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Repeat Prescription - How can my GP know

R

Richhol

Member
Messages
10
Hi

It seems like all I do on here is moan - hopefully things will improve.

I have been diagnosed type 2 for around 4 weeks now and it is nearly time to get a repeat prescription for my Metformin.

I am on 1 x 500mg tablet a day and am having a lot of 'Stomach Upset' problems :(

As I work away from home my wife contacted our GP Surgery and asked whether it would be possible for me to have an appointment yesterday as I was at home because of the Stomach Upsets (Three weeks and counting) they said that as it wasn't a medical emergency that i couldnt have an appointment and that it was a know side effect of the tablets. They then told my wife to contact the pharmacist at a different pharmacy than I use because he specialises in Diabetes and knows a lot about it.

I am totally confused (again) as surely the pharmacist cannot change the medication I am on - it has to come from the GP and also as i have not been retested etc - how does my GP know that the 1 tablet a day is the correct prescription ?

Sorry to moan

Rich
 
Stomach upset is a known side effect of Metformin.

I had the same problem, went to my GP and he put me on the slow release version and I was fine after that.

I don't think it's right that you should be refused an appointment and referred to a pharmacist.

You are right the pharmacist can't chage your medication and future testing [HbA1c] will show if Metformin is working.

You should try again to see your GP.

Good luck :)
 
A pharmacist can't write a new prescription, but I know that my local pharmacist noticed that I was on the wrong type of anti-inflammatory for my condition, got in touch with the GP herself, and next time the prescription had been changed.

A well-qualified pharmacist probably knows as much as, or more, about how certain medications work either separately or in conjunction with other drugs, however to discuss your condition properly you do need to see a doctor, and you should not have been refused an appointment.

Good luck.
 
Seems to me a case of the receptionist fobbing you off. Yes stomach upsets are a known side effect, mine lasted for a couple of months before settling down, but everyone is different and is affected in different ways. I would carry on until your next appointment if you can, it's not been that long since you were diagnosed. My surgery offers a phone consultation, so occasionally, unless it's something drastic I can phone the surgery and the doc will phone me back. I find this works quite well if it's just a bit of reassurance over a side effect. Hope you get it sorted. Nothing worse that feeling nauseous all the time.
 
She is not saying you can't see your GP ever again, just that the requested date you wwanted wasn't available and suggested someone who was qualified to talk about your side effects in the meantime.

If you read the patient information leaflet you will see stomach upsets listed as a known side effect. The pharmacist could suggest changing to slow release tablets instead and will speak to your Dr. In the neantime take some immodium, it's what I did.

Your Dr won't check your progress every time you get a prescription renewed. Just at your regular clinic check up

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
When I was diagnosed over 2 yes ago I was on metform in it upset my stomachs really bad and also breathing. Went back to my gp who put me on me form in slow release and no problems. Had high sugars but today for ages before tea 6.2 go back and see your go and say it does not suit you. Hope this helps you christine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi. You definitely need to change over to Metformin SR (Slow Release). You need to politely insist the GP does this as it's well-known side-effect of the vanilla variety.
 
Hi All

Thanks for all your helpful comments.

I am going to go back and speak to the GP even if over the phone.

And I do realise that I can go to my GP but not at the time I asked for - I realised also when i first read the details that came with the Metformin that Stomach Upset was a side effect - all I wanted was for the GP to change it to the slow release tablets and obviously i will now have to wait until the next prescription until that happens after I have spoken to the pharmacist which I assume will be another month, If I had been able to see or speak to him maybe this could have been a month earlier that is all I was saying eveshamgal

Thanks

Rich
 
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