Update on House Move and Doctors Move: We've been... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,342 members38,113 posts

Update on House Move and Doctors Move

Bcol profile image
Bcol
41 Replies

We've been in the new house (probably should say new to us as it's around 130 years old) it all went as well as could be expected but it did mean we had to change doctors which was a bit of a worry as our previous ones were brilliant. Had a telephone consultation with new docs this morning. Very impressed, seem to very with it, on the ball and lovely. She went through all our various ailments, checked medication and was very happy and cheerful about everything. Put everything on three month automatic prescription, but, and at my suggestion she's put my Pred and Co-Codamol on request by me as their usage is variable. She has given me an extra four boxes of Pred to be getting on with. She was very impressed that I could cut the little 1.0mg tablets!! (In theory I've now got enough to see me through or until Christmas!!) She said you obviously know and understand about managing your PMR and was more than happy to leave the management to me and just let them know if I needed help. Review for everything in nine months. All in all a good appointment and I and OH are feeling very relieved that we seem to have another good practice.🙂🙂

Written by
Bcol profile image
Bcol
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
41 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Good news all round then…. 😊

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to DorsetLady

Very much so. A big worry off our minds.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bcol

Sure it is….

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Hallelujah!!!! Your neck of the woods must attract a high calibre of GP!

My daughter is moving soon, just a few miles but where she is is only just in the catchment for her wonder practice that she joined a few houses ago but she's stayed in the area the whole time. She found a possible get out - her practice is one of few registered for ongoing care of her ADHD so she's hoping that might count for her staying there.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to PMRpro

Fingers crossed for your daughter, it is so frustrating that you have to change when you are only just outside the catchment area.

Kendrew profile image
Kendrew

That's really good news. I know how concerned you were. Really pleased everything is satisfactory with your new GP.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Kendrew

It was a big relief.

cycli profile image
cycli

great news Bcol. So glad it has all worked out for the best. Hope the walks are up to scratch.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to cycli

We are not so close to the Pennines but our local walks are excellent which is good news for both us and Joey.

123-go profile image
123-go

Wonderful!

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to 123-go

It has certainly removed a worry.

diana1998 profile image
diana1998

What a wonderful relief. A good GP is invaluable!

diana1998 profile image
diana1998

In my practice, they've said new regulations mean they can only prescribe a months worth of meds like pred at a time. And they need 7/10 days notice so I seem to be permanently order 1mgs. 😡

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to diana1998

The doc said they work on three or even twelve months to save everyone unnecessary time, visits to doctors/pharmacy and work, which seems to me to be very sensible,

diana1998 profile image
diana1998 in reply to Bcol

Lucky you!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to diana1998

One way of costing the NHS more in dispensing fees. That is a piece of nonsense for longterm patients.

diana1998 profile image
diana1998 in reply to PMRpro

So why do my surgery say it's new regs but it doesn't seem to apply generally??They've taken hrt off repeat prescription after 30 years but luckily that's 3 months supply. Double Dutch.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to diana1998

If you are on long term medication it doesn't make any sense at all to make/require people to get another prescription and visit the chemist every month. Even if it's a repeat prescription it still has to be signed off and sent to the pharmacy. It's a complete waste of time and money for everyone in the chain.

diana1998 profile image
diana1998 in reply to Bcol

Agreed

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to diana1998

Because some practices will do anything that suits them. I would ask to speak to the Practice Manager and explain just how inconvenient it if for you and (if the PM isn't a doctor) the risks of being left without pred for even one day. You aren't going to be stopping taking pred suddenly any time soon and even 2 months worth at a time would be a help.

diana1998 profile image
diana1998 in reply to PMRpro

Good idea.

Mfaepink1973 profile image
Mfaepink1973 in reply to diana1998

My docs still have a message on their phone about Covid and then saying they can only prescribe one month’s medication at a time. It does seem a waste of everyone’s time for those on long term meds.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mfaepink1973

Lots of temporary measure put in place re covid seem to have become permanent..

But having said that my GP surgery has always done monthly prescriptions..

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Mfaepink1973

You would have thought, that given the difficulty of seeing people during Covid then giving patients a longer supply of medication would have made a lot more sense rather than giving them just a short term supply!!

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada in reply to diana1998

My last refill of pred was cut by 2/3 for some strange reason with 14 refills?? Took calling the pharmacy and my rheumy to straighten it out. Thankfully my rheumy re-sent the prescription for the usual which is refilled every 3 months and when I checked with the pharmacy they assured me it was indeed adjusted.

Bcol profile image
Bcol

They certainly are and compared to some on the forum we have been very lucky.

Stills profile image
Stills

Enjoy the Newhouse and drs 😀

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Stills

Thank you.

Bramble2000 profile image
Bramble2000

that’s my kind of Doctor!

