Zoladex prescription help I have a question

Public Archive
1

Hi all

I have had surgery for a 1.8cm grade 2 ductal invasive er+/pr+ her2 negative tumour, nodes and margins clear and have just been given my treatment programme of 19 radiotherapy, 5 years tamoxifen and 2 years Zoladex.

This may sound like a stupid question…I know I have to pay for the tamoxifen as I have just picked it up but how does the zoladex work. Do you have to pay for that too???

Thanks for any help anyone!!! Shonagh xx

2

Hi Shonagh I paid for my monthly zoladex prescription as well as the tamoxifen.

Lorri

3

Hi Lorri,

Thanks for the reply, sorry to be a pain but do you get a prescription for the zoladex from the GP, pick it up and take it with you to the GP’s like a holiday jab?

S x

4

I have Zoladex injections every month. I don’t pay for them. I don’t even get a prescription. I just show up at the GP’s surgery and the nurse gives me my injection!

I live in Surrey, by the way. I know things can be different according to where you live.

Jacki x

5

Oh blimey this is confusing, I guess I will have to wait and see but thanks very much for answering so quickly.

S x

6

Hi custard,just to try and explain this too you,I used to get a prescription take it to the chemist get the zoladex and then make an app for them at the doctors to inject me with it but I have since moved and my new doctors have the injections in the surgery and I just have to make an app and because they have it in(like flu jabs)I do not have to pay so it all depends on how your doctors surgery works so just phone them and ask.

7

Hi
I still have mine done at the hospital and don’t pay now, but I did at first.

They tried to get me to go to my GP for it doing, but I prefer to go to the hospital, because I think if I have any queries or questions, I can ask them rather than my GP.
I paid for the first couple, but then was told at the hospital pharmacy that if I was having it done in clinic to go to the other pharmacy in the hospital and I wouldn’t have to pay.

Bloody expensive illness this isn’t it???

Take care

Angie
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

8

hmm yes it can be,but in scotland apparently you no longer have to pay for cancer drugs etc so why here?I dont get it,people who have diabetes(like my dad) do not have to pay for their scripts but we do …unfair,but mind you ,so is this illness xxx

9

Hiya Shonagh

I pay for Tamoxifen, but not for the Zoladex. However, what I have to do is order the injection from my doctors (as they have a pharmacy attached - luckily I can do this online), then phone and make the appointment for a week later to see the nurse who gives it to me then. I live in Gloucestershire.

It’s not too much of a hassle and I end up ordering the Tamoxifen and Zoladex on line at the same time. I quite enjoy going to see the nurse now, she’s lovely and we have a great chat. My first time I was very emotional and wobbly, but it is just a couple of seconds of pain and then it is all over. If you are like me, I had some period type pain for the first couple of months - I’m assuming that is the drugs closing down my ovaries? Just took some paracetamol which helped. But after then I’ve been fine.

Good luck with your treatment Shonagh. Just take it easy and listen to your body. I finished rads just under a year ago and am feeling almost back to normal now. Best wishes, Lynne xx

10

Hi there ladies,

Thank you so much for all your help as ever everyone has been amazing and thanks for all the tips too. I started my tamoxifen today and have spent the whole day wondering if I am starting with the menopause or not.

I have been told to get in touch with the GPs in 2 weeks to discuss how it works. It appears there is no standard answer to any part of this flaming disease. Everything seems to have a million different answers, Ah well I’m sure I will get to grips with it all soon. Wait until I start rads in a month I will be driving everyone mad with a million questions on that too!!!LOL

Love, luck and hugs to all. Shonagh xxx

11

Hi

I filled out a form at my doctors, and now I have a little card that I show the chemist so I don’t have to pay for prescriptions. If my brain wasn’t so bloody muddled I’d try and remember what the form was called.

I like in the Greater Manchester area - not sure where you are or whether you can get the form.

I’m not much help am i?

xxxx

12

Hi Poannie,

Thanks for that I am being treated at Stockport Bobby Morre Unit but live in Middlewich and am having radiotherapy at Christies. Complicated I know. Long story thats too boring for words. I dont think my notes will ever catch up with me at appointments. LOL!!!

I will have a word with my GP poor guy!!! I only registered between being diagnosed and surgery so they decided not to bother with the health assessment appointment but they seem nice and asked me to see them in 2 weeks anyway once I knew my treatment programme.

S x

13

My daughter has both zoladex and tamoxifen. The first zoladex she had she had to pay for because she had it in hospital and had to go to the hospital pharmacy to collect it and pay for it and then take it up to the outpatients ward. She then asked about having to pay for it each month but was told that if she had a word with her GP she could possibly have it there monthly for free which she now does. She just gets another appt each time she goes and turns up for the injection … she doesn’t have to collect it or pay for it … just turn up! The tamoxifen is now on a repeat prescription which she does have to pay for. Seems unfair that anything has to be paid for seeing as it could be life threatening not to have it … diabetics etc don’t have to pay for their prescripts I believe. Hope this helps.
The most expensive thing she is experiencing is having to travel a 20 mile round trip plus parking for radiotherapy each day for 4 weeks especially as she is off work.
Sue x

14

Hi Zotam…Sue,

Thanks for that advice it definately seems you have to get on your GP’s good side to get the free zoladex. I know what youmean about the travelling too its a 48 mile round trip everytime I go to my BC clinic and about the same for my radiotherapy when it starts so we are keeping out fingers crossed that our insurance pays out while I am off work.
Shonagh xx

15

I have my zoladex inj every month, my gp does it. I have to pay for the prescription and for my hormone prescription too. The first zoladex script written at the hosp by my onc also had to be paid for.

Postcode lottery again?

Mabel x

16

Hi there,

Pretty much like everyone else, I don’t pay for the implant. I’m now living in my 3rd county/pct (hubbies in army) and have never paid. My current one tried to get me to, but I told him I haven’t yet and I’m not about to start!

Take Care

Erin

17

Hi,
I have my zoladex injection at the hospital for free but I live in Wales where we don’t pay for any prescriptions. Sorry I’m probably confusing you even more!!
Allie

18

Hi - I have Zoladex from my GP, like others just turn up and get it done at no cost, do pay for Arimedex. If you are having monthly perscriptions plus… it is worth looking into a pre-paid certificate, mine was £87.00 and lasts a whole year regardless of how many 'scripts you have. It has saved me a fortune. Your pharamcist should be able to give you a form.

Good luck with it all Swanie

19

Hi all,

Its a minefield, thanks for all your advice everyone. The pre paid defiately sound like an option if I have to pay for both.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice. Shonagh xx

20

Hi all,

Went to GP’s today I dont have to get a prescription for zoladex he just said make the appointments and they will sort it.

Thanks for all your help though. Shonagh xx