EH - Essex > Hebrides...the next step of the adventure?

greenbee

I think sometimes it's useful to know how expensive the medication is - particularly when people are grumbling about the NHS and how much 'better' things are in the US (where I know even with insurance some people don't get their drugs as they can't afford the co-payments, even for things like chemo). But it depends on how the person concerned frames the conversation. 

Re. the hormonal coil - I didn't get on with the pill (I kept having to change) and eventually gave up on it. Things got so bad that I was FINALLY investigated properly. Women (and girls more importantly) need to learn not to put up with heavy/painful periods as there is usually a reason they're not right. Investigation identified that my own hormones were the problem and they were busy trying to kill me. So I now have artificial ones to keep them in check. It's worth remembering that historically most of us would have been pregnant or dead for the majority of our life, and it might not a bad thing to simulate pregnancy with artificial hormones, as that helps redress the balance - particularly for those of us who have never had children. 

I just wish my problem had been identified much earlier, then I wouldn't have taken all those painkillers. Or accidentally overdosed on Naproxen thinking they were paracetamol...

savingholmes

I agree about not putting up with stuff. I put up with things for years after a doctor refused to prescribe despite and I kid you not the agony of some periods being worse than childbirth. I ended up with a three pint blood transfusion and only then did they investigate the underlying cause.

girlatplay

I've been a heavy user of the NHS (not through choice) and I know that if I lived in the States I'd probably not be alive right now.  There's no way I could afford to pay for the treatments that I have had. I feel lucky that the NHS has been available to me.  Yes, there are waiting times and it's not a high end hotel but the staff work so hard to treat and look after sick people.  I am grateful to them for their service to me.

CRANKY40

I was amazed (but happy) when my son aged 14 texted me and asked could we give one of his friends a lift home as her period pains were really bad. His friends seem much more open about everything and it's such a contrast from my youth when I didn't even mention the subject to my female friends, never mind the male ones.

I have discovered that once I open my big mouth on any current trauma (and there have been many over the years) it seems to open the floodgates and so many other people are glad to talk about their problems. So many past generations just "got on with it". Miscarriage, widowhood, fertlity problems, gynae problems - so many people have been eager to chat.

I once had a doctor ask me if I needed to be on the pill when I wasn't in a relationship. The answer was "Yes, I have endometriosis. You can give me the pill or book me a hysterectomy, take your pick". I got the pill. I also remember looking up the price of the magic healing ointment for my leg injury in the doctors. I'm not sure out of me and the practice nurse which one of us was happier when we discovered it was £2.40 a tube and I could have as much as I liked. 

EH I hope you feel better soon. 

EssexHebridean

So much good chat here! I completely agree about the NHS as an organisation being a true jewel in the crown of the U.K. - and indeed most caregivers within it, whether Doctors, nurses or one of the myriad of other roles within it are exceptional. I’m one of the many who is also in the “wouldn’t be here” without the care I received. The same as any organisation though there are always some that let the side down sadly - whether it’s the GP’s who’ve been guilty of telling women “oh it’s just something women have to put up with”, others using large doses of weight stigma which puts people off visiting their surgery because they KNOW it will always turn into a diet conversation when in fact they’ve gone in to discuss a sore elbow or I growing toenail, the practise that won’t prescribe, or do so with resentment, because of cost…all those things need tackling desperately. I think it’s improving - certainly the weight stigma question is beginning to be discussed worldwide now - particularly in the light of a few high profile cases where misdiagnoses have come close to costing life. I personally feel really strongly about this stuff - Cranky it’s great to hear that your son’s age group are indeed more open and aware - let’s hope this is a sign that things are starting to change! 

EssexHebridean

So, still coughing, I’ve done the decent thing and told my boss I won’t be in today. At least I should be non-infectious by Monday as that’s me done for the week now. I know I said I reckoned I needed some time out but this has got ridiculous!  🙄 I am still feeling pretty rubbish too though in fairness - so it is the right thing to do. Just boring! 

Today currently doesn’t have much of a “shape” to it as a result
- I will head out for a walk in a while, possibly even one later too as fresh air definitely helps clear my head and stuffy nose. 

- planning for Christmas and for going away, I started lists for both last night in my journal
- Christmas shopping - need to crack on with that now and may as well use an unexpected at home day to get stuff done. 

- Identify other jobs that need doing, really little stuff can be done, bigger bits or stuff that needs us both can be put on a list.
-15 minutes tackling the monster pile of filing from the spare room desk
-15 minutes shredding, maybe? Some of the pile can probably go straight to shredding but might be easier done on the big shredder at the office next week.
- washing to be sorted onto the airer. 

- bird feeders need filling AGAIN! 

Update: 
Prolific £12.45 paid / 55p pending
OnePoll 1300 points - over the half way point, yay! 

girlatplay

Agreed on the weight stigma point.  I'm at the lighter end of the scale and get the weight questions.  If you're me, you can't have IBD without being anorexic apparently (utter nonsense).

I really hope you're feeling better soon.  I know it's boring but watch some trashy tv, rest, drink plenty, blah blah.  Are you sure that your cough is not to do with your weight? 🤣🤣🤣

EssexHebridean

😂😂 Darn it GAP, that’ll be it! 😆 Yes - weight stigma 100% works both ways sometimes, no question about that.  

I’ve been for a walk and definitely felt lots better for the fresh air - had a lovely stomp through the fallen leaves in the woods too which obviously helped! I may pop out again this afternoon for another leg stretch but will see what the weather does. Filled a couple of the bird feeders as I went out too, and popped them a couple of new fat balls - judging by the racket currently being made by junior Robin he approves. (Bless him, he’s very young, and is LOVING that he can sing, so currently cares little that it’s really not the season for it!) 

a few more items added to the Christmas planning lists, and an email fired in Mum’s direction talking about presents for various folk and food for the 25th - I’ll throw a bit of money into her bank at some stage too to help out with the food cost for the day.

Washing is sorted too - and I’ve discovered that the noise I heard in the night was BOTH underwires escaping from one of my newer bras - which I’m very unimpressed with - I’ve managed to extract both from the drum, but no idea if they’ve done any damage. A Twitter message to Boux Avenue will be occurring I think as that one is under 6 months old! 

EssexHebridean

Well Boux Avenue have just plummeted in my estimation after saying they won’t offer anything because the bra in question is over 6 months old. I ordered it 6 months and SIX days ago. It must have arrived a few days later. If it’s been worn/washed 10 times I’d be surprised, and even at sale prices that’s a pretty poor cost to wear ratio! After I tweeted their response highlighting how poor I felt it was they DM’d me again offering a gift voucher - plainly an empty gesture as why would I want a voucher to buy another bra that clearly they only expect to last 6 months as well! It’s a shame - had they been shocked at the disintegration and offered something immediately I’d have written it off as a rogue item - as it is it honestly just sounds like they expect the lifespan of their (not cheap!) bras to be really short! 

beanielou

Companies seem to think they will get away with blue murder these days.
I have just emailed a company about their very variable sizing for their not unexpensive hoodies.