A light bulb moment!

[Kendrew]

Having just read all the responses to the post by gKetan30 regarding costings of treatment for PMR/GCA, it made me suddenly realise how easily I've taken for granted access to the medication I take!

I'm prescribed Alendronic Acid, Prednisolone (5mg, 2.5mg & 1mg enteric coated tabs) Calci-D, Propanolol and Atorvastatin. Every month I dutifully pick these up from my village pharmacy where they're always ready to be dispensed and never for one minute have I considered how lucky I am to be able to do this!

In order to receive medical care and the medications I need, I'm not required to pay money that many people would struggle to afford into a private medical care system and I don't therefore have to pay for any of my tablets.

I've never really considered before the cost of dispensing all my meds each month...or the cost of all the blood tests, DXA scans, x-rays, other scans etc.

You forget that the systems are very different in other countries and although there are many things in our health service that could still do with a good 'tweaking, it's made me appreciate much more just how fortunate we are here in the UK to be able to receive the drugs we need either completely free ( depending on our individual circumstances) or at least, heavily subsidised.

I'll never take this for granted again!

[Bcol]

Couldn't agree more.

[123-go]

I once did a rough costing for all the investigations I've had since my diagnosis..MRIs, X-rays, PET scan, echocardiogram, ultrasound scans, nerve conduction test.....the total was huge! What would I have done without the NHS?

[Kendrew in reply to 123-go]

There's definitely much that could be improved within our NHS system, but sometimes those things monopolise our thoughts to the point that we overlook the things we still should be thankful for.

[123-go in reply to Kendrew]

Absolutely!

[bussell]

Hear hear!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I lived in Germany for 10 years and while we were there I had a baby - for the first 2 years we did have good but limited coverage and when the baby was born, each event was limited to a specific sum. I'd had a complex pregnancy - and could easily have gone over that limit as I spent 6 weeks in hospital and would have done with a natural birth. Luckily because I needed a c-section it started a new event ...

But we were billed for everything and had to pay, then claim it back unless the doctor dealt directly with the fundholder. It led to a very close awareness of costs. An asthma inhaler used by one daughter costs IRO £80 - and in the UK patients turn up and say they've lost it, can they have another. Because it is "free". Or shove it in the drawer and never use it - but it still is paid for by thee and me .

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

Oh! The 'throw away' society!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Yup - I remember one young lady being a trifle taken aback when told what they cost!!

[SheffieldJane]

I have these thoughts too. We offered to pay for our eldest grandchild’s brace and teeth straightening treatment ( he is 12) it is going to cost about $6,600. He is Australia. I think it would be free here. We are very lucky and shouldn’t let these benefits be taken away, by stealth.The treatment I have received for our conditions has been state of the art.

[123-go in reply to SheffieldJane]

No, we shouldn't, Jane, but that stealth is insidious and many think it will never happen. I fear for the younger generation.

[jinasc]

In 1948 I was 10 when the NHS came into existence. I started work at 15 and paid into the NHS until I retired.

Previously my parents paid 6d (5p + 1p) per week for each of us to the Doctor

When in hospital patients paid 10p per week - this was a big amount for families to find. This sounds a small amount but wages were low.

Personally I would rather pay into the the NHS direct, the tax I pay into the Treasury.

I never, ever wanted my money back. However once I got to 68, I have had my money back and now I owe them a figure I would never have been able to pay.

Just a month ago, I bought a rose called 'Nye Bevan' A donation was made into the NHS charities for every rose bought. It is blooming in the garden and I smile every time I see it and it has a lovely perfume.

Aesop Fable

"The Tailor and His Sons" or the "Bundle of Sticks"

"An old man has a number of sons who constantly quarrel with each other. As he nears death he calls them to him and gives them an object lesson in the need for unity.

Having bound a bundle of sticks together he asks his sons to break them.

When they fail, he undoes the bundle and either breaks each stick singly or gets his sons to do so.

In the same way, he teaches them, though each can be overcome alone, they are invincible combined.

There is strength in union and that was proved in 1948.

PS: Just think at what PMR & GCA UK have achieved so far on a shoe string.