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Post by Bean on Aug 21, 2016 21:19:19 GMT
Ooh they both sounds like great places to be! We've spent the last couple of days in the middle of the countryside - very peaceful and relaxing! I must admit I do love living in a city right now though - the idea of having to drive for at least half an hour along winding little roads to do anything besides appreciate nature isn't quite the pace of life I'm after right now!
Jo, I'm glad you had a good chat with your doctor and feel that she's understood how you're coping and is working towards getting you better and more mobile. Your picnic sounds lovely, what a treat! Well done with upping your walking a bit - I hope it's given you the confidence to try again when you're feeling up to it. Hope you get your hands on the rest of your meds soon and that a good week is coming up. xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 22, 2016 0:54:37 GMT
I've lived in the country most of my life, and I'm used to the travel time. I find I really like the quiet, when I get home from shopping, rather than living where the noise never seems to stop. Even at the last house, which had a lot of green space around it, we were close to several major intersections, so always heard the highway noise, the emergency vehicle sirens, screeching tires, etc. Here, the loudest noise is a lawnmower, and I can handle that. We have started making the most of our trips, instead of just running to the supermarket every time we need something. I would have done that before. Now I'm trying to make my trips count. Also, hubby comes home from work right past the supermarket and the home/garden store, so I can have him stop, if I need something.
I've never lived where I could walk to anything useful. Everything took a car to get there, as is the case in most of the US. At best, there are corner stores with really high prices, for people who can't get to a supermarket. All of the in town shops have moved out to malls with lots of parking, so it's either take a bus or drive.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 22, 2016 8:43:47 GMT
That is probably true Piggles love but Paul says ours are dead dozy! There is one girl in there who really doesn't know what she is doing and she is the one Paul always gets to serve him when in there. I am still missing some of my meds which the doctor insists a script was sent down for and the chemist says not. This is what it is like all the time.
I would love gulls to come up to me if I were having a picnic. Unfortunately there are signs everywhere on the beaches/touristy places telling you not to feed them but I always try and sneak a gull or two a chip, I love it.
The places you grew up in certainly sound wonderful Piggles, beach or mountains, both absolutely idyllic. I bet it was really lovely going down to the beach and being on your own with the peace of the waves going back and forth. I love swimming in the sea and hope one day to be able to do so again. In a little less pain today, I just hope it stays this way.
Lots of love Jo xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 22, 2016 22:28:18 GMT
Ooh, glad the pain is a bit less! I know that's only a slight break, but every tiny break is such a relief! I hope you have a whole lot more days of less pain, and the numpties at the pharmacy get their act sorted. Is there no way for anyone to check if the scripts arrived, a logging-in process or anything? Can the scripts be sent again? Our pharmacies are actually pretty good. They just don' tall carry every drug, so is we want an unusual one, they might not have it. The only drawback to growing up where I did, is that I'm not used to the noise and congestion of suburban living. Even the last place we lived was just too tightly packed in for me. I like having at least a little room to breathe
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 23, 2016 8:45:35 GMT
It is difficult for me Piggles because I have to rely on Paul to go to the pharmacy for me. Yes, I would have thought there was some sort of logging in system but it is amazing how many scripts seem to go missing and I do not get the pills I need. I have to submit another pill request today so I will write a note for the doctor to let her know that one of my pain killers is just not at the chemist. Yes scripts can be sent again and reissued but it is so maddening when the doctor says one has gone down and the chemist cannot find it!! I like room to breath too Piggles love, it is not too congested here but I would like a larger open space. We only have to dried a little way and we see loads of hills and fields which go on forever. Still in a bit of pain but it is less than usual. The trouble is, my knees are suffering now. Lots of love Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 23, 2016 18:55:14 GMT
Doesn't it seem as if, we start working to fix one body part, and end up hurting another one. I've also found that I need very supportive shoes, and if I wear one pair for a while, then change, just the difference in support causes pain. You've started walking further than usual, so it's bound to cause you some problems. I hope you can get past those problems, and start feeling better It really does seem as if there should be better communication between the doctor and the pharmacy. Can you use another pharmacy, or isn't there another one in your area? Hubby can only use one pharmacy, as his prescription insurance plan only uses that one. There are others closer, but we have to drive to the one he can use. It is less expensive per prescription. Lots of hugs, and I hope you get the rest of your meds soon
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 24, 2016 8:18:33 GMT
I am trying to build up my walking slowly and taking it very steadily Piggles love, I think once I get my built up shoe it will help a lot but on the other hand, I have lots of shoes, all different colours and I want to wear them. We shall see; I am looking forward to it in one way but not in another. They also said that it will take some getting used to which makes sense.
