are docs allowed to give out ttc information without your permission?

[xxdoovde]

Hey ladies,

Me and my other half have been together for five wonderful years, we have been ttc for two years I am in my early 20s and he is in his mid 20s

I have suspected endometriosis and we have both been for all the basic tests and have finally been referred to a specialist which we are still waiting for our appointment.

I have been to the doctors numerous times about ttc and each doctor I have seen has checked my medications and said they are all fine to take whilst ttc.

I suffer from mild acne and use a cream called differin cream for it, the doctors know I am ttc and they have let me order this in the past with out telling me its not safe to use!

on monday I ordered my prescription for the cream like I usually do and they told me it would be ready for collection on Thursday. I work quite far (my doctors is out of my area) and my mum works close to my doctors so she is able to run in after work to collect my prescription for me.

Whilst she went for my prescription the lady at the reception shouted out to her that I can't have the cream because I am trying to get pregnant, she then handed her the prescription which said can't have the prescription because trying to get pregnant which was highlighted.

My mum came to me later on saying she knows what I have been going to the doctors for and had a massive row that she didn't want me to have a baby and that I have 'shown her up' and calling me nasty names. She also kept hold of the prescription and showed it to everyone in my family.

1) why didn't the doctors tell me it was not safe to use during ttc when I first ever went to them about ttc?

2) are they even allowed to share this type of information without your permission?

I am very upset about this and the worst part is I am very fertile atm but we didn't dtd today as I have been too upset and now we have probably missed our chance.

We was keeping ttc a secret the only people we have told is close friends and my other halfs mum who is very supportive. I am not close to my mum and never have been this is why we decided not to tell her about ttc and I am very upset that she has found out and told my entire family. She is also not speaking to me now.

 

[Wish2BMom]

omigosh, that's HORRIBLE!! I'm so sorry your secret got out like that!!

firstly - I don't know if 'ttc' itself is something that docs or anyone in the medical world is required to keep to themselves but MAN, common decency should trump any oath in this case! The US has a HIPAA law that basically says the medical practitioner cannot discuss your medical standings with anyone else w/o your consent but a) you don't write like you're in the US and b) I wouldn't think 'ttc' would be considered a medical standing. Mother or not! They should have just said 'we can't give her the Rx, please have her call us'.

Secondly - I would DEFINITELY follow up with your doctor re: differin, the Rx provider, any research you could do. Lots of questions need to be asked here. I'd probably call the manager of the office too and explain how this person just wrecked your relationship with your Mom!

to you! good luck and chin up! I'm sure your mom was maybe a little hurt too that she wasn't included in the 'secret'?

 

[Lirpa11]

I would not be impressed either if I were you, but as she was picking up your prescription I would think they can share that information with her, otherwise she wouldn't be able to pick it up for you. As she was collecting it on your behalf they must have been under the impression she knew about your medical history, which included TTC.

I've picked up prescriptions for my mil before and they ask what medicines she is on etc and I give them details for it.

If you want your medical issues kept private I wouldn't let her pick up your prescriptions anymore by allowing her to collect them for you I think you allow her some access of information as they need to speak to someone about any issues with the prescription.

I'm sorry she is being like she is about it. It sounds like something my mom would do as well.

 

[xxdoovde]

Thank you ladies, I am feeling terrible right now!!

I didn't want anybody to know we wanted to tell people in our own time as it just doesn't feel right yet, we haven't even got our appointment to see the specialist yet this is a very sensitive subject for us both and now that everyone knows I feel like I am been laughed at.

My sister who I used to be close to has found out about this and she is currently making fun of me about it saying when are you having your precious little baby then, it really hurts because we have been trying just over two years with no luck and it feels like it will never happen for us im not even sure if it ever will.

Plus my grandma my nan and all my aunts and cousins have found out now I feel as though I cant go see them anymore because of the comments they will make.

This is a very difficult emotional time and I will know to never trust anybody to collect my prescriptions for me in the future (I didn't know they where going to tell my mum otherwise id of never sent her for it)

 

[hanni]

This is awful! Huge hugs to you.

If I were you I'd go absolutely off it with your mum. If she wasn't happy with it then that's something for her to deal with herself not go telling the whole family, especially about something so personal to her daughter. How childish, surely your feelings should mean more to her than gossiping to people who have no business in it, even if she is angry. I hope your grandma and aunts have more sensitivity, some discretion and don't mention it. Sorry if this causes any offence, i'm just really angry for you!

As for the lady in the pharmacy, she might have presumed that because you trusted her to pick up your prescription she was trusted with sensitive information? I don't know if they have the same confidentiality restrictions as drs.

Hope you're ok chick. This really isn't fair! X

 

[Wtbam]

I'm sorry this is completely out of order! If you are In the uk, she should have asked, 'is this prescription for you? Can you confirm your address?

If it wasn't you picking up the prescription she had no right to disclose that information. It is against the law and she could lose her job! I would make a formal complaint!

 

[Sharris]

Oh my! I can't even imagine what I'd do! I know I'd definitely complain, that just doesn't seem right that she shouted it to her either, most of the time they talk fairly quietly when one is picking a prescription up! Dh and I have been secretly trying for 23 cycles.. My parents don't know, and mainly because I fell like they are still expecting my husband and I to break up for some stupid reason. His mom knows we're trying, and has even bought a few small things, just in case lol! Every time kids get brought up around my dad he says "Don't have 'em, they're not worth it" Unfortunately, all I can come up with is to tell anyone that chides you or pokes fun at you, tell them you both have changed your mind, and don't want to bring a sweet baby into a family that just wants to be mean to you, instead of being happy and supportive of your decision. Perhaps that will "get them to back off" and alleviate some stress, so you two can continue on this journey together. I am so sorry she did that to you and for how your family reacted, I too am so angry at them for how they treated you!

 

[xxdoovde]

Thank you everyone for your kind supportive words.

I am definitely going to make a complaint, I thought maybe I was just over reacting but its not fair that everybody knows my business now.

This is not the first time they have done this because last time I went I heard them shouting out someone elses medical information.

 

[lisa1980]

They are absolutely not allowed to share this information, let alone shout about it in a public place!

They are meant to check who is picking up the prescription, and if it's not the patient they can't divulge any health information to them without your consent.

I'd definitely be making a formal complaint.

 

[nosurprise]

Oh my God, I can't believe this happened to you, you poor thing. That is so awful. Firstly, I would 100% complain to the pharmacy. When collecting, they ask if it's yours and to confirm your address and no information should be given out at all. In fact, I went to a tiny little boots by my work last week and she wouldn't give me info because I didn't have proof of my identity, my address alone wasn't sufficient. Please make a formal complaint, that's dreadful.
As for your mum... its so easy to allow the actions of others to hurt you and to have an impact on what you do and say. You are obviously in a much better position than a lot of younger girls who are having children and if that's what you've choose, please don't allow anyone, even your mother, cast doubts on that decision. For the moment, build a bubble around you and your partner, don't let anyone phase you or hurt you, don't even contact them and they will soon get bored and move on. Also, they will see that your resilient to their BS and might think twice before trying it again! Good luck with everything and I hope it all works out

 

[xxdoovde]

Aww thanks nosurprise that was a lovely comment, all you lovely ladies have made me feel loads better

I have made a complaint, lets see if I get a reply

In the meantime me and my partner are currently focusing on us and our journey, were not letting anyone or anything get to us. We are also never handing any personal info out to my family in the future as they can't be trusted and none of their negative comments are going to make us change our mind about ttc as this is something we have wanted for a long time and were not prepared to give up over peoples nasty opinions!