witholding prescriptions

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susz

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Sorry first post here, just found the site, but can't find a similar topic anywhere and wonder if anyone here can help.

I had a very bad outbreak of eczema a year ago, which was initially treated by my gp with anti-biotics, steroid cream and steroid tablets, although it improved a bit, it was still really bad so I was referred to a dermatologist. Initially the dermatology clinic did help and I was given stronger steroiRAB and zinc paste bandages as well as having blood tests to try to determine the cause of the outbreak. The blood tests that were carried out were mainly ok and the allergies that I told the Dr that I had since I was a child were confirmed. After a few weeks of treatment at the clinic my skin had greatly improved and I was able to continue treating myself at home with the medication used in the clinic via a repeat prescription from my gp's surgery.

I returned to the dermatology clinic 3 times since my first visit to see the dermatologist, but felt at that point that the appointments were not really achieving anything, as it seemed to be a general review of the notes taken at the initial consultation and I was just being advised to continue with the steroid creams that I was getting on prescription. As I'm not a great fan of medical establishments and the appointments were causing me a great deal of stress (which I believe was the initial cause of the outbreak) I decided to cancel my next appointment and when I was offered another, I declined, only to be sent another appointment in the post. As this appointment coincided with my annual holiday, I did not attend, and whilst I know I should have phoned and cancelled it, I didn't see the point as when I did that previously they just ignored my request for no further appointments and sent one anyway!

A couple of months later after ordering a new prescription, I went to the surgery to pick it up and there was a note on it saying that I had to see a doctor before I was prescribed anymore creams. I made the appointment but as my usual doctor was on holiday I saw a locum instead. He proceeded to harrass me into making another appointment at the dermatology clinic and refused to listen to my reasons for not wanting to go back, even though I knew that another visit to the clinic would simply be them reading my notes through again and telling me to continue on with the current treatment, and as I've said previously being in the clinic gives me huge amounts of stress and therefore I feel it is counterproductive. The doctor just ignored me and accused me of being unco-operative and then declared that if I was going to refuse another appointment then he would refuse to provide me with futher prescriptions!

I eventually had to agree to another referral in order to get my prescription as I do not want the condition to flare back up again. I have now had the letter for the new clinic appointment and I am dreading it, I really want to cancel it and my stress levels are rising, but I'm really worried that my prescriptions will be stopped if I do this and as my eczema is nearly under control now I really do not want to be in that position. I have not returned to the surgery since and have been using the online prescription service to obtain my cream.

The normal doctor I see is not the most sympathetic person, though I can't fault his initial treatment last year when the condition flared up, but I don't really want to make an appointment to see him either as I fear he will take the same stance as the locum. There is a really good doctor in the practice that I like, but you need to book at least 4 weeks in advance to get her and my clinic appointment is at the end of this month.

I am getting more and more anxious about the clinic appointment and would really like to know where I stand on this issue, should I be forced to go to an appointment I don't want and won't help as they will probably just continue the same treatment as before and I'll be totally stressed out. I'd really appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks
 
I don't know about in the UK but here in the US that is pretty standard procedure for longterm prescriptions. I have asthma and allergies. Both are very well controlled and have been for years with proper meRAB....the allergies for over 50 years and asthma for about 15 years. However, I have to go at least once a year - and they prefer twice - in order to get my scrips. I rarely have any issues, questions, etc but since my asthma meRAB are prescription, not over the counter, I have to go to get them. I most just chat with my doctor because I like him. He just listens to my chest, looks in my ears and throat, tells me a story or two about his most recent trip, asks me about what I'm reading (I'm always reading a book when he comes in the exam room) and that's about it. It's kind of a pain to go down there (it's a big 5 story clinic that covers a whole city block) but I like him and enjoy our chats so I go without complaint. Try taking a book to read or a friend to visit with to pass the time and maybe it won't be so stressful. You might also chat with the doc about how often you really need to come because it is stressful. Perhaps they'll work with you on it. It's worth a try....
 
Thanks for the reply, however, I am being sent to a hospital clinic, I have no problem going to the gp at my local surgery, and I know that the condition should be monitored, what I didn't like was being bullied into going back to the dermatology clinic, where the doctor and the ward sister would simply re-read my notes, ask me how I was (whilst refusing to believe the condition is stress related, which I think it is) and then tell me to continue getting the steroid cream from my gp! And now I am being told that unless I go and see the hospital doctor I won't get my creams anymore
 
I guess that's they way they do it there. Like I said, I'm in the US so that's all I know. Was just trying to offer suggestions to make it easier on you. Sorry I didn't have one. I wish you the best.
 
Using any kind of sterioRAB can cause problems. I imagine that the doctor just neeRAB to check on your condition as a matter of safety to both himself and also to you.

You do have a choice you know. You can go to see the doctor and get the scripts for your steriod creams or you can NOT go. The doctor isn't holding a gun to your head to make you go to the appointment. That is your choice. And the doctor has the right to refuse to give you prescriptions unless you come in to see him. He wants to protect both of you as much as he can.

So to answer your question, he does have the right to withold prescriptions for your problem.
 
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