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh

Great news!! Xx

Pixix profile image
Pixix

Enjoy your new home. I must admit, before I joined this forum I thought everybody managed their PMR as you & I do, & had a cupboard ‘full’ of different steroids, 1mg, 2.5mg, 5mg, & just ordered what they needed. Now I think we are in the minority. Hope you’ll be happy in your new to you home!

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Pixix

Thank you. Joining this forum certainly opened my eyes to the problems and differences in the services provided by local GP's and health trusts across the country.

Telian profile image
Telian

I had the same concerns when we last moved and, like you, fears were unfounded. In fact, dare I say it, our new surgery is even better. It’s such a relief isn’t it. 🌺

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada

Glad you are all moved in and hopefully settled…that’s a big job. Also happy that your new dr and practice is pleasant AND competent (you don’t always find both).

We are not moving but my wonderful GP is….thankfully only a 35 minute drive away, and we’ve all received forms to complete to transfer to his new practice.

Although it is an inconvenience (as currently it’s a 3 minute drive to his office here in town), he is the best doctor I’ve ever had so I’d follow him to the ends of the earth!!

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to PMRCanada

Its certainly looking very positive here, bit of a pain for you with an extra 35 minute drive but at least you get to stay with someone you trust. Think my sisters docs are also about twenty five minutes drive away and the hospital even further, she is in Ontario as well.

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada in reply to Bcol

We are fortunate to have a small hospital here in town as my whole family has had to access it more than once.

May I ask whereabouts in Intario you’re sister lives?

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to PMRCanada

Eganville, right on the edge of lake Clear.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to PMRCanada

I was "moved" - when we came here there were 2 doctors in the village, one over-subscribed but he wouldn't willingly give any up, not surprising since it was all the octo and nonogenerians, and the other for the newer arrivals. She then decided she wanted more and moved into town assuming her patients would go with her. We weren't allowed to and had to transfer to change to other villages, neither of which are easily accessible by bus. It isn't that far - but still takes over 15 mins with a car. Pity help the ones who don't have one. Then a new second doctor was found - but those of us who have the journey weren't automatically transferred to her and her spaces diappear in a couple of hours. PITA.

WhatNoCarbs profile image
WhatNoCarbs

I’ve done several different things with different tablets (in UK).

One long term med, I asked my GP a long time ago for 2 mths supply instead of 1 mth due to inconvenience. He was happy to do it, and no future GP has amended it.

Also, as it was a long term med, I couldn’t suddenly stop taking it, and there were some times when local pharmacies seemed to run out. I’ve therefore gradually built up a small stock, to accommodate: the pharmacy problem, the 3 mth med wind-down should I have no choice, and a window so it should never get that point! Quite a lot of boxes! I ensure I take into account the box dates and cycle them accordingly.

For my pred, I’m still on 1 mth supply. When I 1st started, the pharmacies seemed to have hellish problems keeping stock (Covid years?). So I now do the same as above and have built up a small stock.

I go through an online pharmacy now (Pharmacy2U, although I’m sure others are available). GP likes it as he only needs to use 2 mouse clicks to change or reorder meds. My pred med went down recently due to a 2wk holiday, so I repeat ordered earlier added a small comment why, which was accepted no questions asked.

For those that don’t know about the online service, just set up with say Pharmacy2U your details, then change the pharmacy with your GP to Pharmacy2U (we’re fortunate in that this latter bit can be done online too) and bingo that’s it. To reorder, tick a box, press return, goes electronically to surgery, Dr ticks box, Pharmacy packages med’s, then sends out in the post. Takes slightly longer sometimes, but really convenient. Set it up right, you get emails of each stage & in UK the PO states when will be delivered within 2hrs! (Abnormal UK efficiency!)

Apologies for long blog.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to WhatNoCarbs

I tried the home delivery service from out last pharmacy, but unlike others around here, they used Royal Mail not their own delivery service and I wasn't happy that the medication/drugs came, not having to be signed for, and just left outside if we were out. Sacked them straight off.

WhatNoCarbs profile image
WhatNoCarbs

Sorry not PO, meant Royal Mail . Guess it depends on delivery person with the Royal Mail. We normally try to be in for them. The normal delivery person just gives to one of the neighbours (my loh is friendly with him and requested certain neighbours for the deliveries). However we were out the other day & not normal person delivered to non- preferred neighbour. Fortunately on this occasion (not always) said neighbour was OK. (Guess it is only a problem with my loh!)

You may also like...

Doctors appointment today (update)

this is what she said was causing the headaches. She showed me on the skeletal man she keeps in her...

Update to Unexplained Thigh, Knee and Leg Pain

word). He seemed very clued in about AI and PMR, thought I was doing well and was very happy with...

Return to big brother house

become quite attached, its very needy) Ok so an update, still on 40mg of preds, blood thinners and...

Update on my scan for GCA flare

restricted when put under pressure. The lovely lady who did the scan was happy to show me...

Smart move or dumb move?

be on top form of walking all over and going to 1 million museums I would put Volteroll on my feet...