Thank you all, I will keep updating here regarding the meds.

We had a conflict of appts for the first Neurosurgeon slot offered, so I have an alternative one on 21 March.

Dave.

Hi Dave,

Is the drug you mention, the generic for Plavix?

I have been on that for 8 years, since they could not place stents during my angiogram.

Oh my gosh, that is a LONG wait.

Is there no way to speed things up under your system of health care?

Can't office appointments be triaged?

Your wait times sound like the VA system on the news here in the USA. Recent headlines have claimed that veterans die waiting to be seen and that these facts were hidden.

Is there a waiting list where a patient may be bumped up if there are cancellations that provide open slots?

I guess you can tell from my post that I am not a very patient, ... patient. Waiting is definitely not my strong suit.

Yes Hope, it is Plavix. Good to know you have experience of that as well

The first appt offered was for 22 February, but my Ex has tests for COPD that day. Not something she can miss. As it is an Evaluation appt it is a longer time slot, so they are rarer - hence the wait for a further month. You can ask for short notice cancellations, but as I have to rely on someone else to go with me, and she has medical appts, too, it is impractical.

I have learned to be a patient patient. Of course, having my Anxiety ramped up so much that I do not want to go anywhere or see anyone is a factor in my not pressing.

Dave.

Hopeless, waiting for medical attention is low on my list of social skills as well.

Dave, that sounds reasonably encouraging though I share your frustration about the wait - I hope that the detailed evaluation will shed some helpful light on things.

Dear Dave,

I honestly understand that there are times when one wishes to avoid pressing and wanting to be seen sooner than scheduled for a variety of reasons.

I recently had just such an experience. I was waiting for a call from a doctor in December. The call did not come. Friends asked why I did not call the doctor back since I had not heard from them in a timely manner. Actually, it wasn't something I was ready to deal with so in that case, waiting was just fine with me. After all, the holidays were upon us, I figured once they passed, then I would hear from them. Still NO, so I did finally call back.

Seems I had fallen through the crack. Maybe I should have let it be and stayed there (in the crack through which this patient had fallen).

The conversation was not good news so I was happy to have postponed it and exhibited patience. The only time I have "patience" is when it is to my benefit.

My patience paid off by allowing me to enjoy the holidays by not dealing with the next step in my care. I did not have to deal with it until January.

Post Script to my message

When we need "help" and assistance, I REALLY don't want to be postponed. (Impatient !!!)

When docs find something possibly wrong with us that we do not expect, this person is in NO hurry for bad news. That is when I become a patient patient.

Hope, I am exactly like this. Apart from the dull ache I have had for years, my liver issues are just numbers and a concerned GP. I dread hearing there is something serious going on, so I am in no hurry to see the Consultant. AFTER that appt, depending on what is found, is when I become impatient

Dave.