So I saw my GP a little over a month ago about changing to Femara from Lerozole due to side effects with my joints, he said no, so I'm self funding it, but I have asked for and received a copy of my recent discussions/appointments at GP Practice and was livid to see he had recorded on my medical records that I had asked for the expensive replacement of Letrozole ie the Femara, he also wrote I have advised patient that the more expensive brand is not better but the same, I never mentioned the cost, only side effects, I advised him it was the fillers or outer coating most likely causing the issue. He's made it sound like I only wanted them because they are more expensive! Why, is it always a battle with them.
Femara is slightly better, certainly less pain in my hands but still quite stiff generally.
Hi peterawake
I wonder how much it would cost the surgery for you to consistently arrange appointments to discuss your ailments vs them prescribing Femara? Could be a question to ask.... after all if you are feeling better in yourself, then you wouldn't need so many visits to the surgery which would clearly be a drain on their resources ... just a thought that if you mentioned the cost of the numerous visits you "will have to make to help ease your symptoms some other way rather than Femara" it might help your cause?
They can't stop you booking appointments and if you are complaining about the same thing time after time surely they must realise that it isn't cost effective to not prescribe it - and actually might cost them more in the doctors time being taken up withe pointless appointments when they could have just prescribed it in the first place.
I have an example of "emotional blackmail" I unintentionally used at my doctors. I have an old leg injury where I had a muscle and skin graft over the shin bone. It became infected with MRSA. I asked to be referred to the specialist hospital where the original operation was conducted (I even tried to go there privately but couldn't). I was declined as it was a different region for costing - back in 1980's the NHS didn't have the funding trust areas, hence having the original operation there.
Nearly 2 years later (having had BC and 'done' with that in the meantime), my leg still had an open wound with MRSA. I saw the doctor again and he said "yes I'm quite happy with it at the moment" I lost it totally and said it was making me feel like topping myself, It wasn't making me feel that bad but it was really getting me down - and it certainly got a reaction. He asked me what I wanted to do - lo and behold a referral to the specialist hospital came 2 months later. Within a further 2 months it was healed. The doctor would never have done that referral if I'd not lost my temper and I would still be going to the surgery about it now I'm sure!
Hi peterawake
Would your husband's friend write you a letter to take to your GP to confirm what he's said to your husband? Worth fighting with everything you can for your own health if your GP is a stubborn git who doesn't listen to his patients!
Best wishes,
