A (poorly) Englishman in New York

Two tips I have for visitors to the USA: -

Don't get sick whilst you're over here!
Bring all your medication over form the UK with at least two weeks to spare!

Those of you that already know me will realise that I suffer from hypertension and I take daily medication to help keep the effects at bay. I take two types of prescription medication for this. I've had to change the medication over the several years that I've been affected by this illness.

I don't like having to take medication but since the fateful day our local surgery nurse took my blood pressure (on three different machines before calling the doctor away from the patient he was dealing with to see me) and immediately attached me to an ECG; I've learned to accept that, for now, I need to live with daily meds to keep me going right!

I brought my meds with me to the USA there was enough for the planned trip and a few days extra BUT not enough for the length of time we;ve been delayed over here in 'The Big Apple'!

Talking of the BIG APPLE I must recount my visit to the Apple store on 5th Avenue a few days ago. That one is for later!

I started to reduce the daily dosage of my meds as soon as I knew we were going to be stuck here into next week. I actually ran out this morning. I sent an e-mail to our surgery in Rothbury; asking them to FAX over a prescription for my medication. They did - speedily! Thank you NHS Rothbury Practice - You continue to be brilliant! 5 stars from me EVERY time!

I took the prescription to a pharmacy 4 blocks downtown on 7th from the hotel. the pharmacy is part of the Duane Reade chain over here in the USA and they seem to have the same sort of monopoly that Boots have built up in the UK.

Now I don't like monopolies. I think that competition is a good thing for consumers. It keeps businesses on their toes. I'm digressing again! Whilst on this alternate path I should mention that Jim thinks I should start up my own blog to rival Sue's westie blog - but I'm not so sure about that to be honest with you.

The pharmacist at DR took one look at the prescription, turned her nose up and said 'We can't use that sir. It's against regulation! You need to get a prescription from a doctor over here.'

She helpfully directed me to a medical practice some 10 blocks south, on the other side of 7th Avenue.

Sue and I trotted off.

I WISH I HADN'T BOTHERED!

The receptionist was 'the receptionist from hell' and didn't even get off her ar** to help a blind patient who was struggling to get in through the door. I did that job for her!

The RFH immediately informed me that the consultation would be a minimum $125 and that I must pay immediately I'd been seen. I explained my story and told her that the doctor didn't need to see me he just needed to sanction the prescription from my own doctor over n the UK. 'Can't do that sir' was the immediate reply.

'Fill this form in and return it to me.'

I sat down and filled in the form that was asking me every conceivable question about my medical history from birth to now; including what my sex life was like and what my preferences were in that department!

I then waited almost 2 hours to see a doctor. I first had to see a nurse. Nice lady. Asked me all the questions I'd just answered on the sheet the receptionist had asked me to answer on her blessed form.
Showed her my prescription. She then asked me a few questions about the volcanic ash situation, took my blood pressure; that was naturally higher than it normally is - partly from eeking out the meds but largely from the way I'd been treated in this place!

Then she left the room after telling me a doctor would be along shortly!

I got off the bed she'd made me sit on and sat on the chair in the corner of the minuscule consulting room.

Doc came along some 10 minutes later.

He must have been well into his late 60's or early 70's!

He than started to ask me the the same questions that I'd filled in on the blessed sheet AND repeated to the nurse! He looked bemused at the prescription from the UK that  showed him.

'We don't have those meds here,' he promptly told me 'Have you had your blood pressure taken?'

To be honest as soon as I saw him walk into the room I lost all faith, but that question I found ridiculous! He was looking at my notes - the ones the nurse had just handed him!

My thought was 'Can the man read?'

He scribbled out two prescriptions, handed them to me and asked if there was anything else that he could help me with...

'No thanks. I just need to be able to get my meds and I'm annoyed that I've had to pay $125 for you to write down what is already there typed by my doctor in the UK!'

Now IF you think this is bad. Wait until I tell you what happened next!


BFN

Charles
xxx

P.S. We're coming home on Monday night now! Yipee!