Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Annie0710 on June 07, 2018, 07:30:41 AM
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I'm losing the will to live with this new gp surgery. They have refused to prescribe me my existing testosterone gel until I've seen a gynae of their choice (despite on my notes an nhs gynae prescribed it), they average 5 days to sign off a repeat request and now to top it off I have seen they've added oestrogel to my repeats but only allowing me one can PER 2 MONTHS !!!! I use one can every 3 weeks at 2.5 pumps per day.
They have also taken off of my repeats my ventolin inhaler (but kept my preventative) and removed my 2x epipens !!
Not surprisingly the only thing they managed to get (half) right was Amitriptyline for my nerve pain, I take 10mg per night and they have prescribed 2x10mg per night
So I can take extra ADs but must not replace my hormones to a sufficient level !!
I've just sent them such a stinking email, I'll probably be asked to leave their surgery when they read it!
Sorry, had to rant, I'm really at the end of my tether with them and only been there since March x
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I'm the same annie then people wonder why we complain and go private we have absolutely no other options,I've jumped through every hoop as has my private consultant and written to practice manager and it's a waste of time,they've ignored my online request for oesrtrogen script as they won't put mines on repeat and like you it's one can every couple of months and the vagifem is a nightmare to get.What exactly are we meant to do.my latest private script from consultant was £116 for testosterone and estring,I've not put them in yet I bought testosterone gel in Spain and lenzetto spray in Spain last time I was there and next week when I go I'll try and get vagifem and sadly this is the route I'm sticking to now I can't take this continued stress and fighting every month to try and get these prescriptions so if I have to pay privately I'll do it the cheapest way I can I'm not paying inflated prices for the same products.Its making me feel so deflated at the moment and I really do sympathise with you I'm sick to the back teeth with this and I'm sick of people slating me for going private so that's my rant too and I don't feel better for having to do it.
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It breaks my heart to read this Annie. It's as if the NHS has been given a remit to push ADs and take away whatever other medication they can get away with and I'll bet my bottom dollar it's all about cost. It's as if certain groups are being targetted as well - those who don't have much of a voice like middle aged women or long term disabled people. No doubt I sound like a conspiracy theorist here but I'm certain there's a strategy behind all this that the general public isn't being told about. Maybe the plan is to turn us into a nation of easily controlled zombies.... I don't know what the answer is other than make as much fuss as you can cope with. Sending you all good wishes xx
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I'm the same annie then people wonder why we complain and go private we have absolutely no other options,I've jumped through every hoop as has my private consultant and written to practice manager and it's a waste of time,they've ignored my online request for oesrtrogen script as they won't put mines on repeat and like you it's one can every couple of months and the vagifem is a nightmare to get.What exactly are we meant to do.my latest private script from consultant was £116 for testosterone and estring,I've not put them in yet I bought testosterone gel in Spain and lenzetto spray in Spain last time I was there and next week when I go I'll try and get vagifem and sadly this is the route I'm sticking to now I can't take this continued stress and fighting every month to try and get these prescriptions so if I have to pay privately I'll do it the cheapest way I can I'm not paying inflated prices for the same products.Its making me feel so deflated at the moment and I really do sympathise with you I'm sick to the back teeth with this and I'm sick of people slating me for going private so that's my rant too and I don't feel better for having to do it.
I thought of you Daisydot as I was writing this. It's ludicrous. I'm still waiting for Louise Newson to give out appointments but am in Spain in September (every September) what testosterone would I get there and how much can you bring back ? Also what is the equivalent there for oestrogel ? It might even be worth getting cheap returns twice a year there ! Xx
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It breaks my heart to read this Annie. It's as if the NHS has been given a remit to push ADs and take away whatever other medication they can get away with and I'll bet my bottom dollar it's all about cost. It's as if certain groups are being targetted as well - those who don't have much of a voice like middle aged women or long term disabled people. No doubt I sound like a conspiracy theorist here but I'm certain there's a strategy behind all this that the general public isn't being told about. Maybe the plan is to turn us into a nation of easily controlled zombies.... I don't know what the answer is other than make as much fuss as you can cope with. Sending you all good wishes xx
A few years ago I heard an item on radio 2 that gps are given bonuses to prescribe ADs! It confirmed what I'd been thinking for a while that so many patients are on them, I've lost count of the number of times I've been readily offered them xx
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Annie0710 and Daisydot, I don't have the answer to this but just wanted to send words of support. These GP surgeries are being negligent and sexist. The NHS has fallen apart and so many are being failed. Yes Tiddles, there are groups which are perceived as not having a voice, but I think they may be proved wrong when it comes to middle aged women. They underestimate us. Let us know the outcome Annie, and best of luck in your fight.
