So, I finally got my prescription, though it hasn't been smooth sailing. Now I have a new question—moderators, please feel free to move this if it’s off-topic. Is a primary care physician allowed to just ignore a specialist's findings? It feels like this: "You shouldn't be taking this much, so I'll give you the script this time, but next time, no." My specialist prescribed a specific medication at a dosage of 1–2 times daily. I take it once a day, but I run into issues renewing the prescription every single time. Now, my GP is refusing to write it for me at all. I have a follow-up appointment with that doctor in two weeks, which is lucky timing, so I'll talk to them then. Honestly, I don't think they'll agree to provide this med or anything else. Until then, I have the official report stating 1–2 doses per day. Can my GP legally deny me a referral for a follow-up?
I'm honestly so anxious about this. I'm actually starting to feel intimidated by my doctor...
Just rinse it under running water! Is it stinging? Once you've rinsed it, you can even soak your hand in a bowl of water for a bit if the burning sensation persists. It shouldn't be an issue as long as the stain isn't spreading. You aren't going to poison yourself, don't worry... but don't go using that Clorox like that again. It's way too harsh for regular household use.
I totally get how the e-prescription system works. I call my sister, not the doctor—obviously. My take is that she enters everything into the computer, and then the doctor probably has to sign off on it, which might not happen until the next day. If I actually go see the doctor in person for something, then the prescription is ready at the pharmacy immediately. But I'm not going to waste a trip just to get a refill.
I’m going to call her tomorrow during her office hours, so let her be as annoyed as she wants... I've been calling constantly, and since the line is always busy, there's really only one explanation for why. It was the exact same story last week, too... except back then I wasn't calling every single minute, just a few times within that half-hour window.
Well, alright then... thanks for the advice 🙂, I'll let you know how it goes—it should be fun 🤣.
melloworca6 said:Call the office and tell them you've been calling during the designated window every single day and the line is constantly busy, so you just can't get through when they expect you to.
I don't get it. Is she really telling all her patients that they can only call about prescriptions during one specific thirty-minute window, and if you call outside of that, she won't print the script? I doubt they have enough free time to be that rigid with their scheduling.
Exactly. For maintenance meds—electronic or otherwise—you’re only allowed to call during the last half hour of her shift. And even then, the line is always busy. When you finally do get through, the nurse basically implies you called at the exact same time as everyone else. If you call at any other time, sure, they'll pick up, but the nurse will lecture you about following the rules. They act like they'll only give you medication if it's a life-or-death emergency. They wouldn't even give me my blood pressure meds! I spent today calling during that thirty-minute window like a crazy person... and nothing, just a busy signal. I'm the only one in my family seeing this doctor; everyone else goes elsewhere and thinks I'm nuts for dealing with her "system." Not only do you have to call at a specific time, but you don't even get the meds until the next day. So, if you call on Friday, you're looking at Monday. You have to plan everything perfectly—knowing when she works, making sure it doesn't hit a weekend, and knowing you can only pick up the script seven days early. She isn't even far from me, but I'm stuck waiting two or three hours on hold just to get a refill. 🙂
Right now, I only have enough medication for tomorrow, so I absolutely have to settle this tomorrow. I'm going to call and say exactly what you suggested. If that fails, I'll just show up at her office Wednesday morning since I have to go there for other things anyway. This is ridiculous.
I also have another question—I saw something on TV about how people can't go to the ER during certain hours when their doctor isn't working, and instead, they have to see another doctor who has some kind of "arrangement" with them. My doctor doesn't have a backup. I asked her personally. Her response? The nurse is always there if you need a prescription or a referral, but for anything else, you have to go to the ER. The only time someone else covers for her is when she's on vacation, and even then, I have to go to the next town over. Is she actually allowed to operate like this? She's driving me insane!
Man... I've been on the verge of switching doctors so many times. But it's such a nightmare to find a new one who is actually accepting new patients, especially when you have to schedule an appointment months in advance. It's a total mess.
I have a quick question. My doctor has this very specific thirty-minute window every single day when you're allowed to call for prescription refills. It's for my daily medication—a long-term prescription. If you call outside that tiny window, you can't get through. You just end up getting snapped at by the nurse and told to call back at the designated time. I've been trying to call since Wednesday. The line is constantly busy. Honestly, it feels like she just sets her phone to "reject calls" during that time. There is no way it's actually that busy; she probably just doesn't want to deal with people while she's working. This isn't even the first time either. And if I decide to go see her in person, I have to sit in the waiting room just for a simple refill.
Is she actually allowed to do this? Just thirty minutes a day and you're out of luck? I only have enough medicine left for tomorrow, so I'm stuck. I either have to drive down to her office or go without it until someone finally decides to pick up the phone.
Elizabeth Davis said:The Health 2 x subreddit is probably the only sub where 99% of the moderators actually stay in their lane. And you, Betty Edwards22, have this arrogant attitude and a habit of putting words in people's mouths. Just look at how you talk to people regarding the mole discussion. If we were all expert doctors, this subreddit wouldn't even exist because it wouldn't be needed 🙄! Besides, your degree (or anyone else's) doesn't carry much weight on a forum because we are all (generally speaking) equals here.
