Structured Medication Review.

[Ern007]

Has anyone else on this form having to have a STRUCTURED MEDICATION REVIEW by a - PHARMASIST.

I just found our that is what I am having tomorrow . Not with a GP or practice nurse.

It seems silly. just a weel or two ago I had a COPD/ASTHMA review done by a pharmasist.

In that review he reviewed my inhalers - he wanted me to shop the blue one and I think use Fostair more and up the dose of my Ipratropium Bromide aka Atrovemt.

Ipratropium Bromide is a good inhaler, miles better than a blue one, but I don't want the dose upped or Fostair, as I have AF most of the time. I refused. and told him why.

Point is I told him what I thought was best for me, I mean we ought to know what helps us.

So I am having a Structured Medication review tomorrow - this is a Multi Disciplinary approach. like a MDT.

So I wonder will he/she go through my COPD meds again.

Why I don't like this Multi Disciplinary approach - With my cancer the MDT caused me more worry than the cancer did. some of you will remeber my experience.

So has anyone else got to have a Structured medication review?

[sassy59]

Pete had a nurse do his last med review as far as l recall. He has sat with a pharmacist in the past but that was a long time ago. I’d just go along Ern and see how it goes. You can always explain how you feel and have a chat perhaps. Xxx❤️

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank's Carol for years I had a medication review with a GP or Nurse.

I have to go in the morning, but just a month or so ago, I had a pharmasist trying to change my meds. My inhalers are fine.

I hope they leave my pain meds alone. I was given a choice and have been OK - I am just hoping I am not getting a young guy with modern ideas. I will know tomorrow, I just don;t like this 'Multi Disciplinary approach'. So did Pete not get his meds altered Carole? xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Ern007]

They tend to leave Pete alone to be honest Ern. He was put on Fostair at a respiratory appointment once but it makes him choke so he doesn’t use it. He’s been ticking along for a long time now so I hope the pharmacist listens to you. Be assertive if you feel the need. It’s your body. Good luck tomorrow. Xxx❤️

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank You Carol - I found out it's for older people with OA, Diabetis and High Blood Pressure ect - I am down as having hight blood pressure and I don't have it, they charged me more for my travel insurance for that. I thought I had been left alone until this year. Fostair I find OK, don't like ventolin - Not saying that ot I will end up on Trimbow lol xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Ern007]

That’s ridiculous saying you have high BP when you don’t. Pete does and also does well on Ventolin….we’re all different. lol.

Take care xxx

[helenlw7 in reply to sassy59]

My records said I had MS and it’s only this year I’ve managed to have it removed!

[Ern007 in reply to helenlw7]

MS? I should think they did remove it. The High Pressure cost me in travel insurance, in fact I have low blood pressure at times.

[helenlw7 in reply to Ern007]

They did eventually remove it. I’m not sure who did it but it had gone when I had my last rheumatology appointment in April.

[sassy59 in reply to helenlw7]

Oh dear Helen, whatever next. Xxx

[helenlw7 in reply to sassy59]

There surely can’t be anything else!

[sassy59 in reply to helenlw7]

Hopefully not! 😳 xxxx

[Coughingalltheway in reply to Ern007]

When I was taken into hospital, they asked me about my muscular dystrophy! The Consultant was not impressed that it was on my notes but I'd never had it. When I got home, I've accessed my health records through Patient Access and got that removed together with the apparent depression I've had since 1994!

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

It did not go as bad as I thought Carole, I got a femail pharmaist who listened to all my points, And I can go see her if I need to, I was shock, even took me upstairs in a lift. xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Ern007]

There you go Ern, l’m pleased to hear that and seems as if you were looked after and listened too.

Carole xxxx❤️

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

So different to the grump that did my COPD review. he was from AstraZeneca =-Yes she was nice and gave me options. Even took myself and Anne upstairs in a lift xxx

[Dottie11 in reply to Ern007]

great to here.xx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

Thank you Dottie.xx

[djbctla in reply to Ern007]

Hi Ern As I have never had your review pharmacist experience, I did not reply to your post. While saying that, I can feel your relief after your review for which I am very happy for you. Three cheers. 🥰🥰BERNARDINE

[Ern007 in reply to djbctla]

Thank's Bernardine - I was relieved as not long before I had a less than good COPD/Asthma review. Yes it was almos pleasent.

