Any Advice On Getting Prescriptions Filled Safely?

[srall]

Today I took my little girl to the doctor and she was diagnosed with strep. This is the first time in over a year she's needed any medication AT ALL since she's gone gluten free. She's also corn and dairy free. The corn is an allergy. By the time we got to the pharmacy we waited for 45 minutes while the pharmacist called the manufacturer to check on ingredients for us. I said to them that surely I cannot be the only parent with this issue they've come across. They said most parents just don't worry about the medication.

And of course I course I got the "Does she have celiac or is it "just" gluten intolerance?" question. That always drives me crazy...the symptoms are the same for her...she cannot have gluten.

I ended up getting zithromax for kids (in a syrup). The manufacturer said it *might* have corn in the food dye they use but I just ended up taking it at that point.

But it got me thinking, I should be more prepared next time. I guess I foolishly was counting on doctors and pharmacists to know the options. I was the one reading the ingredients at the pharmacy.

Just wanted to add that before she was diagnosed with all her allergies and intolerances she had strep constanstly and was always sick was something. We haven't even taken advil in the past year. So, the diet is really helping her health.

[pricklypear1971]

There are gluten and corn allergy medicine lists out there - google it.

Of course, you should always use it as a starting point and verify with the manufacturer. I know corn is worse to work around than gluten.

Perhaps a compounding pharmacy could help?

[YoloGx]

I think Prickly Pear is right. A compounding pharmacy is a good idea.

If you have the cash sometime you might want to consider employing a naturopath. They are more likely to be with it concerning these issues as compared to the standard AMA practices. You just might find there are alternatives for treating the strep -- or at least something that might help prevent it in the first place.

By the way, I have been reading that both children and adults can be helped by eating more live cultured foods that you make at home. You don't have to follow the GAPS diet to get results. Just stay off the allergens and gradually increase the kinds and amounts of cultured foods like home made sauerkraut in your daughter's case. You can also make cultured nut milk yogurt or kefir (in case your daughter is OK with nuts like coconut milk or almond milk for instance). It is better to make it at home since otherwise its likely to be pasteurized which then kills of all the good bacteria your body craves. It also is easy to do and costs hardly anything at all this way too.

The reason it may be needed is that so many of us don't have adequate flora in our intestines for good health due to all the antibiotics. Your daughter may be a case in point. Although she is much improved, she might be able to avoid getting strep etc. at all if her flora was better...

Bea

[BabsV]

How frustrating...and I'm surprised the pharmacist asked you that question...really not any of their business, right?!?!

Do you have another pharmacy option? My main pharmacy has been excellent -- when I called after diagnosis to check on the meds I was currently on (I have a dust allergy that manifests with asthma-like symptoms) they were happy to check the medicines and it only took about 5 minutes. They also tagged my account as "NO GLUTEN" so that every time something gets filled the system reminds them to check for gluten in the medicine. I can say that I also had a really bad experience at another pharmacy (slack-jawed response of "I don't know if it has gluten in it" with no offer to check?!?!?!) when I was getting a one time Rx filled. Will never go back to that one, ever!

[srall]

I agree with the idea of a naturopath. I actually have a name but since all our health issues resolved after the big diet change, I haven't had cause to go. Now I think I'll make an appt. And we do take a probiotic. Maybe we just were lazy over the holidays and got zapped. I was sick this weekend too with my first cold in 2 years, but didn't have the same symptoms as my daughter.

The pharmacy was wonderful. They did flag her chart with the allergies and intolerances, and the computers flag a medication if it was a problem. The pharmacist just opted to call the manufacturer to be safe. I just figured that it would be a little easier. Silly me. Have I learned nothing?

I'll try and find a compounding pharmacy and will give that naturopath a call. Thanks for all the advice.

[kareng]

For anyone else reading this....

DO NOT TAKE THE MEDICINE HOME UNTIL YOU ARE SURE IT IS gluten-free!

If you take it home & then call the manufacturer, you cannot return it & get your money back. Your insurance will not pay for a second medication when they just gave you one. IF it is a pain killer, you likely can't get another because of laws regulating narcotics. Just asking for a second perscription for a pain med can get you on a "narcotic seeker" list in some places. (Means you are abusing them)

[IrishHeart]

They said most parents just don't worry about the medication.

And of course I course I got the "Does she have celiac or is it "just" gluten intolerance?" question.

Wow, you're so good --how'd you keep from sarcastically saying, "Well, they should!"??

As for the silly question about gluten....OY!

You're a diligent Mom and kuddos to you for keeping your daughter safe!

One company that answers questions quickly about meds is TEVA pharmaceuticals. I had to take a med post surgery briefly --and they answered me quickly with reassurances there was no gluten.

I am guessing the corn is more difficult for you because if they do not use wheat filler, they resort to corn starch?