Kudos to the guys doing the work and helping out (like when I needed it) 👍
Absolutely. Most of us who jump between different subreddits on this site have definitely noticed that.
Thanks for such a detailed response. My answer might not be exactly what you want to hear, but—I've started leaning a bit more toward alternative treatments. That doesn't mean I'm ditching my meds because I feel like it or that I'm against conventional medicine; I'm just trying to broaden my horizons.
What are the potential consequences of "overdosing" on magnesium and Vitamin C?
dustylynx said:this is literally my favorite bra in the whole world 🙂
also, do those flea market ones hold you up well enough?
Believe it or not—yes! I'm beyond happy with it. My only regret is they didn't have black in this size... I might have to talk my "aunt" into ordering one🤣.
After digging through endless piles of medical literature, my bottom line is this: people dealing with hypertension should—or at least can—take magnesium and Vitamin C supplements. I saw those two mentioned everywhere. However, when it comes to calcium and potassium, the advice gets messy. Some sources say don't even touch them, especially potassium, while others suggest taking extra.
It seems to me that it all depends on which blood pressure meds you're on and whether kidney issues are driving the high pressure. Is it ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or... one of those calcium channel blockers? I take the first two, so I'm not too familiar with the third group. My kidneys are doing just fine, though.
Does anyone know more about this? Which of these supplements are actually okay for me to take, and which should I skip?
I’m curious if there's any truth to the idea that anxiolytics and antidepressants can actually damage your teeth. I caught a segment about it on TV recently and it really caught my attention. It made me think about people who "crunch" on their Xanax to make it kick in faster—is that what causes dental issues, or is it just poor hygiene rather than the medication itself?
Doctors usually warn you about coughing being a side effect when you first start taking hypertension medication. I actually did some extra digging and found that in many drug manuals for various antihypertensives, they mention the cough can sometimes persist long after the initial start. I'm not sure if that means you eventually have to switch medications or not, though—you'd definitely need to ask a doctor about that.
Note: I don't feel like hunting for the info right now, but I'm assuming the drug is an ACE inhibitor? If it is, the instructions will say so, and it will almost certainly list a cough as a side effect.
Personally, I never had any issues with that specific group of drugs. However, I did experience side effects from beta-blockers, and honestly, I still deal with them. They really do help with blood pressure, though, so I can't complain too much.
vividsailor7 said:I'm just entering my early forties. Essential Hypertension diagnosis, Hyperlipidemia, and an old Hyperlipidemia Hyperuricemia diagnosis from nearly 20 years ago. Currently on Ramipril, Amonex, Bisoprolol, Allopurinol, and Rosiglitazone.
So, how did things get to this point where you're taking all these medications at such a young age? Honestly, I was a little shocked. I'm around the same age, and I'm already on two blood pressure pills and one anti-anxiety med—and everyone, including my doctors, thinks that's perfectly normal. 😲 Whenever I hear this... look, you're a doctor. Every single physician tells me the same thing: all these blood pressure issues just vanish once you start exercising and lose some weight. 🙄So, that's what I'm wondering about.
Look, this is actually really important to me. Could you please take a look at my original post at the top of this thread and give me an answer? I’ve searched everywhere—online and even asking my doctors—but I just can't find a straight answer to this question.
Are you going to be super mad if I say this looks like gift wrap from Target? 🤣
I’m really not a fan. It’s mostly the fabric—it looks "cheap" and honestly just like crinkly paper. Plus, I don't think a cut like that on the top (bare upper arms) works for "curvier" figures. But hey, I don't know what you look like, and obviously, the most important thing is that you love it. Never mind me 😉.
A little more about bras 🤣 - I found size 105 D at the flea market and had plenty of options, so I grabbed three. Price: $12/each. The style is roughly like this:
Thick straps, sturdy yet soft—though this specific one from Victoria's Secret actually isn't very soft and feels a bit "scratchy." I'm super happy with them, though. Usually, a Victoria's Secret bra like this goes for $60.
They aren't fancy, but now I can save my better ones with the pretty lace for "special" occasions and use these for lounging around the house and everyday wear. They have several styles, all similar to this. I'm talking about the local flea market here, but I bet you can find stuff like this anywhere in the States. That is, if you don't mind buying second-hand goods.
Nathan Chase7 said:It’s 😢 definitely a bigger city.. think more along the lines of places like Macy's or Urban Outfitters, C&A, H&M, Takko, Two Way, S.Oliver, or even Banana Republic.....
I have a gift card for C&A. I honestly don't get this: just buy a jacket and hope for the best. You need to think about her. Think about how she'll feel if she hates the style or if it doesn't fit right. Plus, who knows if you'll even find what you have in mind. This way, if you give her a gift card, she can just pay the difference herself.
I wouldn't recommend buying clothes for someone else unless you’ve done it before. You can really mess this up. You end up spending way too much money, and then things get awkward. Even if you keep the receipt, having them try to exchange something because it doesn't fit is a total headache. Plus, sometimes they don't even have a return policy or a phone number handy, blah, blah...