What doctor's won't do

[helvella]

An article in Saturday's Guardian about what doctor's would not do for/to themselves in terms of treatment, etc.

I actually lost count of how many times autoimmune and/or thyroid were mentioned in the 390+ responses on there. Quite a read in its own right.

To be fair, some simply show they are humans like the rest of us. But some would have me looking up "How do I change my GP?" pronto! Don't miss that there are at least three pages full of comments.

This morning it was still open for comments for anyone registered with the Guardian (free). And can be viewed by anyone.

What doctors won't do

From steroids to sleeping tablets, IVF to the flu jab – doctors reveal the treatments they would avoid

guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle...

Rod

Note: This blog complies with Louise's request to provide some introductory text for blogged links.

[Hidden]

It just reinforces my complete lack of confidence in GPs, not only relating to my lack of thyroid treatment but also the incompetence that my elderly mother was subjected to.

They're on a nice earner, with a nice pension, and are answerable to nobody. And we're paying for them!

[Joyia]

Phew quite a read Rod but thank you as it confirms my own stance to take responsibility for one's own health as much as conceivably possible.

[Hidden]

It would be nice to think that the Guardian might do a follow up considering all the responses they received.

As a footnote I have today popped into our Lloyds chemist and my heart sank when I realised that the "dragon" shop assistant was going to serve me. She gave me a hideous grilling about what I was buying (Ibuprofen), why did I need the 96 400mg pack (because that's cheaper!), was I on any prescription medication (no), I must only take them with food or straight after, I should really speak to my doctor about taking these pills (yeah, right!!) and so on. Then she took them off to the pharmacist to see if I could buy them!!! This happens every time I go in there, whatever I buy. I REALLY object to this completely unqualified woman acting as gatekeeper to my purchase of a few painkillers, and frankly how, when or why I buy them is none of her business. If I were going to instantly consume the whole packet, is her condescending lecture going to make the slightest difference - I think not. I was FUMING!

It's a pity the health service and it's adjuncts are not as careful in all areas of their responsibility.

Jane x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I had a Pharmacist (not the assistant) grill me for several minutes over purchasing a small spray bottle of normal saline of the type sold for small babies which I wanted as a nasal decongestant rather than use the blood pressure raising decongestants, and I wasn't at home to mix my own.

She knew it was for me, she also knows I get up to 10 prescription items each month, including blood pressure treatments, and powerful Controlled Drugs for pain... I could probably use them to wipe out my entire street if I was so determined! It is not a P or PoM medicine, so it can be retailed by supermarkets even; it's not that it is a dangerous product as I would use more salt on a meal than in a whole bottle, and of course I could buy a fork-lift truck Pallet of 100Kg bags of salt in a wholesaler if I wanted to make tens of thousands of gallons of it!

I asked her why the interrogation and am still none the wiser!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

my 88 year old mum gets a prescription for 100 paracetamol anytime (Tescos only allow us 2x16 packs) but only 1 month (28 days) disolvable aspirin (75).

but the pharmacist warned me about her other med being 'anti-depressants'

strange world... J

[Joyia in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jane, although I can understand your annoyance with the Dragon lady, there is a growing awareness by the medical profession of the detrimental side effects to pain killers. People have become so used to popping pills of this kind over the years, often in a trusting manner without realising the possible damage. I think it is a good thing that awareness is being raised but at the end of the day it depends how you are approached and obviously this assistant went a little power mad.

[siskin]

Hi Jane, I can really understand your frustration with the "dragon" but there is another side to this. |My niece worked in a chemist and had to ask the same questions and I have been through the same procedure as yourself.

My niece was worried about a lady who wanted a large number of paractamol and asked the pharmacist if she could sell them. The pharmacist spoke to the customer, it tured out my niece possibly saved the womans life. The purchaser had just been released from hospital after trying to commit suicide. Her employer rewarded my niece with a gift voucher for her

recogniton for the cusomers possible state of mind.

The "dragon" had a duty of care and legally has to ask if she could sell the number of tabs. customer wanted.

[Hidden in reply to siskin]

Quite right, Siskin, but I only ever have trouble with this one particular woman - she is completely over the top and way beyond the duty of care - power gone to her head I think. I actually wondered if she annoys the pharmacist as much as the customers with all her phoney knowledge. A few months ago I did actually challenge her about my purchase of Sudafed, as she was unbelievably patronising and I knew way more about it than her. I backed off when I realised she may decide not to sell them to me.

Jane x

[siskin in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jane. I have found that the officious type, if you dig deep enough, know b.gger all. I have found also where possible, ask to see the manager, or boss man, that often gets a back down or co-operation.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to siskin]

It's still daft. How hard is it to go to more than one shop? In our small local shopping centre we have two chemists and two supermarkets, plus at least one stall in the covered market that sells aspirin, oh and Wilkinsons as well. Two in packs in each one, then go round again and use a different checkout. If you really wanted to do it, the current regime wouldn't really stop you. Or collect 2 packs a day. Simple.

And why shouldn't you be allowed to kill yourself? I believe it is no longer a crime.

[JennyRay]

Thank you for a very interesting article.

[Hidden]

Meanwhile in today's Pulse e-mail, it's saying that 'two thirds of GPs are practicing more defensively amid fears of compensation culture'. 'The vast majority citing the fear of litigation'.

So where does all this leave us?

[siskin in reply to Hidden]

In the proverbial !!!!!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to siskin]

Yep!

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

We should sue them for not treating thyroid problems properly!

[Glynisrose]

On the subject of painkillers if someone was determined to kill themselves and couldn't get enough tablets from one chemists they would buy some from each one they went to. Make no bones about it its financial. The chemist wants to sell smaller quantities because they are more expensive.

[helvella in reply to Glynisrose]

Of course that is the obvious way of side-stepping the ruling. But there does appear to be some correlation between pack sizes and mis-use. I know I did a bit of looking around last time I noticed a change to the rules and was surprised to find the statistics seemed to bear that out.

Sorry therefore, no link for now, it was some time ago I looked.