Newbie - Here's my SOA

msmicawber

I see you have a Sainsbury's near work, and know that with wheat/gluten free products a lot of their own brand products are wheat/gluten free (not so sure about dairy as I don't look for that myself). Check their web site, as it's really good and clear and you'll probably see where you can make some savings by buying own brand instead of what you're buying at present.

Also, search for Coeliac Society web sites as they give information about products and I know that you can buy some things by mail order, which may be cheaper. It's very difficult, I know, but you should be able to get your bills down. The same is true for the supplements (are you positive you need them, or so many, anyway?). Again, mail order is often cheaper, but shops like Lidl and Superdrug are often a lot cheaper than Holland & Barrett, or other supermarkets (not in the first flush of youth myself and swear by Lidl's Evening Primrose capsules that I can't afford anywhere else).

chevalier

have you had a proper allergy test.you can get items on prescription, if you have been tested.

Gemmzie

chevalier wrote:

have you had a proper allergy test.you can get items on prescription, if you have been tested.

Does anyone know how you go about this?

black-saturn

Theres loads of vitamins in Poundland that are just as good as those from Holland and Barratt. But do you really need them? If your spending so much money on food you must have a balanced diet.

lynzpower

Gemmzie wrote:

Does anyone know how you go about this?

you just ask your GP, theres some fairly simple tests you can do at the GPs surgery my mum said ( she works for bupa)

mcallister1

Gemmzie wrote:

Does anyone know how you go about this?

I think that it is only if you have coeliac disease or a related skin complaint caused by gluten that you can get prescription bread etc. If you go for a blood test to see if you have this you should have wheat in your diet for a bit beforehand ( look at coeliac society website which is helpful). However, most people who cut out wheat and/or dairy because they feel better without them will not be coeliac. Hope this is right-am going by the experience of my Mum and sister who have prescriptions.

steerpiker

Thanks everyone for your comments. The food issue is something to sort out.. I have spent an hour looking at the Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose websites (my nearest stores at home & work) with a list of what I eat and comparing prices, seeing where I can buy the cheapest (surprisingly there are somethings which are cheaper at Waitrose). I'm going to go to my doctor and see if I can introduce some foods back in - like bread - as that will mean I can make sandwiches for lunch again, which will save a LOT of cash, also low-fat yogarts. I know my health is important - but so is my financial health.

Talking of which, I phoned the CCCS and have appointment with them in 2 weeks time. They have said I should change my bank account to a basic one. I am thinking of changing it to the Allience & Leicester as that seems to be the best one at the moment so...
a) What are your views?
b) Does anyone want to recommend me, seeing as the "Recommend A Friend" offer is still on.

Gemmzie

mcallister1 wrote:

I think that it is only if you have coeliac disease or a related skin complaint caused by gluten that you can get prescription bread etc. If you go for a blood test to see if you have this you should have wheat in your diet for a bit beforehand ( look at coeliac society website which is helpful). However, most people who cut out wheat and/or dairy because they feel better without them will not be coeliac. Hope this is right-am going by the experience of my Mum and sister who have prescriptions.

I'm not coeliac but have a very low tollerance for wheat and am dangerously allergic to cow's milk (which is is so much food that you wouldn't even imagine).

I have had allergy tests done (£200s worth! :mad: :eek: - NHS waiting list is 18 months here :rolleyes: )

I might chase it up with the doctor though. Thanks