Advice re prescription

[poemontheocean]

In here for traffic (sorry.)

I had a prescription for pain relief faxed through to a pharmacy 2 days ago and I've realised I'm not going to have enough to last after tomorrow.

Due in work first thing Monday - won't have a chance to see the doctor.

What do you think the best thing to do is? Should I call OOH today or tomorrow?

Appreciate advice :) thanks.

Unless I am misunderstanding, you haven't seen your GP?

If you haven't been seen and diagnosed you won't be treated effectively. You're just covering up whatever the problem is instead of actually addressing it with a targeted solution.

The tablets you have currently do have an OTC equivalent, and they're not really for severe pain so disabling you can't physically move, which seems to be the reason you can't get to the GP, yet can still go to work?

You need to be seen and treated, I would think your GP is the most appropriate person.

Either you are:

1. In severe disabling pain not helped by current meds - OOH
2. Pain eased by current meds so not an emergency but still requiring attention and not well enough for work - GP urgent appt on Monday.
3. Pain low enough for you to go to work - GP when they can fit you in for routine appt.

I would pick whichever option you feel appropriate.

I work for OOH - in fact I'm working now. Ring! They can always fax again or if they need to see you they can. Just call 111.

My advice is in no way from a medical perspective though, just from a pain sufferer perspective unfortunately.

You were given 30 tablets Thursday night with a maximum 8a day. That should be enough to get you passed lunchtime on Monday. See your GP Monday morning, if you are in that much pain you should be at your doctor receiving treatment, not at work.

Isn't there 30 in the box though?? 8 per 24 hrs so

Thur night - Friday night 8
Fri night - sat night 8
Sat night - sun night. 8
Sun night - Monday night (almost) 8

Isn't there 30 in the box though?? 8 per 24 hrs so

Thur night - Friday night 8
Fri night - sat night 8
Sat night - sun night. 8
Sun night - Monday night (almost) 8

It's none of the above really Purple :) I went to walk in Wednesday, rang OOH Thursday - likely to run out tomorrow.

I understand that the simple solution is to see the GP Monday but I just can't do that; even if I got an appointment. I must go to work; I have already had a week off.

Thanks pink :)

I understand wanting to go to work, but if you feel your pain requires medical attention, you kind of have to take what you're given to a certain extent.
IME, OOH are for medical emergencies that can't wait for "normal working hours", not to fit around patients commitments in working hours.

As a compromise, if you're well enough to go to work, could you get an evening GP appointment? Ours do late appointments on Tues and Thurs.

If you started the tabs at 6 on Thursday you should still have 6 left for Monday. Enough to get you to the doctor.

Yes Purple and I would never use them as such but I was hoping they would fax a prescription over rather than get an appointment :)

Any chance you could try a tens machine? It should help with spasms.

That's for childbirth isn't it? I don't know where I'd get one from to be honest.

No, its for muscular pain too. They sell them in boots.

Phone your GP on Monday morning and they can sort out a script. As previous posters have demonstrated, your tablets shouldn't run out until Monday. This is not an OOH problem, unless you're in so much pain you need stronger analgesia despite the co-dydramol, or unless "red flags" like incontinence develop.

OOH will not give you another prescription as they will know how long your tabs should last. If they are not lasting for 3 doses on Monday it means you have taken too many. This is very dangerous even if you have no symptoms.

I definitely haven't taken too many. I'm very careful with such things.

Thanks for advice.

So if you've definitely not taken more than 8 in any 24-hour period, why are you going to run out on Sunday night? I don't mean to sound confrontational, but something isn't adding up here.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 4 days.

Eight times four is thirty two.

I didn't take eight on the Thursday as it was evening when i got them. I had 4. That leaves two for Monday morning which isn't enough to get me through the day.

I'm sorry if you feel it isn't adding up but I think I've been clear enough.

Buy a box of paramol. Its virtually the same as what you were prescribed. It'll see you through Monday and then contact your GP.

But 2 first thing on Monday will see you long enough to call gp.

So if you have not taken too many you can ring your doctor on Monday and get an appointment/phone appointment/or prescription.

If you can't physically get to the GP, then you won't be able to go in to work either? I think you need to find out what is causing the pain. Can you afford to go to a private physio or osteopath if it is back pain. Some do have Saturday appointments and it may very well sort you out?

LIZS - I'm at work on Monday and even if nipping out in the day to see my GP was an option (it isn't; I work a good twenty minute drive away) I can't drive so it would be the day really! Which is what I'm trying to avoid.

Thank you for advice; I think we are going round in circles now a bit :)

4 + 8+ 8 +8=28 so 2 doses left Monday which will give you time to sort things

So you want a doctor to prescribe something that you can buy over the counter... because that's a good use of the nhs...