NHS GP told me to stop finasteride, scolded me for taking it, denied I had hairloss

[yeahyeahyeah]

NW2.5, but very diffuse in parts. Could be worse, but I want to keep what I have, it's the anticipation of what is to come without preventative meausres that upsets me. I feel bad that I didn't notice it sooner, it all kind of creeps up on you.


Interesting... I did use that programme, and they said they'd inform my GP, but they obviously didn't. I thought it'd be above board. I gave up on it because it was expensive and unsustainable, and the people running it knew less about the drug than what I knew from reading hair loss forums(!). So that's why I went to a dermatologist. Almost wish I'd still had my head stuck in the sand still.

Did your HL get worse with fin?

[Kirby_]

Sorry to hear about all the stress Kirby, hang in there.

What NW scale are you atm?

NW2.5, but very diffuse in parts. Could be worse, but I want to keep what I have, it's the anticipation of what is to come without preventative meausres that upsets me. I feel bad that I didn't notice it sooner, it all kind of creeps up on you.

I went to ask my GP's opinion of the Boots hair retention programme last year, said I was concerned about sides. He said casually that all drugs have sides, "go for it". Granted he wasn't about to prescribe it for me, but he certainly didn't condemn it or blow his stack.

Interesting... I did use that programme, and they said they'd inform my GP, but they obviously didn't. I thought it'd be above board. I gave up on it because it was expensive and unsustainable, and the people running it knew less about the drug than what I knew from reading hair loss forums(!). So that's why I went to a dermatologist. Almost wish I'd still had my head stuck in the sand still.

[drybone]

I went to ask my GP's opinion of the Boots hair retention programme last year, said I was concerned about sides. He said casually that all drugs have sides, "go for it". Granted he wasn't about to prescribe it for me, but he certainly didn't condemn it or blow his stack.

Sounds like your doctor is NOT interested in trolling an internet forum.

[Jcm800]

I went to ask my GP's opinion of the Boots hair retention programme last year, said I was concerned about sides. He said casually that all drugs have sides, "go for it". Granted he wasn't about to prescribe it for me, but he certainly didn't condemn it or blow his stack.

[UK_]

Sorry to hear about all the stress Kirby, hang in there.

What NW scale are you atm?

[drybone]

I'm wondering if I can continue the fight against hair loss now if I can't get get legit access to the only thing available at present that works. Absolutely terrified. Been vomiting with stress. Don't know what to do.

I would probably consider becoming a shut in. I dont know if I could face the world with this ultimate stress inducing , throwing up type of terrify problem like hairloss

Perhaps you could start a non profit and get donations to cure this terrible disease.

[UK_]

The problem in general is the perception that the drug should be prescribed so casually. I would say any GP who takes a step back from that position for the safety of the patient is actually a good doctor. Sure you can get someone to write a script for you over the internet, that's not exactly decent and ethical medicine really is it?

The idea that you should switch to dutasteride underscores the irresponsibility that pervades these forums. Apparently everyone's a doctor these days

Yeah especially that **** TracyC.

[Exodus]

Kirby, Im sorry you've got to the stage of vomiting and feeling mass depression, it's a horrible position and I do feel for you.

But just putting it out there and I know it's probably not what you want to hear, you're on Fin and I presume you're using Minox? If the regimen is not working, could you just buzz it, work out and move on? The stress, worrying and all sorts is far far unhealthy and really isn't the way forward.

[Kirby_]

I'm wondering if I can continue the fight against hair loss now if I can't get get legit access to the only thing available at present that works. Absolutely terrified. Been vomiting with stress. Don't know what to do.

[drybone]

The problem in general is the perception that the drug should be prescribed so casually. I would say any GP who takes a step back from that position for the safety of the patient is actually a good doctor. Sure you can get someone to write a script for you over the internet, that's not exactly decent and ethical medicine really is it?

The idea that you should switch to dutasteride underscores the irresponsibility that pervades these forums. Apparently everyone's a doctor these days

I would agree. I think you need to see the doctor at least initially to see if you need it and have any potential concerns .

[BigThinker]

Wow, your GP sounds like such a douche bag.

