MEDICAL MATTERS

[Big Kev]

Aye, we both have it but there is improvement this morning. The headache has gone just an annoying, albeit productive, cough.
Hope you feel better Ian.

[Stanley]

That's reassuring Kev. I hope it continues to improve and passes quickly for both of you.

[PanBiker]

Well, I did get off again and woke this morning at 8.30. Had breakfast and am feeling better in the aching department but my arm is still sore. Prompted by Kev to do a Covid test as my symptoms were more like that to be honest. Results are just in on that and I'm clear. A couple more paracetamol will take the edge off. Paracetamol is the only pain killer I had after my crainiotomy, it does work if you keep up the regime.

Glad your headache has gone Kev.

[Big Kev]

Cheers Ian, hopefully your reactions are short lived. I only tested for COVID as the 'cold' symptoms had gone on for far too long, I normally kick a cold into touch after a couple of days.
I'm on with paracetamol and sudafed blocked nose spray, seems to be doing the job. P seems to be a day behind me with how it's progressing. I intend to work tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

[Tripps]

I'm glad you are both feeling a bit better.

If only there had been available a safe and effective, fully tested vaccine, with regular follow up boosters to prevent such unpleasantness.

[Big Kev]

5 jabs and 2 instances of the virus, I must have built up a bit of a resistance.

[Stanley]

I'm not sure how effective the natural immunity is Kev. Susan has a similar history to you and still occasionally gets Covid. I seem to be very lucky but I think a lot of that is because I have such a solitary life style. I said all the way through the height of the pandemic that the best defence was to be anti-social......

[Big Kev]

Slow and steady improvement on the COVID front. Sense of taste is still a bit off though, ordered a curry delivery for tea yesterday to see if we could 'sweat it out'. I was aware of it being spicy but couldn't pick out any flavour definition, which was a shame.

[PanBiker]

I am back to my normal self from the side effects of the shingle jab. My arm is still sore though, Claire must have hit a particularly sensitive spot in the muscle.

[Big Kev]

[Wendyf]

Sitting in Blackburn A&E waiting for son Craig to be seen by triage. He has a nasty ear infection and was told by the doctor in Colne to go to A&E

[Stanley]

I'm glad to hear Kev and Ian giving positive reports but sorry to hear Wendy's account of Craig's ear infection. Ear infections are more painful than toothache and worse when it's one of your children and you can't do anything to ease it. I know, I've been there. I hope it turns out to be a short acute attack Wendy and not long drawn out and chronic. Craig doesn't deserve pain like that.

[Wendyf]

It hasn't stopped him talking!

[Stanley]

Look on it as a good sign Wendy!

[Big Kev]

I agree about earache, I had a recurring abscess in both ears for a few years. Not nice at all.

[Wendyf]

The doctor he saw in the Urgent Treatment Centre thought that the infection was caused by a scratch in his ear. He was prescribed a more powerful, targeted antibiotic which will hopefully do the trick. There was a wait of over an hour to get it from the Outpatient Pharmacy so he will go to Burnley Hospital tomorrow to get it.

[Stanley]

So it looks as though he has put something smaller than his elbow in his ear?

[Wendyf]

Yes it seems so!

[Stanley]

Is he too big to scold?

[Wendyf]

Is he too big to scold?

I was in attendance to provide transport not advice! Unfortunately the power steering has just failed on his car and its in the garage. It seems the damage is in his outer ear not the inner. He is too big in every way Stanley!

[Stanley]

[Tripps]

Hands up anyone who knew about this new thing.

I got my tablets delivered today (ordered Wenesday) and being an inveterate label examiner. noticed that beneath the pharmacy name and my address, was (in even smaller print size) a message stating that in future it would be possible to obtain some 'prescription only' medicines without any prescription, directly from the pharmacy. I was invited to contact them for further details.

Google finds this - Pharmacy First

I'm not 100% sure what to make of it. It looks like a scheme to reduce the current waiting time to get to see a GP, and there is enough time for it to have sufficient effect before the Election campaign proper gets going, for the Tories to brag about it being an achievement. It does however look like another 'dumbing down' measure similar to Physicians Assistants and Apprentice Doctors -(don't laugh they exist).

Discuss. . . .

[Stanley]

No David I have never come across it.
I'm sure you're right, it's another way to reduce our expectations. As a help to our readers here's what a doctor used to look like in 1977.

[Tizer]

Hands up anyone who knew about this new thing.

My hand is up.. and yours should be too! You heard it first on OG when it was launched at the end of January. LINK

Probably the most controversial aspect is the last item in your gov.uk link...
Will Pharmacy First have an impact on anti-microbial resistance?
Anti-microbial resistance occurs when the body’s microbes no longer respond to medicines due to over-usage, making infections harder to treat. This scheme is not expected to result in larger volumes of antibiotics being prescribed, and patients will still undergo a consultation with a pharmacist before any medicine is dispensed. Medicine supply must be clinically appropriate and only after a shared discussion between the patient and pharmacist on the risks and benefits of taking the medicine, and of any alternative self-care options.

For years we've had to criticise doctors for over-prescribing antibiotics so I hope the pharmacists will be made to ensure the same problem won't occur with them.

[Tripps]

My hand is up.. and yours should be too! You heard it first on OG when it was launched at the end of January

I'll put both hands up and surrender. Guilty as charged. I must be fading faster than I thought.

The point you make would not be my main concern. That problem has been flagged up for decades - we seem to get by. I think a bigger issue may be misdiagnosis by a pharmacist, who is after all, not an experienced doctor. Let us wait and see what the consequences are.

PS I went to Tesco pharmacy this afternoon as I had an extra prescription (for fluoride toothpaste) and needed a few things from them too. There was no queue at all, which as I recall is a first. They had a notice about the new system at the counter, but I don't think I'd have been happy to discuss my health with either of the two coves behind the counter. I'd be interested in hearing the experience of any site members who might avail themselves of this new service.

Like Stanley - my shop for a few things cost me £35 pounds and change. Not difficult - I'll be back to Aldi next week.