My CT scan was soon over and done with, got to hospital 8am was home a few minutes ago, I was first.

[Troilus]

I have a yearly review with the pharmacist from my GP surgery. Most have been a tick box review. I did have one where I was given a new cholesterol drug to try (no good for me but I tried it) and she swapped my dissolving Asprin to a more stomach friendly version. Both times it was up to me to say yes or no to these meds.

I don’t think this is anything to be concerned about. Most of my reviews have ended with “ your medication seems to be working for you so no need for any changes”

[Ern007 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you. I had a tick box COPD/Inhaler reveiw a month ago.

[Turnipgirl]

Yes I had a phone appointment with a pharmacist for a medication review back in 2022!

[Ern007 in reply to Turnipgirl]

I did for a COPD review which also turned out as a Inhaler review and he wanted to up the dose. Until needed I am ok as I am .

[Greenthorn]

Not sure if it was a "structured" medication review but a pharmacist at my doctor's surgery phoned me this year to say they are reviewing my meds. This lady does two days per week. Apparently she is telling me that she has noticed from a CT scan that I've got plaque in coronary arteries and she' like to prescribe atorvastatin 20mg. I was curious since I'd not been told anything by my consultant cardiologist. So I said no. Id wait till I see my cardiologist in July But a month down the line I changed my mind and began talking the staten. No ill effects at all. I should say the pharmacist did explain all about this. However when I saw my consultant two weeks ago he said what I had (the plaque) was normal, everyone has plaque or something like that and he didn't seem too concerned at all! Nevertheless he didn't tell me to come off the statens.

All im saying here Ern is that it seems to me this "pharmacist" role at the surgery is a new thing and maybe he/she seeks to show they are making or suggesting changes. Jobs for the boys!

[Ern007 in reply to Greenthorn]

Well Greenthorn was not as bad as I expected, out sugery has a lift and we went up.

The review itself went well, she did say did I still need blue inhaler, I said yes but I only use it when wheezy, she thinks I would be better taking adcal twice a day .

I see her again in a year but if I need a change of dose, I can see her .

To me though as nice as she was - This could have been done by a nurse - All in all although Multidisaplinary. it was not to try and take my meds or change my meds - I have open access to her also.

it is yet another tier of care though.

[jhorsf in reply to Greenthorn]

Be careful and watch for side effects with statins

[Hidden]

I had a pharmacist review my meds once but not a structured review that you have booked. On edoxaban so can only take cocodamol for OA and RA pain. He said it’s addictive so what what I do if he decided not to issue so much monthly? I said I’d live a miserable life with chronic pain that wasn’t being controlled. I reported him for his attitude and uncaring manner. He still reduced it by 10 tablets a month. I can cope with that and it no doubt made him feel the bigger man!!! At least he got to tick a box on some audit sheet I’m sure! Take care 🦊x

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Every time someone in the surgery threatens to stop my pain meds, I tell them they will then be responsible for me no longer running support groups, taking a full part in my local community and looking after the maintenance of a church hall that is used by small charities, and instead consign me to staying at home in painful misery all the time as I commit suicide by sofa and an early grave.

It's worked so far.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

Good for you. Waiting for other knee replacement so hopefully will be able to cut down but that will be my choice not his 🦊x

[Ern007 in reply to Hidden]

I know what you mean Bingofox007 - As nice as she was, being I take Dyhydrocodine and Morphine, she wondered did I want to give them up. I said well no as it save me taking Morphine with other stuff at night and she bought that. She was dubious over my Lorazapam, I did tell her why I needed those, she listened and said OK...she worked from a tick box.

