General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

I'll go into my most regular pharmac_ today and ask them about the app. They have their own, so may not be keen, but I guess its my choice.

Seems to me that if you go the app, you should go eScrips as well and then not being able to go to a different pharmac_ would be a deal breaker. There's no pharmac_ where I live, so I usually go to one on the way to Hobart, but sometimes timing doesn't work, so I go elsewhere on that trip.

Is the safety net expenditure tied to one pharmac_? I would think its a centralised calc when they process scrips.

The app is great with both. I like escripts as both GP and specialists use them. An email or phone call and they've sent me the script immediately. All scripts show up in the app both paper and e. Shows all timings, and repeats for both. Just gotta get rid of Priceline because even though the dispensed scripts are credited to my current provider, in order to order them, they go to Priceline. Husbands scripts show up too. I've sent them an email because their instructions don't work.

Safety net is tied to Medicare number. As is this app. My history for many years, all pharmacies is there, e and paper.

 

[StayGoldPonyboy]

Not centralised across pharmacies

Keep track of your PBS medicines - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Services Australia

Keep track of your PBS medicines so you know when you’ve reached the PBS Safety Net threshold.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

 

[Pushka]

https://support.medadvisor.com.au/h...How-to-change-a-MedAdvisor-Favourite-pharmac_

I contacted Med Health. They were able to reset my account and get rid of Pink Priceline. It operates correctly now. They first told me to download the generic app. Which is what I’d already done to an I device that was new and never had the app installed. Then log in. They thought that would fix it. But as soon as I logged in for the first time last night it was already branded Priceline. I suspect it’s a glitch they are now aware of. Thanks for the reminder. I hadn’t used it in years but can see how good it will be now I’m ’more complicated’.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'll go into my most regular pharmac_ today and ask them about the app. They have their own, so may not be keen, but I guess its my choice.

Seems to me that if you go the app, you should go eScrips as well and then not being able to go to a different pharmac_ would be a deal breaker. There's no pharmac_ where I live, so I usually go to one on the way to Hobart, but sometimes timing doesn't work, so I go elsewhere on that trip.

Is the safety net expenditure tied to one pharmac_? I would think its a centralised calc when they process scrips at any pharmac_?

You can go to any pharmac_ you wish but AFAIK only one can be tied to the app. You don;t need escripts and can simply take a photo of the paper script and send it to the pharmac_ using the app, or just take the paper script to that or any pharmac_. Safety net isn't tied to one specific pharmac_ but it's easier otherwise you effectively have to keep track yourself and keep receipts (although it maybe available at any pharmac_ through the govt records of your dispensings from any pharmac_ - NFI). Ask the pharmac_ next time you go.

 

[Pushka]

You can go to any pharmac_ you wish but AFAIK only one can be tied to the app. You don;t need escripts and can simply take a photo of the paper script and send it to the pharmac_ using the app, or just take the paper script to that or any pharmac_. Safety net isn't tied to one specific pharmac_ but it's easier otherwise you effectively have to keep track yourself and keep receipts (although it maybe available at any pharmac_ through the govt records of your dispensings from any pharmac_ - NFI). Ask the pharmac_ next time you go.

Thanks for further info. All pharmac_ dispenses made to your Medicare card show up regardless of which pharmac_ you have selected in the app.

 

[VPS]

Yes it links to one Pharnacy but that’s what we do so all are recorded so we get to PBS safety net more easily.

MedAdvisor allows you to easily change the days left etc.

of course you can get scripts filled anywhere if you have the paper script. Personally, we find being tied to one pharmacist to be better.

Try it and see. It’s not compulsory to use it.

do you know if it works for linked pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse - I go to three different ones depending on where I'm going that day

Edit - I just read your subsequent post - I'll check when I go in next

 

[RooFlyer]

Not centralised across pharmacies

Keep track of your PBS medicines - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Services Australia

Keep track of your PBS medicines so you know when you’ve reached the PBS Safety Net threshold.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

Thanks - but what the site says isn't my experience:

You need to keep a record of how much you’ve spent on PBS medicines during the year. That way, you’ll know when you’ve reached the PBS Safety Net Threshold.

You can use the PBS/RPBS Safety Net prescription record form and application for a Safety Net card form.

Type your details on Page 1 of the form, then print out both pages. Each time you collect PBS medicine, hand both pages to the pharmacist. They will then record how much you’ve spent on PBS medicines.

I've never filled out a form. My main pharmac_ keeps tabs on my Safety Net Expenditure there automatically. They said if I buy at another pharmac_, I should ask for a 'safety net receipt' and if I give it to my main pharmac_, they will add it to their running total.

