Thursday, September 5, 2013

I’ve been on the same blood pressure medication for years but a week ago, when I went to get a refill on one of them, the pharmacist told me that because my doctor is no longer practicing in the country I would need a new prescription.

Pat has run into the same issue so I knew I had to call the clinic and hope I could see another doctor. I called yesterday only to be told I couldn’t have an appointment unless I called at 8:30 in the morning and got on the list for the on-call doctor.

So this morning I was on the phone at 8:30. It took 15 minutes for me to get in the queue. Redial on the phone is very convenient, but that busy tone can wear a person down! The queue lasted about 10 minutes and, when I finally got through, I was told the on-call doctor was fully booked and only there until 1 PM. I could, however, drop in after my Red Cross shift and go on their waiting list to see the first-available doctor. I took this to mean I would be seen between other patients since all I needed was a prescription.

I reported to the desk just after 2 PM. I knew I would have to wait so I had my book with me. Two and a half hours later I called Pat to let him know I was still waiting! That must have been the secret password as my name was called just a short time later.

I saw a very nice doctor for all of about five minutes. She gave me renewals to last a year, but she said I should come back in six months for another reading. Is that a hint that no new doctors will be arriving any time soon?

That finished I headed to the drug store to get my prescription filled. Not so fast! The pharmacist asked it the doctor had mentioned that they were reducing my dosage. When I said no she said they’d have to call the clinic and verify with the doctor. Another 15 minutes of waiting before I was able to come home, pills in hand. The same dosage that I’ve been on for years!

It’s a wonder that when the doctor took my blood pressure the reading was better than it was the last time it was checked!