Problems with the Pill.

You should send your story to this site http://fathealth.wordpress.com/ 

That is a scary scary website.

That sounds like an absolute nightmare.  I decided to stop taking 30 mg of Prozac last September cold turkey.  I'm aware that you have to ween yourself off, but I just didn't want to take it anymore.  I had been on it for two years, and I was really confident at that point that I could live without it.  It helped me so much, but I'm happy I went off of it. 

It seems like if I had continued with Prozac and ran out of a prescription in the US, getting in the UK would have been ridiculous.

It seems like if I had continued with Prozac and ran out of a prescription in the US, getting in the UK would have been ridiculous.

Actually, no - in my (admittedly limited) experience with four different GPs since I moved to England, all four were all too happy to prescribe Prozac - it seems to be the AD of choice in these parts.

A large problem with health care in the UK, as far as I see it, is that most doctors see one solution for a problem - and one solution only (usually whatever's in the handbook).  I have yet to find a GP or NP that is willing to think outside the box, even when presented with information from a US GP, or even reputable sources like the NIH.

Welbutrin is not offered for depression here, though funny enough you CAN get it (after lots of struggle) as Zyban if you want to quit smoking.

I was put on BC without an exam as well.  In what ended up to be a good thing the GP wouldn't prescribe Yasmin (which I'd been on in the US) for me because of my weight and gave me Cerazette instead.  Best pill I've EVER been on!

I would always recommend going to a FPC for birth control first time around as they will always have options and will discuss your personal needs with you, which a doctor often won't do.

Vicky

In order to get my prescription in the US I have to go in for a yearly exam and pap, are you telling me that I won't have to do that in the UK? Do they check for HPV in the UK at all? I mean, I won't miss putting my feet in the stirrups but is it risky not to be checking for abnormailities?

In order to get my prescription in the US I have to go in for a yearly exam and pap, are you telling me that I won't have to do that in the UK? Do they check for HPV in the UK at all? I mean, I won't miss putting my feet in the stirrups but is it risky not to be checking for abnormailities?

You get a pap smear every three years here unless there's something else in play. I assume you can get tested for all other STDs in the FPC if you need it at any time.

When I first moved over to London, my GP made me return after a few months to check my blood pressure and weigh me, then would give me a 3 mo prescription...then back again.  It was a pain, but after 3 visits, she wrote a 6 mo prescription.  But no, you don't get a pap every year unless you have any problems.

I get my blood pressure taken each time I go for my 6 months prescription, but I am overweight so I believe they should do this on regular basis.  The FPC are very careful about what pill they prescribe to people with high blood pressure or at risk of high blood pressure - this is something my doctor never bothered with.

They won't do a test for STI's in most FPC's, you need to go to a GUM clinic.  But you have to do this yourself, you won't get referred.

Vicky

When I first arrived in the UK I took my prescription for my Ortho novum's to the GP. He said "We don't have anything this strong in Britain but try these." (handed over a prescription. "TRY these?" I should make him pay child support! I was pregnant five weeks later!

I get my blood pressure taken each time I go for my 6 months prescription, but I am overweight so I believe they should do this on regular basis.  The FPC are very careful about what pill they prescribe to people with high blood pressure or at risk of high blood pressure - this is something my doctor never bothered with.

I'm pretty sure they check everyone's blood pressure before giving a new prescription, not just if you are overweight - I'm normal weight and I have to have mine checked every time I get a new prescription.

My GP always checks my BP when I go for a pill prescription.

My GP always checks my BP when I go for a pill prescription.

Mine did as well, and I'm normal weight.

As far I as I know it is one of the requirements since the pill can raise your blood pressure.