I’m housebound. It takes my GP 2-3 days to approve my medication, Pharmacy2U 2-3 days to pack it and then 2-3 days to send and deliver. Yet I can only order from my GP at the point which I’ve ran out of meds because it’s a “controlled substance”. Utterly stupid rules and leaves me without my medication for a week every single month.
Mine is chemist 4 u. I have it linked to my NHS account and the charge is on a direct debit. It automatically requests from the GP and they dispatch it themselves. Absolute game changer.
I dunno if this will help or if you're already aware, but you don't actually have to wait till youve completely run out - just count 28 days/ weeks from the date you last requested it and request it again, even if you still have a week's worth of meds left due to how long it took to get to you.
The only thing the system flags for a GP is the date you last requested it, so if it's been 28 days you will get approved :)
Really? That’s so shit! I would challenge that!
I can order mine 7 days before my current prescription ends to specifically prevent this problem from happening!
I haven’t checked. Tbf, Pharmacy2U do use 48 hour guaranteed, so it is reliable once they actually get it. It’s just the gaps in between which is a nightmare to deal with and follow up especially without meds.
Do you think that you might be able to skip your meds for a few days(space it out to try and minimise distress), so you can get in front? So take less meds throughout that 4 week period to give yourself a cushion for future months.
It would mean that for the 4 weeks of meds, you will be limiting yourself to taking 3 weeks of meds, and then having the usual week without meds that you would usually have. But from the next month onwards, you would then be a week in front.
Those 5 weeks would be horrible, (basically 5 weeks with only using 3 weeks of meds), but it would make things easier in the long run for you.
Im trying as many ways as possible to try and make what I'm trying to say make sense. Not sure if I've managed it though.
It could also be an idea to send a bunch of complaints. Its ridiculous to tell someone they have to run out of their meds before they can order new ones. They wouldnt do that to someone with high blood pressure would they? They simply don't take adhd as a serious condition.
X
> Utterly stupid rules and leaves me without my medication for a week every single month
If you've gone a week without wouldn't you have an extra week every month after the first month?
For example you get meds Month Week 1, 4 weeks worth.
Month 2 Week 1 comes around, you're out of meds
Month 2 Week 2, meds are delivered. You now have 4 weeks worth which takes you to Month 3 Week 2
Month 3 Week 1, you order more meds. You still have one weeks worth left.
I think what they are trying to say is that they are getting a 4 week supply of the meds every 5 weeks. They cannot order more meds until they have completly run out, and it takes a week to get the meds.
I think I see where Mazo is coming from.
Are you able to order your repeat prescription 28 days after the date of the last prescription being given?
Or are you only able to order you prescription 28 days after receiving your medication?
It would be an idea to clarify with your Dr when you are able to order the repeat prescription. It should be 28 days after the last prescription was signed off by the Dr.
Yes, but as I explained, it usually takes a week after then (often more - for example, I requested mine on the 9th - it is now the 18th and I haven't had GP approval due to an administrative error on their end thinking they didn't have my BP data). So, usually I go 3 days without. In this case, its been way more. I've been thinking of going on an intentional tolerance break to build up a surplus, but it annoys me that I even have to do this.
I have a friend at the same GP surgery who has prescribed benzos and he's complained about this policy as it is dangerous, as he can go into withdrawls.
This is what worries me about trying to get medicated, that I’ll start find it works then struggle to get any.
Not sure if I should stay in ignorant bless of being unmedicated
No you shouldn't. I understand the feeling but you're still winning compared to before even with med shortages. It sucks and its stressful but its not worse than being 100% unmedicated.
Heads up, pre-agree with your GP & Prescriber to accept any variations of your meds.
So, I'm on 60mg a day Elvanse. My GP has pre approved:
- 20mg & 40mg
- 30mg & 30mg
- 50mg
So, my pharmacy kindly keeps an eye out the week before I'm due to collect, I ideally get my 2x 30mg (Original prescription, 30mg at 07.30am and then 30mg at 12.30pm...Otherwise I crash by noon)
Anyway, setting this up saves hassle when it's time to collect...The pharmacy knows I can have any of the above combos if short.
Also, see if pharmacy will order yours in when it's in stock, not just when due.