The communication here between the doctor and the pharmacies is dreadful. Our main chain Chemist Boots is no better apparently, I have mine sent down to a place called Day Lewis (Often wondered if it is owned by Daniel Day-Lewis' family) and it is never straight forward down there. The other really annoying thing is that if you live out in the country, you can have your medicines dispensed at the surgery, those of us who don't have to rely on chemists. Infuriating. In a bit more pain today, will have to take my meds in a mo.
Lots of hugs to you too sweetie.
Jo xxxxx
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Post by Bean on Aug 24, 2016 8:41:27 GMT
Does your pharmacy deliver prescriptions Jo? Our local ones will (for free) and although you might not get to avoid the problems with them messing things up, it'd mean you could take over speaking to them directly to sort stuff out. They do sound a bit disorganised - you think organising medicines would be something they were keen to get right first time?
Hope you get your meds sorted out Jo, and that the improvement you've earned isn't spoiled too much by the extra pain in your knees.
My sister bought fish and chips at the seaside recently, and she'd just sat down to eat them and a gull swept down and took the fish from her lap. The lady at the fish and chip shop (when she went into buy another!) said it was quite common for them to be that bold, so I can see why encouraging them to approach humans for food isn't ideal, even if done right it can be quite peaceful. They're such big birds, having them circling and diving around you when you're eating with small children is no fun!
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 24, 2016 15:31:37 GMT
Very true about the gulls, Bean. They also come in flocks, not just one to bother you. It's as if every gull in a 10-state area sees one gull with a good thing, and goes there, lol! Gulls are no longer just at the beach, here. They are in landfills, where there is exposed garbage for at least a certain amount of time, and they are around the fast food restaurants, where people toss out fries and pieces of the buns. My mother used to bring a beach umbrella that stuck in the sand, and give us a break from the sun. It also made it hard for the gulls to swoop in, as they has to swoop under the umbrella, and around the people sitting under it. Maybe that's why places that sell food at beaches have umbrellas over their picnic tables. Taking the fish right off her lap is about as cheeky as it gets! Jo, I started wearing the orthotics for about 20 minutes, then added 10 minutes once it started feeling comfortable. So several days or a week at each amount of time, until I could wear them all the time. My orthotics went inside shoes, so I could put them in any flat shoes I owned or bought. Now, there are orthotics for high heals, not that I wear heals any longer. You may be able to buy over the counter orthotics for the other shoes you really like, and while it won't be as exact as the prescription one, it will be better than nothing. Is the surgery much further than the pharmacy, or is there some other reason why you can't get the prescriptions at the surgery? I really hope you get all the scripts you need, and they provide some much needed relief for you. Hugs
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 25, 2016 0:45:31 GMT
Hope you get better, Jo. By the way, it IS very wonderful to see you back on the boards again.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 28, 2016 15:58:21 GMT
Yes I think there is a delivery service hunni but after speaking to other people, that is not very reliable either! Yes you would think they would be super organised wouldn't you but sadly it is not the case?
I am in a lot of pain at the moment which is why I haven't been on here. My arms and shoulders are now aching from having to pull myself up all the time so the only time I am pain free is when I am lying down. I understand what you mean about the gulls with small children but I still love them and love to feed them. There was a little boy in Looe who had his fish stolen and his father said "It is your own stupid f...... fault for letting it happen." A rather hard response I thought. I was once surrounded by at least 20 swans all wanting a chip and those at the back were even nipping me but it was a wonderful experience.
Thank you for that Piggles love, I didn't know you could get shoes to fit into your own shoes so to speak, no one has mentioned that to me but I am going to look into it as it would be the answer. I will see what they come up with first as I am still awaiting my appointment but I shall look them up on here and make enquiries with my doctor when I get speak to her. No hun there is no reason for it is just the surgery rules. If you live within a certain radius of the surgery you have to collect your pills from a chemist, it is a pain in the arse!!
