Of all the stupid things to make me upset...

[SacredHeart]

Just got off the phone trying to order a repeat prescription for my lancets and test strips. Firstly, I needed to ask a question, so I rang reception, rather than the answerphone that you're supposed to leave a message on (sensible, surely?), and got told off for 'blocking the line'.

Then I got told that my test strips weren't on repeat prescription. This is totally their fault, because the first time, despite me telling them from the name that they were giving me the wrong ones, they had me down for strips that didn't fit my meter, and it took a lot of trips and phone calls to get it right.

Now they've told me that I can't get my prescription until Friday. Now, I'm a little bit green on how long all this kind of stuff takes, because I've never had to deal with many prescriptions before, but the two other times I've had stuff since being diagnosed, I've had it the same day. Why all of a sudden do I have to wait until Friday?!

Got to be honest that, for some reason, I got off the phone and suddenly felt like crying. Erm, bit stupid to get upset over something so daft, but it really got to me.

 

[Northerner]

No, I think you're right to be upset - these people should realise that they are dealing with human beings! They ought to be able to get a prescription through, especially for the items you require (i.e. they're not drugs) straight away -even more so as it's their mistake! Grrr!😡

 

[mikep1979]

Just got off the phone trying to order a repeat prescription for my lancets and test strips. Firstly, I needed to ask a question, so I rang reception, rather than the answerphone that you're supposed to leave a message on (sensible, surely?), and got told off for 'blocking the line'.

Then I got told that my test strips weren't on repeat prescription. This is totally their fault, because the first time, despite me telling them from the name that they were giving me the wrong ones, they had me down for strips that didn't fit my meter, and it took a lot of trips and phone calls to get it right.

Now they've told me that I can't get my prescription until Friday. Now, I'm a little bit green on how long all this kind of stuff takes, because I've never had to deal with many prescriptions before, but the two other times I've had stuff since being diagnosed, I've had it the same day. Why all of a sudden do I have to wait until Friday?!

Got to be honest that, for some reason, I got off the phone and suddenly felt like crying. Erm, bit stupid to get upset over something so daft, but it really got to me.

hi becky,

not daft at all!!!!! your trying to sort something out which is essential to yuor life so its bound to get you worked up.

now my gp's surgery do also take 48 hours to order repeate scripts. i have on occasions been able to get it the same day when i have for some reason ran out, but as i try and keep all my stocks to a reasonable level this is only happened on a few occasions. are you in desperate need for them??? or can you wait for friday??

mike

 

[katie]

I would feel exactly the same as you, I get upset easily so if I get told off I usually cry lol. don't worry about it though, it is their fault!!

My prescriptions usually take 24 hours but if you need them sooner they can arrange it. Are you out of test strips or ordering them before you run out?

It's not very good for a type one to go without test strips for a couple of days, so i would go and complain if you have run out!

 

[diagonall]

Just got off the phone trying to order a repeat prescription for my lancets and test strips. Firstly, I needed to ask a question, so I rang reception, rather than the answerphone that you're supposed to leave a message on (sensible, surely?), and got told off for 'blocking the line'.

Then I got told that my test strips weren't on repeat prescription. This is totally their fault, because the first time, despite me telling them from the name that they were giving me the wrong ones, they had me down for strips that didn't fit my meter, and it took a lot of trips and phone calls to get it right.

Now they've told me that I can't get my prescription until Friday. Now, I'm a little bit green on how long all this kind of stuff takes, because I've never had to deal with many prescriptions before, but the two other times I've had stuff since being diagnosed, I've had it the same day. Why all of a sudden do I have to wait until Friday?!

Got to be honest that, for some reason, I got off the phone and suddenly felt like crying. Erm, bit stupid to get upset over something so daft, but it really got to me.

Hi Becky(((((((hugs))))))))))
Sit yourself down with a cuppa and then write a letter to your Dr explaining what you need on repeat and also explain the upset the reception staff are causing and it really isn't needed when newly diagnosed as things are so over whelming at the moment.
Deliver the letter by hand with Dr's name on it and he will read it not the staff.

Sue

 

[SacredHeart]

I'm not too short of test strips, so i can wait for those, but because I've been told by my DSN to go up to 7/8 tests per day, I'm running low on lancets. Just guess I'll have to reuse, which I think a lot of people do anyway. I just don't like leaving it in the machine, because I forget it's there!

 

[katie]

No, I think you're right to be upset - these people should realise that they are dealing with human beings! They ought to be able to get a prescription through, especially for the items you require (i.e. they're not drugs) straight away -even more so as it's their mistake! Grrr!😡

I get extra upset when it's a dr or their receptionist's upsetting me! they should try to be as nice as possible because anything could be wrong with you! I was really down last time i went and the receptionist was really rude because i was early (i cried lol)

 

[Patricia]

sacredheart, I really feel for you here. Some of my most upset times have come from us having to run around and order prescriptions and the amounts being messed up, and the needles sitting at one chemist when I thought they were at another... I'm not sure why, but it just seems like the final straw. And it takes *hours* of time. It's so hard to be matter-of-fact about all this paraphrenalia. To the medics, it's another item. To people dealing with diabetes, all this stuff carries emotional baggage too. Anyway, I can really relate. I remember sitting in tears twice in the doctor's car park!