JP x
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I feel your frustration. Rant away!
We've recently moved back to our home town and our old GP practice. It was one of the main deciding factors in moving back as the surgery and health services in general where we had moved to unsettled us. The sole practitioner GP told me oestrogen is no longer used for osteoporosis prevention. I knew we weren't going to see eye to eye! No-one to go to for a second opinion in that kind of set up either - ugh! Before we moved I thought everyone had the kind of NHS services we'd always been used to - just goes to show you don't appreciate what you've got until you don't have it!
Have you tried a face to face with your new GP to talk through everything?
Daisydot who is slating you for going private? Do what you have to do, your health and wellbeing are important. I think we're all coming to realise there is no fairness in the NHS, it seems to be all about luck in where you happen to live.
When I joined the surgery in March they called me in as they were ‘concerned' at my use of testosterone. I wrote a thread on it, I was in his office an hour arguing my case with him, he listened but argued back and I had no choice but to agree to see a gynae he chooses, as he disregarded what the gynae in my notes had written. I just hope this gynae will listen and help me.
I'm outraged, stressed and so fed up, it's literally been every single request I've put in since March is wrong xx
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Thank you Joaniepat xxx
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Hi Annie I got exactly the same testosterone as consultant prescribed otc after speaking with pharmacist and explaining,my consultant here has prescribed it so all I'm doing is going down a cheaper route,the lenzetto spray which is just a better method of delivery of oestrogen is widely used in Europe but not yet here in the U.K.,some of our ladies here already use it,that's a third of the price charged here.
I had no issues whatsoever bringing any of it back through customs in my see through plastic bags.
I have managed to get a gp appointment for Monday so I'll go in and resume battle again but I'm so down and weary with this I'm right in the middle of a major family crisis too so I really don't need any more stress.I have so many people say to me your ok you go private it's not fair, well tough I have to make sacrifices elsewhere to be able to do this I'm one of the U.K.,s unpaid bloody pensioners who paid into a system all my working life and was promised a retirement pension at 60 for all my contributions and was conned.I can't work now due to a brain injury amongst other things as I'm too sick but not sick enough for any benefits apparently.sorry it's a mega rant today annie isn't it xx
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I'll send you a PM, Annie! ;)
My GP caused me so many problems it was unreal. I'm still at the same practice, but don't deal with them re:anything really anymore. As far as I'm concerned in my case, they are just bums on seats. :(
The only reason I'm not switching right now is because I have so many test results outstanding that to switch would cause problems with things getting lost (had this before, so know the script as it were)!
My very favourite conversation I had with one GP at my practice was 'how much HRT do you plan on using'? And then he wrote me a prescription for ONE pump of estrogel daily (remember - I have no ovaries, so therefore virtually no hormones). When Hubby and I protested, he said 'the NHS isn't a bottomless pit, you know'! I blame them 100% for a lot of the state I have been in for the last 3 plus years since my surgery!
So the NHS in my case are happy to rip out your ovaries, but not happy to help you after what is in reality female castration? If this were men, would this be acceptable? I think not!!! xxxx
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Daisydot, I doubt very much that Lenzetto will EVER be available here! NHS in some areas won't approve Utrogestan (and yes - it's a cost thing. I had problems getting it approved at one point due to this although I didn't use it in the end).
We are being palmed off with bulk repacked in Asia Oestrodose instead of Estrogel (I have long known this to be an inferior product), and GP's look horrified if you request Estradot patches as they are more expensive than some of the other giant patches available that just don't stick properly.
Progynova has to be ordered in as a 'special request' because of cost too - I see one member here has problems with that and so did I when it was suggested that this might be useful for me (it wasn't - made me very sick).
So I really don't think they'll be adding products - probably more likely reducing what's available.
And then there is the whole Testosterone debate - quite a few consultants (including the very senior one I used to see) are now doubting it's safety in women and there was a bulletin regarding this on the BMS website a while back. Don't be surprised if this doesn't get pulled from availability on the NHS to women totally in the near future.
