Obtaining prescription

[bleeny]

Hi

Following GP's blood tests I was referred to a rheumatologist for the first time at the beginning of December. He diagnosed SLE and said he was going to put me on Hydroxychloroquine. However I have heard nothing since then. How does the prescribing thing work - will he contact my GP for him to prescribe the meds? I left a message with my GP and rheumatologist's secretary querying this but no-one has got back to me. Maybe this all takes time and I am being impatient?

[suzannah16]

my rheumy would send letter/e-mail to GP who would then write the prescription and send to pharmacy. sometimes the GP will tell me sometimes not. I usually go to pharmacy to see if it been sent to them and if not then go to GP.

[bleeny]

Thanks for your prompt reply. How long would you expect this to take after seeing rheumy? I don't want to hassle anyone but on the other hand don't want to find that a prescription has been waiting for me for weeks.

[overnighthearingloss in reply to bleeny]

Different doctors different systems.....

My rheumy would normally make out a hospital persciption form to pick up an immediate supply. Then a copy of that persciption is handed to gp for a continued supply.

It does seem rather a long time for you to be waiting. Worth checking at the chemist. But if not there you may have some chasing to do.

[RachelD1972]

Hi bleeny, my rheumy would normally do

the initial prescription (& post it to me if necessary) and then a letter would be sent from Rheumatology to my gp for repeats. I would keep ringing and asking for your Rheumatologists secretary. They should also check your blood regularly so maybe worth mentioning if you need blood forms. Did he tell you to have an eye test too? They maybe waiting to arrange another app to discuss it all with you. Just a thought, if you are new to all this keep copies of all your medical letters as you may need them in the future to apply for Pip. Good luck with it all x

[bleeny in reply to RachelD1972]

Thank you all for your advice. I will try the rheumatologist's secretary again. Last time I left a message I received no response and I didn't want to be a nuisance.

I had further blood tests on the 10th December - again I don't know how to go about getting the results. I have another rheumy appointment in May. Eye tests weren't mentioned but having read a lot on the subject I will make sure I go to the opticians yearly.

[sarahsch]

Bleeny,

I would make an appointment with the GP & ask how you go about obtaining a prescription. They should prescribe it there and then & probably also setup a repeat prescription & explain how you call-off further prescriptions.

You are not hassling anyone. This is their job. It has probably been delayed by the winter workload & Christmas holidays.

Sarah x

[Janet-Haslam]

I had my first prescription from the Rheumatology Nurse Specialist and this was almost 2 months after diagnosis, subsequently I will need to obtain via my gp. I've been told blood monitoring isn't necessary but an annual OCT eye scan is, I had this done at a cost of £25 and will need to repeat annually. It seems like each rheumatology department has their own protocols. We do have a helpline to call for such queries in our area.