They've sent me a text to tell me they want to increase my medication, i want to stop taking meds completely, so I've made an appointment.
I don't want a phone call because I'll get fobbed off, I'm no good on the phone
Well, can't you taper off on your own? That way the doctor's happy because they think you're taking them, you're happy because you're not, so big smiles all round.
 
I know this sounds like a silly question, but if you don't need one why are you making an appointment? Is it in case you're ill later? Maybe I shoud try and get some in the diary early, for when I'm in my 80s in the 2040s.
To clarify, it's not 'urgent', but then if it was really that urgent then I'd go to hospital. If i said it was urgent, how much wait would it be, a week.. 2? I'd say even 5 days isn't really urgent
 
They've sent me a text to tell me they want to increase my medication, i want to stop taking meds completely, so I've made an appointment.
I don't want a phone call because I'll get fobbed off, I'm no good on the phone
If they want to increase a med, they surely have to have a valid justification?
I can't stand the "1-size-fitzall" approach to some conditions that the NHS & GP network seems to like.
I am prescribed Beta-blockers & Ramipril (both BP reducers) and yet my BP is normally low and beta-blockers just push it even lower to the point of silliness (90/50@58bpm).
Because I have had a heart-attack (2007) I am on their "protocol" Beta-Blockers, Ramipril & Statins. There is no specific study to see IF I am really benefiting from these medicines, it's just "protocol".

I stopped taking them for 2 years during the pandemic and I didn't die, nor did I have any further heart-attacks. What does that tell me?

I think GP's know jack about these things in depth and only a real cardiologist can give specific advice to an individual and they just "play safe". It's the patient that suffers all the side-effects and risks.

Anyway, I hear your concern and all I can say is ask the relevant questions.
"Specifically how long will this medicine increase my lifespan?"
"What do the studies show? i.e. If I take this for 10 years, how much more life will it provide?" (for statins 10 years = 2 more weeks) Ha! Ha!
"If I don't take it what happens, what is the increased level of risk of...(whatever) and in what timescale?"

Also ask "What is the minimum number to harm? How does this compare to the minimum number to treat for medication "X"?

In my experience most NHS Drs. are licensed medical bullies that cover their own ar$e with protocol following more than specifically making sure the patient has the most relevant and appropriate medication and care.

But that's just me and I am not a wannabe little god modern day GP.
 
If they want to increase a med, they surely have to have a valid justification?
I can't stand the "1-size-fitzall" approach to some conditions that the NHS & GP network seems to like.
I am prescribed Beta-blockers & Ramipril (both BP reducers) and yet my BP is normally low and beta-blockers just push it even lower to the point of silliness (90/50@58bpm).
Because I have had a heart-attack (2007) I am on their "protocol" Beta-Blockers, Ramipril & Statins. There is no specific study to see IF I am really benefiting from these medicines, it's just "protocol".

I stopped taking them for 2 years during the pandemic and I didn't die, nor did I have any further heart-attacks. What does that tell me?

I think GP's know jack about these things in depth and only a real cardiologist can give specific advice to an individual and they just "play safe". It's the patient that suffers all the side-effects and risks.

Anyway, I hear your concern and all I can say is ask the relevant questions.
"Specifically how long will this medicine increase my lifespan?"
"What do the studies show? i.e. If I take this for 10 years, how much more life will it provide?" (for statins 10 years = 2 more weeks) Ha! Ha!
"If I don't take it what happens, what is the increased level of risk of...(whatever) and in what timescale?"

Also ask "What is the minimum number to harm? How does this compare to the minimum number to treat for medication "X"?

In my experience most NHS Drs. are licensed medical bullies that cover their own ar$e with protocol following more than specifically making sure the patient has the most relevant and appropriate medication and care.

But that's just me and I am not a wannabe little god modern day GP.
Yes doc was the same with colitis. Because blood tests came back clear of things they didn't know then I started loosing weight and bleeding they said may have to prepare for the worst (thanks) and that is how I got a colonoscopy very quickly. Never cried like that when he said it was colitis. Sorry for the detail, Because results look normal they assume you are fine.
 
About 8am today, a young blackbird splatted into me window. Knocked itself senseless. I left it for an hour or so, then put it in a shallow cardboard box and left it in a sheltered position. Still dazed, but seemed to have its legs and wings intact. Parent bird was bringing it worms n stuff and hanging around. 'Er indoors said it started poking its beak over the edge of the box at lunchtime and it was gone when I got home at 5pm. Hope it got away and is recovering.
 
