not the best review

[staceyc]

went for my 6 monthly review the other week when they took blood for my habc1 they didnt check for my liver fucntion and 2 other things this didnt please the nurse (or me hate blood being taken)
she wouldnt tell me my hbac1 number checked my feet very quickly and then said do you feel depresssed (never admitted it before ) i said sometimes her reply well that is part of the diabetes you have to live with it. then she wanted to take more blood off me my veins are really bad and she wanted to take it out of my wrist i told her no i know how much that hurts and that i will make another app.
really not happy with the way the review went the more i think about it.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Stacey, I am very sorry you had such a poor experience Really, some people can't really be thinking that they are dealing with a human being when they act in such a manner! 😡 Your nurse had no right to withhold your HbA1c result, and her attitude appears unhelpful and, I'm sorry to say, uncaring. Whatever the results, I feel that everyone sould come away from a review feeling positive and motivated - even if results are not good, it is the nurse or doctor's job to try and determine the causes and give you a plan for improvement - anything else is a failure on their part.

Anyway, accepting that she did a poor job doesn't mean that you can't start to look at things afresh and see if you might improve things yourself. Are you able to test your levels at home? Are there areas of your diet that you think you might improve, and are you getting as much exercise as you can? Why not start a food diary and perhaps let us know if there are meals you think might be improved? Remember, there will always be someone here to help you! 🙂 And do demand to know your HbA1c next time you go , or phone to find it out, you have a right to know.

 

[Copepod]

I'm not quite clear what happened.

Where did appointment take place? At GP or hospital clinic? If at GP, then was the nurse a practice nurse? How much experience / which qualifications does nurse have in diabetes?

Were there 2 visits - 1 for blood taking, then 1 for results? If there was only one visit, unless they have an instant machine for HbA1c, then nurse couldn't have given results. It may be that if your last liver function tests were OK, they will test again in 6 months, which I'm assuming is 12 months since last LFT?

Saying that depression is an inevitable part of diabetes is neither true, nor helpful. However, it's possible that your answer will reported to a doctor for futher investigation, as while nurse may be able to prescribe for diabetes, it is much less likely that they can prescribe medication or counselling for mental health issues. Admittedly, it wouldn't take long to explain better.

So, I'd suggest you make another appointment with another member of staff at the surgery to explain what happened ang get more explanation.

 

[margie]

When I had my appointment at the hospital clinic the other week they initially only took blood for the HbA1C. I asked why and was told by the phlebotomist that they don't do it anymore. When I spoke to the Dr he said that those tests are now the responsibility of the GP. However, as luck would have it he is two days at my Drs surgery a week - so ordered tests and I could go into see them there.

I can understand some of the logic for this - but it means that most people will need extra time of work to have the tests done.

I think that it is suggested to screen people with long term medical conditions for depression - but asking and then dismissing the answer doesn't sound like the best approach.

Hope you can get to see someone else and discuss things.

 

[liam]

Hi

This sounds like a good example of bad practice. You are right to question your treatment as you deserve much more. I would suggest you find out about how your area health service works as you should have the option to be treated in the setting you prefer. My GP often talks about me being treated in the practice but I refuse as my preferred place of treatment is hospital. The fact that I use a pump means this is not challenged.
You have a right to know your results simple as. If you have any concerns about your feet please ask to be sent to see a podiatrist - I had a screen by practice nurse who missed some neuropathy in my big toe that only the podiatrist picked up. As for the depression it sounds like this nurse has read about research into the issue of diabetes and depression and assumed everyone has it!! Living with a long term health condition affects how you feel and diabetes is in part hormonal and this has additional affects on your emotional well-being. Diabetes causes stress - both the physical and emotional effects - and I would recommend relaxation, meditation or self hypnosis (or combining them all!) as these really help. Sometimes just stepping back from your diabetes helps because you can see your ability to cope with all it throws at you. If we wern't diabetic and coped with all the things we just accept as part of the illness we would expect to be stressed, anxious etc and would probably do something about it. We should always look after ourselves but this should include our emotional health not just the physical. I have found that taking time to relax, and deal with my emotions results in better control than any insulin changes or diet alteration. In other parts of the world (such as Australia)they prescribe things like Tia Chi alongside the treatments for diabetes and this seems to have positive outcomes. Hope you get things sorted and feel better soon.