page 1 of 2

1 / 2

home

contents of issue 83
back issues
the gazette
recipes
small ads
contacting us
weblinks

In a previous article I blithely wrote how easy it would be for me to continue my medical check ups and treatment in London, while living 80 miles away in rural South Wiltshire.
Well, readers - especially those who've commented on any apparent smugness on my behalf - reality proved me wrong.
I dutifully drove up to the Royal Free for my last checkup. The senior nurse said I could telephone the clinic in 10 days' time for my results. I decided to order my three-month prescription at the same time, knowing that in a fortnight I would be back at another department for my gynaecological check-up, and could pick up my combo then.
My results were fine. Great! Then I said I wanted to pick up my pills. I was told that I needed to attend the clinic. When I said I could do this on the same day as my 'gynae' appointment, I was told that there would be no doctors at the HIV clinic as they were all in Barcelona. I explained that I would sort things out with my doctor - please would they make sure my combo was ready for collection on the day?
On the said day, I had my gynae scan, and waited for over an hour to see the consultant. I was then informed that she was not there that day. You can imagine how angry I felt!
I went into the HIV clinic to get my script, only to find that there was just one month's supply. Again I was told by the nurse that I should attend the clinic.
Luckily, a doctor I knew was on hand to write out another two months' supply. When I finally went to pick up my prescription, I was told by the pharmacist that I was on far too high a dose of ddI. I informed him that I had been on this dose for four years! By this time, I just wanted to get the hell out of there and return to the safety of my countryside home.
The whole experience started me looking for any local HIV services. The only thing I could find in Positive Nation's service directory for Salisbury was Gay Men's Health. I talked to a lovely guy there,

who however did not know of anything in my area. I told him what I really needed was a good GP and most importantly a sympathetic dentist as I was/am having a problem with my