Thought for the day

[vonniesims]

Should we think about campaigning to get Rheumatoid included in The NHS list of long term conditions.?

[nomoreheels]

Are you meaning so we're eligible for free prescriptions? If so NRAS have been petitioning to do so nras.org.uk/free-prescriptions

[vonniesims in reply to nomoreheels]

I have noticed that people with Asthma, Diabetes and Heart disease have regular check ups and reminders to get a flu vaccination if under 65.

My rheumatologist has told me that we have the same cardiac risk as Diabetics, and should be monitored in the same way.

My GPs don't take this seriously . I have my bloods done 3 monthly, but no check even on cholesterol or BP . Seems there should be a NICE guideline for monitoring us.

[nomoreheels in reply to vonniesims]

Seems like your GP Practice don't know the risk factors for patients like us. Mine always book me my flu jab annually because I have RD but I would qualify if I didn’t because my h has diabetes. They do my annual cardiovascular check (which includes cholesterol), Vitamin D, monthly drug monitoring bloods & ferritin/folate/B12 & a close eye kept on my bloods to act on anaemia as I have past history. My h has diabetes but since our Nurse who ran the diabetes clinic at the Practice are all over the place & he has to remind them when he should be seen. He has heart disease but as he's had an op & needs closer checks they are at the Cardio centre at our local hospital, in fact been there this morning.

I wonder, maybe if you let your Rheumy now you're not the list for the flu jab or having the necessary/recommended checks he'll contact your Practice, preferably in writing & you copied in just in case they’re still reluctant. As you have your bloods done at the Practice they must have signed a shared care agreement. You get your repeat scripts from them I take it?

[Cal48]

Why isn’t it? Yes it should be classed as long term .

[Hidden]

My pharmacist cannot understand why we are not listed as long term conditions and we have to pay for prescriptions. My bug bare is a friend of mine is diabetic and gets free prescriptions. She sorted out her diet and started exercising and now has reversed her diabetes she still gets free prescriptions 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️we can’t reverse RD

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

That's great your friend has managed to reverse her diabetes. Does your friend still need to take any meds for diabetes do you know? If she doesn’t & doesn't qualify with any other condition she could face a £100 fine. I've just had this, fortunately though I was able to explain what I'd done wrong to be fined & it was waived. I might have been unlucky because the man said it was a random check but it wasn’t a free prescription claim it was simply ticking the wrong box, I ticked the one above prepayment duh.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

I asked her this and her nurses advice was to keep quiet as it could return 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️not so sure

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

Mmm. I don't think I’d risk it but of course she's a grown up, has a choice & she's made it. I'm not sure the nurse is giving the correct info though. Yes, it may return but she doesn't need meds for it at the mo so not eligible.

[Ferret18]

Do you use the pre payment prescription method?

£10 per month for as many prescriptions as you need

I know I still have to pay but it’s SOOO much cheaper than paying full amount

[Hidden in reply to Ferret18]

Yes I do use prepayment and it does save money. It’s still not fair.. my eyes and teeth/ gums have been effected by RD so paying more for these while reduced hours all effect the pocket as does hospital parking blood test every 2 weeks £3.50 a time. Have just been awarded pip but it doesn’t cover the loss financially .. sorry I’m moaning 😞

[Ferret18 in reply to Hidden]

No need to apologise

[crashdoll]

The list of conditions which are excepted for prescription costs is old and outdated. I think it either needs to be updated or scrapped completely. The trouble with updating it, is that there are so many long term health conditions and it’ll end up that almost everyone will be on the exception list. With that in mind, I think they should either scrap prescription charges for everyone or charge everyone (adults only) unless they are on a low income.

[mickam]

I have Type 1 diabetes as well as RD so I get all the free prescriptions, tests, etc. It has never occurred to me that Rd would not be on the NHS list. It certainly should be.