I smell privatisation by stealth - and this is just one area where it's happening. We are being forced to go privately for treatment. Much, much more worrying is the number of cancer drugs that are beibg pulled or not approved, forcing people to pay. I know a good few women who have ovarian cancer right now who are self funding Avastin (last hope to prolong life) via GoFund me as they have no other choice - it's that or lose valuable quality time with their loved ones.😞 xxxx
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Thanks ladies. Xxx
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Horrendous stuff Tempest it's like living in the dark ages.x
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It most certainly is, Daisydot. Our great institution the NHS has all but crumbled and will soon be but a pile of smoking ruins, I fear. :'( xxxx
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This post fills me with dread. I moved house 18 months ago but haven't admitted to my gp I now live in another town. I have a redirection on my post and still use my old address (actually still own the house but rent it out). This is solely because my doctors understand my medical needs and it's near my work. I am dreading having to sign up with a new doctor and having to explain everything again when everything is just starting to go right for me :'(
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Then don't do it sadieloiuse I wouldn't.by all means if they confront you then you'd have to have a rethink but if your doing ok then don't rock the boat.
I've used up my allocation of local gps now there's just no where else for me to go even if I was prepared to go further which I am but they won't accept outsiders on their lists regardless.ive tried believe me.xx
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Bit contraversial and just a thought to highlight the issues in the mainstream but has anyone thought about going to the press?
I suspect the fact that GPs are not prescribing as per consultants requests and effectively witholding oestrogen medication would pique their interest and add further weight to highlighting your situation.
Someone I think mentioned radio 2 did a piece or maybe one of the newspapers....
Please don't all berate me at once... It really was just a thought.
Xxx
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Bit contraversial and just a thought to highlight the issues in the mainstream but has anyone thought about going to the press?
I suspect the fact that GPs are not prescribing as per consultants requests and effectively witholding oestrogen medication would pique their interest and add further weight to highlighting your situation.
Someone I think mentioned radio 2 did a piece or maybe one of the newspapers....
Please don't all berate me at once... It really was just a thought.
Xxx
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This post fills me with dread. I moved house 18 months ago but haven't admitted to my gp I now live in another town. I have a redirection on my post and still use my old address (actually still own the house but rent it out). This is solely because my doctors understand my medical needs and it's near my work. I am dreading having to sign up with a new doctor and having to explain everything again when everything is just starting to go right for me :'(
Keep as you are !
I had no choice. We privately rent and had redirection mail for a while but I had to tell the hospital my new address at an outpatients appt (redirection had ended) and obviously then gp knew. I tried to stay, saying I still worked near surgery but they refused.
My son and his partner have moved to this town and I said to my DIL not to move surgery to this one. She's lucky as her mum still lives in the house so all correspondence can be forwarded.
We only have 2 surgery's at this town I moved to and the popular one can't take any new patients until they review their list in 2019, I think I'll go on their waiting list if they have one. I've changed my pharmacy back to my old one too as this Lloyd's are atrocious, never order meds on time and are rude. My old pharmacy said to go to Dr so and so at this other surgery as he knows him and he is happy to prescribe oestrogen and testosterone, I could've cried telling him they're full and can't take any more patients xx
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Hello ladies.
I agree with you all. The NHS is being destroyed to make way for an American style insurance system. The US health insurance companies make a fortune for their shareholders but the service is third rate. I know from another forum that American patients spend more time battling their insurers than their doctors and the insurer can refuse to cover a treatment meaning the patient either has to go without or find the extra money from somewhere , they refer to it as paying out of pocket.
As we are ranting ladies I am going to say something controversial so please forgive me. In my opinion if we want properly funded public services the British people need to wake up and stop voting Tory! There, I said it and I feel better already lol.
Sending hugs to you all.
K.
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We have a devolved NHS here in Scotland and it's an adysmal shambles just the same. The track record for mental health is truly atrocious too - questions are being asked at Holyrood and enquiries being undertaken but it will lead exactly nowhere. This is their 'stock approach' to such matters (we are of course under an SNP Government here so I don't think it really makes a lot of difference when a system is broken beyond repair). xxxx
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Annie, I will moderate my language and say that is effing disgusting. Of course you need to complain to the practice manager but I doubt you want to get involved in a dispute, you just want the medication that you need. I hope you get them to see sense but if not, my advice is take control and buy it yourself - I remember we talked about this on my buying HRT in Spain thread.