[Ern007 in reply to Hidden]

Wow how unlucky are you. Of course Opiods are adictive but I would have a miserable life with out morphine amd dyhydrocodine for night. I explained that to the lady pharmaist and she backed me. I have Riveroniban that does notinteract with Morphine , he sounds a tyrent and that's why i was worried.

[Alberta56 in reply to Hidden]

Grrrr!!! You've been badly treated.

[Smilesalot]

Hi Ern 🤗Yes I supposed to but I refused to go for months. My meds are fine at the moment if they aren't I speak to my Gp.

But I did recently have bladder infection antibiotics dealt with soley by the pharmacist. So I may go eventually😉

I'm also afraid they will mess it up. Terrified actually.

Well done Ern for sticking to ur guns hugs Dawn

[Ern007 in reply to Smilesalot]

Our surgery is spit into 2, one in next village, and my GP not my usual GP orders this - The pharmasist was a woman and listened to what ihad to say and to me surpise, was suportive, - I think she know I was not for change. I held them of for a while, appointment cancelled, but my named DR put it back and had to go. Hugs back at you Dawn.

[BrigidsFire]

A lot of pharmacists these days are actually prescribing pharmacists. This means you can speak to them about prescriptions for a lot of things, rather than having to wait for a GP appointment.

Our surgery does yearly med reviews via the pharmacist. They are usually better placed to discuss medicine interactions or alternatives, as well as being qualified to give new prescriptions.

[katieoxo60]

Hi Ern007, you sound like I did a few weeks ago. I have medical reveiws regular on tablets and once a year for inhalers. However at the moment my Inhaler reveiw is overdue because of cancer treatment . My Chemist just refers me back to DR if anything goes wrong. I used to have chemist reviews but because of allergies that can't be done anymore. I've had a tablet reveiw but have a inhaler reveiw with the nurse on the Ist of August. Its changed now to once a year around your birthday so these extra reviews are to get it in sequence for next year so they can be all done at once. Hope that makes a bit of sense to you. Mine are still not in sequence because of the cancer and the fact I take an opiod for pain. So good luck with your appointment at the chemist.

[Ern007]

Hi katie, The reviiew was at my GP surgery, top floor. She asked about every one and listened, I was quite surprised - Although she did a secong inhaler review in a month. I am on liquid morphine for my pain, I really could do with tablet at night time, and filling a syringe from a bottle middle of night is not good. My cancer does not seem to figure in these reviews,, She said ses you next year , but I can go see her if I need to.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Ern007, I had mine yesterday. It was seamless. No problems at all. I did not have to discuss my asthma or Bronch, the main focus was on whether I had any problems with my meds or any other health issue. I am fortunate that all my meds are doing their job and I have no issues. I hope you get on ok Ern, I am sure you will. Take care, Maximonkey

[Ern007 in reply to Maximonkey]

Thank you Maximonkey - Unlike the structured COPD this really was a nice pharmasist. she asked over my breathing and pain, but the only queery did I want to continue with Adcan D - i said not really been taking it, but found I am on strong Vit D - She just said take the Adcal after my course of Vit D- I was dreading medication cuts, a nice surprise./

[Maximonkey in reply to Ern007]

Hi Ern, so glad it was a positive experience. I really felt my pharmacist wanted to help me. You take care, Maximonkey

[Cruise1]

I had one of these a few years ago and was misinformed by the pharmacist. went back for appointment with GP who did full revue again disagreeing with something pharmacist had said. My last review,which was supposed to be a blood test only, turned out to be a review done by one of the practice nurses and wasn’t very thorough.

[Ern007 in reply to Cruise1]

I was bothered about this., I had a COPD review and he wanted to change my inhalers, I said no. This was a doddle this morning, she is one of the few. Polite and even took us up in lift.

[Alberta56]

My last medication revue was with the surgery pharmacist. It was very civilised. We had a nice chat about my various medications. I was not pressured into changing anything I did not want to and felt an equal participant in the discussion.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Medication review turned out fine, COPD not that good and had inhalers reviewed twice.

[Germantara]

Sorry but haven't come across that yet

[Ern007 in reply to Germantara]

Neither had I until yesterday,