So much pain help

mary19

Hi I suffer real bad back pain due to an accident I was in a few years ago, I am normally prescribed Diclofenac Sodium, these are anti inflammatories and they work brilliantly for me. Thing is this month is a real bad month financially, so I can't afford to go to the doctor till the 1st week in April, I'll be crippled then, I am taking solpadeine but they are not even touching the pain and I don't want to take too many just in case, what I am wondering is can I buy these tablets over the counter anywhere ?

thanks in advance.

cltt97

My GP issues repeat prescriptions for 10 Euros, don't even have to see him. Maybe ring and ask? Don't think Voltarol or any of those are available over the counter.

Edited by Tallaght01. Please don't offer medical advice.

Vorsprung

Diclofenac is a prescription only drug. Would your GP be good enough to give you a break?

mary19

Thank you both for your replies, I went up to the surgery and pleaded the receptionist to ask him to do me a prescription and that I would pay April, she spoke to him but he said that he needs to see me under an appointment before issuing a prescription and unfortunately he can't do it on tick . It was only when I spoke to my pharmacist about something that I could take in place that he told me they are very strong and doctors are always weary about prescribing them, I always thought they were just antiinflammatories with pain relief. I only take them when the pain is real bad. He gave me Nurofen plus and I have already gone through a box of them it clears the pain for about 30 mins but then it comes back with a vengeance, I'm popping back up to get some more, roll on April.

Odysseus

Hi Mary, I would suggest next time you get a script ask for a repeat on it, that way you can fill it once a month for six weeks. It sounds strange to me, most GPs will issue a repeat for a small fee. When I read threads like this I'm thankfull for my GP. However, if you are in constant pain I would suggest talking to you GP about long term options when you see him next.

tallaght01

You'd imagine he'd offer an appointment that you can pay for later, if the receptionist told him your situation.

That's really piss-poor, if he is knowingly making you wait for pain relief. Could you go to A+E to get some. I know it's not the ideal use of their time, but if you're in that much pain, then it might be the only option.

I've known a few people who haven't had any cash, and their GP was cool about taking it another time. I know one woman who went with her sick kid, and she said she didn't have any money. The GP said "OK, get it to me as soon as you can, and don't let it happen again". Pretty outrageous. But I'd imagine most GPs would give you a break.

Odysseus

tallaght01 wrote: »

You'd imagine he'd offer an appointment that you can pay for later, if the receptionist told him your situation.

That's really piss-poor, if he is knowingly making you wait for pain relief. Could you go to A+E to get some. I know it's not the ideal use of their time, but if you're in that much pain, then it might be the only option.

I've known a few people who haven't had any cash, and their GP was cool about taking it another time. I know one woman who went with her sick kid, and she said she didn't have any money. The GP said "OK, get it to me as soon as you can, and don't let it happen again". Pretty outrageous. But I'd imagine most GPs would give you a break.

I have to agree with you there, if that was me I would be seeking a new GP.

RobFowl

Odysseus wrote: »

I have to agree with you there, if that was me I would be seeking a new GP.

I'm a GP and IMO that's a very poor attitude. I personally would usually give repeat prescriptions if appropriate and as he/she already prescribed it it's obvious there are no issues re allergies etc.
Mention it next tinme you're there and make it clear you're not impressed.
BTW if you're stuck try applying for the medical card , the Doctor vist card is surprisingly easy to be eligible for.

tallaght01

RobFowl wrote: »

I'm a GP and IMO that's a very poor attitude. I personally would usually give repeat prescriptions if appropriate and as he/she already prescribed it it's obvious there are no issues re allergies etc.
Mention it next tinme you're there and make it clear you're not impressed.
BTW if you're stuck try applying for the medical card , the Doctor vist card is surprisingly easy to be eligible for.

Out of interest, RF, do you ever get people turning up who say they can't pay at the time? Or does embarrassment keep them away? That's always my worry about a fee-for-service health model.

2Scoops

Surely, GPs can issue invoices instead of turning people away who don't have cash up front?

AmcD

People turn up all the time without being able to pay. They are always seen. Reception have to bring it up with them at the end of the visit because if it was thought that they could run a tab, bad debts would soar (they are bad enough already). There is always leeway with people who struggle to afford visits and who are sick. They are often directed to apply for a medical card/doctor visit card.
Unfortunately there are a lot of people who let their medical cards run out of date, and have this vague notion that their GP should renew if for them. We try and warn them that it is due to expire, but they often forget to send off the forms. They always expect to be seen for free once it has run out.
Things are going to get worse. I expect the HSE is going to be more tough with applications for medical cards, as numbers of applications soar. The HSE are also cutting medical card payments to GPs. That €48 they pay us for a year for seeing a medical card patient aged between 5-15years, isn't going to stretch very far after being cut.

cltt97

You must be in agony if Neurofen Plus wears off in 30 mins. I can't believe your GP would be so unhelpful in a situation like this. My GP just charges 10 Euro for a new prescription. Surely if you're on these tablets all the time he must know. Maybe you could try and get them to give you a prescription until April, i.e for the next week and making an appointment for the earliest day possible. Maybe ask to speak to your GP, directly rather than talking via the receptionist and explain that you're aware your situation is due for review but could you until such a time when you can afford it get a prescription?