This goes a long way to explaining why my 'Buying HRT in Spain' thread has had over 19,000 views as of now. My GP was also bloody useless and didn't know the first thing about HRT so I just walked to a pharmacy in Spain and bought HRT myself and I am very, very glad that I did, it was the right decision and unlike my alleged GP, I knew exactly what I was doing.
I know precisely what Daisydot means, some members say on here that you don't need to seek help privately, you can get what you need from your GP. You certainly could have fooled me. Time and Time again we have women on here who have had the most appalling and verging on negligent treatment from their GPs. Take Lisa1966 for example, she has been left in a terrible situation and was given a 12 day course of norethisterone from a GP who didn't have a clue about HRT. Many GPs seem just seem to google HRT and then take a wide guess and prescribe the first thing that comes into their heads or just prescribe the cheapest stuff.
As for NHS funding, I noticed on the news last night that Hunt is making noises about increasing NHS spending (£350M?) but I doubt much of it will go towards treating menopausal women.
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After the terrible treatment I received at my GP when my hormone trouble started I would never step foot in an NHS surgery again, I pay my private doc £55 and he prescribes me everything I need. My husband and I pay 40% in taxes and as far as health goes we get nothing back in return, it's bloody disgusting!
Daisydot, how much is the testosterone in Spain? I never thought to ask for it at the pharmacy in Spain.
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Hi Rosti your in no way going to get bereated from anyone here that's not what we should do to anyone with an opinion they're all worth airing.
It's a lovely idea but unfortunately the only way we can get the help we need is by paying for it this is such a financially motivated world now.I see all these consultants and meno experts shake their fists and say it's terrible it's shcking that women have no voice over these meno issues so we'll be there to help them get the treatment they so need and deserve,Yes for a bloody price you will.Why should we pay you upwards of £200 consultation fees when we helped pay to train you and support you as young doctors.to add insult to a njury we then go armed with your recommendations to our gp and their worthless ,so then we have to ask you for private prescriotions that yet again we pay through the nose for at a time in our lives when we have very little income if any because the same government that won't support us with this also ripped off our pensions. As far as I'm concerned you private consultants have found yourselves a nice little earner at our expense instead of getting off your backsides and pushing for well woman clinics with properly trained meno staff that are available for us all via a system we've paid for.
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Ladies, please feel free to rant away
& hijack away, I did my vent and I'm finding it interesting reading all your replies
Mary G, Daisydot and Tempest have been really helpful today to me and I feel better knowing I can buy this in Spain. It actually might be worth me nipping over on a cheap flight a few times a year and not fight for it here but I will still try, not just for me but for other women and my daughters generation, she is 31 this year so potentially 10-15 years away from starting this nightmare herself
I've still not heard from the Surgery which I'm not surprised at, going by their average of taking 5 days to look at a repeat request using their online system maybe I'll hear back sometime in July xxx
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My nhs appointment took 6 months Annie then people wonder why I went private,I could have been dead and buried in that time,x
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Some very interesting observations on here and there is nothing wrong with ranting, what else can you do? It is worth remembering that GPs are public sector workers and your taxes are paying their salaries. They should be subjected to the same scrutiny and accountability as other public sector workers and not be given a God like status and made untouchable. This is exceptionalism at its very worst. Some of the prescription cock ups we read on here are truly frightening.
I agree that women should not have to pay for private treatment in an ideal world but we are not in an ideal world and you have to do what is best for you. Given the choice between waiting months for an appointment with an NHS menopause clinic and seeing a menopause specialist in a couple of weeks what are you going to do?
Women come on here in a vulnerable state and are looking for solutions, not to join an NHS pressure group.
Well done Tempest for getting back on track, it's great to have you back. Annie, I'm glad I was able to help.
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Thank you so much, Mary G! :) :thankyou: xxxx
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Thanks Mary G, your knowledge and experience is great & helpful
Re my nhs referral: they referred me in March, I thought it'd take forever so the same time I contacted Louise Newsons clinic, she's fully booked til sept so I am on her waiting list for her new clinic, haven't heard anything. A few weeks ago nhs called me offering me last Tuesday, but it was the worst day ever for me to take time off of work so they've given me 26th June, that impressed me, 3 months on the list !
X
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I'm not surprised you're ranting. I'm speechless.
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Thanks Wilks, it is getting stressful x
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You rant away Annie the treatment ( or should I say non treatment) you have received from your GP practise is just not acceptable.
I feel your pain and frustration.
