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GP refuses to change pill. Driving me mad!

  • 24-12-2010 12:53am
    #1
    DigiGal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,434 ✭✭✭


    Hi Guys

    So I am currently on Marviol. And it is causing acne, mood swings (severe severe mood swings) rashes around my mouth and the heaviest periods ever! I have asked to change and he keeps trying to change me back to Dianette but I got extreme migrains and gained 3 stone. He won't seem to budge between these two and when I asked about alternatives to the pill, i.e injections he just cut me off.

    I am at my wits end with this doctor, he never listens and most of the time makes me sicker. I was wondering if I should go to my college doctor instead even though she doesn't see students with medical cards and explain my situation.


Comments

  • #2
    Ickle Magoo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,485 ✭✭✭✭Ickle Magoo


    Could not just change doctor? Even ask see another doctor at the practice? If the only pill options one particular GP aren't working for you and there is no medical reasons why others cannot be tried, then find a doctor who will listen to you.

    All the best.


  • #3
    KiLLeR CoUCh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭KiLLeR CoUCh


    The issue with medical cards is you're essentially tied to one GP. Also, not all GP's can take medical card patients so it's not as simple as opening the phone book and choosing a new doctor. Your college GP may take medical card patients, you'd have to ask and if it's the case that they do then they'll be able to sort you out. If not they may offer student consultations for free/at a low price. You would still have to pay for the medication you're prescribed though.

    If you're not happy with your GP over this one matter I'd say the simplest and cheapest option would be to go to your college doctor. If you want to change GP's completely you may need to apply for a new medical card as your GP's name is written on the card. I'm not too sure about this one though, somebody might be able to clear that up. If you have a local pharmacist they should know all the ins and outs of this sort of thing as well as being able to tell you which GPs in the area take medical card patients.


  • #4
    Ickle Magoo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,485 ✭✭✭✭Ickle Magoo


    KiLLeR CoUCh wrote: »
    The issue with medical cards is you're essentially tied to one GP.

    The reason I asked is because for a time last year we were on medical cards and were still able to request an appointment with any doctor within the practice...so you it's certainly not a case of being tied to one GP in all cases. There should also be a list of GP's in the OP's area that accept medical card holders so there is no reason to be tied to a GP she's not happy with.


  • #5
    curlzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,708 ✭✭✭curlzy


    Go to the Family Planning Clinic. They take medical cards and they're good and knowledgable not idiots, you doctor sounds bloody mental.


  • #6
    Danniboo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,416 ✭✭✭Danniboo


    Hey,

    Would you be willing to pay to see another doctor? I'd suggest you do this.

    Also why the dianette? Do you have a medical reason to be on this, as doctors generally don't prescribe this anymore just for contraceptive reasons. I've tried about 5 and none have agreed with me. He can't point blank refuse to change it, that's ludacris. Can you not just stop taken it pr do you have to take it. Just until you can get a decent doctor.


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  • #7
    sollar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,007 ✭✭✭sollar


    you are entitles to change to any doctor within 7 miles of where you live provided that doctor is not over subscribed and accepts medical card patients.


  • #8
    Novella
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,713 ✭✭✭✭Novella


    How much does it cost to see your college doctor? They usually aren't too expensive. I went to DIT and it only cost 10 euro. If I was you, yeah, I would go see another doctor if your own GP isn't helping your situation.

    It's a bit ridiculous that he/she won't change your Pill though, if your current one if causing you so many problems. I don't really understand that. Perhaps you could ask why the reluctance.


  • #9
    Wompa1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    DigiGal wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    So I am currently on Marviol. And it is causing acne, mood swings (severe severe mood swings) rashes around my mouth and the heaviest periods ever! I have asked to change and he keeps trying to change me back to Dianette but I got extreme migrains and gained 3 stone. He won't seem to budge between these two and when I asked about alternatives to the pill, i.e injections he just cut me off.

    I am at my wits end with this doctor, he never listens and most of the time makes me sicker. I was wondering if I should go to my college doctor instead even though she doesn't see students with medical cards and explain my situation.