ZYX

mary19 wrote: »

It was only when I spoke to my pharmacist about something that I could take in place that he told me they are very strong and doctors are always weary about prescribing them, I always thought they were just antiinflammatories with pain relief. I only take them when the pain is real bad. He gave me Nurofen plus and I have already gone through a box of them it clears the pain for about 30 mins but then it comes back with a vengeance, I'm popping back up to get some more, roll on April.

Nurofen Plus contains codeine. Be very careful using them. As a GP I would prescribe nurofen Plus with much more care than diclofenac sodium. My personal opinion is, no codeine containing product should be available without a prescription but that is a different topic. Go back to your pharmacist and ask what is the cheapest anti-inflamatory they have. Nurofen plus certainly isn't.
When you next see your GP, ask to discuss long term management of your back pain. Is the only option medication? (it may be). If so get a plan of medication ie., different products depending on severity, which to use when, how to combine them, clear plan as to how you get prescriptions, etc

RobFowl

tallaght01 wrote: »

Out of interest, RF, do you ever get people turning up who say they can't pay at the time? Or does embarrassment keep them away? That's always my worry about a fee-for-service health model.

Never turn anyone away. If they are stuck we offer to defer or allow them to pay back in stages. Some times waive fee's as well although the one's I usually offer this to refuse and insist on paying some how. Have been paid in lobsters on one occcasion
Over all My practice occurs a bad debt level of 5% approx. We keep billling but never go down the debt collection route.
There are chancers out there who will always try to get something for nothing but they are a small minority.
I woorked in the UK system as well and found the attitute among GP's towards seeing people the same day apalling. 2 weeks wait for appointments were common (it's changed a bit since their new contract). Personally would prefer a universal insurance model (although would probably cost me financially) as it seems fairer.

PS GMs patinets consult about 6 times more often than private one (open to correction on that but it's in the ballpark). Most of this is because GMS patients tend to be in poorer health for various reasons but their are definately people who avoid Gp's because they can't afford to pay.

RobFowl

ZYX wrote: »

Nurofen Plus contains codeine. Be very careful using them. As a GP I would prescribe nurofen Plus with much more care than diclofenac sodium. My personal opinion is, no codeine containing product should be available without a prescription but that is a different topic. Go back to your pharmacist and ask what is the cheapest anti-inflamatory they have. Nurofen plus certainly isn't.
When you next see your GP, ask to discuss long term management of your back pain. Is the only option medication? (it may be). If so get a plan of medication ie., different products depending on severity, which to use when, how to combine them, clear plan as to how you get prescriptions, etc

Codeine addiction is a huge and much under recognised. I agree totally here. Plenty of drugs which are prescription only should really be OTC but the fact that codeine based drugs and cough bottles are so freely available is a little scarey.
Unique patient identity cards/numbers would help here as well to reduce doctor and pharmacy "shopping"

Nonoperational

Edited by Tallaght01: please don't offer medication advice.

RobFowl

AmcD wrote: »

That €48 they pay us for a year for seeing a medical card patient aged between 5-15years, isn't going to stretch very far after being cut.

Funny how that figure was never quoted by Harney, Aherne (Dermot ) and Drumm when they tried to Demonise GP's during the over 70's card cull :rolleyes:

Nonoperational

In fairness very few pharmacists would give out codeine cough bottles these days. Agree with you though, there should be a major rethink on OTC products.

RobFowl

deleted body of my original post any mods feels free to delete it completely (comment no longer nessecary or helpful)

Nonoperational

Apologies Ill ammend my post! My fear was overdosing on the paracetamol, whatever our opinions on codeine the amount in solpadeine isn't going to be near an od.

mary19

thanks everyone for your replies, my situation is my husband and I are separated, he still lives here (long story) according to the HSE his wages are 'in comings' to this household even though I don't get any of it so it pushes us up over the income limit because I had to get a job to support myself, I've been having this out with them for 2 years now. Anyway I have seen GP twice before on tick I guess they are tired of me now, I don't go that often and only ask to owe them when I am seriously bad. I got to go to the doctor this morning. I have been prescribed more of my tablets, they really are the only thing that works for me, I have been to many specialists and nothing has worked for me, so I'm good for another few weeks.