Posted by Simon (213.122.68.223) on April 23, 2001 at 19:59:29:
In Reply to: A neuro can help posted by Bob P on April 23, 2001 at 19:16:26:
...he says you can't have injectible Imigran, ask him
1. Why not?
2. Why others in the UK can with no problems (getting 10 packs per prescription in many cases).
3. Whether he considers it unethical to withhold medication on grounds of expense (vide article in Hospital Doctor magazine, 8/3/01))
4. What evidence he has to suggest that anything else he may prescribe is more effective than Imigran (the injectible form of which is the ONLY one licensed for CH use in the UK)
It might also be worth printing out this, which is the Medicines Control Agency list of approved medications for the UK.
As to abortives, explain that the best way of his cutting his drugs bill on Imigran is to get you to the point of not having attacks in the first place. If he offers you Sodium Valproate, Diclofenac Sodium or Carbamazepine, ask him how long he estimates they will take to work (common consent is they won't) and book an appointment with him for that day. You can always cancel it if they do..... Or he could give you a whirl with steroids, verapamil or lithium, which work in the vast majority of cases. (But if the verap is under 480mg per day, make sure he is prepared to increase that over the phone with any test needed being conducted by your GP).
The main thing is to make sure that the neuro you see knows that you mean business and that you don't waste that precious appointment.
Incidentally who is the neuro and where?
Don't forget UKCH either. We do have first hand experience of the NHS and a lot of contacts.
Simon