Wait? What?

Just answered the phone... it was a receptionist from my Surgery. Apparently the urine sample, that was taken, by the Neurologist, on NOVEMBER 5TH, (Why, yes, that is in fact 14 days ago!!!!) was a bit dodgy.

He sent a sent a letter to my surgery, asking them to please have me come in for a "second," Dip Stick Test.

I almost took her head off... but instead explained calmly, that I had been in to the Surgery, THREE FREAKIN TIMES last week and had not one... not two... but THREE dip stick tests done!

I added that when I came in again (tomorrow) I would be demanding a culture be done... not a dip stick test.

"Okay," she responded.... "...as long as you have another test done. Thank you"

*click*

Ohhhh Lord give me strength!

[Rugger]

Why? Oh why does it have to be this difficult? A UTI (or not) isn't that difficult to diagnose and treat - surely?

You certainly need some strength to cope with all this, Melissa. Hope He sends you some! x

[Hidden in reply to Rugger]

Why indeed Rugger, why indeed. Strength... Whiskey? Something!

xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The 3 already done don't count... It didn't occur to her that maybe a quick word with someone more medically qualified would be helpful?

There is a definition of insanity...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

HA! I guess it didn't occur to her to look at my records, before calling me, as the letter from the Neurologist was dictated on November 5th!

[Jean56]

Common sense no longer exists. You have all my sympathy.

[Hidden in reply to Jean56]

“Common sense ain't common.” ~ Will Rogers

It's like when the cashier says, "...that will be £4.73," and I hand her £5.03. She will just look at me like I have two heads... I actually has a lad say to me last week, "No that doesn't help me." To which I responded, "Well it helps me. I don't need all that copper. "

He had no clue what I was talking about.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I have to say - that is something the babies are taught VERY quickly here! Any selfrespecting cashier here ASKS for the small change. Old habits die hard - there was a period where you got sweeties instead of coppers...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I remember those days in Italy paying for something and getting a whole load of sweets etc instead of normal change.

[Oldman-1 in reply to piglette]

I worked there as well piglette, often happened to me. One really annoying practise of their`s is to give me a tiny cup of coffee liquid ( camp coffee ) instead of our version.

[piglette in reply to Oldman-1]

I quite liked the coffee, more of a meal than a drink (a tiny meal). I remember having a coffee in the local bar by the office and people having Fernet Branca with it, at 9am. I thought it was a horrible drink myself.

[CT-5012 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve stopped making those sort of offers, the young get very confusedmakes their little heads ache 😖

[Hidden in reply to CT-5012]

I must be mean and like blowing their minds... I also don't like having a purse full of copper!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I'm with you Melissa!

[CT-5012 in reply to Hidden]

The last time I made an offer was for £4.10pence— gave him £5 note and 10pence to which he replied that he needed another £2 after some considerable discussion involving other customers I called a halt asked for my £5.10 back asked how much he said £4.10 I gave him £5 he gave me 90p change. Other people in fits cashier looking blank. 😱😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to CT-5012]

You couldn't make it up could you?

[Hollyseden in reply to CT-5012]

Incredible 😫

[Hidden in reply to CT-5012]

OH MY!!!!!!

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

We no longer have copper. For cash transactions the amount is rounded up or down to the nearest 5.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

There is talk here of removing 1s and 2s...

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

The cent is long gone. There is talk of getting rid of the nickel (five cent piece), and of course we've had coins instead of bills for one and two dollar amounts for a long time. Talk of a five dollar coin went nowhere for the time being, thank goodness.

[CT-5012 in reply to HeronNS]

They often do this in Orkney too. 😟

[sennetta in reply to Hidden]

Years ago I went into a shop an bought three pints of milk. I was charged an amount which was not divisible by three and so I told the girl that there was a mistake. She looked at me as if I had two heads and said that was what she always charged for three pints so I asked her if each pint was the same price. "Of course" snapped back the reply "Well...." and so the conversation went on. Once I had the price of one pint - I gave her the correct money - she had been regularly under charging and no one had noticed. My transport was sitting outside in the car wondering why I was taking so long!

So sorry about your frustrations mamici

[Hidden in reply to sennetta]

Oh my, my, my!

[Griggser in reply to Jean56]

I think there is still common sense around it’s just more common for people to be dim, perhaps we should use the term common senseless😂😂😂

[scats]

This is some super power you seem to have, but I can't quite decide what it is. Either you attract illnesses or incompetants, or both.

At least here you attract empathy.

[Hidden in reply to scats]

Hey, YES!!!!! Maybe I'm a new Superhero.... but you're right! Attracting illnesses and/or incompetents sure SUCKS as far as superpowers go! 🙁

[AndrewT]

Dear mamici1,

Without being, in any way condescending, you poor GIRL....How many Times, had you asked for 'Help'! Maybe, if you had SCREAMED for help, whilst P.ssing yourself....Maybe.....Then again....Maybe Not, probably just give a Mop & Bucket...…!!!