Pharmacist explained that pharmacies can't talk to each other in this because of 'privacy'.

Safety net isn't tied to one specific pharmac_ but it's easier otherwise you effectively have to keep track yourself and keep receipts (although it maybe available at any pharmac_ through the govt records of your dispensings from any pharmac_ - NFI). Ask the pharmac_ next time you go.

Yes, per above.

I think an app isn't going to happen for me. My main pharmac_ told me that they are "migrating" from MedAdvisor to their own app and I can see that that will inevitably channel me into using them more (else why would they bother?). I'm OK with paper scrips and handing them over the counter. There's a coffee shop right next door where I can wait, if necessary.

 

[Pushka]

@blackcat20 - maybe of interest to you. The test done on my eye showed streptococcus pneumonia. The specialist has given me an additional antibiotic and to use four times a day along with the original one. She said she doesn't see much of this at all and was really surprised. But good news is that she knows it's no longer a possibility of internal eye infection. And snot from baby gremlins is the likely cause. I'm on steroi_s so maybe my immune system is cactus.

 

[blackcat20]

@blackcat20 - maybe of interest to you. The test done on my eye showed streptococcus pneumonia. The specialist has given me an additional antibiotic and to use four times a day along with the original one. She said she doesn't see much of this at all and was really surprised. But good news is that she knows it's no longer a possibility of internal eye infection. And snot from baby gremlins is the likely cause. I'm on steroi_s so maybe my immune system is cactus.

I'm on oral ABs as well as the drops, my right eye is back to normal and the left one is red but no longer swollen or gunky.

 

[Pushka]

I'm on oral ABs as well as the drops, my right eye is back to normal and the left one is red but no longer swollen or gunky.

I think the oral is for the sinus maybe? Amazing how quickly the drops work. Thank goodness.

 

[Quickstatus]

Amazing how quickly the drops work

Only if the diagnosis is correct.

 

[Pushka]

Only if the diagnosis is correct.

Very true. Clearly thought it was a bacterial infection versus viral but the bacteria involved was a surprise. Hence the extra type.

 

[Seat0B]

Does anyone with experience of the post-chemo reflux issue know how long that reflux is likely to hang around? I'd like to stop taking the anti-reflux drugs if I don't need them any more. I didn't have reflux before the chemo. Thanks

 

[Pushka]

Does anyone with experience of the post-chemo reflux issue know how long that reflux is likely to hang around? I'd like to stop taking the anti-reflux drugs if I don't need them any more. I didn't have reflux before the chemo. Thanks

Are you worried about taking them permanently? I've been on them for years and won't be able to get off them due to stuff.

 

[VPS]

Are you worried about taking them permanently? I've been on them for years and won't be able to get off them due to stuff.

an annoyingly they are not on the latest get two months for the price of one promo from the government

 

[Pushka]

an annoyingly they are not on the latest get two months for the price of one promo from the government

I thought they were but checked again. Kinda pointless if it's to avoid Dr time when two out of five Medications aren't covered. But at least my most expensive one ($30 a pop) is. So no time saved for me either.

 

[prozac]

Does anyone with experience of the post-chemo reflux issue know how long that reflux is likely to hang around? I'd like to stop taking the anti-reflux drugs if I don't need them any more. I didn't have reflux before the chemo. Thanks

I am still taking pantoprozole 7 weeks since last infusion. My doctor says it can take a few months for stomach to settle down after chemo.

 

[VPS]

I thought they were but checked again. Kinda pointless if it's to avoid Dr time when two out of five Medications aren't covered. But at least my most expensive one ($30 a pop) is. So no time saved for me either.

and my doctor told me they were - what would they know?

 

[Seat0B]

Are you worried about taking them permanently? I've been on them for years and won't be able to get off them due to stuff.

Not worried exactly. Just rather not take them if I don’t have to. I’ve been EXTENSIVELY investigated to try to get to the bottom of my severe chronic cough and reflux was thought to be a likely culprit. But 2 gastroscopies and a Bravo 96 jr reflux capsule all said no reflux. So I only got off these in June after also taking for several years and was happy to have one less thing to take and “pre-existing condition” to declare for travel.

 

[Seat0B]

I am still taking pantoprozole 7 weeks since last infusion. My doctor says it can take a few months for stomach to settle down after chemo.

Thanks for that. So I’m probably a bit premature in hoping to finish them sometime soon. I’m only at 4 weeks since last infusion.