Type 1 Help?!?!?

[Alex_B]

I went to the doctors yesterday for my back pain and ended up being turned away because my "blood glucose levels were too high". She then called us up and told my mum she thinks I have "pancreatitis", (I have had this back pain for 3 weeks). If I had that, surely I would be in the hospital because I would of collapsed or something? How does she know that I have this thing when she didn't even check my back?

I checked the symptoms of it and I only have, nausea, upper abdomen pain and lower back pain. And one of my mums friends had it and she collapsed, like I said, surely I would of done in the 3 weeks I have had it?

She accused me of not taking my insulin and when I said that I have and that I could prove I have been taking it by my notepad she ignored me. She ignored both me and my mum. I hadn't ate all day, that was why I hadn't had insulin yet, I was advised not to take my insulin, because it is dangerous to do so. She also ignored that.

When we walked in, she told us that she didn't know anything about diabetes, then continued to talk about it, like I said I wasn't there for my diabetes I was there for my back pain.

I need help because I don't know what to do. She seemed like she didn't know what she was doing, she couldn't even check my blood glucose right! She had to get the diabetes nurse in.
Please help me I really, really don't know what to do!

I am seeing my GP on Monday. But this has really made me angry as I have to deal with another weekend in agony! I can't sleep or anything because of the pain. This is why I have never trusted the NHS, they have never ever helped me properly!

 

[azure]

@Alex_B If you're in a lot of pain, maybe you should think about calling 111 or going to A&E?

I don't know anythng about pancreatitis but I imagine it can vary in severity. Have you also been checked for a urinary infection as they can cause back pain too?

I can understand why you're annoyed that she kept mentioning your diabetes as the back pain might not even be to do with that.

 

[Alex_B]

@azure I've had 2 urine tests this week. 1 on Monday and another yesterday and no infections or anything. Surely it is illegal or professional negligence to deny a check up for something that I wasn't going there for in the first place???

 

[azure]

If she refused to see you, or you're not happy with how you were treated, then you could make a complaint to the Practice Manager @Alex_B

 

[azure]

But I think that's a separate thing from your immediate situation. If you're in so much pain that you can't sleep, then you need to get some advice.

If you call 111, a doctor will phone you back. This won't be the same doctor that you saw, so you can get some help from a new doctor and see what they advise.

 

[Alex_B]

I might do it Monday when I talk to my real doctor. She didn't know what she was doing, she claimed she didn't know anything about diabetes and then continued to talk about it.

I can't do anything about it now. I just have to persevere until Monday. I have been doing that for 3 weeks, what's 3-4 days gonna make a difference?

Wish I could afford to go private, I hate the NHS with passion. Never helped me at all.

 

[azure]

You don't have to struggle on if you're in that much pain @Alex_B Ive used 111 before, and the doctor I spoke to was really good. He was really 'on the ball'. I got excellent treatment.

It's worth a call, if you're in that much pain. There might be some meds you can take that will help you.

 

[Alex_B]

Don't trust the NHS anymore. I've suffered most of my life thanks to them. I don't expect to get any help when I go to the doctors or hospital because they haven't helped me since I was 13, so why should they get to help me now. Im done with them. I will see what happens when I go on Monday, it's their last chance to prove to me I can trust them.

 

[Rachelds]

But you can try and do something about it now by phoning 111, give it a shot anyway. I'll ask my paramedic bf when he returns home but your symptoms could be caused by constipation, even if you think you're not blocked, loads of people are. Dehydration can cause this easily. Take ibuprofen for the back pain and drink copious amounts of water. Dulcolax can help if you think you are partially blocked. I know your frustration, I'm sick of doctors always concentrating on my T1 too. Good luck and drink loads (not wine!!)

 

[azure]

Don't trust the NHS anymore. I've suffered most of my life thanks to them. I don't expect to get any help when I go to the doctors or hospital because they haven't helped me since I was 13, so why should they get to help me now. Im done with them. I will see what happens when I go on Monday, it's their last chance to prove to me I can trust them.

I can completely get why you lack any faith in the NHS @Alex_B

It's hard to forget when you've been let down.

But remember that there are good people working for the NHS. Don't give up X

 

[Odin004]

Hi @Alex_B

I'm sorry to hear of your experience with that doctor - I agree with you, she sounds terrible - but don't let this experience affect how you feel about the NHS. She shouldn't have "accused" you of not taking your insulin - I suspect she just said that because your sugars were high at that point in time; as such, she may have thought you were under-dosing generally - but a one-off sugar reading clearly doesn't represent how well you're controlling your diabetes. In any case, you certainly shouldn't have been ignored.

What concerns me more is that the doctor called your mum to express her opinion that you have pancreatitis - but did she follow up with any further advice? - did she provide any information at all about how this is going to be dealt with, or any further investigations that need to take place? - anything at all about what needs to happen next?

I see you've already had some very good advice from @azure and @Rachelds to call 111 - I've called them before, and found it extremely helpful; calling them may well help to restore some of your faith in the NHS. Just do it now Alex (no excuses) - and then come back here to tell us all what they say.

 

[Alex_B]

@Odin004 She didn't tell me what to do or anything. I have an appointment with my real doctor on Monday. I've only got a bad view of the NHS because they have always let me down, with mental health mostly. She didn't even check my back and like I said in my other posts, refused to look at it.

She also tried to put herself in my shoes, which I hate. If you don't understand diabetes then don't talk about it, its simple. It was like 30 degrees outside, of course my blood glucose levels are going to be high. Plus I hadn't eaten all day, I was advised not to take my insulin on an empty stomach.

 

[Odin004]

Hi @Alex_B, I completely understand, and agree with, everything you're saying - my main concern is that you're healthy - we've all had these bad experiences.

You just need to be put in touch with the right people, in whom you have confidence - and it sounds to me like that's never happened with you - however it can, and will. It also sounds like you're an intelligent and sensible guy, who's just been badly let down at this point. You can't be given a diagnosis of pancreatitis with no further information.
Just call 111, explain the situation, and then come back here and tell us what they say.

 

[Rachelds]

Ok, more info...pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. It sounds as if your mum's friend collapsed from acute. You do have the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, which I presume is why you have a gp appointment on Monday to investigate further. Please don't give up on the NHS, you just have to persist sometimes and most NHS doctors are the same ones who work privately.
Just another thought...my eating habits are a little haphazard too and when I don't eat all day, my blood sugar increases so I need corrective doses of fast acting insulin. How long have you been diabetic? Are you being seen by a diabetic specialist? May I ask how old you are?

 

[Odin004]

Hi @Alex_B - how did your doctor's appointment go yesterday?

 

[Alex_B]

It was good, just need to take paracetamol for my back pain. Not pancreaitis.

 

[azure]

Ah, that's great news @Alex_B I hope your back improves soon for,you.

 

[Odin004]

It was good, just need to take paracetamol for my back pain. Not pancreaitis.

Excellent, glad to hear it!