Seeing Dr Before Every Ritalin Prescription???

[carrieq]

Went to chemist today to collect ds Ritalin for start of school and was told I would be given it this time but from now on I need to make an appointment before each repeat is due before it will be prescribed.

 

Does anyone else have to jump through these hoops?

 

Ds has nothing to do with GP, his care comes from hospital where he is seen by 2 drs every 6 weeks. His script only lasts for a month so I would never be out of the place!!

 

To me this seems madness no wonder you have to wait over a week to get an urgent appointment. It is a waste of everyones time as his hospital dr does all the weight, height, bp checks plus it means he has to wait which is something he is not good at and he is not very understanding of people over running so a 45 min wait in a small surgery would be hell for everyone. This expectation shows no understanding of his condition and how it affects him.

 

Have contacted surgery and the dr who signs the script is going to call back and explain the reasoning behind it.

 

Oh and drs receptionists, they are something else!!!

 

Rant over

 

Carrie

[cmuir]

Hi

 

My son has recently went on Melatonin and I've found that the same has been asked of me. Rs consultant provided me with the first prescription (hospital) accompanied by letters for the Chemist and GP (copies also sent to GP by her). Yet, I phoned to ask if it was necessary to make an appointment and was advised that he's unable to prescribe it as it's unlicensed. It does seems like a waste of time to make an appointment for a prescription (no wonder you have to wait so long to get an appointment if time is being wasted like this!). He did agree to provide me with 7 days supply so I could contact Rs consultant. Consultant is going to make direct contact, so I'll need to wait and see what the outcome is - she pointed out that management is by the hospital and that it's joint care.

 

NB: R has never been seen by our GP because he's a GENERAL practionery and has no experise in ASDs. It also took a long time to get our Health Visitor and GP to recognise that R had difficulties, purely because they'd see him behaving angelic during the 15 minute appointment (he not unruly and badly behaved every minute of the day!). Last time I saw our HV she categorically told me R didn't have AS - she was first on my phone list the day it was confirmed!!! Really sad that parents have such difficulty getting recognition of problems and a DX.

 

Best wishes

 

Caroline

[carrieq]

So I will have to go through the same for his Melatonin as well and I presume his Risperdol, might as well book my seat!

I agree with you completely Caroline, they are GENERAL practitioners and all they are doing is signing something that has been approved by a specialist, not making any decisions or being involved in the general care!

 

The GP who "signs" the prescriptions is off till Monday so I will simmer away 'till then

 

Hope you got on well when you were up at hosp for your meeting earlier this month!

 

Carrie

[Cariad]

Yes I did a post a few days ago about it http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=13976

 

The Dr won't prescribe melatonin as he "doesn't believe in it" also the 24 hour ritalin, and will only do the three times daily one. I am changing from this practice as they make it hard to get anything for my son. In the end I have to drive to see the specialist 12 miles away to get the damned prescription..

 

The whole thing is wrong!

[mand]

This information may be why you have difficulties with GP practices

 

The drugs Melatonin and Risperdal are both fairly new drugs and so the full side effects and long term effects on those who take them are still being researched. The British National Formulary for Children presents practical information to help healthcare professionals prescribe, monitor, supply and administer medicines for childhood disorders.

 

In the formulary it says under Melatonin

"Melatonin has been used in the treatment of sleep disorders in children with visual impairment, cerebral palsy and autism. The long-term safety and efficacy of melatonin is unclear, treatment should be initiated and managed by a specialist."

 

Risperdal has many side effects and should be used with caution with children who has cardiovascular disease (heart)or a history of epilepsy.

Withdrawl of the drug after long term therapy should always be gradual and closely monitored to avoid the risk of acute withdrawl syndromes or rapid relapse..

 

It is family GP's that look after the every day care and emergencies of the people in their practices they need to be given the relevant information from the Specialist to be able to continue the prescriptions started by them and the information for changing doses if needed. Every child is different and so will need treatment tailored to their needs and size.If they only have the formulary to go by the licensing for Risperal starts at 15 years.Drugs that are not licensesd need a specialist prescription.

 

You had a good pharmacist to have questioned the prescription. They are watching out for your child too.

 

I am not a doctor but in my job I deal with children and their medicines and can see both sides of the story.

 

Ask the specialist for a copy of the information he sends the GP then you will all be informed and hopefully have no crossed wires.

Hope this helps.

Mand

[Stella63]

Hi

 

I have had the same problems with Prozac for OJ. He is seen by a psychiatrist at hospital but it is a pain to keep going back there for repeat prescriptions so he wrote to my GP to ask if he could prescribe it. He was very iffy at first at it was out of his knowledge and experience but after a couple of letters between the two (instigated by me of course!!). He agreed but I have problems with the pharmacists, they phone the GP before prescribing and this is the same a year later! Still, at least he is getting it and it does go some way to keeping him sane!

 

Stella x

[carrieq]

My problem at the moment is with Ritalin which has been dispensed by the GP with no problem for the last 2 years without any attempt to see ds and the fact he is seen so regularly by the prescribing Consultant.

Carrie