Guess I should be happy to have private insurance, so I get to see whoever I want.

[chrisis]

@chrisis the dermatologist also works for the NHS and I got the fin from Superdrug. Hardly the same as buying a snort of blow in a pub carpark from an Albanian.

The problem in general is the perception that the drug should be prescribed so casually. I would say any GP who takes a step back from that position for the safety of the patient is actually a good doctor. Sure you can get someone to write a script for you over the internet, that's not exactly decent and ethical medicine really is it?

The idea that you should switch to dutasteride underscores the irresponsibility that pervades these forums. Apparently everyone's a doctor these days

[Kirby_]

@chrisis the dermatologist also works for the NHS and I got the fin from Superdrug. Hardly the same as buying a snort of blow in a pub carpark from an Albanian.

@doinmyheadin indeed!

@Spex thanks, man.

@drybone I think that fin is... A hair loss treatment.

@konfusion it's a single-payer system and the private sector only can do so much by law. I can't legitimately get the blood tests I need without an NHS GP's referral as the tests would be carried out in an NHS hospital. I can't just go to another GP and say, give me this please.

BTW some people in here and other forums have told me to switch to dutasteride. If I'm having this problem with fin, imagine if I told the GP I was taking a non licenced drug!

[konfusion]

I've mentioned before that I saw a dermatologist at last in November for my hair loss, which I should have done far earlier than I did. I saw the doctor privately, as I needed to see someone quickly to calm my mind, and because my GP would not let me see an NHS dermatologist.

I approached my NHS GP at last earlier today that the diagnosis and treatment information I had seen a dermatologist and had been given a legit (but non-NHS) prescription for finasteride, which the GP had no idea I was taking.

I took the letter from the dermatologist and one of the three packets of fin I had to show him.

The GP erupted angrily pretty much immediately. My GP acted as if taking finasteride for hairloss was like using street heroin cut with brick dust!

Firstly he said, why have you seen someone privately without telling me? How can you afford that?

Secondly he said, (finasteride) is not properly legal for this to be prescribed for hair loss, it's "off licence", no one legitimate should prescribe it for hair loss. He said that no one on the NHS can prescribe it.

Thirdly, he looked at my hair (or squinted at it) and said I had no hair loss at all, and shouldn't be treating something that didn't exist with dangerous semi-illegal drugs. He asked, how long do you hope to use this for, the next 50 years?

Fourthly, he refused the liver function test that I was suggested by the dermatologist to get while using finasteride, because I shouldn't be on finasteride anyway, so don't need a liver test.

Lastly, he just said I have anxiety as the issue, hair loss is "untreatable" anyway, and no one needs hair and it's normal to go bald, gave me a form for another packet of Lorazepam (anti-anxiety drug) and said, forget about hair, treat your anxiety.

That's ignoring that 99% of my anxiety at the moment is because of my hair loss!! I told him very explicitly that treating my hair loss is part of calming my anxiety, and hair loss is causing the anxiety!

So, I can't get the liver function test, he refused to top up my prescription for fin, told me to stop using fin immediately (and held onto my fin packet, with the dermatologist's letter, which I wanted to keep) because it is dangerous and not legal to use for hair loss, was told that hair loss is not preventable/treatable, was told I have no hair loss and shouldn't be taking fin, basically doubted anything the dermatologist said.

What do I do now? My first thought was to go back to the dermatologist, but I can't afford to see him again TBH. I did ask to see an dermatologist on the NHS (again) but was refused.

I am not going to give up taking finasteride, my anxiety about hair loss would destroy me very quickly if I did, I can barely hold together at the moment.

I am not sure how your health system works but how can not you get the tests you want? where I live I go to a laboratory and say I want blah blah blah test and there you go. but I have to say my insurance does not cover them, I pay the whole prices. I don't think liver functions test would cost much, cannot you get it without doctor's prescription?
and how can he hold onto your personal stuff, is that even legal?
what's wrong with seeing another doctor? as far as I know every patient has the right to choose their doctors.

[drybone]

Kirby

Tell us what you really think of finasteride. Dont hold back