callmemadam | Entries tagged with health matters

It was after five and no sign of my prescription. I felt I had to *do* something so decided to drive down there and ask about it, since they refuse to answer the phone. My sister was worried about me going, wondering if I was fit to drive in my upset state. I’m always all right driving, although I have to watch my speed. My mum said once, ‘You’re like me. You drive fast when you’re angry.’ So I kept my eye on the speedo. Due to the time of day I was able (first time ever) to park at the surgery, where just about every space is reserved for doctors and nurses. Hauled my rollator out of the boot and tottered in. After standing in the slow-moving queue, I spoke to a sweet assistant. She disappeared and came back holding a brown paper bag, to my relief. She told me it was due for delivery on Monday morning and that they’d stopped phoning people because they didn’t have the staff to do it. If I hadn’t made that effort, I would have been worrying all weekend, so I’m still pretty angry about it.

When I could walk properly, I collected my prescription from the Boots pharmacy attached to our surgery. I would get a text telling me that my prescription was ready for collection. It was always a pain to do but at least I could do it in my own time and know the prescription would be waiting. When walking became so difficult for me, I arranged to have my prescription delivered (they use drivers). They charge £5.00 for this, although most pharmacies offer a free service.
So, I waited all day yesterday. I’m waiting today. I have no idea when or even if I will get my prescription *and Boots simply will not answer the phone*. This not knowing is so stressful for me that I’m having what amounts to a two-day panic attack and this morning, had to lie down for a while because I was so close to fainting from sheer nerves. I realise not everyone would be affected in the same way but that’s no comfort to me. I rarely write anything very personal on my blog but I’m at the end of my tether.

Early this morning and already hot, I had to go to the launderette to pick up my winter duvet and then to the surgery for my prescription. Phew, even with the rollator it was an effort. I was the only person wearing a mask, yet people are still catching Covid and I certainly don't want it. Seems to me people are far too complacent.

Everyone seems agreed that the rollout of the booster vaccine is not going as smoothly and efficiently as the first vaccines we had earlier in the year. I got fed up with waiting for my promised letter and booked online. After entering my postcode, I found a bizarre list of places to choose from: small pharmacies six miles away (why not any of our local ones?) or, if I fancied making a little holiday of it, a trip to the Isle of Wight. I have booked for next week and am hoping that having the Pfizer vaccine rather than the one I had before will have no ill effects.

Crossposts: https://callmemadam.livejournal.com/697387.html

Yesterday, I had a dental appointment which I'd been waiting for since October. I did have a February appointment but it clashed with my first Covid jab, so I cancelled. I was looking forward to this treatment because I so wanted to have a comfortable mouth again (no pain). The dentist said, 'We're going to make you very numb.' The treatment was extremely uncomfortable but completely painless. The problem was when I got home. I have never in my adult life felt so ill after any dental procedure, so I assume I was given more of whatever it is they have in that needle. I was wiped out.

I've only been seeing this wonderful dentist for a couple of years, since the one I'd known for years retired and sold the practice. She totally gets anxiety (she has a special clinic for anxious and special needs patients at Southampton hospital). I told her about my PVD diagnosis and the trouble I was having getting either appointments or help. She actually advised me to say I'd had a fall (I haven't) 'and the OT will be round the next week!' She said that those who shout loudest get the help in the NHS. And she's a doctor!

I saw my dentist today because of a problem, which turned out to be a broken filling. The earliest appointment they can give me to mend it is in February. The filling appointment will be for an hour because of all the extra PEP required, which also incurs an extra charge. So, for three months I will be frightened every time I eat, or clean my teeth, in case the old filling comes out. I've been doing everything I should to stay safe but didn't foresee this kind of side effect of the pandemic. No wonder people are dying at home because they think, ’you can’t see a doctor’. 'You can't see a dentist' is almost true; I only got today's appointment because of a cancellation and I'm with a private practice. I've been prescribed some special toothpaste and the tube cost £12.90!

I'm not blaming the dental practice. They have to protect all patients and staff and as a result, all procedures take twice as long as usual, hence the backlog.

No sooner had I written yesterday that I couldn't garden because it was too cold, than my back went. I didn't do anything unusual, just suddenly got an agonising pain in my back. So, not only am I stuck at home on my own but I'm crippled, as walking about or any movement at all hurts. I'm wondering how to get through the day, while feeling sorry for people who have to live with constant pain.

Crossposts: https://callmemadam.livejournal.com/649050.html

I’ve just gone to Tesco online. There is not a single slot available until April! After this weekend I may be told to stay at home. WTF am I supposed to do? I can’t believe that all the people who’ve nabbed the slots are over seventy. I wonder if they’ll refund my Delivery Saver payment, since I can’t get deliveries?

PS Waitrose and Ocado websites both down. Any ideas?

Crossposts: https://callmemadam.livejournal.com/648274.html

You wouldn't read about it. I'd already written a scathing review for the opticians. Today I had a request for another one. Having written it, I was asked to verify it by giving my Instagram username. I am not on Instagram. After ticking a few more boxes I was told my review was published. Returning to my mail box I found another email, asking me to verify my review by giving the account number or other information which I certainly could not be bothered to find, so I gave up.

I am really sick of being expected to review every single thing I buy just so the vendors can add to their Trustpilot points. Now I have to delete a lot of requests for reviews. Perhaps the most annoying requests are from 'Amazon merchants'. I usually only review something I buy on Amazon if it's very good or very bad. Now, another innovation, I get requests for feedback from these sellers *even if I've reviewed the item on Amazon*. I won't. Shopping used to be so simple *sighs*.

Crossposts: https://callmemadam.livejournal.com/637811.html

You won’t believe this, friends. This morning, I went to the opticians to collect my new specs with the broken frame replaced. This time the manager (he who did *nothing* last time), dealt with me himself. He tried the specs on me, took them away for adjustment and when he came back, said he was sending them away for completely new frame and lenses. He showed me the problem: one lens had a spider web effect all over it. I could have cried. First, I’m told that the frame broke because of a certain spray they use. Then I’m told that adjusting the frame damaged the lens. He’s going to get them to adjust the frames to my measurements before fitting in the lenses.

When he’d done, I told him, very quietly, that I thought he had not behaved well on my previous visit, leaving his junior to cope on her own. He apologised. Just yesterday, I received a customer satisfaction survey, which I haven’t yet filled in. I hope it gives me scope to say exactly what I think of their service. I went away feeling really down and bought a new T shirt in the White Stuff sale, hoping to cheer myself up. It didn’t work. I don’t usually moan on LJ but this is the giddy limit, as my Mum would have said.
When I eventually get a satisfactory pair, I shall be asking for a discount for my inconvenience.

Cricket starts soon, eek! The sudden, dramatic changes in fortune are what makes Test Cricket the BEST.

Current Mood: upset

More than two weeks ago I had an eye test but was still waiting for my new glasses. As I was in town anyway, I called in at the opticians and they *were* ready although I hadn’t been told so. I sat around for ages (hate) while the new specs were fiddled with, then requested an adjustment to one of the arms. The young assistant took them away again and brought them back *broken*. Yup, she’d broken the frame. ‘Sorry’. Huh? Am I supposed to say, ‘Never mind, dear, accidents will happen.’? I’m afraid my stormy face came on and I huffed out of the shop. The effect was spoiled somewhat when I realised I’d left my umbrella behind and as I turned back for it met Miss Disaster waving it at me and beaming. So much for a dramatic exit.

*Mr Pooter in The Diary of a Nobody