Apologies in advance if the content of this post causes anyone to feel triggered, although I am very much hoping it won't. In order to (hopefully) avoid being too graphic and causing offence, I will be using a variety of euphemisms.
As a post-menopausal woman in my late forties, I had thought I was pretty clued up about the changes that can occur as a result of the menopause. However, one thing I hadn't realised was that in addition to my *front garden*, Mother Nature would decide that I needed a *back garden* as well... A *back garden* that would cause me to feel as though I'd got a wad of steel wool sandwiched between my buttocks, and cause my skin to feel increasingly irritated.
A few days ago, I decided I'd had enough of the discomfort *downstairs*. Despite not being a contortionist, I felt my only option was to remove as much of my unwanted *back garden* as possible, with the aid of some sensitive shaving foam. Unfortunately, despite trying to be extra careful, some of the shaving foam came into close contact with my *lady bits*.
After waking yesterday morning, I realised immediately after my first wee of the day that I had developed cystitis. When I've had cystitis in the past, I've always found OTC remedies to be useless and have ended up requiring antibiotics. However, I had a hunch that my GP would likely want me to go through the process of trying an OTC remedy first. When I awoke this morning, my cystitis symptoms had not improved and I felt even more ghastly.
Shortly after 8am, I had contacted my medical practice via their online messaging system. Approximately half-an-hour later, I was notified that the duty doctor had referred me to the Community Pharmacy Minor Illness Service, and that I would be contacted "soon". I then spent approximately the next 8 hours waiting for my phone to ring. When I did eventually receive the call, I was told that a 3-day course of antibiotics would be available to collect from the pharmacy. "That's great! I'll send my son to collect them"
My relief was short-lived, as I was informed that I would need to collect the prescription myself, as there were a few questions the pharmacist would need to ask me. For reasons that were not explained to me, the pharmacist could not possibly ask me these questions over the phone. After a rather rushed bath, I ended up having to put on a pair of incontinence pants and book a taxi to take me to pharmacy, wait, and then bring me back home. The questions I ended up being asked were no different from the questions the pharmacy assistant had asked me over the phone.
I am hoping I sleep well tonight, as after the day I've had I feel exhausted.