If it's any comfort, things are easier now that we are ordering in larger amounts, and have got used to the fact that the needles seem to run out quicker, etc. I've also become much less reserved, and now stand there in the chemist's until someone figures out where the prescription is! Or stand in the doctor's until someone produces a script!

Anyway, I echo Sue: hugs.

 

[Caroline]

Hi Becky, I don't think you are atall daft to be upset. We all get upset sometimes. If we are feeling a bit down, it is the silliest of things that sets us off. Have a good bawl if it helps.

When we want a repeat prescription we have to wait two days for it at our surgery. Because we know it sometimes takes a week, we put our repeat prescriptions in while we still have a weeks worth of whatever we will need.

Looking at the receptionists down out doctors, they often forget some people are not out to argue or battle with them and genuinely need help because the last person the spoke to was a realy nasty piece of work.

I hope you feel better and get the prescription sorted out. Many people would advise wrting to the practice manager and complaining, but if you are feeling fragile to begin with it is not always the easiest thing to do.

 

[Einstein]

Hi Becky,

Not your fault at all. Your expectation was perfectly reasonable.

Does remind me of a GP practice where they sealed the letter box up, really caused a problem with the postman who couldn't deliver anything to them until they deemed it was fit to open the door at 09.00, despite their beign there at 08.30! All because one patient got sick and tired of the doctor and posted something through his letter box as no-one ever listened to his comments.

The patient wasn't barmy, his suggestions were perfectly reasonable, one was 'would you mind switching your answer machine on when you're closed and respond to the messages left!'

The whole prescription system stinks, they complain that there is such a high level of prescription fraud, both from patients and pharmacists, however rather than computerising the easiest part of the NHS they choose to leave it running on little pieces of paper that get lost, damaged and can take minutes or days to issue.

There needs to be a common level of service and the NHS (again as I've said before) need to think more of us as paying customers, than a pain in the backside because we expect a level of service they think is below them.

Sit back, drop a note to your GP or better still tell them face to face when you see them next, perhaps a review of your repeat prescriptions is due already!

If no-one tells them that one part of their practice or person in it stinks and doesn't work we can't expect the problem to be fixed.

Take it easy!

 

[Caroline]

Our doctor has some private patients, his paying customers, they get MUCH better treatment than those of us who work our backsides off just to earn enough to pay bills with so are on the NHS!

 

[runner]

I'm not too short of test strips, so i can wait for those, but because I've been told by my DSN to go up to 7/8 tests per day, I'm running low on lancets. Just guess I'll have to reuse, which I think a lot of people do anyway. I just don't like leaving it in the machine, because I forget it's there!

If you are in e-mail or telephone contact with your DSN I would contact them and explain what happened, including the fact you will have to re-use lancets - they will probably be horrified and will hopefully contact your GP and do the ranting for you and get it sorted. I often messed up my re-ordering in the early days, not realising I was running out of things so quickly and had to ask for a repeat the same day, which was usually sorted for me. They should be supporting you 100% with your self-management - feel proud, calm, and that you have a right to a responsive and sensitive service.

 

[Munjeeta]

If you go to a chemist and explain the situation (taking in a packaging of the strips/ lancets you use and any evidence you have of being a diabetic, medic alert breacelet etc) you should be able to get an 'emergency supply' of any medication you need. You'll just have to make sure you take the prescription into the same chemist when you get it to balance their accounts. It might cost some money as a deposit but it really shouldn't be a problem. I've done it many a time through lack of organisation on my own part!

 

[Tezzz]

Just got off the phone trying to order a repeat prescription for my lancets and test strips. Firstly, I needed to ask a question, so I rang reception, rather than the answerphone that you're supposed to leave a message on (sensible, surely?), and got told off for 'blocking the line'.

Then I got told that my test strips weren't on repeat prescription. This is totally their fault, because the first time, despite me telling them from the name that they were giving me the wrong ones, they had me down for strips that didn't fit my meter, and it took a lot of trips and phone calls to get it right.

Now they've told me that I can't get my prescription until Friday. Now, I'm a little bit green on how long all this kind of stuff takes, because I've never had to deal with many prescriptions before, but the two other times I've had stuff since being diagnosed, I've had it the same day. Why all of a sudden do I have to wait until Friday?!

Got to be honest that, for some reason, I got off the phone and suddenly felt like crying. Erm, bit stupid to get upset over something so daft, but it really got to me.

Hi Becky,

Sorry to hear about your predicament,

Could I suggest you ask your pharmacy to let you have some lancets in advance of your prescription arriving?

My pharmacy did that when I ran out of strips.

Hope you feel better soon.