Clearly I, indeed ALL of us, send our Love and best wishes, to you, mamici1.

AndrewT

[Hidden in reply to AndrewT]

Cheers AndrewT. Maybe if I had just peed in the doctors office or the pharmacy... that would have gotten me some attention! ...but you're right probably just a mop and bucket! 🤣

[Longtimer in reply to Hidden]

Love it.….

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

Knowing the way the health service works they would probably use any outburst

( vocally or fluidy) as an excuse to blame the cause of your UTI on anxiety issues to cover up their own incompetence.

They seem to love to play the patient anxiety card for all the other times that they don't know what's wrong with people and don't know how to treat you.

With all the water we are both drinking at the moment I think our Superpower is actually managing to get to the loo without needing a mop and bucket.

Good luck today, keep your powder ( and anything else!!) dry if you can.

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

Either that or it's automatically assumed that your diet is all wrong and you're eating all the wrong things!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

YUP!

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

🤣🤣🤣 Seriously, I feel like a fish!!!!!

[Longtimer]

Is there any chance you can change surgeries???......

[Hidden in reply to Longtimer]

I LIKE YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING LT!

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I'd be dumping jams and jellies out of every jar in the house and refilling with "samples" to deliver to her tomorrow.

[Hidden in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Okay ... That made me laugh out loud! Thank God no tea drinking going on!!!!!!

[Footfairy-1]

Unbelievable! Yet again.

And breath......

Waiting for latest instalment. Hope it's good news 🤞

[Hidden in reply to Footfairy-1]

It's like a bad predictable movie, isn't it?

[CT-5012]

You just know don’t you. Best of luck.

[Rimmy]

Hi Melissa

In the old OZ 'vernacular' (although almost everything is now 'global') - some people are actually called 'dip sticks'. OK any name-calling isn't very 'nice'- if explicable when you are repeatedly on the receiving end of what I prefer to call 'ineptitude' - which perhaps more appropriately describes the behaviour rather than thinking of mere 'individuals'. Clearly all about systemic mismanagement - a lack of communication not to mention basic consideration and evidently much organisation. Oh dear.... in these circumstances I wonder WHY anyone would bother to attend a consult and expect any helpful or even accurate 'results' - except by sheer 'accident'... ridiculous !

XX

[Blearyeyed in reply to Rimmy]

Giggle ,

Perhaps Melissa could go to reception and proudly produce a sample bottle then say out loud , " I have come to have a test with a dipstick!"

We all know the double meaning of that sentence , I wonder if they would work it out.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rimmy]

It is a term commonly used in the UK too! In fact, Wiktionary assigns it a British origin. But I counsel care in its use - men might use theirs to produce the said sample ...

[Pookiesherlock]

I have often had the doctor refuse to do a culture for UTI. It is frustrating to say the least. I have an abnormally high white count regularly, but that is because I anemic and my red count is abnormally low. After almost two years of dealing with this situation, they are finally prescribing B12 for the anemia. I know it's going to be in pill form and I can't process that so I'll have to wait 30 days, take another test, then show them I need the injections. I do wish doctors would listen more to their patients and that common sense would rule their decisions on treatment.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pookiesherlock]

I was told two weeks ago that the lab ( yes you heard , the Lab) may not do another Vitamin D test as I had already had two.

I asked why as I have severe Vitamin D deficiency and the first two tests were both low.

The GP actually said , well they only usually give you one then you have the month of vitamins and that should be enough. I asked how do they know, she actually said they just assume it works because it should!!

I pointed out it wasn't enough the first time , hence the second course of Vitamin D , she said she would try but don't be surprised if they don't do it , of course, I can't have more vitamin D unless I have a low test.

Plus, they never seem to take notice of the urinalysis results even when my have come back recently, they forced me to take three ( they also put one in the wrong bottle) before they would agree with the lab results.

You begin to wonder why you bother when they won't even believe the tests , let alone what you say or how bad you look.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

A month's worth is highly unlikely to do it if you are really low! One lady on the forum had symptoms, got high dose vit D for 10 weeks and her blood level was OK. The symptoms returned a few months later - and a vit D test showed the blood level had fallen again. A second course did the job and the level has remained in the recommended level since.

If you are massively depleted, there is a large black hole in the body that vit D has to fill before the blood level can fall - it only reflects overspill.

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

When I was diagnosed with vit d deficiency and prescribed d3 I asked my doctor how long I would be on it for and her answer was "for life"

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

Depends on the dose you are given - if they do the flooding approach, 60,000 IU per week, it would be dangerous to stay on that for life!

