The advice thread for random problems #7

Jas28 · Mar 31, 2026

Is it normal to be seen by a pharmacist for a doctors appointment at your GP? I didn’t know at the time but I did think she was being vague, unhelpful and brushing thing off. I’ve just looked at my gp notes and it shows I was seen by a pharmacist? She said my bp was normal but the reading it was on the day means it was elevated and falls into stage 1 hypertension. I remember her repeating it a few more times and telling me it’s ok now but on the notes she recorded the elevated reading with nothing further added about it. Im thinking of complaining

didisaythatoutloudoops · Mar 31, 2026

Jas28 said:
Is it normal to be seen by a pharmacist for a doctors appointment at your GP? I didn’t know at the time but I did think she was being vague, unhelpful and brushing thing off. I’ve just looked at my gp notes and it shows I was seen by a pharmacist? She said my bp was normal but the reading it was on the day means it was elevated and falls into stage 1 hypertension. I remember her repeating it a few more times and telling me it’s ok now but on the notes she recorded the elevated reading with nothing further added about it. Im thinking of complaining

It is normal now, yes, basically you can be seen by a number of people at your GP's and it will depend on why you asked for your appointment. If you had one elevated reading and the rest were normal then it can just be due to nerves, worry, etc especially if the rest were fine, so she did well there. I think from what you've said your experience is completely fine and normal, but if you want to (and only if you want to) share a bit more it might add more context.

chickhicks86 · Mar 31, 2026

Jas28 said:
Is it normal to be seen by a pharmacist for a doctors appointment at your GP? I didn’t know at the time but I did think she was being vague, unhelpful and brushing thing off. I’ve just looked at my gp notes and it shows I was seen by a pharmacist? She said my bp was normal but the reading it was on the day means it was elevated and falls into stage 1 hypertension. I remember her repeating it a few more times and telling me it’s ok now but on the notes she recorded the elevated reading with nothing further added about it. Im thinking of complaining

Yes, I recently did an online consultation for my child and we were referred to the pharmacist rather than a GP or nurse appointment. Just as good for what we needed.
As for your BP, the reading would be the same whoever took it? And the previous poster was right than one high reading alone could be down to many things if the subsequent ones were ok. Were you there because you were concerned, or as a general checkup thing?

Jas28 · Mar 31, 2026

chickhicks86 said:
Yes, I recently did an online consultation for my child and we were referred to the pharmacist rather than a GP or nurse appointment. Just as good for what we needed.
As for your BP, the reading would be the same whoever took it? And the previous poster was right than one high reading alone could be down to many things if the subsequent ones were ok. Were you there because you were concerned, or as a general checkup thing?

I was concerned and was told it’s all fine. I had left shoulder, back and chest pains and was prescribed diclofenac gel to apply. I was having headaches too. On the notes the high recording was noted and not that it was ok. I got the impression didn’t really want to do anything further

boatofbubbles · Apr 2, 2026

Im on my last thread here, my brother has a lot of specialised educational needs, he cannot read or write, he is partially deaf which affects his understanding but leads a full a adult life, he works and runs a household etc. But through no fault of his own hes being evicted. Ive tried CAB but because where he lives is a a new build they don't recognise they address, I cant put my address. Im at a loss.

chickhicks86 · Apr 3, 2026

boatofbubbles said:
Im on my last thread here, my brother has a lot of specialised educational needs, he cannot read or write, he is partially deaf which affects his understanding but leads a full a adult life, he works and runs a household etc. But through no fault of his own hes being evicted. Ive tried CAB but because where he lives is a a new build they don't recognise they address, I cant put my address. Im at a loss.

How old is he? Is he in supported living?

OnlyHereForTheLolz · Apr 3, 2026

boatofbubbles said:
Im on my last thread here, my brother has a lot of specialised educational needs, he cannot read or write, he is partially deaf which affects his understanding but leads a full a adult life, he works and runs a household etc. But through no fault of his own hes being evicted. Ive tried CAB but because where he lives is a a new build they don't recognise they address, I cant put my address. Im at a loss.

Can you get adult social services involved?

Mamacita · Apr 5, 2026

Does anyone know of anything good to get rid of ants from the house? already sealed up lots of holes but they're still coming. Can't use anything toxic as i have pets. Honestly i feel so itchy and disgusting

ReginaPhalange3 · Apr 5, 2026

Can you use those little round poison traps? We had ants in our old house in the kitchen and I put them under the cupboards, behind the plinths and within a day or 2 the problem was gone. We have dogs and they couldnt get to them there. I did put one by the back door too and just made sure I watched them outside - they didnt bother with it

I saw a post yesterday for the garden but sure it can be used inside, a spray bottle 50% white vinegar and 50% water keeps ants, bugs and cats away. Ive trialled it around the raised beds today. Could be worth a try along skirting boards?

