The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

wondercollie

jk0 said:

Last Monday I received a prescription for a bladder infection at a phone consultation. They gave me ten tablets, which would last until Friday evening. (96p per tablet!) I was told to allow two days after finishing the course. The tablet box held 14 tablets, but they removed four of them. Why?

I was in pain all week but started feeling better at the weekend. However, yesterday I started getting bad again, but was told to ring tomorrow. I've been to the loo every hour tonight. I still have to wait until 8am before I can ring for a telephone appointment, so might get some more tablets if I'm lucky by lunchtime.

Why are the NHS so mean with tablets nowadays? I realise this is to avoid germs getting resistant to antibiotics, but it's getting ridiculous.

Tablets cost money.  Here in Canada, doctors only write for the number of doses required.  I've had drugs in pop out packs where the surplus have been cut away and stored to be issued for the next prescription.  Most of my prescriptions are filled in vials and I only get x number of pills.

96pence per tablet isn't that expensive.  I routinely hand out a pill that costs between $74-$80 per tablet to pre-op patients.(so roughly 40 pounds sterling).

Our prescriptions aren't included in our health services.  If you don't have extended benefits from work (ie an insurance plan that pays for prescriptions, ambulances, physio therapy, etc) you pay the entire cost of the prescription.

Some people store antibiotics and don't take the entire course, just so that they have some in the house for "next time".   In the last two years there has actually been shortages of certain antibiotics because of reports that they might be useful in treating Covid and Anthrax (lots of weird conspiracy people in America)

mumf

I don’t think the NHS is particularly mean. I currently have an infection in a tooth,and the antibiotics ( 5 day)  and it cost me the best part of a tenner.My brother in law,mother in law,and father in law,all have multiple prescriptions every month for various conditions.They are at the age where they don’t pay.My wife picks up all three CARRIER BAGS! with their prescriptions,and last month we added up the combined ( subsidised) cost.It was £800! That is just them. I know my own mother has  nine different prescriptions each month,so that is another ninety quid. No wonder the NHS is struggling.

boultdj

That's why I do the yearly pre-pay card for my script, between the inhalers and the tablets it's well worth it.

Nargleblast

Same principles in the U.K., GPs prescribe x tablets a day for y number of days, and that's what you receive. Some people need a five day course, others have a more obstinate infection that needs seven or more days treatment.

Having a few spare tablets in stock "just in case" ends up having the opposite effect - people hit the infection with the few tablets they have in the cupboard, which kill off the weaker bugs, but by the time they consult their GPs and either get further supplies or get a different course of tablets, the stronger bugs have had a chance to recover and you have the beginnings of antibiotic resistance.

I remember learning years ago that in some less developed countries people will go to some chap in the next village who has a reputation for being a medic of sorts, and he will sell them one or two antibiotic tablets, and this practice has played a big part in the worldwide issue of antibiotic resistance.

There are some circumstances where people have a small stock of antibiotics at home. I am thinking of people with chronic COPD who are under the care of a community respiratory matron. They have a small stock of antibiotics and steroids for episodes of exacerbation, and they know when and how to take them and to consult their respiratory team if no improvement. 

euronorris

boultdj said:

That's why I do the yearly pre-pay card for my script, between the inhalers and the tablets it's well worth it.

I have this too. Between inhalers and hay-fever medications, it works out cheaper for me.

They were reluctant to give DD antibiotics for her ear infection recently, as most ear infections resolve themselves. But hers didn't, so they prescribed some on the second visit which helped her clear it.

Toonie

Nargleblast said:

There are some circumstances where people have a small stock of antibiotics at home. I am thinking of people with chronic COPD who are under the care of a community respiratory matron. They have a small stock of antibiotics and steroids for episodes of exacerbation, and they know when and how to take them and to consult their respiratory team if no improvement. 

Exactly this, my FIL has some at home for his COPD and even then he waits a while before taking them as he doesn't like to take too many things.

Prep wise we are beginning to see some tomatoes on our plants and have a second wave of salad set to go. Between that and the weekly market we've been doing OK on most fresh food spends. It's the things we buy at the supermarket that are going up in price.

I've started making a list of who will be needing presents this year and who we can make things for (both me and my partner are quite good at making stuff). I need a few basic items (nearly out of hot glue sticks) but can get to making things. I may also try making a few extra bits and put them up on a local handmade FB selling group.

Still no luck on the job front, so I've rewritten my CV in a more generalised way and will be applying for various jobs.

Floss

@Toonie you probably already know this, but when I was job hunting 2 years ago I would tailor my CV to the job,  focusing on the specific skills & experience that were being sought. Good luck.

Toonie

Floss said:

@Toonie you probably already know this, but when I was job hunting 2 years ago I would tailor my CV to the job,  focusing on the specific skills & experience that were being sought. Good luck.

Thanks, yes, I have done that previously. It's been so long since I applied for anything that wasn't early years related I thought I should bash out a generic one which will be easier to tailor.

pollyanna_26

boultdj said:

That's why I do the yearly pre-pay card for my script, between the inhalers and the tablets it's well worth it.

If the PPC didn't exist I doubt my youngest dd would have maintained any sort of health.

19 meds on repeat plus antibiotics, oral or injectable steroids when needed. The cost of one months repeats is more than the annual PPC. We pay annually but there are options for quarterly or monthly dd payment for those on a small income.

I worry the PPC may disappear. Today is the 2nd reading in the HOC of the NHS Health and Care Bill.

Pointless me checking they work for you to see how my MP voted- If he actually turned up. In this area we have only had Lib, Lib Dem or Tory MPs  through history. Lib Dems are too busy pointing at non working street lights and the Invisible man tory MP is too busy donning playing soldiers outfits to make his way to the house much.

There seems to be a lot of apathy while things are being ushered in while attention is on Freedom Day etc. Sadly not a great many decent MPs in the house.

I hope you're feeling a lot better JKO. I meant to mention there is also options of 3 or 6 monthly PPCs which may be useful for those with short term rather than chronic ill health.

Having been born a few days before the NHS went live it's something I feel very strongly about. I'm not meaning this in a political way there will be MPs of different parties going for or against.

"The NHS will last as llong as there are folk left to fight for it" Nye Bevan.

Take care all. I haven't been out for a few weeks but locally there are reports of a number of empty shelves and certain shortages. More local produce from the farms but my garden has the same at the moment. Some things seem to be the jars , cans and pasta etc which were difficult to get at the beginning. Perhaps the football and good weather have had an impact on demand.

pollyx

RAS

I suspect the supermarkets' planning for barbeques and Euros has burgered their normal deliveries. Certainly one locally has cleared a chilled end display just for barbeque meats and the like. Normally, there'd be ready meals from 3 different cuisines.

Another is mainlining very cheap remaindered salads on Sundays when barbeque demand doesn't match their supply