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I was on the standard lower dose , have had two courses , after the first course ( and a Summer spending time outdoors in the sun everyday ) the blood test had only go up by 5, . Still haven't received the next Vitamin D results , rang today .

There has been a number of weeks between initial diagnosis , then my second prescription and now three weeks since the last test without the supplements, while my GP gets their act together and fits me in for an appointment.

They also won't change or increase any medications without having an official letter from my specialist clinic ( won't even accept emails or phone calls) . Even when they get the letter they won't sort out the prescription until I have an appointment , and then they try to change the drug used for something cheaper or ration it forcing another trip to see them before each prescription.

I cannot wait until my next clinic review in December so all of this can be thrashed out and any changes put down on the record so that I can move to a new practise.

But whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger, I hope!!

Hope you are keeping well, have you been to your ice cream shop?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

"standard lower dose" - which is?

No - it has moved and we have finally found where it is moving to: almost next to the hospital but slightly off the beaten track for their prime customers (mainly pupils from the educational campus at the other side of the town). It reopens on Dec 1st - so will have to wait until we get back from Malta...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

The dose was 20,000 once a week.

Hope you enjoy time in Malta , I would love to be there right now, the Welsh winter temperatures are setting in !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

They have considered you may be malabsorbing?

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I have, but you say that to the GP and they do the Roger Moore eyebrow thing , you know what I mean, the you have no idea what you are talking about face.

I asked if they would check all of my fat soluble vitamins this time around , as I also have symptoms of Vitamin A and E deficiency too, and they used the new standard lie that " the Lab" won't let them do it !

The GP had told me under no terms was I to take anymore Vit D than the one prescribed so I did as I was told. My last test was 22.

It is very likely that malabsorption isn't helping my condition, I have chronic pancreatitis and IBS and no gall bladder , but they are checking this as part of the Behcets disease / autoimmune evaluation .

Honestly, if I was a horse they would just shoot me!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

The evidence is that you are NOT absorbing it - or the blood level would rise. So to dispute it is sheer stupidity. But sheer stupidity seems to come as standard at present...

However I do have some reservations about the abilities of the average GP these days.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Unfortunately, my GPs are far below average, even if they do know what they are doing , which I doubt , they don't do alot putting profit before patients.

They even ration my skin adhesives to only five a month unless I am willing to have one cheaper than the clinic advised and they do it with my friends inhalers!!

Free prescriptions are not always the godsend people think they would be.

[Mrs-CJ in reply to Blearyeyed]

Just a couple thoughts....

I’ve read that people with pancreatitis often need digestive enzymes. If you are one of them, that could maybe help with your malabsorption issues.

And I’ve been on the FODMAPs diet trying to better identify food sensitivies. I don’t have IBS but it’s widely used to help with IBS and the majority of people show some improvement.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Mrs-CJ]

Thanks for the advice it's appreciated.

I have been on a limited diet for fat , carbs, sugar and no gluten since my gallbladder was removed four years ago. No processed foods , little salt, supplements the lot , it was working until about a year ago , not now though.

Without it I would be in agony , I have done everything I can to stop or reduce the pain and triggers all over my body now, but unfortunately my symptoms, and the added neuro and GCA means things have gone too far to be managed by life changes or the hotchpotch of pain medications and supplements now I think.

I am sure you are right about the enzymes and there is possibly the need for immunity inhibitors , that's hopefully what my next clinic appointment will finally check and sort out which type of autoinflammatory or autoimmune condition is causing the issues so that they finally create the right drug combination.

Unlike in private health systems , there are alot of hoops to jump through and tests to complete before they allowed to prescribe more expensive drugs on the NHS, it makes you feel like you are a faulty performing seal!!

As well as the raised inflammatory markers , my other blood profiles from the last visit all indicate malabsorption, even though I eat a sensible nutrient packed diet in five small portions a day ( even when eating is the last thing I want to do) and drink water and green tea like a fish. I get as much exercise as I can , although in the last month that is very little because of the pain.

Thanks for helping, it means alot .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

You might find this interesting - I meant to look it up yesterday and forgot.

omicsonline.org/open-access...

You said he was insistent you shouldn't take more than he said - maybe he shouldn't have been giving you any?

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I will take a look

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Possibly I shouldn't .

I have still got low vitamin D , but also had three episodes of pancreatitis like pain in the last two months , and I have pain and burning in the pancreas area everyday at the moment.

But, on the other hand it could also cause a flare in the stomach issues, and my skin and increased joint pain and muscle weakness is more consistent with a lack of vitamin D in the system as a whole.

AI pancreatitis and sarcoidosis are some of the rule out or in conditions to check and discuss when I go to the clinic , I think that is part of the process with the blood tests ( they are doing just about everything twice for comparison before consider any gene or extra component tests).

