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Bad visit to nurse today

lucylocket61

lucylocket61

Expert
Messages
6,394
Location
Wrexham
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I was supposed to visit the Diabetic nurse today to get my feet checked and get a meter. I booked with the 'other' nurse ans the previous visit was so bad. This one was worse.

I am shaking, crying and feel shell shocked :(

The first 15 mins were spent with her arguing with me that I was NOT Diabetic, I was pre-dieabetic, I had interpreted the results wrongly and was worrying myself unnecessarily. This was despite my insisiting I had had 2 HbA1c tests in the last 7 weeks, and my own Doctor had confirmed it and referred me to her for follow up. I couldnt beleive her attitude. Dhe started to explain how I had mis-read the results, and so had the Doctor. Do I made her go and check with the Doctor before continuing. Which she did. And came back red-faced and apologetic because she had not scrolled down to read my latest bs figures from my last 2 HbA1c tsts.

I burst into tears.

Then she 'checked' my feet. But siad she couldnt tell which was my pulse or hers. I couldnt bear to continue so pretended all was well instead of asking what the Hell she thought she was doing trying to do checks she isnt trained for.

Finally, the meter. She insisted I didnt need one. I again made her check with the Doctor, which she did, came back red faced hoding a Glycomen meter. There was not time to go through it with her. But she said she didnt know how to use one anyway. And I could have 50 strips a month if I really felt I needed them. But to try and see first with the 10 strips in there before asking for a prescription for test strips.

I am exhausted with all this fighting. And what if I hadnt seen the Doctor first? I would have come away thinking I was OK and another year or more would have passed.

I know I should complain to the Practice Manager, but it feels so hard to fight like this. And my own Doctor is good. I wish I had seen her face when this nurse kept bothering her and challenging her diagnosis.
 
I would really like to give you a hug. It does feel like an uphill struggle on the days the experts know less than you do.

I really do think you should write to the practice manager and explain that the skills and experience of the nurses do not seem adequate to the task. Perhaps some retraining and CPD will help them improve their service.
 
Not a great visit :thumbdown:
 
It's unfortunate that you had to learn this lesson the hard way- but it's very important that you did learn it!

You have to take complete control of your diabetes yourself. You OWN it. You might not like what the "professionals" suggest you do - in that case, don't do it!

Learn absolutely everything that you can about your particular type of diabetes. You absolutely WILL become more knowledgeable than the practice nurse, and probably (with time) more knowledgeable than SOME of the Dr's there. (I say some because I've met some bloody good GP's - some bad ones, too...)

I should certainly write a letter.

Make sure you DO get test strips. You need to check before, 1hr after, and 2hrs after food. It is the ONLY WAY to learn how your body reacts to different types of food. You should be able to rule out a lot of food in the first couple of weeks by seeing how much it effects your BG. Hint: test after Banana's and Porridge - you'll probably be surprised.

P.S - get used to speaking to people that are sure they're right - even when your readings prove they are not!
 
Oh Lucy what a terrible experience for you. Well done for pushing her to check her facts, that took a lot of courage and I bet she will think twice before contradicting you next time. At least you have us here to give you virtual hugs and lots of support.

.............
GroupHug-21.jpg


Please, please write to the Practice Manager and make sure you ask for his written assurance that the treatment you have received from the DNs will not be repeated. Asking him to reply to you in this way should ensure that your complaint is not brushed under carpet. I would also send a copy of the letter to your Doctor so that she can see how much stress you have been put under at a time when you should have been receiving support and guidance.
 
Brings back frustrating memories of my visit to "Nurse" Death in February....."Readings in the 20's,30's AREN'T high!" and "I TOLD YOU NOT TO TEST!! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE MY ADVICE" and "DIABETES DOESN'T CAUSE HEADACHES,INFECTIONS,THIRST,TIREDNESS-YOU MUST BE ILL WITH SOMETHING ELSE!!" :shock:

I then recieve a phone call yesterday from my surgery,asking me to book appointment as "Nurse" Death has seen the results of my latest Hba1c that the Endo organised before seeing him and wants me to come in for her "Advice" as she feels my Diabetic control is poor!! REALLY??? I didn't know that!! :crazy:
I promptly informed the receptionist that I'd rather see the McDonalds clown for advice than that nurse and besides,I'm under the Endo and his specialist Nurses so "No Thankyou!"

No wonder you're upset Lucy!! It's so frustrating!! :sick:
 
Patch said:
You have to take complete control of your diabetes yourself. You OWN it.
Click to expand...

Patch is 100% correct. Sorry you had to learn the hard way like so many of us Lucy.
 
Paul1976 said:
I promptly informed the receptionist that I'd rather see the McDonalds clown
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Oh how I laughed... :thumbup:
 
Oh Lucy,

Your frustration is coming through.

Let me put a different spin on this appt for you.

1) YOU stood up for yourself and demanded she went and checked (Twice)
2) YOU got a meter and 50 test strips per month
3) YOU showed an understanding and ownership of YOUR diabetes
4) SHE showed her incompetence and arrogance to the Doc

A triumphant visit me thinks. Well done girl :clap: :clap: :clap:

I also absolutely think you MUST complain even if it's not just for you!

