Doctors attitudes

US doctor visit-
ME - Hi Doc.  My shoulder is hurting again
Doc - Let me schedule an xray, take some blood, weigh you, breathe deep now, put this on your finger, can you move it this way?  It's possible a cortisone shot may help you out

 UK GP -
ME- Hi doc.  My shoulder hurts again.  I need a cortisone shot
Doc - Do you want it today?

I have to say that I quite like the set up of walking in to an exam room (which is more like an office, to be honest) and to sit in a chair and have a nice chat with the doc, nurse gp, etc.  It is much less intimidating, and far more personal, than being asked to sit and wait in a cold exam room, on an exam table, often for a looooong time, until that knock on the door comes...eventually.

I have HUGE anxiety when it comes to doctors, dentists and medical settings. The system here has completely put me at ease. And I'm happy to report that I've had nothing but good experiences with the medical staff I've encountered here so far. The reception staff at my local surgery, however...

I'd rather have my bp taken, but I can understand being nervous.  This is however how things go with the main GP at my surgery.

Me: My hand is terrible, I can barely bend my fingers.
GP: Eczema, use this cream
Me: This is the exact same stuff/strength I tried OTC from Boots.
GP: It might take a month or more to clear up.
Me: It says I sholdn't use it for more than two weeks.
GP: There is the door
Me: :-/

Cut to next week when I can no longer tie my shoelaces or use a pen without bleeding.

Locum GP from Romania: That's a terrible infection! Why haven't you been in before?
Me: :-/
Locum: Take these antibiotics
Me: Clears up in two days, contiue course for whole week to stop spread of resistant germs.

I haven't had an issues in the past two halfish years now.

However, just like in the US it all depends on your GP.  I have had good ones and bad ones everywhere.

Having been seriously ill in both countries, I'll take the NHS any day.

I lived through them all, but with the bone marrow transplant, I'd either be dead or bankrupt if I'd been in the US, no exaggeration necessary.

In terms of day-to-day stuff, I prefer the UK ways, too. All four GP surgeries I've had in the UK have been great at fitting me in, and raise the alarm when it's needed. In both countries, I'd say I've had 90% great doctors, and the other 10% I'd avoid in future.

I have to say that I quite like the set up of walking in to an exam room (which is more like an office, to be honest) and to sit in a chair and have a nice chat with the doc, nurse gp, etc. 

Though I did find it strange to have a pap smear done in the nurses's 'office-style' exam room, and told afterwards to wipe myself off with the paper towel that had been used to cover me...

This was a GP's telephone consultation/appt with me that I once had here in the UK...

Me: I woke up with a horrible screaming crick/pain in my neck this morning & can barely move without pain.
GP: Would you like me to maximise your treatment?
Me: What?
GP: Would you like me to maximise your treatment?
Me: Uh - I guess so...??
GP: Right - take 800 mg ibuprofen every 8 hours, and I'm writing you prescriptions for Cocodamol (the stronger kind you need a 'scripp for) and Valium too. That ought to sort you out.

Woohoo!   

This was a GP's telephone consultation/appt with me that I once had here in the UK...

Me: I woke up with a horrible screaming crick/pain in my neck this morning & can barely move without pain.
GP: Would you like me to maximise your treatment?
Me: What?
GP: Would you like me to maximise your treatment?
Me: Uh - I guess so...??
GP: Right - take 800 mg ibuprofen every 8 hours, and I'm writing you prescriptions for Cocodamol (the stronger kind you need a 'scripp for) and Valium too. That ought to sort you out.

Woohoo!   

That stuff is awesome. Makes me dizzy but well worth it.
I was prescribed it a few years ago when I had such bad back pain that I couldnt even bend down to tie my shoe laces. Sorted that out pretty quickly. He gave me an RX for 50 tablets.. I still have a few of them lying around to use just in case it comes back...

Did you know you can get Ibuprofen with codeine over the counter now? Ohhhh, yes. It broke my heart when they stopped selling codeine cough syrup without a prescription, but I'm happy again now. (In my secret heart, I was meant to be a junkie. I react euphorically to all opiates, so I'm careful to use them sparingly).

You can also get diclofenac without a prescription now. It's just an NSAID, but it's a powerful one.

Did you know you can get Ibuprofen with codeine over the counter now? Ohhhh, yes.

It's been available over the counter for a few years now (Nurofen Plus) . I believe that Boots recently brought out their own generic version too though.

You can also get diclofenac without a prescription now. It's just an NSAID, but it's a powerful one.

It's a fairly weak dose over the counter though - only 12.5 mg per tablet (no more than 6 in 24 hours), whereas you can get up to 150 mg per tablet on prescription!

Did you know you can get Ibuprofen with codeine over the counter now? Ohhhh, yes. It broke my heart when they stopped selling codeine cough syrup without a prescription, but I'm happy again now. (In my secret heart, I was meant to be a junkie. I react euphorically to all opiates, so I'm careful to use them sparingly).

You can also get diclofenac without a prescription now. It's just an NSAID, but it's a powerful one.

I might have to investigate these!  I could do with some right now as a matter of fact! 

Thanks ksand24 - you know your drugs and weather too!  What a combination. 

It broke my heart when they stopped selling codeine cough syrup without a prescription,

OMG this stuff is amazing! My haematology docs prescribed this for me when I had swine flu last year and it was the only thing that got me any sleep with the hacking cough. Seriously, it's like a magic sleeping-and-get-better potion. I still have a bit left, and I'll cry when the bottle's finished...

Take some paracetamol!   

You guys are hilarious with the dope! I'm sure I'll be back seeking advice! I always wish I could take home some twilight drugs. I won't go under general anesthesia unless absolutely required. I have a high pain tolerance and the surgeons and other docs and nurses can't believe what surgeries I have had just with conscious sedation! I even talk through some of it. I'd say, "Ow". Surgeon would say, "Sorry".

Anyway, I was waiting for someone to mention the outrageous cost of care in the US and they did. I still shake my head when idiots say healthcare (being healthy) isn't a right. They haven't been sick yet. YET. 

I am glad to hear the happy positive experiences. Often on here, I wonder why any of you wanted to be in the UK at all or aren't fleeing back to the US. So much discontent. First we have the giddy jubilation of getting the visas and then the misery sets in! Whew.

Did you know you can get Ibuprofen with codeine over the counter now? Ohhhh, yes.

Yeah when family comes to visit we swap drugs. They give me Ibuprofen from Costco and they get loaded up on generic paracetamol with codeine..

I love telling the girls at Boots that I used to buy aspirin in bottles of 500. Their eyes are like saucers.