I have sent you a pm.
Love Lanzalover x
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Thanks Lanzalover. I'll go look at my pm
Just looked on my patient record, they say I must use my oestrogel TWICE WEEKLY , if it wasn't so bad it'd be almost laughable x
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I can understand your frustration Annie! Great news though that you have an NHS referral soon!
The lack of knowledge is breathtaking isn't it? Even in my very enlightened practice, my nominated job-share GP (not my usual gynae specialist GP), removed progesterone from my repeat prescriptions (that you can order online) when she added Sumatriptan for migraines. It looks like because I hadn't ordered any for some time ( because I am on a long cycle) she decided I didn't need it any more - no consultation, nothing. I wrote a note in my online message to say how was I going to protect my womb from oestrogen without progesterone?! Needless to say it was added again without question!!!
I can understand the practice's initial reticence re testosterone if they haven't prescribed it for women before - as this is off-licence (as long as they agree to prescribe it if your specialist continues to recommend it), and that you might have to wait for it, but getting the dosage wrong for your gel is beyond the pale!!
It's great to post it all on here as we can all support each other to continue to challenge the system and collectively help each other to fight for what we want on NHS, by helping with information and comparisons with other areas - as we should do. I do feel passionately that's what we can do - and remembering the hundreds of women reading this to whom private medicine is beyond their reach ( good luck to those who can afford it!).
Have you actually run out of testosterone Annie? If so how are you coping?
Hurdity x
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Hello ladies.
I agree with you all. The NHS is being destroyed to make way for an American style insurance system. The US health insurance companies make a fortune for their shareholders but the service is third rate. I know from another forum that American patients spend more time battling their insurers than their doctors and the insurer can refuse to cover a treatment meaning the patient either has to go without or find the extra money from somewhere , they refer to it as paying out of pocket.
As we are ranting ladies I am going to say something controversial so please forgive me. In my opinion if we want properly funded public services the British people need to wake up and stop voting Tory! There, I said it and I feel better already lol.
Sending hugs to you all.
K.
Well said Kathleen - and you don't need apologise - it's time people became more politically aware! Glad you feel better!!! I felt better for reading it! :)
Hurdity x
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Your missing the point here Hurdity, we Cannot afford Private treatment hence MY rant so again.please don't say it's good luck to them who can afford it as hundreds can't,we cannot afford it and have to get it anyway we can and I hate that feeling of being chastised because I dare to go private,I have no other options and I have the full weight of a meno consultant behind me so god help the other ladies who don't but I can't fight everyone's cause week in and week out.
I'm pleased for you that you can write an online message in your notes and get a positive response ,we can't even get our repeat script requests acknowledged so it's hit or miss if we will actually get it,I put a request in for oesrtogel script 5 days ago still nothing and it's pointless phoning to chase.
I'd say to anyone who like us is having this hassle week after week you go private or buy elsewhere or whatever it takes to get what you need to make your life bearable and improve your health and stuff the good old nhs.
I've had my family in a car crash this week having to lie on the roadside for 2-5 hours after being cut out of car because there were no bloody ambulances available and one had to be requested from 20 miles away,they were ten minutes from the actual hospital but we weren't allowed to drive them there,not even a paramedic sent to attend to them while waiting.dont mention nhs to me because it's failing everyone here.
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So sorry about your awful accident Daisydot, I hope you're ok :bighug:
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I agree Daisydot. To go private for me means going without something else, in this instance we cancelled a mini break and lost our deposit just in case this nhs appt doesn't work out for me. Going private isn't snobby, it's being desperate for treatment that is working for me. But, and I've always said this, if I won the lottery I'd be going private every time.
The surgery refused my testosterone even though he read the letter from the nhs gynae stating they recommend it. He said he wants an answer from the gynae HE chooses, I fought, I argued, he did listen but said it's his way or subject closed. He thought my preferrncr of quality of life over length of life was absurd too, saying no one would want to cut short their life over feeling better.
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I can't afford to go private,I don't know how I am going to pay yet,but it's either that or end up in a psychiatric ward or dead,so I don't see any other options at the moment,as I am climbing the walls xx
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I was crawling on my knees in A&E with a screaming panic attack, all they gave me was antidepressants and a benzo and were ready to commit me to the psychiatric ward. I was so desperate I would have taken out one of those ripoff payday loans if it meant I could have my life back, if I couldn't afford it.
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It's so wrong :(
Xx