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Problems with Surgeries and Chemists

Posted , 3 users are following.

Margherita
Margherita

This morning I am a bit stressed. Again, when 'phoning surgery for my prescriptions, which I ordered on Prescription line last week and was told they would be ready in the surgery, they could not find them. 'Phoned the chemist, they could not find them. Thelephoned the surgery, my doctor is on holiday, and prescriptions were not to be found. (these are for 5mg Pred ) Promised prescription, that will be signed by other doctor. Tomorrow I will have to 'phone chemist and see if they have them. Have been to Community Hospital 2 weeks ago, to have blood test for ESR.because I want to decrease my Pred dose. Rung surgery. No News. Asked for DEXA scan. Nothing heard. Telephone Hspital, told, my name is not in the computer yet. Asked for Physeotherapy for my VERY painful shoulder. Nothing heard. 'Phoned Physeotherapist at Community Hospital; My name is not on their computer, and they are NOT busy.....My doctor, that is handling all this, as she promised, is on holiday. Today I am seriously thinking of stopping this nonsense. I was very healthy and strong before this, and I see no reason why I should became an invalid. I am thinking of stopping all medications, and see what happens. Maybe the pain will not be so bad that I cannot get on with life ? I have rubbed my shoulder to the bone....with Deep Heath ! It keeps the pain away.....but also everyone in the household want to leave..........! I stink of IT !..... By the way, the trouble with the prescriptions : THIS IS the 3rd TIME this has happened.......! I am a very patient patient... :roll: Hope this predicament of mine will stir some discussion in this \"NEST\"......! :wink: Love Granny Moss :rose:

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH

    Posted

    Granny Moss: demand an interview with the Practice Manager - I'd insist they came to visit me. Hand him/her a copy of that post. And ask what they are going to do about it. Remind them that you MUST NOT stop taking the prednisolone suddenly after being on it for some time - you run the risk of an adrenal crisis and being hospitalised (it can be life-threatening). If they can't provide you with the prescriptions for the drugs you require in an efficient manner ask how you can get your pills since they are not available OTC (over the counter).

    There is a procedure for making complaints via the appropriate Primary Care Trust - my friend used to be the one at the end of the phone before she found a happier job! :roll: :wink: Remind the Practice Manager that this is so - and also mention the local press. I'm sure they'd love a story about the feisty pensioner who is fighting the powers of the NHS!

    Stop being a patient patient, Have fun!

    EileenH

  • mrs_k
    mrs_k

    Posted

    Granny Moss

    EileenH has said it all.

    Get the Practice Manager - pronto

    If no dice, then PCT it is and a change of GP.

    Stop being an :angel: and become a :steam: :devil:

  • Margherita
    Margherita

    Posted

    Dear EileenH and Mrs K. Thank you for your kind advice. I did not know about complaining. I have b een promised that a Doctor will 'phone me to let me know about things. I have just 'phoned the Surgery, and I have been told that my ESR count is 24. Is this high or low ? Can I at 24 decrease Preds from 6 mg to 5mg from next monday ? Grateful of your as always kind reply. Thank you and :choc: :bubbly: from Granny Moss xxx
  • EileenH
    EileenH

    Posted

    Granny Moss - it is said you can work out what your ESR should be by taking your age, adding 10 and dividing by 2. As you are a lady of a venerable age, that allows you somewhere up to 45 as being normal :wink: :lol: . Doctors usually look for something over 40 as being suggestive of something wrong (i.e. in PMR).

    What is more to the point is what your ESR does over time - people whose ESR is high when they have PMR need to see it coming down and remaining at a much lower level when they are on the steroids. Then, when they lower the dose, they need to see it staying steady.

    So, yes, this is an OK figure for your ESR, there is no reason why you shouldn't try to reduce the dose. BUT - remember what we've said so many times before: your body is the best indicator of whether the reduction is working. If you get some pain that improves over a couple of weeks - fine. If you get pain back and it just gets worse and worse then go back up to the dose you were on.

    And try to do it with tiny steps - just reduce the dose one day this week and take the old dose all the other days. Then try on 2 days the next week, spaced out a bit, and if that is OK try 3 days at the new dose the following week. Don't worry about it, and don't let your practice get you all het up :roll: because that won't help you at all!

    good luck,

    EileenH

  • mrs_k
    mrs_k

    Posted

    Granny Moss

    Have you had a Vit D test to see whether it is OK or low.

    If its low, it also presents as aches and pains, and this is why before you are diagnosed with PMR it is one of the exclusion tests.

    If you have not had this test, be wary before you take a drop, in fact, I would ask for the test and depending on the result, would then consider a drop.

    If the Vit d is low, you need Dekristol 40000 units per day for at least a month.

    Take care.

  • Margherita
    Margherita

    Posted

    EileenH and Mrs.K- THANK YOU ! Will follow advice and ask for test.

    I do not know what we would do without all the help available on this Forum, given by you lovely Ladies.! I wonder at times, if doctors know as much as you do, about PMR ! !......

    And apart the medical side of it, I find the little bits of social interchange, quite relaxing and interesting !. :wink: Let's hope we shall have a GOOD night sleeeeeeeeep....! tonight ! :zzz: :wink: Granny Moss.

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