Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Really Fed Up - having a groan

Strewth. So, scripts from the doctor :-

Diosmine: for venous insufficiency, cramp: legs and feet. Do NOT take IF have hypertension (other script for dangerous hypertension!) pharmacy supplies both meds... No rush in pharmacy, I was the only person there at that time frame.

Daivobet: for psoriasis, palma / planta - got an outbreak. This is a cortisone based cream. Cortisone NOT for anyone with glaucoma! (This was down to me, as I did not check the cream out - DOH).

Magnesium: Did not check ingredients properly - sweetener. Took one sachet, was ill for half the night and developed a facial rash, around mouth.

Took Magnesium back. Dumpted it. Got another version. Checked - no sweetener. OK. Only when fully checked at home, was Magnesium carbonate (that they are pushing over here!) poor bioavailability, poorly absorbed - can only say NO sweeteners!

Can one invent this? No. But, story of my life.

Will see what the health food shop can offer - am sooooo cross, with me. I should have checked better. Next time, will *scrutinise the meds, then, write down, and come home to fully check out before taking. Only way (doctor's hand writing is appalling!)

Blast everything. Can't trust em to give me anything - cause they surely have poor knowledge of drugs... As for the pharmacy. No comment. Just another sigh, a big sigh

But did come away anti-hypertension drug and D3 - and note to blood clinic for a D3 test. Scheduled for Monday next.. (Hope (!) D3 levels will be UP from dangerously low level of 9.)

Rant away, Molly, it's so frustrating sometimes... And it seems customer service has gone out the window, right along with common sense...

Michelle

Poor Molly,
That stinks to have had such a bad time at the pharmacy. Hope the D3 helps and you get back to normal. Did you see my post about my twitching eye? I was taking a lot of vitamin d because I was defiecient and then my eye started twitching and I found an article on the internet that it could be the result of too much vit d.????? I still don't know if its true, but guess what--- My twitching eye went away and it had been twitching for months and then it stopped.Who knows.
Take care.

Makes you want to bang your head against a wall sometimes, doesn't it. Groan away, Molly.

And thanks for the Magnesium reminder. I'm on high dose Vitamin D right now because I was found to be severely deficient. I'd forgotten to pick up Magnesume to help balance the effects.

Love and hugs,

I try check out all new scripts on Google before I even take them to the pharmacy. Now days, you have to check out all meds.

Yes, I usually do just that Donna, but could not read his writing - even the pharmacy has trouble! That is why next time, I shall get his scripts ID'eed by the pharmacy, then go back home and check the meds out before accepting them. Such a flippin bind. (Once out of the shop with the meds you cannot take back except to jettison, which is a terrible waste of money. The psoriasis cream for instance is E.49/- and I can't use it and it is untouched. Oh well).

Yes. One has to check out ALL meds, which as you probably know is my constant mantra - hence being sooooo very *cross with myself for ignoring my own advice to others GGGGGRRRRRRRR

I have problems with maize in any form used as a binder or "inert" filler for meds. Its fine if its pure maize starch (usually on the label) but when its processed things derived from maize you really can't tell until you take it. In NZ most of the pharmacies I used to use would happily phone or email the manufacturer to check what all the ingredients were. Here, no way. Even worse when I am relying on a dispensing GP - they have to order the stuff in, then I have to check the package insert, and sometimes I don't even end up taking it away. If its not something commonly used and expensive then they could be left with it sitting on the shelf.

I'm also concerned about contraindications, and wonder just how many you need before its taken notice of. For example, just about everything I have had in the last couple of years has said "use with caution in kidney failure", or liver disease". OK, so my kidney function is still just barely in the acceptable range, and they really can't quite reconcile the fact that my liver ultrasound looks bad, but the blood tests are fine, but if I am taking three different things that all potentally harm liver or kidney and mine aren't 100 percent healthy, why is no-one even questioning whether its actually OK?

Ever since I bought a smart phone, I can use it to check on things right in the store. I usually use it to compare sale prices, but it can be used to check out meds, also. Who would think that this 71yo grandma would love technology so much? I have even learned to text, even with my sore achy hands.

cemc : Dear Lord. That is appalling. Like they have us in a neck hold! Really worrying - and then one is expected to report the side effects of any drugs we take. All so pointless, when the doctors and pharmacies couldn't care less.

Went to the pharmacy this afternoon. Gave them back the cream for psoriasis and the medication for venous insufficiency. Asked them why they hadn't picked up the contra for me, their response, 'Up to my doctor: he had written the script, not for them to comment'! Shakes head.

Donna : Good idea. Will check into getting a smart phone - wonder what the monthly spend is. Hmmmmmm

Thanks gals -

yeh, gotta check things out for ourselves sometimes.

had a rheumy who gave me a script for the LDN and tramadol together. only knew not to give me the "classic" narcotics.

asked my pharmacist, and then looked it up. realized i couldn't take both together.

i always ask the pharmacist to cross check all my meds and supplements whenever a new one is put into the fold. sometimes they catch something both the doctors and i miss. i figure, its their job. and if you find a good one.......

glad you got some stuff that can help you.