Have you ever refused medication that was offered to you because if you didn’t want to take it or didn’t need to take it?

I have gone down and said, “Do you think I could do without this, would it be wise?” and he said, “Well try taking it every other day, see what effect it has,” you know, that’s it’s just a conversation really.

And what was that, what medication?

That was the beta-blocker, the propranolol.

Hm mm for the migraine or against the migraine?

Yeh but when I stopped taking it the headaches came back so I now I know. So I won’t stop taking it and nobody has suggested that is a danger in continuing to take it.

So what are you doing at the moment? Have you got some rehabilitation programme still going on?

Yeah I’ve got a programme of physiotherapy exercises from [small local hospital], physiotherapy department, and I also go to the local authority gym in [suburb] here on the Exercise Exercise on Prescription it’s called.

Which is great. I asked for that because I’d heard about it and the GP said, “Ooh yes we can put you on to that,” and that’s been great. Because you go to the local gym; all your medical details that the gym needs to know are there on the computer for them and there is a person there who is actually employed by the NHS to look after all the people referred and make sure you don’t do anything to damage whatever’s wrong with you.

Which is great, it’s very reassuring and I was building up beautifully before I fell and broke my hip [pulls a face].

It might be to do with the fact that I’ve been given things like I used to be taking Voltarol which has been withdrawn of course, and it might have been that they were checking on patients who took that because it could affect the kidneys and that’s quite possibly why it was, because I had that for years. And then suddenly it was realised it was potentially dangerous and taken off it, so that’s probably why I’d imagine.

And how long ago was that that your GP asked to test your kidneys?

I’m guessing now, how long have I had the naproxen? One or two years, let’s say two years, it’s not long term. It was- basically it was when the Voltarol was withdrawn.

So that was the explanation you got from your GP, it’s to make sure that your kidneys haven’t been damaged by taking the Voltarol?

They didn’t mention the Vol- no.

No

No they just said, “Let’s make sure everything’s alright, let’s have a kidney check,” so I did.

So it’s just that is your assumption that it might have been to do with that?

Yes. Yes, that’s my assumption.

Hm mm. So you didn’t really get any explanation in particular of why this particular test needed to be done?

No, No. I didn’t but then I didn’t ask for one particularly.

Mm so it didn’t actually concern you at the time?

No! [laughs]

Have you had any discussions about your lifestyle so exercise, diet, smoking, drinking with any health professionals?

Well I don’t smoke and I hardly drink at all so no not really [laughs]. Exercise certainly because I do that but no, I haven’t needed no. Weight loss is always a problem because I don’t move very easily. But this is where the gym is a huge improvement because I can’t walk. I can ride an exercise bike, so I do that.

Mm and have you been advised on food, diet, what to eat?

Oh god yes. I know all the rules; it’s following them that’s the problem! [laughs] yes.

And is that something you just know from, you know, your own information gathering or is it something that the nurse or the doctor has discussed with you?

I’ve been- I’ve been going to classes on and off, various groups for years so that’s why I know all the rules.

Do you mean dieting type of classes?

Yes so and the best one I’ve been to is the Rosemary Conley diet and fitness group, local one in [suburb] and I lost four stone. And then I hurt my back and gradually it crept back on again because I couldn’t exercise. That’s the same story everybody gives you, I’m sure.

But hasn’t your GP or nurse haven’t particularly sat you down and talked about what you should eat or avoid?

No because she knows I know.

Mm. Have you been given any advice on keeping up your fluid intake or avoiding salt?

Well not specifically no. But again, I mean I know that! Theres plenty of information on the television and in the shops and what not. And my husband and we try to keep a low salt diet for him so because hes been told to keep salt down so we do. In fact we have a lower salt diet than a lot- I don’t like prepared foods; you know that you can buy because it always tastes salty so were always having less salt than they are.

Mm so you’re cooking from fresh?

Mm oh yes, yes. Not for the last month while my kitchen’s being put in but yes.