If they want to increase a med, they surely have to have a valid justification?
I can't stand the "1-size-fitzall" approach to some conditions that the NHS & GP network seems to like.
I am prescribed Beta-blockers & Ramipril (both BP reducers) and yet my BP is normally low and beta-blockers just push it even lower to the point of silliness (90/50@58bpm).
Because I have had a heart-attack (2007) I am on their "protocol" Beta-Blockers, Ramipril & Statins. There is no specific study to see IF I am really benefiting from these medicines, it's just "protocol".

I stopped taking them for 2 years during the pandemic and I didn't die, nor did I have any further heart-attacks. What does that tell me?

I think GP's know jack about these things in depth and only a real cardiologist can give specific advice to an individual and they just "play safe". It's the patient that suffers all the side-effects and risks.

Anyway, I hear your concern and all I can say is ask the relevant questions.
"Specifically how long will this medicine increase my lifespan?"
"What do the studies show? i.e. If I take this for 10 years, how much more life will it provide?" (for statins 10 years = 2 more weeks) Ha! Ha!
"If I don't take it what happens, what is the increased level of risk of...(whatever) and in what timescale?"

Also ask "What is the minimum number to harm? How does this compare to the minimum number to treat for medication "X"?

In my experience most NHS Drs. are licensed medical bullies that cover their own ar$e with protocol following more than specifically making sure the patient has the most relevant and appropriate medication and care.

But that's just me and I am not a wannabe little god modern day GP.
Totally agree it's the one glove fits all without a full cardiologists examination thay would not have a clue what the patient is in need of so as you say thay are following what the book says
 
If they want to increase a med, they surely have to have a valid justification?
I can't stand the "1-size-fitzall" approach to some conditions that the NHS & GP network seems to like.
I am prescribed Beta-blockers & Ramipril (both BP reducers) and yet my BP is normally low and beta-blockers just push it even lower to the point of silliness (90/50@58bpm).
Because I have had a heart-attack (2007) I am on their "protocol" Beta-Blockers, Ramipril & Statins. There is no specific study to see IF I am really benefiting from these medicines, it's just "protocol".

I stopped taking them for 2 years during the pandemic and I didn't die, nor did I have any further heart-attacks. What does that tell me?

I think GP's know jack about these things in depth and only a real cardiologist can give specific advice to an individual and they just "play safe". It's the patient that suffers all the side-effects and risks.

Anyway, I hear your concern and all I can say is ask the relevant questions.
"Specifically how long will this medicine increase my lifespan?"
"What do the studies show? i.e. If I take this for 10 years, how much more life will it provide?" (for statins 10 years = 2 more weeks) Ha! Ha!
"If I don't take it what happens, what is the increased level of risk of...(whatever) and in what timescale?"

Also ask "What is the minimum number to harm? How does this compare to the minimum number to treat for medication "X"?

In my experience most NHS Drs. are licensed medical bullies that cover their own ar$e with protocol following more than specifically making sure the patient has the most relevant and appropriate medication and care.

But that's just me and I am not a wannabe little god modern day GP.

Yes doc was the same with colitis. Because blood tests came back clear of things they didn't know then I started loosing weight and bleeding they said may have to prepare for the worst (thanks) and that is how I got a colonoscopy very quickly. Never cried like that when he said it was colitis. Sorry for the detail, Because results look normal they assume you are fine.

Totally agree it's the one glove fits all without a full cardiologists examination thay would not have a clue what the patient is in need of so as you say thay are following what the book says
They want to increase my meds because I've had a stroke. They have done loads of tests which say in perfectly healthy.
But their eyes are closed to the data and they want to give me more meds simply because it happened. They won't entertain the fact it could be COVID (vaccine) related.
The way i see it, if my health is good then I'm at no more of a risk than anyone else. I didn't have a repeat during the months after the initial one and i wasn't on any drugs then. Apparently the first 3 months are critical.. if you're going to have a repeat, it will happen then
 
They want to increase my meds because I've had a stroke. They have done loads of tests which say in perfectly healthy.
But their eyes are closed to the data and they want to give me more meds simply because it happened. They won't entertain the fact it could be COVID (vaccine) related.
The way i see it, if my health is good then I'm at no more of a risk than anyone else. I didn't have a repeat during the months after the initial one and i wasn't on any drugs then. Apparently the first 3 months are critical.. if you're going to have a repeat, it will happen then
But the guidance is built around folks with cause, ie high blood pressure/stress/high cholesterol
I don't have that
 
I want to move somewhere that means you don't have to fight over every square cm of land. Somewhere that has empty space you can go to if you wish without people getting angry at you just because you exist.
I don't want to be Kermit the hermit.. just not live so close to someone you can hear them flush
Welcome to village life in Portugal...the only thing you might get p.ssed off with is tripping over bags of fruit and veg left at your gate and waving to drivers on tractors as they pass by...
 
Todays fun............ 🤣 🤣


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Turned it up to 200 degrees for 20 mins 150 wasnt hot enuff.
 

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