A story of our times

[Valentina1]

Let me tell you a story Its about prescriptions delivery Boots itself. last Thursday I needed a prescription 5days later a doctors lovely receptionist delivered today Excuses amongst others left on the counter. I left this pharmacy Boots which is at the Health Park for good reason in Jan19 Reason being I arrived there at 81 in extreme pain on my own Giant Cell Arthritis diagnosed 60mgs of steroids. this script came via Gp from him speaking to a consultant at the local hospital I walked painfully back down the corridor its a long one to the pharmacy stood and waited. The person there took my prescription I sat in dreadful pain not knowing how to cope with it. Half an hour went by. I asked what was happening The attendant told me he was double checking the script yes you heard it. He had left a message with the surgery They had not replied After asking him to please ring again and he refusing I requested the prescription back and walked back to the doctors reception desk They couldn't believe it. The doctor who had written the script came out he was angry and scarlet apologised to me and ran off down to the pharmacy to complain Eventually after 2 hours I got my script. That's why I left Boots.

I have gone back because I am now 83 and isolated and they deliver what a joke.

I am prescribed stemetil maleate for bouts of dizziness I read the possible precautions I have 3 of them including 4 DVTs Anybody any experience of this I am on Methotrexate Please don't ask me to try and get hold of the Rheumy Dept Believe me I have tried endlessly morning after morning They only answer between 9 and 11am I am at present on

5mgs preds metaformin for Pred induced diabetis and anti coagulation Rivaroxaban. The meds newly received is stemetil has anybody any experience of it.

Take care everyone arms around all

[jinasc]

I cannot help you your questions..........but I am sure someone will be along quite quickly.

It is difficult when we are in our 80's and this has come along out of a blue sky.

Boots are planning to introduce a £5 delivery charge.. is there another chemist,eg Wells near you, they are still going to deliver free of charge.

Hang on in there............xxxx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think you need to speak to your GP - it is very likely that most of the rheumatology department have been sent to look after other departments including the Covid 19 patients.

Are you also on folic acid? You should be taking at least 1x 5mg the day after the methotrexate and some times people need it more often to combat the side effects of the methotrexate. That might help the vertigo too.

And do tell the GP about the pharmacy - who obviously need a clip round the ear!!!

[Blearyeyed]

It is an awful situation and I can understand you worry , especially about a pharmacy that has treated you badly before.

I can only go on my experience today , most of my medication is given to me by the in surgery pharmacy but there are certain medications which they refuse to order in because they choose other brands because of costs so I must collect a script for them and organise delivery from elsewhere now.

Yesterday I chose to ring around the local pharmacies , the ones in smaller areas and smaller shops. I found one and asked if they could order my medication in to arrive today so that my husband only had one trip. They had it and put it to one side for him.

They also offered to sort out deliveries over the phone for the future free of charge.

Sometimes these smaller businesses are busy but not quite as overrun in a crisis as larger pharmacies like Boots , and they are more used to and able to bend the system around to help you .

It took 40 minutes of queueing with very few patients despite the calls , but one of my husband's colleagues had decided to use the larger pharmacy , also a Boots , the queue took 2 and a half hours , and they were sent home to try and sort out the deliveries in future by going online.

So , try calling small chemists and registering for deliveries with them of all of your drugs or just the new ones , it may take a couple of calls but it will be worth it . They will also contact your GP for you to help organise things if the situation is complicated .

[Valentina1]

Thankyou for your ideas Truro is a very small city one other pharmacy besides the supermarket I am unfortunately now NHS listed and unable to visit anywhere. I changed back from Tescoe with reluctance to Boots as they deliver Or so I thought. Am in anticipation of a similar experience next time hopefully I will be wrong.

Take care of yourself

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Valentina1]

You should contact your local authority or local help groups - they do have to get this sorted out.

[Hidden in reply to Valentina1]

If you are shielded I was told to contact the local council for any help I needed. As I understand it the local council resilience forum are co ordinating it but like everything, shifting and mixed message.

gov.uk/guidance/local-resil...