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Original poster

Been summoned to doctors with symptoms of cold!

103 replies

Caramelblonde · 05/03/2020 10:53

Hi there,thoughts on this please.Doctor is withholding my repeat prescription unless I go to surgery today for review.I have cold symptoms,auto immune disease and run out of meds now.

OP posts:
CinderellasSecrets · 05/03/2020 12:31

Half the country has cold symptoms at the moment, it is cold and flu season unfortunately we all have to go about our business as normal and unless you have been abroad to one of the more affected countries lately then it is still highly unlikely you have coronavirus. There are currently under 60 confirmed cases out of a population of around 70 million.

cheesecakeorchocolatecake · 05/03/2020 12:34

@gingersausage a medication review is not a waste of time. It's clinically negligent not to do one if it's been identified as necessary.
I know people who aren't medics won't necessarily understand why GP have to do some of the things they do, but trust me they won't just do superfluous stuff for the hell of it Hmm

agentnully · 05/03/2020 12:38

My GP has caught me out twice like this. I've put my repeat in (one of which is a medication that can't be stopped suddenly) then rang the surgery to ask why they've not arrived only to be told I need a review. Then I can't get an appointment.

I have to beg the receptionist to ask the GP to issue enough of the meds that can't be stopped, which they do, but I have to go without the 'non-essential' meds. It could be up to three weeks before I get in to see someone.

So, last year I thought I'd do the sensible thing and ring to make a review appointment at a time they can put me in so I'm not taking an emergency appointment but they won't put me in until the doctor needs to sign the repeat when they'll decide at the time whether to issue or not.

Which leaves patients like me back in this really stressful situation. Bonkers!

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viques · 05/03/2020 12:54

Medication reviews are commonplace, and essential, and to reassure the person up thread who thinks they are a waste of a Drs appointment I have mine with various HCP at the surgery, practice nurses, the pharmacist and sometimes the GP.

ACtually it was a HCP who picked up that I have an irregular pulse so I don't feel that I am being given a less valuable service, or that I am wasting resources by being given a regular review.

gingersausage · 05/03/2020 12:56

To all those of you who can’t read - I was answering the PP who was told to go for a med review and then when she got there her GP said there was no need to see her. That was my point about a wasted appointment.

Jux · 05/03/2020 13:30

so phone your surgery and tell them.

Shinycat · 05/03/2020 13:32

@Caramelblonde FGS go then!

And why on EARTH would you let your meds run out to zero?

I know half a dozen people with ongoing/lifelong conditions and illnesses (asthma, Rheumatoid arthritis/ epilepsy/ diabetes/ depression/anxiety etc,) and they have at LEAST a month's meds in at any one time.

Moreover if you have run out, you would surely be wanting to go to get more supplies, so why can't you go to the doctor when you go for the meds?

Also, you would have had at LEAST 3 or 4 weeks notice of your impending review. And if you are on R.A. meds (methotrexate or sulfasalazine/,) then you KNOW you are supposed to book regular blood tests. (Once every 4 to 6 weeks.)

Your last prescription would have had a note attached saying 'you MUST book a review.' So the innocence and ignorance is not a defence.

Stop being so entitled, and angry at the people who are just trying to help you, and get down to the GP this afternoon, and get your review, and your meds!!!

stickerqueen · 05/03/2020 13:33

my gp did my medication review over the phone the other day.

Melroses · 05/03/2020 13:52

Our GP is as bad with med reviews - you don't know whether you need them or not and how to get one and who with, and neither do the staff.

Having been caught close to the wire, my DH was able to build up a back supply of immunosuppressant as there was a lag between the consultant reducing his dose, and the prescription being updated.

justasking111 · 05/03/2020 13:55

Well OP has vanished hope she is ok. and gets her check up.

WikkiTikkiWoo · 05/03/2020 14:16

I am guessing you are on one of the drugs that have recently become controlled drugs, such as pregabalin. Your GP will not be allowed, legally, to give a repeat on these without seeing you. They could lose their license.

LemonTT · 05/03/2020 14:26

A lot of med reviews have to be done in person because they involve physical testing.