I just hope they make a final decision this time around , it does nothing to help reduce the head and eye pain with all of the other issues going on.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

My daughter and husband both had vit D levels in the low single figures - using the units that give the lower figure. Neither had bone or muscle pain. It doesn;t always follow.

[Ruadh in reply to Blearyeyed]

Vit-D3 - can purchase from pharmacy and health shops, plus, over the counter. Is not expensive - always ensure is D3. Take with a fat, Vit-D3 needs a fat intake in order to make it bioavailable. Base your schedule on your Vit-D3 results - for adults 3000 - 4000 IU per day for low level readings. High levels of supplement D3, 50,000 - 100,000 per month are not to be recommended, as merely floods the system. Keep to daily intake, let the body absorb, not be overwhelmed ! (PMRpro advised same in her post). Remember, to treat according to your lab readings. IF a problem in getting your doctor to prescribe for a lab, can do yourself (UK refers), £25/- was the cost the last time I checked on this. Will need to search on the internet who is doing what and current costs.

Recommended readings are 45 - 65 nm/oL - UK and America differ in their approach, UK nm/oL.

For more info see the Vitamin D Council (America) vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin...

Dr Michael Holick is the doyen of Vit-D levels : Dr. Holick

bumc.bu.edu/busm/profile/mi...

Side comment : Internet searches have been fiddled to frustration by google etc. Maddening. Can be diff to find to the (prior) full extent by these newly calibrated search engines. Ggggrrrrr Hope can make sense of above info...

[Blearyeyed in reply to Ruadh]

Thanks for the advice.

I was keeping to the doseage they said I could have , I wrote a longer answer to PMRpro above.

I am going to request the clinic in December to do all the checks that my GP won't, and haven't yet been done.

If it is a malabsorption thing increasing the doseage may not make a big difference, I would need to take anything via injection instead.

Just counting down the days until that appointment and hoping they will sort out what issue is causing what then.

Not much of a life at the moment.

Take care.

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

I am on 800 iu per day

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

Having gone all the way back along this conversation to find the question - I see you had said you'd be "on this dose for life" so yes, 800 IU is the normal daily supplement that we are all told to take and it is perfectly safe to take it for life. However - if your vit D level is low 800 IU will never raise it to a normal range.

[patriciawhite]

Gasp ! So what about the three they have already done ,What sort of follow up is that ? I would be furious .

[Blearyeyed in reply to patriciawhite]

Is that to me or Melissa?

It took over a month for the first set of antibiotics and they only did the next analysis because I had picked up the results of the first one to take to my consultant appointment and asked why they hadn't told me the results.

By the third and yet more dipsticking they finally conceeded , by that point the first antibiotics couldn't do the job , so stronger , longer course was required and it still isn't right .

It is unfortunately typical of my GP surgery , I am basically treading water with them until the consultants have finalised their plans and then I am off with full care plan set out to start a clean , less dangerous slate elsewhere.

Hope you are well .

[patriciawhite in reply to Blearyeyed]

Melissa but it would suffice for both of you by the looks of it ! I think my doctors and certainly receptionists took the same training course as yours . I have asked around word of mouth on any other doctors here .No one seems to have anything good to say about any of them . Its hard to find one you would risk a new start with . Its a bad state of affairs isn't it when we are willing to put up with the best of a bad job .

[Blearyeyed in reply to patriciawhite]

It definitely feels like going from the sublime to the ridiculous , but the level of mendacity at my local surgery to cover up for lack of knowledge or their putting budgets before patients has got too much for me to stomach now .

I have my families health needs to consider too , and I genuinely don't feel I can trust what they say , or what they prescribe anymore without triple checking that it's alright.

Like you , I haven't got one friend who goes to my surgery who hasn't received some form of bad advice or inappropriate medication , and some of their teenage children are getting the same treatment too.

[Oldman-1]

Lol .... yes, they have the power to cut you off short leaving you with no time to think or respond. There in lies the ( power ), you should you wish to pursue the issue, complain by letter to the surgery manager, ( keeping a copy.)

[powerwalk]

I feel your frustration!!!!!!!!!

[Jackoh]

This is all like a bad nightmare!!

[Hidden in reply to Jackoh]

YA THINK? I must have been very evil in a past life! Maybe I was Lizzy Borden, or Vlad the Impaler... Well, maybe no SOOOOOO evil, maybe more like Ebenezer ScroogeI

[Jackoh]

I think you have such a vivid imagination!! Maybe you would be very good at blogging or something like that! 😜

[Hidden]

Hmmmmm? Maybe, I should give it try! xxxxxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Can't imagine what makes you think you should

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

❤️

[Suffererc]

Don't know why we bother asking for doctors ...... Receptionists know far more???????

[Hidden in reply to Suffererc]

🤣🤣🤣