    Not a girl here but how about going to the family planning clinic and asking about alternatives? They could give you advise on the arm implant thing...


  • #10
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    College doctors are often free or else heavily subsidised. Get yourself to another doctor for a second opinion.


  • #11
    DigiGal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,434 ✭✭✭DigiGal


    No, I don't, It was the first pill he put me on, never asked me any questions regarding medical history, current problems etc..


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  • #12
    DigiGal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,434 ✭✭✭DigiGal


    Novella wrote: »
    How much does it cost to see your college doctor? They usually aren't too expensive. I went to DIT and it only cost 10 euro. If I was you, yeah, I would go see another doctor if your own GP isn't helping your situation.

    It's a bit ridiculous that he/she won't change your Pill though, if your current one if causing you so many problems. I don't really understand that. Perhaps you could ask why the reluctance.
    My college doctor is free but will not take medical card patients as she cannot prescribe free medication.

    I have tried to ask but he rarely listens, just in and out as quick as possible. It took a big rigmarole to change to Marviol in the first place


  • #13
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    when I was in UCC, the trip to the student doctor was free, but you had to pay for the prescription at the pharmacist as normal. Why does the college doctor have to give a free prescription?


  • #14
    Novella
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,713 ✭✭✭✭Novella


    Yeah, I'm not sure why you can't see your college doc. She would just be writing you a prescription... What has that got to do with whether or not you pay for the medication in the chemist? I don't have a medical card myself, so maybe I'm just missing something 'cause I don't know the ins and outs of it.

    If you feel like you have to keep going to your GP, all you can do is make him understand how badly you need to change. I get that you feel like he is trying to get rid of you as quickly as possible, but this is your health, ya know. Stand your ground, say how you feel and don't let anyone just shrug your problems off like that.


  • #15
    steel_spine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 401 ✭✭steel_spine


    DigiGal wrote: »
    My college doctor is free but will not take medical card patients as she cannot prescribe free medication.

    That sounds odd to me, my college doc gives me free prescriptions on my EHIC card no problem.


  • #16
    Seraphina
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,875 ✭✭✭Seraphina


    DigiGal wrote: »
    My college doctor is free but will not take medical card patients as she cannot prescribe free medication.

    I have tried to ask but he rarely listens, just in and out as quick as possible. It took a big rigmarole to change to Marviol in the first place

    Look, you don't seem to be interested in pushing the issue, so nothing is gonna change. If it's causing you so much trouble, why don't you fork out for someone who is going to listen to you? It's certainly not an ideal situation, but you don't seem to be able to stand up to your own doctor.

    If you'd rather not pay and you want to continue to pussyfoot around with your current doctor, go and see him again. Walk in and before you even tell him why you're there, say you've been before about the same issue. Tell him you're tired of him not listening to you, and unless he takes your concerns and symptoms with the pill seriously, you will be reporting him. FOLLOW THROUGH. With a very serious, professionally worded and well thought out letter to the HSE. Don't let him get away with not helping you. Despite the medical card HE still gets paid every time you see him. DO NOT let that happen unless he is helping you. MAKE SURE he listens.


  • #17
    KiLLeR CoUCh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭KiLLeR CoUCh


    DigiGal wrote: »
    My college doctor is free but will not take medical card patients as she cannot prescribe free medication.

    I have tried to ask but he rarely listens, just in and out as quick as possible. It took a big rigmarole to change to Marviol in the first place

    So you have two choices here. Go to your college doctor and pay for the medication yourself, tell her money is a worry and she'll take that into account when prescribing certain brands. My pill is €38.50 for a 6 month supply and a 10% student discount from Boots, other brands will be more expensive but can always be bought one month at a time.

    Your second option is to go back to your own GP and demand to be changed to another pill and do not budge from the office until you get what you want. This is your health and well being you're talking about here. It's worth too much to be worried about either A. spending a bit of money on the pill or B. kicking up a fuss with your doctor.

    Best of luck


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