By the time I’d got myself vaguely feeling like the day could start, the last few days events, and in particular last night’s, (and some nagging by Cat) prompted me to try to do something about my medication straight away rather than waiting to talk to a GP on Monday.
First port of call was my GP surgery, which opens at 8am so I rang at 8.05 and got voicemail saying they don’t open until 8am. I rang again at 8.30 and got the same message, so I rang 111. After following various options, I eventually got a message recommending I ring 111! Genius!
I went to the pharmacy at the surgery to seek their advice about increasing my dose. He decided I should have a full meds review, 10 mins of which was spent explaining why I take blood pressure tablets. Now believe it or not, after 12 years of high BP, and having the priviliege of counting amongst my friends some specialist medical staff – including pharmacists – I know why I take blood pressure tablets. In fact, I make a point of understanding quite a bit about all the medication I’m taking, or are being suggested. I get that everyone on regular medication is supposed to have an annual review, but that was not the time. I accept that a chat with a pharmacist friend over a coffee in the staff canteen a couple of weeks before doesn’t count as a proper review, but surely the fact I’d only had a full review with the GP 10 days before counts for something! The GP had said it was a starting dose to see how i get on, but that it might need to be adjusted, and what i was seeking was some professional advice about how what sort of adjustment is appropriate. The pharmacist did eventually skip a few of my meds – maybe he realised I had actually understood what the GP had discussed with me, maybe he eventually took the hint that I’d stated (in a manner that was very much targetted at him) that stress is a factor in high BP – but he eventually told me I should see a GP. So that was well worth the visit then!
I then popped round to reception of the GP practice. Now the reception staff fall into the following categories:
1) very friendly and couldn’t do enough to help
2) friendly but not overly efficient
3) not particularly “customer friendly” but at least you know will get the job done
4) “what do you think this is – a care setting or something? Stop bothering me!
You’ve probably guessed who was on duty today, haven’t you?! So I explained my reason for being there. I know there aren’t usually GPs available at weekends, but there is usually a nurse practitioner available, and they can sort a lot of prescription requirements. No, I was told I could speak to a GP on Friday! She did say I could try calling early Monday for an appointment if it was urgent, but there probably wouldn’t be any point because there weren’t any appointments left, so maybe try Tuesday or Wednesday. 😡It’s hardly surprising people go to ED for inappropriate reasons when GP receptionists take that approach! I feel it might be time to lodge another formal complaint. The thing is, the medical team at the practice are absolutely great.
Having only got 2 hours sleep last night due to the nerves and, to an extent the back pain, things aren’t feeling too great tonight either.