Good Day At the VA
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86575)
United States
July 11, 2023 7:46pm CST
A tale of two VA systems.
I read @TheSojourner ‘s discussion about how the VA will not mail her medications to her anymore. They’ve only been doing it for 11 years, and now they decide they’re going to stop. 
In contrast, the VA sent me my generic Prozac from a new pharmaceutical company. I took three doses and my stomach said “don’t you dare take another one!” So, I went up to the hospital today and talked to the pharmacy help desk. I told them the “new batch” of pills was ripping my stomach to shreds, and could I possibly have the one I’d been taking for seven years?
He went to check, then came back and said, “Sure, we have the white ones.” He also told me to call to make sure I get the correct company’s pill.
It’s astonishing how you can go from one VA to another and have a diversity in service that makes you think you’re in a different country instead of a different VA hospital.
Anyway, for your chuckle today, I present this sign that I photographed while on my recent trip to the Louisville Zoo. Only in Kentucky, right? Bourbon & Coke Icees! 
Hope y’all have a great evening!
Here’s Coral’s tale of woe about her VA experience:
In contrast, the VA sent me my generic Prozac from a new pharmaceutical company. I took three doses and my stomach said “don’t you dare take another one!” So, I went up to the hospital today and talked to the pharmacy help desk. I told them the “new batch” of pills was ripping my stomach to shreds, and could I possibly have the one I’d been taking for seven years?
He went to check, then came back and said, “Sure, we have the white ones.” He also told me to call to make sure I get the correct company’s pill.
It’s astonishing how you can go from one VA to another and have a diversity in service that makes you think you’re in a different country instead of a different VA hospital.
Anyway, for your chuckle today, I present this sign that I photographed while on my recent trip to the Louisville Zoo. Only in Kentucky, right? Bourbon & Coke Icees!
Hope y’all have a great evening!
Here’s Coral’s tale of woe about her VA experience:
I am checking in very quickly. I am still living without Cooper. He will be at RGD's through (at least) Thursday. I am missing him terribly, but it is good...
13 people like this
11 responses
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
12 Jul 23
My dad always had good luck dealing with the VA. I've never gotten around to registering with them for health care. My jobs have always provided excellent health benefits, and now I am under the state employees' and teachers health plan as a retiree. To my way of thinking, even though I'm eligible, if I don't take up VA time and money, there's more for vets in greater need than I am.
4 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
That’s the way I felt, too. I have insurance through my postal retirement pension, so why take up time that a poor veteran needs? Since the pandemic, however, it’s become dang near impossible to get an appointment in the “civilian world,” while the VA system seems to have improved dramatically.
3 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
12 Jul 23
@FourWalls I should probably get registered with the VA so the paperwork will be done should my doctor retire before I expire.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Jul 23
Love the sign. Hubby tried our VA here and didn't like it. But a friend a couple of counties over loves his. They really should be more uniform
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
It’s like anything else. You can get great service and food at this restaurant and horrible service and food at the same chain across town.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Jul 23
@FourWalls But for our veterans it should not be like that.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
12 Jul 23
One of my best friends works at a VA in Oklahoma City, and she’s so much happier with what she sees here instead of the VA hospital she worked for in Missouri. She was really bothered by the one in Kansas City.
A frozen bourbon and cola sounds unusual, and perhaps tasty (I’ve never had bourbon).
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
I never have, either, and I live in the land of bourbon!
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
They were super good about it. Even filled out an attaboy form for the guy who helped me.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
12 Jul 23
My daddy had decent experiences at the VA here. I’ve heard horror stories about some.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
I’ve actually had both: horror stories and great experiences.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
I’m also thankful that I recognized what was causing the problem right away.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
They didn’t change the prescription, just the supplier. And apparently that was at the mail order facility in Tennessee m because the hospital had the one I’m used to.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502189)
• Italy
12 Jul 23
@FourWalls - I know that the same medicine but coming from different suppliers can be very different. I always insist to give me the same I already had.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Jul 23
Now I wouldn't mind having a couple of those icees. I would have thought all VA hospitals should be the same or go by the same rules etc,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
13 Jul 23
It’s like anything else: there’s the “human element” involved. The guy just as easily could’ve told me to go to the ER and have them write something that said I had to have the pills replaced.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
12 Jul 23
So sad and scary how little care some take with patients medications
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
Chris!!! Welcome back!!! Great to see you again!!
It really wasn’t their fault. They’re government, so they have to use the lowest prices.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
12 Jul 23
@FourWalls thanks I'm back need a place to vent have wrote three new posts last few days need to catch up with old friends on here
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
12 Jul 23
I've heard good and bad about the VA. Is your VA convenient for you? A friend of ours has to go all the way into Cleveland any time he needs anything. (about 40 miles) Love the Icees sign.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
12 Jul 23
Oh, yes, it’s right here in town so no long travel.
1 person likes this