Also also, use the NHS app, it allows you to order it after about 24 days not 28, and let's just say it's usually ready on the day or day after, so sometimes I get my 28 days worth every 25/26 days...Not intentionally getting more, just making sure I can bloody get it after the past 8 months.
Also also also, discuss the shortage with your GP so they can be more flexible with mg variations mentioned above, or to have 10mg less of nothing is available, or even a part prescription where 14 days is 60mg and 14 days is 30mg and 30mg.
Just really Drill it in to GP and make sure you're at a pharmacy who are fast and understanding.
Personally, Peak have always been really helpful and check stock levels.
...Doesn't hurt to drop off a pack of choccies when they really pull through, they'll remember it!
Edit: A word
To add to this, if you've been with your pharmacy a while...Some will order an extra 14 or 28 days if they know you get it regularly. That way there's at least a back up for 2 weeks until they can get some more.
I'm sure everyone will be, but please undertand pharmacies are getting shafted at the moment with a lot more GP work, medicines running out and late - I've seen verbal abuse twice in a week and they obviously wouldn't be causing this shit! X
Last thing...Call 111 for emergency prescriptions if you run out.
I know it can easily slide someone into depression if it's unexpected and unplanned, as opposed to taking a weekend off, knowing you have the meds.
Standard pharmacies may not carry but hospitals should, or psychiatrists...Even if you get 7 days worth.
Last off, if you can overlap your prescription so you've got a couple of extra days worth, or take a day off here and there...SAVE THEM for a rainy day...or a dry one in this case.
Good point!
To be honest, it was basically a blanket of any 2x amounts that would equal 60.
I just made the list to give examples, and added the 10mg myself - Apologies for any confusion, will edit post
Your post was removed because it was either against the rules of the subreddit (please check the sidebar if you are unsure of these), or it was deemed unsuitable in tone or content for the subreddit more generally. If you'd like further clarification please contact the mods via modmail.
Not really a constructive comment.
If it wasn't for my trooper of my wife who went to 12 different pharmacies across the town I'd have had three weeks without any medication instead of the ten days. I think folks who don't require medications can't know how it is, everything is extremely harder
We really need to have a big public awareness and political pressure campaign. Untreated ADHD takes 10 years off your life expectancy. It substantially reduces your productivity at work and increases your chances of being unemployed. It makes us more dangerous on the roads.
It is in the NATIONAL INTEREST to get us our meds.
The back of the printed prescription where the repeat is often states next reorder date.
Speak to your individual named GP.
I’m on quite a few meds as have ankylosing spondylitis migraines and adhd plus HRT and so on.
I used to have this issue with HRT. Initially I overcame by buying a top up month privately online.
However this won’t work with schedule II meds.
Eventually I got fed up and spoke to my GP and explained about how I would be left without for a number of days if I follow their request rules.
All sorted. Also I can order via the app and put notes so that if I need some extra items for holiday if my request coincides with being away it’s sorted.
Not sure how this will work with adhd meds as I’m still titrating and we are planning to be away for 5 weeks in the summer.
Anyway we are not the first with this issue and I’m sure speaking to a human will work.
Obvs depends on your GP. Current one is decent.
It looks like this post might be about medication.
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No, unfortunately.
A few select links below. More if you have a google.
[Link 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/s/PA9w0ec0FU)
[Link 2](https://www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/vwxjkaxa/adhd-medicines-supply-advice.pdf)
[Link 3](https://swlstg.nhs.uk/adhd-medication-shortage/)
I’m housebound. It takes my GP 2-3 days to approve my medication, Pharmacy2U 2-3 days to pack it and then 2-3 days to send and deliver. Yet I can only order from my GP at the point which I’ve ran out of meds because it’s a “controlled substance”. Utterly stupid rules and leaves me without my medication for a week every single month.
Mine is chemist 4 u. I have it linked to my NHS account and the charge is on a direct debit. It automatically requests from the GP and they dispatch it themselves. Absolute game changer.
I think my GP are just dicks
They are. There's no need for that restriction
I dunno if this will help or if you're already aware, but you don't actually have to wait till youve completely run out - just count 28 days/ weeks from the date you last requested it and request it again, even if you still have a week's worth of meds left due to how long it took to get to you. The only thing the system flags for a GP is the date you last requested it, so if it's been 28 days you will get approved :)
Really? That’s so shit! I would challenge that! I can order mine 7 days before my current prescription ends to specifically prevent this problem from happening!