Mamacita said:
Does anyone know of anything good to get rid of ants from the house? already sealed up lots of holes but they're still coming. Can't use anything toxic as i have pets. Honestly i feel so itchy and disgusting

Mamacita · Apr 5, 2026

ReginaPhalange3 said:
Can you use those little round poison traps? We had ants in our old house in the kitchen and I put them under the cupboards, behind the plinths and within a day or 2 the problem was gone. We have dogs and they couldnt get to them there. I did put one by the back door too and just made sure I watched them outside - they didnt bother with it

I saw a post yesterday for the garden but sure it can be used inside, a spray bottle 50% white vinegar and 50% water keeps ants, bugs and cats away. Ive trialled it around the raised beds today. Could be worth a try along skirting boards?

Are these the ones with poison they take back to their nest? Do you have a brand to recommend?

Thanks will have to try vinegar!

ReginaPhalange3 · Apr 5, 2026

These are exactly what I used, thought they were fantastic. Hopefully youre rid of them within a few days, they're right pricks! x

Mamacita said:
Are these the ones with poison they take back to their nest? Do you have a brand to recommend?

Thanks will have to try vinegar!

petitspois · Apr 5, 2026

ReginaPhalange3 said:
These are exactly what I used, thought they were fantastic. Hopefully youre rid of them within a few days, they're right pricks! x

I used those too and they work a treat. Quite fascinating when they all spin around then stroll inside.

Mamacita · Apr 5, 2026

ReginaPhalange3 said:
These are exactly what I used, thought they were fantastic. Hopefully youre rid of them within a few days, they're right pricks! x

Thank you! Yeah they need to move out

Darvos · Apr 5, 2026

Mamacita said:
Does anyone know of anything good to get rid of ants from the house? already sealed up lots of holes but they're still coming. Can't use anything toxic as i have pets. Honestly i feel so itchy and disgusting

I used Pestmatic Smart Spray Ants Away at entry points when I found more than a few trundling into the kitchen a couple of years ago. It got rid of the lot, and I don’t mind saying I was surprised. Our house sits on what basically becomes one huge ant nest conurbation as the weather warms up; I expect a tiny voting card through for their metro mayor elections any time now.

Mamacita · Apr 5, 2026

Darvos said:
I used Pestmatic Smart Spray Ants Away at entry points when I found more than a few trundling into the kitchen a couple of years ago. It got rid of the lot, and I don’t mind saying I was surprised. Our house sits on what basically becomes one huge ant nest conurbation as the weather warms up; I expect a tiny voting card through for their metro mayor elections any time now.

I just don't know anymore where the entry points are, thought we sealed most of it but the kitchen needs total renovation anyway so all the skirting is old and holey. Need something that basically is gonna make them f off for good. We've not had an issue before, only some at the front door which was easily sorted by putting the powder outside. Unfortunately we were away for a month recently and they seem to have moved in

Kim Mild · Apr 5, 2026

Mamacita said:
Are these the ones with poison they take back to their nest? Do you have a brand to recommend?

Thanks will have to try vinegar!

I used to work in a cafe , and we used neat vinegar to deter ants . It worked but it stunk

littlepup · Apr 7, 2026

Mamacita said:
Does anyone know of anything good to get rid of ants from the house? already sealed up lots of holes but they're still coming. Can't use anything toxic as i have pets. Honestly i feel so itchy and disgusting

“Pest Strike” ant spray on Amazon is supposed to be pet friendly and is well reviewed.
I’ve not tried it yet as the powder around the door frames seems to have stopped them coming in but we’ve had them badly already this year.

BearOnChair · Apr 7, 2026

Our neighbour is a complete dick. I'm fairly sure I've seen him fill up the JCB he's using for landscaping works with red diesel. Would you report him for it?

littlepup · Apr 7, 2026

BearOnChair said:
Our neighbour is a complete dick. I'm fairly sure I've seen him fill up the JCB he's using for landscaping works with red diesel. Would you report him for it?

As longs as he’s not driving it on the road, it’s ok to do that, in fact that’s what it’s for.

Magwitch · Apr 8, 2026

littlepup said:
As longs as he’s not driving it on the road, it’s ok to do that, in fact that’s what it’s for.

Yeah it’s exactly what it is for - off-road machinery.

The advice thread for random problems #7

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