OA at 34...Encouraged to apply for PIP

Tolly_T

My local pharmacist won't sell more than two packets at a time and won't continue to sell paracetamol or co-codamol long term. They ask if you've taken it before and if you've taken it for more than a few days they suggest you see your GP. Even if you tell them your GP has recommended it and is happy for you to take it long term they won't keep selling it. I'm sure there is a better way to deal with this. An alternative 'prescription' from a GP giving permission for the pharmacist to sell it to you in larger amounts and long term but without any cost to the NHS maybe.

Ygritte

Glen_Clark wrote: »

No you are not! If your knee is bad enough to need replacing they should replace it. Sorry but the fact they won't replace it suggests it isn't as bad as you say.

Agreed. I had my first replacement done at 24. They'd rather not of course, as you can only have so many, but if it needs it then it needs it.
It's hard when you're feeling so poorly but you really have to be persistent. Insist on a referral to pain management too.

rockingbilly

thorsoak wrote: »

If she is taking 100 paracetamol in 12 days, arthritis will not be her only problem. Read up on the paracetamol and the liver. Does her doctor insist on blood tests regularly?

No,and I have brought that particular subject up in the past. The answer given is that up to 8 a day is accepted as being safe.
She already has had an op on her liver to de-roof a cyst and as recently as a month ago she had a scan which showed the cyst was full again and another one had also appeared.

My wife thinks I over react.

Ames

Tolly_T wrote: »

My local pharmacist won't sell more than two packets at a time and won't continue to sell paracetamol or co-codamol long term. They ask if you've taken it before and if you've taken it for more than a few days they suggest you see your GP. Even if you tell them your GP has recommended it and is happy for you to take it long term they won't keep selling it. I'm sure there is a better way to deal with this. An alternative 'prescription' from a GP giving permission for the pharmacist to sell it to you in larger amounts and long term but without any cost to the NHS maybe.

Find a different pharmacist. They can sell larger amounts, I bought a box of 100 ibuprofen once.

I need to take aspirin and vitamin D daily, I buy it OTC even though I'm entitled to free prescriptions. A couple of quid a month, and saves the NHS more than that.

There are reasons for prescribing it, but they're cultural. People assuming that because they buy it OTC it's not a 'real' medication and not as important as if the doctor had given them a prescription, for instance. But they can be dealt with by education, not by the NHS spending millions.

Glen_Clark

TELLIT01 wrote: »

What should be done and was is done can be very different things when dealing with the NHS. I've had severe knee problems for many years, and my hip started to go probably about 10 years ago.
My GP said the same to me as johnsons_baby seems to have said to her "You're too young for replacement surgery". As long as it can be managed by using pain relief he was adamant that no surgery would be considered. He put a lower age limit for surgery as 'Over 60'.
Unfortunately for j_b, her GP doesn't even seem to be interested in providing pain relief.
Effectively calling the OP a liar when you can't know the full story is out of order.

But it isn't me who is 'effectively calling the OP a liar' is it?
Its her Doctors.
I have an open mind but I know who the DWP will believe

Glen_Clark

swingaloo wrote: »

NHS knowing the state they are in is nothing more than greed. The money would be far better spent on more doctors, nurses and hospital beds to reduce waiting times for patients who have conditions requiring more help than paracetamol.

NHS problem isn't shortage of money. Its wastage of money, like what they pay for drugs, Agency Staff, PFI contracts, etc, etc.
Ask yourself why operations are so much cheaper in other countries.
You don't improve a spoilt child by throwing more money at them.

tanith

I have had Multiple joint O/A for 20+yrs since mid 40s I've had one spinal op, one replaced hip and currently awaiting date for second hip replacement, I eventually had to give up my job as it was quite physical and take early retirement, lots of physio, pain and inflammation meds which I am still taking and I didn't qualify for DLA as it was then. I wish you luck.

rockingbilly

tanith wrote: »

I have had Multiple joint O/A for 20+yrs since mid 40s I've had one spinal op, one replaced hip and currently awaiting date for second hip replacement, I eventually had to give up my job as it was quite physical and take early retirement, lots of physio, pain and inflammation meds which I am still taking and I didn't qualify for DLA as it was then. I wish you luck.

Could I ask why you didn't qualify for DLA?

Seems very strange as my wife has had Arthritis since she was 50 and made a claim for Attendance Allowance (same as DLA care element) when she was 66.She was awarded it at the highest day and night rate indefinitely.
Sounds like you are in a worse situation than she is as she has had no joints replaced.

tanith

Because I can walk a reasonable distance with my pain relief and anti-inflammatories meds. I would of had to lie and say I can't walk X amount of yards to qualify which I wasn't prepared to do.

teddysmum

tanith wrote: »

Because I can walk a reasonable distance with my pain relief and anti-inflammatories meds. I would of had to lie and say I can't walk X amount of yards to qualify which I wasn't prepared to do.

We all have different pain thresholds or levels that we are willing to tolerate, so some are more affected by a condition than others.


Mine threshold seems to be quite high, as people, who find out what my problem is say they are amazed that I even stand, but I do and also walk the dogs. I have to be careful, but I'm quite pig headed about what I will do, even if I suffer later.