incorrect hospital letter

[Littletreasures]

I had a letter summarising my recent appointment. At the appointment the doctor said I would be seen again in 3 months time and was to carry on taking the Brinzolomide drops. However the letter said I’d be seen in 6 months time and that I should take Dorzolamide drops, which I’ve never been prescribed and which were not discussed at the appointment. Should I phone the hospital or just ignore the letter as being incorrect?

[NewCardinal]

Hi - Would be better to phone the hospital. I'm sure sometimes they do get patients notes muddled if they've been particularly busy. So would be better to just check as it's important you have the correct medication.

[Weva]

I agree with New Cardinal. A copy of this letter will have gone to your GP so there will be a problem with your prescription. You also need your next appointment interval clarified.

[Granny79]

Hi. I would check the appointments, but if it is any consolation I was put on Brinzolamide, but because I was having difficulty using the bottles they put me on Dorzolamide instead. However I still struggle with the bottles as they are very hard plastic. I have Arthritis in my hands. I do use a bottle squeezer that helps a little. The other problem I have is you cannot see how much is left in the bottle.

Hope you get it sorted.

[anonimouse5 in reply to Granny79]

When I was first put on Dorzolamide the hospital pharmacy gave me Eydelto, a horrible little bottle which I couldn't squeeze and my husband also found difficult. Neither of us have arthritis, so I can well understand your problem. Also the first drop usually came out frothy, so I had to discard it. Subsequently the chemist (without asking) always gave me Trusopt which is in separate ampoules and much better, although probably more expensive. Each month I have a little worry in case I will be given the bottle version again.

[Bellamolly60]

check with hospital we are online at the MREH

And receive update on phone

[Transporterman]

My consultant changed me onto Dorzolamide from Brinzolamide I only lasted a couple weeks before reverting back.I know everyone is different but they didn’t suit me my eyes were very irritated, I take three drops per day.

[Granny79]

I have to do my own drops. The manufacturers of the eye drops don’t cater for the older generation or people with Arthritis. I find it so frustrating.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

As already has been said, do contact the eye secretary at the hospital. It sounds like you have the wrong letter. It could change what repeat prescription you get from your GP and delay your 3 month appointment.

[PBX142]

I have found mistakes in the past in the summary letter sent to my GP and myself. They've usually been about getting the left eye medication swapped around for the right one, eye pressures different from what was said at the time (not the kind of thing we're likely to forget!) and so on. But nothing that will have directly affected my condition, ie getting a different date and different medication. Those two need correcting. We have to keep our eye on the ball all the time these days as the NHS is so overstretched.

[Littletreasures]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I phoned and asked for the letter to be amended. I’m not used to dealing with hospitals but they were lovely about it.