since any test is likely to not be in the expected ranges, I am concerned I won't receive them. Also how to explain myself without coming across as...defensive. Do I even need to explain myself?

Taking NDT with a bit of Levo. Not taking the NHS levo prescription as it just became too much of a juggling act last year.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

some GPs have been interested and open minded, some have gone full head girl on me despite a legit private prescription 🙈

Just don’t get wound up, it’s very stressful.

My TSH is supressed (expected) and private prescriber has written to her, and she’s responded with a shirty sounding letter asking what their work qualifications are 🤦🏽‍♀️ imagine what she’d say if I was DIY!

She referred me to NHS endo as a wrist slap, endo was soooo nice and said I’m yes that dose looks good, we’ll be happy to prescribe 🤣

I’m wondering whether to print her some T3 reading material or tell her my dentist has complimented my bone density…..or perhaps it’s best not poke the wasp nest. Next GP will be different again and she’ll be all punchy lipped about the endo prescribing so while I’m ahead I’ll just be compliant 🤣

[Alanna012 in reply to Regenallotment]

😂😂 Thanks Regenallotment!Oh no I have 'punchy lipped' in my psyche now. I will just be hyper focused staring at the GP's lips!😂

Unfortunately I am (due to financial constraints) DIY. I expect it not go down well, which isn't what I want ideally, but cannot be helped. I'm past the stage of making myself even more unwell to suit people.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Alanna012]

Me and my thumbs again on my little phone keyboard, I meant to say pinchy lipped but autocorrect got me! Punchy lipped also works 🤣 I hope it goes well, and she listens to your reasoning. 🤗

[humanbean in reply to Regenallotment]

she’s responded with a shirty sounding letter asking what their work qualifications are

The first thought that came to mind when I read that is that I would love to tell a doctor that I learned to read as a young child.

Obviously I'd never do it, but the temptation would definitely be there.

[Titaniumfox]

Yes I told my quite understanding GP (after knowing her several years and having started my thyroid journey on Levo which didn't work for me) that I am now taking liothyronine I self-source. 62 mcg of it. Expected a meltdown from her to be honest, but she was absolutely fine and said as long as I feel better on it it's all good! I was shocked. I don't have to do any annual blood tests.

However I don't know how that would translate if I was to end up in hospital, my record does say I take 20 mcg liothyronine (a pharmacist told me that when I needed a painkiller prescribed). Of course I take 62 mcg but honestly I am just happy it's mentioned I take it.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Titaniumfox]

Yeah it’s interesting how open minded some of the NHS is, was talking to an anaesthetist earlier this week and they routinely ask everyone, tell us everything you are taking prescription and not, no judgement evident just keeping you well and safe for a procedure. That’s quite encouraging for self sourcing because as long as someone knows and it’s on your paperwork then at least the important people can read it and interpret what’s going for you.

[Alanna012 in reply to Titaniumfox]

I hope I have this reaction! It's impossible to see the same doctor twice at my surgery, see o that relationship isn't there, but this makes me hopeful!

[Titaniumfox in reply to Alanna012]

It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to hell my GP. It could have gone badly! Still it wouldn't stop me taking T3.

[serenfach]

I have told them I take NDT, they took no notice and I carried on collecting my prescription of Levo just to keep them quiet.

At the beginning they wrote a prescription for an anti depressant, which I never cashed in. Nothing was ever said. I now tell them very little as they wont even test my thyroid unless I push, and then only TSH which comes back as 0.02. They still say nothing...

[Alanna012 in reply to serenfach]

Thanks for sharing serenfach! It's terrible practice that they aren't routinely testing your hormone levels...but on the other hand at least they don't 'tag on' a thyroid panel every single time you need a routine blood test for something that isn't exactly about that and then make all your subsequent prescriptions uncollectible until the results come. Which mine do.

It's interesting that they don't seem to have stopped your levo prescription. Perhaps they're more clued up at your surgery since they don't seem to query your low TSH.

[serenfach]

I have a feeling there is something on the first page of my file that says dont argue with this one!

[Alanna012 in reply to serenfach]

😂😂