Mary x

ps you say you said all was ok with feet to get out of there - if it's not make an appt with doc
 
We've all got to keep making noise until 'The worm turns'...Together we can! :thumbup:
 
Hi Lucy,

Thats horrendus! Well done for sticking to your guns and standing your ground! :thumbup: I dread to think what the result long term would be had you whimpered out of the surgery, as alot would have done. As we tend to TRUST THE PROFFESIONALS!! WHAT A LAUGH :lol: No wonder you got upset.

What really annoys me is we here iun the Media of a Diabetes Problem and how obesity and being unhealthy is the cause. How diabetes is a strain financialy on the NHS!!!

I wonder what the media would think about all of the misdiagnoses, unhelpful Nurses, people being kept waiting for a definate care plan. Beacuse in some of the cases I have read on here they are waiting up to 5 yrs in some cases to find out what treatment they should be recieving. When It seems to me that the hCPs dont actually know!!!

I think you are all stars for your tenacity and determination to get to grips with this yourselves!

Rant Over!!

Lucy.... :evil:
 
Thanks for the positive spin. It is the bravest I have ever been with medical people. And that is because I KNOW from all the info I have learned for you all and elsewhere, that I was right.

Maybe I will toughen up.

It is MY Diabetes, my health in my hands. I want them to help and, if not, to keep out the way and not hinder.
 
Poor you Lucy, Its har enough without all that. The problem is that anyone who hasn't eerienced all his and even your own family and friends think you are exagerrating when you tell them about it.

The first time you encounter something like this you are shellshocked. You can;t quite beliee it. You will be beter prepared in the future.

On Friday afternoon I am to have a procedure in the operating theatre on my eyes. I am not bothered abut the procedure but abou which surgeon is operating. If its the wrong one I sronly believe it is the end of he road for he sight of one eye.

I will be somewhat stressed and my bp will be raised a little BUT nowhere near as much as when I go into my own drs surgery
just to see the nurse. It is always offf the scale then That is because of my eperiences there in the past.
I tell thenm that THEY are the problem.
You are certainly not alone. Some people are very fortunate in their HcPs. I know some people come up wih all sorts of excuses for them but ther IS no excuse. The PATIENT, nervous uncertain and worried is he priority or should be.

Certainly write to your Practice Manager if you think it will help. In Drs practices hough , the staff are very much inerdependent. It is not like a hospital where there are alternative staf. I know they can't ignore you but that particular nurse may have been the only one willing to to undertake particular responsibilities/

I have had many run-ins wih mine which work for a while but I have o be constantly vigilant.
Regarding the scrolling-down Yes here seems to be some inbuilt resistance or inability to do that. I find that although they recogmnnise my face the nurses have to be remnded of every detail of my condition every ime I see them annd are incapable of looking anything up.

These people do a great deal of harm. While he individuals are at fault the whole system wneeds overhauling. So many people with a serious disease being treated like this,
I can never get excited about the full range of ess being carried out etc. If nurses just had the skills to support patients rather than upseting and alienating them it would cos no more but would be a great deal more effective.

I hope you get over the shock and upset soon Lucy. It is bad enough that you have had his experience. The eally sad thing is that it is so common.
 
I cant get over how your nurse has treated you, hopefull you Doctor will have a little chat with her after surgery today to make sure she knows what she needs to do.

Wishing you well and sending hugs x
 
lucylocket61 said:
It is MY Diabetes, my health in my hands. I want them to help and, if not, to keep out the way and not hinder.
Click to expand...


The above says it all Lucy! Its the "not hindering" bit that others don't get and is probably impossible to explain to anyone who hasn't been in this situation.
 
That is horrible for you Lucy. When you get a life changing diagnosis you want reassurance and support especially from the medical team.

Hope the doctor has had a word with the nurse.
 
I wrote a letter of complaint against my Doctor saying that it was a disgrace to be spoken to like i had and by a Doctor of all people. If your not a people person, stay out of that profesion. Simple.


Still waiting for the outcome of the letter
 
Lucy,

I would suggest that in future you book appointments with your doctor for diabetic reviews.

I would also suggest that you write formally to your doctor as soon as possible (whilst the incidents are still fresh) stating that after your bad experience with the nurse you have no confidence in her and you would like your future reviews to be with your doctor.
Also thank your doctor for backing you up when the nurse was sent to seek clarification.
Copy this to the practice manager.

The doctor must already be concerned that you have had to send the nurse back for clarification twice.
This needs to be reinforced.

I haven't experienced the kind of problems that you have, but I have found that in general doctors are more open to discussion, and more willing to spend the practice's money than the nurses who sometimes seem overly protective of the practice resources.

The DSNs are supposed to take some of the load of the doctors for routine advice and maintenance but if they are not doing their job then you must go back to the doctors.
If you don't then the doctors will not be motivated to improve the performance of the DSNs.

Of course, there are occasions where the doctors are the crusty ones and the DSNs are the saviours 8)

Cheers

LGC
 
Thank you all. I am writing to the Practice Manager and also sending a copy to give to my doctor personally. I dont know if the receptionists would open a letter marked 'private and confidential' to the manager or my doctor, would they?
 
If they did and were found out they would be in deep sh*t . :shock:

Don't worry about it - just write the letter!
 
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