Thank you all for your kind words and yes Baz love, it is good to be back even though I cannot stay on my puter for as long as I would like.
Love to you all.
Jo xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 28, 2016 21:20:20 GMT
Sadly, all of the hassles you have getting appointments, meds, etc., are the reason we don't have national health care in the US. I realize you may be in a particularly bad area for not meeting patient expectations, but you're not the only one, and some of the oversights and miscommunications have caused a great deal of unnecessary suffering. Not that our system is better, but the problems are different. This are the orthotics that fit in the shoes: www.drscholls.com/productsandbrands/iioindex/ There are lots of types, and while these won't even a short leg with a long one, or help with problems that need braces or other corrective measures, they do help give you the support you need, while you're wearing shoes you want to wear. You remove the insole in the existing shoes, and replace the insoles with these. Here in the states, there are machines you can step on, and it will scan your feet, and tell you which insole you need. I think those are available anywhere Dr. Scholls are sold, but you might have to go to a major store to find the machine and the display. There are also insoles that simply add padding between the foot and what you're walking on, to reduce the pounding when you walk. I use those, as the pounding goes right up through all my joints and my spine. They're not expensive, but as I said, they're not the equivalent of the special shoe, either. I'm sorry you are suffering. That's a major problem with any new mobility program. Doctors want us to keep at it, but don't account for the pain that sets us back I hope you can get some relief, soon, and get around to where you can move without causing yourself more pain
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Post by Bean on Aug 29, 2016 8:59:13 GMT
Aww sorry you've been in so much pain Jo, I was really hoping things were improving for you.
The lady over the road has been unwell recently and the doctor's been coming out to see her at home and all her medications have been delivered for her by the pharmacy. I wonder why there's so much variation in the care you get depending on your area or specific practise? She's said before she might switch to the one we're with as some of her friends on the street are saying ours is much better, but it still sounds like she's getting a massively better service than you are. It's such a shame it's so much work just to get basic treatment and medicines.
Hope you've got something to distract you while you're laid up, whether it's reading, watching tv or snuggling Holly. x
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 29, 2016 15:19:16 GMT
Thank you for that link Piggles love, I will look it up once I have finished on here. I don't know if we hae feet scanning machines here but if we have, I will probably be tested on one when I get my appointment through. Thank you for all the info hun, I will let you know as soon as I hear something and am given my date. I am trying to walk as much as I can but o bad days it s nearly impossible Yes you are right, it is OK for the doctors to say use it as much as possible but they have no idea of the pain others and I are in. I am still doing my lying down exercises and am walking about as much as I can around the house.
Thank you too Bean love and yes, getting medicines shouldn't be such a hassle. Also if you submit a repeat and they do not consider you are due for another prescription yet, it is just ignored and you end up having to wait even longer because no one tells you than you have submitted it early, if that makes any sense. The pain isn't quite as bad today, it seems to come and go and I do not know why. Maybe the exercises are working even though I am not walking outside as such. Thank you for your kind words honey, I am taking comfort where I can and Holly figures quite a lot in that. Merley would too but he is so scared of his own shadow and is very hard to pick up lol!
Lots of love Jo xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 29, 2016 17:15:53 GMT
That's a problem with our pharmacies, too. If they lose a prescription, or just don't fill it, a second prescription just goes on file for when we run out of the pills from the prescription they didn't fill. I realize people abuse prescription drugs, but there has to be a better way of accounting for the prescriptions they receive. Also, considering how often prescription drugs are abused, having such lax practices, and so much variation in practices, seems really odd. Medical care levels seem to vary a lot here in the US, too. First there are doctors who bother with their patients, and doctors who don't. Then there are hospitals that do a much better job of tracking patients than others do. There seem to be HMOs that push quantity of service over quality, while others stress quality. I have friends who have gone to up to 10 doctors before finding one who would bother to treat their problems. My parents received far better care in California, than they did in Massachusetts. New Hampshire seems to have great care for people with major problems, and the rest of the patients get minimal treatment. Our doctors are really good with things that are obviously broken, but even when my left hand was rebuilt, the doctor left a bone chip in my hand that floated around my palm for a several years. Somewhere along the way, it disappeared? I'm sorry your pain varies so much, instead of you being able to get it under control and keep it there. It just keeps dragging you back down this way Have you finally gotten all the meds you were supposed to get, or are you still waiting? Hugs
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 30, 2016 15:50:08 GMT
There used to be a time when you could get your medicines on a regular monthly basis but they have stopped all that now. The form has to be submitted each month and as my medicine is on two prescriptions, it gets very confusing.