The OP can go in with a cold. There’s no advice saying she can’t if she isn’t in a risk group.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 05/03/2020 14:30

My meds are reviewed (with blood tests) at least every 12 months, every 6 if they've been altered recently. I'm not on anything especially powerful, just have hypothyrodism and am currently on A-D's

I'd be glad they're checking you, OP.

starfishmummy · 05/03/2020 14:33

And why on EARTH would you let your meds run out to zero?

In my area rheres a central prescription ordering service. They wont let you order a repeat until you only have 5 days supply left. Then its 48 hours to get signed and to the pharmacy, who may have to order in.

And then like me last week you get to the pharmacy only to find one item hasnt been dispensed because the dr didnt add it to the prescription and discover that in spite of already having had 2 "annual" prescription reviews in the last 9 months that this has come up for review again....

justasking111 · 05/03/2020 14:43

For safety sake we have to do our repeats on line a fortnight in advance because they say at least seven days notice. That way if there is a problem you have a few days to sort it out.

Wheresthebiffer2 · 05/03/2020 14:46

And why on EARTH would you let your meds run out to zero?

Because life with depression/anxiety is often chaotic. Of course nobody means to run out of their meds, but it happens. Things get on top of you. Overwhelmed. Hiding in that dark place. In denial. can't think beyond the hour, let alone the day or the end of the week. So yes, in real life, for real people, sometimes you let the meds run out. Okay?

And then you come up against the system - GP rules, pharmacist rules, receptionist policies, and it's hard. And when you are feeling crap, it is sometimes too hard to fight the system. too hard to deal with. so sometimes, the meds run out.

It's easy to mock, and ridicule, but for some people keeping their meds in control (particularly if you still resent having to take them) is hard.
BE KIND.

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 05/03/2020 14:47

This is ridiculous. People keep complaining that it's impossible to see a doctor at the best of times (which is true)

for once it's a case of looking after a patient and checking their condition, and people like the OP bitch about it.

GPs who don't get casual about treatments and patients whilst they still can, they should be applauded, that's how it always should be! And GPs don't really have a death wish and want to catch covid-19...

Thisismytimetoshine · 05/03/2020 14:49

Is this the next step to the hysteria? People “self isolating” because they have a fecking cold?

WhatTiggersDoBest · 05/03/2020 14:52

I've been waiting weeks for my review. GPs are so stretched right now with all the extra pressure on the NHS that I can't imagine them bringing you in for no reason. Are you on a controlled drug like Tramadol? I think you're making a fuss about nothing with these "cold symptoms". Are you prone to catastrophising? I think you should have made a decision before today because other people could have had your appointment.

missinginactiongeorge · 05/03/2020 14:54

It's good practice, they can't just keep giving you the same meds/dose without checking that it's still appropriate, so just go and see them like they asked,

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 05/03/2020 14:55

Unless it's desperate that you have your review immediately, then I think you are right, you should stay away and save both yourself and the other patients the potential risk of sharing bugs around.

And since you've run out of meds, they should issue the repeat prescription now but with a proviso that you MUST go in as soon as you are well enough for the review - you can't avoid the review forever because of COVID-19, but you can at least wait until your immune system isn't already beleaguered by whatever you currently have.

Lycanthropology · 05/03/2020 15:24

I’m glad my GP surgery doesn’t waste appointments like that where they could be seeing actually ill patients

What an ignorant comment.

I guarantee that your surgery DO do this for certain patients and/or certain medications. It’s a legal requirement in some cases. My DD has to be seen every three months in person to continue with hers.

Lycanthropology · 05/03/2020 15:25

Furthermore, people on long term medication ARE actual ill people.

lowlandLucky · 05/03/2020 15:33

A runny nose is not a sign of the corona virus

Oldraver · 05/03/2020 16:31

Re meds running to zero...

I've had an ongoing issue with this as my meds are a 28 day pack, my GP won't issue any sooner and my pharmacy are rubbish. We tried to ask for them after three weeks but GP refused the repeat

The only way round it was to miss one tablet a week since Christmas so now I'm a week ahead

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