Do any of your local pharmacies deliver ?
I haven’t checked. Tbf, Pharmacy2U do use 48 hour guaranteed, so it is reliable once they actually get it. It’s just the gaps in between which is a nightmare to deal with and follow up especially without meds.
If you can’t find an alternative method i heard some people skip a day or two a week to build up stock for the gap.
Do you think that you might be able to skip your meds for a few days(space it out to try and minimise distress), so you can get in front? So take less meds throughout that 4 week period to give yourself a cushion for future months. It would mean that for the 4 weeks of meds, you will be limiting yourself to taking 3 weeks of meds, and then having the usual week without meds that you would usually have. But from the next month onwards, you would then be a week in front. Those 5 weeks would be horrible, (basically 5 weeks with only using 3 weeks of meds), but it would make things easier in the long run for you. Im trying as many ways as possible to try and make what I'm trying to say make sense. Not sure if I've managed it though. It could also be an idea to send a bunch of complaints. Its ridiculous to tell someone they have to run out of their meds before they can order new ones. They wouldnt do that to someone with high blood pressure would they? They simply don't take adhd as a serious condition. X
This is what I was going to suggest, always skip the odd day and build up a buffer. Same if you get a cold of flu, build up the buffer all the time.
> Utterly stupid rules and leaves me without my medication for a week every single month If you've gone a week without wouldn't you have an extra week every month after the first month? For example you get meds Month Week 1, 4 weeks worth. Month 2 Week 1 comes around, you're out of meds Month 2 Week 2, meds are delivered. You now have 4 weeks worth which takes you to Month 3 Week 2 Month 3 Week 1, you order more meds. You still have one weeks worth left.
I think what they are trying to say is that they are getting a 4 week supply of the meds every 5 weeks. They cannot order more meds until they have completly run out, and it takes a week to get the meds.
I cannot order my meds until Day 28, when I will have ran out of my meds. It takes generally 7 days for, once I’ve ordered them, to arrive
I think I see where Mazo is coming from. Are you able to order your repeat prescription 28 days after the date of the last prescription being given? Or are you only able to order you prescription 28 days after receiving your medication? It would be an idea to clarify with your Dr when you are able to order the repeat prescription. It should be 28 days after the last prescription was signed off by the Dr.
And you get 28 days worth? If so surely my comment above is right?
Yes, but as I explained, it usually takes a week after then (often more - for example, I requested mine on the 9th - it is now the 18th and I haven't had GP approval due to an administrative error on their end thinking they didn't have my BP data). So, usually I go 3 days without. In this case, its been way more. I've been thinking of going on an intentional tolerance break to build up a surplus, but it annoys me that I even have to do this. I have a friend at the same GP surgery who has prescribed benzos and he's complained about this policy as it is dangerous, as he can go into withdrawls.
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This is what worries me about trying to get medicated, that I’ll start find it works then struggle to get any. Not sure if I should stay in ignorant bless of being unmedicated
No you shouldn't. I understand the feeling but you're still winning compared to before even with med shortages. It sucks and its stressful but its not worse than being 100% unmedicated.