My doctor is very good on the whole accept that she only does two days a week. She really listened to me last time and was very patient but as good a told me that there was nothing else they could do about the pain. Quality of service varies here a lot too, some practises are better than others. For instance the other practise in Liskeard are far better at coming out to see you when you are ill, ours is not so good, they expect you to make it to the surgery.
No I am still waiting for some of my pills Piggles love, the doctor swears blind that a script was sent down but the pharmacy can't trace it. On the last prescription I submitted I wrote a note on it telling the doctor this; I am just hoping that they will all be ready for collection tomorrow.
Yes the pain does vary a lot, I am in a little more pain today but not as bad as it has been.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 30, 2016 19:50:42 GMT
Talk about a system that can't be relied on. It's not perfect here, either. I don't know if it's perfect anywhere, but when it works against us, it's really noticeable. Medical help and pain management are two things we really need to have to right. I'm really sorry you're having so much trouble. I really hope you get those prescriptions filled by tomorrow, and don't have more problems
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 31, 2016 16:36:34 GMT
I was overwhelmed this morning Piggles love, Paul came back with my prescription and nothing was missing, they were all there, I couldn't believe it. I agree when it comes to people being in pain they should make sure they get it right first time and I know I am not the only one who suffers. I have known people to wait for days to have their prescription ordered then when they phone to find out where it is, it is on a van somewhere. Marvellous isn't it? I can well believe you have the same problems where you are Piggles love, it isn't just this country or indeed just Cornwall. Feeling a bit better today, pain not as bad so I hope it continues.
Lots of love Jo xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 31, 2016 20:29:25 GMT
Yippee!!! You got all of your meds! I really hope you get some major pain relief, and can start doing things you want or need to do. That's great! If anything, we have the reverse problem here, of people not being able to get drugs they need because of cost, or because government policy is to only allow pharmacies to dispense a certain amount at a time. Opiods, and anything with Fentanyl in it, are highly regulated because they are addictive, and because Fentanyl is being added to heroin in doses that kill people. The latest moronic move in the war on drug addiction, is to make anyone with a pain med prescription refill it every week, instead of being able to get a month of the meds at a time. Think about having to go through this idiocy every week It's bad enough that we can't buy decongestants without being reported to the FBI, because one of the ingredients is used to make Methamphetamines. We can only buy a version without that ingredient, and without it, the meds aren't as effective. People with major allergies, and no health insurance they can afford, can't get the relief they need without either getting a prescription they can't afford, or being put on an FBI watchlist, and harassed by the police It's not the fault of any of the people involved, but the drug addicts don't care. Hugs, and feel better
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 1, 2016 14:10:55 GMT
Thank you Piggles love, I know how lucky we are in comparison to the way things are in the US, people moan about the National Health Service but I think we would be in a pickle without it. Yes, it is great getting all my meds, I think the doctor listened to me for once. I heard Fentanyl mentioned as a powerful pain killer when I was watching something the other day, it may have been Criminal Minds so I made a note of the name and am going to mention it to my doctor. I realise it is a dangerous and controlled drug but if it stops my pain I will go for it. Paul says I will not get it here but it is worth a try.
I agree Piggles love, that is a nonsense having to go through that every week, I really wonder who makes these decisions. You can get decongestants over the counter here but I have no doubt there are more powerful ones which you can only get on prescription. I was on amphetamines for a long time without realising it, I was on slimming pills for years and the doctor said they contained amphetamine and would not prescribe them. This was a new doctor in the midlands, I had no trouble getting it when I lived in the South originally.
In a bit of pain today but otherwise not too bad.
Hugs JO xx
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