BBC Focus Magazine

[Thinker]

So I walked into the quack a couple of months ago with chronic heartburn. The rather colourful chap at the surgery informs me that I should try some tablets designed to reduce the amount of acid my stomach produces. The name of the prescribed drug, I can't remember. I take said tablets and behold, my heartburn ceases to be a problem. I continue to take the tablet course until I ran out. HAd a bit of a lazy month and a bit where I didn't go back to the doctors to inform him they work. Anyhow, i went there yesterday and saw a different doctor...MY DOCTOR...yes that's right. I actually got to see my own family doctor. He proceeds to ask me how the previous course went, which I said it went well and he prescribes me something completely different.

It occurred to me how odd it was that he should do that. Why prescribe me with Omeprazole this time round, but something different before?

[The Beige Avenger]

Omeprazole is something for your pumps isn't it?

Have you been prescribed another pump inhibitor or is it a different med?

It might just be that the Doc prefers a different brand...

[M Paul Lloyd]

I don't know about being 'mental' but possibly a bit mad if they read this thread??

The most likely reason for changing the medication would be to protect you from being overmedicated, the alternative might not work as well but it is more important to find out why you are getting heartburn rather than administering inhibitors that mask the symptoms.

However as I lack any proffesional qualifications in medicine I could well be very wrong.

[Shadowwolf]

Are you sure it was different, I've seen the same drug get rebranding from one prescription to the next that may have made it appear as though you got something different.

[Thinker]

Sorry for the late reply...I've been gardening for three days!

Have you been prescribed another pump inhibitor or is it a different med?

I have yes, it's within the scope of pump inhibitor.

Are you sure it was different, I've seen the same drug get rebranding from one prescription to the next that may have made it appear as though you got something different.

I dunno about it being rebranded, I can't find the old box that it was in, but I know it's a different name. It seems to do the job though.

PS: MPL, are you trying to wind me up by changing your avatar here!

[M Paul Lloyd]

PS: MPL, are you trying to wind me up by changing your avatar here!

No, honestly I'm not, I'm just trying to find one I like. But I give fair warning, it may change again before too long. Sorry.

[Thinker]

Just jesting! You are missing your hat though.

Anyhow, the option is there to add one now for me. I just have to do the same and find one I like. That will do for now

Sorry off topic!

[M Paul Lloyd]

Oh the hat will return I promise you, indeed even better than before.

Topic? Oh yes.

[...]

what was that about hats?

[M Paul Lloyd]

Hats are cool.