How can my General Practitioner (GP) help me?
Your GP is an important part of the healthcare team around you. You may already be familiar with your named GP, however if you don’t know them it would be worth making an appointment with them.
Your GP may not be very familiar with your diagnosis and so you may like to direct them to the information pages here.
The key to better managing your condition is to have healthcare professionals that know you well, so they better understand the help you need.
Your GP can put a flag on the practice system, so that reception staff know to give you a same day appointment, with your named GP where possible.
Your GP can also help reduce the amount of medical admin you have to do. For example, see if they can release your regular prescriptions in a six-monthly supply so that you don’t need to keep going to the pharmacy or requesting prescriptions.
If you take steroid replacement for Adrenal Insufficiency, you can ask your GP for a back up supply in case you need to stress dose (this is usually 3-6 months amount).
Free Prescriptions (UK)
In the UK, a diagnosis of hypopituitarism means you are eligible for free prescriptions with a medical exemption certificate. You can usually collect a form for this from your pharmacy and your GP will need to sign this.
You will need to provide an addressed envelope with a stamp so your GP can send the form off. Having a medical exemption certificate will save you a lot of money on prescription fees. You can ask the pharmacy for a special receipt in the meantime, so that you can claim back the costs whilst you wait for your certificate in the post.
Things to ask my GP
Please would you put a note on the practice system that I need a same day appointment, with you if possible? This is due to my complex hypopituitarism (if you have adrenal insufficiency, you can also say that it can be life-threatening).
Please would you sign and send the medical exemption prescription form if I bring it into the surgery (with a stamped addressed envelope)?
Please may I have my regular prescriptions in a 6-month supply to help me manage my condition?
Please would you prescribe an extra stock of my steroid medication in case I need to stress dose?