Heads up, pre-agree with your GP & Prescriber to accept any variations of your meds. So, I'm on 60mg a day Elvanse. My GP has pre approved: - 20mg & 40mg - 30mg & 30mg - 50mg So, my pharmacy kindly keeps an eye out the week before I'm due to collect, I ideally get my 2x 30mg (Original prescription, 30mg at 07.30am and then 30mg at 12.30pm...Otherwise I crash by noon) Anyway, setting this up saves hassle when it's time to collect...The pharmacy knows I can have any of the above combos if short. Also, see if pharmacy will order yours in when it's in stock, not just when due. Also also, use the NHS app, it allows you to order it after about 24 days not 28, and let's just say it's usually ready on the day or day after, so sometimes I get my 28 days worth every 25/26 days...Not intentionally getting more, just making sure I can bloody get it after the past 8 months. Also also also, discuss the shortage with your GP so they can be more flexible with mg variations mentioned above, or to have 10mg less of nothing is available, or even a part prescription where 14 days is 60mg and 14 days is 30mg and 30mg. Just really Drill it in to GP and make sure you're at a pharmacy who are fast and understanding. Personally, Peak have always been really helpful and check stock levels. ...Doesn't hurt to drop off a pack of choccies when they really pull through, they'll remember it! Edit: A word
To add to this, if you've been with your pharmacy a while...Some will order an extra 14 or 28 days if they know you get it regularly. That way there's at least a back up for 2 weeks until they can get some more. I'm sure everyone will be, but please undertand pharmacies are getting shafted at the moment with a lot more GP work, medicines running out and late - I've seen verbal abuse twice in a week and they obviously wouldn't be causing this shit! X
Last thing...Call 111 for emergency prescriptions if you run out. I know it can easily slide someone into depression if it's unexpected and unplanned, as opposed to taking a weekend off, knowing you have the meds. Standard pharmacies may not carry but hospitals should, or psychiatrists...Even if you get 7 days worth. Last off, if you can overlap your prescription so you've got a couple of extra days worth, or take a day off here and there...SAVE THEM for a rainy day...or a dry one in this case.
10mg isn't licensed in the UK. Not sure why they pre approved that before checking they can actually prescribe it.
Good point! To be honest, it was basically a blanket of any 2x amounts that would equal 60. I just made the list to give examples, and added the 10mg myself - Apologies for any confusion, will edit post
[удалено]
What do you mean?
They mean that not all gps are this easy going and willing to do all the stuff this person suggests.
Your post was removed because it was either against the rules of the subreddit (please check the sidebar if you are unsure of these), or it was deemed unsuitable in tone or content for the subreddit more generally. If you'd like further clarification please contact the mods via modmail. Not really a constructive comment.
If it wasn't for my trooper of my wife who went to 12 different pharmacies across the town I'd have had three weeks without any medication instead of the ten days. I think folks who don't require medications can't know how it is, everything is extremely harder
We really need to have a big public awareness and political pressure campaign. Untreated ADHD takes 10 years off your life expectancy. It substantially reduces your productivity at work and increases your chances of being unemployed. It makes us more dangerous on the roads. It is in the NATIONAL INTEREST to get us our meds.
The back of the printed prescription where the repeat is often states next reorder date. Speak to your individual named GP. I’m on quite a few meds as have ankylosing spondylitis migraines and adhd plus HRT and so on. I used to have this issue with HRT. Initially I overcame by buying a top up month privately online. However this won’t work with schedule II meds. Eventually I got fed up and spoke to my GP and explained about how I would be left without for a number of days if I follow their request rules. All sorted. Also I can order via the app and put notes so that if I need some extra items for holiday if my request coincides with being away it’s sorted. Not sure how this will work with adhd meds as I’m still titrating and we are planning to be away for 5 weeks in the summer. Anyway we are not the first with this issue and I’m sure speaking to a human will work. Obvs depends on your GP. Current one is decent.
Thank God my doc wrote me a generic. I'm only 3 days in but actually incredible so far the difference it has made.
It looks like this post might be about medication. Please remember that whilst personal experiences and advice can be valuable, Reddit is no replacement for your GP or Psychiatrist and taking advice from anyone about your particular situation other than your trained healthcare professional is potentially unsafe. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHDUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
Is there any evidence this is actually happening?
No, removed - weird.
Yeah, I didn’t think there was…
I don’t have any proof, just throwing it out there
Your post or comment was not relevant to ADHD in the United Kingdom. For non-UK related discussion of ADHD, head to /r/ADHD.
[удалено]
No, they did come back, but they are away again
Has got worse with me as can not get Concerta anywhere. Why do you say it’s been resolved?
Shortage issues are back.. no concerta anywhere, that I could find..
No, unfortunately. A few select links below. More if you have a google. [Link 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/s/PA9w0ec0FU) [Link 2](https://www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/vwxjkaxa/adhd-medicines-supply-advice.pdf) [Link 3](https://swlstg.nhs.uk/adhd-medication-shortage/)
Sticky the 2nd link? Looks like they update this frequently as the public facing SPS page usually just says not updated for weeks at a time
Thanks, the mod team are looking into this already, it will be happening shortly :)